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adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The real score is like a 4.5 but the authors note makes it literally as high a score as possible.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Death of parent
After an enjoyable first book, Somewhere Beyond the Sea was a disappointment. The story is clunky, the writing saccharine, and the plot a confusing mix of modern political bigotry with a middle-grade-esque (very unrealistic) fairy tale ending. The pacing dragged then rushed and some of the messaging was very inconsistent. The work of liberation is long, messy, and filled with rage, community, grief, and hope and it feels disrespectful to have erased all that with an overly neat saviour-story. I think Klune was a bit trapped by the need to write another "cozy fantasy" book while also balancing the heavy topic and journey the characters were set up for in the previous novel.
Overall, I think the first book was wrapped up beautifully with more work to come that we could use our imaginations on and the sequel felt like an unplanned superfluous addition.
Would not recommend
Overall, I think the first book was wrapped up beautifully with more work to come that we could use our imaginations on and the sequel felt like an unplanned superfluous addition.
Would not recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Transphobia, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Gaslighting
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
I loved the first book, and this one just didn't capture me as much as the first. Fairly predictable, which I was fine with. I'd happily recommend it, I just didn't find it as magical as the first one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Super cute
But challenging themes
But challenging themes
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Violence