I love these books! It's so heartwarming and hopeful. We see Ari learning what it means to be gay and still struggling with his sexuality whilst also dealing with grief. We see a lot of growth with Ari and there is such an important message, especially around the AIDS crisis

The perfect sequel,. In the first book as a reader , fell in love with dante, along side Ari. In this books We fall in love with Ari as he learns to love himself.

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is the sequel I did not know I needed but I’m so glad I have. I will say if you have yet to read the first in this series then don’t read this review as just discussing this book brings about a lot of spoilers! You’ve been warned!

In the first book we see Aristotle and Dante find love in one another and the book ends with Aristotle realising he is in love with Dante. The sequel picks up exactly where we left off and follows the two boys as they navigate their new relationship whilst living in an incredibly cruel world. I loved the first book in this series and it holds a very special place in my heart and now so does the sequel.

It was incredibly heart-warming to see the relationship between Aristotle and Dante develop. This book is set around the time that AIDs was inflicting so much pain and death on the community and most people stayed silent despite the pain and death that was going on around them. So it was lovely to see Aristotle and Dante grow throughout this. I am glad that this novel included what was going on in the real world at the time and how people like Aristotle and Dante dealt with it.

Throughout the first book we get a lot of cute moments of friendship between the boys. So, it was lovely to see in the sequel that they develop their relationship and navigate the world together. I loved watching them fall in love whilst navigating other things in their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed how they explore all aspects of each other’s personalities and life needs, no matter if they are positive or negative.

I loved the character development in this book. We get to see Aristotle grow as a person and find a way to use his words as an outlet for his feelings. It was really nice to read how about feelings and see him progressed throughout the book. The same goes for Dante, we get to see him grow, develop his feelings and become such an amazing character, more so than in the first book. I am quite astounded by how much we actually see the pair develop from the first book to the end of the sequel.

I cannot review this book without talking about the family dynamics in this story. The relationships that both Aristotle and Dante have with their parents and further family are incredibly wholesome. It is often the case that parents are absent in YA books but that is not the case here. These books show healthy parent and child relationships. Especially when it comes to Aristotle and his parents, because he comes to realise just how much he loves them in this book. Some of the conversations between him and his father brought tears to my eyes because of how beautiful and open they were. That alongside other things that go on in his and Dante’s family make this book so beautiful. I cannot fault the family dynamic in this book at all.

We don’t just get to see Aristotle create stronger relationships with Dante and his parents though. We also get to see him form some new friendships and form stronger bonds in friendships he already has. It is so lovely to see how close Susie, Gina, Cassandra and Aristotle become. They are always there for each other at all times and it really helps Aristotle along in his character development. I am so glad that their friendships were a central part to the story.

There is only one issue I have with this book and it is that the ending felt as though it was rushed. There is something that happens towards the end of the book and everything that followed on from that felt rushed. It was as though the author didn’t want to give it enough time in the story. Despite this, I enjoyed how the book ended but I just wish the ending event had more build up and was allowed more time to impact the reader.

Overall, I absolutely adored Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. It is wholesome, heart-warming and beautifully written. All the relationships in this book filled me with joy but especially the one between Aristotle and Dante. The sequel was well worth the wait and is well worth the read. I would highly recommend picking this one up and the first in the series if you have yet to do so!

I loved this. A lot. It is beautifully written but hard to read in some places (I may have cried a few times) and it's a brilliant follow up to the first book. I really enjoyed delving back into the lives of Ari & Dante, and seeing how their relationship developed not only with each other but with friends and family too. It warmed my heart.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

🚨 TW/CW: death of a loved one, homophobia, slurs

2.5 stars
I'm conflicted on this one.
I was fairly neutral on the first book, and was hoping for the best with the sequel. There are a lot of positives to this book. I loved the attention given to teachers, the portrayal of grief, Ari & Dante's relationships with their parents, the relationships with their friends etc.
That being said, I also have some issues. It's been a while since I've read the first book, so I can't really compare the two, but the writing felt overly simplistic, and at times made the narrative go way too fast. It's personal preference, but that threw me off a little. The writing was also very repetitive at times.
I was disappointed by the biphobic, and more significantly transphobic elements of this novel. I didn't expect it, but it was overtly and unnecessarily present. On top of that, the unnecessary outings? Ari's mother outs him to his sisters, he is then told (and believes) that he owes it to his 'friends' to tell them, and he pushes another character he doesn't really know to come out to his friends?

