kellyjadepole 's review for:

Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Deane

2.75

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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I really wanted to love this book. The concept sounded great and the first quarter of the book was great but I feel like the author lost the thread about a third of the way through. I liked the more grounded portions in the beginning and the very fantastic ending was also good but the middle was a bit of a mess. The pacing was weird and I feel there were many missed opprotunies to explore some interesting ideas (trans solidarity or lack thereof in the face of class) which we're not taken and also missed some moments for levity. The gag with the horny dolphins was fun but then that language bit was immediately dropped once it fixed an issue with the plot. The middle was so heavy and confusing and mostly seemed to be a vehicle for the author to show some (seriously beautiful but also melodramatic and ultimately filler) prose. There just wasn't a good on ramp between the grounded beginning to the fantastical end. It was a rather abrupt shift. I stopped being able to connect with any of the characters because I was so confused by what was happening. Like other commenters have said, the author didn't seem to commit to having a reimaginging of the myth or having a new fantasy realm. The name choices are arbitrary and often unhelpful and many of the characters felt wooden. She just didn't commit enough either way for me.