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A review by despinareviews
The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne
5.0
Plot : This standalone novel follows Ariadne Walker, a marine archaeologist whose ex-fiancee Simon becomes obsessed with finding the lost city of Ys, said to have been destroyed centuries ago when the princess cursed the land following a betrayal. Following Simon's death, she returns to Brittany to discover the secrets left behind after her brother Jason convinces her to help them - but the ultra-rich and incredibly determined Raphael begins to tell her of the same curse Simon had been searching to unlock, she finds herself tied to this threat.
Review: This book was a solid 4.5 stars which I am happy to round up. This was the perfect mix of dealing with an exciting adventure arc, part-mystery part-fantasy in a way I found very intriguing while also dealing with some serious emotions. Ari's character is very believable, and, still dealing with grief, this is not skirted over. Her thoughts are believable and her motives clear - she is roped into this without wanting to, and you can palpably feel her trying to evade involvement but being unable to prevent being drawn back into the fold. This book contains relationships of all sorts - deep friendships, romance (both straight and gay), sibling bonds. I really loved the way all of these different dynamics were handled, with all the emotions it dealt with alongside an arc of fantasy and adventure.
Narrator: I listened to this book in audiobook format and I have to say the narrator (Helen Keeley) was SUPERB. I don't often take so much time to comment on the narration style but I absolutely felt every. single. word. The accents were great (and the narrator speaks in a Southern (British) accent which I realised is quite unusual in most of the audiobooks I have picked up), and the reading was not at all monotonous - in fact I think part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was the emotions I felt as a result of it being read in such a dramatic (but not over-dramatic) way. You could feel every bit of anger, every bit of stress - pulling you to the edge of your seat. I will be looking for narrations by her again as I enjoyed her style so much!
Would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook format of this particular novel as it enhances the already great story very well!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Boukouture Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
Review: This book was a solid 4.5 stars which I am happy to round up. This was the perfect mix of dealing with an exciting adventure arc, part-mystery part-fantasy in a way I found very intriguing while also dealing with some serious emotions. Ari's character is very believable, and, still dealing with grief, this is not skirted over. Her thoughts are believable and her motives clear - she is roped into this without wanting to, and you can palpably feel her trying to evade involvement but being unable to prevent being drawn back into the fold. This book contains relationships of all sorts - deep friendships, romance (both straight and gay), sibling bonds. I really loved the way all of these different dynamics were handled, with all the emotions it dealt with alongside an arc of fantasy and adventure.
Narrator: I listened to this book in audiobook format and I have to say the narrator (Helen Keeley) was SUPERB. I don't often take so much time to comment on the narration style but I absolutely felt every. single. word. The accents were great (and the narrator speaks in a Southern (British) accent which I realised is quite unusual in most of the audiobooks I have picked up), and the reading was not at all monotonous - in fact I think part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was the emotions I felt as a result of it being read in such a dramatic (but not over-dramatic) way. You could feel every bit of anger, every bit of stress - pulling you to the edge of your seat. I will be looking for narrations by her again as I enjoyed her style so much!
Would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook format of this particular novel as it enhances the already great story very well!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Boukouture Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.