Scan barcode
jolovesbookstbh's review against another edition
5.0
Saénz illustrates the sweet reality of young love intertwined with fear of condemnation and tragic loss. He offers a beautiful look at growing up as a gay immigrant in 1980s USA being ravaged by the horrors of the AIDS crisis.
The book takes twists and turns and deals with death as well as new beginnings. It is an emotional rollercoaster throughout. Saénz succeeds in building not only a beautiful (yet tragic) world, but also in illustrating love in all its forms. Not only romantic, but also love between friends and most notably love between parents and their children. The characters on the whole make the story feel human and relatable. Strong female characters and especially Ari’s admiration of them bring a special layer to the story that is being told. The history of solidarity between women and gay men is thereby beautifully illustrated.
Ari’s character development in this book in particular is genuinely admirable. He shows how opening oneself up despite fear of rejection and loss makes one brave rather than weak.
Truly the quintessential coming of age queer love story.
The book takes twists and turns and deals with death as well as new beginnings. It is an emotional rollercoaster throughout. Saénz succeeds in building not only a beautiful (yet tragic) world, but also in illustrating love in all its forms. Not only romantic, but also love between friends and most notably love between parents and their children. The characters on the whole make the story feel human and relatable. Strong female characters and especially Ari’s admiration of them bring a special layer to the story that is being told. The history of solidarity between women and gay men is thereby beautifully illustrated.
Ari’s character development in this book in particular is genuinely admirable. He shows how opening oneself up despite fear of rejection and loss makes one brave rather than weak.
Truly the quintessential coming of age queer love story.
kamelleruano's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Compared to the first book, parts of this book were seriously lacking one of the two title characters. I’m struggling to follow the story to the final chapter.
martharabura's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe so couldn't wait to read the sequel but was also apprehensive. The first book was such a beautiful work of art that I didn't think it was possible for the second book to live up to it's predecessor. I was worried it would ruin what was already perfect. I couldn't have been more wrong. I don't know how it's possible but Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the Word might be even better than the first book. It definitely caused even more tears. I loved how the author took the characters and broadened their story to include the backdrop of the aids epidemic. I loved how the characters didn't remain stagnant but continued to grow and evolve. I loved the author's beautiful way of explaining the troubles and wonders of the world. I loved everything. Every single page. And I hope you do too.
rustbeltredux's review against another edition
5.0
I know I could complain that this was all too easy… a story like this shouldn’t be able to exist in Texas in 1988. And yet I just don’t care. This will forever live in my heart as one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read.
”You’re every street I’ve ever walked. You’re the tree outside my window, you’re a sparrow as he flies. You’re the book that I am reading. You’re every poem I’ve ever loved.”
”You’re every street I’ve ever walked. You’re the tree outside my window, you’re a sparrow as he flies. You’re the book that I am reading. You’re every poem I’ve ever loved.”
halfbloodcity's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I have been wanting this book ever since I read the first one in 2017, however, in the end, it fell short of my expectations.
The writing, although easy to read, at some points felt really repetitive. I also feel like the dialogues became very unrealistic and philosophical, especially for teenagers.
the first 2 thirds of the book were very slow-paced and I was starting to feel like nothing was really going to happen. I really enjoyed the last third of the book but the ending was underwhelming and made it felt like it ended too soon.
I really wanted to enjoy this book but I ended it feeling disappointed as the ending just left me feeling that it was missing something more.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I have been wanting this book ever since I read the first one in 2017, however, in the end, it fell short of my expectations.
The writing, although easy to read, at some points felt really repetitive. I also feel like the dialogues became very unrealistic and philosophical, especially for teenagers.
the first 2 thirds of the book were very slow-paced and I was starting to feel like nothing was really going to happen. I really enjoyed the last third of the book but the ending was underwhelming and made it felt like it ended too soon.
I really wanted to enjoy this book but I ended it feeling disappointed as the ending just left me feeling that it was missing something more.
pi_r4t_e's review against another edition
5.0
getting this as a physical. goddamn. this was the ending i hoped for, perhaps that and a little more. give this book a try, DNF on it if it don't fit you, but goddamn. Dante and Aristotle gained a new place in my brain.
nnicoleabalo's review against another edition
Lo pause por tanto tiempo que me olvidé que había leido, así que tengo que arrancarlo desde cero
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
This is the sequel to Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets to the universe. Aristotle and Dante are two gay teenage boys discovering what it means to be gay and first love. I think the writing itself was better than the first and fans will surely love the sequel. I just found it rather repetitive and kind of boring? I think this is a me issue though, since I think lots of people will love it.