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aepstone's review
5.0
I feel so lucky to be reading this one for the third time as I work on edits with Nichola! A heart-wrenching adventure of a novel.
spaceyfaerie's review
4.0
I was happily surprised by this book, a random "this looks intriguing, I'll check it out" library find. And oh, what a gem did I discover with this one! It's raw and beautiful, gritty and sweeping; a gorgeously written, haunting story set in a watery, foreboding future. I loved every bit of it.
Told through the eyes of a girl with a missing limb (through an attack by the mysterious "scribblers" - vicious, swordfish-like creatures) who has always been seen as the weakest link in the group of survivors clawing an existence out on an island slowly succumbing to the rising ocean, Corvina (known as Coe) counts the days till their inevitable drowning. Looming over them all is the "palace", a stone building with a tower that a king and his daughter live in, ruling over the others on the island. But when Coe is selected by the princess to be her lady-in-waiting, everything changes.
This story is unique, captivating, and utterly imaginative. It's not your ordinary dystopian tale and that's what makes it so good. The world it's set in is absolutely original and masterfully described - I could literally taste the briny, oily water and feel the salt crusting my skin and constant damp clothing. I shuddered at the scribblers and could literally hear their menacing hisses while I read.
And as for the characters, Coe is wonderful. She doubts herself, but not terribly so, merely realistic. Everyone has moments of "wait, this is happening to me" and thankfully that isn't the crux of her character; Coe doesn't flit about haphazardly whilst swooning over a male character stuck in there for romance purposes only. Yes, she does day-dream about Tiam (who wouldn't?) but not in a "gag me" way. She is strong in a quiet sort of way and also has some mysteries about her. I knew her "scars" were gills! Very intriguing there and I need to know more about them! Also, the romance was utterly perfect and completely sweet. Tiam could be a little more interesting in my opinion, but he isn't bad enough to have me rolling my eyes most of the time AND *laughs happily* there's no insta-love!
So, to sum it up, I am so happy I read this book. It's beautiful and nearly everything I want when I read a book. It's got a believable, adorable romance, amazing, intricate plot that I need more answers about, and gorgeous writing. The only thing I could ask for is for the second book to come out soon because I need it so bad!
Told through the eyes of a girl with a missing limb (through an attack by the mysterious "scribblers" - vicious, swordfish-like creatures) who has always been seen as the weakest link in the group of survivors clawing an existence out on an island slowly succumbing to the rising ocean, Corvina (known as Coe) counts the days till their inevitable drowning. Looming over them all is the "palace", a stone building with a tower that a king and his daughter live in, ruling over the others on the island. But when Coe is selected by the princess to be her lady-in-waiting, everything changes.
This story is unique, captivating, and utterly imaginative. It's not your ordinary dystopian tale and that's what makes it so good. The world it's set in is absolutely original and masterfully described - I could literally taste the briny, oily water and feel the salt crusting my skin and constant damp clothing. I shuddered at the scribblers and could literally hear their menacing hisses while I read.
And as for the characters, Coe is wonderful. She doubts herself, but not terribly so, merely realistic. Everyone has moments of "wait, this is happening to me" and thankfully that isn't the crux of her character; Coe doesn't flit about haphazardly whilst swooning over a male character stuck in there for romance purposes only. Yes, she does day-dream about Tiam (who wouldn't?) but not in a "gag me" way. She is strong in a quiet sort of way and also has some mysteries about her.
So, to sum it up, I am so happy I read this book. It's beautiful and nearly everything I want when I read a book. It's got a believable, adorable romance, amazing, intricate plot that I need more answers about, and gorgeous writing. The only thing I could ask for is for the second book to come out soon because I need it so bad!
mercyslibrary's review
5.0
This book was amazing, I loved it and now I'm holding my breathe for the next one!!!!!!! You should definately read this book!
thefox22's review
4.0
*I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Full review can be found at Part of that World.
I've been wanting to read this one ever since I heard of it! Like, no joke, it's been one of my highly anticipated summer releases. So, I was really excited when Harlequin Teen approved my request! And I had to start it as soon as it appeared on my kindle. :)
Rating: 4 Stars!
