hayleyreadsthings 's review for:

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

5.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad 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: No

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This sequel contained so many things I hoped for and many things I hoped against, all wrapped up in a way that perfectly complemented each other. It was lovely, heartbreaking, inspiring, infuriating, and magnificent all at once. 

There is love in this book. It’s in every character, in every margin, in every punctuation mark. There is pain, there is heartache, and there is so much love to make up for everything else. 

I am so grateful to have been able to read more from Aristotle and Dante’s story. I really admire how well AIDS was discussed, and how much growth Ari did between the beginning of the first book and the end of its sequel. It felt realistic. It had me hooked. And Dante… what a sweet boy. I just want to give him a hug and tousle his hair. 

I’d love more of this story, especially from Dante’s point of view. But if I never get more, I’m satisfied.