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slighte's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
Loved the fantasy world and learning more about it and its history throughout the book. Loved the plot. Loved the deaf rep - this was integrated really well throughout and echoed really well with irl Deaf culture! However it did feel a little longer than it needed to be, and although the story relies on the toxic friendship, it did get a bit tedious and I was expecting a more emotionally triumphant moment in the ending of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Slavery, Animal death, Murder, Blood, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail
Additional content warning for drowning, a fair bit of this takes place in submarines/underwatermadarauchiha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
โค๏ธ ๐งก ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐งก โค๏ธ
I really loved this book. Have you ever wanted a story about eldritch religious horrors and deep sea terror, but without the racist, hideous h p lovecraft garbage? This is it. Granted it is very much for younger readers, I'd say 13-20 yo? This isn't aimed towards adults specifically, but I wouldn't say adults can't read it. Just understand that the reading level is going to be a little juvenile if you have outgrown it. That the main character is 15 doesn't help this, but it's not a detriment to the story. It does make sense in that he's very young and will make stupid decisions as a 15 yo orphan child with no parental guidance.
I loved the world set up in this as well. They 'elder gods' aka known deities in are not blatant rip offs on lovecraft lore. They are fleshed out enough that they're unique and incredibly creepy.
The characters are fantastic and have clearly defined voices and povs. I love that there's an actually disabled deaf character who is portrayed realistically. I saw in the author's acknowledgements that they hired sensitivity readers and engaged with actual Deaf organizations, which I appreciate. That is what I require from authors when they are writing about things they haven't experience and require conscious effort and purpose in showing.
The plot was surprisingly interesting. I wasn't expecting much when I discovered that the MC was 15 yo. I had braced myself for a very boring, by the numbers YA plot. That wasn't the case. The writing was sensible and florid enough when it needed to be. I would enjoy seeing more from this author and this series.
Content warnings:
minor religious bigotry [fictional], animal death, ableist c slur, emetophobia, body horror,
medium suicide, drowning,
major deep water scenarios, thalassophobia, mass death, ableism, child abuse, ableism, gore, body horror, manipulation, slavery, oceans, open water, abuse, murder, gore, body horror, kidnapping, child abuse, toxic relationships,
I really loved this book. Have you ever wanted a story about eldritch religious horrors and deep sea terror, but without the racist, hideous h p lovecraft garbage? This is it. Granted it is very much for younger readers, I'd say 13-20 yo? This isn't aimed towards adults specifically, but I wouldn't say adults can't read it. Just understand that the reading level is going to be a little juvenile if you have outgrown it. That the main character is 15 doesn't help this, but it's not a detriment to the story. It does make sense in that he's very young and will make stupid decisions as a 15 yo orphan child with no parental guidance.
I loved the world set up in this as well. They 'elder gods' aka known deities in are not blatant rip offs on lovecraft lore. They are fleshed out enough that they're unique and incredibly creepy.
The characters are fantastic and have clearly defined voices and povs. I love that there's an actually disabled deaf character who is portrayed realistically. I saw in the author's acknowledgements that they hired sensitivity readers and engaged with actual Deaf organizations, which I appreciate. That is what I require from authors when they are writing about things they haven't experience and require conscious effort and purpose in showing.
The plot was surprisingly interesting. I wasn't expecting much when I discovered that the MC was 15 yo. I had braced myself for a very boring, by the numbers YA plot. That wasn't the case. The writing was sensible and florid enough when it needed to be. I would enjoy seeing more from this author and this series.
Content warnings:
minor religious bigotry [fictional], animal death, ableist c slur, emetophobia, body horror,
medium suicide, drowning,
major deep water scenarios, thalassophobia, mass death, ableism, child abuse, ableism, gore, body horror, manipulation, slavery, oceans, open water, abuse, murder, gore, body horror, kidnapping, child abuse, toxic relationships,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Ableism, and Religious bigotry
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