Reviews

Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith

shenanigator's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated

3.5

amberacks12's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

This book is not what you think. It is not really fantasy. There aren’t really any mermaids in it. It’s just a slice of life historical fiction of some women on the Isle of Man during the medieval era experiencing grief and isolation. 
Once I got past my disappointment over the lack of mermaids, and the whiney preteen mc, I actually quite enjoyed this little book. 

Enjoyment: 3
Educational value: 3.5
Emotional impact: 2.75

tismlogswithember's review against another edition

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3.0

Set in the island of Carrick in Ireland, this is a great look into Ireland rich mythology. You follow Neen a young women struggling to find her way and determined to find the truth about what happened to her mother. Overall I quite enjoyed this take on the legends of the Merrow and love the determination Neen had to believe in herself and determination to not except her aunts lack of answers.

micahhortonhallett's review

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3.0

Solid historical fiction for the YA market. Resonant, interesting nicely drawn characters and a good feel for place ad language.

lawbooks600's review

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3.0

6/10, it was ok.

marpesea's review

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4.0

Merrow is salty and murky and full of tales retold so many ways you're not quite sure what's true or if there is a single truth. If you're looking for a high fantasy, you may want to search elsewhere. This is a story of family and of longing and of magic that lurks in old traditions and wild places.

raechsreads's review against another edition

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3.0

A story of a girl growing up with the stories of the old times and stories of a mother who disappeared out of her life. So good!

acaciathorn's review

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3.0

Don't have much to say about this one. It was a book about realization - about the power of stories, and sometimes, the value of lies. Simple, short, and bittersweet.

Pros: Poetic, descriptive language and a unique setting.
Cons: Confusing and unclear timeline.

twelfthfox's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cuddlesome's review

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5.0

I loved this a lot. I feel like I can't talk about it much because of spoilers but it has my most favorite imagery in a book I've read in a while. Just the right mixture of things that are pretty and things that are kind of icky. Definitely going to be posting some quotes from it.