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acoffeeandagoodbook's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Read for the Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt "a duology (part one)".
For a short, there's a lot of really solid world-building here. The world of the mermaids was so interesting, and really clearly created. I read this book right after the SCOTUS ruling on Roe v Wade, so the misogynistic world of the mermaids, where fertility and birthing children are everything, felt especially poignant. I thought it was an interesting choice to have Ersel, despite her desperation to escape, repeating some of the beliefs of the society she has been raised in. I know others didn't like this, but it felt real to me. Ersel is young, and can only learn what she has been taught. While she may be in the wrong, I felt she grew and worked to make up for her mistakes.
Ragna isn't perfect either, which also made her more interesting. Both these young women are in tough situations, and have done terrible things, but are working hard to correct them. Always more interesting than people who are always good.
I did think this was a little short, and the last half of the book feels quite rushed. The plot is enjoyable, and I really enjoyed the links to Norse mythology and the Little Mermaid, but there was a lot packed into the end. I also felt the book just stopped quite abruptly and was a bit neatly tied up.
For a short, there's a lot of really solid world-building here. The world of the mermaids was so interesting, and really clearly created. I read this book right after the SCOTUS ruling on Roe v Wade, so the misogynistic world of the mermaids, where fertility and birthing children are everything, felt especially poignant. I thought it was an interesting choice to have Ersel, despite her desperation to escape, repeating some of the beliefs of the society she has been raised in. I know others didn't like this, but it felt real to me. Ersel is young, and can only learn what she has been taught. While she may be in the wrong, I felt she grew and worked to make up for her mistakes.
Ragna isn't perfect either, which also made her more interesting. Both these young women are in tough situations, and have done terrible things, but are working hard to correct them. Always more interesting than people who are always good.
I did think this was a little short, and the last half of the book feels quite rushed. The plot is enjoyable, and I really enjoyed the links to Norse mythology and the Little Mermaid, but there was a lot packed into the end. I also felt the book just stopped quite abruptly and was a bit neatly tied up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Confinement
wynterwonderland's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Infertility
Minor: Sexual content and Confinement
lipstickitotheman's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault, Confinement, and Infertility
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