There have been a lot of awesome blog tours around lately and I am here to share another good one with you. The Fantastic Flying Book Club organized a tour for the book Dive Smack by Demetra Brodsky. Dive Smack is a 2018 Junior Library Guild Selection. That is pretty impressive. Thanks to the author, publisher and The Fantastic Flying Book Club, I had a chance to read and review.

Publisher: TorTeen

Release Date: June 19, 2018

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis:

Theo Mackey only remembers one thing for certain about the fire that destroyed his home: he lit the match.

Sure, it was an accident. But the blaze killed his mom and set his dad on a path to self-destruction. Everything else about that fateful night is full of gaping holes in Theo’s mind, for good reason. Maybe it’s better that way. As captain of the Ellis Hollow Diving Team, with straight A’s and solid friends, he’s only one semester away from securing a scholarship, and leaving his past behind.

But when a family history project gets assigned at school, new memories come rushing to the surface, memories that make him question what he really knows about his family, the night of the fire, and if he can trust anyone—including himself.

BOOK LINKS

• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32173182-dive-smack
• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dive-Smack-Demetra-Brodsky/dp/0765396955/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dive-smack-demetra-brodsky/1127026415?ean=9780765396952#/
• Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Dive-Smack-Demetra-Brodsky/9780765396952?ref=grid-view&qid=1528694370407&sr=1-1
• Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dive-smack
• IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765396952
• iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dive-smack/id1276186741?mt=11

REVIEW

Cover The cover of Dive Smack immediately caught my attention! I love all of the elements and the flames on top of the water. The title also really jumps at you. Seing this made me think I was going to get a very interesting book and I wasn’t wrong!

Plot Theo hasn’t had an easy time. Losing both his mom and dad in a short amount of time is difficult. Add a grandfather who drinks and hides away in a room and your life gets harder. He’s always had an uncle that looks out for him though, even though he’s not actually family. Theo also thinks he actually lit the match that started the fire his mother was killed in. This situation is hard though, because he doesn’t remember much. He’s had help, medication and hypnotizing, but his brain is still blocking out everything. Slowly he starts to remember everything and that’s when it gets interesting. His only problem is, the memories start appearing when he’s trying to dive or even just walk down the street. The concept of this book is so intersting! At first I just though Theo was a kid who was dealing with a lot of stress after losing his parents, but come to find out there’s so much more. Not only have memories started returning of things he doesn’t expect, but things start happening after he sees them too. His uncle starts acting suspicious and it’s not helping how he feels. I loved how even though this book goes pretty slow it stays really interesting. In the course of only a few events we learn so much about Theo and his family. I had a feeling something wasn’t right, but I love that I couldn’t figure it out right away. Not only is there more to his family’s story, but also to some people he’s grown close to. Besides an interesting book about diving, we get a book full of family secrets and mysteries. The only reason this book didn’t get five stars is that I would’ve loved to have known just a little bit more about his family past and other events. In a standalone that can be hard and the book was still really good. I’m sad that this is only going to be a standalone. It would’ve been interesting to see what happens to the characters after the events that went down near the end of the book. Demetra Brodsky is an author to keep an eye on!

Characters Theo is a strong character in my eyes. Losing both of your parents and still being able to do really well in school and sports is quite amazing. Even though his grandfather isn’t very present his best friend’s family really takes care of him. The starts to become insecure the more he starts remembering and seeing. He actually starts thinking he’s going nuts. I actually felt bad for him that he thought that, because he had already been through so much. It probably would’ve been easier for Theo if his Dad had talked to him more before he passed away. A family history project triggered everything and he realized how much he didn’t know. Theo was very brave and fought to find out all of the aspects in his life that weren’t right. He fought for himself and that was very important.

Chip is a great friend and does anything for Theo without any question. Everyone needs a friend like that. Iris was an interesting character as well. I have a feeling her family history was just as interesting. That was definitely something I would read more of. Iris was definitely another good friend. She stuck by Theo and tried helping him even though her father didn’t really approve.

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

This book definitely deserves a lot of people talking about it and this blog tour is the start of that. Other amazing blogs are a part of this tour. If you want to read more reviews, interviews and other posts, click here.

GIVEAWAY

There is a giveaway that comes along with this tour, for US only (sorry for our other international readers). You have a chance to win a Hardcover copy of Dive Smack & a prize pack of necklace, bracelet, signed bookmark and a signed book plate. The giveaway starts June 13th and ends on June 26th.

Click here to enter the giveaway.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Demetra Brodsky is an award-winning graphic designer & art director turned writer. She has a B.F.A from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and lives in Southern California with her family of four and two lovable rescue dogs. Dive Smack, her debut novel, is dedicated to Pumpkin, the monarch butterfly she once saved from the brink of death. Once you read the book, you’ll understand why. She is a first generation Greek-American and a member of International Thriller Writers. Dive Smack is a 2018 Junior Library Guild Selection.

This book was so interesting and I loved every minute of it. I’m sad this is going to be a standalone though! Hopefully we’ll get more books about the different characters. I really recommed picking it up though!