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Dive Smack Demetra Brodsky Books

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Dive Smack Demetra Brodsky Books

So it was quite easy to give this twisty and exciting psychological YA thriller a 5-star review. It has been harder to put into words every single thing as to why, because I was so taken by surprise by Demetra’s brilliant debut novel. It seems as though from the moment I laid eyes on the beautiful cover for ‘Dive Smack’ (the flames above a young man plunging into the water), I needed to read it. And then I was immediately lost inside this book from the opening two quotes, particularly this one from Carl Jung,

"Your vision will become clear when you look inside your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens."

What a way to start the book!

If you read the synopsis of the book above, you'll know by now that it’s about Theo Mackey, a high school springboard diver who has had both of his parents pass away tragically, and then he starts to question the memories he has of the fire that killed his mom, particularly as new ones surface as he researches a family project for school. Theo luckily has some great friends he can count on, but he lives with his alcoholic grandfather (GP), and he's starting to find his home life and new stressors are affecting his usually perfect diving, something he can’t afford to screw up, being the captain of Team Monarch. And the big school family project is what really starts to mess with Theo’s understanding of the fire, his family, and this makes him question what’s going on in his head. It seems he’s gradually losing his grip. That’s really what leads him to get more help from Dr. Maddox, a family friend and psychiatrist.
*Note: I’m leaving a LOT of story/plot out, so there are no spoilers.

Now that’s a very basic overview of what you are getting yourself into with this, but it goes from being a book about this likable guy on the diving team at a high school (and I now know so much more about springboard diving beyond my watching the Olympics every four years), to being a very clever, psychological thriller with details and twists I never expected. Demetra has employed some very clever writing devices that make this a standout: I love the way she begins each chapter with a diving term that correlates to the part of the story that it contains (note that Dive Smack is pretty painful), which is absolute genius. Her writing is also very fluid, and weaving interludes with the past and other ‘voices’ are done seamlessly. Also, since this is a thriller, the pacing builds up steadily to an eventual crescendo, within an ending where all the tense energy flows throughout the end chapters.

Theo is such a well-fleshed out character (as are Chip, Iris, Amy, and others), that you really get a feel for who this guy is; Demetra has created so many endearing things about about him, that you can’t help but root for him the whole way through: we know he has two moles on his face, his car is called Bumblebee after the Transformer, he likes classic rock, and of course, he's an orphan. And he likes to use puns.

But the real treat in this book is how it ropes you in (it gets better and better the deeper you dive in: pun intended), how it becomes way more than a book about a few high schoolers; it becomes about a sensitive young man uncovering his past and the deception that is swirling around him. Then the massive and very dark twist at the end takes the reader, and Theo, by surprise, making this precisely what earns this book its top marks. It left me tearful, it made me laugh, AND gasp. I can’t wait to see what comes from Demetra next, especially if it’s another thriller as riveting and original as this one.

*And just so you know - Dive Smack: When a diver under or over rotates or twists on a dive, hitting the water with enough force to cause pain or physical injury.


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Dive Smack Demetra Brodsky Books Reviews

This book was an excellent psychological drama. Without spoiling any of the plot, the author took the time to introduce the characters and their backstories, prior to taking you on a journey full of twists and turns. I would definitely recommend adding this book to your summer (or any season's) reading list. I cannot wait to see what Demetra Brodsky has in store for readers next.
What a great read!! Couldn't put it down. Demetra Brodsky really captured what it is like to be a teenager in this day and age. The writing is so visual that you became part of the story and invested in the characters. Definitely the psychological thriller that everyone must read. Recommended for high schoolers and beyond!
I really enjoyed this book. Once I was a few chapters in, I found it difficult to find a breaking point. I had to pretend that I didn't have children so I could keep reading and reading..lol!! I really liked how developed the characters are. You feel like you know them and connect with every one of them. I highly recommend "diving" into this book!
I had a hard time putting down this addictive debut novel. Even though it's considered a YA novel, it will appeal to all ages. The sophisticated and layered edge of your seat plot combined with complex and likable characters, made this one of the best thrillers I've read this year. The diving terms at the beginning of each chapter added another layer of intrigue to the story that mirrored what was happening. And the novel ends in a series of twists that mimic a difficult springboard dive that the author handled like a seasoned pro. If you've been wanting to read a great psychological thriller, this is it.
I always read a book before passing it to my teenage kids. Tale after tale of Greek legends and vampires can get a bit old... and I wasn't sure what to expect with Dive Smack. But what a wonderful surprise! The story that unfolds around a school diving team captain had me hooked from the beginning. Layers unfold as he pieces the puzzle of his life get put together... past present and future.
I know I'm sounding cryptic, but it's hard to share more about this story without spoilers. I loved the heroes and the villains. My heart broke for the victims, and I was taken back to the years of teenage love angst.
Definitely worth the read, and I'll be joyfully passing over to the kids!
Dive Smack is an edge of your seat read. While YA thrillers are known for strong pacing and deep plots, what sets Dive Smack apart is Demetra Brodsky's command of language. She has drawn characters who "show, don't tell" their emotions and motivations, and her dialogue is both realistic and sharp. Theo's dry wit, and his perfect teenage pendulum swings between child and adult, indicate that Brodsky has managed that extraordinary task of writing a clear and true hero voice. Symbols and clues abound as the plot progresses, and a repeat read doesn't quell the dread as Theo must identify and confront his antagonist. It's a great option for older teens and adults, and Dive Smack, with its unflinching and realistic portrayals of teenage emotion, reminds me of forebears like "The Outsiders" and "Terabithia". It is a strong debut, and I look forward to more titles from this author.
DIVE SMACK, quite honestly, surprised me. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but....not this. )

