Article contributed by Annie McCann
The oasis saved them. But who will save them from the oasis?
Alif had exciting summer plans: working on her father’s archaeological dig site in the desert with four close friends . . . and a very cute research assistant. Then the sandstorm hit.
With their camp wiped away, Alif and the others find themselves lost on the sands, seemingly doomed . . . until they find the oasis. It has everything they need: food, water, shade—and mysterious ruins that hide a deadly secret. As reality begins to shift around them, they question what’s real and what’s a mirage.
The answers turn Alif and her friends against one another, and they begin to wonder if they’ve truly been saved. And while it was easy to walk into the oasis, it may be impossible to leave . . .
I was very pleased to be one of the very first readers of this book. Whilst the book is an ARC and still subject to edits, I can safely say that I thoroughly enjoyed the story and if any changes are made to the story, it can only be for the better.
It was very easy to read and fall into the book from the first chapter. The suspense was evenly paced and kept me glued to the end. I was impressed with the firm foundation of the protagonist’s (Alif) life that was set in the beginning of the story as we were able to identify her family situation, academic goals and her friendship group. In the beginning, it starts off with a contemporary YA feel until Alif and her friends embark on an adventure to pursue Alif’s love of archaeology and site digs. Yet, only to find upon landing that they got more than they bargained for.
The story develops quite well and the suspense kept me turning the page and with the need to know what happens next, I felt I was able to connect with the characters easily and I even started to choose favourites from early on. Katya did well in capturing teen friendships and their own lives whilst weaving a supernatural thriller together. The story is quite smart with accurate scientific referencing and an accurate depiction of desert land in the UAE interwoven with a typical yet fun loving and often strained YA dynamic. I particularly enjoyed Alif’s character (the protagonist) as I believe she had the right idea as a teen with a good head on her shoulders. That being said, she is a typical teenager too with her constant confusion and internal struggles with choices, it did feel frustrating some times but then I remembered, we have all been there once. The conclusion was quite clever also with a mystery hidden in plain sight that kept me guessing to the end and even in the end, I had many questions – what’s real? What’s not real? It was really well done.
Due for release in early 2020, I am sure this book will be well received among the YA readership. If you’re someone who enjoys fantasy reads set in contemporary times with accurate referencing to science and technology with great suspense and mind boggling mystery, then this is the one for you!
I want to give my special thanks to the author, Katya de Becerra, for sending me a copy of the ARC personally for my insight into her story and for trusting me to be one of the first to read it. It was an honour and I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product on the shelves on release day!
Oasis is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of January 7th 2020.
Will you be picking up Oasis? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The oasis saved them. But who will save them from the oasis?
Alif had exciting summer plans: working on her father’s archaeological dig site in the desert with four close friends . . . and a very cute research assistant. Then the sandstorm hit.
With their camp wiped away, Alif and the others find themselves lost on the sands, seemingly doomed . . . until they find the oasis. It has everything they need: food, water, shade—and mysterious ruins that hide a deadly secret. As reality begins to shift around them, they question what’s real and what’s a mirage.
The answers turn Alif and her friends against one another, and they begin to wonder if they’ve truly been saved. And while it was easy to walk into the oasis, it may be impossible to leave . . .
Katya de Becerra’s new supernatural thriller hides a mystery in plain sight, and will keep you guessing right up to its terrifying conclusion.
