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semisinful's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I felt no connection to any of the characters other than Yinka and we were stuck with Jaq’s inconsistent ass perspective. I personally found all the character’s to have extremely similar voices and I just couldn’t stand much of the prose. I was interested in the middle for a while but the beginning and the ending SUCKED. Every “love” scene felt like SA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Outing, Gore, Gaslighting, Body horror, Colonisation, Violence, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Lesbophobia
vixenreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The ending is a bit anti-climatic and it is hard to read about such a toxic relationship. Written more as a first draft than a complete piece, it definitely needed some rewrites, even if there was potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Torture, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcohol, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
Be aware that there are scenes of drowning, death of a sibling, romantic manipulation, strangulation, and explicit sapphic sex.directorpurry's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I received a digital ARC of this novella for free thanks to Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Jaq's lover has betrayed her. She has found the bed of another man. She has done this before, and she may do this again. Together, among many other women, they are awash at sea, worshipping their goddess, Scylla. This is always how it has been. Will it be this way forever? And how long before did it begin?
This book was a ride and a HALF and I absolutely loved it! It's so dark and creepy, wildly compelling. The cast is more of a sketch, than anything, which is not surprising in a less than 150 page novella, but it does work very well for the setting. I think the character work really adds to the emotions and ambience of the story.
I love Jaq's narrative voice, and how difficult her emotions are in this novella. It was very enjoyable to read from her voice. I really look forward to getting myself a finished copy so I can share some of my favorite lines! There are some very amazing ones that I highlighted in my ARC on Netgally.
This book fits into the recent "Oh Dear God, but Good for Her I Think?" genre that I have been DEVOURING recently. I would highly recommend this novel, it is eerie and unsettling and utterly delightful.
Jaq's lover has betrayed her. She has found the bed of another man. She has done this before, and she may do this again. Together, among many other women, they are awash at sea, worshipping their goddess, Scylla. This is always how it has been. Will it be this way forever? And how long before did it begin?
This book was a ride and a HALF and I absolutely loved it! It's so dark and creepy, wildly compelling. The cast is more of a sketch, than anything, which is not surprising in a less than 150 page novella, but it does work very well for the setting. I think the character work really adds to the emotions and ambience of the story.
I love Jaq's narrative voice, and how difficult her emotions are in this novella. It was very enjoyable to read from her voice. I really look forward to getting myself a finished copy so I can share some of my favorite lines! There are some very amazing ones that I highlighted in my ARC on Netgally.
This book fits into the recent "Oh Dear God, but Good for Her I Think?" genre that I have been DEVOURING recently. I would highly recommend this novel, it is eerie and unsettling and utterly delightful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Violence, Murder, Gore, Animal death, Cannibalism, and Infidelity
Moderate: Murder
themelleh's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and editors for the ARC. My review is completely my own.
I’m going to leave this as my completely incoherent mess of a review but what an absolutely wild ride. It’s so dark and messy and absolutely different from what I usually read. It was also so beautiful and painful despite it’s darkness and the infuriatingness of Jaq’s devotion to Lily was so frustrating. The absolutely beauty of the sister-ship of our crew was magnificent. It’s quite the read. I would love a fully fleshed out tale of all our girls, their origins and their adventures on the seas. It’s such a gorgeous take on mythology and how women are treated.
I couldn’t stop reading. I devoured it in one sitting.
I’m going to leave this as my completely incoherent mess of a review but what an absolutely wild ride. It’s so dark and messy and absolutely different from what I usually read. It was also so beautiful and painful despite it’s darkness and the infuriatingness of Jaq’s devotion to Lily was so frustrating. The absolutely beauty of the sister-ship of our crew was magnificent. It’s quite the read. I would love a fully fleshed out tale of all our girls, their origins and their adventures on the seas. It’s such a gorgeous take on mythology and how women are treated.
I couldn’t stop reading. I devoured it in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Death, Animal death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Violence
simonlorden's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
I received an advance reader's copy for free in exchange for an honest review.
A quick and thrilling read, full of myth and magic and the sea. Lily and Jaq are lovers, two of many women sailing aboard the mysterious ship called the Scylla, in an endless present without any memory of their pasts.
I loved how the story and the nature of the women aboard the Scylla gradually came to light. I wasn't particularly fond of Jaq, but the book had a really immersive style, and Jaq's possessive desire for Lily drives the story. The ending was unexpected and truly chilling.
Also, Yinka is just the best.
A quick and thrilling read, full of myth and magic and the sea. Lily and Jaq are lovers, two of many women sailing aboard the mysterious ship called the Scylla, in an endless present without any memory of their pasts.
I loved how the story and the nature of the women aboard the Scylla gradually came to light. I wasn't particularly fond of Jaq, but the book had a really immersive style, and Jaq's possessive desire for Lily drives the story. The ending was unexpected and truly chilling.
