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grace_b_3's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
This a very meditative novella that touches on memory, history, and community. This definitely feels like a book that sits with you. While I wish that the world-building was a little bit more developed, I understand that that is not the point of this book. It says what it needs to say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Slavery
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
loved the audiobook & following along with the physical copy for this one. it truly was an immersive experience. solomon's writing is impeccable, and the concept of this book is so uniquely intriguing. the commentary on remembering your ancestors/history/past makes a lot of impact, as did the discussions about the perception of bodies. I was just not a fan of the birthing scene & the story kind of lost me once more characters got introduced, but I loved the concept of Yetu being the holder of memories.
artemis7's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Grief, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Murder
junebug_1's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chibiloki's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
3.0
I love the idea of this, and it was an interesting read. I felt like part of it was paced really nicely and then some of the things towards the end needed to be spread out just a little bit more so that you could sit in the weight of it a bit. I think it if did I probably would have liked it more.
For some reason I feel 'eh about it. It was good, I liked it, but I didnt love it. Its a story about black mermaids who were born from the deaths of slave cargo being thrown overboard, a beautiful idea from something so horrific. And he horror of those events lived on with them, so hard to bear that one mermaid, the historian, is tasked to hold all of those memories only sharing them with the rest once a year.
But what if the historian doesn't take those memories back? Thats what its about and I LOVE the idea of it, I even love the concepts it touches on and the message I got in the end, but the execution just wasnt as touching as I wanted. I still really enjoyed it though and would recommend, especially since it is such a quick read.
For some reason I feel 'eh about it. It was good, I liked it, but I didnt love it. Its a story about black mermaids who were born from the deaths of slave cargo being thrown overboard, a beautiful idea from something so horrific. And he horror of those events lived on with them, so hard to bear that one mermaid, the historian, is tasked to hold all of those memories only sharing them with the rest once a year.
But what if the historian doesn't take those memories back? Thats what its about and I LOVE the idea of it, I even love the concepts it touches on and the message I got in the end, but the execution just wasnt as touching as I wanted. I still really enjoyed it though and would recommend, especially since it is such a quick read.
aprilsbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I had high hopes for this one and maybe that's why I felt like the idea execution never went "deep" enough for me. I was expecting some real conversation and impactful moments to happen but I think this is more of a quiet, slow-digesting book that you can read further into some things or not. I really liked the concept and just felt like it scratched the surface for me, although I'm sure you could get more from it if you spent more time relishing and doing a slow read of it.
I also was a bit confused at points cause I couldn't figure out what and where the plot had jumped to, but that may have just been me.
I also was a bit confused at points cause I couldn't figure out what and where the plot had jumped to, but that may have just been me.
artemis_moonfall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jonisbookquest's review against another edition
1.0
A pace so slow it took me everything to not fall asleep, and yet... Still there was a instalove -.-
I liked the concept, I really did, but this story DRAGGED. None of the characters stood out and I hated the ending and the message it tries to teach us.
I liked the concept, I really did, but this story DRAGGED. None of the characters stood out and I hated the ending and the message it tries to teach us.