I gravitate toward a dystopian or post-apocalyptic story, so when All The Water In The World popped up on netgalley, I snapped at the chance to read it. I quickly got bored with the beginning, though. Plenty of reviews say this starts slow and I definitely agree. I switched to the audiobook in hopes of increasing the pace, but the narrators voice felt far too old for Nonie's age and inner monologue. I just didn't feel connected to this story or the characters. Obviously I see the realistickkness of these "unprecedented" super storms and I see in real time how these storms are a new reality coming alongside climate change in my real life outside this book, but overall this book just lacked intrigue and intensity. Sure, it’s sad and raw and I sort of rooted for Nonie, but I also didn’t really care and there was a totally underwhelming storyline of Nonie’s potentially superhuman connection to water that wasn’t truly addressed. It’s unfortunate that this book fell so short overall. I’m sure it will resonate with some, but it just didn’t do it for me.

A bit too slow for my liking so I did not finish, but what I did hear was very well written with a great narrator

I loved the style of prose in this novel. It helped maintain an air of mysticism in a post- apocalyptic world that seemed doomed to fail. I was fascinated by the story and all the characters went through, clinging to hope as if it was all they had left, because, well, it was. Lovely tale i greatly enjoyed and would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eiren Caffall the author, and Macmillan Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.

I'm so torn on how to rate this book and would give it 3.5 stars overall. I absolutely love apocalypse movies, and this was the book version of the post climate apocalypse. The book through Nonie's POV was very intriguing and the author did an amazing job with descriptions, and I could almost envision her group living at AMONH and her journey to the farm. I really enjoyed the climate what-ifs and imaging what life would be like if this happened for real, it's scary to imagine because weather and storms are actually getting worse. There were times the story felt like it dragged on with no end in mind. In addition, I got confused at times when Nonie toggled between past and present. Maybe it would've been different if I read the book instead of listened. This book would be a good read for book clubs, it brings to light a lot of topics such as climate change, survival, and humanity.
 
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook!

All the Water in the World is a dystopian novel told from the point of view of a child named Nonie. This reminds me of a quieter Station Eleven in the capacity of a need to preserve history in a post-apocalyptic society. There is nothing wrong with this story, yet I found it hard to finish due to my lack of interest in the narrative. It was fine. I'm sure most people will enjoy this wholesome story. There is a lot of beauty in the found family woven with past grief. This just wasn't for me.
I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The narrator has a very pleasant voice that also comes across often as hesitant in tone and often left me feeling a little unstable with the narrative.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!

ARC REVIEW: all the water in the world by eiren caffall 🌊 a literary thriller set partly on the roof of new york’s museum of natural history in a flooded future.

WOW, simply unlike anything I’ve read before! our fmc is told through a child named nonnie mayo who can sense through her body when a storm is coming. which is very fortunate because the world as they know it is at the mercy of hypercanes, irreversible climate changes, food shortages and looting.

🌬️ in this story there were flashbacks serving as a refuge to a quieter, gentler time opposed to the dread and fear stricken group of survivors having to overcome one obstacle after another.

personally, the writing style and structure took some time to get into as certain scenes were hard to picture. once I understood the flow of the story, it was much easier and almost an unputdownable read!

I really enjoyed eunice wong's narration! they truly kept me invested in this windswept story while still being relaxed by their quiet voice!

while reading ATWITW I had a nightmare that I was drowning, so to say this apocalyptic, coming of age story was thought provoking, is an understatement. thank you macmillan audio & st. martin's press for the early copies! 💙 3.5 stars!

For a debut book, this was a decent read. It is told from Nonie's point of view. Her parents are researchers, and with the help of their colleagues, are tying to preserve and catalog as much historical artifacts at the Museum of Natual History as they can before all is lost. But more disasters take place, and Nonie, the few left in their settlement, must leave and head north before they lose their lives to the rising water and storm surges. Those they meet along their travels are varied. Some are willing to help them, whereas others refuse to help unless they can get some benefit out of it in means of labor or a useful skill. Eunice Wong did a good job with their narration. They kept my attention, but i had a hard time connecting to the character. This was a thought provoking read though, and it made me doom reseach what the earth would look like if all the glaicers melted and what would happend if Yellowstone erupted. Did I also look to see how my city would be impacted? Yes. Yes I did.

I really enjoyed this apocalyptic novel with a new slant, The whole world gets basically destroyed by water and Nonie, Bix, Keller and Dad made a life living on the roof of the American Natural History Museum aka Amen.They decide to leave to attempt to find the farm that should be a safe place for everyone. Their adventures vary and they encounter a variety of people along the way, some helpful & some evil. The characters are interesting and I liked the way their game of identifying insects ties the book together. One notable detriment of this book for me is the first part is very preachy about the use of Indigenous knowledge and technology by non-indigenous people. I feel like if it’s the end of the world then people should use whatever help they can get. The narrator was fabulous and I would listen to other books read by them.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this audiobook.

I thought the writing was immediately engaging, action mixed with poetic introspection. I felt invested in the characters within the first few pages. The horrific situations created both by climate catastrophe and the complete breakdown in society were believable to me (as an ex-New Yorker) and consequently scary. I enjoyed the ending and will recommend to any reader interested in cli-fi.

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is a science fiction novel that unfortunately didn’t resonate with me. While I’ve always been intrigued by the genre, I find that for science fiction to capture my attention, it needs to be truly exceptional. Unfortunately, this novel did not meet those expectations.

The book's pacing felt slow, and the plot seemed to meander without clear direction. The narrative often repeated descriptions of the surroundings and events, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The protagonist’s grief over the loss of her mother and her unique connection to water were central themes, but I felt that these aspects were emphasized to the point of redundancy. I struggled to find much progression in the story.

There were also a number of plot holes that I couldn’t overlook. I found myself questioning the logic of certain elements, and these inconsistencies made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the world the author created.

I listened to the audiobook version, which was narrated quite slowly. I’d recommend bumping up the speed to at least 1.5x or 2x to maintain a more comfortable pace. While I appreciate the effort put into the narration, the slow pace of both the storytelling and the delivery made the experience less enjoyable for me.

That said, All the Water in the World may appeal to readers who are passionate about climate change and its potential future impacts. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, particularly with a focus on environmental themes, you might find more to appreciate here than I did. However, if you’re not a fan of the genre, it might be best to stick with what you know and enjoy.

3 stars

The end of the world is coming, and for the characters in this book, the reminders of that are in every part of their challenging existences. The glaciers have melted, there are furious storms, and supplies and humanity are limited. What are a young girl and her remaining family to do in an environment like this?

Nonie, the m.c., her older sister (Bix), and added family, friends, and various new characters highlight the horrors of this existence. This is speculative and it has some great ecological perspectives and commentary in the setting alone. However, for me, it is too slow moving. I wished for faster pacing frequently. There are some memorable scenes (some of which require content warnings - young girls/women without constant supervision and protection? You can guess where this is likely going). There are also a lot of slow, sad memories, meditations, and losses.

While this didn't quite work for me, the writing is lovely and I'm confident there are many reading groups who will love this. I absolutely anticipate recommending this one more based on readers' interests than my own taste.

Dnf at 8%

I've realized that I shouldn't waste my time on books that I'm not enjoying. I'm not a fan of the narrator's voice. The premise of this story does sound interesting, though.

Very thankful that I got the arc 🫶🏼

Set in a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by climate change, All the Water in the World, is about a family struggling to not only survive but also to preserve as many artifacts and the knowledge in the Museum of Natural History in New York City as possible. Living on the roof of the museum with others, they know the water will continue to rise and they will have to leave eventually. But the group tries to eke out a living from their garden in Central Park and what can be scavenged and hunted. Disease is rampant among the survivors and medications are few.

The group's numbers have decreased to only Noni, her sister, her father, and one friend/co-worker when the mega-storm hits and they are forced to flee in an old Native American canoe they've tried to prepare for the journey. While they find some help and survivors along the way, there are also perils from the weather, the wildlife, and other survivors. When the girls' father is killed, they continue on, trying to get to the family's farm inland, It isn't an easy journey and Noni valiantly tries to protect the catalog of information about the materials they all tried to save and the knowledge they don't want lost.

It's a thoughtful look at frightening possibilities for the future, further fractures of society, and how people might cope. Author Eiren Caffall, inspired by curators of museums decimated by war in Iraq and other locations, has chosen a focus topic that not many consider--saving history. Narrator Eunice Wong authentically voices Noni, the main character.

Recommended for those who like Brin's The Postman or even Pfeffer's Life as We Knew It--possible apocalypse-possible fiction, if we want to invent a new genre.

A very intriguing story, had me hooked from start to finish. I enjoyed the perspective from a young girl’s point of view, it put the tragedy of the situation into a different perspective that really made me empathize with her. The story kind of reminded me of “I who have never known men” in the context of a young girl growing up in a dystopian society and I loved it! Would definitely recommend giving it a read!

I liked the premise of this book and am always drawn to dystopians. The author is excellent at describing the settings, and I appreciate that the initial setting is somewhere familiar. While the atmosphere was wonderful, I did find the plot slow, BUT I also think that is a more realistic version of how the events that take place would actually unfold if it was a truthful account and not fiction. Our day to day lives are BORING. I don't think this book was a "thriller" as we have come to expect books with that label to be, but how else would it be categorized? Maybe a "thrilling drama" or "climate thriller"? The story is about survivors vs the world more than it is people vs people, so it isn't your average story.

I listened to the audiobook. The narration was great. I think I enjoyed the story more because of the narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

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.

When you live in a world dictated by hypercanes, being able to sense when it is going to rain and how much is a good skill to have. Nonie can do just that. After her family fled the AMNH to make a trek to the family farm, Nonie's ability is most likely what kept them alive for so long. Having a warning system for severe storms saves lives. Nonie and Bix are sisters who are travelling with their father and another man, Keller. Nonie and Keller play a fun game of naming clues about a species while the other tries to guess the species. It brought a lightness to an otherwise dark dystopian novel. I really enjoyed this book. The writing was very good and the character development was great. I felt like I was rooting for Nonie the entire time. The narrator was very good to and added to the story rather than distracted from it. Thank you MacMillan Audio and Net Galley for this advanced copy!

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is a riveting look into an apocalyptic future that could become a reality. Climate change has resulted in massive hurricanes, rising oceans, and hotter weather. This follows a girl who grew up attempting to preserve the history of a museum and now has to struggle to preserve life.

This is a deep story with found family and human nature. What might happen in our future. While there are struggles throughout, I loved how there was hope for the future. Being told from a child's standpoint really connected for me when the worst occurred. I would recommend this book!

Engaging and immersive. A recommended first purchase for collections where literary dystopian is popular.

While establishing its own distinct voice, this beautiful novel stands alongside works in the canon of Emily St. John Mandel and Sequoia Nagamatsu's "How High We Go In the Dark." The narrative shares particularly striking similarities with "Station Eleven," as though existing within the same literary universe. The writing flourishes with poetic intensity, though the audiobook format, while compelling, may not fully capture the raw power of the written text.

The world-building achieves remarkable depth, particularly noteworthy given the challenge of constructing a post-apocalyptic landscape from the remnants of contemporary society. The protagonist's keen observations drive the narrative, surrounded by compelling, authentically rendered characters. Strong momentum propels the story forward through carefully crafted mysteries and revelations, while conflicts emerge organically from both environmental and human sources.

The novel serves as a powerful testament to the effects of climate change without becoming didactic. It masterfully reminds readers of water's destructive potential and highlights the challenge of preserving historical memory in times of widespread destruction. This visually rich narrative offers both an engaging reading experience and the potential to deepen readers' empathy toward the environment and its inhabitants. With its compelling blend of poetic prose, environmental consciousness, and human drama, this novel stands as a remarkable achievement in contemporary literary fiction.