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r_j_setser's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
A unique twist on The Little Mermaid!
When Oceans Rise has a strong message to readers regarding toxic and abusive relationships and powerfully depicts what it's like to "lose your voice" in that relationship while trying to get out of it.
I won't lie, this story isn't the one I expected going in. It's a heavy story all around and if you've ever been gaslighted in any way (be it a romantic partner or someone else), it can be triggering with how much Malaya goes through. There were many instances where I had to set the book aside because it was just too close to home and I couldn't read it for a while. So I would definitely categorize it as a "heavy" read. Good, but heavy.
Outside of the toxic relationship, Malaya also deals with familial tensions. I thought the way the story approaches this was beautifully done in illustrating how our choices impact the trajectory of our lives; and furthermore, how minor choices could change minor things that we often don't think about. I also loved that the book was set in Corpus Christi (my home away from home, so that was fun), and I was deeply intrigued by all of the Filipino culture references.
Overall, I have mixed emotions about When Oceans Rise because it is such a necessary message and Malaya learns many valuable lessons; but it's so heavily laden with the goal of getting these points across that it was often difficult to get through. I enjoyed the storyline but many of the decisions Malaya made and the situations she found herself in just made it hard to read more than one chapter at a time. So I'm rating it 4 out of 5 stars and recommending it with caution.
Content warnings: Cursing is high (multiple uses of strong cursing). Sexual content is implied and there are a few steamy kissing scenes, but nothing more is shown on page. Action/gore is moderately present, but not too detailed.
When Oceans Rise has a strong message to readers regarding toxic and abusive relationships and powerfully depicts what it's like to "lose your voice" in that relationship while trying to get out of it.
I won't lie, this story isn't the one I expected going in. It's a heavy story all around and if you've ever been gaslighted in any way (be it a romantic partner or someone else), it can be triggering with how much Malaya goes through. There were many instances where I had to set the book aside because it was just too close to home and I couldn't read it for a while. So I would definitely categorize it as a "heavy" read. Good, but heavy.
Outside of the toxic relationship, Malaya also deals with familial tensions. I thought the way the story approaches this was beautifully done in illustrating how our choices impact the trajectory of our lives; and furthermore, how minor choices could change minor things that we often don't think about. I also loved that the book was set in Corpus Christi (my home away from home, so that was fun), and I was deeply intrigued by all of the Filipino culture references.
Overall, I have mixed emotions about When Oceans Rise because it is such a necessary message and Malaya learns many valuable lessons; but it's so heavily laden with the goal of getting these points across that it was often difficult to get through. I enjoyed the storyline but many of the decisions Malaya made and the situations she found herself in just made it hard to read more than one chapter at a time. So I'm rating it 4 out of 5 stars and recommending it with caution.
Content warnings: Cursing is high (multiple uses of strong cursing). Sexual content is implied and there are a few steamy kissing scenes, but nothing more is shown on page. Action/gore is moderately present, but not too detailed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Rape, and Emotional abuse
ashs_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.0
When Oceans Rise is a powerful story about finding your voice and reclaiming your life after abuse. As is her family curse, Malaya’s first boyfriend quickly turns abusive. As he continues to apologize and charm his way back into her life, Malaya stays quiet about the abuse she is experiencing until, one day, it goes too far and a distraught Malaya seeks escape from her relationship with the help of a cunning sea witch. Malaya’s reality is dissolved and new monsters begin to surface in her new life.
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*
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*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
confessionsofabibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
I was l lucky enough to receive the audio arc for review via Netgalley. Thank you, Tides Collide Publishing, for giving me the chance to listen to this magical story in return for an honest review. Thank you, Robin Alvarez, for creating this fantastical retelling of The Little Mermaid laced with Filipino Legends and Lore.
*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.
*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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
This was a unique and engaging retelling. The story is paced well, supporting characters are well written, and the portrayal of a main character getting out of a toxic relationship compelling.
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.I wished there was more time for Malaya's relationship with Salvador to be shown, but can appreciate that that wasn't really the focus of the story.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
lou_mac's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I loved the story of this - a little mermaid retelling but with different timelines and filipino mythology, yes please! the characters were relatable and didn't have the annoying teenage-ness I sometimes find in YA.
Pretty much up to the 75% mark it was an even 4stars, but the ending felt a little rushed and convenient, and there were a few bits of shoddy editing (sentences being fully repeated very close together etc) which brought it down.
Still a lovely read though!
Pretty much up to the 75% mark it was an even 4stars, but the ending felt a little rushed and convenient, and there were a few bits of shoddy editing (sentences being fully repeated very close together etc) which brought it down.
Still a lovely read though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Physical abuse
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
When Oceans Rise is an emotional story which begins detailing Malaya's abusive relationship. The ways that when we have been isolated, emotionally manipulated, we cannot see the way out, we don't see what's happening in front of us. How we won't leave this love, this relationship, untouched or unchanged. It was heart wrenching. Love which burns and freezes. All the red flags. The ways her words, feelings, and world begin to twist away form her.
And then When Oceans Rise allows Malaya to make a deal with a sea witch to give up her voice for a universe in which she's not dating Ian. However, this deal not only spells unintended consequences for Malaya's family and friends in this world, but also for the world itself. Suddenly Filipino mythological creatures are appearing and endangering everyone around her. Not only that, but the ripples of these consequences from her deal.
When Oceans Rise is an emotional story which begins detailing Malaya's abusive relationship. The ways that when we have been isolated, emotionally manipulated, we cannot see the way out, we don't see what's happening in front of us. How we won't leave this love, this relationship, untouched or unchanged. It was heart wrenching. Love which burns and freezes. All the red flags. The ways her words, feelings, and world begin to twist away form her.
And then When Oceans Rise allows Malaya to make a deal with a sea witch to give up her voice for a universe in which she's not dating Ian. However, this deal not only spells unintended consequences for Malaya's family and friends in this world, but also for the world itself. Suddenly Filipino mythological creatures are appearing and endangering everyone around her. Not only that, but the ripples of these consequences from her deal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Racism, and Domestic abuse
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