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mgromero's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of the recommended books at my library and wow, so glad I picked this up. Thin but packed full of nuance and emotions. I will definitely be purchasing and rereading this book. Half a star off only because at times it was almost too much “show, don’t tell” which made it difficult to stay in the story at times. Really hope Zin Rocklyn has given interviews on this book because I am fascinated to hear more about her mind behind the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Sexual content, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death, Grief, Child death, and Pregnancy
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
My rating of this book is based entirely on personal preference and not necessarily a reflection on how good or bad it is. I could see someone with different tastes than me absolutely loving this, and that’s totally cool.
This is one of those books that is purposefully unclear for the first, like, 75%, until you’re granted some grand revelation that’s supposed to make it all make sense. Except I still had more questions than answers at the end of this story, and feeling lost the entire time didn’t make for a very enjoyable reading experience for me.
The writing was beautiful and descriptive yet very cryptic in nature, which made it hard to connect with the protagonist and the story. I think I’d need to re-read this two or three times before having a clearer understanding of what’s going on. There’s definitely some allegorical meaning at play here, and if I had to guess, something to do with generational trauma.
Huge trigger warning for pregnancy and childbirth which is depicted in probably the gnarliest way I’ve ever encountered.
This is one of those books that is purposefully unclear for the first, like, 75%, until you’re granted some grand revelation that’s supposed to make it all make sense. Except I still had more questions than answers at the end of this story, and feeling lost the entire time didn’t make for a very enjoyable reading experience for me.
The writing was beautiful and descriptive yet very cryptic in nature, which made it hard to connect with the protagonist and the story. I think I’d need to re-read this two or three times before having a clearer understanding of what’s going on. There’s definitely some allegorical meaning at play here, and if I had to guess, something to do with generational trauma.
Huge trigger warning for pregnancy and childbirth which is depicted in probably the gnarliest way I’ve ever encountered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Body horror, Grief, Pregnancy, Blood, Death, Gore, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Confinement and Infertility
Minor: Excrement
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Unremarkable save for the ending and a few other bits throughout that were intriguing. Maybe this story would've benefitted from being a 350 page novel bc it would've answered some questions and made you (or ok, me) care more about Iraxi or the other characters or the story itself that worse than not caring about, I found super silly at points. Though the point was to be lyrical and mysterious and blah blah and it didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt
readabookmofo's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn was an absolutely beautiful read. Rocklyn has a way with words that make you want to relisten (or reread) what you just heard. Not for any confusion, but for the poetical writing. Her words are captivating and descriptive, capturing the perfect emotion for the given situation.
The premise itself was enough to sell me. An ark holding a shattered community, surrounded by sea monsters? Sounds amazing! unfortunately, this novella focused more on the FMC's (Iraxi) past life. This was interesting and added great character development, but it did slow the story down a bit.
The insight into Iraxi's experience with pregnancy and not wanting the child was appreciated. As a woman who doesn't want a child, it's nice to read about other women that have similar thoughts, even in a fantasy/sci-fi book!
As stated in the previous slide, the story got a bit confusing at points. I wasn't sure if it was because I was listening or if it was the narration. (It was a common complaint in other reviews) I was able to follow along enough, but remain unclear on some of the relationships and past experiences of the FMC.
The ending was amazing; it was built up perfectly and Rocklyn's eloquence painted a vivid picture. I think part of the mark of a great novella is its ability for a series. Flower for the Sea certainly hits this mark. I would love a sequel! Can't wait to read more from Rocklyn, outstanding debut!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Favorite quote: "Back then, I complained of suffocation. But now, I choke on the emptiness."vigil's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
this book honestly reads as extremely uninspired and derivative. i think it is unfair to compare books and authors to each other, but once i read that rivers solomon was an inspiration to the author, it was extremely clear to me why.
if you entered this book for the sea creature element, and you enjoyed the commentary on trauma, and all the other shit that fucked up baby started spouting towards the end, read the deep by rivers solomon, which a better take on the subjects by a mile.
