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3.1 AVERAGE
3.1 AVERAGE
I think it's a really nice, simple book about stories and secrets. I'm not entirely certain who I would give it to, or how I would describe it??
Beautiful, poignant, and deep. 4.5 stars. Review to come.
I love mer-anything, and I tried really hard to get into the writing, but it didn't keep my attention. Then I came here and saw it was part of a series, and I'm done with series. Done, I tell you.
Mermaids, mystery, caverns, stranger washes ashore, and folklore. So different from what I’ve been reading lately and it was a lovely break. Beautifully written story. The imagery was fantastic! #merrow #yalit
A good story...Well written and complex. Not what I expected in places but still good.
If you're looking a mermaid story, keep looking. Despite the cover, title, and tease of a description this is not a mermaid story.
If you're looking for the story of a young lady trying to come to terms with her own story instead of focusing on everyone else's version of her story then this is a pretty decent read so long as you can get beyond the slow start.
If you're looking for the story of a young lady trying to come to terms with her own story instead of focusing on everyone else's version of her story then this is a pretty decent read so long as you can get beyond the slow start.
Read by Liz at North Heart Hub
Looking at the front of this book, and even the back, you'd believe it's another fluffy, vapid, mermaid romance full of cliches and nonsense. If that's what you actually wanted out of this book, you would be sorely disappointed. Merrow is a poetic, dreamy coming-of-age tale that reads the way your reflection looks in the water; wavy and edgeless and softer than you truly are. Also, there's no romance to be spoken of.
It reminded me a little of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe -- it's kind of stream-of-consciousness. A little bit lacking in direction. Full of feelings and curiosity and a yearning for adulthood. I know this is my second tortured metaphor in about 100 words, but this book reads the way you might remember a fairy tale told to you while you're falling asleep. It's very literature-y.
We follow Neen, a 12-year-old girl who's pretty convinced she's a grown up. She lives with her aunt, Ushag, who's cold and stalwart and refuses to believe in the folklore of merrows (mermaids) and the like. That wouldn't be a problem, except that Neen suspects that her mother, Ushag's sister, was part merrow, or became a merrow, when she left years ago. She knows Ushag has a story to tell, and she's determined to hear it.
During her journey of attempting to get to the bottom of her mother's disappearance, we hear many other stories within the story. The supporting characters in this book are thoroughly nuanced and interesting in their own rights. I would probably pick up a book about any one of them. From the Norseman who washes up on the beach, to the blind boy who spent his first seven years of life with fairies. I mean-- this book is packed with interesting characters.
That said, it is a lot of just experiencing-- the action in this book is unfocused and sometimes harder to follow than it maybe should have been. Part of the way through it I maybe wouldn't have been able to explain the plot to you. Only that it made me feel relaxed and sleepy to listen to the audio-book, haha. If you're looking for something action-packed and visceral, this is not the book for you.
If you want a bedtime story about merfolk and the magic of stories, this is it, right here.
Subjective Hearts: 4/5
Objective Hearts: 4/5
Looking at the front of this book, and even the back, you'd believe it's another fluffy, vapid, mermaid romance full of cliches and nonsense. If that's what you actually wanted out of this book, you would be sorely disappointed. Merrow is a poetic, dreamy coming-of-age tale that reads the way your reflection looks in the water; wavy and edgeless and softer than you truly are. Also, there's no romance to be spoken of.
It reminded me a little of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe -- it's kind of stream-of-consciousness. A little bit lacking in direction. Full of feelings and curiosity and a yearning for adulthood. I know this is my second tortured metaphor in about 100 words, but this book reads the way you might remember a fairy tale told to you while you're falling asleep. It's very literature-y.
We follow Neen, a 12-year-old girl who's pretty convinced she's a grown up. She lives with her aunt, Ushag, who's cold and stalwart and refuses to believe in the folklore of merrows (mermaids) and the like. That wouldn't be a problem, except that Neen suspects that her mother, Ushag's sister, was part merrow, or became a merrow, when she left years ago. She knows Ushag has a story to tell, and she's determined to hear it.
