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The Waterwright Series #1
Waterwight
WINNER: 2016 EVVY AWARD Silver Medal for fiction/fantasy
In a post-cataclysmic world threatened by stinking ooze, a brave girl searches for her missing parents with the help of talking animals and evolving powers. When a mountain spirit challenges her to save the planet, she and a flying frog must overcome a magical, malicious castle of sand and a shapeshifter who wants her dead.
In a post-cataclysmic world threatened by stinking ooze, a brave girl searches for her missing parents with the help of talking animals and evolving powers. When a mountain spirit challenges her to save the planet, she and a flying frog must overcome a magical, malicious castle of sand and a shapeshifter who wants her dead.
346 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 2016
8 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Laurel McHargue
22 books46 followersHi!
I was raised in Braintree, MA, but ended up living high in Colorado's Rocky Mountains! As a graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1983, I live life in a constant quest for challenge and adventure. My stories are about life--real and imagined!
I believe a life filled with challenge will never be boring.
My publications include:
2183: dystopian sci-fi fantasy, my latest novel (published 1 NOV 2025 in 3 formats!)
DARK EBB: GRIM TALES, Volume 2. Twenty more dark short stories with original artwork.
QUACK: My first children's picture book, written and illustrated by me, and based on my experiences with raising ducklings from day-old to egg-laying! I plan a 3-book series.
Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle! Co-created with my counselor friend, Nadine Collier. A fresh perspective on timeless life lessons, and how my experience with a jigsaw puzzle reminded me of them. 2021 CAL Book Award Finalist and CIPA EVVY Bronze Award for Inspiration!
DARK EBB: GRIM TALES, 19 dark short stories with original artwork. 2020 CIPA EVVY Bronze Award.
Crow-Magnum. A short story about twin girls, a mother's death, and mysterious crows.
Waterwight Breathe: Book III of the Waterwight Series. I earned a CIPA EVVY Merit Award.
Waterwight Flux: Book II of the Waterwight Series. It earned a CIPA EVVY Merit Award.
Waterwight. (NOW IN AUDIOBOOK FORMAT!) This YA fantasy adventure is compared to Neil Gaiman's novel Coraline by a KIRKUS reviewer. It earned a CIPA EVVY Silver Award for Fiction/Fantasy.
Hunt for Red Meat: (love stories). Join me and my husband for three years of hunting (but not ever killing) the wily elk in Colorado. First in my BLOOK series (my blog book stories). There's a crazy fishing story too!
The Hare, Raising Truth. When was the last time you read an adult fairy tale? This Grimm's Fairy Tale / The Twilight Zone mashup is not for children!
"Miss?" Based on my experience as a first-year teacher, "Miss?" is a loosely fictionalized novel. It earned the IndieReader Approved Award.
Haikus Can Amuse: 366 Haiku Starters. A gift journal. Finish the 2nd and 3rd lines of a haiku when given the first line, and write down your inspiration!
Hai CLASS ku. A 90-day spinoff of Haikus Can Amuse, this workbook provides a semester's worth of creative prompts. An alternative to Sudoku and crossword books!
My goal is to author as many books as possible in genres of every type!
I also enjoy acting.
Visit me on my blog and sign up for my mid-monthly newsletter at: www.leadvillelaurel.com
and on my podcast: Conversations with Laurel, where I tell stories, interview people, and discuss the human condition!
I was raised in Braintree, MA, but ended up living high in Colorado's Rocky Mountains! As a graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1983, I live life in a constant quest for challenge and adventure. My stories are about life--real and imagined!
I believe a life filled with challenge will never be boring.
My publications include:
2183: dystopian sci-fi fantasy, my latest novel (published 1 NOV 2025 in 3 formats!)
DARK EBB: GRIM TALES, Volume 2. Twenty more dark short stories with original artwork.
QUACK: My first children's picture book, written and illustrated by me, and based on my experiences with raising ducklings from day-old to egg-laying! I plan a 3-book series.
Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle! Co-created with my counselor friend, Nadine Collier. A fresh perspective on timeless life lessons, and how my experience with a jigsaw puzzle reminded me of them. 2021 CAL Book Award Finalist and CIPA EVVY Bronze Award for Inspiration!
DARK EBB: GRIM TALES, 19 dark short stories with original artwork. 2020 CIPA EVVY Bronze Award.
Crow-Magnum. A short story about twin girls, a mother's death, and mysterious crows.
Waterwight Breathe: Book III of the Waterwight Series. I earned a CIPA EVVY Merit Award.
Waterwight Flux: Book II of the Waterwight Series. It earned a CIPA EVVY Merit Award.
Waterwight. (NOW IN AUDIOBOOK FORMAT!) This YA fantasy adventure is compared to Neil Gaiman's novel Coraline by a KIRKUS reviewer. It earned a CIPA EVVY Silver Award for Fiction/Fantasy.
Hunt for Red Meat: (love stories). Join me and my husband for three years of hunting (but not ever killing) the wily elk in Colorado. First in my BLOOK series (my blog book stories). There's a crazy fishing story too!
The Hare, Raising Truth. When was the last time you read an adult fairy tale? This Grimm's Fairy Tale / The Twilight Zone mashup is not for children!
"Miss?" Based on my experience as a first-year teacher, "Miss?" is a loosely fictionalized novel. It earned the IndieReader Approved Award.
Haikus Can Amuse: 366 Haiku Starters. A gift journal. Finish the 2nd and 3rd lines of a haiku when given the first line, and write down your inspiration!
Hai CLASS ku. A 90-day spinoff of Haikus Can Amuse, this workbook provides a semester's worth of creative prompts. An alternative to Sudoku and crossword books!
My goal is to author as many books as possible in genres of every type!
I also enjoy acting.
Visit me on my blog and sign up for my mid-monthly newsletter at: www.leadvillelaurel.com
and on my podcast: Conversations with Laurel, where I tell stories, interview people, and discuss the human condition!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 5, 2016
Waterwight is a fast-paced YA adventure that will probably appeal more to younger audiences than older ones. It's got action and adventure coupled with superhero-like powers that make each character unique and useful to the ultimate resolution. It touches on many of the prevalent issues that characters of these ages deal with, all without dwelling too much on any one (no angsty love triangles, +1).
If I had one "complaint" against the book, it's that the entire premise is never really explained - though, being book 1 of a series, the reason why seems obvious. Still, I prefer at least some reasoning for the conflict in a book, even if it's not brought fully to a close, which it is in this one.
On the same note, however, I think the best thing about this book is the ending. Instead of simply telling us what happened through one or both of the main characters' perspectives, we get a piece of what's happening from each of the characters from their point of view and limited understanding. It's a great technique, painting the picture of the resolution a bit at a time, and from multiple POVs that give a broader glimpse than any one character's might have. Very well done.
This was an enjoyable read once I was able to actually give it the attention it deserved. I think this will resonate well with its target audience, and perhaps beyond.
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
If I had one "complaint" against the book, it's that the entire premise is never really explained - though, being book 1 of a series, the reason why seems obvious. Still, I prefer at least some reasoning for the conflict in a book, even if it's not brought fully to a close, which it is in this one.
On the same note, however, I think the best thing about this book is the ending. Instead of simply telling us what happened through one or both of the main characters' perspectives, we get a piece of what's happening from each of the characters from their point of view and limited understanding. It's a great technique, painting the picture of the resolution a bit at a time, and from multiple POVs that give a broader glimpse than any one character's might have. Very well done.
This was an enjoyable read once I was able to actually give it the attention it deserved. I think this will resonate well with its target audience, and perhaps beyond.
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2016
***I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review***
McHargue's Waterwight has all the simplicity and charm of stories like Labyrinth and The Neverending Story, replete with talking animals, fantastical creatures, and amazing abilities. Well, mostly. At times, it seemed a bit like Alice in Wonderland after 'talking to’ Mary Jane.
I loved the beginning. Got me hooked quick. Like Celeste, or because of, I wanna know what happened to make so many kids orphans. And why doesn't anyone want to talk about it?
This is a quest story perfect for children. Celeste is alone amidst dozens of other orphans, one of many, yet quite extraordinary. She is a curious girl, which, of course, gets her into trouble. She leaves the safety of the orphanage confines, and embarks on a quest to find a way to stop the spread of the 'ooze’ that is overtaking the land. Not long after setting out, Celeste learns she has some pretty nifty talents, like flying.
Celeste doesn't get far before she meets Sharon, another person with unique talents. Sharon is a shifter, and can take on myriad different forms.
She wants likes to stay as they are, which pits her against Celeste. I felt sooo bad for Sharon. Her childhood kinda struck a nerve, that notion of being an inconvenience to parents, though not quite for same reason, and I was lucky enough to have grandparents who filled that lack.
Along the way, Celeste meets Orville, a flying frog who aids her as Falkor aided Bastian in The Neverending Story. She also meets Thunder, a rainbow-hued jaguar that brought to mind the Many-coloured Death, who aided Bastian in NE.
Later, Celeste becomes trapped in an underwater castle akin to the junkyard in Labyrinth, and the excess use of the Auryn’s power of creation in NE Story. A diversion to the task at hand, namely finding a way to stop the rise of the 'ooze', and quite terrifying at that, given the truth behind the castle.
Some of Orville's French is not translated and context makes guessing difficult if one is not good with languages. This could be frustrating for some. Same with Teresa's Spanish.
The Event seems to have been Ragnarok. Odin and his ravens show up, and Old Man Massive's account of quakes, volcanoes, and fire also suggest Ragnarok. It is supposed to herald a new world, with new growth after the destruction. Other pieces didn't fall into place though. There was no Loki, and if it were after Ragnarok, then Odin wouldn't be around at all.
Overall, this story left me feeling restless at the end. There were too many unanswered questions. What triggered the Event? Why is Celeste so special, among all those left? Why did the emergence of the 'ooze' cause magick? Why did the people change to copper? Why were Sharon’s parents so cold? What does Odin have to do with things? It has great potential, though, and I look forward to seeing the author grow in their writingcraft.
McHargue's Waterwight has all the simplicity and charm of stories like Labyrinth and The Neverending Story, replete with talking animals, fantastical creatures, and amazing abilities. Well, mostly. At times, it seemed a bit like Alice in Wonderland after 'talking to’ Mary Jane.
I loved the beginning. Got me hooked quick. Like Celeste, or because of, I wanna know what happened to make so many kids orphans. And why doesn't anyone want to talk about it?
This is a quest story perfect for children. Celeste is alone amidst dozens of other orphans, one of many, yet quite extraordinary. She is a curious girl, which, of course, gets her into trouble. She leaves the safety of the orphanage confines, and embarks on a quest to find a way to stop the spread of the 'ooze’ that is overtaking the land. Not long after setting out, Celeste learns she has some pretty nifty talents, like flying.
Celeste doesn't get far before she meets Sharon, another person with unique talents. Sharon is a shifter, and can take on myriad different forms.
She wants likes to stay as they are, which pits her against Celeste. I felt sooo bad for Sharon. Her childhood kinda struck a nerve, that notion of being an inconvenience to parents, though not quite for same reason, and I was lucky enough to have grandparents who filled that lack.
Along the way, Celeste meets Orville, a flying frog who aids her as Falkor aided Bastian in The Neverending Story. She also meets Thunder, a rainbow-hued jaguar that brought to mind the Many-coloured Death, who aided Bastian in NE.
Later, Celeste becomes trapped in an underwater castle akin to the junkyard in Labyrinth, and the excess use of the Auryn’s power of creation in NE Story. A diversion to the task at hand, namely finding a way to stop the rise of the 'ooze', and quite terrifying at that, given the truth behind the castle.