this book tried to posit itself and its character work as something it wasn’t, and this is at it’s clearest in the ending, that is meant to be a kind of reclamation of oneself and autonomy, but to the reader, evidently less concerned with symbolism than the author, it comes across as a new kind of chain. really, the prose is lovely, and the atmosphere is strong, rocklyn conveys very visceral horror and emotions through the protagonist’s experience, but there’s really nothing in this book that justifies reading it.
if you entered this book for the sea creature element, and you enjoyed the commentary on trauma, and all the other shit that fucked up baby started spouting towards the end, read the deep by rivers solomon, which a better take on the subjects by a mile.
this book tried to posit itself and its character work as something it wasn’t, and this is at it’s clearest in the ending, that is meant to be a kind of reclamation of oneself and autonomy, but to the reader, evidently less concerned with symbolism than the author, it comes across as a new kind of chain. really, the prose is lovely, and the atmosphere is strong, rocklyn conveys very visceral horror and emotions through the protagonist’s experience, but there’s really nothing in this book that justifies reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pregnancy, Cursing, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bluebrooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
female rage, beautiful beautiful beautiful writing.... we love to see it. i will be thinking about this for a while and will probably return to write an actual review but for now i'm just gonna drop the 5 stars this little book deserves.
(if u like this u will probably also enjoy here, the world entire !!)
(if u like this u will probably also enjoy here, the world entire !!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Excrement, Body horror, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abortion and Suicidal thoughts
rosesofthespring's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Hate crime, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Infertility, Child death, Miscarriage, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Miscarriage, and Abortion
This story largely revolves around a pregnancy and traumatic birth. The main character is a member of a persecuted racial and religious minority, who faces bigotry throughout.cheye13's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Excrement
An unwanted pregnancy carried through to birth is the majority of the narrativerorikae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
'Flowers for the Sea' by Zin E. Rocklyn is an interesting horror novella that I wished had taken more time to explore its themes and characters.
On a boat far from her home, Iraxi is pregnant with a child that she thinks may be less human than one would hope. Still dealing with the trauma of losing her family and her home, Iraxi is coming to terms with her situation and what her child may be.
Rocklyn creates an intriguing scenario and interesting characters but I don't think enough time was given to each to fully tell the story that is promised. Iraxi is dealing with severe depression after the loss of her family and home and this causes her to weave in and out of the past and the present. This sets up some of her backstory but I found that we weren't given quite enough time in either her memories or the present to fully cement the story and allow for character growth.
Rocklyn does a great job of writing body horror as Iraxi questions her pregnancy and the child that she is going to give birth to. The prose is lyrical and evocative, which I really enjoyed.
At 112 pages, this is a short novella and it feels like it could have used expansion. I was left at the end confused over what was going on and why. Despite this, I would read more of Rocklyn's books in the future as I really enjoyed their writing and the premise is intriguing.
On a boat far from her home, Iraxi is pregnant with a child that she thinks may be less human than one would hope. Still dealing with the trauma of losing her family and her home, Iraxi is coming to terms with her situation and what her child may be.
Rocklyn creates an intriguing scenario and interesting characters but I don't think enough time was given to each to fully tell the story that is promised. Iraxi is dealing with severe depression after the loss of her family and home and this causes her to weave in and out of the past and the present. This sets up some of her backstory but I found that we weren't given quite enough time in either her memories or the present to fully cement the story and allow for character growth.
Rocklyn does a great job of writing body horror as Iraxi questions her pregnancy and the child that she is going to give birth to. The prose is lyrical and evocative, which I really enjoyed.
At 112 pages, this is a short novella and it feels like it could have used expansion. I was left at the end confused over what was going on and why. Despite this, I would read more of Rocklyn's books in the future as I really enjoyed their writing and the premise is intriguing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Confinement
Minor: Infidelity and Sexism
Unwanted/forced pregnancy; childbirth and post-natal care. Infant death/harm. Generational trauma; discrimination/persecution. Urination, various other bodily fluids, brief emetophobia. Animal attacks, including on children. Needles in the context of wound care.