Reviews

Where Oceans Burn by Casey L. Bond

ashley_apairofreaders's review against another edition

5.0

4.5/5

crickett's review

slow-paced

2.75

abridges2954's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Slower in the exposition, but a unique story in a beautiful world. 
Listened to the audiobook, but I wish I would have read this one traditionally. The narrator was just OK and I think I would have enjoyed this more as a visual read. 

madison1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

blue_skies_tomorrow's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

maireadh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

4.5

fisherhannah24's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

aprhodes's review against another edition

4.0

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Main Character: Elira. A very well-drawn, complex character who we get to see really grow and change. She is the heart of this book and what makes it such an enjoyable read. She is strong, driven, stubborn, aggressive, and makes mistakes. But she also learns from mistakes, respects others, and changes her mind when presented with new viewpoints.

Love Interest: Crest. A good character whom I hope we get to know better in the sequel. He's portrayed as brave and strong but also very respectful of Elira. He has less on-page time than I'd like, and I wish I knew more about what drives him and draws him to Elira.

Romance: The romance is a bit complex, and there isn't as much as I expected. It starts as a delicious slow burn but then feels like it starts moving too fast. By the end of the book, things have set themself up well for the sequel.

Spoiler

This is just a personal preference, but I'm not a fan of "soulmates" or "fated mates" - I think it removed the agency from a romance; it feels less like the characters choosing each other than being pushed together. So I was bothered by the lacuna reveal so early on in them making a connection. But given that it doesn't turn into instant love, I was ok with it. And I really like the tattoo element; I just wish its meaning hadn't been revealed.

Relationship Status at Book End:

Spoiler

There is a connection, but no love yet.

Tropes:
• True enemies to lovers
• Slow burn
• Girls with Wings
• Boys with Gills
• Love fated by Gods

What Worked for Me:

katharine421's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bryoung21's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective 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

4.0