Reviews

The Tale of Truthwater Lake by Emma Carroll

johanna_b's review

4.0

This was such a touching middle grade story. I loved the dual-timeline and how everything was tied together so nicely at the end as well as the big focus the book had on friendship. It is geared towards a younger audience and as such there were a few times I had to suspend my belief but overall I found it to be a very feel-good tale that I'd definitely recommend!

partly_stars's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I could give it a solid 4 stars as a childrens book.
It's interesting to see a children' s book that tackles climate change which becomes more and more real concern for a lot of us. The way it is set both in a near future britain and in the 50s also creates space for conversation about diplacibg people byvthe government to create a water reserve.
I found the chracters lovable and ibtetesting and I was curious both about Molly and what happens with her brother and Nelly. In many ways Nelly's story is the main plot in the book (the past) and Molly is mostly framing it 
I am a bit on the fence about the story about an orphan having a surpise father revealed at the end like it seems to be a common thing in stories of orphans, but I liked the conclusion of Nelly wanting to stay with the family that took her in and she felt more connected to them and it wasn't an immidate connwction, suggesting that the father needed to work on tge rwlationship with her later in tehir lives.
I think that different charcters gave an opporubity to touch upon many diffetent issues, of course boy in depth since its children's book but enough for the reader to get the picture and start asking questions
Also not a story I would bornally pick up, i thought it would be more of a magical adventure but it ended up being a dual realistic story with the only magical rlement being Molly seeing the past. It was quite fun to listen while doing chores though, especially since my brain is quite numb recently

windmills's review

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I thought I might have a different taste in writing now so I wouldn’t like Emma Carroll as much anymore. When i started reading i remembered why love her books and her style. This time we had a glimpse of a future rather than a past! I loved the dual timelines and how they linked at the end. The climate crisis is very real and i liked how the book was a message and a story. Loved both main characters! Wish we saw more of Sasha at the end though!

lucinda_lesbrarian's review

adventurous hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.75

ellenwelsh's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

chrissireads's review

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

amykate98's review

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

kira_uk's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

amyhartill50's review

adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I read this book in one sitting, and loved it, which I was expecting, as I chose it because it is written by my favourite childhood author. She always manages to craft the English language in such beautiful ways to create stories that everyone can enjoy.
The ever-present threat of climate change throughout the chapters set in 2032 were a stark reminder of our current situation,

but the ending was hopeful, and reminded us that the everyday things are important, just as much as the big things.

I loved the relationship between Nellie and Lena, their friendship shone throughout the entire book, and

the idea that they can still be connected when they're older, even if they haven't seen each other in so long was such a sweet comfort at the end of the book.

Being a kids book, it was at points very linear and simple, but I think that is also part of the charm of children's books, they don't make your head hurt.