Waterwight

The Waterwight Series, Book 1

By: Laurel McHargue

Narrated by: Sandra Murphy

In a post-cataclysmic world threatened by stinking ooze, a brave girl searches for her missing parents with the help of talking animals and evolving powers. When a mountain spirit challenges her to save the planet, she and a flying frog must overcome a magical, malicious castle of sand and a shapeshifter who wants her dead.

"Mustn't. Just mustn't. Now run along and be a good girl like the others..."

But the protagonist in Waterwight isn't like the others. She's done with being shunned by those who refuse to discuss "The Event," the global catastrophe that changed the planet, left them orphans, and continues to pose a threat to frightened survivors.

Celeste has been troubled by bizarre dreams and nightmares while living in the children's home, and shortly after running away one night in search of answers, she questions her sanity when it appears she can communicate with animals. Delighted in other evolving powers, especially her ability to fly, she nevertheless questions a mysterious mountain spirit's challenge that she must find the key to stopping the water - a silvery-pink, stinking ooze that destroys everything in its path.

But Celeste has no idea how to do it or why she's the one who must find the answer.

She also doesn't know why a wicked shapeshifter wants to kill her.

A flying frog, Orville, saves her from certain death and becomes her guardian as she navigates to a village of superstitious survivors on the other side of the big water. There, she finds other young people with emerging superpowers; they are kept isolated and in fear, though, by one old lady who disciplines the survivors.

Meanwhile, the planet continues to change in horrible ways.

Although Old Man Massive tells her she must hide her true identity, he also reminds her to "never forget who you are." Celeste must discover who she is to save the planet.

©2017 Laurel McHargue (P)2017 Laurel McHargue

A 4.5 Must Read Summer/Winter MG/YA Fantasy!

Any additional comments?

Waterwight is Celeste's incredible tale as she explores her post apocalyptic world. She feels unloved and alone briefly before she starts her journey, both figuratively and litetally.
She searches for answers but finds more questions, friends, foes, and an inner strength and wisdom. She encounters allies and friends in the most unexpected and unlikely places - and they come in all shapes, sizes, and species. She also learns evil can be just as disguising as well!
It's lengthy enough to occupy readers and charismatic just so to captivate all ages.
The shifting third person POV was expertly handled to provide a riveting "all around" adventure experience for readers. It developed and fleshed out characters as well as slightly prepared one for upcoming thrilling moments of conflicts. Like waiting for 'the shoe to drop'.
Celeste made an excellent main character and her supporting cast deemed equally important and charming.
Ms McHargue's talent lies in tying in back stories without diminishing the current quest. Waterwight has an aura of acceptance and perseverance and Celeste wears it well with her symbolic emerald scarf.
Sandra Murphy was an excellent choice to narrate this book! So many characters, so many emotions, so many levels of triumphs and heart thumping moments were conveyed flawlessly to the reader.

With this being a Book 1 and exceeding my expectations, I'm timid with angst if Book 2 could hold a candle when it comes out later this year - but I'm anxiously awaiting!
Waterwight holds it weight on water -or on the ooze - and will lift your spirits!
This is the type of book you can listen to or read over and over again!

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Waterwight

Any additional comments?

Waterwight is a fantastic read. It is a fresh take on a post-apocalyptic world, blended with fantasy and supernatural powers, with an ending that leaves you hungry for more.

something different

This was great but is basically with a cliffhanger ending. I can't wait for the next part.
The narrator has a easy to listen to voice, she brings the story to life.
This Audiobook was given to me at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
(edited)
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Great world building, Original, Page-turner, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters.

Good start to a series.

What made the experience of listening to Waterwight the most enjoyable?

The narrator did a good job of narrating the book. All the different characters got their own distinct voices, which made it easy to follow and understand them.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

This book gives a good start to the series. The characters are lovable and makes you root for the protagonist. When the book ended, it ended on a note that made me add book 2 on my "to-read" list, which I hear is going to be released later this year.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not an extreme reaction, but at places it felt like I was listening to a children's book; like a Disney story. But other than that, it was alright.

Any additional comments?

I voluntarily received this copy for free from the author / narrator / publisher and am leaving an unbiased review.

Imaginative and suitable for family listening.

What did you like best about this story?

The world building and characters were fantastic and the story was like nothing I've heard before.

What about Sandra Murphy’s performance did you like?

The voices and accents she used for the characters were great. I particularly loved Orville.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this one for family listening, it would be great for a road trip. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Like nothing I've read before

Waterwight is a fascinating story, was drawn in and couldn't stop listening.

The story is set after a cataclysm has occurred which has left the world dramatically changes and the survivors scared. But one survivor, Celeste, is determined to find out what has happened, what continues to happen. The story follows her and the people she meets as she tries to stop the damage getting worse.

While most of the story is from Celeste's perspective there are also chapters that show what is happening to other characters to create a fuller picture of what is taking place.

The story is well written and the world it's based in is fascinating.

The narration is well done with each character having a distinct voice (and there are lots of characters) and the accents are well done where they're needed.

This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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Very unique and entertaining story!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

So, this was a really unique and interesting book. It's post-apocalyptic, but done in a very unique way. I won't get into detail and ruin any surprises, but there is magic, a destructive ooze, and a flying frog! The story is mostly told from the main character's perspective, but you don't lose sight on what is going on in the rest of the world you've come across following Celeste. It was surprisingly well written and engaging for a first book in a series.

Magical Journey!

What a wonderfully magical tale. I love all of the different creatures and how the Author tells the stroy from so many different points of view. Sandra Murphy is an excellent narrator. She gives each character their own disctinct voice making it extremely easy to follow the story. Eenie & Thunder are my fave. I am looking forward to book 2 and the continuation of this fantastic story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Head in the clouds

Its hard to begin to explain this story, as it is so mashed up, in a good way. So many twists and turns in a hallway that open into a world of insane possibillities. To truly understand it you would need to read it..

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher