Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (Aristotle and Dante, #2) by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Hmmm, turns out I didn’t need a second book of Dante and Ari. This sequel broke the perfect surface of the water created by the first book. Both Ari and Dante are still lovely and perfect, their parents are wise and their friends are wise beyond their years.

The sequel is set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis at its worst, before AZT and other drugs were being mass produced. The book brings up the pandemic, but does nothing with that information. Similarly, it brings up the feelings of lack of self-worth for young gay men at the time, but again does nothing with that information.

There is a grand gesture finale, that should be so sweet, but it feels deflated and rushed.

I have no doubt that Ari and Dante develop into lovely humans, but we don’t get to witness that arc, we just hang out with them for another year.

It’s a good year, full of enough love and sorrow, but as a sequel, it does not deliver the same beauty and joy as its’ predecessor. -Sky