I enjoyed this more than I did the previous entry in the Aristotle and Dante series. I thought it was a stronger story with stronger characters and relationships. It was very beautiful. I like that the author seems to have become a lot more comfortable writing about Ari's queerness just as Ari himself is becoming more comfortable with his feelings. After reading the first book I knew to brace myself for emotional punches, but it still got me. The whole book was handled very well and was very moving.

It's Benjamin Alire Saenz. Of course it's gorgeously written and heartbreaking and beautiful.

In the previous book, Ari and Dante fall in love. In this one, they learn how to be in love. And it's hard. Being in love, trying to figure out who you are, and knowing that the world in 1989 is not kind to those who are different...it's hard.

But it's worth it.

“What we had was that moment, and right then, I didn’t want or need anything else.”

The writing and dialog in Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Universe is as beautiful as the relationships within it. Read it to understand humanity a little better. Let the words and love hold some space in your heart.

It makes me sad to think that in 2021 our society still isn’t able to just let people love who they were born to love. The characters in this book have so many sad and beautiful insights. I wish that both of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s books were taught far and wide to high school students everywhere.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

The moment I found out there would be a sequel to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Mysteries of the Universe, I couldn’t wait to read it.

I love that the story picked up right where we left them at the end of the first book. The beautiful and complex relationships between all the characters that we came to love grow and change in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Ari is still figuring out who he is in the universe and begins to open up to the people who love him. One of the new characters talks about how people are books that we can learn from, and it was a joy to be on that journey of learning with Ari.

I didn't think anything would top Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe, but this beautiful and moving sequel is a classic. The nuance and layers present in their relationship, as well as the deeper characterization is among the many things that make this such a touching tale. I am so glad to have been invited into Ari's and Dante's universe again.

This is a lovely, moving sequel that really showcases the author's beautiful, lyrical style. If you enjoyed the first book, this second one builds on it in every way. Ari is growing up, and as we follow him through his school year, we encounter many testing issues and situations through his eyes. The pace overall is slow and reflective, though especially in the middle, where Dante is not as present and things get tangled up in the various side characters of Ari's expanding circle of friends.

There's a lot of crying in this book. It felt like every other chapter was filled with tears. Some scenes and side plots come to a more concrete conclusion than others. Also, at times I found it difficult to follow who was speaking during lengthy conversations where dialogue tags weren't used, as many of the side characters had similar voices. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the gorgeous prose and short, melodic chapters. All in all, I thought it was an excellent sequel, both contemplative and hopeful.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book.

I am writing this review thanks to receiving an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGalley - thank you to both NetGalley and Benjamin Alire Saenz!

“Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World” is a sequel to “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” and tells the story of Ari and Dante navigating the very choppy waters of being young, gay, and in love while living in America in the 1980s. The novel covers the AIDS epidemic, homophobia, becoming an adult, young love, reconnecting with friends, grief, loss, and much more.

I was someone who fell in love with Benjamin Alire Saenz’s “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” - to the point that after I finished reading it the first time, I immediately reread it, but THIS time with a highlighter so I could highlight all my favorite parts.

So, it was safe to say I was both thrilled and nervous when I saw that the sequel was coming out soon. It’s so hard to write a sequel to such a great book without having readers and fans feel as though it falls flat. It’s happened to some of my favorite novels. However, I was relieved with how well “Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World” treated me. I got so much enjoyment from seeing Ari grow into himself and become a better, more loving person. Saenz did a wonderful job of writing two young boys in love, and all the jittery, scary, exciting feelings that come with that. The very real threat of being a gay man in America during the height of the AIDS epidemic was explored so well. The fear of “I’m gay, but I want to be straight, but I don’t want to be straight, and I’m not sure how to come to terms with any of this” was so relatable that I cried on a few occasions.

My only gripe was the ending. I won’t spoil anything for anyone, of course, but Dante can be a very frustrating character at times. But he’s human, and humans are very good at being frustrating.

The writing was beautiful, and I can’t wait to get to enjoy it again once it is published.