I wasn't totally sure what to expect from this novel, went into this completely blind and only knowing that it was fantasy. I was pretty much sucked in from the beginning, and the momentum never stopped. It slowed down a bit, dragged along at some parts, but ultimately, it was a pretty fast-paced novel. There was just A LOT of waiting out the Tides and learning the about the tribe in the first half of the book, which weighed the story down. But I never truly got bored.
I loved Coe's voice and how she told the story. This girl has spent her whole life like a pariah on the island, and ever since her dad died, she's had no one to help her. No one who cares enough about her. And in this tribe, everyone looks out for number one: themselves. Coe has been pushed around, given the worst job, and still manages to hold onto her ideals and morals. Her innocence was refreshing, and even when she was down on her luck and even when she talked about how they'd never escape the Tides, she never truly gave up. She still held that hope inside of her, that things could change and that they'd survive, even if it only seemed like a fantasy from one of the stories she's read. She was strong yet vulnerable, steadfast in the looming threat of danger and death, intelligent without appearing condescending and always craving love. Her development felt so genuine, from a girl who just wanted a friend to a strong heroine who managed to never give up and who fought for what she believed in.
There were a lot of secondary characters; ones I hated and wished they'd died, and others that I felt could have been more developed. Like I said, Coe doesn't have friends. No one cares about her. To them, she's just the girl with one arm, black hair, and pink eyes. A "creature" that deserves to be Scribble Bait. But there are a few who don't treat Coe any differently, who see past her features to the girl underneath. A girl who is scared and susceptible to the people who would love to see her gone. But Tiam takes care of her, becomes her protector. He's a funny guy who only wants to help his people. And then there is Fern, the youngest in the tribe; a girl who still has her innocence and hope, who still believes in the good of people and the stories that Coe tells her. These two were my favorites, aside from the main character. Star was an okay character, but I don't really like her. But I'm hoping she grows into a person who puts aside her wants to help others. Aside from that, everyone else can just go die.
The romance was very underdeveloped, but that was okay! No declarations of insta-love. This tribe doesn't believe in love anymore, or romance, or caring for others. After all, they all die at some point. And people have been known to kill for the best spots on the platform that is the only way they survive during the Tides. But Coe still holds onto love, to the fantasies she reads that keep her comfort, the damsels in distress and the princes who rescue them. It's a very one-sided love, but I think we'll see more development of hers and Tiam's relationship in the sequel. At least, I hope so!
The plot was intriguing! The author sprinkled the information and background of the tribe throughout the book, like a trail of bread crumbs, leaving me following the story-line as I tried to figure out what was happening. This is like a post-apocalyptic fantasy, where floods destroyed the world and the water is rising everyday as the survivors struggle to live. It's why the tribe is only 496 people strong. No one can seem to stop the Tides from coming; all they can do is ride out the storm and hope they make it to the next rising. I liked where the story headed, but I'm no so sure about the revelations surrounding Coe. We'll just have to see what happens. ;) AND UGH. THAT CLIFFHANGER. SERIOUSLY, THE WORST. I'M NOT OKAY WITH THIS!
Drowned was a very intriguing fantasy with a strong, likable heroine and a generally fast-paced plot that centered around survival in a world where its every man for himself.
*Full review can be found at Part of that World.
I've been wanting to read this one ever since I heard of it! Like, no joke, it's been one of my highly anticipated summer releases. So, I was really excited when Harlequin Teen approved my request! And I had to start it as soon as it appeared on my kindle. :)
Rating: 4 Stars!
I wasn't totally sure what to expect from this novel, went into this completely blind and only knowing that it was fantasy. I was pretty much sucked in from the beginning, and the momentum never stopped. It slowed down a bit, dragged along at some parts, but ultimately, it was a pretty fast-paced novel. There was just A LOT of waiting out the Tides and learning the about the tribe in the first half of the book, which weighed the story down. But I never truly got bored.
I loved Coe's voice and how she told the story. This girl has spent her whole life like a pariah on the island, and ever since her dad died, she's had no one to help her. No one who cares enough about her. And in this tribe, everyone looks out for number one: themselves. Coe has been pushed around, given the worst job, and still manages to hold onto her ideals and morals. Her innocence was refreshing, and even when she was down on her luck and even when she talked about how they'd never escape the Tides, she never truly gave up. She still held that hope inside of her, that things could change and that they'd survive, even if it only seemed like a fantasy from one of the stories she's read. She was strong yet vulnerable, steadfast in the looming threat of danger and death, intelligent without appearing condescending and always craving love. Her development felt so genuine, from a girl who just wanted a friend to a strong heroine who managed to never give up and who fought for what she believed in.
