The Undrowning of Waverly Grey

Desperate to save her mother from a supernatural illness, biracial seventeen-year-old Waverly Grey fights to learn her mother’s secrets–and becomes entangled with shapeshifting water dragons, tropical magic, and the ancient cults warring over her island’s fate.  (Genre: YA Contemporary Fantasy)

Meet the Characters

Waverly Grey
"My life has changed so much in the last three months. I mean, I never imagined I’d be swimming in the middle of the night, thousands of miles from home—half a world away from my best friend Lucy, my old soccer team, and my entire life. Yet here I am, just off the coast. Ducking my head underwater, breaking through the surface to gasp for a shallow breath. Again and again and again. "

Age: 17
Known for: Athleticism, affection for animals, and a teaspoon of sass
Kahu (Eyebrows)
“We do not talk when we are on the water,” Eyebrows says in a cool voice, apparently not struggling to breathe at all. “But I will try and give you instruction.”

Age: about 19
Known for: Overly serious tai chi, charisma, and eyebrows (obviously)
Amoe
“Look at the falls!” Amoe says, shucking a leg onto the railing. “There’s a cave back there, filled with rainbows and fish bones. It’s my favorite place, after home. And Starbucks.”

Age: 17
Known for: Malapropisms, addictive personality, and flowers in her hair
Leo
“You would’ve lasted another ten minutes out there, probably.” Leo bites into his cookie. His tone is polite but matter-of-fact as he adds, “Maybe twenty.”

Age: about 17
Known for: Eagle eyes, low-key dramatics, kindness
Hoku
The extra-beefy paddler, having made it to the canoe, holds the container out for the sullen-looking girl. I’m pretty sure she had been sitting in front of me yesterday. “Quick, quick!” he presses her. “Eat them all!”

Age: about 18
Known for: muscles growing muscles, pranks, and a belief in the power of cookies
Haila
Hearing me, Haila doesn’t go still, exactly. But her head swivels slowly, reminding me of the way a snake slithers in the grass.
“I have work,” she whispers. “They give us free lunch.”

Age: about 18
Known for: Quiet disposition, physical strength, and astronomy skills
Mara Pokui Grey
"Unlike the volcano in Kena, Moekai has been dormant for a long, long time. But just because a volcano is silent on the outside, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. They could be biding time their time, waiting to explode. And sometimes? People are the exact same way."

Age: 35 years old
Known for: Pride, precociousness, and secrets
Dane
"At the head of the beach trail, a tall guy leans against a concrete embankment with a dark, skinny terrier at his feet. He’s typing on his phone. The hair on both sides of his head has been shaved off, revealing a jagged tortoise-shell-like tattoo; the rest of his black hair has been pulled into a low bun... I know one thing for sure: I feel threatened."

Age: 17
Known for: ???
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Waverly's Playlist

Listen on Spotify

1. slide away – miley cyrus
2. what they’ll say about us – finneas
3. hardwired – hailey knox
4. ocean bed – darlingside
5. in my blood – shawn mendez
6. bridges – johnnyswim
7. you’re somebody else – flora cash
8. stupid deep – jon bellium

9. summer girl – haim
10. ocean – ella vos
11. magic – gabrielle aplin
12. bad guy (with justin bieber) – billie eilish
13. i will never die – delta rae
14. river – seinabo sey
15. feels like this – maisie peters
16. wild once – laura marling

1. slide away – miley cyrus
2. what they’ll say about us – finneas
3. hardwired – hailey knox
4. ocean bed – darlingside
5. in my blood – shawn mendez
6. bridges – johnnyswim
7. you’re somebody else – flora cash
8. stupid deep – jon bellium9. summer girl – haim
10. ocean – ella vos
11. magic – gabrielle aplin
12. bad guy (with justin bieber) – billie eilish
13. i will never die – delta rae
14. river – seinabo sey
15. feels like this – maisie peters
16. wild once – laura marling

Project Status

Workshopping fourth draft in the Highlights Whole Novel Workshop (8/2021) and at the Pacific Coast Childrens’ Writers Workshop (10/2021) as a Group A participant. I will then begin querying.