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thedevilsivy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Water Witch is a wonderfully thrilling tale of adventure, danger, with healthy dollop of angst-filled romance, all wrapped up in rich Breton lore.
We follow the brilliant Dr Ari Walker on a journey back to a place she had thought never to return to, and through a whole heap of grief and heartache. We meet her treasure-hunting brother, Jason, and his team of divers, as they search for evidence of a mythological city rumoured to have been lost beneath the sea. Along the way we gather additional interested parties; Madame du Lac, who has been financing the investigation, her handsome grandson Raphael, and Gwen, the local historian.
The story keeps a reasonable pace as the urgency to find the lost city seems to swell, and the risk to the main characters grows more and more pressing as we learn of a deadly curse that poses a threat to one of the main characters. I particularly enjoyed the way the magic elements of the mythology didn’t clash with the modern setting and technologies in the book. The characters had various levels of scepticism/acceptance, which felt very realistic for a contemporary story. Overall it kept my interest up throughout and was a thoroughly enjoyable story.
I listened to the unabridged audio version of this book and have to say that Helen Keeley’s narration was a perfect complement to the story. Her accent changes for Ari’s Irish lilt, and the various French characters really brought the story alive.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Murder
anapthine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you Net Galley and Bookouture for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book was brilliantly written, it certainly was a thrilling fantasy novel. A lot of people said that the excitement drops after about halfway in the book, but I didn’t find that to be the case. The characters were easily lovable and any book about Atlantis is definitely a book I will enjoy.
This novel follows the grief of Ariadne after the death of her fiancé Simon when she has to return to the place where he died and carry on with what he failed to do. Here she unexpectedly finds Rafael who helps her move on and find what she came out to do.
Parts are heartbreaking, exciting and sad, whilst others are you wanting to scream at the characters who seem to go towards danger even though that is clearly not a good idea. This book was so easy to read and Jessica Thorne’s writing style makes me want to read more by this author.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves underwater fantasy, magical realism, thrillers and mysteries - it is such a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, and War
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Water Witch is a gripping and mysterious adventure about mythical lost cities, love and loss. If you have any interest in French culture, particularly folklore - I think you will enjoy this book - or if you have any interest in treasure hunts, or underwater archeology.
I really have no connection to French culture, and I really enjoyed reading about the Celtic folklore and myths of Brittany that make up the basis of this story. They were fascinating to read about and the way they are weaved into this book was well done. I did think, with the title being "The Water Witch", there would be more 'witchy-ness' to the book, but it was really more mythical folklore. There are other paranormal/kind of magical realism elements that are central to the storyline.
I did not enjoy the romance aspect of the book, and felt it was lacking, very insta-lovey. There wasn't enough build up of tension, or believability as to why Ari and Rafael are into each other (beyond a physical attraction). I would've gladly read another 50 pages to build up their connection and intimacy with each other to make the romance more realistic.
Overall this is a fun, relatively quick read! I would classify it more as an adventure/mystery than romance.
I really have no connection to French culture, and I really enjoyed reading about the Celtic folklore and myths of Brittany that make up the basis of this story. They were fascinating to read about and the way they are weaved into this book was well done. I did think, with the title being "The Water Witch", there would be more 'witchy-ness' to the book, but it was really more mythical folklore. There are other paranormal/kind of magical realism elements that are central to the storyline.
Overall this is a fun, relatively quick read! I would classify it more as an adventure/mystery than romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death of parent
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