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sarah984's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
There were parts of this book that I liked a lot and then parts of it that I couldn't stand, so this was an uneven read for me. Overall, Tavia’s story was compelling, and her arc of learning to find her voice and take pride in who she is really worked for me. I loved the idea of a network of other Black girls who protect her so she can still sing, but the details on that were too murky for me. Why is a girl who doesn't like sirens on it? Who runs it? Are there actual consequences for outing her? It's not clear. The rivalry with the eloko girl didn't make sense to me either. I get why Tavia would be jealous of her but like if you don't want to protect a siren don't join a network? Overall though, I thought this section was spot-on, and the metaphor worked alongside the real-world anti-blackness that comes up.
Effie’s story, on the other hand, is a mess. Nothing happens with her for so long aside from a few vague things, and then she does something awful but it's immediately reversed, so I'm not really sure what the point was. Everything about her relationship to her bio family was uncomfortable to read.
I did love the way the two girls supported each other like sisters, but the book just did not come together as a whole for me.
Effie’s story, on the other hand, is a mess. Nothing happens with her for so long aside from a few vague things, and then she does something awful but it's immediately reversed, so I'm not really sure what the point was. Everything about her relationship to her bio family was uncomfortable to read.
I did love the way the two girls supported each other like sisters, but the book just did not come together as a whole for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Ableism and Cannibalism
leereadswords's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Racism
fusielenf's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Hate crime
elthechameleon's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It’s a pleasant book, but it’s a little difficult to get your head wrapped around the world building. But, the connections to real-world misogynoir do feel thoughtfully done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Hate crime, Police brutality, and Racism
Minor: Outing
alsoapples's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Police brutality, Racism, Self harm, and Sexism
Minor: Eating disorder
cupidities's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Police brutality
thereadinghammock's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A story of friendship, sisterhood, a celebration of Black sisterhood, and the unique weirdness of the PNW. Tavia and Effie are nearly inseparable after Tavia's move to Oregon just before high school, and both doing their best to survive the inherent troubles that teenage life brings. Add on top of that, being Black in a mostly white part of the country, and Tavia being a siren, and it's only a matter of time before something stirs up more trouble for the girls.
Enter Effie's drama, with an unexplained skin condition that seems to be getting worse, her seasonal gig as a professional mermaid seeming more and more real, and unexplained blackouts and these girls are in for a double whammy.
I loved the friendship and unquestioned sisterhood between Tavia and Effie. Their support of each other was nearly effortless, and I appreciated Bethany's characterization of their ability to recognize their own biases and traumas in trying to be a supportive sibling. I enjoyed the couple of plot twists (and I was sure-ish of one of them before the big reveal), but there was enough to keep me engaged and wanting to know more throughout the whole book. Not sure if I needed there to be a sequel, and I really don't feel I'm ready to sympathize with Naema as a character in the next book, but I won't say no to reading it. Just not right away perhaps.
Enter Effie's drama, with an unexplained skin condition that seems to be getting worse, her seasonal gig as a professional mermaid seeming more and more real, and unexplained blackouts and these girls are in for a double whammy.
I loved the friendship and unquestioned sisterhood between Tavia and Effie. Their support of each other was nearly effortless, and I appreciated Bethany's characterization of their ability to recognize their own biases and traumas in trying to be a supportive sibling. I enjoyed the couple of plot twists (and I was sure-ish of one of them before the big reveal), but there was enough to keep me engaged and wanting to know more throughout the whole book. Not sure if I needed there to be a sequel, and I really don't feel I'm ready to sympathize with Naema as a character in the next book, but I won't say no to reading it. Just not right away perhaps.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Minor: Police brutality
caseythereader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
📚 Wow, this book totally blew me away. This what if Black women were sirens idea is an incredible way to play with the way we often label Black women superhuman and then punish them for it.
📚 Obviously, it's a heavier book than your usual YA fantasy, but wow is it worth it if you're up for it.
📚 I loved both Tavia and Effie, and watching them find themselves - their true selves. On top of the larger social issues the girls are dealing with, Morrow also totally nails those awkward teenage feelings, especially the parts about how suddenly your best friend can be a stranger to you.
📚 I feel like I say this a lot, but I truly have never read anything like this book. I cannot wait for book two and to return to this world.
📚 Obviously, it's a heavier book than your usual YA fantasy, but wow is it worth it if you're up for it.
📚 I loved both Tavia and Effie, and watching them find themselves - their true selves. On top of the larger social issues the girls are dealing with, Morrow also totally nails those awkward teenage feelings, especially the parts about how suddenly your best friend can be a stranger to you.
📚 I feel like I say this a lot, but I truly have never read anything like this book. I cannot wait for book two and to return to this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Violence
the_grimdragon's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I've been branching out more with reading young adult novels here & there, especially if they are diverse! Also, with 2020 being what it was, I just couldn't sink into a thicc book like I normally would. My mental headspace just hasn't been there, so I've been getting through some leaner books, as well as standalones.
A Song Below Water is the debut young adult novel from Bethany C. Morrow. Since I don't read a ton of YA, it was this cover that initially pulled me in. I mean.. LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ARTWORK IS!!
A Song Below Water is a dual-perspective narrative with powerful themes of racism, bigotry, police brutality, misogyny, identity & sisterhood.
Plus-- Mermaids! Sirens! Pixies! Gargoyles!
It's funny & awkward, brutal & joyful. This absolutely deserves to be read!
That being said, it didn't fully come together for me. Ultimately, I prefer more magic with my magical realism! However, the bones are there & I'm definitely planning on reading the companion book, A Chorus Rises, when it comes out later this year!
A Song Below Water is the debut young adult novel from Bethany C. Morrow. Since I don't read a ton of YA, it was this cover that initially pulled me in. I mean.. LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ARTWORK IS!!
A Song Below Water is a dual-perspective narrative with powerful themes of racism, bigotry, police brutality, misogyny, identity & sisterhood.
Plus-- Mermaids! Sirens! Pixies! Gargoyles!
It's funny & awkward, brutal & joyful. This absolutely deserves to be read!
That being said, it didn't fully come together for me. Ultimately, I prefer more magic with my magical realism! However, the bones are there & I'm definitely planning on reading the companion book, A Chorus Rises, when it comes out later this year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death
rini's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Ableism, Stalking, Suicide, and Suicide attempt