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anelya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The main issue I had with this book is that it RAN with the "Not like other girls" trope for over half of the story. It was so incredibly frustrating, especially how the female characters harboured animosity to one another. Really wish there would have been some female solidarity, and especially that the MC wouldn't have been so lonely and constantly dissing the other women! However, I do want to specify that I believe the MC is relatively young and I feel like teens will more probably sympathise with the characters and the story.
I do really like how there was an upturn at the end of the book! The MC grows a lot, although there would still be more growing to do. She gets cleverer, realises that she's actually, what do you know, like the other girls - sorry, mermaids. So that was nice that at least she realises the flaws in her thinking, I appreciated that.
I didn't really like how the relationship with Havamal was treated, and while I was THRILLED that there's a poly, bi author (REPRESENT! YAS!), that also made me really sad because I would have LOVED some poly rep and it would've been so easy.
I do also wish the relationship between the love interests would have taken more space in the novel. While I was fascinated with the society and... Hm, I guess I should mention that I ADORED the world-building! I thought that was really well done, one of the better representations of underwater life that I've seen, it made me really, very happy and it was exciting and I was delighted every time a new detail was mentioned! I kept finding myself wishing for a move adaptation so I could better visualise the author's awesome ideas for an underwater society. But anyway, my point was that, while I love the time invested to describe the basics of underwater life, I did find myself wishing for FAR more screentime between the two love interests.
Also... This isn't a pro or con, but I have questions! Why did they move north? I'm so very curious, and I kept thinking that would be explained, but it wasn't! I want more details about this society and its history, I'm so fascinated! I saw some people thought there might be a third book, if there is, I hope it would delve into that (cus apparently book 2 has nothing to do with the merfolk?)
I do really like how there was an upturn at the end of the book! The MC grows a lot, although there would still be more growing to do. She gets cleverer, realises that she's actually, what do you know, like the other girls - sorry, mermaids. So that was nice that at least she realises the flaws in her thinking, I appreciated that.
I do also wish the relationship between the love interests would have taken more space in the novel. While I was fascinated with the society and... Hm, I guess I should mention that I ADORED the world-building! I thought that was really well done, one of the better representations of underwater life that I've seen, it made me really, very happy and it was exciting and I was delighted every time a new detail was mentioned! I kept finding myself wishing for a move adaptation so I could better visualise the author's awesome ideas for an underwater society. But anyway, my point was that, while I love the time invested to describe the basics of underwater life, I did find myself wishing for FAR more screentime between the two love interests.
Also... This isn't a pro or con, but I have questions! Why did they move north? I'm so very curious, and I kept thinking that would be explained, but it wasn't! I want more details about this society and its history, I'm so fascinated! I saw some people thought there might be a third book, if there is, I hope it would delve into that (cus apparently book 2 has nothing to do with the merfolk?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
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
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