Some of Orville's French is not translated and context makes guessing difficult if one is not good with languages. This could be frustrating for some. Same with Teresa's Spanish.
The Event seems to have been Ragnarok. Odin and his ravens show up, and Old Man Massive's account of quakes, volcanoes, and fire also suggest Ragnarok. It is supposed to herald a new world, with new growth after the destruction. Other pieces didn't fall into place though. There was no Loki, and if it were after Ragnarok, then Odin wouldn't be around at all.
Overall, this story left me feeling restless at the end. There were too many unanswered questions. What triggered the Event? Why is Celeste so special, among all those left? Why did the emergence of the 'ooze' cause magick? Why did the people change to copper? Why were Sharon’s parents so cold? What does Odin have to do with things? It has great potential, though, and I look forward to seeing the author grow in their writingcraft.
September 8, 2017
This book was nice. It was suggested to me by my uncle and although it was a quick read, it was a good one. I was quite confused at times throughout the book- it seemed to jump around a lot and didn't make it clear what was happening. I didn't realize that it was a children's book, so as someone used to reading adult novels, it was a little weird for my taste. But still good! It had a lot of imaginative things that were silly and cute, such as flying frogs- something any kid would love! It left off at the end a bit odd, but overall it was a jaunty read.
July 2, 2017
Waterwight is Celeste's incredible tale as she explores her post apocalyptic world. She feels unloved and alone briefly before she starts her journey, both figuratively and litetally.
She searches for answers but finds more questions, friends, foes, and an inner strength and wisdom. She encounters allies and friends in the most unexpected and unlikely places - and they come in all shapes, sizes, and species. She also learns evil can be just as disguising as well!
It's lengthy enough to occupy readers and charismatic just so to captivate all ages.
The shifting third person POV was expertly handled to provide a riveting "all around" adventure experience for readers. It developed and fleshed out characters as well as slightly prepared one for upcoming thrilling moments of conflicts. Like waiting for 'the shoe to drop'.
Celeste made an excellent main character and her supporting cast deemed equally important and charming.
Ms McHargue's talent lies in tying in back stories without diminishing the current quest. Waterwight has an aura of acceptance and perseverance and Celeste wears it well with her symbolic emerald scarf.
Sandra Murphy was an excellent choice to narrate this book! So many characters, so many emotions, so many levels of triumphs and heart thumping moments were conveyed flawlessly to the reader.
With this being a Book 1 and exceeding my expectations, I'm timid with angst if Book 2 could hold a candle when it comes out later this year - but I'm anxiously awaiting!
Waterwight holds it weight on water -or on the ooze - and will lift your spirits!
This is the type of book you can listen to or read over and over again!
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
She searches for answers but finds more questions, friends, foes, and an inner strength and wisdom. She encounters allies and friends in the most unexpected and unlikely places - and they come in all shapes, sizes, and species. She also learns evil can be just as disguising as well!
It's lengthy enough to occupy readers and charismatic just so to captivate all ages.
The shifting third person POV was expertly handled to provide a riveting "all around" adventure experience for readers. It developed and fleshed out characters as well as slightly prepared one for upcoming thrilling moments of conflicts. Like waiting for 'the shoe to drop'.
Celeste made an excellent main character and her supporting cast deemed equally important and charming.
Ms McHargue's talent lies in tying in back stories without diminishing the current quest. Waterwight has an aura of acceptance and perseverance and Celeste wears it well with her symbolic emerald scarf.
Sandra Murphy was an excellent choice to narrate this book! So many characters, so many emotions, so many levels of triumphs and heart thumping moments were conveyed flawlessly to the reader.
With this being a Book 1 and exceeding my expectations, I'm timid with angst if Book 2 could hold a candle when it comes out later this year - but I'm anxiously awaiting!
