Originally reviewed at Hooked on Books 
 When I started reading Above World I was expecting a pretty basic middle grade title. A fun fantasy story that I could lose myself in for a little while. Something along the lines of Disney's The Little Mermaid. What I found, however, was a delightful fantasy mixed with some science fiction and a strong story I could really get behind. 
 Unlike many fantasy stories, this book takes place in a futuristic version of our world. In the future, over-population has led humans to find more creative places to reside - the ocean, the mountains, the desert. Various advances in technology have allowed humans to adapt to these environments and for awhile everything is fine. However, when the technology begins to fail, one young mermaid (or Kampii) Aluna makes her way to the surface to find the solution to the problem and save her underwater people. I was fascinated by this futuristic society and the unique ways humans adapted. 
 I also enjoyed that this novel revolved around a full, strong cast of characters. Though Aluna is a key character, it is not simply the case of one amazing do-it-all heroine, surrounded by a bunch of side kicks. All four characters - Aluna, Hoku, Calli and Dash - are unqiue, they come from different worlds and they all have something important to contribute. 
 I found there were some important messages in this book - in particular the dangers of relying to heavily on technology. This is a particularly relevant and insightful message given how "plugged in" the younger generation (as well as my own) has become. Above World is an enchanting and inventive middle grade title, with a stunning cast of characters and an interesting way of looking at the future. I may have been expecting a standard mermaid tale but instead I got something much more complex and engaging.