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rhm04's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Oof.
While I agree that the premise is reminiscent of the movie Spirited Away and Uprooted by Naomi Novik (two things I enjoyed thoroughly), it was very much written for a YA audience. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think the main difference between YA classics and contemporary YA is that the classics are written to be understood by younger audiences but will still have a broader appeal.
At the end of the day, this one missed that mark for me. It was very much full of emo, cringey moments, insta-lovey when I could have sworn they were initially portrayed as enemies. The pacing was bizarre and very jarring (which could be attributed to a dream-like quality, if I was being generous). Situations were convenient when needed to be, and I often had to suspend my disbelief to continue reading. Lastly, the characters were lacking development and the repetition got old (referring to all of the grandmother's grandmother bits, and so many sentences starting with "But").
While I agree that the premise is reminiscent of the movie Spirited Away and Uprooted by Naomi Novik (two things I enjoyed thoroughly), it was very much written for a YA audience. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think the main difference between YA classics and contemporary YA is that the classics are written to be understood by younger audiences but will still have a broader appeal.
At the end of the day, this one missed that mark for me. It was very much full of emo, cringey moments, insta-lovey when I could have sworn they were initially portrayed as enemies. The pacing was bizarre and very jarring (which could be attributed to a dream-like quality, if I was being generous). Situations were convenient when needed to be, and I often had to suspend my disbelief to continue reading. Lastly, the characters were lacking development and the repetition got old (referring to all of the grandmother's grandmother bits, and so many sentences starting with "But").
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Miscarriage, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A lovely whimsical story with beautiful imagery and fun characters. Emotional, strong familial ties that don’t feel surrounded in generational trauma, intriguing plot and lovely romance. No sexual anything but that’s good because she was a literal child.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
I wasn't invested enough in it to continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: War
owliglot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and War
midnightrose_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A gorgeously written YA retelling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rich and philosophical, has a great cast of characters and a rich world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Violence
kianareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
"I wonder if it happens in a day, for your fate to change. Or if it takes longer for your life to be stolen from you."
The world of THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH THE SEA is one filled with magic.
One that takes place beneath the waves of a storming sea in the depths of the Spirit Realm–a city swarming with spirits and gods.
One with fox demons, Imugi, and moon goddesses.
One that finds souls connected by bright red ribbons of fate.
It’s a world that does not hesitate to suck you in to its whimsy.
And yet–even with this magic almost pouring out of its pages, it is still a world that you can truly find yourself in.
In the tender connections between new friends.
In the love shared between family–old, new, and found.
In the fierce determination to not give up.
In the laughter and the tears.
In the pain and joy of the journey.
And thus is both the lure and the promise of fantasy. A world so different from our own that still helps us to make just a little bit more sense of ourselves and our world. 🤍
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, and Violence
sisaloofafump's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I read this book a month ago, I was blown away. While managing to stay true to the familiar prose and length of YA, it tells a visually stunning and heartfelt story. Even in moments of battle or chaos, the writing stays clear and distinct. It interweaves messages about fate in the explicit way one would expect from a folktale.
All the characters are loveable and distinct with tangible care for eachother. Despite hosting a sizeable cast, I never found myself lost or confused on someone's origin and personality. Their story truly wrenched at my heart with moments bittersweet melancholy and a glowing, loving hope.
The writing was superb. I can only speak to its weight as a retelling from the position of someone unacquainted with the original folktale. Despite basing itself on a well known tale and long storied land, it was completely accessible to jump into. The world building never felt forced, and instead perfectly balanced it with the plot through use stunning imagery, small stories, and diverse characters.
I am very excited to see what this author writes next. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for an accessible, heartfelt, and gorgeous read.
All the characters are loveable and distinct with tangible care for eachother. Despite hosting a sizeable cast, I never found myself lost or confused on someone's origin and personality. Their story truly wrenched at my heart with moments bittersweet melancholy and a glowing, loving hope.
The writing was superb. I can only speak to its weight as a retelling from the position of someone unacquainted with the original folktale. Despite basing itself on a well known tale and long storied land, it was completely accessible to jump into. The world building never felt forced, and instead perfectly balanced it with the plot through use stunning imagery, small stories, and diverse characters.
I am very excited to see what this author writes next. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for an accessible, heartfelt, and gorgeous read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Violence
harmonique's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, War, and Violence