Waterwight holds it weight on water -or on the ooze - and will lift your spirits!
This is the type of book you can listen to or read over and over again!
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
July 12, 2019
A fantasy world for children and adult readers alike. I think it’s a great tool to prepare youngsters for the unexpected in life. As humanity expands and life becomes more complicated, this adventure could be a future guide for youth. In this imaginative story about a young girl who can fly and talk to animals, there has been a devastating event. Destroying parts of the earth, most people and places, the event changes Celeste’s surroundings and gives powers to the earth’s leftover inhabitants. Celeste has a positive view on her long journey and dictates a lot of messages that are great for young people to hear. Themes like, not blaming yourself for bad things that happen and that are beyond your control, building friendships where they grow, helping who you can and being proud of what you are capable of accomplishing. It reminds me of a powerful Disney animation with strong and fun characters that save the day. Laurel McHargue teaches children and adults alike how to survive against surmountable odds.
May 5, 2016
I found this YA fantasy fast-paced, with interesting troubles and puzzles for the characters. The sentences were clear and direct, and the situations and events very creative. The book quickly draws in the reader as the hero is immediately given a goal and bad guys to overcome. I did get confused later on about why some characters developed the skills they did, and the reason for the changes they experienced. For instance, I don't see why the villain changes as she does at the end. Also, I wish the author had worked more to make her magical system consistent and coherent, but that's a niggle. We care about the characters and root for them, which is the more important thing for me. Also, there is a naive sweetness to this novel that carries it past some beginner's rough edges. I suspect the author's future work will also be worth checking out. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2017
Waterwight is a fascinating story, was drawn in and couldn't stop listening. The story is set after a cataclysm has occurred which has left the world dramatically changes and the survivors scared. But one survivor, Celeste, is determined to find out what has happened, what continues to happen. The story follows her and the people she meets as she tries to stop the damage getting worse. While most of the story is from Celeste's perspective there are also chapters that show what is happening to other characters to create a fuller picture of what is taking place. The story is well written and the world it's based in is fascinating. The narration is well done with each character having a distinct voice (and there are lots of characters) and the accents are well done where they're needed. This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
April 16, 2018
I received this book for free from the author. I agreed to give it an honest review.
Fantasy is my preferred book type. What I enjoy the most about this genre is how authors take the time to paint a precise picture of the world . I feel like this was lacking in Waterwight. You were given major descriptors, but was left to imagine a lot on your own. Sometimes I had pictured something, but came to find out I was way off base later.
Another issue I had was that it was unclear why the mysterious events were happening. Maybe that will be addressed in the next book. I also enjoy following the main character as they solve a problem. In this book it is more of a mystery that Celeste knew how to save the world.
I did like the overall story and am excited to see what is to come from this author.
Fantasy is my preferred book type. What I enjoy the most about this genre is how authors take the time to paint a precise picture of the world . I feel like this was lacking in Waterwight. You were given major descriptors, but was left to imagine a lot on your own. Sometimes I had pictured something, but came to find out I was way off base later.
Another issue I had was that it was unclear why the mysterious events were happening. Maybe that will be addressed in the next book. I also enjoy following the main character as they solve a problem. In this book it is more of a mystery that Celeste knew how to save the world.
I did like the overall story and am excited to see what is to come from this author.
April 7, 2016
Waterwight by Laurel McHargue is a fantasy about a teenage girl who must find a key to save the world from encroaching toxic ooze. It’s an interesting plot and the protagonist, Celeste, is a well-developed character, however, I thought the other characters remained fairly one-dimensional until the last 10% of the story. I enjoyed this book, but felt like there was an information dump at the end when the secondary characters are suddenly explained. I would have liked it better if bits of information about each one had been woven into the story. Other than that, Waterwight is a well written, original, and enjoyable read.
May 14, 2016
I liked how the pacing in this book made it feel quite dreamy and weird in places. Some of the secondary character conceptualizations were quite interesting, but I thought that a lot of the characters lacked depth/development. Some passages were a bit overly expository. Overall I quite enjoyed it - it's a YA book, and the criticisms I included distracted me a couple times, but I am fond of stories where the main character has to navigate an ambiguous world with unclear rules, and it was quite adventuresome!
June 20, 2017
My review is based on the Audiobook. What a wonderfully magical tale. I love all of the different creatures and how the Author tells the stroy from so many different points of view. Sandra Murphy is an excellent narrator. She gives each character their own disctinct voice making it extremely easy to follow the story. Eenie & Thunder are my fave. I am looking forward to book 2 and the continuation of this fantastic story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 31, 2018
Audio version.
This was great but is basically with a cliffhanger ending. I can't wait for the next part.
The narrator has a easy to listen to voice, she brings the story to life.
This Audiobook was given to me at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
(edited)
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Great world building, Original, Page-turner, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters.
This was great but is basically with a cliffhanger ending. I can't wait for the next part.
The narrator has a easy to listen to voice, she brings the story to life.
This Audiobook was given to me at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
(edited)
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Great world building, Original, Page-turner, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters.
November 28, 2018
Waterwight is a good read for the younger YA readers. Celeste must save the world from destruciton. Along the way, she finds she has magical abilities and makes new friends including animals and spirits. As she is taken deep into a strange world, she must learn how to use her powers in time to survive a villainous shape-shifter.
I did want to know more about the event that fractured the world and other loose ends, but that’s what sequels are for, right?
I did want to know more about the event that fractured the world and other loose ends, but that’s what sequels are for, right?
November 29, 2016
I really like crows and ravens and other blackbirds but this one . . . ? I guess everyone has to work through their feathery stuff, eh? But when my water starts running pink - that's where I draw the line, lol! Still, the man in the mountain is so awesome. Who doesn't see the faces in the mountains?
March 17, 2019
A sweet preteen/YA book.
May 1, 2019
It caught me in from the start. This is a post-cataclysmic book. There are powers that people were struck with since "the event" which nobody talks about. It keeps you curious.
December 13, 2019
What a great YA page turner! I enjoyed seeing Celeste morph from a timid teenager into a brave/thoughtful leader who will save what’s left of the population-deprived world (I.e., all the adults are dead, but the animals are sentient and chatty).
I can’t wait to follow her into Book 2 and 3 of the series to find out who is the deviant behind all the death and destruction in this well-crafted post apocalyptic world. An enjoyable read.
I can’t wait to follow her into Book 2 and 3 of the series to find out who is the deviant behind all the death and destruction in this well-crafted post apocalyptic world. An enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2023
A reluctant hero overcoming great odds during epic adventures to complete a quest. Homer’s Odyssey? No! It’s McHargue’s Waterwight! The author has built a world eerily familiar in this time of global warming, a character for my own children to emulate, and a plot like chocolate chip cookies (satisfying, but you gotta have more). I had a blast reading this novel. Now, on to the rest of the series!
June 25, 2024
Intriguing and keeps you reading to find out what in the WORLD is happening, but feels fully like a fever dream and leaves you with just as many questions as answers
August 22, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include WATERWIGHT (The Waterwright Series #1) by LAUREL McHARGUE in the library of Awesome Indies'
Badge of Approval
recipients.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):
Waterwight by Laurel McHargue is a dystopian fantasy adventure about an orphan named Celeste who must go on a quest to stop a mysterious ooze that is infecting what's left of her world. While this might be considered a post-apocalyptic story, the "Event" that caused the world to be in the state that we find it is left shrouded in mystery, as are a lot of other elements in the book. As the first book in a series, it is forgivable to leave some puzzles to be solved down the road, but some readers might find the lack of direct information limiting in some ways. The book reads like a hallucination, and readers who are interested in the 'why' and 'how' of things might find some frustration. The imaginative experience we are presented with compensates for the lack of answers with likable characters and inventive conflicts.
