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A review by katrod
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and while I liked it, it didn’t live up to my expectations.
I actually really loved the concept of this book. I loved that there were elements of fantasy in a world that is very much our own. I would say it’s much more magical realism than fantasy.
I loved that Morrow tackled issues of racism, police brutality, intersectional feminism, and internal prejudices among marginalized groups.
However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the execution. At the beginning there is so much unknown that I felt myself too lost to get into the story. I didn’t know who was what, or what each mythical creature really was. Things became clearer over time, but it took too long and I spent most of the first half of the book just confused.
Because of this confusion, I think the big reveal at the end fell a little flat for me. I wanted a bigger twist, but I felt let down by how the ending all worked out.
Overall, I still liked this book. I loved the friendship between Tavia and Effie, I loved the important social commentary, and I even loved the whole Gargoyle plot line (you’ll have to just trust me on that one). I just think there were things that could have been done better.
I actually really loved the concept of this book. I loved that there were elements of fantasy in a world that is very much our own. I would say it’s much more magical realism than fantasy.
I loved that Morrow tackled issues of racism, police brutality, intersectional feminism, and internal prejudices among marginalized groups.
However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the execution. At the beginning there is so much unknown that I felt myself too lost to get into the story. I didn’t know who was what, or what each mythical creature really was. Things became clearer over time, but it took too long and I spent most of the first half of the book just confused.
Because of this confusion, I think the big reveal at the end fell a little flat for me. I wanted a bigger twist, but I felt let down by how the ending all worked out.
Overall, I still liked this book. I loved the friendship between Tavia and Effie, I loved the important social commentary, and I even loved the whole Gargoyle plot line (you’ll have to just trust me on that one). I just think there were things that could have been done better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, and Violence