When Oceans Rise

About This Audiobook

*When Oceans Rise* isn’t just another YA romance with a supernatural twist—it’s a sharp, emotionally raw story about a girl who’s spent her life outrunning a family curse that turns first loves into killers. Malaya’s voice crackles with dark humor and defiance, making her far more compelling than the typical "chosen one" protagonist. What sets this apart is how Alvarez weaves Filipino folklore into the contemporary setting without leaning on clichés; the curse feels visceral, tied to generational trauma rather than just a plot device.

Jennifer Aquino’s narration is a standout—her delivery balances Malaya’s sarcasm with moments of quiet vulnerability, and she nails the rhythmic cadence of the dialogue. The audiobook’s production is crisp, with no distracting edits, but it’s Aquino’s ability to shift seamlessly between Malaya’s biting wit and the story’s eerie undertones that makes this a must-listen. If you’re tired of love triangles and passive heroines, this is the antidote: a story where the real monster might be the fear of loving at all.

"review": "I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at first—*another* cursed love story? But *When Oceans Rise* disarmed me within chapters. Malaya isn’t waiting for a savior; she’s actively dismantling the curse’s hold on her family, and her relationship with her dream guy (who *seems* too good to be true) unfolds with a tension that’s equal parts romantic and unsettling. Alvarez doesn’t shy away from the grotesque—there’s a scene involving a drowned lover that’s genuinely haunting—but the real horror is how the curse warps trust.

Jennifer Aquino’s performance is the audiobook’s secret weapon. She doesn’t just *read* Malaya’s lines; she *embodies* them, especially in the snarkier moments where the protagonist’s defensiveness slips into something softer. My only critique? The pacing drags slightly in the middle during the lore-heavy flashbacks, and I wished the villain’s motives had more depth beyond the standard “ancient evil” trope. That said, the final act’s emotional gut-punch—delivered with Aquino’s raw, trembling intensity—more than makes up for it. This isn’t a book about breaking a curse; it’s about a girl learning to love without flinching. And that’s far scarier.

"tags": [
"dark YA romance with folklore roots