A review by laurathebookhermit
Call of the Sea by Emily B. Rose

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This book has my whole heart! I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this advance copy. I now need to purchase the physical copy to re-read and annotate. 

However, for anyone reading this for the first time I would make sure to check the trigger warnings. Although, I will say that Emily B. Rose does handle these topics with absolute respect and understanding that I haven’t otherwise seen done quite as well as this. I really appreciated the fat human representation and it was refreshing to see a setting that is accepting of people as they are - other than some fatphobia and the pressure placed on Kenna to marry and take over the kingdom. There is beautiful Scottish Gaelic language and influence in this world that was a pleasure to be immersed in. The relationship between Kenna and Tristan is beautiful, not to mention the relationship that happens later in the book. They are funny, sweet, and there were many times I got face-ache from smiling. I also appreciated the way the characters’ physicality was described and I felt that the experience of fatphobia was pretty accurate. I have never read a book where I have felt this seen and represented. I also really loved the merman twist! Sooooooo gooooooddd!!! I am sort of hoping for a sequel to this because I would love to know how they cope when things settle, and the way confidence issues can't just disappear that quickly, and also what happens to the kingdoms and how they get on.