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jdieperink's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Cannibalism, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, and Medical content
uncreativeoops'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? No
4.75
I was expecting the body horror, but not body horror mixed with so many emotions it was WILD.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Confinement, Gore, Medical content, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual violence
lakinlindsey's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, War, Kidnapping, Medical content, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Slavery, Child death, Gore, Death, Murder, Rape, Violence, and Torture
existentialhell'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
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Medical trauma, Child death, Gore, Torture, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Cannibalism, Blood, Confinement, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexism
cheye13'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
physical abuse and sexual violence in relation to the little mermaid reference; the main character's human husband having cut out her tongue to control her; graphic: scenes of vivisectionleandrathetbrzero's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
↓ Similar Reads ↓
1. A Dowry of Blood by ST Gibson
2. A House With Good Bones by T Kingfisher (want to read!)
3. Any recommendations?
In this dark fairytale retelling, the prince takes a mermaid for his bride, and their monstrous daughters devour the kingdom. Only bones and ashes are left in their wake. The mermaid is now on the run, joined by a mysterious plague doctor, and the two must unleash the darkest parts of themselves in order to survive the nights ahead. Equal parts beautiful and cruel, Khaw's storytelling asks you to rethink what it means to be a monster.
As a horror newbie, I’m still figuring out which reads I am guaranteed to enjoy. However, when I saw this at the top of my library’s pile of newest additions, I actually couldn’t help but start reading it during my shift! I’ve always been a fan of fairytale retellings, especially those that bring back the stories’ original dark atmosphere. This is definitely an atmospheric read more than one belonging to the jump scare variety, which complements the hauntingly beautiful prose style. I was also heavily invested in the intimacy that grew between the two main characters as the narrative progressed. The plague doctor is depicted as a nonbinary character as well for those looking for inclusive horror recommendations!
Be sure to check out the content warnings on this title if you feel the need to do so!
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Blood and Body horror
Minor: Sexual violence
emimli's review
2.0
My biggest gripe with this book is that the ending seemed very rushed and didn’t fit with the overall atmosphere of the story. It also felt very unearned. I’m not a fan of deus-ex-machina style endings where the central conflict is solved using a completely new, previously unmentioned plot/world/character element, which is unfortunately exactly what happens here.
Additionally, from a technical standpoint, Khaw’s writing style is pretty unbearable. Her prose reads like she just discovered the synonym tool in Microsoft Word. It’s overwrought to the point of being nonsensical at times.
The love story at the centre of this book was my favourite part, but even that needed to be built up much more.
Overall, there are some cool ideas in here, but the execution was sorely lacking.
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Medical content, Child abuse, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Torture