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- Watersmeet
Watersmeet
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
14+
ISBN
0761455361
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User reviews
1 review
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0(1)
Characters
N/A(0)
Writing Style
N/A(0)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A(0)
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An interesting book from a debut author
(Updated: July 01, 2026)
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Lizzy
It seems that lately I've been reading books in which some (or all) of the plot involves the subject of prejudice. Watersmeet was
no exception. The lead character, Abisina, experiences it on a daily
basis. Why, you may ask? It's because her dark hair and skin keep her
from embodying the image of Vran (the man who spread his settlement
into free territory and cast out the "monsters"). So, Abisina is
treated as an outcast, her only refuge is her mother, the village
healer. While her life certainly isn't desirable, it is bareable. Until one night she is forced to flee her village, leaving her mother behind.
What
I enjoyed most about this book (a 2009 debut) was the growth of the
heroine. At the start of the book, Abisina hates "monsters", even
though she has been treated as one throughout her life. A great example
of this is shown by her relationship with Hoysta, a dwarf. Despite that
fact that Hoysta nursed her back to health, Abisina still fears her.
Over the course of the novel, however, Abisina is forced to confront
the ideas she's been taught, and think of what loyalty and acceptance
truely mean to her. Eventually she comes to the realization that not
every non-human can be labelled "bad", just like every Vranian can't be
called "good".
Abbott's debut was an interesting read. There
were times when I loathed Abisina for her callous treatment of
non-human creatures, and other times I felt her fear (i.e when rogue
centaurs are on the hunt). I think that may be why I liked the book so
much. I was able to connect with the characters because they were
flawed. I'm looking forward to the sequel, and can't wait to read more
from this author.
It seems that lately I've been reading books in which some (or all) of the plot involves the subject of prejudice. Watersmeet was
no exception. The lead character, Abisina, experiences it on a daily
basis. Why, you may ask? It's because her dark hair and skin keep her
from embodying the image of Vran (the man who spread his settlement
into free territory and cast out the "monsters"). So, Abisina is
treated as an outcast, her only refuge is her mother, the village
healer. While her life certainly isn't desirable, it is bareable. Until one night she is forced to flee her village, leaving her mother behind.
What
I enjoyed most about this book (a 2009 debut) was the growth of the
heroine. At the start of the book, Abisina hates "monsters", even
though she has been treated as one throughout her life. A great example
of this is shown by her relationship with Hoysta, a dwarf. Despite that
fact that Hoysta nursed her back to health, Abisina still fears her.
Over the course of the novel, however, Abisina is forced to confront
the ideas she's been taught, and think of what loyalty and acceptance
truely mean to her. Eventually she comes to the realization that not
every non-human can be labelled "bad", just like every Vranian can't be
called "good".
Abbott's debut was an interesting read. There
were times when I loathed Abisina for her callous treatment of
non-human creatures, and other times I felt her fear (i.e when rogue
centaurs are on the hunt). I think that may be why I liked the book so
much. I was able to connect with the characters because they were
flawed. I'm looking forward to the sequel, and can't wait to read more
from this author.
G
Guest
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