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rosannelortz's review against another edition
2.0
This retelling of The Little Mermaid puts a whole new perspective on the classic tale. The matriarchal, bisexual society that inhabits the waves is full of strong female characters who are happy to use their siren voices to wreck the mariners that would harm them. Sanna is a mermaid who has always been different than the other Seavish people. She has no mother to guide her, and no one in the flok (clan) has any memory of who Sanna's mother was. Determined to find answers, Sanna goes to the grotesque sea witch and learns that her father mated with a human woman. A spell was cast so that no one would remember that Sanna was the product of such a union. Undaunted, Sanna bribes the witch until she gains the magical powers to turn her tail fin into legs.
Searching for her mother, Sanna enters the land of superstitious island dwellers who consider her to be a saint sent from God. The lady of the land is a witch herself, however, a witch that (like Mother Gothell from Tangled) needs to absorb power from others to have a long life. This baroness determines to wed Sanna to her son Peder to keep the powerful mermaid in her clutches. But with determination, love, and a little magic, Sanna manages to foil everyone who wishes her ill, save the innocent from destruction, and come to the end of her quest.
This book had an interesting premise that wasn't fully executed. The world building was well done, but the plot and characters never crystallized completely. The character of Sanna was confusing, her motivations becoming more and more unclear as the book progressed. Peder, whom Sanna goes to great lengths to save, was one of the most unlikable characters I have ever met. Sanna's own love interest was a strange afterthought--at one point, I thought he might actually turn out to be Sanna's brother since he was obviously important but the chemistry between them was so off. Baroness Thyrla, the witch, was probably the most developed character. Her horrifying schemes unfolded like a nightmare with a macabre sense of humor and horror.
Those who like fairy tale retellings may enjoy this twist on a classic tale.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Searching for her mother, Sanna enters the land of superstitious island dwellers who consider her to be a saint sent from God. The lady of the land is a witch herself, however, a witch that (like Mother Gothell from Tangled) needs to absorb power from others to have a long life. This baroness determines to wed Sanna to her son Peder to keep the powerful mermaid in her clutches. But with determination, love, and a little magic, Sanna manages to foil everyone who wishes her ill, save the innocent from destruction, and come to the end of her quest.
This book had an interesting premise that wasn't fully executed. The world building was well done, but the plot and characters never crystallized completely. The character of Sanna was confusing, her motivations becoming more and more unclear as the book progressed. Peder, whom Sanna goes to great lengths to save, was one of the most unlikable characters I have ever met. Sanna's own love interest was a strange afterthought--at one point, I thought he might actually turn out to be Sanna's brother since he was obviously important but the chemistry between them was so off. Baroness Thyrla, the witch, was probably the most developed character. Her horrifying schemes unfolded like a nightmare with a macabre sense of humor and horror.
Those who like fairy tale retellings may enjoy this twist on a classic tale.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
mege's review against another edition
1.0
DNF
I wanted to love this book, I even got the edition with sprayed edges and was so excited. Unfortunately I only got about 100 pages in and couldn’t bring myself to finish the book. I did not like it due to the writing, it was very choppy, hard to follow, and underdeveloped. The entire time I kept thinking about rewriting it to make more sense and didn’t even pay attention half the time. I would not recommend unless you get the sprayed edges and just have it to sit on your shelf to look beautiful. That’s what I plan to do honestly...
I wanted to love this book, I even got the edition with sprayed edges and was so excited. Unfortunately I only got about 100 pages in and couldn’t bring myself to finish the book. I did not like it due to the writing, it was very choppy, hard to follow, and underdeveloped. The entire time I kept thinking about rewriting it to make more sense and didn’t even pay attention half the time. I would not recommend unless you get the sprayed edges and just have it to sit on your shelf to look beautiful. That’s what I plan to do honestly...
allsmile's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful surprise of a book. I was totally invested in Sanna’s quest but I loved learning about the other characters too. Love and magic and family and time. Just so good!
jazzlibrariansbookcase's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
1.75
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't okay either. I felt that it just rambled with very minimal low stakes, if any stakes, to keep the plot going. So much unnecessary description. It also bothered me that the book did not match up with the blurb at all.
vklover's review against another edition
Just couldn't get into it. Didn't care much for the characters so far.
soulsow's review against another edition
3.0
its beautifully written with all the descriptions was good usually im not a fan but here we are. love how it’s casually pro lgbt+ and the mermaids living in matriarchy. it was interesting to see sana frustrated that a man tries to take care of her when she knows she can do it herself. but also i was kinda underwhelmed for the end it was a bit disappointing methinks
thindbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A mermaid who gets legs to go on land so she can complete a mission and find her mother.
