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bethsreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Grief, Miscarriage, Child death, and Violence
sapphicfog's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Miscarriage and Child death
Minor: Suicide attempt
astrid_islaglewis's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Moderate: Child death and Miscarriage
staceyinthesticks's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: War, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
clariu25's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm glad I did.
The story follows Mina, a girl who sacrifices herself to help her village. Then she founds that the Spirit Realm and the Sea God are quite different from what the legends say.
I found the story very cute. Mina is a bit stubborn but she learns quickly that people are there to help her, not control her. She is of course going through the grieve of loosing her family while adapting to a new and completely unknown place and trying to fulfill her mission. I liked her character a lot, brave but kind, not a superhero but not a damsel in distress. Her relationships with each of the characters are lovely, each one of them is different.
The book touches themes of faith, family, friendship, love, death... It's a cozy read that warms your heart.
Minor: Miscarriage, War, Death, and Child death
puertojenny's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Miscarriage
emmieanna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I have wanted to read this book for a long time and it has sat on my shelf for almost a year. The descriptions are so lyrical and vivid and Axie really made me believe in Mina’s story. The only thing stopping me from giving the full 5 stars is the fact I wish it were a duology. I want to know more about this world and Mina’s aspirations, as well as perhaps Shin’s POV and more internal struggle from both of the characters. A lot of the time they changed their minds rather quickly and the plot is so fast paced that we don’t have time to dwell on details.
Overall, I could not recommend this book enough. It is a gorgeous folklore fantasy that has strong Ghibli and fairytale threads.
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, Miscarriage, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Kidnapping, Child death, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
lauraloveslemons's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, War, Infertility, Slavery, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
mattyb's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Miscarriage, and Kidnapping
annorabrady's review
- 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
5.0
There are elements of this story that remind me of both Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid (not just in the voice plot but also in the limited time to win the sea god's heart before she lost her life) but with more agency, resourcefulness, and purpose on the part of the main character.
I also like the idea that the chosen one must choose herself instead of being the victim of the choices of others.
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, and Miscarriage