There were a lot of secondary characters; ones I hated and wished they'd died, and others that I felt could have been more developed. Like I said, Coe doesn't have friends. No one cares about her. To them, she's just the girl with one arm, black hair, and pink eyes. A "creature" that deserves to be Scribble Bait. But there are a few who don't treat Coe any differently, who see past her features to the girl underneath. A girl who is scared and susceptible to the people who would love to see her gone. But Tiam takes care of her, becomes her protector. He's a funny guy who only wants to help his people. And then there is Fern, the youngest in the tribe; a girl who still has her innocence and hope, who still believes in the good of people and the stories that Coe tells her. These two were my favorites, aside from the main character. Star was an okay character, but I don't really like her. But I'm hoping she grows into a person who puts aside her wants to help others. Aside from that, everyone else can just go die.
The romance was very underdeveloped, but that was okay! No declarations of insta-love. This tribe doesn't believe in love anymore, or romance, or caring for others. After all, they all die at some point. And people have been known to kill for the best spots on the platform that is the only way they survive during the Tides. But Coe still holds onto love, to the fantasies she reads that keep her comfort, the damsels in distress and the princes who rescue them. It's a very one-sided love, but I think we'll see more development of hers and Tiam's relationship in the sequel. At least, I hope so!
The plot was intriguing! The author sprinkled the information and background of the tribe throughout the book, like a trail of bread crumbs, leaving me following the story-line as I tried to figure out what was happening. This is like a post-apocalyptic fantasy, where floods destroyed the world and the water is rising everyday as the survivors struggle to live. It's why the tribe is only 496 people strong. No one can seem to stop the Tides from coming; all they can do is ride out the storm and hope they make it to the next rising. I liked where the story headed, but I'm no so sure about the revelations surrounding Coe. We'll just have to see what happens. ;) AND UGH. THAT CLIFFHANGER. SERIOUSLY, THE WORST. I'M NOT OKAY WITH THIS!
Drowned was a very intriguing fantasy with a strong, likable heroine and a generally fast-paced plot that centered around survival in a world where its every man for himself.
fraywood's review
3.0
I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I first heard of this book I was very thrilled to read it, but I didn't know that it was this captivating and good! The main character is tough and strong, though she thinks she is weak I'd see from the very first chapter that she was one of those strong female heroine. Even if she has feelings for Tiam, she knows how to survive by herself and how to keep doing things because she wants to and not because she's so blind for love. Tiam too, is a character that I really enjoyed reading. At first I thought he was the "bad guy" but I immediately changed my mind after a few chapters. The only person that I couldn't stand from the start was Star, mostly because she kept being naive and living in her own world, but I figured it's not her fault.
The concept of this book I just great. I love dystopian stories, and this one was no exception. The idea of the world drowning, and a whole population living in a tiny island scares me, but also make me think that this could actually happen in the future. I'm really happy with this book, I had high expectations and I ended it grateful that it was even better that I thought.
Can't wait to read the second book, because the ending of this one just left me speechless!
When I first heard of this book I was very thrilled to read it, but I didn't know that it was this captivating and good! The main character is tough and strong, though she thinks she is weak I'd see from the very first chapter that she was one of those strong female heroine. Even if she has feelings for Tiam, she knows how to survive by herself and how to keep doing things because she wants to and not because she's so blind for love. Tiam too, is a character that I really enjoyed reading. At first I thought he was the "bad guy" but I immediately changed my mind after a few chapters. The only person that I couldn't stand from the start was Star, mostly because she kept being naive and living in her own world, but I figured it's not her fault.
The concept of this book I just great. I love dystopian stories, and this one was no exception. The idea of the world drowning, and a whole population living in a tiny island scares me, but also make me think that this could actually happen in the future. I'm really happy with this book, I had high expectations and I ended it grateful that it was even better that I thought.
Can't wait to read the second book, because the ending of this one just left me speechless!
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