Mother told me it was slow at first, the way the world changed. You could forget about it. People talked like you could fix it. from All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall

Science warns us that in the future climate change will cause oceans to rise and flood coastal cities, including New York City. In All the Water in the World, Eiren Caffall imagines what this world will be like. Her descriptions of apocalyptic storms and flood waters filled with the floating remnants of The World Before are chilling. This future world is filled with packs of vicious wild dogs and people dying of what were once easily preventable diseases and injuries. Trust comes hard in desperate times.

The story centers on Nonie, who with her family is among a few survivors in Central City who have taken refuge in their workplace, the Museum of Natural History. They appropriate traditions of the Native Americans to survive. When a superstorm destroys the museum and their stores of foods and medicines, they remove a birch bark canoe from its display and paddle up the Hudson River, hoping to reach a family farm and safety.

The journey is filled with danger, especially from the desperate Lost men. They suffer from death and injury and disease. They pass landmarks including the Palisades, the Cloisters, and West Point. They stop at Frederic Church’s fantasy home of Olana. They are forced to ask aid from a community ruled by a powerful and ruthless leader, and then must escape.

There is survival,made possible by “hope thrown hard at the darkness,” and because of a few helpers along the way.

It’s a page turner of a thrill ride. And a dead serious warning of what may come.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

As important as the subject matter of this book is, I was apprehensive to read it as I knew it would make me absolutely spiral about climate change.

Yes, this book heavily focuses on what happens to a found family living on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History after New York City is flooded and (mostly) deserted, so it's very climate-focused. But, it's also focused on the family, their interactions, and their struggle to survive after another flood hits the city and they must leave the museum.

Again, yes, it did cause me to slightly spiral thinking about our world's future (especially post-election...), but the characters and their stories allowed me to stick with it and not just focus on the truth behind this plot.

Also, again, very important subject matter, so an all-around recommendation.

This one moved too slow for me. I kept going back and giving it a try but ultimately, I put it down and DNF,

Maybe it's not fair that I kept thinking of Margaret Atwood who does this genre perfectly.

I found the writing hard to follow, unsure what was happening and why. Perhaps this is just not my genre. I don't read much dystopian , speculative fiction but when I do, it is done extremely well.

This dystopian tale of a future where rising oceans have flooded the Eastern coast, and only the top floors of skyscrapers can be seen, starts very, very slowly. It is told in the style of a journal or diary, written by the youngest daughter of a family who takes refuge in a museum in the city. Living on the only the top floor and the roof top, they and other survivors staying there are dealt a vicious blow when a hypercane (evidently a really, really bad hurricane) hits their little rooftop encampment. The ones who live through it evacuate in a canoe to head up the Hudson River to a farm the mother's family owns, which is in a higher elevation and therefore, safe. Why didn't they go there in the first place, when all the flooding started? This, and many other questions, are why I could only give this 3 stars.

The journal entries are written by the thirteen year old daughter. It would have been a much more interesting read if it had been narrated by the older, eighteen year old daughter who grows from a scared girl to a brave fighter. The first third of the book was so slow (and also, repetitive) that I almost put this down and walked away. I jumped to the end to see if things got any better, and there were so many new names/characters that I decided to pick it back up to find out where all these interesting sounding folks came from. A chapter or so later, things finally got going, so much so that I was easily able to read to the end. It was still monotonous in places, and there were some tragic events that, because the narrator wasn't there, we only get a condensed version of what happened. I did not enjoy the constantly going back and forth between the distant past and the less distant past. Yes, it is written as if we are reading a journal of what happened several years ago, and it talks about events that happened several years before that. At the end we are finally in the present time, and while the ending ties up most of the loose ends, it does leave us with a smidge of, "Oh, I wonder what happens to her now?"

The writing is good. The story just needed some judicious editing to keep the reader from dosing off. And it could use some joy. This is, for the most part, a pretty depressing read.

I'll just say it: this book is considerably out of my comfort zone, so please take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Rarely do I read sci-fi or dystopian novels, but now and then I like to give them a go, especially when it is about nature or genetic topics.

Unfortunately, this book didn't speak to me. Even though I was curious about this new reality of our own world where massive storms haven taken control of everything and cities are under water. I did empathise with our protagonist, Nonie, and her dynamics with her family struggling to survive in such a dangerous world. The writing is interesting, too. But pretty much that was everything I enjoyed about this book.
I didn't connect with the narrative or care for what was going on.
I cannot pinpoint what I think is wrong with this book. I don't even think there is anything essentialy wrong or bad about it. I'm just not the right audience.
Sci-fi and dystopia stories are very hit or miss for me. Sadly, this one was more of a miss.

However, I do recommend this book to any sci-fi readers are out there who enjoy plots envolving nature, climate change, and, possibly, realistic scenarios to our own reality.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press , for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A post-apocalyptic world about two sisters living in NYC on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History after ALL the glaciers have melted, leaving the world underwater. Due the weathers unpredictability, they are forced to seek refuge inland to find resources. What they encounter along the way is rife in danger, exposing them to the elements that could ultimately take their life.

Caffall is a masterful storyteller of building out today's world, comparing before and after. While it started a bit slow, by the middle it finds its story. The girls experience danger, lost loved ones, new found family and a solace for living.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
There is no dearth of clifi in the world now, and I've read quite a bit, but I think this one is my favorite so far. It's heartbreaking but just a smidgen of hopeful also. Loved the two sisters and their relationship and I like how the book did NOT softpedal the problems that the sea rise and breakdown of authority would have had. And loved how the main group's dedication to perhaps saving some science for future generations gave them a motive and a way to keep it together and keep going. I only had a couple of questions: how did the member from the ship travel easily to and from the area when it was so clearly taking your life into your hands to go anywhere? and also---sanitation? I could see how hard the group worked on the many many details of survival but surely the toilets weren't working in the museum? I read a clifi a few years ago in New York City and one of their worst problems was waste management in large buildings when no utilities are working. It's a weird thing to be curious about but I always am!

Very good book. Be ready to cry and be horrified and end with a little hope.

I struggled to get into this book but ended up falling in love with it. In my opinion, it dragged a lot and the beginning and it was a bit hard to identify who was who and how they related to one another. However, about a quarter in, I was completely invested in the characters, especially Nonnie and Bix. My heart broke and got put back together multiple times in this story. It was so sad, while also so full of hope.

I hope that I never live in a time where I need to face any of the things that these poor girls did, but it does make you think about the “what ifs.” Ultimately, it’s a beautiful testament to human character.

I received "All the Water in the World" by Eiren Caffall from NetGalley, and it was my first time reading this author. This dystopian novel offers a hauntingly beautiful exploration of a world where water scarcity has reshaped society. Set in a near-future world devastated by climate change, the story follows the lives of several characters as they navigate the harsh realities of a society on the brink of collapse. Water, the most precious resource, is tightly controlled, and survival depends on one's ability to adapt to the new normal. The plot is both gripping and thought-provoking, weaving together the personal struggles of the characters with the larger societal issues they face. The narrative is well-paced, with moments of tension and introspection that keep the reader engaged. The author does an excellent job of building a world that feels both alien and eerily familiar, making the stakes feel incredibly real. For me, one of the standout aspects of this book is the character development. Each character is richly drawn, with their own unique motivations and backstories. As the story progresses, we see them grow and change in response to the challenges they face. Their journeys are compelling and emotionally resonant, making it easy to become invested in their fates. Overall, "All the Water in the World" is a powerful and evocative read that offers a fresh take on the dystopian genre. Eiren Caffall's writing is both lyrical and impactful, making this a memorable debut for me. I highly recommend it to fans of dystopian fiction and anyone looking for a thought-provoking read.

4.5 stars! As stressful as books in this vein are, they are just so good (almost) every time- and this is one of those times!!

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where hurricanes aren't just hurricanes anymore, young Nonie, her parents, her sister, and a small community of academics live on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History. The waters are rising, the storms are getting worse, and it may finally be time for the group to make their escape out of New York City and up to a family farm in the Berkshires- but how to get there safely? With dangerous waters, the constant threat of storms (that Nonie tracks and sorts in her logbook), and the Lost people wandering around, it is not going to be an easy journey.

This was so reminiscent of Station Eleven (complimentary). Nonie may be quite a bit younger and much less hardened to the world than Kirsten, but she still views the world around her with a lens of reflection- thinking of the past, the things lost, the new ways of life. She's young but so mature for her age, able to do what needs to be done to get the adults around her through their obstacles safely.

Thank you so much to Eiren Caffall and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Not my usual choice of genre, but the rave reviews peaked my interest and so here we are. I really enjoyed this story and it was fast-paced and apocalyptic. The only downside is that it alternated from the past to the present and it wasn't always clear to me which timeframe the story was in. This was a bit distracting as I was trying to figure it out. While the author did a great job at keeping the atmosphere of dread, I wanted more description of the physical atmosphere. At times it was difficult for me to visualize their setting. However, I still enjoyed this story and for anyone who is in to sci-fi with end of the world type things, this is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In the years after the glaciers melt, Nonie and her older sister and parents stayed behind in an almost deserted NYC, creating a settlement on the roof of the Museum of Natural History. When a massive hurricane breaches the city's flood walls, Nonie and her family must escape north on the Hudson. Racing on the river towards safety, they encounter communities that have adapted in different ways to their new reality.

This is a very slow paced somewhat dystopian novel of a flooded world. Chapters toggle back and forth between present day and the before times. The best parts of the book were about the community that they were building and how they were moving forward in the new normal. The 'past' story lines made the book a little boring and a little monotonous. It was an interesting look into what may happen if the oceans continue to rise and where we would all go.

Thank You NetGalley and Macmillan for the free e-galley.
Publication Date: 1/7/25

DNF -- I could not get into this one. If you like reading speculative fiction about our future due to climate change, you might like this. I just felt both anxious and disinterested.

Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

Wow, all I have to say is wow. This was a heartbreakingly beautiful book. I wanted to cry so many times during it. It's intense and sad and so powerful. I can't believe this is her first book ever, it's just so good. I wanted to read something different than I usually read and this was a great one. Each chapter is short and hard to put down. I loved that the intense and sad chapters were broken up with past memories, happier ones. This book raises alot of questions and what if's of today. What would you do if all the glaciers melted and the world was suddenly under water? That's what these people had to learn to live with. So much heart break and loss but also hope and life. The character development was great and I felt like I really got to know these people. All of the good and the bad. My heart breaks with this book.

I think my timing was off with this book. All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is beautifully written and is about a future America ravaged by water after the glaciers melt. The protagonist, Nonie, tells the story of her family and others who live in a settlement on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History. When a superstorm overcomes the city’s flood walls, Nonie and her family escape to the north using the Hudson River. Their journey, reminiscent of the travels in Station Eleven, takes them through dangers and, naturally, strains each traveler.

I thought Station Eleven was a brilliant book, and since it was used as a comp for this book, I had awfully high expectations. As I said, the writing was terrific—no complaints with the author’s descriptions or with the premise, which is strong. It just didn’t propel me as I hoped. The plot was water-logged. (I know. Forgive me.)

If you love plots with slow burns, are interested in climate change, and enjoy dystopian and post-apocalyptic themes, you may love this. I give it 3.5 stars but round it up to 4 because of the “It’s me, not you” relationship I had with it.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

All the Water in the World 🌊

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Fiction, Post Apocalyptic
Pub Date: January 7, 2025

Nonie is a young girl living with her family on the top of the NY Museum of Natural History following the melting of the glaciers and severe flooding throughout the world. When a superstorm breaks barriers into NYC, her family is forced to flee and attempt to bring whatever records and history they can with them to hunt for safety and preserve the past.

This was marketed as a book that fans of Station Eleven would enjoy, and I totally agree with that statement. The post apocalyptic vibes were somewhat similar, and just the overall feeling of the book was the same. I do think this one wasn’t as good, in part because the choice of narrator as a young girl. Seeing the world and events through her eyes I think led to less clear storytelling. I did enjoy all the main characters, but I think it could have benefitted from an older narrator, or even multiple perspectives throughout the story.

I thought the premise of this book was so interesting and did enjoy reading and thinking about what the world could be like when the glaciers melt. The beginning was a little slow moving, and for me had too many flashbacks to “the world as it was before”. I wanted more about how things had gotten to this point, how the world and governments fell apart, all that crazy intense stuff that would happen after a huge event like this.

Once the family has to evacuate and they face several challenges and threats along the way, the pace definitely picked up and was more enjoyable. If you liked Station Eleven, I do think you would enjoy this book and style of writing. But do know it’s not quite the same.

I will be thinking about this one for a long time. Very intriguing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

all the water in the world is like if station eleven and the road had a baby in a world destroyed by environmental damage and flooding.

the novel starts veryyyyy slow (hence my 3.25 rating) and follows main character nonie and a cast of characters fleeing from their rooftop shelter to head north in search of dry land. nonie is maybe 13 years old and, as other reviewers have guessed, is potentially neurodivergent, but i really enjoyed being in her head. she’s deeply devoted to her family (biological and chosen) and is drawn to all the water in the world.

the first 35% of this book was far too slow for me but picked up and hooked me enough to keep reading. i wish more things happened along the journey (similar vibes to the road, which some love but was NOT for me) but the ending was satisfying.

thanks to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful and interesting read.

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I am equally fascinated by and deeply fearful of water. Aquariums and exhibits that open a window beneath the waves mesmerize me. At the same time, the mere thought of the depths and weight of so much water impenetrable by the naked eye makes my stomach drop and pulse race. Eiren Caffall's debut work of dystopian fiction is a captivating look at a possible world to come.

The narrator is Nonie, who lives with what remains of her natural and found families in The World As It Is. We call the setting New York City, but these residents no longer inhabit cities or towns. They seek refuge on rooftops and high ground, whatever remains out of the reach of the water. Rivers and streams have long since breached their banks, merging with lakes, seas, and oceans. Entire neighborhoods are drowned; the tallest skyscrapers resemble one- or two-story buildings.

Nonie has a special ability to feel and sense water. She can predict storms and knows how severe they will be. But even she couldn't know the power of a hypercane that destroyed the only home she remembers and forced her, her father, her sister, and the only other surviving member of their community out on the open water in a canoe.

All the Water in the World is part dystopian story, part adventure, part family drama. The level of visionary detail is staggering and awe-inspiring. This is a story worth reading--and one that will haunt my imagination for quite a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.