In the year 2016, four hostages are rescued by a private security firm after 5 years to return to an earth far different from the one they left. In their absence, the sea level has risen far faster than was predicted and parts of the earth are experiencing flooding on a huge scale. The hostages agree to keep in touch and always be there for each other and they part. Lily goes to her home in England, which is flooding terribly. She ensures her sister and her kids are safe and then hooks up with a hostage who was a climatologist and who was invited to study the flooding problems happening worldwide.
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Through the book, which chronicles the next 36 years of the flood, the hostages are in and out of each others' lives while they try to survive the rapidly changing world. Governments are relocated as the wealthy stake their clam to high areas, planning a future without land.
Best part of story, including ending:
The story was so believable and the reason they discover it's happening is also believable. I think his characterization of how the world will be is entirely conceivable.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scene was when Grace had to take a ferry to meet a government official in London and when the ferry man asked where she was going he indicated is was likely flooded or would be soon. He told her she sees the sea coming head for the strand, which means shore. He said it would be the safest place because it can't flood a shore. I thought it showed how old knowledge would be needed to survive in a future world as a lot of technology fails.
Opinion about the main character:
I liked her because she just kept pushing on no matter what was thrown at her.