magicgoldenflower's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It is somethink what I didn't read every day. It's good, raises important issues.
holt_mh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
gabstar43's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.75
lyssie03's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
lawbooks600's review
3.0
Representation: Side Black character
Trigger warnings: Bullying, near death experience
6/10, usually I enjoy verse novels but I didn't enjoy this one which was a massive shame. All the characters were quite flat, the main character wasn't really that complex but I still enjoyed reading about her anyway. The story is that Kasienka immigrated from Poland to England just to find her father which she found eventually. Further on the story is about Kasienka's new life, there was a plot point about racism but it just mentions it and then brushes it under the rug. The only characteristics she had was being smart, being bullied, having a sister called Briony (who almost died), and being a national level swimmer (her father contributed to this), but other than that she was quite flat.
She developed a romantic attraction to a Black person called William but he was quite flat as well and I didn't feel anything for Kasienka and William. The ending was when Kasienka just won a competition and that's it. I would've preferred if this novel was written in prose rather than verse, it would've impacted me more. If you like a novel about immigration try Refugee by Alan Gratz or Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lại instead of this.
Trigger warnings: Bullying, near death experience
6/10, usually I enjoy verse novels but I didn't enjoy this one which was a massive shame. All the characters were quite flat, the main character wasn't really that complex but I still enjoyed reading about her anyway. The story is that Kasienka immigrated from Poland to England just to find her father which she found eventually. Further on the story is about Kasienka's new life, there was a plot point about racism but it just mentions it and then brushes it under the rug. The only characteristics she had was being smart, being bullied, having a sister called Briony (who almost died), and being a national level swimmer (her father contributed to this), but other than that she was quite flat.
She developed a romantic attraction to a Black person called William but he was quite flat as well and I didn't feel anything for Kasienka and William. The ending was when Kasienka just won a competition and that's it. I would've preferred if this novel was written in prose rather than verse, it would've impacted me more. If you like a novel about immigration try Refugee by Alan Gratz or Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lại instead of this.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
4.0
This book, told in free verse, is beautiful. From the title to the last word, Crossan crafts a heart-breaking tale of one girl's struggle to fit in, to stand out, to forgive, to get angry, and to accept. Filled with true, emotional experiences dealing with bullying and first love, parents and immigration, The Weight of Water is a great story filled with amazing language.
tucker0's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
relaxing
sad
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
3.0
heidimrogers's review
4.0
I picked this up because I'd recognize an Oliver Jeffers cover a mile away. When I flipped it open and saw that it was written in verse, I tucked it under my arm. I haven't read too many books written in this style, and they usually take me a few pages to get into, but once I do, I adore them. This story was somewhat raw feeling, and quite honest. I loved it.