Despite the heavy negatives in this review, I did mostly enjoy reading this book, and enjoyed the story, it just needs critical reading.

A beautiful story, evocative, warm, philosophical and thoughtful. This sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe is a coming of age young adult story, full of details that evoke the world of the late 80s, the AIDS crisis, homophobia and the journey of growing up.

Delving into the world of Aristotle and Dante is like slipping on a comfy cardigan. I was immediately transported back to their world and unique relationship. It's interesting to see how they've grown as a couple and individuals, particularly Ari. It's an emotional read in many ways and I was sad to come to the end.

I cried buckets, I couldn't put it down and loved every moment.
A great coming of age story, a discovery of world/love and living.
Aristotle and Dante are two great characters and I hope to meet them again.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I remember feeling quite humbled when I read the first story of Ari and Dante. It’s been a while since I read book one, but picking this up was so easy to fall back into their lives. This time round they’re still figuring out their feelings, they’re almost finished with school and lots of things are changing…but their story is one that - again - touched me.
Deceptively simple to read, but there were so many moments in this where I felt my heart aching. A love story, yes, but there is so much packed into this book that I honestly don’t know where to start with organising my thoughts.
Highlights of the book are (perhaps, naturally) the relationship between Ari and Dante and the sense of a character finding their feet as they navigate the transition into adulthood. The things that will, I think, stay with me are the little moments that showed Ari learning to really engage with people and learning about himself. His parents stood out in so many ways, and there were so many moments where I found myself needing to pause a moment and digest what I’d just read. Such sadness, but a profound sense of love and humility ran through the book in respect of the parental figures.
I’ve read reviews that are heavily critical of the author for their attitude to trans and bisexual readers. I read certain scenes and found myself wondering whether the attitudes expressed would be challenged. They weren’t. I understand that trying to convey a particular time period might make this hard to present, but I feel there could have been more done in this respect. Dante was somewhat on the periphery of the story for substantial periods, and Ari’s relationship with Cassandra felt like something wasn’t quite ringing true. There were periods within the book where I found myself wondering why we had such a large cast of characters, and though they all had a part to play it wasn’t always easy to engage with their stories. I’m also, much as I hate to admit it, feeling that the latter part of the book featuring the trip to Paris was rushed into in an attempt to focus us on characters who were not always at the heart of their story.
This would have been an easy five stars as there was so much to love as I read, but the areas just mentioned are problematic and - as such - make it hard not to reflect my thoughts in my rating. I’m grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication, and would certainly recommend it to those who enjoyed the first instalment, but it’s not without its issues.

Loved this just as much as I did the first book. Starting right where that left of, this book follows the lovely relationship between the two boys Ari and Dante. Dante still hates wearing shoes and Ari still thinks too much, together they decide they have to be cartographers, because their relationship is uncharted, although their awareness of being gay is increasing due to the AIDS pandemic. The book is set in the time when the Aids pandemic was at its peak and the activism of Act up is included, in another segment the racism of a teacher is also explored. I love the writing in this book, the characters are well rounded, intellectual and articulate. It was a pleasure to see teenagers being portrayed as thoughtful and engaged with the world and each other. There is also a real sense of community not just amongst the young people but also the parents. A delightful read, that leaves you full of love and hope.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realise my heart could be so full yet empty at the same time? Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe means so much to me and will alway have such a special place in my heart, so I knew that no matter what I would love the sequel as well. I was not disapointed, thats for certain. Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World was everything I wanted out of a sequel. It was an emotional one, both happy and sad tears were shed, but as someone that doesn't cry at books thats often it shows just how much the story of these two boys resonates with me.

