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booksnooksandcooks's review against another edition
DNF’ed at 33%
I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy the characters and the romance felt rushed and oversimplified. I also felt icky about a Black character being a slaver which, as someone who has taken a whole class on pirates, I understand was something that happened, but it didn’t seem necessary in a fantasy space.
The plot seemed interesting and would have kept me going if it didn’t feel like it was going to drag on by the time I DNF’ed. I really wanted to enjoy this novel, but unfortunately I couldn’t bring myself to continue.
I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy the characters and the romance felt rushed and oversimplified. I also felt icky about a Black character being a slaver which, as someone who has taken a whole class on pirates, I understand was something that happened, but it didn’t seem necessary in a fantasy space.
The plot seemed interesting and would have kept me going if it didn’t feel like it was going to drag on by the time I DNF’ed. I really wanted to enjoy this novel, but unfortunately I couldn’t bring myself to continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Colonisation, and Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Rape
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
First of all the way this book deals with gender is amazing and Florian is one of my favorite characters in relation to how they use gender and presentation and it was great.
Second, if you’re looking for a pirate story sort of similar to Our Flag Means Death this is for you. They’re similar but also quite different. It’s got gay characters and non-binary pirates and nobility escaping their duties.
I’m not usually one for alternating point of views but I thought all of these characters were great and even if you weren’t meant to root for them; they were still intriguing to read about and read their motivations.
Flora and Evelyn’s relationship and the stories of love and how they overcome the idea that all love ends in heartbreak was wonderful.
Second, if you’re looking for a pirate story sort of similar to Our Flag Means Death this is for you. They’re similar but also quite different. It’s got gay characters and non-binary pirates and nobility escaping their duties.
I’m not usually one for alternating point of views but I thought all of these characters were great and even if you weren’t meant to root for them; they were still intriguing to read about and read their motivations.
Flora and Evelyn’s relationship and the stories of love and how they overcome the idea that all love ends in heartbreak was wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Drug use, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Homophobia, Grief, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault and Child abuse
ailsaod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a story that had some very original and interesting takes on the pirate sub-genre as well as gender and mermaids but it was also a little odd. Given the premise of pirates and romance with added cross-dressing I was expecting something a little fun, possibly light-hearted or goofy. Let my tell you now that actually this story is about guilt - everyone is drowning in regrets or has abandoned their morals entirely. Piracy is shown as a harsh, unforgiving lifestyle that brings out the very worst in people and while this is more realistic it was also rather gloomy.
I found the magic system in this book very odd and difficult to get my head around and it ultimately didn't have much of an effect on the story for the amount of emphasis it got in the middle sections? The romance had a similar problem - there is a lot of long distance pining with very little foundation before it and then when they are back together its treated like its the romance of the century. It all feels a little fast to me.
Despite my complaints I think this book was good, it just didn't really align with my tastes. I think there were some really good ideas and some people would absolutely love it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Rape, Racism, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Child abuse, Child death, and Religious bigotry
The rape is only implied but features pretty heavily.dbogen47's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.5
It took me a little to get into this book, but I flew through the second half in almost one sitting. While I think there were a few inconsistencies and some underdeveloped world building (as is the case with a lot of stand alone fantasy) I think this was a pretty solid book. The ending overall definitely moved me. I will say the inclusion of the fourth perspective in the third part confused me. I’m not sure it was truly necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Colonisation, Body horror, Homophobia, Death, and Abandonment
scottie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall tells the nautical tale of the pirate Florian and the noble born Evelyn. The story is part romance, part magic, and part adventure.
The beginning set up was a little slow, but the time spent building the world and the characters pays off. I found myself become very invested in what happened to Florian and Evelyn. Once the story got going there were times that I had to put the book down and scoot back into my seat.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall tackles some very interesting themes. I love how she is able to tie in little details and make them become so meaningful.
One of my favorite themes that runs throughout the book is the power of stories. Reading is one of the first things that starts to pull Florian and Evelyn together.
"We don't read to just imagine better lives. We read to be introduced to all kinds of lives... It's an escape, and it's also a way to become more connected to everyone around you. There's power in that, you know. in understanding. It's like magic" (45).
It's no coincidence that when Florian meets the Witch, Xenobia, that they find magic is created through taking and giving stories. Xenobia instructs Florian "Powerful things, stories. if you care to listen to them" (181). The stories we tell about ourselves and about others have power and become our truth.
As a side note, I'd love to hear what people think. Does Evelyn's mother, Lady Hasegawa, actually hate her daughter or does that tie into the stories people tell themselves about others? If Lady Hasegawa hated Evelyn so much, how was it that what she taught her daughter was the exact things Evelyn needed to know to survive? Looking at you floor plans of the 900th emperor's palace.
