Memory of Water

by Emmi Itaranta

"The award-winning speculative debut novel, now in English for the first time! In the far north of the Scandinavian Union, now occupied by the power state of New Qian, seventeen-year-old Noria Kaitio studies to become a tea master like her father. It is a position that holds great responsibility and a dangerous secret. Tea masters alone know the location of hidden water sources, including the natural spring that once provided water for her whole village. When Noria's father dies, the secret of the spring reaches the new military commander. and the power of the army is vast indeed. But the precious water reserve is not the only forbidden knowledge Noria possesses, and resistance is a fine line. Threatened with imprisonment, and with her life at stake, Noria must make an excruciating, dangerous choice between knowledge and freedom"--

"An amazing, award-winning dystopian debut novel by a major new talent"--

• ISBN10: 0062326155
• ISBN13: 9780062326157
• Publish Date: 10 June 2014 (first published 17 April 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Caffeinated Aspects:

• The language is descriptive, and Itaranta paints the world with her words giving me a panoramic view bringing the sights, sounds and smells to life. It is a harsh, depressing landscape and yet she allows us to see the hidden beauty.

• The tradition of the tea master and ceremony was charming. I enjoyed the description of the ceremony, the teahouse and the connection to water that a tea master feels. Her writing is lyrical and key phrases commit themselves to your memory. She makes water a living, breathing thing.

• While aspects such as the ceremony are beautiful, we also see the darkness in this oppressed world from the desperation of the people to the power of the soldiers occupying the area.

• It is a coming of age story as Noria deals with loss, the harness of the landscape, its people and honoring the traditions and responsibility of her legacy.

• Friendship, mystery and thought-provoking questions are examined in Memory of Water. I enjoyed the friendship between Noria and Sanja.

Decaffeinated Aspects:

• Memory of Water while beautifully written unfolds in a slow pace. Moments are intense, but this book will not be for everyone. It is at times dark and bleak and does not offer the reader a happily ever after. It is meant to be a cautionary tale, to prompt the reader to question and reflect.

• The writing is beautiful, lyrical and full of meaning, but the author often repeats phrases as she strives to deliver her message. I fear this may turn some off.

• While I understood the conflict Noria had with the secret she carried, I do not feel the author made it believable enough. I would have liked a stronger history with why it was kept hidden for centuries.

• Noria’s relationship to her parents was odd, and while I felt, they loved each other the parents were not fleshed-out. I did not quite understand the mother and her actions.

• Itaranta does an excellent job of describing the present world, its conflict, politics and despair. However, we are offered very little, as to how this world came to be. A mysterious story emerges about travelers and a discovery. I found it fascinating, and I wanted to learn more leaving me disappointed.

• The ending is obscure, although the reader fully understands what will occur. While I appreciated the epilogue it presented me with more questions.

Memory of Water is not meant to be consumed, rather the reader should allow it to flow through them and ponder. It is both unusual and brilliant, complex and simple. While this book will not be for everyone, it is one will stay with you.

Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer