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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
annaszell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
I liked this book way more than I expected I would! Solid 4 stars ⭐️
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse
justinekorson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I want to call this Filipino Little Mermaid but it is SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. The only real similarity between this story and the Little Mermaid is that the FMC goes to see a sea witch and loses her voice in a contract. everything else about the story is different and incredible.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Physical abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
alysbookishdaydream's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great modern take on a classic. This book is the perfect mix of a story we all love, the little mermaid mixed with practical magic. The knods to filipino culture were beautifully woven in. This novel showcases the importance of family bonds in their heritage. This was honestly my favorite part of the book was experiencing their culture thru the storytelling. This story felt very close to my heart because it reminded me of abuses, and someone dear to me endured. Therefore, please check the trigger warnings. This book had action, suspense, paranormal mythical creatures, and unbreakable sister bonds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
It's a character development that show how one decision can impact your life.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
chantel_ingalls's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
First of all, I’d like to say thank you to NetGalley, Robin Alvarez and Tides Collide Publishing for access to the Audiobook ARC. WIth that being said, this review is nothing but my honest opinion. Let’s get to it:
When Ocieans Rise follows Malaya, a seventeen-year-old girl, whose family is cursed. In her family, every girl’s first love is someone evil and the relationship is doomed to end in death. Malaya doesn’t think the curse is real or that her first love is evil. What she doesn’t see is that she’s blinded by love and she isn’t noticing that he is hard at work gaslighting her and isolating her from her family. Malaya goes to her Tita Blessica for a reading and her Tita tells her that the boy she thinks if her first love isn’t her true first love at all and in order to meet her true love she must go to the Sea Witch. This leaves Malaya confused until she ends up in the hands of the Sea Witch after getting pulled into a riptide while surfing. The Sea Witch promises to undo Malaya’s poor choices and send her home to a life where she never dated the boy who ruined her, all she has to do is give up her voice…
Despite seeing the cover and reading the initial blurb for When Oceans Rise, I feel like I had no idea what I was truly getting into and although I wasn’t certain at first, I ended up absolutely loving this audiobook. This books is a Young Adult Fantasy, and in many ways it is a retelling of the little mermaid except without mermaids and with the addition of Filipino culture, folklore and mythology.
This books does contain Content Warnings* As someone who has experienced a really bad relationship in which, like Malaya, I was also cheated on and gaslit repeatedly, I appreciated the content warnings at the start of the audiobook. The way it is explained briefly but thoroughly that the main character goes through a relationship with mental and physical abuse that may seem nonsensical or infuriating to an outsider but isn’t something so obvious to the person going through it is spot on.
Overall, this book is well written it contains folklore and fantasy elements, parallel universe/realities, life lessons, and so much more. 5 stars from me! Highly recommend (with consideration to content warnings)
When Ocieans Rise follows Malaya, a seventeen-year-old girl, whose family is cursed. In her family, every girl’s first love is someone evil and the relationship is doomed to end in death. Malaya doesn’t think the curse is real or that her first love is evil. What she doesn’t see is that she’s blinded by love and she isn’t noticing that he is hard at work gaslighting her and isolating her from her family. Malaya goes to her Tita Blessica for a reading and her Tita tells her that the boy she thinks if her first love isn’t her true first love at all and in order to meet her true love she must go to the Sea Witch. This leaves Malaya confused until she ends up in the hands of the Sea Witch after getting pulled into a riptide while surfing. The Sea Witch promises to undo Malaya’s poor choices and send her home to a life where she never dated the boy who ruined her, all she has to do is give up her voice…
Despite seeing the cover and reading the initial blurb for When Oceans Rise, I feel like I had no idea what I was truly getting into and although I wasn’t certain at first, I ended up absolutely loving this audiobook. This books is a Young Adult Fantasy, and in many ways it is a retelling of the little mermaid except without mermaids and with the addition of Filipino culture, folklore and mythology.
This books does contain Content Warnings* As someone who has experienced a really bad relationship in which, like Malaya, I was also cheated on and gaslit repeatedly, I appreciated the content warnings at the start of the audiobook. The way it is explained briefly but thoroughly that the main character goes through a relationship with mental and physical abuse that may seem nonsensical or infuriating to an outsider but isn’t something so obvious to the person going through it is spot on.
Overall, this book is well written it contains folklore and fantasy elements, parallel universe/realities, life lessons, and so much more. 5 stars from me! Highly recommend (with consideration to content warnings)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Emotional 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
brooksie03051's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- 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
WHEN OCEANS RISE
Thank you to NetGalley and the author Robin Alvarez for access to this audiobook for an honest review.
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?
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?
Thoughts…
I think the situation of the abuse the protagonist had is unfortunately common enough that if the person reading this story hasn’t encountered it, they probably know someone who has.
I loved hearing about Filipino creatures that I imagine are told in stories passed down from families that are new to me. I feel like this story also gives hope to people who feel it’s too late to mend broken relationships with family. With patience, understanding, and mutual respect, it is worth trying to make amends.
The people who truly love you will make the effort to help guide you to be the best version of yourself even if you do not see it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Physical abuse