Sarah Beard amazed me with her book Porcelain Keys so I was really looking forward to reading another piece from her, and to say I wasn’t disappointed is an understatement. With a captivating plot and intriguing characters, Beyond the Rising Tide is another winner. The premise of the book is about the connection between those who are living and the afterlife; the perspective she takes on it is fascinating. Her writing is almost musical and all-encompassing with incredible attention to detail. She touches upon each of your senses, making her descriptions so vivid that she really brings her stories to life. If you think you know how the story will go, think again. Ms. Beard will give you a thrilling and unexpected ride! Get out the tissues and be prepared to be on an emotional roller coaster that you will not want to get off of. 

Male and female YA audiences will love this book, especially those who enjoy a romance with a beach setting or a story about life after death. Fans of Tahereh Mafi’s writing in Shatter Me will also love Sarah Beard’s work.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Sweetwater Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity:  None

Violence/Gore:  Many (27) brief incidents including character desiring to hurt another; characters use metaphors which reference something violent; character jokingly punches another; characters worried about getting hurt; implied child abuse; secondhand report of character beating up another; secondhand report of character sustaining injuries and another dying from a car accident; character has a scar; secondhand report of character overdosing on sleeping pills; reference to character stealing to feed family; secondhand report of character committing suicide with drugs (needle); character receives injuries from rocks and thorns while walking; character receives a bee sting; character punching each other; character nearly dies from drugs/alcohol; character nearly drowns; character vandalizes building (broke window).

Sex/Nudity:  Many (30) brief incidents including holding and kissing hand; hugging; cuddling; kissing; touching shoulder, arms, leg, back and face.

Mature Subject Matter:

Marital issues, death, child abuse (implied), character having difficult time in foster care, suicide, vandalism and theft.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Reference to drug dealers; character commits suicide with needle; character nearly dies from consuming drugs and alcohol; character finds marijuana.