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The Weight of Water
The Weight of Water is a haunting and heartfelt young adult novel that follows Sailor Byrd, a teen grappling with overwhelming guilt and grief after the tragic drowning of her younger sister, Beth. Set against the backdrop of a coastal town, the story unpacks themes of loss, mental illness, isolation, and the often-messy journey toward healing. As Sailor navigates a world that’s suddenly foreign and full of blame—both self-inflicted and external—her dream of freedom on the ocean collides with harsh emotional realities. The novel doesn’t shy away from trauma, instead diving deep into it, portraying the complexities of familial relationships, friendship betrayals, and internal battles with raw honesty.
Deene writes with an intensity that sometimes left me breathless. Her prose, simple but emotionally sharp, feels like reading someone’s private journal, filled with real pain and confusion. I especially appreciated the contrast between Sailor’s dream of a life at sea and the suffocating weight of her grief. Every page feels soaked in sorrow, but there are glimmers of warmth and memory that keep it from drowning in darkness. The way Beth was written, her quirks, fears, and the bright yellow she clung to, is unforgettable.
The pacing slowed at times, especially during Sailor’s more introspective moments. While those sections reflect the real heaviness of grief, they sometimes felt a bit repetitive. A couple of side characters, like Mya and Sam, weren’t as deeply developed, especially in how their distance and betrayal were portrayed. But maybe that was the point. When you’re grieving, people can feel unfamiliar, even unreal. Through it all, Sailor’s voice remained strong and steady, anchoring the story in a way that kept me turning the pages, even during its heavier moments.
The Weight of Water is a powerful read. It’s not for the faint of heart—it deals openly with death, trauma, and depression—but if you’ve ever lost someone or felt like you were drowning in emotions, it hits close to home. I’d recommend it to teens and adults who don’t mind sitting with discomfort and are looking for an honest portrayal of grief. It’s painful, yes. But it’s also quietly beautiful. And healing, in its own way.
Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0F6Q1L2VV
An Eye-Opening Experience
The Gravity of Lies follows a sixteen-year-old Hollywood star who is trying to find her father and keep her and her mother out of poverty. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was compelled to write my story The Gravity of Lies after spending years in the entertainment industry with my daughter and having landed a spot on a reality show that centered around a group of talented teens and their parents. Being on the show was an eye-opening experience to all the struggles the actor kids were going through. As for my protagonist, Skye, she came to life after I learned about one young girl who was expected to become a big star, lived in a garage with her unstable mother, and was secretly hoping to find her father.
Skye endures a significant amount of challenges in this novel, yet she never gives up. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Wow! No one has asked me this particular question until now. I definitely pulled from my past and how I never gave up on seeking a better life for myself beyond the unhealthy and dysfunctional circumstances of where I came from. And yes, I put that determination to never give up into my character, Skye.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the themes that were important to explore were the very real struggles of young actors in Hollywood, along with the complex dynamics of family, the secrets we keep, the lies we tell, and how when the truth finally comes out, it can change someone’s life dramatically.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I am currently finishing up my new young adult novel, Escaping Saylor Byrd. No date as of yet.
Author Links: Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website
The acting roles she books barely keep her and her mother from starving, and she can never be sure where they’ll be sleeping for the night. Skye knows that finding her father is the saving grace to rescue her from abject poverty and her mother’s dysfunction. There’s just one problem: she has to figure out who he is.
When her luck suddenly changes and she lands a spot on a reality show, Skye not only makes friends with the cast, she’s given some astonishing news about her father. With her dream so close now, Skye, along with the help of her friends, sets out on a road trip in search of her new life. But nothing can prepare Skye when the truth about her past comes crashing down around her. As she plummets into the unknown, she’ll have to follow her heart if she ever hopes to land into the life that was always meant to be hers.
Dive into The Gravity of Lies and join Skye on an emotional roller coaster as she searches for the truth, uncovers long-buried secrets, and ultimately discovers the power of love and friendship.
The Gravity of Lies
Dorothy Deene’s The Gravity of Lies is a poignant coming-of-age novel that follows Skye Lark, a struggling child entertainer, pursuing friends, family, and a sense of belonging. Living in Los Angeles, Skye and her mother scrape by on Skye’s modest earnings while grappling with the harsh realities of food and housing insecurity. Skye’s relentless quest to find her absent father and break free from her dreary existence takes a transformative turn when she’s chosen for a reality TV show. New friendships, financial stability, and the tantalizing allure of fame are within her reach—until a shocking event alters her trajectory.
From the engaging opening line, Deene’s masterful storytelling captivates readers, driving them to invest deeply in Skye’s journey. Far from a stereotypical protagonist, Skye is a multifaceted character whose struggles resonate with authenticity. Deene’s unflinching portrayal of the difficulties faced by child entertainers—including intense pressure, loneliness, relentless auditions, eating disorders, poverty, and even abuse—offers a stark and vivid panorama of their world. Amidst this bleak backdrop, Skye’s friendships with well-crafted supporting characters such as Kylie and Sebastian provide glimmers of hope and humanity. A particularly well-executed plot twist adds intrigue without disclosing vital details.
Despite its many strengths, The Gravity of Lies does present some areas where further development could enhance the reading experience. I felt the treatment of Skye’s abuse is approached with realism. Still, the resolution of other characters’ dilemmas seems hastily concluded, confined to just a few lines toward the novel’s conclusion. I think this is an area where Deene’s obvious talents could provide a more nuanced exploration. Additionally, I felt the extended seven-chapter continuation after the climax altered the otherwise good pace of the story.
For young adults who appreciate literary kin such as The Catcher in the Rye and Looking for Alaska, The Gravity of Lies is a compelling read. Deene crafts a rich tapestry of likable and realistic characters interwoven with resonant themes that will indeed speak to its intended audience. The novel is a remarkable exploration of perseverance, friendship, and self-discovery.
Pages: 348 | ASIN : B0C47N3SMD
LITERARY TITAN 