
Member Reviews

In this captivating dystopian novel, we encounter Nonie Mayo, a truly unique child with an extraordinary affinity for water. The world as we know it has vanished, and history reveals humanity’s desperate attempts to preserve replicas during catastrophic events. This gripping tale centers around Nonie, her father, and sister, as well as a researcher, all driven by an unwavering determination to prevent their lives and histories from being erased forever.
The world is plagued by relentless storms, known as hypercanes, which wreak havoc and cause widespread devastation. The polar ice caps are melting, and Nonie possesses an uncanny ability to sense impending danger, yet lives continue to be lost as people descend into a state of utter panic and uncertainty. Anarchy and violence reign supreme, creating a chaotic and dangerous landscape.
As the story unfolds, a small group of survivors finds refuge on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History, referred to as “Amen” within the narrative. I was captivated by the unique perspective from which the story is told, which at times reminded me of a well-crafted YA novel with a dystopian twist. However, beware, this is no ordinary tale.
Eiran Caffall’s magnificent book delves into a multitude of profound themes. Not only do the storms and subsequent loss of life result in mass casualties, but the desperation of a specific virus, coupled with the willingness of individuals to resort to any means necessary to survive, adds another layer of tension and complexity to the narrative. Moreover, the pervasive presence of violence, coupled with the absence of any effective authority, underscores the profound transformation of civilization as we know it, leaving our characters in a desperate struggle for their very existence.
From the very first page, I was captivated by this captivating story and felt the palpable desperation of Nonie and her family. Honestly, the thought of a similar scenario unfolding in my lifetime sent shivers down my spine. Considering that I had this novel as an audiobook, expertly narrated by Eunice Wong, only heightened my appreciation for this fabulous story.
All the Water in the World is an exceptional read that I wholeheartedly recommend. I envision this book sparking long and thought-provoking discussions within book clubs, as readers grapple with its profound themes and implications.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This is one of those books that’s going to stay with me for a while.
I think the setting of this book (some time in the future after climate change has made sea levels rise dramatically) felt a little too close to home at some points😅 but also why it felt so powerful and poignant; dystopian, but not totally unbelievable.
There’s an adventure/quest element to the story, but it was mostly about community. These characters felt so special, and reading about the ways they worked together to build what they had brought some levity to an otherwise sad situation. It’s hard to say much without giving things away, but the journey this group took was emotional, thrilling, tense, and hopeful, and the beautiful writing brought it all together.

This boom was really heavy and emotional. It’s set in a not too distance future where climate change has wreaked havoc on the world. You follow the story of a family fleeing the place they had made home after the world was changed to try and find a new place of safety. There’s lots of backstories and reflections weaved throughout the story. My heart hurt so much for the characters in book.

The description of this book was right up my alley, so I was very excited to dive into it! The premise was interesting and the initial world building had me intrigued.
I really enjoyed the narrators voice and the style of the writing. The main character, Nonnie’s inner monologue definitely pulled me in and I really liked her stories when she went into the past.
The first 2/3 of this book were really great and kept my interest the entire time, but the last 1/3 felt really off. Too many new characters were brought in without us getting to know them at all and the pacing was too quick. Way too much happened in too short a time with not enough description and storytelling happening. If this is the entire story that the author wanted to tell I feel like it should have maybe been closer to a 400 page book or maybe even a duology.
While this isn’t a book that will probably stick in my memory for long, overall it was an enjoyable read.
I received a a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and statements are my own.

I'm a sucker for a dystopian book (because it feels so far beyond my comprehension). This one, unfortunately, felt a bit too close to home. it was haunting and poignant, but did lean a bit with a heavy hand. Overall, super good read that will definitely provoke conversation.

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is a captivating and tense novel that is rich with resonance. The detailed emotive descriptions, nail-biting adventure, and vivid setting make this book truly incandescent.

“All the Water in the World” initially grabbed my interest with a unique post-apocalyptic vibe, but fell flat throughout. Slow to medium pace with nothing big to drive the plot in any exciting direction to earn its “thriller” tag.
The MFC was quirky and endearing, and supporting characters had the makings of something better, but needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Writing itself is strong, just needed more oomph to the plot.
Overall, 3.5 stars. Interesting and unique, but could have been stronger. If you like post-apocalyptic stories, “All the Water in the World” brings a creative voice, just without some of the thrill and tension its rival’s provide.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for this advanced digital copy.

