Reviews with content warning for Animal death - The Waters

It took me quite a long time to get into this book. What was there was interesting enough to keep from DNF-ing this book, but the slow pace and the slow cadence of the narrator felt like a bit of a slog. What I did eventually come to appreciate about this book is how it presents us with small time mythologies that create what feels like inescapable fates. A romance that felt fated to coalesce. An old healer who would and could never die. The idea of greatness belonging to one man. Being the chosen and most beloved youngest girl destined to inherit all that she loves. Yet, this book deconstructs all of these in really interesting ways, breaking not only communal mythologies but self-imposed ones. The change is painful for most of those involved, as change usually is, but what comes out is something still tender and worthwhile and precious, as we hope things will be at the other side of change.

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ahegs's review

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dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This book was good, but I didn’t enjoy it. CW for animal cruelty and talk of sexual assault. Also, I’m disappointed that the women of the story don’t have the final word here??

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jaydeecepticon's review

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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jessrezac's review

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emotional inspiring tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

An engrossing novel exploring the way bloodlines and rural towns are built through matriarchal family lines and the ways that men fail women and show up for them, The Waters pulled me in. Multiple nights I had to read an extra chapter to bring my heart rate back down after the last chapter. The book is so emotional and character driven that it almost felt like a thriller.

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embel's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

As someone who grew up in Michigan, I loved this book. I think this book is what I wanted WTCS to be. The swamp! The waters! The creatures and plants and medicines there! When we get a few lines from a non-human animal’s perspective it is so beautiful and adds so much. There’s no cheesiness with these natural elements and I love that. I found it to be pretty raw and radical in plot, despite so many people complaining of no plot (I totally disagree, read the last 59% of this in one sitting). Loved the characters for the most part. The few complaints I have are the lack of awareness around race and having a fully white cast and town, and second, the weird emphasis on what it means to be a man vs a woman. I love that the book focuses on this really powerful group of women, but I don’t know that I agree with what it says about gender overall. Lots of stereotypes are reinforced and it’s super comhet.

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mfox1015's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Huge disappointment. This book seemed so interesting and loved the setting. However, it was SO slow and pointless. Will no longer blindly trust Jenna’s Book Club picks.

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thrillofthepage's review

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challenging emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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meg_merr's review

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emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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