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gingerblossoms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content
jcoates's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book definitely gives Moody academia vibes, set in an eerie mansion, with lots of folklore and superstition woven in between. It covers some uncomfortable themes. The passages were brief and don’t go into extreme detail, but the idea paints a vivid picture and creates a physiological experience/reaction. I would recommend the book, though I doubt I would reach to re-read it again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
madlysoph's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this book. Ava Reid is so masterful at creating strong themes that are embedded in every piece of the story. Everything fits so well. I don't feel like I have the right words to describe this book and how beautiful it was.
I love Ava's style of worldbuilding, with this world being a new one for her and fascinatingly crafted. The intense connection Effy feels to Angharad is so relatable, being so in love with a book because it is both beautiful and makes you feel seen in a way nothing else has that you revere the author just a bit beyond reasoning.
I loved the symbolism throughout the story, the themes of drowning, water, and women are all woven together masterfully. I really enjoyed how everything unraveled. Effy and Preston have a tender romance that is so fun to watch slowly develop, a well-done rivals-to-lovers romance. This book is about wronged women, the men who have wronged them, and getting what they deserve.
I love Ava's style of worldbuilding, with this world being a new one for her and fascinatingly crafted. The intense connection Effy feels to Angharad is so relatable, being so in love with a book because it is both beautiful and makes you feel seen in a way nothing else has that you revere the author just a bit beyond reasoning.
I loved the symbolism throughout the story, the themes of drowning, water, and women are all woven together masterfully. I really enjoyed how everything unraveled. Effy and Preston have a tender romance that is so fun to watch slowly develop, a well-done rivals-to-lovers romance. This book is about wronged women, the men who have wronged them, and getting what they deserve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Xenophobia, Violence, and Toxic relationship
jokeater's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Racism
natalied21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Mental illness
hareems's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.5
3.5/5 rounded down (I don't think I can really give this a 4 star rating)
This is a decent book and definitely hits the spot if you're looking for a dark academia with gothic fantasy elements. And it certainly isn't without its merits, like the sea motif throughout the book which was well-weaved within the larger narrative, or Angharad which is heart rendering despite its predictability. And despite its predictability, it still kept me engaged.
But I still found many things that bothered me. For one, Effy is insufferable for the first 100 pages. I tried to sympathize with her because I imagine the author wrote her that way to account for her trauma, but her actions (mainly toward Preston) came across as bratty. Her behaviour toward Preston was SO annoying in the first third of the book. She's projecting and it's either just not written well (I can't recall anything else I've read to compare it to) or I may just find it annoying always.
I also didn't understand why Preston liked her so much so early on besides for her being beautiful, which the author makes it seem like Preston is "above". It made no sense. She was mean and taunted him constantly but somehow he was obsessed with her enough to be writing her name in the margins of his notes?? No. I do appreciate how their dynamic evolved and their romance was definitely believable (minus the climax because I genuinely do not believe anyone could think of love in the middle of life threatening natural disaster), but the start of it wasn't very good.
I also hated with a deep passion how excessively the author used metaphors. I felt like I was reading one of my own school papers where we had to use metaphors for marks. I understand wanting to create a certain ambience, but many times the CONSTANT INCESSANT metaphors used to describe literally every little detail took me out of the story. It was arduous to read at some points because of how annoying those metaphors became.
Also I think the fantasy elements weren't done super well. I can forgive that mostly because I don't think this story really relies on the fantasy as much as it does on the characters. It's a character driven story with a relevant fantasy backdrop. BUT I am a fantasy fan and that's why I picked this up, so better fantasy would've helped.
Also the plot holes. As with all stories, this one has its own share, though not glaring and certainly not enough to make it hard to suspend disbelief (the metaphors were enough to do that) but it did make me occasionally glare at the book in frustration. Like the part where it's so obvious reading the letters, where the story is going, but somehow neither Effy nor Preston (both of whom are presented to be very intelligent) pick up on this. I forgive this again because their world is centered around Angharad being a character so it's slightly unfathomable for them to figure out the truth if it doesn't hit them in the face.
It certainly didn't satisfy my gothic fantasy appetite because it wasn't nearly unsettling enough even though we did have our big "haunted" manor, which is my favourite gothic trope. BUT this is still a good read. The characters (minus early stages Effy) are all wonderful, and I LOVE Preston despite his seemingly shallow initial interest in Effy. I also loved their banter, that's always a plus.
I'm a big fan of good conclusions and almost always will give points for that and I almost made this a 3.75 read because of the conclusion, but I found in the end that it was too easily predictable and neat and although slightly interesting it just wasn't hard hitting enough to be memorable for me. I still appreciate it though and I appreciate justice being served. Plus again, 3.75 is inevitably rounded up to 4 and I just don't think this book deserves a 4 star rating.
This is a decent book and definitely hits the spot if you're looking for a dark academia with gothic fantasy elements. And it certainly isn't without its merits, like the sea motif throughout the book which was well-weaved within the larger narrative, or Angharad which is heart rendering despite its predictability. And despite its predictability, it still kept me engaged.
