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ayetreads's review against another edition
5.0
I felt like I was reading a literary classic with The Mermaid of Black Conch. It has fantasy elements but it's also steeped with life. I did not want to put this book down but I also don't want it to end. I found myself pacing my reading time because I know I can finish this in one day but I just want to stay in this world.
I love the mermaid, Aycayia, David, miss Rain, Reggie, and even Life. The author is amazing at creating a world that is lived in and exploring the complicated relationship of coastal communities with a history of slavery and division.
The glimpses of Aycayia's previous life with her tribe and family were also a delight. The storytelling is masterful. I wish there's more.
I love the mermaid, Aycayia, David, miss Rain, Reggie, and even Life. The author is amazing at creating a world that is lived in and exploring the complicated relationship of coastal communities with a history of slavery and division.
The glimpses of Aycayia's previous life with her tribe and family were also a delight. The storytelling is masterful. I wish there's more.
noellita's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
I really liked the beginning, but towards the end, the book wasn't as captivating any more.
I felt like Aycayia was put on a pedestal, especially by all the men around her, because of her beauty and her innocence, which bothered me. She is, of course, lovable, but I didn't like how other women were supposed to be a contrast to her (and thus, suck).
There was a very delicate reckoning with the colonial past and the ways in which it impacts the present. The character of Arcadia Rain was well-thought out. I really liked her, but was also able to see her flaws.
There was decidedly too much mention of genitals for my taste. Men in this book felt everything "in their balls".
I also disagree on a personal level with the importance sex has in this book. Of course it's amazing to see what kind of pleasure your body can give you, but it doesn't "turn you into a woman". Neither does your period.
I felt like Aycayia was put on a pedestal, especially by all the men around her, because of her beauty and her innocence, which bothered me. She is, of course, lovable, but I didn't like how other women were supposed to be a contrast to her (and thus, suck).
There was a very delicate reckoning with the colonial past and the ways in which it impacts the present. The character of Arcadia Rain was well-thought out. I really liked her, but was also able to see her flaws.
There was decidedly too much mention of genitals for my taste. Men in this book felt everything "in their balls".
I also disagree on a personal level with the importance sex has in this book. Of course it's amazing to see what kind of pleasure your body can give you, but it doesn't "turn you into a woman". Neither does your period.
elsa3214's review
3.5
Sjukt brutal i vissa delar och hade den varit skriven av en man hade vissa scener/händelser varit helt unforgivable. Kändes (tyvärr) trolig i händelseförloppet (liksom vad hade faktiskt hänt om ett gäng män hittade en sjöjungfru) och delvis skriven på kreol/dialekt = 10/10. Kanske lite väl mycket snack om oskuld och Wombs och störde ihjäl mig på att hon skulle förstå ASL som nåt slags historiskt, universellt språk när det skapades lokalt ca 1820?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
ljcatz's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
meowyagnes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? No
3.5
rvblack's review against another edition
sad
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
3.0
sannesbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
Short book but felt really slow and took me very long to finish it. Promising concept but bad execution in my opinion.
The format and the writing was interesting. I liked the caribean setting and the creole language. The first part of the book captivated me, but at the end it felt tiring and repetetive.
I was also kind of surprised that this book was written by a woman. It felt sexist to me.
The format and the writing was interesting. I liked the caribean setting and the creole language. The first part of the book captivated me, but at the end it felt tiring and repetetive.
I was also kind of surprised that this book was written by a woman. It felt sexist to me.
catherinemia's review against another edition
3.5
Loved the plot and the culture in this book. The ending and the plot had me hooked and I was invested in the story. Would recommend!
erinjade_3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lori_h's review against another edition
4.5
A fantasy story without Disney-fication. Beautifully written, though I would have preferred that the word "loins" wasn't used so much.