Review of The Clock in the Water

Post by **Laney K** » 01 Sep 2024, 14:31

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Clock in the Water" by Crissi McDonald.]

4 out of 5 stars

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The Clock in the Water by Crissi McDonald, the second book in the "North to Home" series, dives into the lives of Nolee and Keet. Keet is a Keykwin, a member of a group of Native American people who can transform into an orca when in the ocean. When an unknown female orca is seen swimming around, the pair is concerned as Keet can't seem to communicate with her. Is trouble coming to their lives once again?

The dynamics between the characters were my favorite part of this book. Nolee, still struggling with the betrayal she felt from her first husband leaving her, finds it hard to trust herself in a relationship. Keet also does not have the most stable relationships with his family. As a Keykwin, he must balance his time between the ocean and the land. The different loyalties add stress to Keet and Nolee's relationship. The added stress of family issues arising for Keet keeps the tension building throughout the book.

My main dislike of this book was the shift in point-of-view between sections of the book. While I typically enjoy different perspectives, this book not only changed the perspective between different characters but also switched between a first-person point of view and a third-person point of view. I found it a little clunky to transition between the different perspectives. I feel as though the book would have flowed a little better if McDonald had stuck to either first or third person.

Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I am taking one star off for the dislike I mentioned. I enjoyed the dynamic characters and the plot. The book was also exceptionally well edited; I did not find any errors in the entire book. The book does contain some profanity, but I believe that older teens would still be able to enjoy it along with adult audiences. If you enjoy magical realism books that feature romance, then this would be a good book for you. While this book can be read as a stand-alone novel, I suggest you check out the first book in the series for a more complete experience.

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The Clock in the Water
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Elsa Davis · Post by **Elsa Davis** » 03 Sep 2024, 16:49

"'The Clock in the Water' by Crissi McDonald offers a unique mix of romance and magical realism, featuring strong character development and intriguing plot twists. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories with a mix of magical realism and romance.

Sherin Joseph 1 · Post by **Sherin Joseph 1** » 04 Sep 2024, 05:36

In The Clock in the Water, Crissi McDonald creates a story that blends the ordinary with the extraordinary, creating an emotional story with a sense of magic. In Osprey Bay and Camas Island, the story follows Nolee and Keet, whose reunion reveals old secrets and unresolved feelings. Nolee has carefully built a peaceful life for herself in Osprey Bay, but the return of Keet, her former flame, shatters it. Mysterious forces begin to stir as they grapple with the challenges of their past relationship and the betrayal that once caused them to separate. Adding layers of intrigue, the arrival of an enigmatic family unravels a web of secrets that threaten to disturb their peaceful existence.

Emmanuel olowolayemo · Post by **Emmanuel olowolayemo** » 06 Sep 2024, 04:22

As a prospective reader, this review gives me a solid idea of what to expect from *The Clock in the Water*. The magical realism element of Keet's ability to transform into an orca is intriguing and adds a unique twist to a relationship-based narrative. I appreciate that the characters are well-developed and that the tension between personal struggles and family dynamics is a key focus.

However, the shift between first-person and third-person perspectives might be something I’d need to adjust to, as it seems to disrupt the flow of the story for some readers. That said, the reviewer's praise for the editing and character dynamics makes me think it could still be a worthwhile read. Since I'm interested in character-driven stories with a touch of magic, I’d consider picking this one up, though I might start with the first book to get a fuller picture of the series.

Emmanuel olowolayemo · Post by **Emmanuel olowolayemo** » 06 Sep 2024, 04:25

As a prospective reader, this review paints a vivid picture of *The Clock in the Water* that draws me in, especially with its unique premise of a Native American character who transforms into an orca. The magical realism combined with the personal struggles of trust and family issues sounds like it creates a strong emotional pull. I’m particularly intrigued by the tension between the characters and how their complex relationships develop.

The mention of the shifting points of view is something I’d keep in mind, as inconsistent perspectives can sometimes pull me out of the story. However, it seems like the plot and character dynamics are compelling enough to keep me engaged. Knowing that the book is well edited and appropriate for older teens is a plus for me. I’d definitely consider starting with the first book in the series to get the full scope of the story!