Review: Memory of Water by Emmi Itäranta

Genre: Dystopian

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Release Date: June 10, 2014

Pages: 272

Source: I won an ARC of this book from Harper Voyager in a giveaway.

Synopsis: Global warming has changed the world’s geography and its politics. Wars are waged over water, and China rules Europe, including the Scandinavian Union, which is occupied by the power state of New Qian. In this far north place, seventeen-year-old Noria Kaitio is learning to become a tea master like her father, a position that holds great responsibility and great secrets. Tea masters alone know the location of hidden water sources, including the natural spring that Noria’s father tends, which once provided water for her whole village.

But secrets do not stay hidden forever, and after her father’s death the army starts watching their town—and Noria. And as water becomes even scarcer, Noria must choose between safety and striking out, between knowledge and kinship.

Imaginative and engaging, lyrical and poignant, Memory of Water is an indelible novel that portrays a future that is all too possible.

Review:

I really loved the idea behind this book, and one that could come true some time in our future. The novel is beautifully written. Though it did seem slow at times. It had a alot of description through out and I could picture and feel what she felt. I know some people like to skip over blocks of description but I liked that about this book. Since I didn't know to much of the culture and the going ons of a tea master it was interesting to learn about. 

This novel was very slow to start. It just always seemed like the reader was waiting for something to happen and nothig major did. It's kind of sad if you think about it. Imagine you wanting to do something and making big plans to go against the government and not fulfilling it. That is kind of what happened here. Most dystopians have a strong character that goes against the government and changes it to make it better for the people. Though this is a dystopian nothing changes in the end really. 

I would have liked to known more about the water police and the officials. Noria the main character of the story is left with little to go on and little understanding of these hardened water officials. Her parents did not ready her at all to be on her own, so I understand that she only could do what she had to work with. 

I would have to say my favorite character out of this book would have to be Noria's friend Sanja. Sanja seemed like a tough character and kept working to help her family no matter the problems set up against her. She worked with her hands to build things and was a good friend to Noria. I liked that she got away in the ending. 

I ended up on goodreads giving this book a 3 out of 5 stars. Though I did have some problems with this book I did enjoy the writing style and the characters. I also loved the whole concept and ideas put into this book.