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ashs_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
annaszell's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Things I particularly enjoyed:
- Philippine mythology
- (Found) family
- Malaya's character growth
- The way (emotional) abuse and gaslighting were portrayed
This was not necessarily an easy story to digest, specifically the details around Malaya and Ian's relationship. But it was relatable. Not necessarily to this degree but yeah. On the other hand, Salvador was such a golden retriever, he provided the balance needed to feel good about the world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse
alexs_book_hoard's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
jalialynn's review against another edition
2.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
bread_loaf_star's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
The book delivers an action-packed narrative with fast-paced fight scenes that, at times, leave room for a more immersive experience. The Filipino mythological creatures introduced lack detailed enough descriptions, hindering my ability to vividly envision them. The exploration of an abusive relationship adds a layer of depth, instead of glorifying it as many other books do, it showed how horrible and the unseen sides can be. The later romance came across as less convincing. On a positive note, the magic system is intriguing, and the inclusion of research as a navigation tool adds a refreshing element to the storytelling. Overall, it's a fascinating blend of a Little Mermaid retelling with Filipino mythology, offering a unique perspective despite some areas that could benefit from further development.
Thank you #netgalley for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
justinekorson's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This story fully embodies the Filipino-American perspective and as a Filipino-American myself I really, really appreciate it. I haven't read many books that make me feel seen but this for sure struck a chord with me. Malaya's disconnect with her parents and siblings was something that I could understand, as was her longing for a new life.
This story felt like it would be a contemporary teen drama at first but then quickly flipped after Malaya met the sea witch. Once she was transplanted into her new life, this story turned into a thrilling supernatural story with so many familiar creatures from Filipino stories. Though I knew many of the creatures that were discussed in the novel, I also felt they were explained well enough that anybody would be able to get an idea of what Malaya, Salvador and her family were facing.
Without giving too much away, the revelations in this story, the betrayals, and Malaya's character growth were impeccable. I was damn near bawling by the end of the book as I tried to focus enough to finish it. I was so happy for Malaya that she was able to fight for what was best for her and her family instead of what she thought she wanted. The final chapters felt very bittersweet, considering everything Malaya lost, but she gained so much in the process.
I will eagerly look for more novels from this author.
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Physical abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Steeped in Filipino mythology, When Oceans Rise explores not only the power of voice, but also the way our limited perspective shapes the way we form relationships with our family, friends, and partners.
I thought this book was heartwarming, entertaining, and empowering and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
*Huge thanks to NetGalley and Robin Alvarez for the audiobook version of this novel*
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
confessionsofabibliophile's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
*Trigger Warnings* Domestic Abuse (physical, emotional and mental) from a partner, gaslighting, cheating, brainwashing and all the bad things that go along with abusive partners.
Tiktik. A bird that is believed to fly alongside a Manananggal. It makes a sound “tik-tik-tik-tik” or “ik-ik-ik-ik” It is said that the fainter the call of the bird the nearer the Manananggal is to you, the louder the ticking the further away it is. This is meant to confuse victims of this Filipino myth.
Alvarez paints an ordinary life of a teenage Filipino girl, growing up in the United States. The girl is caught between the throws of a more Westernised ways of life and the life and ways of the old customs her Filipino mother tries to push on her. As someone who is tri-racial myself I grew up in a culture very similar to the Filipino one with the way of doing certain things. So I found myself mirroring Malaya thinking back to when I was her age and struggling with being who I wanted and yet still trying to keep the family happy.
I really loved learning about the Filipino culture and the Mythology and Lore. As I am a sucker for Cryptids in any culture; Wendigos, Chupacabras, Skinwalkers and more. So finding out that this was not only a fairytale retelling, which is one of my favourite genres, but also used Cryptids and Mythology from the Filipino culture, I was like yes, sign me up.
The story started off a little slow. Though it begins to pick up and after the speed change I was able to focus a lot more on the story. I loved how the use of magical realism was used and it kept the story interesting. I hated Ian the second he entered the chat. I was a little irked by how fast their relationship went, all because of a fortune. I felt like that was the reason Malaya went so hard for Ian and fell victim to all his rubbish. Blinded by love, I didn't understand how it happened. Then again teenage romance does that. Another thing, that I thought was a little clunky was the time shifts in the storyline. Though was easy to ignore.
After loads of lies, gaslighting, tons of abuse, Malaya finds herself drowning in the ocean. She is snatched up by a mythological creature and taken to a Sea Witch. Where she makes a deal to erase the love and heartache, for the price of her voice. This thrusts her into a different timeline. I guess a parallel universe to the one she came from. Ian is not apart of her life in this time, and she has a second chance at life or so she thinks. All if her personal relationships are different and seem better in this life. I won't go too into it as I don't want to drop any big spoilers. There is A LOT of time shifting and A LOT of fighting Cryptids, with the help of everyone in this time and the parallel in which she came. Even the Filipino Gods come in to help using a Mortal they chose as a Champion. All this is happening while Malaya learns some valuable life lessons, and works on a plot to get her voice back and defeat the Sea Witch.
I finished the audio book in two days, maybe two and a half days, as I listened driving to and from work and in bed or while cleaning. It did tie up nicely with an epilogue, I was just a bit eh on one part, because something happens and a choice is made by a key character that is literally the thing the book spent the half the time trying to right as it was wrong for it to happen. I guess I felt like the message that I thought was perfectly conveyed by Alvarez was then dismantled by her as well. That aside I still enjoyed the book and it left me wishing for more even though it didn't have a cliffhanger ending. That is just me wanting more of the Cryptids and lore. All in all I was very pleased with this retelling even with the minor flaws I would recommend.
*Review can also be found on IG, Netgalley and Goodreads.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Grief, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Minor: Murder and Death
roseleebooks's review against another edition
- 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 narration took me a little while to get into but by the end I appreciated the way that Malaya was portrayed. Her tone and voice seems to grow and change with her.
This is a story of overcoming trauma told in a way that is at times sad, terrifying, joyful, and reflective. The various family dynamics are so well done throughout. I wish I'd had a chance to read this as a teenager when it would have given me so much perspective about choices and consequences.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
brooksie03051's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It”s usually fond memories of a girls first love but seventeen-year-old Malaya’s first relationship is cursed before it ever begins. In her family, every girl’s first love is tragic.
Malaya has her future fortune read to her and it seems like that curse will not happen to her. She meets the perfect guy just as she was told, or did she? He makes her think she is his world but over time ruins the relationship she has with her family. She second guesses herself when he makes her think she is forgetting things he told her when he gets caught in lies. He even tries to make her feel bad when he cheats on her as if it was her fault.
She is told by one of the Aunties that the seawitch can help sort everything out. Desperate thinking she has no alternative to get away from the heartache of the boy she loves abusing her physically and mentally, she believes her only option is to make a deal with the sea witch.
The sea witch tells Malaya if she gives up her voice she can have a new life where she and her abusive boyfriend never met. Malaya washes on shore and meets someone new. Was this the boy she was meant to meet and not the horrible one she wished to escape? This new life without her abusive gaslighting boyfriend is very different. Her relationship with her sister, mother, even her friends is nothing like how it used to be. Everything is opposite.
She figures out that she was tricked into swapping places with an alternate timeline version of herself who didn’t make her mistakes. As she tries to undo the switch, the sea witch uses Malaya’s voice to unleash Filipino mythological creatures into the worlds and to free herself from the depths of the ocean where she was trapped.
Can Malaya undo what she desperately tried to change or is it too late?
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Physical abuse