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lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Children's UK for this ARC.
At the beginning of the book we find Simi in the land of the dead helping Olokum after their bargain at the end of book 1. Simi is cold and lonely and miserable but is given the opportunity to escape when one of her mami water sisters tells her that Olokum kept Esu trapped and he is now needed to trap the anti gods.
Simi and one of her sisters take Esu and find Kola. Kola is, rightly so, still angry with Esu but trusts Simi. Weirdly, his siblings are seemingly fine being around Esu though, despite the fact that he kidnapped them in the last book. Esu doesn't even mention their powers in this book, so I assume we're meant to think that he had some time to reflect whilst stuck in the land of the dead, but that is never communicated on page.
Somehow this book felt very rushed and yet was longer than the first one. I still feel like we needed more one on one time for Simi and Kola. I'm happy with Kola's story arc and whilst I liked the ending, I do feel like we could've seen Simi with her family or even see Kola visit her and her family.
The two of them seemed to go through a lot to then not be together at the end. I would've liked a bit more closure at the end of the book. Unless we're maybe getting another one? I still feel like there's unresolved issues with certain characters.
The betrayal didn't really surprise me but again we didn't get that much of an explanation as to why the character decided on that path.
As with the first, the folklore and mythology is rich and vibrant and Bowen paints such a vivid picture of all the gods and creatures. I also really love Simi as a character and seeing her struggles with what she wants and what she feels her duty is. She is curious and brave and has a huge heart.
If you love a Little Mermaid retelling then you should definitely pick this series up but just a heads up it can be a bit dark so please check the trigger warnings.
CW: death, mentions of slavery, imprisonment
At the beginning of the book we find Simi in the land of the dead helping Olokum after their bargain at the end of book 1. Simi is cold and lonely and miserable but is given the opportunity to escape when one of her mami water sisters tells her that Olokum kept Esu trapped and he is now needed to trap the anti gods.
Simi and one of her sisters take Esu and find Kola. Kola is, rightly so, still angry with Esu but trusts Simi. Weirdly, his siblings are seemingly fine being around Esu though, despite the fact that he kidnapped them in the last book. Esu doesn't even mention their powers in this book, so I assume we're meant to think that he had some time to reflect whilst stuck in the land of the dead, but that is never communicated on page.
Somehow this book felt very rushed and yet was longer than the first one. I still feel like we needed more one on one time for Simi and Kola. I'm happy with Kola's story arc and whilst I liked the ending, I do feel like we could've seen Simi with her family or even see Kola visit her and her family.
The two of them seemed to go through a lot to then not be together at the end. I would've liked a bit more closure at the end of the book. Unless we're maybe getting another one? I still feel like there's unresolved issues with certain characters.
The betrayal didn't really surprise me but again we didn't get that much of an explanation as to why the character decided on that path.
As with the first, the folklore and mythology is rich and vibrant and Bowen paints such a vivid picture of all the gods and creatures. I also really love Simi as a character and seeing her struggles with what she wants and what she feels her duty is. She is curious and brave and has a huge heart.
If you love a Little Mermaid retelling then you should definitely pick this series up but just a heads up it can be a bit dark so please check the trigger warnings.
CW: death, mentions of slavery, imprisonment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Minor: Slavery
stardust_heidi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, and Body horror
Minor: Slavery
instalovewithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Soul of the Deep is a finale that leaves lots of questions unanswered, but my god, it is so good. I teared up in a few parts as well. I listened to most of the story but wanted to finish it tonight so I could focus on other audiobooks. 💖 I read about 80 pages, and it was so great.
If you loved Skin of the Sea, continue the duology.
If you loved Skin of the Sea, continue the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Gore, Blood, Colonisation, and Violence
Minor: Slavery
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