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anaheeta's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I seem to be very very fortunate lately as I keep reading books that make me want to start from the beginning right as I finish them.
This was so so so beautiful and heartbreaking in a good way. And also the creation of the story and the multiple steps it took for this book to come to be (read the editor’s words) was fascinating. It was based on a horribly tragic historical genocide, one of pregnant/in labor African women thrown off of slave ships.
Without giving away any more of the story, it’s sci-fi fantasy about life, love, and generational trauma. The book delves into the traumas of an underwater civilization and how the traumas are handled. How individuality and community interact. How change and progress works.
It was just a beautiful beautiful work of fiction and I have become a fan of Rivers Solomon, can’t wait to read more of their work!
Trigger warnings: slavery, racism, blood, death, misogyny, grief, generational trauma,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Genocide, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Death, Violence, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Animal death and Blood
charrlee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"'What is belonging?' we ask.
She says, 'Where loneliness ends.'" (Solomon 49)
"How disorienting it is to go most of your life wondering about a thing, only to happen upon the answer, and it is a horror." (Solomon 57).
River Solomon's novella is profoundly atmospheric. I've never connected to a work so deeply and I will continue to be spellbound by Solomon's beautifully tragic narrative. Listen to "The Deep" by clipping. to see the inspiration and building of the mythos. I am thrilled for my future reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Genocide, Murder, Child death, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
juney_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beautifully written. Read it for a class but I am really glad to have been shown this book. Solomon's writing is intricate, yet not filled with jargon and unnecessary adjectives and descriptors. I will be reccomending this book to as many people as I can <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Violence, Gore, Blood, Death, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Torture, and War
agustdefault's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
beautifully written with an amazing conception story. the premise of this story is so unique and well thought out. dealing with generational trauma along with the importance of not only history and community, but our own individuality shining throught that. i also love the neurodivergent rep and will be buying rivers’ other works!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Racism, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
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