During her journey of attempting to get to the bottom of her mother's disappearance, we hear many other stories within the story. The supporting characters in this book are thoroughly nuanced and interesting in their own rights. I would probably pick up a book about any one of them. From the Norseman who washes up on the beach, to the blind boy who spent his first seven years of life with fairies. I mean-- this book is packed with interesting characters.
That said, it is a lot of just experiencing-- the action in this book is unfocused and sometimes harder to follow than it maybe should have been. Part of the way through it I maybe wouldn't have been able to explain the plot to you. Only that it made me feel relaxed and sleepy to listen to the audio-book, haha. If you're looking for something action-packed and visceral, this is not the book for you.
If you want a bedtime story about merfolk and the magic of stories, this is it, right here.
Subjective Hearts: 4/5
Objective Hearts: 4/5
So it should be no surprise that Merrow caught my eye. Just look at that lovely cover. I dare anyone to pass up a book that clearly shows that mermaids will be involved. I'm a lover of all things fantastical, but mermaids have a very big piece of my heart. Alas, imagine my disappointment when I found out that, in fact, there may or may not actually be any mermaids hiding in Merrow. If you're looking for a very literary book, with a lot of descriptive writing, this is it. If you're looking for a book that focuses on mermaids, you may want to look elsewhere.
Let's start with the good. First off, Neen Marrey was a character that I could absolutely get behind. She was strong, hardworking, kind, and honest to a fault. I loved that she felt realistic and, most of all, that her relationship with her Aunt was always perfect. Watching the two of them go through ups and downs, while still remembering to support one another despite what was thrown in their path, made me smile. Families, whatever their makeup, aren't always perfect, and I appreciated Braxton-Smith for highlighting that. I also very much enjoyed the story telling in this book. Neen's family history is passed down orally, which was quite a treat.
Now, as far as what bothered me, you'll actually find that my issue with this book is the same with the last review I wrote on this blog. If there is one thing I can't abide, it's books that rely solely on lyrical writing and purple prose, ignoring the actual world that they are building. Merrow reads beautifully. It's lilting, and moves like the ocean waves. What it doesn't do, is ever really pick up speed. This is a slow read and, truth be told, one that is very easy to skim. Neen's ultimate hunt for the fate of her mother was an interesting plot point but, since there didn't seem to be any actual mermaids here, one that I quickly lost track of. I still loved the family dynamic, and Neen's growth, but that initial reason I started reading this had gone out the window and so had the majority of my attention span.
As I said above, if you're looking for a book that is lyrical and reads like a folktale, then Merrow is absolutely for you. If, like I was, you're looking for a fantastical tale of mermaids? Well, you'd be better off looking elsewhere. I can see the draw to this book, and I know that many will love it from beginning to end. I just wasn't able to count myself among that number.
Let's start with the good. First off, Neen Marrey was a character that I could absolutely get behind. She was strong, hardworking, kind, and honest to a fault. I loved that she felt realistic and, most of all, that her relationship with her Aunt was always perfect. Watching the two of them go through ups and downs, while still remembering to support one another despite what was thrown in their path, made me smile. Families, whatever their makeup, aren't always perfect, and I appreciated Braxton-Smith for highlighting that. I also very much enjoyed the story telling in this book. Neen's family history is passed down orally, which was quite a treat.
Now, as far as what bothered me, you'll actually find that my issue with this book is the same with the last review I wrote on this blog. If there is one thing I can't abide, it's books that rely solely on lyrical writing and purple prose, ignoring the actual world that they are building. Merrow reads beautifully. It's lilting, and moves like the ocean waves. What it doesn't do, is ever really pick up speed. This is a slow read and, truth be told, one that is very easy to skim. Neen's ultimate hunt for the fate of her mother was an interesting plot point but, since there didn't seem to be any actual mermaids here, one that I quickly lost track of. I still loved the family dynamic, and Neen's growth, but that initial reason I started reading this had gone out the window and so had the majority of my attention span.
As I said above, if you're looking for a book that is lyrical and reads like a folktale, then Merrow is absolutely for you. If, like I was, you're looking for a fantastical tale of mermaids? Well, you'd be better off looking elsewhere. I can see the draw to this book, and I know that many will love it from beginning to end. I just wasn't able to count myself among that number.