Watermind (Hardcover)

by M.M. Buckner (Author)
Key Phrases: toluene spill, field finder, ring levee, Devil's Swamp, Roman Sacony, Dan Meir (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Buckner (War Surf) theorizes a brand-new intelligence emerging from electronic trash in this cautionary near-future tale. When troubled MIT grad school dropout CJ Reilly encounters bizarre ice covering steamy Louisiana's polluted Devil's Pond, she has visions of saving the world after she analyzes a sample and discovers its power to purify water. Then the mysterious substance responds to music and begins to move, and Reilly becomes convinced of its sentience. When it kills a man, scientist Roman Sacony, whose company owns the pond, is determined to utterly destroy the emerging life form, while CJ insists on trying to save it. Despite the suspense and nonstop action, unlikable characters make it hard to root for anyone, and the scientifically sound ending is narratively unsatisfying. The story succeeds best when it traverses Louisiana's geography, and only indifferently when it traverses the human heart. (Nov.)
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Review

Praise for Watermind: “An exciting novel of technological and scientific detection and combat.”
—Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine

“A bold idea. Well-drawn characters. A gripping tale. A first-class novel.”
—Ben Bova

“The action comes crisp and smart in this fast-moving novel, rich in ideas. I liked it a lot.”
--Gregory Benford

“Part techno-thriller, part speculative science, and all quality.”
—Mike Resnick

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076532024X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765320247
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It floats!, January 12, 2009

By	Lorraine Ochoa "MommyWoman" (Somewhere in the United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed reading this book. It seems to be a cautionary tale, warning us of the folly of using nature as our very own dumping ground, yet it also shows that something beautiful can come out of garbage.

Some of the science was simplistic, though that was probably necessary to keep the story running and not become weighed down with theoretical nonsense. A lot of the water science, though was pretty accurate and really made that part of the story hold together.

I was left wanting more, though I suppose that sets the stage for a sequel, which I will also read and be happy with if it's half as good as this book.

All in all, WATERMIND is a good read; suspend your disbelief and dive in, the water's fine!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars engaging cautionary science fiction , November 11, 2008

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Although her future seemed bright, CJ Reilly dropped out of MIT graduate school. She heads south with hopes of cleansing her disturbed mind. In sweltering but polluted Devil's Pond, Louisiana she finds a strange phenomena that should not be there: ice. After testing a sample, CJ believes she has found a magical elixir to save the water supply; the ice purifies water.

However, the ice turns even more mysterious when she observes it react to music and display locomotion skills. When the ice kills scientist Roman Saxony, CJ reconsiders her belief she will be a world hero. Instead she needs to destroy the metamorphosing ice that has "waded" into the Mississippi before it destroys the world.

An engaging cautionary science fiction warning people to watch how they dispose of their discards (in this case electronic, but easily extrapolates to drugs in the water systems and nuclear energy byproduct waste, etc). In some ways the ice seems like the Blob; however unlike both of the films that stars heroes, none of the humans especially CJ is heroic as everyone seems to have their own agenda. Fans will enjoy touring Louisiana with the WATERMIND host.

Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars Receives an excellent narration by Tanya Eby Sirois , March 14, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watermind (Audio CD)

M.M. Buckner's WATERMIND receives an excellent narration by Tanya Eby Sirois and tells of a dangerous life evolving in toxic waterways. A sexy self-destructive dropout cleaning up a small pollution spill comes across the mysterious Watermind - and finds it holds a murderous danger to all.