Sometimes I get the idea that maybe I’ll be able to find the next Harry Potter or Hunger Games before anyone else. Well, this wasn’t it. Dark Water is touted as a Romeo and Juliet type romance between a modern-day California teenager whose father has recently walked out and one of her uncle’s Mexican migrant workers. While McNeal’s writing is very readable, I felt like some depth was missing. I just didn’t get the relationship between Amiel and Pearl. This is a rare case where I actually think it would make a better movie than book. Dark Waters may be a "forbidden romance" at the surface, but it goes so much deeper. Pearl struggles the whole book to discover what love is. Her parents separated and her dad is very mysterious. Her cousin found her uncle cheating on his gorgeous wife. And then there's Amiel, who is an illegal immigrant with no family. Because Pearl has no idea what love is, she jumps right into a relationship at 15 and has no idea what it means. However, Pearl and Amiel's friendship is amazing and the other supporting characters really add to the story. The ending, though sad, makes the story different from all other love stories. My favorite line come from a children's poem, "going on a bear hunt. We're not afraid. What a wonderful day!" This really adds to the fire scene. Overall, 4.25 stars.
What do You think about Dark Water (2010)?
simple book for younger reader, but good story of teen and field worker during a fire.
—faothomas
It was really boring and did not keep me interested
—dancediva2000
