Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-09-03 07:51:12
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- ISBN：1398505277
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Summary
The highly anticipated sequel to the beloved cult classic about family， friendship and first love， from award-winning author Benjamin Alire Saenz。 This lyrical novel will enrapture readers of Adam Silvera （They Both Die at the End）， The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Call me by your Name。
A love story like no other。
In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， two boys fell in love。 Now they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence。
Ari has spent all of high school hiding who he really is， staying silent and invisible。 He expected his senior year to be the same。 But something in him cracked open when he fell in love with Dante， and he can't go back。 Suddenly he finds himself reaching out to new friends， standing up to bullies and making his voice heard。 And， always， there is Dante - dreamy， witty Dante - who can get on Ari's nerves and fill him with desire all at once。
The boys are determined to forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn't understand them。 But when Ari is faced with a shocking loss， he'll have to fight like never before to create a life that is truthfully， joyfully his own。
A love story like no other。
In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， two boys fell in love。 Now they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence。
Ari has spent all of high school hiding who he really is， staying silent and invisible。 He expected his senior year to be the same。 But something in him cracked open when he fell in love with Dante， and he can't go back。 Suddenly he finds himself reaching out to new friends， standing up to bullies and making his voice heard。 And， always， there is Dante - dreamy， witty Dante - who can get on Ari's nerves and fill him with desire all at once。
The boys are determined to forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn't understand them。 But when Ari is faced with a shocking loss， he'll have to fight like never before to create a life that is truthfully， joyfully his own。
Reviews
Elizabeth
，
This book is obviously highly anticipated， and it fully lived up to all the expectations。 As Ari is going into his senior year of high school and settling into his relationship with Dante， he is beginning to reckon with what it means to be a gay man in the '80s， coming into himself during a time when the AIDS epidemic was constantly in the news。 There's so much change happening in his life， and it perfectly captures that strange time in life that is finishing high school and expecting to just be This book is obviously highly anticipated， and it fully lived up to all the expectations。 As Ari is going into his senior year of high school and settling into his relationship with Dante， he is beginning to reckon with what it means to be a gay man in the '80s， coming into himself during a time when the AIDS epidemic was constantly in the news。 There's so much change happening in his life， and it perfectly captures that strange time in life that is finishing high school and expecting to just be an adult。 Ari is one of my most favorite characters ever and seeing him work through his emotions， do things that he's uncomfortable with， and grow into a man was so， so beautiful and lovely。Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Carla Enright
，
What was that sound？ Oh just me yelling from excitement after finding out there is a sequel on it’s way。
Shaunakbooks
，
OK OK OK THIS IS NOT A DRILL ARI AND DANTE IS LITERALLY MY FAV FUCKING BOOK OF ALL TIME I'VE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING FOR 2 YEARS I NEED THIS I NEED THIS I NEED THIS SNJDJFJR。 OK OK OK THIS IS NOT A DRILL ARI AND DANTE IS LITERALLY MY FAV FUCKING BOOK OF ALL TIME I'VE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING FOR 2 YEARS I NEED THIS I NEED THIS I NEED THIS SNJDJFJR。 。。。more
Andrea
，
More reviews and book-ish content @ AndreaRBooKs on FB， AndreaRBooKs on IG & Andrea RBKDante and Aristotle Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz is a sequel I've been （impatiently） waiting for because I'm just so darn captivated by the story of Dante and Aristotle。 This picks up where the first book left off in that Dante and Aristotle have realized what an incredible connection they have。 They've navigated life and adventures as friends and now they're taking on a new advent More reviews and book-ish content @ AndreaRBooKs on FB， AndreaRBooKs on IG & Andrea RBKDante and Aristotle Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz is a sequel I've been （impatiently） waiting for because I'm just so darn captivated by the story of Dante and Aristotle。 This picks up where the first book left off in that Dante and Aristotle have realized what an incredible connection they have。 They've navigated life and adventures as friends and now they're taking on a new adventure of navigating the world in love。 Above all else， you should know this book is beautifully written。 Dante and Aristotle are characters that the author brings to life in such a wonderful and amazing way。 I could tell you the plot， but really what makes me love this series so very much is the humans in the story。 This was such an outstanding way to continue this powerful tale。 Thanks to NetGalley and S&S Book Club Favorites for the early look at this October 2021 release。 。。。more
