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greystory's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This one didn't do it for me as much as the first three books. There was plenty of cool and interesting stuff discussed and Echo sounded pretty but meh. I've read lots of stories with mermaids so I don't think it was his species but how he was written. I think for me, it felt like Echo and Neera both didn't really have much personality. Many times I felt myself kind of bored reading it whereas I had been eager to keep reading in the previous books.
I wasn't too thrilled that this book establishes Earth history as humans descending from aliens. I have problems with this theory in reality and without a really good world building reason for it, I don't want it in my fantasy, either. There wasn't a good enough reason for it and the explanation for Neera's genetic mutation could have been explained in so many different alternate ways that weren't this. No thanks.
Another thing that's pure preference is focus on pregnancy. All of these books seem to end with some kind of note of pregnancy but as it's usually brief at the very, very end or in the epilogue, it doesn't really bother me.With this one, the last three chapters were all about Neera's pregnancy. Although the medical research part of it was neat, I was really over it. There were a lot of little things about it that irked me - constantly referring to the fetus as a baby at one week after conception, people rubbing and touching Neera - on top of just so much focus on it.
Related to pregnancy, Neera asks for a blessing for her unborn children - "I would like a blessing for my children, so that they may thrive and be happy throughout their lives." - and the blessing she receives for children that ARE NOT BORN YET is fertility. Bear in mind the blessings that can be granted are "Happiness, health, prosperity, fertility, longevity, wisdom, and luck." Based on Neera's wish, she could have been granted most of those and it would have fit. But no, the blessing received is FERTILITY. That's fucked up.
Some other bits:
I think it's about time I mention that I really appreciate the dedication at the front of each of these books.
At the beginning Kayog mentions something I found really intriguing.
I wasn't too thrilled that this book establishes Earth history as humans descending from aliens. I have problems with this theory in reality and without a really good world building reason for it, I don't want it in my fantasy, either. There wasn't a good enough reason for it and the explanation for Neera's genetic mutation could have been explained in so many different alternate ways that weren't this. No thanks.
Another thing that's pure preference is focus on pregnancy. All of these books seem to end with some kind of note of pregnancy but as it's usually brief at the very, very end or in the epilogue, it doesn't really bother me.
Related to pregnancy, Neera asks for a blessing for her unborn children - "I would like a blessing for my children, so that they may thrive and be happy throughout their lives." - and the blessing she receives for children that ARE NOT BORN YET is fertility. Bear in mind the blessings that can be granted are "Happiness, health, prosperity, fertility, longevity, wisdom, and luck." Based on Neera's wish, she could have been granted most of those and it would have fit. But no, the blessing received is FERTILITY. That's fucked up.
Some other bits:
I think it's about time I mention that I really appreciate the dedication at the front of each of these books.
At the beginning Kayog mentions something I found really intriguing.
"Then I will continue to search for another potential mate for her or advise Neera that she should consider settling for a loveless match. There are species that are even more challenging to pair than yours and who will take anyone that would have them."
I immediately want to know more about these species and would love some books on them as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Minor: Medical content, Body horror, and Dysphoria
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