A review by thebookwormsfeast
The Shadow of Water by Jacquelyn Benson
5.0
The Shadow of Water did not disappoint! I enjoyed this so so much!
I have to admit, I was worried going in, as The Fire in the Glass was one of my top books of 2020. How on earth would this compare?
I needn't have been worried though - this was an absolute delight, and I binged it once again.
Set on the cusp of World War I, the story oozes history - and I loved seeing glimpses of famous figures of the time in such "normal" (for aristocrats etc. - but away from the ravages of war) settings, reminding me that these were ordinary people too with lives beforehand. It really helped with the feeling that this really could have happened.
We once again follow Lily Albright as she struggles with mastering her power and coming to terms with all that she hasn't changed, as she desperately seeks to change her latest prophecy/vision - the cataclysmic destruction of London. My only wish is that some of the other characters we meet in book one featured a little more heavily, as the cast does feel narrowed down with more glimpses and snippets - but that's just as I love them all and just want to see as much as I can about them. It still plays out wonderfully.
I love that the wheels of the mystery about it all keep ever turning, as smaller ones are brought up and resolved - and new facets come into the greater one propelling the narrative. Even if I guessed parts, there was always something about the reveal I did not see coming. And the way things come full circle to earlier points made is so well done.
I am left fearing for the future of this amazing bunch of people - Benson does demonstrate that won't coddle her characters, or us. But as a fan of Jay Kristoff, I am up for my heart being broken by a book - give me all the feels! (...but also please don't! haha).
Thank you Jacquelyn Benson for sending me an early copy.
I have to admit, I was worried going in, as The Fire in the Glass was one of my top books of 2020. How on earth would this compare?
I needn't have been worried though - this was an absolute delight, and I binged it once again.
Set on the cusp of World War I, the story oozes history - and I loved seeing glimpses of famous figures of the time in such "normal" (for aristocrats etc. - but away from the ravages of war) settings, reminding me that these were ordinary people too with lives beforehand. It really helped with the feeling that this really could have happened.
We once again follow Lily Albright as she struggles with mastering her power and coming to terms with all that she hasn't changed, as she desperately seeks to change her latest prophecy/vision - the cataclysmic destruction of London. My only wish is that some of the other characters we meet in book one featured a little more heavily, as the cast does feel narrowed down with more glimpses and snippets - but that's just as I love them all and just want to see as much as I can about them. It still plays out wonderfully.
I love that the wheels of the mystery about it all keep ever turning, as smaller ones are brought up and resolved - and new facets come into the greater one propelling the narrative. Even if I guessed parts, there was always something about the reveal I did not see coming. And the way things come full circle to earlier points made is so well done.
I am left fearing for the future of this amazing bunch of people - Benson does demonstrate that won't coddle her characters, or us. But as a fan of Jay Kristoff, I am up for my heart being broken by a book - give me all the feels! (...but also please don't! haha).
Thank you Jacquelyn Benson for sending me an early copy.