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rachelkc's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
hattea404's review
3.0
Interesting concept and only a short read. Perfect addition for my reading theme of alternative versions of classic tales.
First time I've read ze/hir pronouns in a story too.
First time I've read ze/hir pronouns in a story too.
f18's review
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness
thehonestpuck's review
5.0
I got this as a free review copy from SL Huang in exchange for potentially nominating it for some award or another if I liked it.
I LOVED IT.
I have been unable to stop thinking about this novelette since I finished reading it and all I want is to take my time to put my heart back together and then reread it again and again. Dr. Cadence Mbella's voice (ha!) comes through super clearly from page one to the very end. It's a reverse of the traditional Hans Christian Andersen Little Mermaid which means it's destined to be a tragedy, of course, but there is something truly wonderful about the romance being not just between the human and themermaid atargati, but also between the scientist and the whole unknown but hopefully knowable world.
Also have I mentioned yet how unapologetically and thoroughly queer this retelling is? Because it is and it's beautiful to have characters in this book whose understanding of gender and sexuality more closely mirror mine than those I usually read.
Every book SL Huang has ever written I have loved, and this is no exception.
I LOVED IT.
I have been unable to stop thinking about this novelette since I finished reading it and all I want is to take my time to put my heart back together and then reread it again and again. Dr. Cadence Mbella's voice (ha!) comes through super clearly from page one to the very end. It's a reverse of the traditional Hans Christian Andersen Little Mermaid which means it's destined to be a tragedy, of course, but there is something truly wonderful about the romance being not just between the human and the
Also have I mentioned yet how unapologetically and thoroughly queer this retelling is? Because it is and it's beautiful to have characters in this book whose understanding of gender and sexuality more closely mirror mine than those I usually read.
Every book SL Huang has ever written I have loved, and this is no exception.
coolcurrybooks's review
3.0
If a queer retelling of The Little Mermaid is of interest, then you should check out The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist by S.L. Huang. Only, think the Hans Christian Anderson original, not the happily ever after Disney version.
Dr. Cadence Mbell has devoted her life to studying the atargati, the sentient, deep sea species the public keeps referring to as “mermaids.” She’s the only human who knows how to speak their language, and she’s considered the top atargati scholar. But when the government captures an atargati, Cadence knows she has to free her.
The story mostly sticks to the broad strokes of the original Hans Christian Anderson tale, only the roles of mermaid and human reversed. Cadence meets an atargati and becomes obsessed with becoming one, joining their world. Her desire is presented as a mix of romantic feelings and burning curiosity to learn more about the mysterious atargati. The whole falling for someone after one meeting never made much sense to me, so I’m glad Huang decided to play up the curiosity aspect of the story.
The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist addresses some other topics as well. How respectful is the study of the atargati really? Why are we assuming that humans must be more technologically advanced than the atargati? The heroine also starts questioning her own identity, since being a lesbian is very important to her, but then she falls for a member of a wholly different species who don’t fit into gender binaries. It’s an aspect of queer identity I haven’t often seen addressed.
The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist is either a shorter novella or a longer novelette. Either way, it’s a quick read, easily a book you can read in the span of an hour or so. However, I think it could have stood to be longer. Parts of it felt a little hasty, a little unfleshed out. It moves from plot point to plot point so quickly, and I think it would have helped the story to have a bit more breathing room.
Regardless, The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist is worth a read for anyone looking for fairy tale retellings, particularly queer ones.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Dr. Cadence Mbell has devoted her life to studying the atargati, the sentient, deep sea species the public keeps referring to as “mermaids.” She’s the only human who knows how to speak their language, and she’s considered the top atargati scholar. But when the government captures an atargati, Cadence knows she has to free her.
The story mostly sticks to the broad strokes of the original Hans Christian Anderson tale, only the roles of mermaid and human reversed. Cadence meets an atargati and becomes obsessed with becoming one, joining their world. Her desire is presented as a mix of romantic feelings and burning curiosity to learn more about the mysterious atargati. The whole falling for someone after one meeting never made much sense to me, so I’m glad Huang decided to play up the curiosity aspect of the story.
The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist addresses some other topics as well. How respectful is the study of the atargati really? Why are we assuming that humans must be more technologically advanced than the atargati? The heroine also starts questioning her own identity, since being a lesbian is very important to her, but then she falls for a member of a wholly different species who don’t fit into gender binaries. It’s an aspect of queer identity I haven’t often seen addressed.
The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist is either a shorter novella or a longer novelette. Either way, it’s a quick read, easily a book you can read in the span of an hour or so. However, I think it could have stood to be longer. Parts of it felt a little hasty, a little unfleshed out. It moves from plot point to plot point so quickly, and I think it would have helped the story to have a bit more breathing room.
Regardless, The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist is worth a read for anyone looking for fairy tale retellings, particularly queer ones.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
scotoma's review
1.0
Not a fan of stories that require a variant of the idiot ball to work, and the constant mental self-policing the main character is doing here, the racking of guilt about humanity to almost self-loathing levels, until she finally convinces herself to kill herself than actually do something about her shitty situation is hard to take seriously.
jjcrafts's review
5.0
An amazing f/f scifi retelling of the little mermaid but backwards so a human scientist is the curious one that falls in love and changes. Brilliantly written and imagined. I loved the mode the story was told in - which sounds vague but you should read it. It's awesome. Fair warning it has a tragic ending like the original story. I can't wait to read more from this author.