A review by niffler_for_words
Our Vengeful Souls by Kristi McManus

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“We value knowledge above all else. And even though we fear the possibility of magic and the destruction it could bring, we refuse to hide in ignorance by destroying what could be our salvation.

I listened to the audio version of Our Vengeful Souls. 

My first reason to pick the book –with the blurb, of course– was the narrator’s voice and rhythm. I absolutely adored her performance and it was a great addition to the story. 

I loved Sereia’s character. She is a very empowered young woman, determined to make her own place into her mermaid’s world, but the (mer)men in her life –brother and father– aren’t decided to let her. This results in her brother Triton cursing her, forcing her to live among humans, her return to the ocean impossible –unless she breaks the malediction. On Atlantis, she learns how to mix, and makes connections, realizing that maybe all she had been taught under the sea wasn’t true. I liked that part because if many fantastic novels deal with humans’ prejudices regarding the supernatural, not many do the opposite. This book perfectly weaves mythology and a villain's origin story from a tale. But between the lines, it discusses the power of myths, women’s status and how men finally can always keep the upper-hand. That book was sometimes difficult, because a lot of sh** happens to Sereia. She doesn’t always help her cause because she doesn’t make good choices all the time (which makes her human… or at least relatable), and ends with her fate. I loved that balance in the character, how events are ruthless to her, but how she also makes things worse, especially because of her pride. Even if I couldn’t read such a story every day, I truly enjoyed that ride. 

Thank you NetGalley, Kristi McManus and CamCat Books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.