Wow, this book explored so many great topics including climate change and human connection. It will leave you thinking! If you like Emily St. John Mandel, you should definitely check this book out.

Nonie and her family have made a refuge on the top of the American Museum of National History in New York City after the vast majority of the world is now underwater. The glaciers have melted, creating a new survivalist world full of turbulent storms. When a superstorm hits, Nonie and her family must take to the river to try and make it to a family farm, where they think they will be safe.
This book reminded me of The Road by Cormac McCarthy in some ways as a parent is trying to save a child in the dystopian world. The book is told from Nonie’s POV, and she is very loveable in that she is so tenacious. This book was very cinematic, I can totally see it becoming a movie. I loved the cast of characters and the world that Caffall created. The ending was not my favourite, but it still left me satisfied. The first page takes off running and it was very hard to put down!

Poetic and haunting, this novel brings us into a world ravaged by climate change, and the people trying to survive amidst it.
Caffall doesn’t hold back on the imagery through the eyes of Nonie. Deadly storms, extinct icebergs, massive flooding, cities nonexistent, and necessities scarce. Nonie gives us memories from before, and the reality of living in The World As It is.
As we take this journey with Nonie, her sister, her father, and family friend, Keller, we are taken through a journey of longing, sadness, pain, but determination. They are leaving the only home Nonie has ever known-Amen-and heading for a farm up north that may or may not be there. Their path leads them through dangerous waters, and something even more so-people. But along the way, they fight and refuse to give up-despite death nipping at their heels.
A word of advice-don’t go into this novel thinking you’ll be reading a fast-paced story of danger and adventure. It’s quite the opposite. It’s more of a slow walk, full of detours, but beautifully painted for us. You get to know the characters, their back story, and walk along this new world with them. It is also a cautionary tale of what could happen if we do not change course to save our planet. I enjoyed this novel, and if you like slower dystopian, you will, too.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. The depth of loss was overwhelming, yet the bond within the family—how they supported and cared for each other—was incredibly moving. Their unwavering commitment to preserving human history amidst such devastation was truly inspiring. The impact of the rising waters from the melting glaciers was heart-wrenching, and I can’t even imagine the pain they endured. The occasional flashbacks to happier times brought moments of joy and contrast, offering some light amid the darkness. Overall, I found the book to be deeply affecting, blending themes of loss, survival, and hope in a unique post-apocalyptic setting that explores the consequences of global warming in a fresh way.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Eiren Caffall for the e-ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book early.Very dystopian and a future "what if" scenario.

This novel was so transportive. You are so engulfed (pun intended) in this new world that it feels real. Raise your hand if you started preparing for the end of the world after reading this. The situation may be extreme, but Caffall fully captures the breadth of humanity and the ways in which we cope with loss, power, and dreams. Highly recommend!

This book made me CRY not once, but twice, and that is no easy feat. All The Water In The World is a heartbreaking story of loss, grief, and the will to survive.
Nonie and her family have made the American Museum of Natural History their home after the climate crisis floods NYC and leaves watery destruction behind. What an absolutely cool setting for a book, with several characters being scientists and experts in their fields. I loved the little tidbits about bugs from Keller and the conversations on preserving history for future survivors.
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of eco and climate fiction, and listening to this one on audio shortly after finishing Private Rites by Julia Armfield lent for some really neat comparisons and contrasts. Shoutout to Eunice Wong for the excellent narration which followed me through a couple of rainy commutes.
Definitely check this one out if you loved Station Eleven and enjoy climate fiction, dystopian societies, and survival stories!
**Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this ~soggy~ title!**