This book is composed of short, poetical, chapters. By employing this technique, the author is able to tell numerous small, meaningful stories along the timeline of Ari's and Dante's senior year. This book is especially about Ari, and it contains many emotional passages as he discovers himself, Dante, and his parents at much deeper levels, as well as opening himself up to loving, supportive, friendships.

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World is as beautiful as it is moving. It captures a story of growing up and coming to terms with who you are and what you want. The writing style captures love, grief, and happiness that will move you to tears and smiles. Ari and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is so easy to fall in love with, and this book didn't even make me think about it. It flew past anything I expected from a sequel. Falling more in love with Ari and Dante's story is something this book accomplishes within the first few pages. This book gripped my attention and my heart and did not let go until the final page.

The journey continues for Aristotle and Dante in ways that are authentic, well-written, and only serve to expand these characters. I enjoyed the beauty of the prose in the first book and was not disappointed with what I found in this eagerly-anticipated sequel.

So many possibilities for young readers to see themselves and explore this literary world.

A beautiful continuation of Aristotle & Dante’s
story, as well as an expanding of their social world. The characters continue to develop and grow, which is sometimes painful but that’s part of what I love about A&D. Their growth feels real, and sometimes raw…it is imperfect and honest. I did feel like this book was much more Ari than Ari & Dante; I wanted more of them together. I also felt a little inundated by social justice themes and situations that seemed to speak more to today’ than to the late 80’s but that might simply reflect my privilege and age. I would have been in 8th grade, so probably not aware of many racial problems at that time? Obviously they’re longstanding problems. Also was a white girl in New England, a nearly all white town so, definitely not comparable to living in a city close to the border. Having read this makes me want to look back at that time to see what I missed due to my age and where I lived. I’m also interested in what others thought about this part of the story and looking forward to reading other reviews. I definitely appreciated the way AIDS was treated throughout. I certainly remember that time and the fear, confusion, bias, and lack of empathy and research that was happening then. It took way too long for anything to happen to help. Overall, I did enjoy this book; I love the writing style itself, and I am rooting for the universe to grant a beautiful life for Ari & Dante.

I was ably to read this through Netgalley, and I love it! When I first read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe I couldn’t really get into it but then I saw that Benjamin Alire Saenz was coming out with a second one and I figured I’d give it another try and I’m so glad I did! There is something about Ari as a narrator that I just connect with. We haven’t shared the same experience’s but I think Benjamin knows how to capture that feeling of being lost and unsure so perfectly! It felt like the first was was an exploration of Ari discovering who he was and the second book goes deeper in to discovering what it means to be who you are and how to be that in the world. Especially during the time that the characters live! I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be Gay during that time, that feeling that you might never get to be happy or express it if you do. And then having to hear about the deaths from AIDS and how people were responding to that. Benjamin gives a really amazing perspective! Of course I love Dante as well and his optimism! The supporting characters are all fantastic! Ari and his dad in the first book didn’t understand each other or open up to each other and it was so nice to be able to see them breaking those barriers and building a different relationship in the second book! I loved both of these books and I’m so glad I didn’t just give up on them! Can’t wait to get this book when it comes out!

One of the most anticipated book of the 2010's, I can confidently say that waiting for this book was worth it. Written in its familiar style, the book that has been so long in the making takes its memorable protagonists, Aristotle and Dante, on a whole new journey as they navigate the blooming relationships between them, deal with the implications of the AIDS crisis, suffer grave losses, form new friendships and, most importantly, they have to answer the question: What kind of future do I want to make for myself?

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz.

Before we begin, can I just say how much I would love to live in the head of Saenz. My goodness, what a soft and beautiful place that must be.

I wasn't expecting to have a follow up to these two lovely men all these years later, but it was still very welcome. It pretty much picks up where it left off. Since it's written in Ari's voice, we get a lot more of his perspective. He still struggles with coming to terms with his sexuality. He is still up for a fight, and he's still confused about how he can have a brother in prison for such a heinous crime. Add to that a blissful, yet overwhelming love for his new boyfriend Dante, and navigating all that a new relationship entails.

