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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This book is written in a way that you can tell the author wanted it to have a fairy tale, ethereal feeling to it but just didn't quite succeed.
A fairytale-esque fantasy, Beneath the Haunting Sea explores betrayal, bloodlines, and identity.
READ IF YOU…
Want a forbodeing atmosphere
Like fairytale-esque stories
Like retellings mashups
Title: Beneath the Haunting Sea | Author: Joanna Ruth Meyer Rating: 3.5/5
A fairytale-esque fantasy, Beneath the Haunting Sea explores betrayal, bloodlines, and identity.
I loved the background tales told throughout the book, which gave the novel a dreamlike quality that suits well for a book that focuses on the sea. I loved what I considered to be nods to the tales of Bluebeard and his dead wives, Little Mermaid leaving the sea to be with her prince, an evil sea witch, and even the somewhat gothic elements of Jane Eyre.
Talia, only 16, is soon to be empress. But she doesn’t want to be, especially as she just found out who her real father is. But just before she could take the throne, an old rival seizes control and throws both Talia and her mother into prison. Soon, to the pair are exiled to the most remote part of the empire, a cold, barren landscape by the sea.
But on the voyage, Talia loses her mother, and when she arrives on the doorsteps of an old baron, she quickly learns she is less than nothing: no money, no name, no title, and most of all, no home or mother.
But here, in Ruen-Dahr, the baron’s gothic home, Talia learns about the baron’s old family secrets, and some of her own. Talia realizes she isn’t who she thought she was, and accepts that maybe, just maybe, the gods are real and they have something in store for her.
Beneath the Haunting Sea has that same dreamlike quality that Echo North had, which makes sense, since they’re by the same author. I’m loving the fairy tale feel of the novels, and the retelling mashups of different fairy tales I grew up with.
READ IF YOU…
Want a forbodeing atmosphere
Like fairytale-esque stories
Like retellings mashups
Title: Beneath the Haunting Sea | Author: Joanna Ruth Meyer Rating: 3.5/5
A fairytale-esque fantasy, Beneath the Haunting Sea explores betrayal, bloodlines, and identity.
I loved the background tales told throughout the book, which gave the novel a dreamlike quality that suits well for a book that focuses on the sea. I loved what I considered to be nods to the tales of Bluebeard and his dead wives, Little Mermaid leaving the sea to be with her prince, an evil sea witch, and even the somewhat gothic elements of Jane Eyre.
Talia, only 16, is soon to be empress. But she doesn’t want to be, especially as she just found out who her real father is. But just before she could take the throne, an old rival seizes control and throws both Talia and her mother into prison. Soon, to the pair are exiled to the most remote part of the empire, a cold, barren landscape by the sea.
But on the voyage, Talia loses her mother, and when she arrives on the doorsteps of an old baron, she quickly learns she is less than nothing: no money, no name, no title, and most of all, no home or mother.
But here, in Ruen-Dahr, the baron’s gothic home, Talia learns about the baron’s old family secrets, and some of her own. Talia realizes she isn’t who she thought she was, and accepts that maybe, just maybe, the gods are real and they have something in store for her.
Beneath the Haunting Sea has that same dreamlike quality that Echo North had, which makes sense, since they’re by the same author. I’m loving the fairy tale feel of the novels, and the retelling mashups of different fairy tales I grew up with.
I was up until 1 last night finishing the book...I couldn't put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed it. And no, I'm not giving it five stars just because the author is a friend of mine. ;) It really is a fabulous book and I loved every minute of it. Congratulations to Joanna, you made the dream come true and I'm so pleased for you!
A-/B+ | If there’s one book I can hold up as the PERFECT example of how to do mythology, this is that book. The mythology within this gothic book is stunning. And the worldbuilding? chef kiss. You guys know how much I adore excellent worldbuilding. This rich mythology and worldbuilding are wrapped up nicely with a super exciting (but not so well-paced) plot and characters you want to strangle and hug. Unfortunately, this doesn’t get a perfect grade because of it’s pacing and unnatural, forced romance. Nonetheless, the ending was satisfying and well worth the less cool parts.
Minor spoilers in regards to the romance are found the blog review.
This book is so incredibly imaginative and I'm AMAZED by the world the author has built in this book. I loved the richness of the mythology, the characters, and especially the lovely writing.