Watching Ari learn about himself and grow into such an incredible person is a beautiful experience, it just makes me wish there were more people like him in the world. He wasn't perfect but everything he did was to stand up for what was important to him and the people he loved. The characters are what makes both the Aristotle and Dante books so special. Everyone is so thought out and every detail is so intricate and essential. No one is there for the sake of it, everyone brings something for us and Ari to learn from.

This is one of the rare occasions that a character focused book satisfies me. Usually I prefer something more plot focused, but when it is done as well as this I can't help but love it. This is an essential read, there are so may lessons to be learnt from Aristotle and Dante that we all need to hear.

This book will fill your heart with joy and warmth, but will also break it into tiny little pieces. It's a rollercoaster of emotions this book. I cannot thank NetGalley enough for giving me an early copy of this book as I adored the first story so much - I wanted to know more and where they where going.

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World continues the story of Ari and Dante as they navigate being in a relationship as gay teenage boys in the midst of the AIDS crisis.

//

*spoilers ahead*

This sequel was unnecessary. It seems to me that this book was written for the sake of writing a sequel to a very well loved book, rather than because there was more story to be told. Where was the plot, and where was Dante? I devoured the first book in a few hours, but it took me almost a month to read this one - I came very close to DNF’ing multiple times but stuck it out to give it a chance. In the end, it just didn’t have the same feel as the first book which was so beautiful, this one felt messy and lost.

In place of where plot should’ve been, was unnecessary drama sprinkled throughout, which seemingly only existed as character development for Ari. It has been two weeks since I finished reading the book, and even now I still cannot understand why Jaime died. I enjoyed seeing Ari finally have a deep connection with his father however, this was all cheapened by Jaime’s death.

Finally, the storyline concerning Ari’s brother and the woman he killed completely ruined the book for me. I have a real issue with how this plot was handled, and yet again was only written to further Ari’s development. Regardless of when the book was set, there was no need for the misgendering and deadnaming of the woman Bernardo murdered. Also, I really can’t understand why it was considered appropriate for Ari to name the woman???? Just no.

Ultimately, I’m just so disappointed.

//

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dnf at 50% // 265pgs

I think a part of me always knew I wasn't going to read all of this book, purely based on the premis which mentiong a great loss for Ari. As I am not someone who enjoys reading about tragedy and avoids constantly, yet I still wanted to read this book for my love of Ari and Dante.

Their love story is still as beautiful as the previous book, while allowing to see that neither of them are perfect and they're flawed people. Starting to recognise that in each other and yet holding all their love together at the same time. I really enjoyed theor discussions and opening up to one another more, as they realise that its okay to be not okay all the time and finding comfort in each other.

I could highlight so many pages of beautiful writing in this story, true its got a love story but not only in the romantic sense. As get to see more of the family relationships grow and friendships in this book, Ari is starting to open up to people and find himself not as invisible as he may have wanted in the past. His growth is stunning throughout.

Also enjoy how the book is split into parts and rather short chapters, yet tells so much in only a paragraph. The exploration of emotions and humans perspectives, life and finding your place in the world is as stunning as ever. I feel everyone can find something to relate too in these characters, even if it is only through their thoughts and the desire to discover more of the universe. To find and mark your place on the map of the world.

Sadly I am dnf at this point purely as can see its slipping towards drama and sadness in the future. I would rather finish now on a high note, with Ari having started back to school and figuring out more about himself alongside his love for Dante. With new friendships and an improved relationship with his family 💕

I really enjoyed this book and I would really recommend it, although I personally preferred the first one in the series, but it was still amazing. A really nice thing about this sequel was that you really got to see Ari’s relationship improve with his family and with old and new friends, and to see him to grow up more and learn to be happier and grow more comfortable with himself. A really nice ending. I would really recommend this book. (Reviewed by a 15 year old.)

This book is every emotion you can think of, put into word form for me.

With sweeping bursts of love and heartbreak, grief and joy, these characters envelope you into a moment of life that just transports you there with them, like you are there standing in the homes and watching all these moments come to pass.

