Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - A Song Below Water

Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

6 reviews

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

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midnightgremlin's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

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claudiamacpherson's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.5

I 100% picked up this book because it's set in Portland and I just moved to a new country and wanted something familiar, and I did love being able to picture the setting as places I know well (but the audiobook reader did mispronounce Willamette, smh). It started pretty slow and I had a hard time getting into the world and sorting through all the magical creatures, but the second half definitely picked up. Definitely the best part about this book for me was how Morrow used the magical elements to parallel racism and sexism rather than replace or stand in for them. I've read a lot of books that use magical powers and concepts as metaphors for systemic issues, but I liked the way Morrow showed the intersectionality of multiple prejudices. The writing was very YA but it was a good Portland comfort read!

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe):

Hopeful! There were some elements of the plot that couldn't be wrapped up in a perfect little happily-ever-after but overall the ending was pretty happy.

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bookish_coffee's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.5

I adored this story. I loved both Effie and Tavia. They had such a strong and loving relationship, I loved to read it.

I also loved how seamlessly the author wove real life issues with mystical issues. The racism and xenophobia against sirens and other magical beings was so easily and clearly interwoven in the story I almost felt like I was there. Like that world was this world.

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jourdanicus's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A creative, original, modern fantasy that I really enjoyed.

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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