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lateromantic's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
jenmachin_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
danajoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
persphones's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
From the get go, you can see how patriarchal and sexist the mermaid society is. It might be a bit too on the nose, but still, it works and it's a good critique.
The instalove trope is obviously there - it's the little mermaid, guys - and while a bit annoying, you can see some underlying tones that things will go wrong in the future for our protagonist.
Gaia (our Ariel) is a young girl who is in love with a pretty dude she has never met. That said, it can be kind of annoying, but that is kind of the point of the story.
I liked the construction of the mermaid society, but I do think the writing could have been a bit better. Again, a bit too on the nose for me, all the plot twists a bit too obvious and the foreshadowings were not that subtle.
I did like the book - I like retellings, especially dark ones, and I love the little mermaid original story. This one is as brutal and painful (and gorey, if that's not something you're into!) as the original.
But I Think Elana K Arnold's dark retellings set a standard too high for me to truly love this book.
Some CW for the book are rape, gore, violence.
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, and Violence
autumnal_daydreams's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is a book that hits you over the head with inequality without having to do any of the heavy lifting. It has no time for nuance or developing deep characters or fully realising feminist themes.
If you love exposition dumps, being told rather then shown and black & white plots then feel free to read.
The author is inspired by the Bloody Chamber and I would urge you to pick up Angela Carter's work instead.
Graphic: Misogyny and Rape
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Homophobia