It was basically everything I want in a YA novel: slow-burning romance, multi-dimensional characters, strange threads that all converge and are revealed at the end, a killer setting, sea lore, crumbling haunted castles, and ladies of the house dying of mysterious circumstances à la Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
Seriously, if I didn't know better I'd say this author took a trip through my brain. I'm obsessed. My only question is... When is the next one coming out? And will the events of the beginning of the book that set Talia on her journey in the first place be resolved???
It was basically everything I want in a YA novel: slow-burning romance, multi-dimensional characters, strange threads that all converge and are revealed at the end, a killer setting, sea lore, crumbling haunted castles, and ladies of the house dying of mysterious circumstances à la Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
Seriously, if I didn't know better I'd say this author took a trip through my brain. I'm obsessed. My only question is... When is the next one coming out? And will the events of the beginning of the book that set Talia on her journey in the first place be resolved???
This beautiful Greek and Irish myth inspired fantasy features an unlikely romance, beautiful sea magic, and a main character who discover that her identity and origin is so much more complicated than she could have ever imagined. Talia a young girl who lives and works in the palace soon discovers she is more than just a servant, she is destined to become Empress of the known world. Soon after she discovers this however, a fellow rival seizes her power banishing her to a sea side hideaway.
Here she discovers family secrets, a prophetic young boy and a relic of ancient power. In the music of the sea she also hears long forgotten tales of a sea goddess who, it turns out, she may have more in common with than she ever imagined!
Please if you haven’t, pick up this beautiful tale today! Also be on the lookout for her next story Beyond the Shadowed Earth! It is set in the same universe as this haunting yarn and doesn’t come out till Jan 2020! Can’t wait for then? Here is a exclusive 1st look at the prologue! https://www.hypable.com/beyond-the-shadowed-earth-cover-reveal-excerpt/
Here she discovers family secrets, a prophetic young boy and a relic of ancient power. In the music of the sea she also hears long forgotten tales of a sea goddess who, it turns out, she may have more in common with than she ever imagined!
Please if you haven’t, pick up this beautiful tale today! Also be on the lookout for her next story Beyond the Shadowed Earth! It is set in the same universe as this haunting yarn and doesn’t come out till Jan 2020! Can’t wait for then? Here is a exclusive 1st look at the prologue! https://www.hypable.com/beyond-the-shadowed-earth-cover-reveal-excerpt/
My Review on Blog
Beyond the Shadowed Earth: ?/5
Rating: 2.5 stars!
The print was so freaking tiny to read. That was the first thing I saw. It’s like trying to look at something tiny, but without a magnifying glass. That’s how tiny it was. My glasses barely help. I get that I’m wearing weaker prescription glasses than what I’m supposed too, but the print was really tiny to read.
This book kinda needed more of an explanation especially in the beginning. I get that Talia was raised to be an empress, but I would have liked to know more about her past. Her relationship with her mom was really good especially in those flashbacks, but I would have liked to see more of her life before then instead of that.
The writing was really captivating. I definitely liked the writing especially since it was so flowery, but kept to the point and not let it dragged on. The characters were good and very captivating, but the world-building was a little too lacking.
I needed more of the world-building instead of what I got where things happened without much explanation, even the whole mythology thing was barely explained where it made to the point where I disliked it, but liked which explains my 2.5 rating. There were a few good things especially how cool the cover is, but I felt like I needed more of an explanation of the mythology thing, because that was not explained really well.
One more thing, I did find the pacing to be fast-paced, and I wished it did slow down in a few parts, but the book was a good read. Not really memorable, but its still decent.
Beyond the Shadowed Earth: ?/5
Rating: 2.5 stars!
The print was so freaking tiny to read. That was the first thing I saw. It’s like trying to look at something tiny, but without a magnifying glass. That’s how tiny it was. My glasses barely help. I get that I’m wearing weaker prescription glasses than what I’m supposed too, but the print was really tiny to read.
This book kinda needed more of an explanation especially in the beginning. I get that Talia was raised to be an empress, but I would have liked to know more about her past. Her relationship with her mom was really good especially in those flashbacks, but I would have liked to see more of her life before then instead of that.
The writing was really captivating. I definitely liked the writing especially since it was so flowery, but kept to the point and not let it dragged on. The characters were good and very captivating, but the world-building was a little too lacking.
