Reviews

Aristóteles y Dante se sumergen en las aguas del mundo by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

thienanh's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

Genuinely appalled at how terrible the pacing and dialogue is. The massacre and erasure of Dante Quintana's character is not something I can forgive so easily. 

emmasbookplace's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

atlasaurora's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I will always have so much love in my heart for Aristotle, Dante, and their loved ones. Although I was not as gripped by this book as I was its predecessor, I truly believe it is a beautiful conclusion to their story and one that they both deserved. BAS does not reward the hardships of the first book by shying away from them in this one, and it is wonderful to see how his characters have grown over the years in how they now respond to the obstacles of life. It took me a while to read this book, but I'm very glad I finished it.

pukutuke's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

haley_coe's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

cm06's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

mikeydp's review against another edition

4.0

Wow I finally finished this book.

Just like the first book in this duology, the writing was absolutely beautiful (I will add some of my favourite quotes at the end of this).

However, in my opinion the first book is a finished story in and of itself. So this was a beautiful addition to Ari and Dante’s story.

“You’re every street I’ve ever walked. You’re the tree outside my window, you’re a sparrow as he flies. You’re the book that I am reading. You’re every poem I’ve ever loved.”

“But the one thing that I’m not confused about is that I love you. I’m not a f*****. And neither are you. I won’t label myself with an ugly word when what I feel for you is so fucking beautiful.”

“Hate is a decision. Hate is an emotional pandemic we have never found a cure for. Choose to love.”

modrockz's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

3.0

haileypassmoree's review against another edition

3.0

“don’t ever let anybody make you ashamed of who you are. not anybody.”

honestly, i enjoyed this book more than i thought i would after seeing some reviews of it. the character growth in the book and ‘coming of age’ feeling that went with it were both so beautifully done. however, i think there’s something to be said how the author chooses to include lgbtq+ issues in the novel, i’m not sure if it’s the best way and something about it just bugs me. but i still love aristotle and dante with my whole heart.

jannat2404's review against another edition

5.0

“No one asks to be born. And no one wants to die. We don’t bring ourselves into the world, and when it’s time for us to leave, the decision will not be ours to make. But what we do with the time in between the day we are born and the day we die, that is what constitutes a human life. You will have to make choices—and those choices will map out the shape and course of your life. We are all cartographers—all of us. We all want to write our names on the map of the world.”

My Rating : 5⭐
My thoughts:
So, picture this: I'm diving into "Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the Universe," and let me tell you, it's a splash! Better than the first one, hands down. Now, I know opinions are like noses, everyone's got one, but this is my take. This book is like a well-crafted sandwich, packed with all the sensitive topics you can think of - racism, homophobia, you name it. It's like a buffet of important discussions.

The first book was like them trying to figure out themselves. It was cool, but not my top pick. But this one? Oh, it's up there. I mean, I devoured it between exams. And let me tell you, I was a crying mess. Not because it's sad, but because Dante's journey hit me right in the feels.

Now, let's talk about the supporting cast. Cassandra? Total rockstar. I wanted her to be my BFF pronto. And Ari? Mind-blowing. His character development had me doing mental gymnastics. And Dante? Still a ray of sunshine. But Ari? He's the MVP of this book, hands down. Sorry, Dante, you've been outshone. How can i forget Ari's mom? Total boss lady. She deserves all the praise. The whole Quintana family? A masterpiece. Seriously, how were they so well-written? I can't even.

Maybe some folks prefer the first one, like those who can't stop talking about how the '80s were the golden age. But me? I'm all in for the sequel. So, here's to "Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the Universe" - making waves and stealing hearts, one page at a time. Cheers to that!