cindy （renewed reader）
，
Review TK。 This book emotionally destroyed me。
audrey
，
3。5 stars！ beautiful writing！！！
Rowan
，
I got an ARC of this book， and I'm so happy， because it was one of my most anticipated releases of the whole year。 I knew it wasn't going to disappoint - after so many years of waiting， so many years of buildup - and it didn't。 God。 Benjamin Sáenz writes poetry。 What can I say about this book？ The first Ari & Dante book is beautiful， and at the same time immeasurably sad， and hopeful， and filled with longing and love at the same time as it is melancholy。 This book is exactly like the first when I got an ARC of this book， and I'm so happy， because it was one of my most anticipated releases of the whole year。 I knew it wasn't going to disappoint - after so many years of waiting， so many years of buildup - and it didn't。 God。 Benjamin Sáenz writes poetry。 What can I say about this book？ The first Ari & Dante book is beautiful， and at the same time immeasurably sad， and hopeful， and filled with longing and love at the same time as it is melancholy。 This book is exactly like the first when it comes to tone and style， but somehow it's even more beautiful， even more immeasurably sad， and hopeful， and full of longing and love。 It is poetic and lyrical and so， so breathtaking。 Unexpected things happened in this book， but it still felt very true to its predecessor。 And though this isn't the sequel I first pictured when I heard the announcement that we were getting more Ari & Dante， I think it's the sequel they needed。 It takes place directly where the first book ends; the last page of the first book begins on the first page of this one。 It's longer than the first one， which I loved。 I wanted to binge this in one sitting like I've done with the first book several times， but I was slow with it， and I absorbed every word。 It is perfect。 It's such a work of art， and it's so poignant。 This is a book and these are characters that will stay with you forever because of the way they are written。 Benjamin's prose is simple， yet achingly beautiful and sweet。 The development of Ari and Dante's relationship in this book， the development with the both of them individually and their relationships with the people around them， it's all done beautifully。 It tackles the AIDS crisis in the 1980's and identity and love， friendship and family， loneliness and acceptance。 I feel like I can't say a lot more without spoiling it， but trust me when I say that when this book comes out in October， it will feel like coming home。 This will definitely require a second read from me， and I'll read it again closer to the actual pub date。 But I loved every part and page of this book。 The ending wasn't what I first imagined for Ari and Dante， but it was so perfect for them， and I can always imagine them living out the ending I pictured beyond the pages of this book。 It was just perfect。 And though I would welcome a third book， or a novella set after the events of this one， DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD leaves off on a place that feels so right for the characters。 I knew this was going to be beautiful。 I can't wait for the rest of the world to read it。 。。。more
grace nb
，
i would like to thank netgalley for making this happen and giving me a copy even though i am a 14 year old with no actual business or review site💗💗💗
Amanda
，
Oh my gosh， I received an arc from Netgalley！ I'm so pumped！ Oh my gosh， I received an arc from Netgalley！ I'm so pumped！ 。。。more
Lou
，
Thanks @SimonTeen for the ARC。 I LOVE ARI！ Such a beautiful boy。 I wish he were real so I could give him a hug。Anyway， Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World repeatedly made water leak from my eyes。 To write a story where one feels the love， pain， joy， sorrow， and triumphs of the characters is a gift。 So is reading it。This is a love story about 1） two boys， 2） a young man learning to love himself。 3） a father and son 4） and mom's and friends and。。。 Lets just say there is a lot Thanks @SimonTeen for the ARC。 I LOVE ARI！ Such a beautiful boy。 I wish he were real so I could give him a hug。Anyway， Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World repeatedly made water leak from my eyes。 To write a story where one feels the love， pain， joy， sorrow， and triumphs of the characters is a gift。 So is reading it。This is a love story about 1） two boys， 2） a young man learning to love himself。 3） a father and son 4） and mom's and friends and。。。 Lets just say there is a lot of love in this book。 There's plenty of heartache and heartbreak too。 There really isn't much more to say that wouldn't be a spoiler。 Not sure this works as a stand-alone novel。 I'd definitely suggest reading Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe first。 。。。more
Autumn
，
There was almost no way that I was not going to like this book， because the first one was so good。 It definitely did not disappoint。 Benjamin Alire Sáenz is a masterful writer， with beautiful prose and flushed out characters。 Anyone that even semi-liked the first book should absolutely read the sequel。 It is the Must Read book of the year。
