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anelya's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The main issue I had with this book is that it RAN with the "Not like other girls" trope for over half of the story. It was so incredibly frustrating, especially how the female characters harboured animosity to one another. Really wish there would have been some female solidarity, and especially that the MC wouldn't have been so lonely and constantly dissing the other women! However, I do want to specify that I believe the MC is relatively young and I feel like teens will more probably sympathise with the characters and the story.
I do really like how there was an upturn at the end of the book! The MC grows a lot, although there would still be more growing to do. She gets cleverer, realises that she's actually, what do you know, like the other girls - sorry, mermaids. So that was nice that at least she realises the flaws in her thinking, I appreciated that.
I didn't really like how the relationship with Havamal was treated, and while I was THRILLED that there's a poly, bi author (REPRESENT! YAS!), that also made me really sad because I would have LOVED some poly rep and it would've been so easy.
I do also wish the relationship between the love interests would have taken more space in the novel. While I was fascinated with the society and... Hm, I guess I should mention that I ADORED the world-building! I thought that was really well done, one of the better representations of underwater life that I've seen, it made me really, very happy and it was exciting and I was delighted every time a new detail was mentioned! I kept finding myself wishing for a move adaptation so I could better visualise the author's awesome ideas for an underwater society. But anyway, my point was that, while I love the time invested to describe the basics of underwater life, I did find myself wishing for FAR more screentime between the two love interests.
Also... This isn't a pro or con, but I have questions! Why did they move north? I'm so very curious, and I kept thinking that would be explained, but it wasn't! I want more details about this society and its history, I'm so fascinated! I saw some people thought there might be a third book, if there is, I hope it would delve into that (cus apparently book 2 has nothing to do with the merfolk?)
I do really like how there was an upturn at the end of the book! The MC grows a lot, although there would still be more growing to do. She gets cleverer, realises that she's actually, what do you know, like the other girls - sorry, mermaids. So that was nice that at least she realises the flaws in her thinking, I appreciated that.
I do also wish the relationship between the love interests would have taken more space in the novel. While I was fascinated with the society and... Hm, I guess I should mention that I ADORED the world-building! I thought that was really well done, one of the better representations of underwater life that I've seen, it made me really, very happy and it was exciting and I was delighted every time a new detail was mentioned! I kept finding myself wishing for a move adaptation so I could better visualise the author's awesome ideas for an underwater society. But anyway, my point was that, while I love the time invested to describe the basics of underwater life, I did find myself wishing for FAR more screentime between the two love interests.
Also... This isn't a pro or con, but I have questions! Why did they move north? I'm so very curious, and I kept thinking that would be explained, but it wasn't! I want more details about this society and its history, I'm so fascinated! I saw some people thought there might be a third book, if there is, I hope it would delve into that (cus apparently book 2 has nothing to do with the merfolk?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
acoffeeandagoodbook's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.5
Read for the Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt "a duology (part one)".
For a short, there's a lot of really solid world-building here. The world of the mermaids was so interesting, and really clearly created. I read this book right after the SCOTUS ruling on Roe v Wade, so the misogynistic world of the mermaids, where fertility and birthing children are everything, felt especially poignant. I thought it was an interesting choice to have Ersel, despite her desperation to escape, repeating some of the beliefs of the society she has been raised in. I know others didn't like this, but it felt real to me. Ersel is young, and can only learn what she has been taught. While she may be in the wrong, I felt she grew and worked to make up for her mistakes.
Ragna isn't perfect either, which also made her more interesting. Both these young women are in tough situations, and have done terrible things, but are working hard to correct them. Always more interesting than people who are always good.
I did think this was a little short, and the last half of the book feels quite rushed. The plot is enjoyable, and I really enjoyed the links to Norse mythology and the Little Mermaid, but there was a lot packed into the end. I also felt the book just stopped quite abruptly and was a bit neatly tied up.
For a short, there's a lot of really solid world-building here. The world of the mermaids was so interesting, and really clearly created. I read this book right after the SCOTUS ruling on Roe v Wade, so the misogynistic world of the mermaids, where fertility and birthing children are everything, felt especially poignant. I thought it was an interesting choice to have Ersel, despite her desperation to escape, repeating some of the beliefs of the society she has been raised in. I know others didn't like this, but it felt real to me. Ersel is young, and can only learn what she has been taught. While she may be in the wrong, I felt she grew and worked to make up for her mistakes.
Ragna isn't perfect either, which also made her more interesting. Both these young women are in tough situations, and have done terrible things, but are working hard to correct them. Always more interesting than people who are always good.
I did think this was a little short, and the last half of the book feels quite rushed. The plot is enjoyable, and I really enjoyed the links to Norse mythology and the Little Mermaid, but there was a lot packed into the end. I also felt the book just stopped quite abruptly and was a bit neatly tied up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Confinement
wynterwonderland's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Infertility
Minor: Sexual content and Confinement
bookbrig's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Not my favorite, but could be a good choice for a teen looking for a Little Mermaid retelling. I didn't love the violence between the romantic leads, but it's not any worse than most of the Joker/Harley stuff lots of our teens are into. And there are definitely shades of Disney but darker, so it might also work for fans of the Disney Twisted Tales series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault, Confinement, and Infertility
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