Reviews tagging 'Death'

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

9 reviews

greatexpectations77's review

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.25

This was extremely interesting, and I think this book could be really helpful for young people who are wading into social justice issues. Would definitely read this author again - I really appreciated the extent of the world-building.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Racism

Moderate: Death, Confinement, Police brutality, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Cancer

Minor: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Chronic illness, and Mental illness

booksthatburn's review against another edition

It's very slow to start and I'm having trouble getting into it. I generally have trouble with YA contemporary and this feels more YA contemporary/fantasy than I'd like.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Death, Racism, Murder, and Sexism

Minor: Self harm

TW for Harry Potter reference.

alsoapples's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Police brutality, Racism, Self harm, and Sexism

Minor: Eating disorder

the_grimdragon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I've been branching out more with reading young adult novels here & there, especially if they are diverse! Also, with 2020 being what it was, I just couldn't sink into a thicc book like I normally would. My mental headspace just hasn't been there, so I've been getting through some leaner books, as well as standalones.

A Song Below Water is the debut young adult novel from Bethany C. Morrow. Since I don't read a ton of YA, it was this cover that initially pulled me in. I mean.. LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ARTWORK IS!!

A Song Below Water is a dual-perspective narrative with powerful themes of racism, bigotry, police brutality, misogyny, identity & sisterhood.

Plus-- Mermaids! Sirens! Pixies! Gargoyles!

It's funny & awkward, brutal & joyful. This absolutely deserves to be read!

That being said, it didn't fully come together for me. Ultimately, I prefer more magic with my magical realism! However, the bones are there & I'm definitely planning on reading the companion book, A Chorus Rises, when it comes out later this year!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Death

onemamareads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Self harm

Minor: Suicide

jourdanicus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A creative, original, modern fantasy that I really enjoyed.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Police brutality, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Death and Grief

zombiezami's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Hate crime

Moderate: Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders

babayagaofficial's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Fatphobia and Kidnapping

anne311's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Death, Violence, Sexism, Police brutality, Hate crime, Gore, and Grief