I really enjoyed this light and easy read. Even though it was a complex story, it was kind of easy to understand and enjoyable. The chapters were short and it was easy to fly through the book in one sitting if you wanted to. Each chapter made it suspenseful and it was hard to stop flipping the pages. But this book's pace was a little confusing because it would go fast and slow randomly. This book was a whooping 500 pages but it felt like 250-300 pages. There were mutiple POVs but not split up on how you are thinking. It would be like one chapter on the main character, Sanna, and the next chapter would be POVs of other characters in the book which was amazing to think about because usually author's don't write what other characters POVs like this. Usually they each get their chapter or there minds aren't mentioned. This is a difficult thing to do and the author nailed it. I did enjoy the author's writing style and the way she wrote this book.
My favorite character was Tomas Chicken Legs. I kind of felt him at some points and he was interesting to know about. I also liked the main character, Sanna, but didn't feel that connected to her. There was a funny scene (well for me) when Sanna was learning what sex is and how kissing felt like because it reminds me how my parents would approach me when I was younger and how I would think in reality like her. These scenes were mostly about what love really is and how different it could be like family love and other's love. I didn't like the other characters a lot but overall they were fine. The ending was kind of mindblowing when you find out who the mother is and I love how the author ended the story off.
I really enjoyed this light and easy read. Even though it was a complex story, it was kind of easy to understand and enjoyable. The chapters were short and it was easy to fly through the book in one sitting if you wanted to. Each chapter made it suspenseful and it was hard to stop flipping the pages. But this book's pace was a little confusing because it would go fast and slow randomly. This book was a whooping 500 pages but it felt like 250-300 pages. There were mutiple POVs but not split up on how you are thinking. It would be like one chapter on the main character, Sanna, and the next chapter would be POVs of other characters in the book which was amazing to think about because usually author's don't write what other characters POVs like this. Usually they each get their chapter or there minds aren't mentioned. This is a difficult thing to do and the author nailed it. I did enjoy the author's writing style and the way she wrote this book.
My favorite character was Tomas Chicken Legs. I kind of felt him at some points and he was interesting to know about. I also liked the main character, Sanna, but didn't feel that connected to her. There was a funny scene (well for me) when Sanna was learning what sex is and how kissing felt like because it reminds me how my parents would approach me when I was younger and how I would think in reality like her. These scenes were mostly about what love really is and how different it could be like family love and other's love. I didn't like the other characters a lot but overall they were fine. The ending was kind of mindblowing when you find out who the mother is and I love how the author ended the story off.
z_bookfluencer's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's Little Mermaid (as well as other works) and has the dark tones and themes like the original tale.
The tone of the story is quite young. The writing style had a very lyrical and classical dark fairy tale/fantasy feel to it. I was able to immediately find an agreeable reading rhythm and keep going. I really wanted to take my time while reading Mermaid Moon, and my attention was captivated through the entirety of the story. There are elemental magic and interesting characters. Mermaid Moon is told through present and past timelines and multiple perspectives. I felt the ending was open-ended.
There was a certain level of vulgarity and crudeness with how some of the characters talked and some scenes. Some scenes made me uncomfortable, and not that that was a bad thing, I just found them a bit distasteful due to my own thoughts and opinions.
Overall, Mermaid Moon was beautifully written, and I did enjoy my reading experience so far in this dark and fascinating inspired tale. I would recommend Mermaid Moon to other readers who enjoy dark mermaid stories.
The tone of the story is quite young. The writing style had a very lyrical and classical dark fairy tale/fantasy feel to it. I was able to immediately find an agreeable reading rhythm and keep going. I really wanted to take my time while reading Mermaid Moon, and my attention was captivated through the entirety of the story. There are elemental magic and interesting characters. Mermaid Moon is told through present and past timelines and multiple perspectives. I felt the ending was open-ended.
There was a certain level of vulgarity and crudeness with how some of the characters talked and some scenes. Some scenes made me uncomfortable, and not that that was a bad thing, I just found them a bit distasteful due to my own thoughts and opinions.
Overall, Mermaid Moon was beautifully written, and I did enjoy my reading experience so far in this dark and fascinating inspired tale. I would recommend Mermaid Moon to other readers who enjoy dark mermaid stories.
booksonawire's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books that I bought purely for the aesthetics of it - the gorgeous cover, the painted edges, the naked book itself. It is just a thing of beauty! If more publishers sunk this much attention, my book budget would be annihilated lol.
The writing itself was fine, but mermaid tales aren't usually my thing. It had potential as it was darker, but I kept waiting for a huge showdown but it wrapped up far too quickly. The quest of the main character was over in the space of a page and a half and then it just ends. The downfall of the villain...wrapped up just as quickly. So, good potential, excellent packaging but just expected a little more.
The writing itself was fine, but mermaid tales aren't usually my thing. It had potential as it was darker, but I kept waiting for a huge showdown but it wrapped up far too quickly. The quest of the main character was over in the space of a page and a half and then it just ends. The downfall of the villain...wrapped up just as quickly. So, good potential, excellent packaging but just expected a little more.
beatricezs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75