I needed more of the world-building instead of what I got where things happened without much explanation, even the whole mythology thing was barely explained where it made to the point where I disliked it, but liked which explains my 2.5 rating. There were a few good things especially how cool the cover is, but I felt like I needed more of an explanation of the mythology thing, because that was not explained really well.
One more thing, I did find the pacing to be fast-paced, and I wished it did slow down in a few parts, but the book was a good read. Not really memorable, but its still decent.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only reason I knew this book existed was because of NetGalley and seeing the sequel on there. The sequel sounded interesting and so I decided to request it knowing that I would need to read the first. Usually, this could be a very bad thing. I am glad that it worked out and that I enjoyed this book! It was different than what I thought it would be and I only had a couple minor issues with the book overall.
Talia was a character that had to deal with a lot bad things. I’m not really sure how she managed to stay so strong through it all because I would have been a wreck. Even when things begin to look up, something else happens and she still held her head high. I liked that about her. There were a couple times that I wanted to yell at her and tell her how selfish she was being but I think that everything she was doing was to be expected. She was stubborn and didn’t want to do what others told her to do. I probably would have made the same choices as her, to be honest. My one gripe with her was how she quickly forgave this other girl and laid the blame all on Caiden even though the girl was the mastermind behind what was happening.
As for the other characters, I loved Wen and Caiden. Any book with brothers is a plus for me! They were both different since Wen was quiet and Caiden was bold and very charming. They each had their faults at times and when I thought I knew who I wanted her to be with, the other brother becomes so irresistable! Now, I will say that the relationships in the book can be considered insta-love. Did I hate it? No, because that brother is just so dang charming! (I couldn’t resist it!)
There are other characters that are introduced throughout and the one thing I didn’t like about the minor characters was needing more from a few. Once their plot point had run its course then they were done. There was closure but I am just set in my ways and I needed more!
The book is filled with plot twists that involve love triangles, family drama, and a sea that calls which can drive you to madness. It was easy to get swept away and it made it real hard to put down even when it was time for bed. I will say that the ending was anti-climatic and definitely my least favorite part of the book. I just needed more action or something from someone who was supposed to be quite powerful.
The one thing that really pulled me into this book was the world building. The author did a great job of creating it and adding stories of the old gods to help bring everything together and let the reader understand why it was all so important. As someone who loves mythology, this was perfect!
Overall, this book was enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it!
Talia was a character that had to deal with a lot bad things. I’m not really sure how she managed to stay so strong through it all because I would have been a wreck. Even when things begin to look up, something else happens and she still held her head high. I liked that about her. There were a couple times that I wanted to yell at her and tell her how selfish she was being but I think that everything she was doing was to be expected. She was stubborn and didn’t want to do what others told her to do. I probably would have made the same choices as her, to be honest. My one gripe with her was how she quickly forgave this other girl and laid the blame all on Caiden even though the girl was the mastermind behind what was happening.
As for the other characters, I loved Wen and Caiden. Any book with brothers is a plus for me! They were both different since Wen was quiet and Caiden was bold and very charming. They each had their faults at times and when I thought I knew who I wanted her to be with, the other brother becomes so irresistable! Now, I will say that the relationships in the book can be considered insta-love. Did I hate it? No, because that brother is just so dang charming! (I couldn’t resist it!)
There are other characters that are introduced throughout and the one thing I didn’t like about the minor characters was needing more from a few. Once their plot point had run its course then they were done. There was closure but I am just set in my ways and I needed more!
The book is filled with plot twists that involve love triangles, family drama, and a sea that calls which can drive you to madness. It was easy to get swept away and it made it real hard to put down even when it was time for bed. I will say that the ending was anti-climatic and definitely my least favorite part of the book. I just needed more action or something from someone who was supposed to be quite powerful.
The one thing that really pulled me into this book was the world building. The author did a great job of creating it and adding stories of the old gods to help bring everything together and let the reader understand why it was all so important. As someone who loves mythology, this was perfect!
Overall, this book was enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it!
Beautiful writing, but really did not connect with the main character, and found her on the whiny side, as well as treating fellow characters unfairly without just cause, particularly Wen, who really seemed like he was also trying to just make the best of a bad situation.