An exquisitely refined fantasy adventure.
Though Solace may have an admirer in her home country, this motivated young woman’s hopes and dreams lay somewhere beyond the simple farming community where she lives. In an unexpected development, Solace’s aspirations are dashed by something far more distasteful than an engagement to a local boy. Rhees is a man on a mission. In order to rescue the people of Toresz from the heavy yoke of oppression, he needs to find a water diviner. When Rhees kidnaps Solace, the renowned diviner, he has no clue that the girl he has taken would prove to be so feisty and outspoken. As the quarreling and distrust between these two strong personalities slowly turns into a grudging respect and appreciation for one another, the icy barriers around Solace’s heart begin to melt. But a divided heart can be a dangerous thing. As Rhees tightly guards a weighty secret, Solace must decide where her trust, loyalty and heart really lie, for the future of a kingdom and her very life hang in the balance.
It is said that a person can only live three days without drinking water. Beyond that, water is an essential component to farming and raising animals for food. Thus, the foundation for the world in The Lightness of Water, a world where obtaining water is the means by which a tyrannical government maintains tight control over the people, is both believable and intriguing. However, it is not the worldbuilding that drives this novel, it is instead Cabell’s dynamic and well-rounded characters. Despite how classic the enemies-to-lovers storyline may be, the palpable tension between Solace and Rhees brings new life to the well-worn trope. Intense dangers brought on by powerful enemies add an exhilarating level of uncertainty to the unfolding drama, urging the story into more than a few exciting and suspenseful action scenes. Highlighted by a breathtaking romance, The Lightness of Water is an exquisitely refined fantasy adventure that will keep you reading well into the night.