But I still found many things that bothered me. For one, Effy is insufferable for the first 100 pages. I tried to sympathize with her because I imagine the author wrote her that way to account for her trauma, but her actions (mainly toward Preston) came across as bratty. Her behaviour toward Preston was SO annoying in the first third of the book. She's projecting and it's either just not written well (I can't recall anything else I've read to compare it to) or I may just find it annoying always.
I also didn't understand why Preston liked her so much so early on besides for her being beautiful, which the author makes it seem like Preston is "above". It made no sense. She was mean and taunted him constantly but somehow he was obsessed with her enough to be writing her name in the margins of his notes?? No. I do appreciate how their dynamic evolved and their romance was definitely believable (minus the climax because I genuinely do not believe anyone could think of love in the middle of life threatening natural disaster), but the start of it wasn't very good.
I also hated with a deep passion how excessively the author used metaphors. I felt like I was reading one of my own school papers where we had to use metaphors for marks. I understand wanting to create a certain ambience, but many times the CONSTANT INCESSANT metaphors used to describe literally every little detail took me out of the story. It was arduous to read at some points because of how annoying those metaphors became.
Also I think the fantasy elements weren't done super well. I can forgive that mostly because I don't think this story really relies on the fantasy as much as it does on the characters. It's a character driven story with a relevant fantasy backdrop. BUT I am a fantasy fan and that's why I picked this up, so better fantasy would've helped.
Also the plot holes. As with all stories, this one has its own share, though not glaring and certainly not enough to make it hard to suspend disbelief (the metaphors were enough to do that) but it did make me occasionally glare at the book in frustration. Like the part where it's so obvious reading the letters, where the story is going, but somehow neither Effy nor Preston (both of whom are presented to be very intelligent) pick up on this. I forgive this again because their world is centered around Angharad being a character so it's slightly unfathomable for them to figure out the truth if it doesn't hit them in the face.
It certainly didn't satisfy my gothic fantasy appetite because it wasn't nearly unsettling enough even though we did have our big "haunted" manor, which is my favourite gothic trope. BUT this is still a good read. The characters (minus early stages Effy) are all wonderful, and I LOVE Preston despite his seemingly shallow initial interest in Effy. I also loved their banter, that's always a plus.
I'm a big fan of good conclusions and almost always will give points for that and I almost made this a 3.75 read because of the conclusion, but I found in the end that it was too easily predictable and neat and although slightly interesting it just wasn't hard hitting enough to be memorable for me. I still appreciate it though and I appreciate justice being served. Plus again, 3.75 is inevitably rounded up to 4 and I just don't think this book deserves a 4 star rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
chelbawamba's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This is my second attempt with this author and sadly I don’t think I can be convinced to try again. Ava Reid relies heavily on simile and metaphor, to a point of excessiveness, does a lot of telling instead of showing, and everything happens to this main character “suddenly” or “for some reason.” Even when the reason was obvious to me as a reader, it happened “for some reason.”
Overall, the concept of the story was interesting, but the way it was executed was extremely predictable. I knew early on what most of the reveals at the end were going to be. In my opinion, there is a fine line between good foreshadowing and offering too much too early on.
A personal pet peeve of mine is when characters speak about each other as if they’ve known each other for a long time when it’s only been a few days, for example: saying things like “he’s always been kind to me,” or “I had never seen him this flustered” when the character only knew the other person for maybe a collective three hours. This happened frequently in the first half of the book.
I didn’t not enjoy it, but I also didn’t enjoy it. Would not necessarily recommend it, but it had its moments and kept me engaged through the end.
Overall, the concept of the story was interesting, but the way it was executed was extremely predictable. I knew early on what most of the reveals at the end were going to be. In my opinion, there is a fine line between good foreshadowing and offering too much too early on.
A personal pet peeve of mine is when characters speak about each other as if they’ve known each other for a long time when it’s only been a few days, for example: saying things like “he’s always been kind to me,” or “I had never seen him this flustered” when the character only knew the other person for maybe a collective three hours. This happened frequently in the first half of the book.
I didn’t not enjoy it, but I also didn’t enjoy it. Would not necessarily recommend it, but it had its moments and kept me engaged through the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Mental illness, Colonisation, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Death, Car accident, Addiction, Xenophobia, Sexism, Rape, Racism, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Classism, Sexual harassment, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Child abuse
samflowerv6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
the only enemy is the sea
“I will love you to ruination,” the Fairy King said, brushing a strand of golden hair from my cheek. “Yours or mine?” I asked. The Fairy King did not answer.
Deeply atmospheric tale of how our brains deal with trauma in the backdrop of a gloomy and mysterious cliff by the sea town. Effy and her academic rival (sort of) unfold the mystery of her favorite author on his late estate under the guise of helping rebuild the property. Effy deals with understanding her own mind, battling with the difference between reality and fantasy while struggling as a young woman in a world of men who see her as not smart enough in an academic setting and take advantage of her in others. Preston and Effy comfort each other and mesh well intelligently while the solve mysteries and try to stay under the radar in the gloomy sea side manor. I loved this story so deeply to my core. Ava Reid is a visionary. I love Preston and Effy as individuals and together. The audiobook was also such a treat. This story is a hauntingly beautiful of gothic fantasy, dark academia and survival against the self and everyone else. I would say that the focus isn’t on the romance but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Preston loves her in a way that’s different from anything in her life and the the haunting chill that permeates the entire book. He is just the sweetest baby to me and I will die for Effy. I see myself so much in her and the entire book is just so deeply beautiful. The mystical fantasy elements were breathtaking. 🌊
“I was a woman when it was convenient to blame me, and a girl when they wanted to use me.”
“That was the cruelest irony: the more you did to save yourself, the less you became a person worth saving.”
“I wish I had fought.” Effy surprised herself by saying it. The words had leaped out of her throat, unbidden. “I know I beat him in the end, but for so many years all I could do was run and hide. I just sat there and let the water pour in around me. I didn’t know that I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“Oh no, Effy. That’s not what I meant at all. You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”
“It began as all things did: a girl on the shore, terrified and desirous.”
“Effy found herself half in love with the Fairy King sometimes, too. The tender belly of his cruelty made her heart flutter. There was an intimacy to all violence, she supposed. The better you knew someone, the more terribly you could hurt them.”
“You're not just one thing. Survival is something you do not something you are. You're brave and brilliant. You're the most real, full person I've ever met.”
“You don’t see yourself very clearly, Effy.” Preston shifted in his seat so that they were facing one another. “Challenging me isn’t pestering. I’m not always right. Sometimes I deserve to be challenged. And changing your mind isn’t foolish. It just means you’ve learned something new. Everyone changes their mind sometimes, as they should, or else they’re just, I don’t know, stubborn and ignorant. Moving water is healthy; stagnant water is sickly. Tainted.”
“That things are only beautiful because they don't last- Full moons, flowers in bloom, you.”
“What is a mermaid but a woman half-drowned,
What a selkie but an unwilling wife,
What a tale but a sea-net, snatching up both From the gentle tumult of dark waves?”
“He had loved nothing more than the truth, and she had loved nothing more than her imagined world. Somehow, in spite of that, they had found each other.”
“I will love you to ruination,” the Fairy King said, brushing a strand of golden hair from my cheek. “Yours or mine?” I asked. The Fairy King did not answer.
Deeply atmospheric tale of how our brains deal with trauma in the backdrop of a gloomy and mysterious cliff by the sea town. Effy and her academic rival (sort of) unfold the mystery of her favorite author on his late estate under the guise of helping rebuild the property. Effy deals with understanding her own mind, battling with the difference between reality and fantasy while struggling as a young woman in a world of men who see her as not smart enough in an academic setting and take advantage of her in others. Preston and Effy comfort each other and mesh well intelligently while the solve mysteries and try to stay under the radar in the gloomy sea side manor. I loved this story so deeply to my core. Ava Reid is a visionary. I love Preston and Effy as individuals and together. The audiobook was also such a treat. This story is a hauntingly beautiful of gothic fantasy, dark academia and survival against the self and everyone else. I would say that the focus isn’t on the romance but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Preston loves her in a way that’s different from anything in her life and the the haunting chill that permeates the entire book. He is just the sweetest baby to me and I will die for Effy. I see myself so much in her and the entire book is just so deeply beautiful. The mystical fantasy elements were breathtaking. 🌊
“I was a woman when it was convenient to blame me, and a girl when they wanted to use me.”
“That was the cruelest irony: the more you did to save yourself, the less you became a person worth saving.”
“I wish I had fought.” Effy surprised herself by saying it. The words had leaped out of her throat, unbidden. “I know I beat him in the end, but for so many years all I could do was run and hide. I just sat there and let the water pour in around me. I didn’t know that I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“Oh no, Effy. That’s not what I meant at all. You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”
“It began as all things did: a girl on the shore, terrified and desirous.”
“Effy found herself half in love with the Fairy King sometimes, too. The tender belly of his cruelty made her heart flutter. There was an intimacy to all violence, she supposed. The better you knew someone, the more terribly you could hurt them.”
“You're not just one thing. Survival is something you do not something you are. You're brave and brilliant. You're the most real, full person I've ever met.”
“You don’t see yourself very clearly, Effy.” Preston shifted in his seat so that they were facing one another. “Challenging me isn’t pestering. I’m not always right. Sometimes I deserve to be challenged. And changing your mind isn’t foolish. It just means you’ve learned something new. Everyone changes their mind sometimes, as they should, or else they’re just, I don’t know, stubborn and ignorant. Moving water is healthy; stagnant water is sickly. Tainted.”
“That things are only beautiful because they don't last- Full moons, flowers in bloom, you.”
“What is a mermaid but a woman half-drowned,
What a selkie but an unwilling wife,
What a tale but a sea-net, snatching up both From the gentle tumult of dark waves?”
“He had loved nothing more than the truth, and she had loved nothing more than her imagined world. Somehow, in spite of that, they had found each other.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Alcohol
tsegareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
milcahh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Car accident, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Abandonment
Minor: Grief, Vomit, Confinement, and War