The more time I've spent reflecting on the book to write my review the more I appreciate my experience reading it. I'm happy to give it a 4 star reading recommendation.
The beginning set up was a little slow, but the time spent building the world and the characters pays off. I found myself become very invested in what happened to Florian and Evelyn. Once the story got going there were times that I had to put the book down and scoot back into my seat.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall tackles some very interesting themes. I love how she is able to tie in little details and make them become so meaningful.
"We don't read to just imagine better lives. We read to be introduced to all kinds of lives... It's an escape, and it's also a way to become more connected to everyone around you. There's power in that, you know. in understanding. It's like magic" (45).
It's no coincidence that when Florian meets the Witch, Xenobia, that they find magic is created through taking and giving stories. Xenobia instructs Florian "Powerful things, stories. if you care to listen to them" (181). The stories we tell about ourselves and about others have power and become our truth.
As a side note, I'd love to hear what people think. Does Evelyn's mother, Lady Hasegawa, actually hate her daughter or does that tie into the stories people tell themselves about others? If Lady Hasegawa hated Evelyn so much, how was it that what she taught her daughter was the exact things Evelyn needed to know to survive? Looking at you floor plans of the 900th emperor's palace.
The more time I've spent reflecting on the book to write my review the more I appreciate my experience reading it. I'm happy to give it a 4 star reading recommendation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Death
Moderate: Rape, Physical abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Vomit and Xenophobia
bookhoarderbea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Blood, Dysphoria, Slavery, Trafficking, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Racism, War, and Rape
malva's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, Death of parent, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Rape, Slavery, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, and Sexual harassment
dtierra's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, War, Trafficking, and Grief
Minor: Colonisation, Confinement, Death of parent, Classism, and Drug use
There are parts of this book I loved but overall I was disappointed by how little time the main characters had together. Most of the book is spent with them apart and it is painfully slow moving. The pace of the book feels all over the place, parts of it move quite fast and other parts move painstakingly slowly. There are some really beautiful lines on the central romance but I wish there was more. I am extremely disappointed bykaytrain's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Physical abuse, Slavery, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but it had potential for so much more.
I liked the setting and the atmosphere a lot. The world was very intriguing and magical. The book read like a fairy tale... although a gruesome one. I was really shocked by how gruesome this story actually was. There was violence and death and blood and torture on page, and implied rape and assault. Also, topics like colonialism, imperialism, and sexism were present.
What I absolutely loved was the queer representation and diversity. One main character is gender-fluid, the other a lesbian, there is a non-binary side character. And I liked how these were portrayed.
But the pacing and plot was kind of off. I wish we had more times to get to know the characters, and especially more time with the characters interacting with each other. They spend a lot of time together and get to know each other, but because most of it happens off page, the romance feels very instant and over the top dramatic towards the end.
The middle part was also weird. I loved the witchcraft element that is introduced, but the magic system is not really explained well. It's interesting, but very confusing. And it's not used enough afterwards to justify how much time we spend learning about it.
I liked the ending and how all the characters and plots came together. It just would have been more impactful if we had more time before to develop more feelings for everyone and everything that was happening.
I didn't mind all those things that much because of the fairy tale character of the book. It just could have easily been a 5 star for me with a bit more substance.
I liked the setting and the atmosphere a lot. The world was very intriguing and magical. The book read like a fairy tale... although a gruesome one. I was really shocked by how gruesome this story actually was. There was violence and death and blood and torture on page, and implied rape and assault. Also, topics like colonialism, imperialism, and sexism were present.
What I absolutely loved was the queer representation and diversity. One main character is gender-fluid, the other a lesbian, there is a non-binary side character. And I liked how these were portrayed.
But the pacing and plot was kind of off. I wish we had more times to get to know the characters, and especially more time with the characters interacting with each other. They spend a lot of time together and get to know each other, but because most of it happens off page, the romance feels very instant and over the top dramatic towards the end.
The middle part was also weird. I loved the witchcraft element that is introduced, but the magic system is not really explained well. It's interesting, but very confusing. And it's not used enough afterwards to justify how much time we spend learning about it.
I liked the ending and how all the characters and plots came together. It just would have been more impactful if we had more time before to develop more feelings for everyone and everything that was happening.
I didn't mind all those things that much because of the fairy tale character of the book. It just could have easily been a 5 star for me with a bit more substance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Child death, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, Sexism, Torture, and Trafficking
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault