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motley's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bookwormwendy's review against another edition
5.0
This is an enthralling story. I found all the nautical terms throughout make the story more gripping. I relish history, and stories set during the World War 2 period, so I was instantly drawn to Through Waters Deep. I learned more about the time period just before the U.S. entered the war, and some of the little-known events which took place.
This is a well crafted story, and builds to a powerful, on-the-edge-of-your-seat climax. I highly recommend this if you enjoy history, and mystery. A great summer read.
This is a well crafted story, and builds to a powerful, on-the-edge-of-your-seat climax. I highly recommend this if you enjoy history, and mystery. A great summer read.
a_kira's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
writings_of_a_reader's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Through Waters Deep is a light romance/mystery. There were some Christian elements to it as well, which at times I liked and at other times I thought was a little heavy handed. What I liked most about this book was the time period. I've always been interested in the 1940s, especially during WWII. I've seen countless movies from that time period, but have not read many books from it or about it, so it was interesting to read about what was going on just before the U.S. entered WWII.
Although this book was mostly fictional, there were a few aspects of it that were pulled from real events. I thought the conflicting opinions about entering the war were very well drawn, and the tension felt very real. The mystery of the saboteur was pretty easy to figure out, although there were a few red herrings thrown in, only one of them fooled me into believing that person was involved.
The romance between Mary and Jim was sweet and I liked that it was a slow building one, at least up until the point Quintessa comes to town. The book went downhill for a while after that. I didn't really see the need to throw that obstacle in the way. Mary's going overboard with the pride thing and being a martyr for her friend annoyed me, even though I could understand why she thought the way she did. Jim's not speaking up about his feelings for Mary annoyed me as well. I wanted to shake both Mary and Jim a couple of times. I mean oh my gosh, JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER! At a couple of points I felt like throwing my Kindle against the wall. This is the reason I couldn't give this book 4 stars.
Like most romance novels, this one is part of a companion series. I plan on reading the second book, which features Jim's best friend Arch and his sister Lillian.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Although this book was mostly fictional, there were a few aspects of it that were pulled from real events. I thought the conflicting opinions about entering the war were very well drawn, and the tension felt very real. The mystery of the saboteur was pretty easy to figure out, although there were a few red herrings thrown in, only one of them fooled me into believing that person was involved.
The romance between Mary and Jim was sweet and I liked that it was a slow building one, at least up until the point Quintessa comes to town. The book went downhill for a while after that. I didn't really see the need to throw that obstacle in the way. Mary's going overboard with the pride thing and being a martyr for her friend annoyed me, even though I could understand why she thought the way she did. Jim's not speaking up about his feelings for Mary annoyed me as well. I wanted to shake both Mary and Jim a couple of times. I mean oh my gosh, JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER! At a couple of points I felt like throwing my Kindle against the wall. This is the reason I couldn't give this book 4 stars.
Like most romance novels, this one is part of a companion series. I plan on reading the second book, which features Jim's best friend Arch and his sister Lillian.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin is the first book in the Waves of Freedom series. Mary Stirling works as a secretary at the Boston Navy Yard in 1941. She has been working there for the last four years after moving away from her hometown of Vermilion, Ohio. Mary has just finished setting up for the launch of a new ship when she spots Jim Avery. Jim is from Vermilion (they grew up together). Mary liked Jim in high school, but Jim was infatuated with Mary’s best friend, Quintessa Beaumont (who was dating someone else). They start talking while they watch the launch ceremonies. After the champagne bottle is stroke against the ship, there is a commotion. Someone had changed out the champagne for gasoline (sabotage). This gets Mary excited. She loves mysteries and this gives her an opportunity to investigate a real crime. Mary and Jim start spending time together along with his friend, Arch and his girlfriend. They share a kiss just before Jim is shipped out on the destroyer Atwood. While Jim is away, Quintessa moves to town with the intentions of dating Jim (poor Mary). On the Atwood more sabotage is discovered. What is going on? Mary is determined to find out. To find out who is behind the sabotage and what happens to Jim and Mary, you will have to read Through Waters Deep.
Through Waters Deep was a good story. I was drawn in immediately. The book is a little predictable (the romance especially), but the novel is well-written. I enjoyed the characters and could relate to them (especially Mary). I liked that the book contained a mystery. We get to follow Mary through her investigation into the sabotage. I give Through Waters Deep 4 out of 5 stars. The next book in the series will tell the story of Jim’s friend, Arch Vandenberg (Anchor in the Storm April).
