For Cassandra Leung, bossing around sea monsters is just the family business. She's been a Reckoner trainer-in-training ever since she could walk, raising the giant, genetically engineered beasts to defend ships as they cross the pirate-infested NeoPacific. But when the pirate queen Santa Elena swoops in on Cas's first solo mission and snatches her from the bloodstained decks, Cas's dream of being a full-time trainer seems dead in the water.

Waiting for her on the pirate ship is an unhatched Reckoner pup. Santa Elena wants to take back the seas with a monster of her own, and she needs a proper trainer to do it. She orders Cas to raise the pup and teach him to fight for the pirates. If Cas fails, her blood will be the next to paint the sea. Praise: "[A] fresh and fascinating look at a lawless future." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)



"Skrutskie adeptly creates a fantastical world of ruthless pirates; lovable, deadly creatures; and dynamic characters."-School Library Journal

"This is a solid, well-crafted, new adventure story with an interesting, unusual hook."-Booklist

"Skrutskie creates an intriguing fantasy world full of floating cities, ruthless monsters, betrayals, and unlikely friendships."-Publishers Weekly

"The Abyss Surrounds Us is richly drawn, a science-fiction universe with its own set of laws and customs."-ForeWord Reviews

"The Abyss Surrounds Us is highly original and addictive."-SLJTeen