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melinajoy's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
4.75 stars. Highly recommend!
A Song Below Water had this overall anticipatory feeling. It was really hard to put it down. "...two sister friends discovering their magical identities against the challenges of misogynoir."
Sirens, elokos, sprites, gargoyles and more! This book does a really great job of being a magical and fantasy escape, a story anyone can read and enjoy, and yet so real still managing to incorporate relevant struggles of Black people especially Black women. Plus it has sign language and Portland/Vancouver. Reading it is like listening to someone tell you a story (as in it's not in proper English, it's very conversational and internal monologues, and AAVE). It's everything someone could ask for in a book!
Effie and Tavia are great characters, but Gargy the Gargoyle was my favorite because he was so unique- I've never read a book with a gargoyle as a character!
The only thing is that I found myself confused at points with all the different characters- specifically who's related to whom at times (but I figured it out towards the end). But especially because the one of the grandmas is called Mama. So that was a little challenging for me to keep track of.
But overall, can't wait to read the next books!
A Song Below Water had this overall anticipatory feeling. It was really hard to put it down. "...two sister friends discovering their magical identities against the challenges of misogynoir."
Sirens, elokos, sprites, gargoyles and more! This book does a really great job of being a magical and fantasy escape, a story anyone can read and enjoy, and yet so real still managing to incorporate relevant struggles of Black people especially Black women. Plus it has sign language and Portland/Vancouver. Reading it is like listening to someone tell you a story (as in it's not in proper English, it's very conversational and internal monologues, and AAVE). It's everything someone could ask for in a book!
Effie and Tavia are great characters, but Gargy the Gargoyle was my favorite because he was so unique- I've never read a book with a gargoyle as a character!
The only thing is that I found myself confused at points with all the different characters- specifically who's related to whom at times (but I figured it out towards the end). But especially because the one of the grandmas is called Mama. So that was a little challenging for me to keep track of.
But overall, can't wait to read the next books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.25
This was extremely interesting, and I think this book could be really helpful for young people who are wading into social justice issues. Would definitely read this author again - I really appreciated the extent of the world-building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Death, Confinement, Police brutality, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Cancer
Minor: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
alsoiread's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Minor: Suicide attempt
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was extremely heartwarming, with a side of catharsis. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall I loved these characters and love love love that the author didn’t shy away from making these girls feel like natural teenagers: they are allowed to be angry, a little vindictive, naive, kind, happy, all at once
I wish I’d had a book like this when I was actually a teen
I wish I’d had a book like this when I was actually a teen
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, and Racism
annorabrady's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
leanne_miron's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Police brutality, Hate crime, and Racism
katharina90's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Unique blend of fantasy elements with real world socio-political commentary on anti-Black racism and police brutality.
Plot, characters and worldbuilding had a lot of potential but felt underdeveloped, and the pace was too slow for my liking.
Plot, characters and worldbuilding had a lot of potential but felt underdeveloped, and the pace was too slow for my liking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Suicide attempt
Minor: Police brutality and Death of parent
carolined314's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
An inspiring tale of love and sisterhood and using your voice and Black power and strength and resilience. With sirens and gargoyles and more. Great Portland setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Hate crime, and Racism
Minor: Child death and Body shaming
tatiana_luz's review
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
This is the first book I've read in a while. Overall, it was a fun read. I love a modern fantasy setting. I appreciated the nuance in intersectionality of different magical being, as eloks are not feared or attacked like siren. It was a good metaphor for how white and Black women are treated differently. There is also the concept of how race plays a role in the treatment of sirens, since it only occurs to Black women.
All that said, the pacing and direction were left somewhat lacking. I thought the story would center around Tavia based on the summary, but the latter half seemed to be more about Effie, who I found to be more interesting. It's a shame, because I thought Tavia had a good plot but little time to build on it. The author, understandably, took time setting up the world but ended up sacrificing plot. Regardless, I found this to be an enjoyable read.
All that said, the pacing and direction were left somewhat lacking. I thought the story would center around Tavia based on the summary, but the latter half seemed to be more about Effie, who I found to be more interesting. It's a shame, because I thought Tavia had a good plot but little time to build on it. The author, understandably, took time setting up the world but ended up sacrificing plot. Regardless, I found this to be an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Police brutality
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Police brutality
Minor: Death of parent, Body horror, Kidnapping, Confinement, Grief, Hate crime, Suicide attempt, and Murder