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guybrushtmp 's review for:
The Isle in the Silver Sea
by Tasha Suri
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
This book tells of a love story, but it isn't a love story or isn't in the way some might think. I would say it isn't a romantasy, but a romantic fantasy. The purpose of the this book is the telling of the tale and, yes, the relationships within are beautiful but it is not an emotion driven story of two people as one might expect.
This story isn't, as some say, instalove. In fact, it very clearly goes against that with both two leads questioning the emotions to which they are drawn by their tale. I adore the fact they both recognise that this isn't love yet (there is love later). That what they have is fragile and mixed up within the tale being told. It is messy and feels so much more authentic than instalove (which I do dislike).
I think those who were dissatisfied with this story went in expecting something different from what this tale had to give. The comfort of predictable emotive romance is evaded, but for good reason.
What it gave instead is a tale of today, this moment, in the UK, the place of history and stagnation, of the need for migrants and the rejection of their place in history. The need for them to be perfect, to fulfil only certain roles, but still be other no matter how well they become "true citizens".
The stories being stifled are the culture being stifled today. The book tells how the tales of, not only those from Elsewhere, but of the people within the Isle itself are forgotten and changed under the refining and sanitising of the government archivists. Just as we look at how the history, culture, and folklore of people from across the British empire and of the Welsh, Scottish, and Irish have been overridden by English rule. All are subject to the dulling force here. Culture is meant to move and grow, change under the movements of its people. Each bit of it precious and never as neat as the ruling authorities will like.
The author does a wonderful job of interweaving medieval and Victorian aspects together to showcase a world that is both the past and the present. It is beautiful in so many ways. Though I do feel like it is worth pointing out that this is a slow-paced tale. I think there will be some who will not be able to appreciate its style due to this nature. There are times when this pacing does the story in a little and is why it didn't achieve the full 5 stars for me. Particularly, Part 2 took away a bit of the growing momentum from the story and while I ended in a place I loved, it took a little while to find its stride again.
Overall, a tale I would highly recommend to all those who love a slower paced romantic fantasy grappling with aspects of humanity we must confront. 💜
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This review is my own.
This book tells of a love story, but it isn't a love story or isn't in the way some might think. I would say it isn't a romantasy, but a romantic fantasy. The purpose of the this book is the telling of the tale and, yes, the relationships within are beautiful but it is not an emotion driven story of two people as one might expect.
This story isn't, as some say, instalove. In fact, it very clearly goes against that with both two leads questioning the emotions to which they are drawn by their tale. I adore the fact they both recognise that this isn't love yet (there is love later). That what they have is fragile and mixed up within the tale being told. It is messy and feels so much more authentic than instalove (which I do dislike).
I think those who were dissatisfied with this story went in expecting something different from what this tale had to give. The comfort of predictable emotive romance is evaded, but for good reason.
What it gave instead is a tale of today, this moment, in the UK, the place of history and stagnation, of the need for migrants and the rejection of their place in history. The need for them to be perfect, to fulfil only certain roles, but still be other no matter how well they become "true citizens".
The stories being stifled are the culture being stifled today. The book tells how the tales of, not only those from Elsewhere, but of the people within the Isle itself are forgotten and changed under the refining and sanitising of the government archivists. Just as we look at how the history, culture, and folklore of people from across the British empire and of the Welsh, Scottish, and Irish have been overridden by English rule. All are subject to the dulling force here. Culture is meant to move and grow, change under the movements of its people. Each bit of it precious and never as neat as the ruling authorities will like.
The author does a wonderful job of interweaving medieval and Victorian aspects together to showcase a world that is both the past and the present. It is beautiful in so many ways. Though I do feel like it is worth pointing out that this is a slow-paced tale. I think there will be some who will not be able to appreciate its style due to this nature. There are times when this pacing does the story in a little and is why it didn't achieve the full 5 stars for me. Particularly, Part 2 took away a bit of the growing momentum from the story and while I ended in a place I loved, it took a little while to find its stride again.
Overall, a tale I would highly recommend to all those who love a slower paced romantic fantasy grappling with aspects of humanity we must confront. 💜
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This review is my own.