What a book!!!
Thank you St Martin’s Press @stmartinspress , Netgalley @netgalley ,and Eiren Caffall @eirencaffall for this free ebook!
“All the Water in the World” by Eiren Caffall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Dystopian Climate Change fiction. Location: New York City, NY, USA and north up the Hudson River. Time: Near future, in the years after the glaciers melt.
Climate change ruined New York City-it’s almost deserted. Nonie (13), sister Bix (16), their parents, and their researcher friends have lived on the American Museum of Natural History (“AMEN”) roof on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for 8 years, hunting and growing food in Central Park, protecting exhibits as they can. In November, a hypercane (super hurricane) destroys what’s left of the city, including AMEN, and they escape north on the Hudson River. They bring the museum logbook (records of the lost collections), and Nonie brings her water book for the future. They meet communities that adapt in different, sometimes frightening ways to the new reality. They’re determined to find a way to make a new world honoring what they've saved.
Author Caffall uses neurodivergent Nonie (“I was a blur of closed heart and quiet voice…”) as narrator in a tale of violent climate change, love, community, and what we leave behind. Her writing style makes climate change scarily real: (“…the pressure sinking so fast my teeth itched”), (“It was 3 days before the river tried to kill us.”), and uses evocative dystopian descriptions: (“The city made noise as it died.”), (“People didn’t make it who wanted too much.”) She alternates chapters of their journey north with chapters about life at AMEN in the World As It Is, and life before in the World As It Was. Caffall was inspired by Iraq and Leningrad curators protecting their collections from war. If you enjoyed Station Eleven or Parable of the Sower, you will love this book! There are storms, danger, a fight for survival, great characters, powerful themes, and it’s 5 water-filled stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️#SMPGEarlyReaders #SMPinfluencers #eirencaffallauthor #allthewaterintheworldbook

I will start by saying that I am a huge dystopian novel fan! It’s my favorite genre and this one did not disappoint. I loved the characters and the entire plot. It was both terrifying and intriguing. I thought the book was really well written and the author’s writing style was great for me.

this book really blew me away and made me think about the world in a different way. so well written!!! 5/5 stars!!!!

Eiren Caffall's "All The Water in the World" is a captivating sci-fi novel that defies expectations from the very start. The cover alone is a work of art, drawing readers in with its intriguing imagery and promising a unique literary experience.
Caffall's prose is nothing short of mesmerizing. The narrative's almost lyrical flow keeps pages turning, creating an immersive reading experience that belies the book's dystopian themes. This stylistic choice elevates the story, making it stand out.
The world-building in this novel is extraordinarily vivid. It presents a future where humanity grapples not with the typical post-apocalyptic tropes, but with the raw, uncontrollable force of nature itself. Storms and hurricanes become central characters, their fury matched only by the desperation of human nature when pushed to its limits.
At the heart of this environmental maelstrom is Nonie and her family. Their fight for survival is visceral and heart-wrenching, with Nonie's journey through loss and resilience forming the narrative's emotional core. Caffall masterfully weaves past and present, providing crucial context while maintaining nail-biting tension in pivotal moments.
"All The Water in the World" is more than a survival story; it reflects global concerns, diversity, and the concept of found family. The author's ability to blend these themes with pulse-pounding action and deeply human moments is commendable.
This novel is a prime candidate for cinematic adaptation, with its vivid imagery and gripping narrative practically leaping off the page. Caffall has created a world that is at once familiar and terrifyingly alien, making "All The Water in the World" a must-read for fans of thoughtful, beautifully crafted science fiction.
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my free book for review.

Nonie can feel the storms coming—and in their dystopian world, that’s an invaluable skill. Yet even her unique gift hasn’t protected her from heartbreak and loss. Set in a waterlogged New York City, where survival is rare, we follow Nonie, her older sister Bix, and their group as they are forced from their rooftop sanctuary in search of higher ground. Along the way, they encounter both natural and human-made dangers that test their strength and resilience.
I was immediately drawn to this book for its dystopian theme. Stories of survival in radically altered worlds have always fascinated me, and this book absolutely delivers. The premise of a flooded world felt vivid and believable—I could easily imagine this scenario unfolding. I especially appreciated Nonie’s strength and the bond she shares with her group, which added a heartfelt layer to the story.
This isn’t a quick, breezy read. The narrative moves back and forth between the “world that was” and the “world that is,” which, while slowing the pacing at times, ultimately deepens the characters and their struggles. It explores profound themes: how people behave under immense pressure, how nature can dismantle humanity’s grandest plans, and how, even in ruin, we fight to preserve what makes us human—love, art, and history. These reflections on survival, tenacity, and connection resonated deeply with me.
I recommend giving this book a try. Though it took me time to fully digest, it has left a lasting impression. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

To me this was a mash up of a Sci-fi series I watched during Covid and the movie Water World. I tried many times to get through this book but kept falling asleep.
It is a coming-of-age story set in post-apocalyptic New York. Unfortunately, it seemed repetitive throughout the story.
I did not connect with the book’s characters or the environmental destruction caused by man’s bad behavior over many generations.
Netgalley graciously allowed me to read this book and I’m sorry but I didn’t really like it.