Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Apr 2015
320 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
High school senior Jason knows how to take a punch. Living with an abusive father will teach a kid that. But he's also learned how to hit back, earning a reputation at school that ensures no one will mess with him. Even so, all Jason truly wants is to survive his father long enough to turn eighteen, take his younger sister, Janie, and run away.
Then one day, the leader of the in crowd at school, Michael, offers to pay Jason to hang out with him. Jason figures Michael simply wants to be seen with someone with a tough rep and that the money will add up fast, making Jason's escape plan a reality. Plus, there's Michael's girl, Cyndra, who looks at Jason as if she sees something behind his false smile. As Jason gets drawn deeper into Michael's game, the money keeps flowing, but the stakes grow ever more dangerous. Soon, even Jason's fists and his ability to think on his feet aren't enough to keep his head above water.
Still Waters is an intense, gritty thriller that pulls no punches - yet leaves you rooting for the tough guy. A powerful, dynamic debut.
"The plot is a little too Byzantine for its own good - some twists are unmemorable, and the climax borders on chaotic - but Jason's flaws and rough edges help create a rounded, dimensional character, and his narrative is stark and compelling. Ages 14–up." - Publishers Weekly
"Tight plotting combined with raw voice and emotion will propel readers through this thriller. Keep an eye on Parsons." - Booklist
"[A] provocative and suspenseful book .... A great choice for reluctant readers, fans of books with male protagonists, and lovers of survivor stories." - School Library Journal
"An uneven debut, but Parsons shows real promise with Jason's characterization. " - Kirkus
This information about Still Waters was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Ash Parsons recently taught English to rowdy middle- and high-school students in what she describes as "the meth capital of Alabama" - which made her ever vigilant for signs of trouble at home, including abuse. Currently she teaches creative writing for Troy University's ACCESS program. Ash lives in Alabama with her family. Still Waters is her first novel.
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