The writing itself is fluid and accessible, and it's clear that McHargue is a poet as well as a teacher. Many lines of the story caught my attention, and the author has a way of drawing beauty out of even the most grotesque imagery. McHargue has a gift for language (more than one are featured in this work) and writing engaging dialogue, and I found myself empathizing with Celeste easily. The secondary characters, too, are enjoyable - Sharon and Orville are standouts - although not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Without giving too much away, developments later in the story suddenly add to and elaborate on many facets of who Celeste and the secondary characters are. While to some it could be likened to a superhero or arthurian origin-story, to others it could seem like a prologue without enough detail to fully set up an entire universe or a broader quest-line. With that said, there is enough intriguing stuff going on in this work to keep the reader invested until the end. The finale is satisfactory for the first entry in a series, but again leaves behind more questions than answers.
If you're a reader who loves a little mystery in your fantasy and are looking for a book with adventure, magic, likable characters and an interesting world, Waterwight is a solid beginning to a series that promises more to come from Celeste and her friends. I give Waterwight 4 stars, but it should be noted that Awesome Indies recommends this book at 4 stars for young adult readers.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):
Waterwight by Laurel McHargue is a dystopian fantasy adventure about an orphan named Celeste who must go on a quest to stop a mysterious ooze that is infecting what's left of her world. While this might be considered a post-apocalyptic story, the "Event" that caused the world to be in the state that we find it is left shrouded in mystery, as are a lot of other elements in the book. As the first book in a series, it is forgivable to leave some puzzles to be solved down the road, but some readers might find the lack of direct information limiting in some ways. The book reads like a hallucination, and readers who are interested in the 'why' and 'how' of things might find some frustration. The imaginative experience we are presented with compensates for the lack of answers with likable characters and inventive conflicts.
The writing itself is fluid and accessible, and it's clear that McHargue is a poet as well as a teacher. Many lines of the story caught my attention, and the author has a way of drawing beauty out of even the most grotesque imagery. McHargue has a gift for language (more than one are featured in this work) and writing engaging dialogue, and I found myself empathizing with Celeste easily. The secondary characters, too, are enjoyable - Sharon and Orville are standouts - although not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Without giving too much away, developments later in the story suddenly add to and elaborate on many facets of who Celeste and the secondary characters are. While to some it could be likened to a superhero or arthurian origin-story, to others it could seem like a prologue without enough detail to fully set up an entire universe or a broader quest-line. With that said, there is enough intriguing stuff going on in this work to keep the reader invested until the end. The finale is satisfactory for the first entry in a series, but again leaves behind more questions than answers.
If you're a reader who loves a little mystery in your fantasy and are looking for a book with adventure, magic, likable characters and an interesting world, Waterwight is a solid beginning to a series that promises more to come from Celeste and her friends. I give Waterwight 4 stars, but it should be noted that Awesome Indies recommends this book at 4 stars for young adult readers.
July 1, 2016
Waterwight is a truly fantastic read. It is a fresh take on a post-apocalyptic world, blended with child-like fantasy and supernatural powers, with an ending that leaves you hungry for more. Can't wait to find out what happens next!
**New and improved review**
After a catastrophe only known as “the Event”, Celeste escapes from a home for orphans with little to no memory of what happened to her parents. Determined to learn the truth, Celeste embarks on an adventure to save what’s left of the world from an ever-growing ocean of toxic ooze. Guided by a mountain spirit and befriended by a giant, flying frog, Celeste must learn how to live in this changed world devoid of adults where children have started getting supernatural powers. Hunted by a murderous shape-shifter, will Celeste uncover the mystery behind the ooze before the rest of the world is overcome?
Strengths
I thought this was such a creative take on a post-apocalyptic world. I’m not sure I’ve ever read one where the children were the only survivors. Throw in supernatural powers and you’ve got a really interesting story. I think the characters were well-developed; my favorite is Orville, the French, flying frog. Who knew a frog could be so overwhelmingly charming?? I am dying to know how his story continues in the next book!