chey morris
，
（4。5 rounded up） Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster Canada for this ARC！Since Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is one of my all time favourite books and one of my comfort reads， I don't completely know what I expected out of this sequel。 I was even a bit hesitant in even reading it because I didn't want to ruin the first book for myself。 Despite this， Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World completely blew me away and exceeded any expectations that I （4。5 rounded up） Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster Canada for this ARC！Since Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is one of my all time favourite books and one of my comfort reads， I don't completely know what I expected out of this sequel。 I was even a bit hesitant in even reading it because I didn't want to ruin the first book for myself。 Despite this， Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World completely blew me away and exceeded any expectations that I had for this book。 The writing was beautiful and made me feel nostalgic in a way。 Despite the fact that so many years have passed irl between the pub dates of the first and second book， the sequel gave me the exact same feelings that the first one did。 I'm not usually a fan of sequels unless they are completely needed because sometimes they can feel unnecessary and ruin the first book for me。 In this case， I didn't even think the first book needed a sequel until I actually read it。 I feel like this was the perfect companion to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe。 It answered questions that I didn't even know I had。 In my opinion， it gave the perfect conclusion that I didn't even know it needed。 I would just like to mention that for the firstpart of the book， it felt extremely slow and almost like there wasn't really a plot。 However， once you get through that it is an easy read that I would recommend over and over。 I'll be thinking about this book for a long time and I'm infinitely grateful that I got to read it before the pub date！（Review also posted on Netgalley） 。。。more
Madi Brokenshire
，
I was kind of terrified to pick this book up - I love Ari & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to pieces， so the last thing I wanted was to read a sequel that didn’t live up to my expectations。 Thankfully， when I picked it up and read the first chapter， my fears were instantly diminished。This book was incredible。 It took everything that was great about the first novel and expanded on it。I don’t think I’ve never read something more beautifully written than this。 Benjamin Alire Sáenz never I was kind of terrified to pick this book up - I love Ari & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to pieces， so the last thing I wanted was to read a sequel that didn’t live up to my expectations。 Thankfully， when I picked it up and read the first chapter， my fears were instantly diminished。This book was incredible。 It took everything that was great about the first novel and expanded on it。I don’t think I’ve never read something more beautifully written than this。 Benjamin Alire Sáenz never fails to catch me right in my feels。 Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World is full of quotable lines - my copy is packed full of highlights。Important issues are discussed in such poetic and beautiful ways - Sáenz deals with loss， trauma， societal pressures and social issues in what I thought was a really great way。One thing I adored was the emphasis on friendship and the impacts of isolating yourself from others。 Ari is a really relatable character for me， so a lot of his thoughts and internal struggles hit hard。 I cried to so profoundly; this book is just so honest， it’s heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time。 I wish I could live inside this story forever - it’s such a comfort read。 。。。more
lex
，
i love ari and dante but i had higher expectations for this book。 i felt like the plot was a little all over the place but i still appreciate how much both the characters grew and developed throughout the story。 there was a lot of conflict that felt like it was introduced but wasn’t fully resolved properly。 i did like how much you could feel ari and dante grow up as you read。 the coming of age aspect was great， which is something i loved about this book。
Shaun Lake
，
In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， two boys fell in love。 Now they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence。This is truly a heartfelt and highly emotional book， if the first one made you shed a tear then this one will have you crying buckets。 A beautiful book that carries on where the first book left off with a wonderful tale of love， friendship， loss and being heard。 Absolutely stunning In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， two boys fell in love。 Now they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence。This is truly a heartfelt and highly emotional book， if the first one made you shed a tear then this one will have you crying buckets。 A beautiful book that carries on where the first book left off with a wonderful tale of love， friendship， loss and being heard。 Absolutely stunning book， well written as you would expect， this may be even better dare i say than the fist book？！！！ 。。。more
