Crazy-for-Books.com: Review: Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger

Monday, January 25, 2010

Review: Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger

9:51 PM | Thoughts by Jennifer (Crazy-for-Books) |

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Advanced Reading Copy courtesy of B&N's First Look Program
ISBN: 978-1-4391-6833-2
344 pages
Genre: General Fiction
Purchase a copy!

My Rating: 3.5 stars

This book meets the following 2010 Reading Challenges I'm participating in:

100+ Reading Challenge

From the day Cobb and Mary meet kayaking on Maine's Allagash River and fall deeply in love, the two approach life with the same sense of adventure they use to conquer the river's treacherous rapids. But rivers do not let go so easily...and neither does their love. So when Mary's life takes the cruelest turn, she vows to face those rough waters on her own terms and asks Cobb to promise, when the time comes, to help her return to their beloved river for one final journey.

Set against the rugged wilderness of Maine, the exotic islands of Indonesia, the sweeping panoramas of Yellowstone National Park, and the tranquil villages of rural New England, Eternal on the Water is at once heartbreaking and uplifting -- a timeless, beautifully rendered story of true love's power.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. Mary and Cobb are a couple of unique individuals who happened to be at the right place, at the right moment in time, met and fell in love instantly. Does love at first sight really exist? I don't know. This book gives you a glimpse of what it might be like, though!

We quickly learn (from page 1) that this isn't going to be a sappy love story. It's tragic and heartbreaking. It really makes you think about life and gives you the urge to go and hug your significant other and never let go! Cobb is a very strong male character and I don't know that I could have been as strong as he is with what he has to deal with as far as Mary's illness is concerned.

Although I did like this story, I felt that it dragged on, unnecessarily, at times. There was TOO much description, too many stories - it just got tiresome after a while. I actually put the book down and read something else and then finished the second half!

There is a good story here, albeit a bit quirky, with lots of mentions of crows, turtles, and nature. There are beautiful descriptions that make you feel like you are really in Maine and experiencing things that the characters are experiencing. It just went on and on a bit much for me! Overall, I would give it 3.5 stars.

If you've read it, I'm curious what you think! Let me know!

I Got a First Look at Barnes & Noble. Get Your Copy Now

Labels: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, 3.5 stars, Books I've Read, Crazy Fabulous, General Fiction, January 2010, Joseph Monninger