Scan barcode
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Mermaids, mills, escape plans, and more. A lovely, but sad, book!
At times sad, but at times wonderful book about a girl who lost her mom and comes to a mill thinking her life will be good again only to find out that it is just a lie (welcome to England of that age), there is a mermaid, a new friend at the mill, and plans to escape this hell-hole. Because LORD, it was hell. Barely any food. Barely any sleep. Beatings and mistreatment. Dangerous jobs. My heart broke for these kids.
I felt for Bess and I wanted to give her the biggest of hugs at times. She went from having a pretty good life to having to risk her fingers, eating barely anything, getting a beating often. I could imagine that she was so angry, so closed-off. She just wanted to get through things. Just not think. Just go. Hope if she just didn’t think about things it would be over sooner. Not how it works, but I know the feeling and I have done it myself. I was happy though that as the story continued she slowly opened up to Dot. Yes, the book is pretty short so it is not that slow, but you get what I mean. For a book this short it was pretty slow.
Dot was a wonderful secondary character. She was sweet and kind and I loved that she didn’t let anyone’s words about Bess or how Bess was acting at first deter her. Instead she just kept trying. Being there for her.
My heart broke when we learn how Bess her mom died. That poor girl, living with a guilty feeling like that. Yes, I can imagine you blame yourself, however, you also couldn’t just close your eyes for what you saw before you. I am sure your mom wouldn’t want you to blame yourself.
The ending was quite exciting and I loved the plan the girls made. I was just hoping and crossing my fingers that it would work out. Because if they would be caught, again, then there would be no hope for them. So I was just cheering and rooting for them. And not just for them. But also for the mermaid.
Yes, mermaid. But not like those you often see in books. This one is more raw, more nature, more beast than human. I have to say at first I was wary about it, thanks to the stories, but as we meet her I just knew it would be OK. That this mermaid, just like everyone in the mill, just wanted to get out. Be free.
I would have kind of liked an epilogue! Maybe something set a few months after everything? I am curious if the girls managed what they wanted to do. Maybe a trip to the beach to see someone?
The illustrations weren’t always my cup of tea, however, they did fit the book and the story.
All in all, I am glad I picked this book up! It was definitely interesting to read and I really liked the characters.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
At times sad, but at times wonderful book about a girl who lost her mom and comes to a mill thinking her life will be good again only to find out that it is just a lie (welcome to England of that age), there is a mermaid, a new friend at the mill, and plans to escape this hell-hole. Because LORD, it was hell. Barely any food. Barely any sleep. Beatings and mistreatment. Dangerous jobs. My heart broke for these kids.
I felt for Bess and I wanted to give her the biggest of hugs at times. She went from having a pretty good life to having to risk her fingers, eating barely anything, getting a beating often. I could imagine that she was so angry, so closed-off. She just wanted to get through things. Just not think. Just go. Hope if she just didn’t think about things it would be over sooner. Not how it works, but I know the feeling and I have done it myself. I was happy though that as the story continued she slowly opened up to Dot. Yes, the book is pretty short so it is not that slow, but you get what I mean. For a book this short it was pretty slow.
Dot was a wonderful secondary character. She was sweet and kind and I loved that she didn’t let anyone’s words about Bess or how Bess was acting at first deter her. Instead she just kept trying. Being there for her.
My heart broke when we learn how Bess her mom died. That poor girl, living with a guilty feeling like that. Yes, I can imagine you blame yourself, however, you also couldn’t just close your eyes for what you saw before you. I am sure your mom wouldn’t want you to blame yourself.
The ending was quite exciting and I loved the plan the girls made. I was just hoping and crossing my fingers that it would work out. Because if they would be caught, again, then there would be no hope for them. So I was just cheering and rooting for them. And not just for them. But also for the mermaid.
Yes, mermaid. But not like those you often see in books. This one is more raw, more nature, more beast than human. I have to say at first I was wary about it, thanks to the stories, but as we meet her I just knew it would be OK. That this mermaid, just like everyone in the mill, just wanted to get out. Be free.
I would have kind of liked an epilogue! Maybe something set a few months after everything? I am curious if the girls managed what they wanted to do. Maybe a trip to the beach to see someone?
The illustrations weren’t always my cup of tea, however, they did fit the book and the story.
All in all, I am glad I picked this book up! It was definitely interesting to read and I really liked the characters.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
frankensteinscreature's review against another edition
3.75
Lovely little book! I just wish there were more illustrations!!
wolfstar1999's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
girlonabookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hamckeon's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short, quick read. It blends historical fiction and magic for a bit of fun and hope.
emperorcupcake's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
3.75
Randomly picked this up from a staff pick display at my library, and I'm glad I did! With that cover and that title no way was I passing it by. This was quick and enjoyable, with beautiful illustrations throughout; it was a good read as an adult and of course would be even more engrossing for its young middle grade audience. 10 yr old me would have loved this for sure. A simple, magical story with a good message of kindness.
shirin_mandi's review against another edition
5.0
Bess is a hurt child who worked at a London workhouse, she was looking for a fresh start, now working at a rural cotton mill but, nothing can heal her. She believes if be tough and uncared can survive,
BUT
"Sometimes the only way to save yourself is to save someone else..."
Dot, a new girl is kind to Bess and kindness could be spread. Bess starts to remember herself before being hurt. They want to find their chance in a better place.
People say there is a Mermaid in the lake in the Millpond, not like the fancy one in the beautiful stories but a monster. However, Bess doesn't believe in the mermaid but, the creature doesn't seem to care!
Maybe the mermaid is just alone and hurt like Bess, what if she needs help too?!
Many thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read The Mermaid in the Millpond by Lucy Strange, I have given my honest review.
Pub Date: 06 Jan 2022
Review Date: 09 Nov 2021
BUT
"Sometimes the only way to save yourself is to save someone else..."
Dot, a new girl is kind to Bess and kindness could be spread. Bess starts to remember herself before being hurt. They want to find their chance in a better place.
People say there is a Mermaid in the lake in the Millpond, not like the fancy one in the beautiful stories but a monster. However, Bess doesn't believe in the mermaid but, the creature doesn't seem to care!
Maybe the mermaid is just alone and hurt like Bess, what if she needs help too?!
Many thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read The Mermaid in the Millpond by Lucy Strange, I have given my honest review.
Pub Date: 06 Jan 2022
Review Date: 09 Nov 2021
franmoldaschl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0