Ann Zhao
，
i have a lot of thoughts about this book， namely that the author’s history of transphobia and harassing reviewers has probably clouded my perception of the book itself， but all the same， i really don’t think this was what i expected it to be。 the pacing felt off， the book was REALLY long， and idk i just wasn’t feeling it。 i don’t even know what star rating to give it， so i’m not giving it one at all。 thank you to simon and schuster for the arc; i’m sorry i couldn’t be more helpful lol
sophie
，
goodreads PLEASE stop yelling at me to review this i illegally gifted it to my friend ok i'm not sorry and i'm not going to write a review or rate it bc i SKIMMED it please just let me live goodreads PLEASE stop yelling at me to review this i illegally gifted it to my friend ok i'm not sorry and i'm not going to write a review or rate it bc i SKIMMED it please just let me live 。。。more
Jesika
，
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this one， and in all honestly I wasn't sure how to write this review。It was a book of two halves for me。 It definitely can't be read without having read the first book。In the first half， it feels distinctly like a different author entirely。 I struggled to like it so much it made me question if I had even liked the last book。 At points it feels distinctly like this has been written either to capitalise on the popularity of the last book or to have a publishe I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this one， and in all honestly I wasn't sure how to write this review。It was a book of two halves for me。 It definitely can't be read without having read the first book。In the first half， it feels distinctly like a different author entirely。 I struggled to like it so much it made me question if I had even liked the last book。 At points it feels distinctly like this has been written either to capitalise on the popularity of the last book or to have a published work to point to when the author is accused of transphobia。 Nothing much happened and there wasn't any particular character development either。The second half was more emotionally affecting。 There started to be the character development and the plot line that the first half had been lacking。 It did make me cry。 There were some difficult but lovely additions to the journey you see Ari particularly is on。It still felt extremely performative though。 Discussions of the AIDS pandemic were surface level at best and there was no resolution to the story。 I felt that the stopping point of the last book was better。The theme appears to be Ari and Dante mapping out their own world。 I get it。 It's very forced though， and I got sick of reading it every other paragraph along with a reference to the title of one of the books。I cancelled my preorder having read the netgalley copy I had， which is such a shame as I loved the last book。 I think。 I'm no longer sure。I'm sure there will be people that love these characters and the little further snippet it gives you enough to say its amazing but。。。it really isnt。 If this had been the first book， I wouldn't have been coming back for a second。 。。。more
Renee
，
I won an advanced copy from my local bookstore。 This sequel is even better then the first book。 The characters are realistic， meaning they are flawed， evolving， and could be your classmates。 The story may be slow but it fits with the overall feel of the book， also the reference to the AIDS epidemic felt similar to today's COVID pandemic。 My emotions were all over the place as I read and that made the book even better。 Hopefully a third book is in the works as I'd like to know what happens to the I won an advanced copy from my local bookstore。 This sequel is even better then the first book。 The characters are realistic， meaning they are flawed， evolving， and could be your classmates。 The story may be slow but it fits with the overall feel of the book， also the reference to the AIDS epidemic felt similar to today's COVID pandemic。 My emotions were all over the place as I read and that made the book even better。 Hopefully a third book is in the works as I'd like to know what happens to these two fantastic guys in the '90's and on。 。。。more
Laura
，
Review to come。
Trish
，
Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for an eARC of 'Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World' in exchange for an honest review。This continuation of the story of Ari and Dante is， quite literally， exactly that: a continuation。 This installment could easily be combined into a single （though rather thicker） volume containing both novels as we rejoin our boys in the desert immediately following the events that closed 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for an eARC of 'Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World' in exchange for an honest review。This continuation of the story of Ari and Dante is， quite literally， exactly that: a continuation。 This installment could easily be combined into a single （though rather thicker） volume containing both novels as we rejoin our boys in the desert immediately following the events that closed 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'--and then follow them through the remainder of that summer， their senior year of high school and their last summer before college。 1988 through 1989。Just as with the first novel， Ari is our sole narrator， and the reader is truly on a journey of self-discovery with him--as he comes to terms with his sexuality， with loving Dante， with hate and small-mindedness in a border town， with loss， with forgiveness， and his own life choices。 It particularly explores his relationships and how those are impacted （for better or worse） by his perceptions and ideas of people （particularly those closest to him）， versus the truth of those people: the complex， layered realities that make us all real and entirely too human。 It also touches on questions of maturity， responsibility， racism， prejudice， rights and freedoms and equalities--and with a voice that leaves a clear impression， but never felt （and I realize this is entirely relative and personal to each reader） preachy or demanding， leaving me room to ponder and assess my own feelings and opinions for myself。I will readily admit that I struggled with Ari as a character and particularly as the narrator in the first book; but that is also why I found his journey throughout this second book so compelling。 Once he begins to truly know himself， and then accept that self， his growth is incredible。 I think I also connect with this book as I remember this time--while I was still most definitely younger than Ari and Dante were in the late 1980s， I do remember the incredible and uncertain changes happening throughout the world。 And I remember when homosexuality was。。。not something readily accepted or even discussed， and micro-aggressions were not even recognized as such， they were almost the norm。 And I remember how the AIDS pandemic forced us， finally， to face and begin the process of addressing these inequalities--though not nearly early enough nor aggressively enough given the number of lives lost。I also know that this book will not resonate with everyone--as is true of most books--for various reasons， including recently raised questions regarding the personal attitudes and actions of the author himself。 I definitely recommend that anyone considering reading Ari and Dante's story should educate themselves before making a final decision on whether to dive into this world。 。。。more
Katie
，
I have so many mixed feelings about this book。 On one hand， Benjamin Alire Saenz's writing is always a joy to read and I loved the growth that Dante and Ari underwent throughout the story。 On the other hand， though， I really don't think that this book was a necessary addition。 I'm a firm believer that sequels should only be written if they are needed or add something very significant to the original text， and while this was certainly interesting to read， I don't feel that it was in any way neces I have so many mixed feelings about this book。 On one hand， Benjamin Alire Saenz's writing is always a joy to read and I loved the growth that Dante and Ari underwent throughout the story。 On the other hand， though， I really don't think that this book was a necessary addition。 I'm a firm believer that sequels should only be written if they are needed or add something very significant to the original text， and while this was certainly interesting to read， I don't feel that it was in any way necessary。 So much of the book lacked plot， and while I'm someone who often loves a character-driven story， there just didn't feel like a point throughout much of it。 Additionally， I felt as though certain parts were a bit preachy and sounded more like an inspirational self-help book than a YA novel。 It's important to tackle difficult issues in fiction， but I just don't think it was incorporated into this story in a way that made much sense。 It made the book feel disjointed at times and I found it pretty grating throughout。One thing that I did really love about this was Ari's growth and emotional vulnerability。 It was so lovely to see a male YA protagonist be so open about his feelings， particularly toward the end of the novel， and I think that the author handled it very well。 。。。more
The Nerd Daily
，
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Mimi KoehlerThis book is literally Taylor Swift’s magnificent song “peace” turned into a story and you can’t convince me otherwise。 In the much-anticipated sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， Sáenz returns to beloved characters that stole readers’ hearts and takes a deep dive into the understanding of what it means to live and grow up in a world that doesn’t want you in it。Usually in young adult literature， we get Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Mimi KoehlerThis book is literally Taylor Swift’s magnificent song “peace” turned into a story and you can’t convince me otherwise。 In the much-anticipated sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， Sáenz returns to beloved characters that stole readers’ hearts and takes a deep dive into the understanding of what it means to live and grow up in a world that doesn’t want you in it。Usually in young adult literature， we get a happily-ever-after or at least a happy-for-now resolution。 But here， we get to see Ari and Dante not only be together， but fighting to stay in love despite social forces threatening to tear them apart and the havoc it wreaks in their own minds。 I was already invested in their relationship but dare I say， in this sequel we get this glimpse of what it means to be in love when you’re still trying to figure out how to love yourself that it enrichened even my understanding of the first novel。 It’s so interesting to watch Ari and Dante fall deeper in love every day， but also see what they keep from each other in order not to hurt the other。 The more the book progresses， the more you realise the true power of love in how it uplifts you and nurtures you。 Still， there are things you sometimes can’t say to the person you love for fear of hurting them。 Especially Ari struggles with expressing his feelings and thus writes them down in a notebook addressed to Dante—his fears， his thoughts， his hopes for a better world—that made me feel like I had a front-row seat， like Ari was sitting next to me writing these words。 It’s a visceral experience reading this story and truly shows just how well Sáenz has created these characters。Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily 。。。more
Karlie
，
“I wanted so much to lean on her and cry。 Not because I was ashamed。 But because I knew I was going to be a terrible cartographer。” 😭❤️-the sneak peak in the back of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Marissa Secreto
，
Not going to lie， I was pretty nervous for this。 A sequel to a beloved classic released years and years later could be dicey。 But I thought this sequel was absolutely beautiful。 It answered some questions left hanging in the first book and developed really great relationships outside of just Ari and Dante's。 This dealt with heavy topics in a way that I think is really important and relevant to what's going on today and I'm excited for teenagers to be able to pick up the original and this one tog Not going to lie， I was pretty nervous for this。 A sequel to a beloved classic released years and years later could be dicey。 But I thought this sequel was absolutely beautiful。 It answered some questions left hanging in the first book and developed really great relationships outside of just Ari and Dante's。 This dealt with heavy topics in a way that I think is really important and relevant to what's going on today and I'm excited for teenagers to be able to pick up the original and this one together。 Ari's character development was really well done and there are some really excellent callbacks to the first book that I think fans will love。 And of course was happy to see Dante again in all his messy， charming glory。 So all in all， a sequel that is well worth the wait！ 。。。more
Drew
，
You can find the secrets of the universe in someone’s hand， but you can’t always find yourself in a book。 In his first novel， Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， Benjamin Alire Sáenz introduced us to two incredible boys who fought and loved hard in order to pave their way toward joy and self-acceptance。 This long anticipated sequel continued Ari and Dante’s journey right where it left off。 Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is a poetic triumph of what it You can find the secrets of the universe in someone’s hand， but you can’t always find yourself in a book。 In his first novel， Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe， Benjamin Alire Sáenz introduced us to two incredible boys who fought and loved hard in order to pave their way toward joy and self-acceptance。 This long anticipated sequel continued Ari and Dante’s journey right where it left off。 Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is a poetic triumph of what it takes to persevere and choose happiness， to choose love。 Their story was never going to be an easy one。 But holding each others’ hand made all the difference。 Each victory and tragedy was conquerable because they were never truly alone。 I feel privileged to have experienced the lives of those two young men。 Every hurdle and heartache hurt me too。 Yet， I shared every smile and laugh that spilled from the pages of this book。 In some ways it felt like a long journey， but really it didn’t feel long enough。 I’m overjoyed for the opportunity to step back into this harsh， beautiful world of theirs。 And I’m going to miss it。 This book did something that I don’t read often in books。 It made the moments worth telling， the moments worth reading， the moments that make up our life times， it made them the story。 There wasn’t a grand quest。 There wasn’t one moment that mattered more than anything else， expect maybe Ari and Dante’s fateful beginning at a swimming pool one summer。 Sáenz wrote a masterpiece that we might call the life of Aristotle Mendoza， a life that just like ours is a mosaic of moments。 All the small things: the smiles， the tears， the touch of a hand， the kind words， the selfless acts， the loss， the confusion， the guilt， the hope， and the people。 I’m reminded to cherish those moments in my own life。 People will always gravitate toward the universe these two boys discovered。 They will see and hear themselves in their thoughts and feelings。 I know I did。 So thank you Aristotle。 Thank you Dante。 Thank you Benjamin Alire Sáenz for giving us this world。 I can’t wait for everyone else to dive into this book that is so full of life。 And you know what？ Diving， just like life， doesn’t have to be scary when we do it together。 。。。more
