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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
slow-paced
This one is difficult for me to rate. It’s a very slow burn that promises something huge is going to happen eventually, but the payoff wasn’t there for me. But it is a very tender and at times lyrical tale. It has moments of sheer beauty. At the same time, there were also moments when the author felt pretentious, which is not something I’ve experienced before and I’m not even sure how to describe it (e.g. occasional metaphors that were so unhinged and nonsensical that it felt I was being punked). Ultimately, I’m glad I read this but I’m not going to be buying more from this author.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a good amount of science fiction for me. At first I was frustrated by the choices of some of the characters, but I think ultimately their inability to act (whether internally or externally) is part of the horror: that no matter what you do, the thing you think can’t possibly be happening is happening. I do wish there was a bit more time spent in Leah’s perspective on the submarine; though it’s clear that they have no sense of time down at the bottom of the ocean, I wish I felt the hopelessness of their six months alone a little better. I suppose part of the point is that Leah doesn’t exactly feel hopeless, but numb, but I was missing some of the atmosphere that could have made this book truly horrifying. Part of me also wishes that we had a glimpse of Miri’s life after she releases Leah into the water, or that we really understood what exactly happened to her, but I think this decision adds to the futility of Miri’s actions overall. I enjoyed this book a lot, even though it’s not my usual genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Quite a slower paced book, but the writing was so good I was hooked. The last few pages had me in pieces. So beautiful and heartbreaking. Definitely recommend!
challenging
dark
medium-paced
at some points i deeply understood this book and at some points i was really just confused. its no doubt well written I think just not what i was expecting