I received a complimentary copy of Through Waters Deep from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Through Waters Deep was a good story. I was drawn in immediately. The book is a little predictable (the romance especially), but the novel is well-written. I enjoyed the characters and could relate to them (especially Mary). I liked that the book contained a mystery. We get to follow Mary through her investigation into the sabotage. I give Through Waters Deep 4 out of 5 stars. The next book in the series will tell the story of Jim’s friend, Arch Vandenberg (Anchor in the Storm April).
I received a complimentary copy of Through Waters Deep from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
turquoiseavenue's review against another edition
4.0
Reading a story such as this, always leaves me hungry to return to my history books and re indulge myself in American history. Sarah Sundin does a beautiful job of detailing life during WWII. I'm enamored with her books... After reading the Wings of Glory series, I was a little disappointed in this story at first. Mary, wrapped up in a mystery at the navy yard, at first had me feeling she was a bit childish, and perhaps immature. After all, a career woman would most likely leave dangerous endeavors to the police. However, as I read through the book, I still found myself loving Mary's character and feeling her growing in her faith. Perhaps Mary matured through the story, and that was the author's point all along. I enjoyed Jim and Arch and the development of their characters as well. I found myself even smiling to myself while reading conversation between the characters because I could feel their personalities and witticisms so well. I did enjoy the conclusion of the story and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Overall, I don't feel like these two characters had as much personal depth as other characters Sarah Sundin has developed and I found myself wanting a little more personal struggle/historical drama and less Nancy Drew mystery. But in the end, it was still a great read!
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
Another read from BOOKLIST's top 10 romances for 2015. And another Christian romance, which is definitely not up my alley. I can see why this sweet romance would appeal to that audience, but have a hard time picturing it appealing to a broader one.
The heroine is self-effacing to the max, but gradually learns that it's ok to take pride in accomplishments that are for the glory of God, just not for oneself (the traumatic incident from childhood which leads her to fear being prideful is pretty darn laughable, I thought). And the hero, an easygoing guy who has always let himself float along on life's currents, learns that he has to make decisions and take charge. Especially when the women in his life are trying to make his romantic decisions for him. Especially the heroine, who selflessly sacrifices herself so her best friend can find true love with the fellow she really likes. It's the old, sexist "only when a woman self-sacrifices what/who she really wants does she really deserve it/him and win it/him" dynamic, which works for a conservative Christian audience, but probably not for more progressive-minded readers.
The heroine often refers to her reading of Nancy Drew books in junior high school (really? I gave them up in elementary school as too easy), but the mystery plot line here is far less entertaining than a ND book. It's got almost no tension or danger until the last 10% of the story, when the long slog through a saboteur at a Boston shipyard plot finally reaches its climax. One redeeming thing: the hero and heroine both have to take risks ON THEIR OWN to complete their character arc/journey to taking more risks, rather than the hero saving/rescuing the heroine, though. And the climatic love declaration was quite sweet (although with the hero kissing the heroine's nose as many times as he kisses her mouth, I did wonder whether he still regarded her as a friend/sister figure rather than a potential lover...)
The heroine is self-effacing to the max, but gradually learns that it's ok to take pride in accomplishments that are for the glory of God, just not for oneself (the traumatic incident from childhood which leads her to fear being prideful is pretty darn laughable, I thought). And the hero, an easygoing guy who has always let himself float along on life's currents, learns that he has to make decisions and take charge. Especially when the women in his life are trying to make his romantic decisions for him. Especially the heroine, who selflessly sacrifices herself so her best friend can find true love with the fellow she really likes. It's the old, sexist "only when a woman self-sacrifices what/who she really wants does she really deserve it/him and win it/him" dynamic, which works for a conservative Christian audience, but probably not for more progressive-minded readers.
