Reviews

Call of the Sea by Emily B. Rose

mrskingisreading's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-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? Yes

4.0

This was an enjoyable read! I liked Kenna, and I was definitely invested to keep reading. 

You can definitely see glimpses of this being a young author’s debut novel- a  bit more telling than showing,  dialogue a little forced. I absolutely love the rep, but the internal monologue about loving one’s body and brain did get repetitive (although I understand why, to be fair). 

Overall, I liked this one and look forward to more from this author!

hckilgour's review against another edition

I dnf’ed at 86 pages.

This was just Brave… with the promise of mermaids.

I was honestly so bored and I had such high hopes. Kenna while having a lot of possibility as a lovable character was just meh. I don’t feel like I got enough true backstory to empathize with her.

I was also frustrated by the use of first name and clan name to refer to the suitors. There was no way to figure out when they’d be referred to as what. So keeping track of who was who… was impossible.

Kenna also says she’s got a lot other body hate because of other people, yet aside from Reid who makes like one comment, no one seems to really care about her weight.

thereadingghost_sara's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bladebailey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Call of the Sea holds such incredible representation for fat, queer, and neurodivergent communities as Kenna exists in all of these spaces, her fatness regularly explored as a simple fact while also being weaponized against her by her peers. The Little Mermaid and Brave influences a great deal of Call of the Sea, so any Disney lover will enjoy it but don't worry: the story stands strong on it's own, with complex characters that undergo a great deal of development, and rich settings both on land in Kenna's kingdom and below the surface *wink*. Cameron must fight an uphill battle with Kenna who has faced lots of unkindness from men in the past, but his patience and blatant honesty about his interest make for a really satisfying romance. Rose has launched a really impressive debut here, and I highly recommend reading Call of the Sea. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

laurathebookhermit's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book has my whole heart! I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this advance copy. I now need to purchase the physical copy to re-read and annotate. 

However, for anyone reading this for the first time I would make sure to check the trigger warnings. Although, I will say that Emily B. Rose does handle these topics with absolute respect and understanding that I haven’t otherwise seen done quite as well as this. I really appreciated the fat human representation and it was refreshing to see a setting that is accepting of people as they are - other than some fatphobia and the pressure placed on Kenna to marry and take over the kingdom. There is beautiful Scottish Gaelic language and influence in this world that was a pleasure to be immersed in. The relationship between Kenna and Tristan is beautiful, not to mention the relationship that happens later in the book. They are funny, sweet, and there were many times I got face-ache from smiling. I also appreciated the way the characters’ physicality was described and I felt that the experience of fatphobia was pretty accurate. I have never read a book where I have felt this seen and represented. I also really loved the merman twist! Sooooooo gooooooddd!!! I am sort of hoping for a sequel to this because I would love to know how they cope when things settle, and the way confidence issues can't just disappear that quickly, and also what happens to the kingdoms and how they get on. 

sfrancesb's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

bookscandlesthoughts's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

4.25

This a delightful and fun romantic fantasy. I loved the various references to Disney movies and the characters are truly loveable! 

belle13's review against another edition

I read through 30% and while it was a fascinating premise, the writing didn't engage me and the dialogue didn't hold my attention enough to continue with it.

beingburdey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ymendezzz's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.25

Thank you for let me receive this arc!!!


My initial thought on the book was that it start a bit slow for me but the world building was written well and easy to follow. 
I absolutely love that Kenna came into herself and accepted herself. I love for plus size MFC. 

The plot and romance aspect did feel a bit rushed to me but I enjoyed it!