Aristotle and Dante's growth as people and the people around them is genuinely so beautifully written, that discomfort of growing up and learning who you are becoming is written like it's being remembered and it makes for such endearing reading. The moments in this book that leave you speechless and probably sobbing will leave you tabbing pages for a good time as this book emparts wisdom and love and it is weaved in every page.

I am not sure there's a plot as I feel like this book is certainly more a slice of life than arriving at a destination, however when moments in this book happen they are explored and delivered so spot on that I was just sat there crying at my screen in moments and smiling and rushing the pages in others. The relationship between Aristotle and his father in this book is wonderfully drawn to the end and the way in which Aristotle builds his bridges as he leaves high school is immaculate.

I worried in moments too much would happen right at the end, but actually this book is perfectly timed out, as the time you invest in these characters really just ends up breaking your heart but it there to also leave you learning something.

This book perfectly pulls everything together and though I never want wish for more, I hope these characters are happy whereever they are, as I'm not sure so many characters ever get to feel so real.

Perfection.

(I was given an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).

Having absolutely loved Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, I was really excited for this sequel and thrilled to have received an early review copy.
The story of Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World picks up where the first book left off. We follow Ari and Dante during their last year at high school as they navigate their relationship, learning that loving someone is different from falling in love with them and worrying about what life post high school will bring for them as a couple.The story also focuses on their relationships with family and friends. Ari and Dante's parents are some of my favourite book parents.
There are a lot of tough themes in this book. Set in the 1980s, the book deals with homopobia and the AIDS pandemic. It explores grief in a gut-wrenchingly beautiful way, which had me in tears.
As expected, the book delivers on inspirational and poetic language and philosophical conversations - my ebook has lots of highlighted quotes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely adored this book. I was hesitant to go into it because I loved the first one so much but I am so glad I read it. I love these characters so much and seeing Ari grow and accept who he is was so beautiful. It brings to the front so many issues but the community Ari and Dante have around them is so heartwarming and despite the pains they go through the heart of this story is love and acceptance and it's just so so lovely.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe from Benjamin Alire Sáenz is one of my top ten books. It’s one of those books that I constantly give as a gift and it holds a special place in my heart. I was excited but nervous when I heard about the sequel, Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. However, I am pleased to report that the sequel is everything I had hoped for. I don’t want to spoil any of this wondrous book, all I will say is that it is everything and more that you hoped it would be, it’s lyrical and beautifully written , poignant, heartfelt, honest, and heartbreaking. It is a book that fills you with absolute hope and is a much needed after the past 18 months.

Outstanding. One of THE books of 2021 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Out of five.

e-Arc provided by Simon & Schuster UK via Net Galley for Review. All thoughts are my own. My thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for providing me with the arc for review. It is worth noting I also have a physical copy of this book that I had pre-ordered, and I ended up reading my physical pre-order rather than my e-Arc.

Plot
This book picks up immediately after the events of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Aristotle and Dante are now together, and going into their final year of high school. The book follows their relationships with each other, their families and friends throughout the summer and their final year of school.

The book is set in the late 1980s. The AIDs pandemic and general homophobia associated with the time period are discussed throughout the book.

Thoughts
After reading Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe for the first time last year, I was excited to pick up the sequel.

The books have a similar writing style, which focused heavily on dialogue with lots of short chapters. There are some chapters which are only a couple of pages long, and all dialogue. All the characters have such a distinctive voice that it is easy to tell who is talking when, which is a credit to the writer and his style.

I, again, loved the family dynamics featured in the book. Aristotle is are main perspective character, and his relationships with his family only grow and develop in this book. We also see him grow closer to Dante's family and his thoughts on them. It is interesting to read about both families, who have a lot in common but are so different.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. While I don't think Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe needed a sequel, I don't think this book takes away from the story in book 1, but just expands upon it.

Representation
- LGBT: Male/Male main relationship, both boys identify as Gay.
- BIPOC: Main characters are Mexican-American