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the42towels 's review for:
A Duet with the Siren Duke
by Elise Kova
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I appreciated having a female mc in a historically inspired fiction actually pointing out that corsets are functional and useful rather than being all “I’m not like other girls; I reject corsets because they’re restrictive garments of the patriarchy.” They’re underwear. And when they’re well fitted, as the MC of this novel points out, they’re supportive and cut down on back pain. So it was nice to see an author apply non-modernist attitudes to historical underwear.
Spoilers kinda below
But there’s a bit towards the end of the book where I do wish the author had been more clear about whether or not the sirens had legs or tails it was confusing to have the human walking/“taking steps” in the same space the siren was… turning around? Did he have legs then? Were they on land or in water, it was unclear. Also their decision to have lots of you know what (not sure if I’m allowed to say the word here but we know what I mean) when they’re on the brink of death seemed unrealistic but it worked out got the best.
Spoilers kinda below
But there’s a bit towards the end of the book where I do wish the author had been more clear about whether or not the sirens had legs or tails it was confusing to have the human walking/“taking steps” in the same space the siren was… turning around? Did he have legs then? Were they on land or in water, it was unclear. Also their decision to have lots of you know what (not sure if I’m allowed to say the word here but we know what I mean) when they’re on the brink of death seemed unrealistic but it worked out got the best.