Reviews

This was a surprisingly refreshing read, considering the heavily-toned books I've been reading lately, and I'm grateful for that! I was a little wary of delving back into Asian folklore after being a bit let down in a previous book recently, but I found the folkloric inspirations in this one wonderful! It did help that I liked the characters in this book, especially Mina. I mean, girl got things done the moment she threw herself into the sea. And she kept getting things done until the very end.

I also did love that this book took me back into the fairy tale type of retelling. The first page alone already set the tone for me, but the writing? Poetry in sea-waving motion. It had me visualizing a lot of the Hayao Miyazaki movies I loved, and man oh man, I wanted to rewatch Spirited Away so many times while I read TGWFBtS. Because THE SEA GOD OKAY.

Also. Tropes. TROPES. Fated mates tend to be hit or misses, but I liked how this one got a bit twisted. Also also also I can never say no to a "touch her and die" scene and there are at least TWO here and it's quite lovely really!

alesehunter's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0

chubbunnie's review

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

nianarra's review against another edition

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inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emilyzengers's review

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5.0

- 5/5!!!!
- elegant, beautiful prose
- world building was immersive
- all the characters were so likeable and 3d! i especially like the mc, which isn't always the case
- strong, smart fl x loyal, righteous ml
- loved the importance of family!
- every chapter ended on me wanting to know what happens next
- the reveals were so good, the plot unraveled itself beautifully and shockingly
- i cried ugh and i don't do that in books

cmitchell2781's review

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5.0

I adored this book. I was vaguely aware of the original folktale, and I think this was a well written retelling. The story flowed well and it was easy to read and get absorbed into. I loved all the characters, especially the 3 spirits who help Mina. Mina is such a strong willed MC, her love for her people and sense of right and wrong makes her easy to love. There was so many more aspects than just Minas story woven into this, different characters getting their stories told at the same time, it's a truly magical story.
I love retellings, and I'm really excited to see more than just Disney or European fairytales.

cupidslibrary's review

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4.0

A wonderfully whimsical, fantastical read. From the start, you quite literally dive right into the action and story. The lore and story behind the characters comes organically through the book, and all the characters were the perfect addition to move it along. While there is a bit of romance in it, it focuses more on the main FMC working to save her people, while also learning about the spirit realm and that even the gods are flawed, that not everything is as it seems. Set in such a beautifully enchanting setting, the picture Axie painted was just stunning. I loved Mina as a main character. She wasn’t over the top, she was just a girl, who wanted to save her family and her village, but her heart and her stories is what really makes her special.

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