Initially, I had a hard time connecting to it, probably because I don't normally read YA. However, by the 3rd or 4th chapter, I was hooked. The characters were fully fleshed-out and authentic-feeling.

There are twists and turns that I was not expecting (although I did anticipate one reveal) and it took on a definite Dean Koontz-ish slant midway through that I found very intriguing.

This a debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Demetra Brodsky has in store for us in the future.
So it was quite easy to give this twisty and exciting psychological YA thriller a 5-star review. It has been harder to put into words every single thing as to why, because I was so taken by surprise by Demetra’s brilliant debut novel. It seems as though from the moment I laid eyes on the beautiful cover for ‘Dive Smack’ (the flames above a young man plunging into the water), I needed to read it. And then I was immediately lost inside this book from the opening two quotes, particularly this one from Carl Jung,

"Your vision will become clear when you look inside your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens."

What a way to start the book!

If you read the synopsis of the book above, you'll know by now that it’s about Theo Mackey, a high school springboard diver who has had both of his parents pass away tragically, and then he starts to question the memories he has of the fire that killed his mom, particularly as new ones surface as he researches a family project for school. Theo luckily has some great friends he can count on, but he lives with his alcoholic grandfather (GP), and he's starting to find his home life and new stressors are affecting his usually perfect diving, something he can’t afford to screw up, being the captain of Team Monarch. And the big school family project is what really starts to mess with Theo’s understanding of the fire, his family, and this makes him question what’s going on in his head. It seems he’s gradually losing his grip. That’s really what leads him to get more help from Dr. Maddox, a family friend and psychiatrist.
*Note I’m leaving a LOT of story/plot out, so there are no spoilers.

Now that’s a very basic overview of what you are getting yourself into with this, but it goes from being a book about this likable guy on the diving team at a high school (and I now know so much more about springboard diving beyond my watching the Olympics every four years), to being a very clever, psychological thriller with details and twists I never expected. Demetra has employed some very clever writing devices that make this a standout I love the way she begins each chapter with a diving term that correlates to the part of the story that it contains (note that Dive Smack is pretty painful), which is absolute genius. Her writing is also very fluid, and weaving interludes with the past and other ‘voices’ are done seamlessly. Also, since this is a thriller, the pacing builds up steadily to an eventual crescendo, within an ending where all the tense energy flows throughout the end chapters.

Theo is such a well-fleshed out character (as are Chip, Iris, Amy, and others), that you really get a feel for who this guy is; Demetra has created so many endearing things about about him, that you can’t help but root for him the whole way through we know he has two moles on his face, his car is called Bumblebee after the Transformer, he likes classic rock, and of course, he's an orphan. And he likes to use puns.

But the real treat in this book is how it ropes you in (it gets better and better the deeper you dive in pun intended), how it becomes way more than a book about a few high schoolers; it becomes about a sensitive young man uncovering his past and the deception that is swirling around him. Then the massive and very dark twist at the end takes the reader, and Theo, by surprise, making this precisely what earns this book its top marks. It left me tearful, it made me laugh, AND gasp. I can’t wait to see what comes from Demetra next, especially if it’s another thriller as riveting and original as this one.

*And just so you know - Dive Smack When a diver under or over rotates or twists on a dive, hitting the water with enough force to cause pain or physical injury.