The heroine often refers to her reading of Nancy Drew books in junior high school (really? I gave them up in elementary school as too easy), but the mystery plot line here is far less entertaining than a ND book. It's got almost no tension or danger until the last 10% of the story, when the long slog through a saboteur at a Boston shipyard plot finally reaches its climax. One redeeming thing: the hero and heroine both have to take risks ON THEIR OWN to complete their character arc/journey to taking more risks, rather than the hero saving/rescuing the heroine, though. And the climatic love declaration was quite sweet (although with the hero kissing the heroine's nose as many times as he kisses her mouth, I did wonder whether he still regarded her as a friend/sister figure rather than a potential lover...)
rgyger's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
Through Waters Deep was an amazing story. Maybe it was just my love for Jim and Mary as a couple or the honesty of the historical context, but I really enjoyed this book and stayed up late one night so I could finish it in two days.
Mary is a girl after my own heart. Loving adventure while hating the limelight, I felt like she was a person I would have liked to have known. Jim was nearly the opposite, enjoying adventure while feeling perfectly at home with any attention he might draw by being himself. They complimented each other well, creating a pair whose happily-ever-after I could believe in.
The historical context, closely predating WWII, was well portrayed as an event that occurred rather than a drama to be amused by. It showed the often forgotten opinions of those who lived through it and the conflicts that stirred at home. These tensions are what drove the plot along and played the backdrop for Sundin's mystery to unfold.
I would give the story a full five stars, however, there were moments when the Nancy Drew aspects of the story came about as rather cheesy. If not for this, I believe that I would have give this the full rating.
I received this book through Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.
Through Waters Deep was an amazing story. Maybe it was just my love for Jim and Mary as a couple or the honesty of the historical context, but I really enjoyed this book and stayed up late one night so I could finish it in two days.
Mary is a girl after my own heart. Loving adventure while hating the limelight, I felt like she was a person I would have liked to have known. Jim was nearly the opposite, enjoying adventure while feeling perfectly at home with any attention he might draw by being himself. They complimented each other well, creating a pair whose happily-ever-after I could believe in.
The historical context, closely predating WWII, was well portrayed as an event that occurred rather than a drama to be amused by. It showed the often forgotten opinions of those who lived through it and the conflicts that stirred at home. These tensions are what drove the plot along and played the backdrop for Sundin's mystery to unfold.
I would give the story a full five stars, however, there were moments when the Nancy Drew aspects of the story came about as rather cheesy. If not for this, I believe that I would have give this the full rating.
I received this book through Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting with a nice mystery throughout the book. That is about all I can say right now. rtc
library_of_kindredspirits's review against another edition
5.0
Review: This novel is BEAUTIFUL! I was so in love with the characters that it only took me 24 hours to finish reading it. When I read the Sunrise At Normandy series by Sundin, I knew I had found another gem. Sundin knows how to weave a sweet romance that tugs at your heart and historical fiction that pulls you into the world of our ancestors. Being the great granddaughter of a navy man who served with the Seabees right after WWII ended, the Navy fascinates me, and I feel a connection to it. I loved reading about it even though I may have found myself a bit lost as soon as Sundin started throwing around words like TU 4.1.5, Dry Dock 2, and Convoy HX-160. I will 100% be rereading this and it has been rewarded immediately with a spot on my 'Favorites' shelf. It's already on my wishlist to purchase, so it can live on my physical bookshelf too. I'm dying to get started on the next book in the series since I know Sundin will not disappoint my desire for complex characters, dashing but clean romance and WWII history. It's always an adventure!
I recommend this to WWII history buffs who have a partiality to romance. I think anyone over the age of 14 or 15 can read this novel. Even though there is a lot of lingo related to the navy that most people will struggle with, the story can still be understood.
Update: The second time reading this book was even better than the first. I really took my time with it so I could fully immerse myself in the story. I even took a look at Sundin's website so I could more accurately picture all the real places mentioned in the book. If you're reading it for the first time, I recommend doing this so you get the full experience. Either way, I guarantee you this book will have you glued to a chair flipping pages to reach the swoony and satisfying end of this gorgeous love story.
I recommend this to WWII history buffs who have a partiality to romance. I think anyone over the age of 14 or 15 can read this novel. Even though there is a lot of lingo related to the navy that most people will struggle with, the story can still be understood.
Update: The second time reading this book was even better than the first. I really took my time with it so I could fully immerse myself in the story. I even took a look at Sundin's website so I could more accurately picture all the real places mentioned in the book. If you're reading it for the first time, I recommend doing this so you get the full experience. Either way, I guarantee you this book will have you glued to a chair flipping pages to reach the swoony and satisfying end of this gorgeous love story.