Also, Yinka is just the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Murder, Gore, Animal cruelty, and Lesbophobia
sophee_568's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Merciless Waters is Rae Knowles' second novel. It follows a crew of seven women aboard a ship named Scylla and their captain – Lucinda. Scylla sails endlessly through time and the Adriatic Sea. Its passengers have no past, and they do not need it. All they have is the endless present. One day, Jaq notices a man floating in the sea. She almost let him meet his demise, but Lily took notice of him and scrambled to get him out of the sea. The man, Reginald, brought nothing but trouble to the women of Scylla. Jaq and Lily have always been lovers, but Reginald's presence threatens to throw off the balance of their relationship and the peaceful lives of the rest of the crew. Reginald and Lily's blossoming relationship inspires Jaq's growing murderous intent. While Jaq brainstorms how to eliminate Reginald from Scylla, a crew member starts to remember her life from before her arrival on the ship. The restored memory might bring forth a new purpose for the cunning women of Scylla.
Knowle's writing is picturesque, with almost Victorian quality. Based on the descriptions of their clothes, one would think they lived in the 1800s, but Knowles's writing gives the story a sempiternal feel. It does not matter which historical period they belong to since they live in the eternal present. Since the story takes place on a ship, the story is lush with aquatic atmosphere. We are aware of the unforgiving waters, of the waves rolling beneath the ship. During one scene, Lily and Jaq are underwater. They effortlessly float in water, not needing air, and make love. That has to be one of my favorite scenes.
Merciless Waters is a literary horror novel, in the same way as Our Wives Under the Sea. It is a retelling of the Slavic myth of Rusalka. Originally from Ukrainian and Russian folklore, rusalki are feminine entities that reside in streams, rivers, and lakes. They are water nymphs. Rusalki are a part of Slavic folklore of other countries (Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Czech Republic). They are beautiful, always naked, with long, wet hair, and hang around on trees near bodies of water. They are known to lure people, mostly men, in with their singing and dancing. Their origin is not exact. Most sources claim all women who drown, either forcefully, accidentally, or by their hand, become rusalki. My book on Slavic mythology says rusalki may be servants or even daughters of the Water Spirit (vodyanoy or vodnik). Since I am not a fan of Greek myth retellings, I decided to try out Slavic myth retellings. I am a Slavic woman, after all. I admit I am delighted by Knowles' book.
Merciless Waters is a gorgeous, sensual sapphic novel about the churning desire for revenge. I dare not say anything more because it is a short book, under 200 pages. I highly recommend this to everyone tired of Greek myths or anyone who is a fan of literary sapphic horrors with fantastical elements.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for the review copy!
Knowle's writing is picturesque, with almost Victorian quality. Based on the descriptions of their clothes, one would think they lived in the 1800s, but Knowles's writing gives the story a sempiternal feel. It does not matter which historical period they belong to since they live in the eternal present. Since the story takes place on a ship, the story is lush with aquatic atmosphere. We are aware of the unforgiving waters, of the waves rolling beneath the ship. During one scene, Lily and Jaq are underwater. They effortlessly float in water, not needing air, and make love. That has to be one of my favorite scenes.
Merciless Waters is a literary horror novel, in the same way as Our Wives Under the Sea. It is a retelling of the Slavic myth of Rusalka. Originally from Ukrainian and Russian folklore, rusalki are feminine entities that reside in streams, rivers, and lakes. They are water nymphs. Rusalki are a part of Slavic folklore of other countries (Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Czech Republic). They are beautiful, always naked, with long, wet hair, and hang around on trees near bodies of water. They are known to lure people, mostly men, in with their singing and dancing. Their origin is not exact. Most sources claim all women who drown, either forcefully, accidentally, or by their hand, become rusalki. My book on Slavic mythology says rusalki may be servants or even daughters of the Water Spirit (vodyanoy or vodnik). Since I am not a fan of Greek myth retellings, I decided to try out Slavic myth retellings. I am a Slavic woman, after all. I admit I am delighted by Knowles' book.
Merciless Waters is a gorgeous, sensual sapphic novel about the churning desire for revenge. I dare not say anything more because it is a short book, under 200 pages. I highly recommend this to everyone tired of Greek myths or anyone who is a fan of literary sapphic horrors with fantastical elements.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for the review copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Animal cruelty
atlastheninth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
"A simple truth known long to men and only now discovered by womenfolk. We crave violence. So we swallow violent men."
First of all: The cover is so pretty! As is the prose!
It is fast-paced, engaging and a bit fucked up.
This book is based on the "Rusalka" in Slavic mythology (man hating woman by the water). So that is what we have: A bunch of violent, murderous women sailing the sea forever, searching for revenge and I absolutely adored it.
The main romance was not only sapphic but also really messed up and non of the characters were really likeable and that was all weirdly refreshing to read.
I truly love reading about unhinged women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content and Animal death
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