Reviews

Drowning by T.J. Newman

karenmcconaughey's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

headovereels's review

emotional inspiring 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? Yes

3.0

endangeredmooseknuckle's review

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-paced

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

2.25

rwhit's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring tense fast-paced

5.0

kamrynkoble's review against another edition

dark tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

4.5! I finished this book in under 24 hours, it was that gripping. I wasn’t sure such a survival/disaster story was my cup of tea, but I was on the edge of my seat and so invested in what happened. I did connect with the characters which is rare for books like these. Very well done and I strongly recommend—hopefully I’ll still be able to board a flight!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Death

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail

browneyedbookworm's review

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.5

alilbitofmonica's review against another edition

3.25

I wanted to LOVE this because it has so many elements that I love, but I found myself losing interest in the middle.

I exclusively listened to the audio for this one.

The crash and the rescue are very exciting and fast paced. But the middle slows down and while I barely paid attention, I also feel like I didn’t miss anything 😂

I didn’t care about the characters individually at all, but rather the overall need to successfully rescue them was still evident. But each of them, even the main characters, just didn’t really feel connected to me.

jo89's review

adventurous tense medium-paced

4.25

spacebras's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

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

4.0

If the movie does not feature "No Children" by The Mountain Goats, then what are we even doing here!!!!!

Drowning was a lot of intense fun! If you were disappointed by Whalefall by Daniel Kraus, this is probably the type of book you were looking for.

I'm not totally immersed in the "disaster" genre, and it was really cool to see what all went into it. From the immediate and intense feelings (I started tearing up right away), to the overwhelming sense of community and enormous self sacrifice from total strangers , and those you love, in the name of humanity. That's the good shit right there. It was a little cheesy at times, but like, it happens.

I have already placed holds on Newman's other books!

 

danimaridee's review

Poorly organized and formatted audiobook. Uninteresting characters made the break from the action tedious.