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spaghettiliz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
5.0
victoria_catherine_shaw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The blurb for C.A. Fletcher’s Dead Water refers to a waterborne blight, which led me to believe the story would center around a pathogen in the water. In reality, it’s a zombie-like horror tale with folkloric undertones. Despite the misleading blurb, and the fact that I’m not the target audience for a zombie apocalypse story, I found myself enjoying Fletcher’s writing.
📚
Set on a small island off the coast of Scotland, Dead Water starts as a slow-burning character study, introducing nearly every island resident while little actually happens. Though the plot takes its time to emerge, the novel is well-written and atmospheric, with a haunting sense of place and a sinister undercurrent.
📚
The zombie action doesn’t kick in until about halfway through the book (and at over 500 pages, that’s quite a wait). The island’s inhabitants gradually transform into the drowned undead, attempting to drag the survivors down into the depths of the surrounding sea with them. Interwoven with the action are shorter chapters referencing an old Norse curse, which (sort of) explains the supernatural events.
📚
I probably shouldn’t have finished this book—I didn’t find the zombie storyline particularly convincing, I didn’t care for any of the characters (even the dogs annoyed me), and the ending left me unimpressed. Still, the eerie island setting was compelling, and Fletcher’s writing kept me turning the pages.
📚
📚
Set on a small island off the coast of Scotland, Dead Water starts as a slow-burning character study, introducing nearly every island resident while little actually happens. Though the plot takes its time to emerge, the novel is well-written and atmospheric, with a haunting sense of place and a sinister undercurrent.
📚
The zombie action doesn’t kick in until about halfway through the book (and at over 500 pages, that’s quite a wait). The island’s inhabitants gradually transform into the drowned undead, attempting to drag the survivors down into the depths of the surrounding sea with them. Interwoven with the action are shorter chapters referencing an old Norse curse, which (sort of) explains the supernatural events.
📚
I probably shouldn’t have finished this book—I didn’t find the zombie storyline particularly convincing, I didn’t care for any of the characters (even the dogs annoyed me), and the ending left me unimpressed. Still, the eerie island setting was compelling, and Fletcher’s writing kept me turning the pages.
📚
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Grief, and Stalking
dani_thebookdragon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lolou's review against another edition
Liked: the writing, the slow unfolding of the story. It took awhile to get to the beginnings of the horror. Characters: some weee just unlikable, but many were flawed yet likable.
Dislike: the ending…I don’t know how it turned around tho this, or maybe I’m an idiot. Could be
Also, spoiler alert, what caused people to turn? Some people had little contact and turned, some had full force contact with a Drowned and didn’t turn. It was an audio book, Maybe I zoned out. Dunno.
Dislike: the ending…I don’t know how it turned around tho this, or maybe I’m an idiot. Could be
Also, spoiler alert, what caused people to turn? Some people had little contact and turned, some had full force contact with a Drowned and didn’t turn. It was an audio book, Maybe I zoned out. Dunno.
sherbyyl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Not everyone will like the ending. It left me wanting more, although I’m not sure how the author could continue the story.
finickyfeline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
an_cat_dubh's review against another edition
3.0
The story and build up were good but the ending and resolution were lacking. All that build up for absolutely lackluster ending. It was too easy with an easy escape. I would’ve liked more exposition on the curse. It felt like I must’ve missed a chapter in the telling.
I listened to the audiobook, the narrator was really great and conveyed I think the sense of location and gave substance to the characters.
I listened to the audiobook, the narrator was really great and conveyed I think the sense of location and gave substance to the characters.
thy1900's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
meganhart92's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
happybirb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
This book started really slow and then picked up pace as it went along. I think it was masterfully told, having so many characters really brought the story together because you could see them through each others eyes. It was interesting to see them grow and change throughout the book. Overall it was well paced, the beginning did a really good job of building up the atmosphere.