The story focuses more on the religious than the historical, and wasn't interesting enough for me to overlook the lackluster art.

This was an interesting graphic novel with well done watercolors and an intriguing way of informing teens and even adults about the birth of the Anabaptist movement. I knew very little about this particular religious movement, but I feel like I now have an interest in this period of western Christian history.

3.25 stars out of 5 stars due to some lack of clarification of who was who in the novel - similar character models were used for multiple people.

Recommend for those that like history but don't like dry texts.

My thoughts are this is so-so. Some parts of the story are almost skipped over, whereas others become extraordinarily tedious. Where's the balance? And is this story better suited as a graphic novel, or would it be better simply as a novel? I'm not sure, but it seems like the story is incomplete in many areas.

Oh my, was I underwhelmed.

Graphic novels can be so beautiful, and can make even ancient historical narratives come to life. Great artists can make characters and places leap from the page, and engaging storyboards can capture attention and leave the reader breathless.

Sadly, this book didn't. Which is disappointing, considering it had such a big story to tell. I always dislike giving poor reviews, especially when a concept seems so promising. I'd like to see further work from this team, however, since some of the opening art panels and chapter dividers are exquisite.

This was a very well-researched graphic novel. At times, I felt like Zwingli and Manz's issues with the Catholic Church were a little underexplored, but I do appreciate the tendency to keep the story moving as opposed to bogging down the reader with fact after fact. The additional information in the back is really nice as well.

"By Water" is a true story of friendship and betrayal set in the Swiss city of Zurich. I very much would try to read anything in graphic novel format, but to be honest, I had a hard time following the story for this one. Yes, it is well executed. The art is well done as well. However, I'm not the biggest fan of historical figures/bibliographies and my interest tends to wane a bit as I read. It is interesting, though, to see a biography of Felix Manz adapted into a graphic novel. If I understood the ending, it seems it'll be a series. I wonder how they'll continue the story.

I felt a strange frisson reading this, remembering my visit to Zurich three years earlier. It does a great job of capturing a side of the Protestant Reformation that doesn't get discussed much in America (at least, not within the American evangelical circles I circulate). The dark irony of Zwingli's reformation to remove legalism becoming a new kind of legalism, the struggle to use non-violent protest against violent authorities, combine to make a powerful tragic vision.
I'm looking forward to what looks like a series of books (if I'm reading the ending correctly), and the chance to read this alongside Plough's Martin Luther graphic novel from 2017.

Some stories aren't meant for graphic novel form, and I think this is one of them. I think there was just too much backstory missing for this particular story to make sense in this format. Or for it to have been more successful, the book probably should have been twice as long. There was a lot going on here, but it seemed like it was all glossed over for the sake of brevity, and I think the book suffered as a result because everything seemed a little disjointed. I admire the attempt, but I think it missed the mark

I know very little about this period in time, but this was a fascinating story. I really enjoyed the illustrations too. I think the dialogue could’ve been a little more explanatory, but I still got the dangerous feeling of the times. I also didn’t know this was the start of a series, but I’d be very interested in reading more.

It took me a while to get through this graphic novel. It focuses on the religious revolution in Zurich. Not being familiar with Christian theology, I floundered a bit because I struggled to understand the arguments that people disagreed about.

What anchors the book is the central character of Felix Manz, someone who was prepared to suffer for his beliefs. The crux of the book is how his life was changed by Huldrych Zwingli. Zwingli mentored Manz, and together they were able to take over Zurich's religious establishment. Manz subsequent disillusionment with Zwingli's leadership forms the main body of book. The writing captures the tensions felt by everyone in this time of social upheaval and how dangerous it is for charismatic leaders to gather people around.

The art here is gorgeous. It's hard to describe the style. The colours are faint yet bright, almost as if they used colouring pencils or very light paints to illustrate the book. The palettes of blues and browns contrast nicely. It captures the excitement of young people being exposed to world-change ideas as well as any comic I've read.

Looked at as a book about how revolutions inevitably end up disappointing some of its most ardent supporters and how those supporters react By Water is a compelling read.

I truly appreciate Plough’s commitment to providing access to historical events and groups who are not usually represented in mainstream history accounts. The focus on revolutionaries and martyrs is clear, and it is an important history to preserve. This one feels a bit like its own version of propaganda, however. The artwork is exceptional,, but the religious “truths” presented without context could be less than ideal for a young reader who is expecting a more neutral history. It reminds me of the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs in some ways.

Thank you to Jason Landsel, Ploughing Publishing House, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully, if graphically told true story of the reformers efforts during the mid 1520's Zurich religous struggles. The story is a fascinating look at this violent time in history. Told in graphic novel style, it brings it to life in a very visual manner. I love historical novels both true and fictional and this style adds a dimension I was not aware was missing from my reading experience. I'm recommending it to my reading circle, I'm sure they will love it too.

By Water is a graphic novel retelling of the Felix Manz, a religious leader from Zurich in the 1500s. I love a good graphic novel and historical story of religious torment so was excited to read this book!

This book turned out to have more a religious than historical bend to it that I think turned me off from the beginning. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, art style, and plot. Some illustrations were incredible but the rest kind of made me feel like I was reading a church pamphlet. To me it felt more like an illustrated textbook than a graphic novel.

While this book wasn't my cup of tea, I think that it definitely has its audience and I love the idea of multiple stories tied to the elements. Overall, 2 stars from me. Thank you to Plough Publishing House and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

so like i didn't know who felix manz was prior to receiving this arc from netgalley (&Co) but it seemed like an interesting read. and it was, very informative indeed.
i didn't know alot actually, not about baptism nor anything about religion in Zurich. personally i think this was an eye opener to cultures that don't necessarily mesh with mine and it being a graphic novel also helped me digest the information. art style was very kind on my eyes, definitely not over stimulating.
all in all, this is a good recommendation for people who love to read about history, specially if they like books with pictures.

Thank you to Netgalley and Plough Publishing for a copy of By Water in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting look at a historical period that I'm not familiar with. I feel like I learned something new while admiring the lovely and fitting illustrations.

Beautifully told story of Felix Manz and other Radical Reformers, nicely illustrated. I applaud the publisher for offering this and hope for more.