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A review by morevna
The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This wasn't a bad book and maybe I'm a little spoiled from reading mostly trilogies, but I thought this lacked some depth overall.
What really bothered me, though, was the fact that the literal abusive behavior of some characters is always excused by those around them and almost everyone else - everyone except for Eva (who, sadly, turns a blind eye to the abusive person in her closer circle too). I think it's an absolute shit message to put into a YA book. Physical or emotional abuse shouldn't be excused or overlooked, even if it's family. Maybe especially if it's family. That's just a really, really shitty take. We also don't roll with the boys will be boys bullshit here. It's abusive. Full stop. They're abusers and assholes. And so is everyone else who acts as shitty as them. End of story.
Now that that's out of the way: I wish there was a sequel because the end felt like a cliffhanger. It could also give us more insight into the world, the witches' world and what happens next between Eva and Lina.
Also: Eva is awesome. I love her
What really bothered me, though, was the fact that the literal abusive behavior of some characters is always excused by those around them and almost everyone else - everyone except for Eva (who, sadly, turns a blind eye to the abusive person in her closer circle too). I think it's an absolute shit message to put into a YA book. Physical or emotional abuse shouldn't be excused or overlooked, even if it's family. Maybe especially if it's family. That's just a really, really shitty take. We also don't roll with the boys will be boys bullshit here. It's abusive. Full stop. They're abusers and assholes. And so is everyone else who acts as shitty as them. End of story.
Now that that's out of the way: I wish there was a sequel because the end felt like a cliffhanger. It could also give us more insight into the world, the witches' world and what happens next between Eva and Lina.
Also: Eva is awesome. I love her
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Blood