This is a powerful book, and lyrically written, which for me was sometimes a bit irritating. I was very invested in the characters and loved the multiple layers and experiences of the Underground that we see in this novel. The paintings on the covers by Calida Garcia Rawles are sublime--I'd not heard of her art before and a quick google search took my breath away. Overall, I would say that I preferred [b:The Underground Railroad|29584452|The Underground Railroad|Colson Whitehead|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1458623276l/29584452._SY75_.jpg|48287641] and [b:Kindred|60931|Kindred|Octavia E. Butler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339423248l/60931._SY75_.jpg|1049657], but The Water Dancer was a beautiful (and painful) story.