The supernatural powers that start manifesting in the children are so cool and varied. Mind reading, flying, invisibility, time-stopping, visions, super-strength…I could go on.
A huge strength to this book is the driving mystery. Where did this ooze come from? What exactly happened during the Event and what caused it? There’s a dreamlike quality throughout that makes the book feel very magical.
Weaknesses
There were times when the traveling of various characters got a bit tedious. Celeste has to fly across the ocean a couple of times and I think those parts could have been sped up or condensed further. But otherwise there weren’t many weaknesses!
Conclusion
This is a definite must read! Especially for the YA or middle school audience. Fun characters with superpowers and fast-moving, interesting plot, this is a book you won’t want to miss!
For more reviews, visit http://goodtalesreviews.com
**New and improved review**
After a catastrophe only known as “the Event”, Celeste escapes from a home for orphans with little to no memory of what happened to her parents. Determined to learn the truth, Celeste embarks on an adventure to save what’s left of the world from an ever-growing ocean of toxic ooze. Guided by a mountain spirit and befriended by a giant, flying frog, Celeste must learn how to live in this changed world devoid of adults where children have started getting supernatural powers. Hunted by a murderous shape-shifter, will Celeste uncover the mystery behind the ooze before the rest of the world is overcome?
Strengths
I thought this was such a creative take on a post-apocalyptic world. I’m not sure I’ve ever read one where the children were the only survivors. Throw in supernatural powers and you’ve got a really interesting story. I think the characters were well-developed; my favorite is Orville, the French, flying frog. Who knew a frog could be so overwhelmingly charming?? I am dying to know how his story continues in the next book!
The supernatural powers that start manifesting in the children are so cool and varied. Mind reading, flying, invisibility, time-stopping, visions, super-strength…I could go on.
A huge strength to this book is the driving mystery. Where did this ooze come from? What exactly happened during the Event and what caused it? There’s a dreamlike quality throughout that makes the book feel very magical.
Weaknesses
There were times when the traveling of various characters got a bit tedious. Celeste has to fly across the ocean a couple of times and I think those parts could have been sped up or condensed further. But otherwise there weren’t many weaknesses!
Conclusion
This is a definite must read! Especially for the YA or middle school audience. Fun characters with superpowers and fast-moving, interesting plot, this is a book you won’t want to miss!
For more reviews, visit http://goodtalesreviews.com
April 17, 2016
McHargue offers up a fascinating world where almost everyone seems to develop a "magical" super power in response to a horrendous event that threatens to destroy their world. Full of self discovery and a need to overcome fear of differences in order to survive. Paloma, a fourteen year old orphan, is drawn out of her "safe" orphanage and is challenged with finding the key to survival. Talking animals abound and leave criptic messages. A shape shifter is intent on killing her before Paloma can discover the shifter's secret. A sand castle captures Paloma's interest with near deadly results. All combine for an intriguing YA adventure.
August 1, 2017
"You can't stay here, you can't go back,
A tool please find within your sack.
South is where you'll find your home,
Though for a time you'll be alone.
Follow your nose to find the springs,
But do beware of that which sings.
Danger's near, it's time to go,
Eenie, Meenie, Miney and Mo."
What an advenure! It was written so well, I was able to picture the entire book in my head like it was happening. It never slowed down for me. I loved this book! The end confused me, left me wanting more but it says book 1 in the series! So "woo hoo" there's more to come!
A tool please find within your sack.
South is where you'll find your home,
Though for a time you'll be alone.
Follow your nose to find the springs,
But do beware of that which sings.
Danger's near, it's time to go,
Eenie, Meenie, Miney and Mo."
What an advenure! It was written so well, I was able to picture the entire book in my head like it was happening. It never slowed down for me. I loved this book! The end confused me, left me wanting more but it says book 1 in the series! So "woo hoo" there's more to come!
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