Rivers View

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currently-reading‎ (3)

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Rivers View is Currently Reading

Rivers View is currently reading

Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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progress:

(25%)
— May 09, 2026 02:45AM

Apr 09, 2026 04:39PM

Rivers View is currently reading

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (Aristotle and Dante, #2)

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in May 2022

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Rivers View said: " Honestly I was really worried that this book wouldn’t live up to the first one, because I just absolutely fell in love with the first book, so I put it off for a long time. However, I’m so glad I finally read it and more over I’m glad I reread the fi Honestly I was really worried that this book wouldn’t live up to the first one, because I just absolutely fell in love with the first book, so I put it off for a long time. However, I’m so glad I finally read it and more over I’m glad I reread the first one right before because the continuation of the storyline is so seamless, that it’s integral to read them back to back in order to do the story justice. It's mind-blowing to me that the author managed to pick up the narrative and story so effortlessly after years and years.
My favourite thing about this book is that it covers so many important topics. I really like the style of writing, and the almost free-flowing narrative and simple descriptions, yet it is so impactful and real. This style was even more effective in the sequel, as it dived even more into the difficulties Ari and Dante faced coming to terms with their sexuality and the consequences this would have with how the world would perceive them. It also really beautifully brought light to the AIDs pandemic in the 80s and the fight that was put into giving a voice to those who had theirs's taken away. It also continued with the underlying themes of racism and the immigrant lifestyle, with questions over identity and whether they are a 'real American'.
I found the internal struggle and shame that both Dante and Ari dealt with throughout their journey to be so heart wrenching. Especially the conclusion of Ari's relationship with his brother.
The one thing I was not expecting to be faced with was the devastating grief that shook so many of the characters, from Ari and his mum, to Cassandra and her family, and Emma. Each portrayal of the pain of loss and how different people cope and learn to live after death, was so real and true.
However, the key theme to me throughout this book was Ari's growing acceptance of love. Love for Dante and acceptance of who he was. Love for his mum after truly seeing her for who she is. Love for his father, and breaking the barriers the silence caused. And the love of friends who he only needed to extend a bridge to in order for them to love him wholly.

'Hate is a decision. Hate is an emotional pandemic we have never found a cure for. Choose to love.' ...more "

progress:

(57%)
— May 17, 2024 06:36AM

May 10, 2022 03:12PM · see review