Cuttlefish by Dave Freer

Cuttlefish by Dave Freer
Publisher: Pyr
Publish Date:  July 24, 2012
ISBN:  978-1616146252
Pages: 300


I received this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Mr. Freer is a former Marine Biologist and was conscripted (at 17!) as a Medic in the Angdan/South African conflict.  He's done all sorts of interesting (sometimes weird) jobs and you can read all about him on his website:  www.davefreer.com.  Oh yeah, don't be startled by the burly wild man in the photos - that's Mr. Freer!


CUTTLEFISH is a steampunk novel set in 1976.  There has been a disastrous global warming and much of the world has flooded.  Britain's answer was to return to military rule. The people thought it was a temporary solution, but you know how groups in power are - they like to stay in power!  The story centers around two teens:

     Clara Calland - on the run with her mom. Mom's a scientist who holds a secret she wants the world to share, but we all know the world never learned to share.
     Tim Barnabas - a boy from the drowned tunnels of London, he signed on as a cabin boy for the submarine in order to be taken care of and to send money home for his mother.

The story centers around the group's travel iln a submarine.  Even the technical parts were fascinating, due to Mr. Freer's beautiful writing.  I could actually 'see' how the submarine sails worked.  Wait, did I just say 'submarine sails'?!  Oh yes, indeed.  The submarine is amazing and I loved it!

The characters are wonderful, they come across as real people.  They were, in turn, scared/nervous/angry with nothing supernatural about them.  What a breath of fresh air!

So we have a fascinating submarine that has quite a few modes of energy, a scientific secret, exotic locales, two teens who are exploring the possibilities of a relationship and the possibility of spies and more.  Do yourself a favor and buy this one, it's a great read and will have you daydreaming of sailing on a submarine.