My aim for 2018 is to read more graphic novels, but why not start right now? When I saw this one, I thought the cover and title were intriguing. 

I loved the illustrations. The illustrator did a good job making the sea seem like a living creature, sometimes calm and peaceful, sometimes full of menace. I liked Marion and her mother and I liked the way the story was presented and set up. And I did like the plot. However, by the time I truly got into the story it was over and compared to the rest the pages the end felt a tad rushed. I remember thinking, "That's it?" 

So basically I enjoyed it, but I feel it just needed a little more at the end. I am also not sure whether the cover suits the story that well.

(Read ARC e-book via NetGalley)

Great story. Loved the mystery and suspense and supernatural elements. This was for my NEWTs to earn an Outstanding in Herbology (a book with light/air/sun/water in the title).

Loved this! It had fantastic summer vibes, and I definitely teared up. Didn't see the end coming.

"I've been lost, all these years. But you found me."

Marion and her mother move to the house on the cliff, inherited from Marion's grandparents. Life in a small town seems to be peaceful and happy but as Marion explores the seaside, she finds strange stones with mysterious engravings and a seemingly abandoned lighthouse. Curious, the girl decides to solve the mystery on her own.

I was reall curious about Water Memory and I ended up really enjoying it! I'll start off with saying that the setting itself made me love it, as I dream about leaving on the seaside, like Marion and her mom did. The story drew me in right away, because right from the beginning I felt the atmosphere of some mystery in the air. Small town with local legends and family mystery made for a really engaging book. The plot unfolds steadily with the author dropping new puzzles and hints, leading to the amazing and very bittersweet ending.

The graphic is quite quirky, yet has some familiar vibes. I especially loved full page illustrations and found them the most beautiful, as well us water/underwater scenes. I also really liked the additional material at the end, showing the story begind the creation of this graphic novel. It was interesting to read how the author and the illustrator got an idea for it and the whole process.

To sum up, Water Memory by Mathieu Reynes is a wonderful mixture of adventure and mystery, paired up with beautiful, atmospheric art.


I have kindly received a copy of this book from Diamond Book Distributors via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The review also appeared on my blog.

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Piacevole da leggere ma deludente: nelle ultime dieci pagine vi è una fortissima accelerazione della trama, per cui tutta l'aria di mistero di tre quarti del libro viene dissipata in una manciata di pagine. Il finale è stato assurdo, non c'erano i presupposti per cui il vecchio si fosse affezionato alla ragazzina (avevano parlato una volta e mezzo in tutto il libro).