ylenia
，
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World focuses on the transition from boyhood to adulthood of the two main characters， and even though there wasn’t much plot， there was plenty of character growth。In the novel， this particular growth is seen in Ari， who will start living his life and doing everything he was too scared to do previously， like improving his relationship with his friends and family。Without saying too much， there are plenty of fallouts between Ari and Dante， a sign that Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World focuses on the transition from boyhood to adulthood of the two main characters， and even though there wasn’t much plot， there was plenty of character growth。In the novel， this particular growth is seen in Ari， who will start living his life and doing everything he was too scared to do previously， like improving his relationship with his friends and family。Without saying too much， there are plenty of fallouts between Ari and Dante， a sign that even their relationship is shifting， but they were essential as they helped them mature。I’m pretty sure that the author’s most vital point is writing characters， because even the side ones were amazing and unique， and we were also able to see their development。Compared to the first book， the writing was more mature but still gorgeous and flowery， and I think it reflected Ari’s development throughout the story。This book was full of twists and turns， some less happy than others， which made me bawl my eyes out。 I wasn’t a massive fan of that finale as it seemed a bit unrealistic， but this story was very wholesome and emotional， and I really enjoyed it。 Sáenz did a fantastic job and did not disappoint。Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion。 。。。more
Cassandra
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Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC。 I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review:*Trigger/ content warnings: transphobia， misogyny， biphobia， violence， death， homophobia **Review contains slight spoilersI will start by saying that when I read the first book， I was shocked and uncomfortable with the way transphobia/ violence against a trans woman was used to further the plot in a completely unne Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC。 I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review:*Trigger/ content warnings: transphobia， misogyny， biphobia， violence， death， homophobia **Review contains slight spoilersI will start by saying that when I read the first book， I was shocked and uncomfortable with the way transphobia/ violence against a trans woman was used to further the plot in a completely unnecessary way。 I had hoped this would be left behind in Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World。However， the sequel picks up right where the first book left off， and I was extremely unhappy to see that the language used to discuss/describe gender in the book is very binary and disrespectful of trans identities。 It was difficult and uncomfortable to read all of the ways the characters equated gender with biological sex， over and over again throughout the book。 The way they discussed trans women was also disrespectful， full of harmful stereotypes and misgendering。I also did not like how the main characters interacted with women。 In one chapter， a friend of Aristotle’s tells him that he is making her uncomfortable， and that she was feeling overly sexualized/ objectified by his comments。 He justifies his actions/ comments by saying that because he is a gay man he can’t possibly be making her feel that way。 This seems to take accountability away from the actions in question by using sexuality as a justification for sexism/ misogyny。 The way that bisexuality was discussed in this book was also problematic。 Aristotle develops a friendship with a classmate named Cassandra in this book， and Dante immediately “accuses” him of really being bisexual， not gay， and fears that Aristotle will leave him for Cassandra。 Aristotle explains that there is no need for Dante to feel threatened， but he refuses to believe him。 Aristotle could very well have been bisexual， but that identity is not fully considered or discussed。 The way that Dante views bisexuality - as a threat - was also problematic; it wouldn’t make Aristotle love him any less。 Seeing these views （either biphobia or erasure） written out in a popular book series was very disappointing。Finally， on a more technical note， the dialogue in this book was stilted and so completely unrealistic。 No teenager or even adult speaks like the characters in this book。 It was also slow paced and I found it difficult to care about the suddenly huge cast of characters。 The banter between Aristotle and Dante， which in the first book was done well and at times quite endearing， was also unrealistic - they did not have good rapport in my opinion。 At time it was even boring to read their conversations。 In conclusion， so much of this book was disappointing and uncomfortable and so I do not recommend it。 。。。more
Ms。 Nguyen
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