Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World

I loved this sequel so much! The story begins exactly when the first book ended and it was a pleasure meeting again Aristotle and Dante, reading about them falling more and more in love with one other, growing up and finding themselves. Unlike the first book, this one broadens Aristotle's world. He's grow up, he's more confident and let more people in, making friends, being onest and true to himself, realizing his worth, passion and love. With Dante and their new friends, they face the world, where the AIDS pandemic is a danger to everyone and where being fully themselves and in love is more and more difficult.
It's a book about loss and grief, about injustice and unfairness, depicting the world in its true colours. But it's also a book about love and friendships, connections and bonds, new and old, about family and so much love and hope it warmed my heart and filled it to the brink.

Wow. Just wow. A sequel has no right being this incredible.
I think it’s going to be difficult to write this review without comparing it to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, but I think I need to you so can understand what I’m trying to say without spoilers or anything that isn’t already in the book description.
Similar to the first novel, the chapters are short and full of crisp lyrical prose and perfect dialogue. It’s another quiet story, but noticeably less gentle. It’s still emotional and painful and beautiful. While the first book was about two boys meeting at a swimming pool and slowly falling in love, this one is about those same two boys discovering what it means to stay in love and forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn’t understand them or accept their existence. It also focuses on Ari falling in love with his life and creating something that is truthfully and joyfully his own, as well as building relationships outside of Dante. Ari is still beautiful and angry and sweet, but there’s something extra about him this time around. There’s a few references from other characters about him becoming a man and I think that’s right.
The most important thing I can say about this book is this: the only flaw is that this isn’t the first book. And that’s not a bad thing. I’m still trying to master the right words for this analogy, but Discover the Secrets of the Universe felt like reading a book for the first time with all the magic and the sparks and the whimsy. But Dive into the Waters of the World felt like a second read: the same amount of love and joy, but this time it’s full of comfort. This book is the perfect sequel because it captures the same feelings as the first, just that it’s familiar this time around.
I won’t give away or even hint at the ending events this far away from the publication date, but I can’t stop thinking about them. There’s a little reference of what I have been led to believe was the original title of the book that was emotionally painful for me to read and I am obsessed with it. All I can say is that the ending will definitely leave the reader wanting more and I was sniffling into the ebook.

A truly gorgeous sequel to Saenz’s beautiful “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.” Great characters, great plot and a truly stunning use of language. I cried far too many times.

I don't think I'll ever have enough words to describe how beautiful this book is, which is ironic, really.
I didn't think it could be possible to love this as much as I loved the original, but I'm so happy to have been proven wrong.
Aristotle and Dante is a sequel that feels so very much needed, and growing up with these characters, watching them go through their own journeys and discoveries feels completely intimate and personal, and I found myself laughing out loud, as well as crying alongside them.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s writing style is perfection. This book is living art, and the most beautiful thing I think I've ever read. Every line feels lifechanging, in the best possible way.

I urge everyone to read this book. It's a book about love, a book about hate, and a book about every feeling in between. And it's a book I don't think will ever stop living inside me.

(The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's for providing me with this eARC, of such a completely gorgeous novel.)

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD is amazingly good! I forgot how much I love
Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s writing. The story is full of so much heart and emotion that it’s going to stay with me for a long time. The perfect sequel.