Saenz writes with just waves of love. Even through the difficulty, you feel so taken care of. The characters are so beautifully emotive, you can't help but wonder if he was trying to model to the world what we needed more of, from our friends, parents, partners...

Great story, it does not move quickly, and it's intense, and heavy. But it's also so gentle. Quite the juxtaposition, an impressive feat by the author.

A beautiful and heartbreaking follow up to the A&DDTSOTU. Equal parts poetic and real, this book will stay with readers their whole lives. I cried as consumed this, and I will cry when I reread it.

If the first book was about Aristotle discovering who he really is, this next book is about his discovering how to be who he really is. He's not just floating through life hoping that everyone will ignore him anymore, which means he's much less of an asshole to everyone around him, so that was nice. And he even makes friends! Plural! Amazing.

I am not joking when I say I cried for ten minutes just reading the first line of this book. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is my favorite book in the entire world. It's a book I've re-read dozens of times. It's my go to book when I am sad or in a reading slump. It's magical and poetic and I love these boys of summer and rain.

The sequel did not let me down either. I knew it would be good, but I was afraid it just wouldn't hold up to the high standard I have for the first book. But, I did. And it blew me away.

Ari is out now and he and Dante are dating. It's delicate and confusing and mixed with all kinds of feelings of love and lust and happiness. The poetry of the story still remains strong in this sequel. And I cried so many times while reading this. From happiness as well as just overwhelming sadness. Ari's journey is spectacular, and seeing him grow from the first book is amazing.

The tone of the book is also a bit different. It's less "summer boys being carefree" and more "entering adulthood and growing into yourself". There's so much emotion captured in these pages that it's hard to decide which words will best capture them all.

I love this book. I love this story. And, even though the wait was long, I am so happy Ari and Dante's story is going to be continued in this spectacular sequel.

As beautiful as the first and maybe even more special. I never like itty bitty chapters. I never like sparse prose. And I never finish reading books that just say something happened without explaining it. This book was/had all of those things and I freaking loved it with all of me. Something about Aristotle and Dante and Benjamin Alire Saenz just brings me so much joy and an ache in my heart. I love them and I want a future for them and I don’t usually see endings in my head for books. It’s a perfect book and I can’t wait to get it for my library and start recommending it and its predecessor. 💜💜💜💜📚

WE'RE GETTING AN ARI AND DANTE MOVIE OMG OMG OMG!!! I think you can tell by my excitement that I've been waiting for a very long time for this sequel. OMG - IT'S HERE!!! Perfect for fans of taylor swift's song "peace" but in book form. I had so many emotions while reading this book and I'm so honored that the publisher offered to give me a copy in exchange for a review.... coming on release date on pop-culturalist.com but just know that this is a book you won't be disappointed by this fall!!

Review will be published on Goodreads by 06/28/2021

In this sequel we follow the new budding love between Ari and Dante. The difference between their families gives a wide perspective of the possible ways families can be supportive of their LGBTQAI+ children. The prospect of facing a world that does not accept him is daunting for Ari and just like any relationship, the two need to feel out this new thing between them. They do this with the love and support of their families, but it's not easy. They both navigate the waters through racism, death, and new found friendships.

This book is very well written and easy to read, but has a depth and emotion to it that I am happy to say travelled from the first book and into the second. We get to see the layers of love between Ari and Dante through the events that affect their lives. This ranges from reeling from the death of a parent to defending other queer class members.

The relationships within this book have highs and lows and we see wonderful growth from Ari and Dante from many of these. They are both very relatable characters and are really well written. The introspective view we see through Ari’s journal is absolutely spot on. They are both portrayed as very mature teens, but with the mischievousness and impulsiveness that comes with youth. However, never in the entire story am I dismayed with the ‘teenness’ that afflicts many YA novels, but neither do they seem overly ‘adult’ and out of character.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It does not succumb to the slump that many sequels are afflicted by and the writing kept me engaged for the entire book. The writing is fantastic and enthralling and I highly recommend this book even for adults!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC!