Review of The Clock in the Water

[Laney K]

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

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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]

"'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.

[Ashwani Dhiman Dhiman]

of interpersonal relationships. Each character is well developed, and has their own backstory and motivations that add depth to the story. Clara's friendship with Lucy"The Clock in the, childhood companion of the Water" is still in town and particularly poignant. Their relationship, a masterpiece that evokes subjects years away in time, memories and unspoken words, and a reminder of the fragility of life. The story is rich in text and imagery, inviting readers to consider the relationship to the past and its effects and the effects of both periods on the relationship of the natural world.

and human experience.

The narratorAs Clara delves into her father's employs a lyrical writing style past, creating, she uncovers secrets a lived atmosphere that challenges and meaning that puts readers in her and their situation. The clock connection, central symbol. The revelations are dramatic and illuminating in the story, as they work, forcing Clara to reconsider the ceaseless journey of her memories of time and story, while the water she blows represents it the changes around her father and the ebb and flow of life. This theme and the nature of memory are central to life. This conflict leads to a poignant novel, as does Doe’s overall tension, as the characters wrestle with their pasts and how our memories make the future inevitable.

Character Development Another strong book in shaping our identity. Courageous people also have a positive effect on our attitude toward others. Through Clara, the interactions between those haunted by memories, each with their own struggles and desires, and realities are beautifully portrayed, making their journey both relatable and interesting . . . . Their communication

[Ashwani Dhiman Dhiman]

• 

of interpersonal relationships. Each character is well developed, and has their own backstory and motivations that add depth to the story. Clara's friendship with Lucy"The Clock in the, childhood companion of the Water" is still in town and particularly poignant. Their relationship, a masterpiece that evokes subjects years away in time, memories and unspoken words, and a reminder of the fragility of life. The story is rich in text and imagery, inviting readers to consider the relationship to the past and its effects and the effects of both periods on the relationship of the natural world.

and human experience.

The narratorAs Clara delves into her father's employs a lyrical writing style past, creating, she uncovers secrets a lived atmosphere that challenges and meaning that puts readers in her and their situation. The clock connection, central symbol. The revelations are dramatic and illuminating in the story, as they work, forcing Clara to reconsider the ceaseless journey of her memories of time and story, while the water she blows represents it the changes around her father and the ebb and flow of life. This theme and the nature of memory are central to life. This conflict leads to a poignant novel, as does Doe’s overall tension, as the characters wrestle with their pasts and how our memories make the future inevitable.

Character Development Another strong book in shaping our identity. Courageous people also have a positive effect on our attitude toward others. Through Clara, the interactions between those haunted by memories, each with their own struggles and desires, and realities are beautifully portrayed, making their journey both relatable and interesting . . . . Their communication

[Ashwani Dhiman Dhiman]

• 

of interpersonal relationships. Each character is well developed, and has their own backstory and motivations that add depth to the story. Clara's friendship with Lucy"The Clock in the, childhood companion of the Water" is still in town and particularly poignant. Their relationship, a masterpiece that evokes subjects years away in time, memories and unspoken words, and a reminder of the fragility of life. The story is rich in text and imagery, inviting readers to consider the relationship to the past and its effects and the effects of both periods on the relationship of the natural world.

and human experience.

The narratorAs Clara delves into her father's employs a lyrical writing style past, creating, she uncovers secrets a lived atmosphere that challenges and meaning that puts readers in her and their situation. The clock connection, central symbol. The revelations are dramatic and illuminating in the story, as they work, forcing Clara to reconsider the ceaseless journey of her memories of time and story, while the water she blows represents it the changes around her father and the ebb and flow of life. This theme and the nature of memory are central to life. This conflict leads to a poignant novel, as does Doe’s overall tension, as the characters wrestle with their pasts and how our memories make the future inevitable.

Character Development Another strong book in shaping our identity. Courageous people also have a positive effect on our attitude toward others. Through Clara, the interactions between those haunted by memories, each with their own struggles and desires, and realities are beautifully portrayed, making their journey both relatable and interesting . . . . Their communication

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

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]

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!