Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

2 reviews

michaelion's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

I'm not a fan of this style of mixing fantasy and reality. Like, why would the Disney princess Ariel exist in this universe? If mythical creatures are real, why in the real world would you call them mythical beings? Surely there would be some other term. Also, the writing tries to be mysterious to be point where it's confusing. Like. Just tell us what's happening instead of telling us what happened 3 pages later.
Also!!! A quarter into the book, my journal entry for page 73 is "medusa?!" I guessed it that quick! Which isn't bad but is funny. In a world where "mythical creatures" are real and there's real stigma around them, even though no one's ever seen a gorgon or whatever why didn't they think of that?! I did!!!
But anyway. It really hooked my attention after the halfway point, which isn't good, but I had fun. The fantasy element just clearly wasn't thought out thoroughly enough, but before the book was over I rented out the sequel at my library because I wanted to keep the ball rolling!

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aseel_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

2022: 5 ⭐

Not t sure why I didn't rate this higher the first time I read it, it's still absolutely brilliant and I have thought about this book all the time since reading it two years ago. It blended social critique, mythos, and family dynamics so well. 

2020: 4.25 ⭐

This was everything I never knew I needed. Just the real world/fantasy/mythology intersected with racial issues was *chef's kiss*. I love the sister bond we have and the writing was excellent. Honestly, just wish this was longer

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