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A review by applesodaperson
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.0
This book was very underwhelming. I think it wanted to be a spooky, folk horror, weird girlhood kind of book, but I really think it failed on all fronts. It ended up being a very messy and confusing, and the parts that weren’t were just boring.
One thing was that I wished the setting would have been more solidly defined. I feel like I couldn’t visualize the setting or the house, because it wasn’t really described enough. Like is the house fancy? Because I thought it was supposed to be really rural and off grid but then they have a swimming pool? Also, what time period was this supposed to be? I also wished the characters would have been more solidly defined. I felt like I couldn’t visualize what anyone looked like or how old they were. And none of the characters really had backstories or context, which made things confusing. I also wish there was also more explanation on the main family and how they became how they are with all the rituals.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there was too much of Lia’s point of view. I would have really liked to see more from Grace and Sky and their thoughts on certain events. But I also found the characters annoying. Like with the main man character, I found myself rolling my eyes at him constantly. And the other characters, like Lia, were naive, annoying, and not very compelling. And their character growth felt shallow.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book, but it was way too long without saying anything, and there was literally no point in the entire book where I felt any suspense.
Listened to on Libby.
One thing was that I wished the setting would have been more solidly defined. I feel like I couldn’t visualize the setting or the house, because it wasn’t really described enough. Like is the house fancy? Because I thought it was supposed to be really rural and off grid but then they have a swimming pool? Also, what time period was this supposed to be? I also wished the characters would have been more solidly defined. I felt like I couldn’t visualize what anyone looked like or how old they were. And none of the characters really had backstories or context, which made things confusing. I also wish there was also more explanation on the main family and how they became how they are with all the rituals.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there was too much of Lia’s point of view. I would have really liked to see more from Grace and Sky and their thoughts on certain events. But I also found the characters annoying. Like with the main man character, I found myself rolling my eyes at him constantly. And the other characters, like Lia, were naive, annoying, and not very compelling. And their character growth felt shallow.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book, but it was way too long without saying anything, and there was literally no point in the entire book where I felt any suspense.
Listened to on Libby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence