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lizlogan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a quick, but good read. It deals with everyday life when everything is anything but every day. This book is how to heal, how not to heal, how to sit, how to fall in love, how to be, how to have relationships, and how to be a person.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
julietthague's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
some families carry survival in their genes like others carry beauty. violet larkins family is one of them. after her brother sam's failed su!c!de attempt, violet gets sent to lyric, maine, the town founded by her very own great(x3)-grandmother, fidelia, after she was the sole survivor of a shipwreck. her involuntary exile not only brings violet to complate her ancestors‘ and own family history, but also marks the beginning of a journey of a wreckhunt, of growing and of healing.
this book. where do i even begin. it broke my heart and healed them in all the right places because it resonated with me so much. the writing was so simple yet beautifully poetic, i feel like i annotated and underlined every third sentence.
everything about this was perfect.
the family history, the incredible friendship dynamics, the complicated yet intricate, slow and beautiful development of a wlw relationship, the trauma, the sibling bond, the oldest daughter guilt, the healing, the pain.
this book has such a special place in my heart from now on!
this book. where do i even begin. it broke my heart and healed them in all the right places because it resonated with me so much. the writing was so simple yet beautifully poetic, i feel like i annotated and underlined every third sentence.
everything about this was perfect.
the family history, the incredible friendship dynamics, the complicated yet intricate, slow and beautiful development of a wlw relationship, the trauma, the sibling bond, the oldest daughter guilt, the healing, the pain.
this book has such a special place in my heart from now on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
sailinginthetea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
maddyspine's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, I really loved the depiction of friendships, and the awkward, angsty teen years. I also liked how the author wrote about and handled mental health within the book. The story itself I found a little slow at times, but I enjoyed the characters, and it made me crave summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
ramunepocky's review against another edition
I wanted to like it so bad and I just don't, its simultaneously interesting and so so so dull, I wanted to care, but I just don't, the prose is very well written and the characters are okay, tho I absolutely cannot stand the protagonist, so maybe thats my major issue
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had a totally different idea about the plot of this book. I might have mixed it up with something else and since I don't read synopses, I was really surprised what this book was actually about. And pleasantly surprised even because it has so many things I love to read about.
A small coastal town, family history, mystery and adventure, a treasure hunt, sibling dynamics, a friends group, LGBTQIA representation. And I really really enjoyed the majority o the book. The main character went through some hard hitting things and made some questionable decisions, but I still enjoyed reading from her perspective.
I was disappointed by the last quarter of the book, though. The plot didn't really progress, and then it was suddenly over, but the ending took half an eternity to conclude. Weird pacing and I get the focus was on some important topics, but still, the rest was just forgotten somehow.
But yeah, still liked and enjoyed the majority and the atmosphere was perfect for a summer read.
A small coastal town, family history, mystery and adventure, a treasure hunt, sibling dynamics, a friends group, LGBTQIA representation. And I really really enjoyed the majority o the book. The main character went through some hard hitting things and made some questionable decisions, but I still enjoyed reading from her perspective.
I was disappointed by the last quarter of the book, though. The plot didn't really progress, and then it was suddenly over, but the ending took half an eternity to conclude. Weird pacing and I get the focus was on some important topics, but still, the rest was just forgotten somehow.
But yeah, still liked and enjoyed the majority and the atmosphere was perfect for a summer read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Drug use, Homophobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
mads1706's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an unexpected delight. I found this book as a free download on audible, and wasn’t expecting much. The first few chapters were a little on the slow side, but the narration was really well done and the story just intriguing enough that I kept going. Boy, am I glad that I did!
The wave this book told the story from the perspective of a teenager was incredibly well done. Violet is such a relatable character, even though our life experiences are wildly different. The author was able to encapsulate the feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, self hatred, defensiveness, young love, queerness, self-discovery, confusion, and pain in such a way that was beautifully and lyrically done. The story made me remember my teenage years, and all of the emotions, change, and overwhelming feelings that came during that time period of life.
The story itself is complex, but told in such a way that feels very straightforward until you get deeper into the story and realize all the different layers coming together. The way the author structures the story lets you learn along with violets friends all the things that have gone on in her life. Violet is showing us her life story, through her lived experiences and her thoughts about what’s going on in the present but taking the reader backwards in time in such a way where I don’t feel like I was being info-dumped upon but rather things were coming to light as they related to the experiences she was having in the moment.
The cast of characters in the story was also incredibly three-dimensional and well flushed out. The love triangle was handled in such a way where I honestly did not know where the story was going to go until we were almost at its conclusion. The romance was so heartbreakingly teenager, but also so much bigger and deeper in a way that felt really special.
I also felt like the author treated the suicide attempt in such an understanding and kind way. Violet struggled to know how to even talk to her brother let alone what to say felt so real and when she got to the point where she could talk to her brother about it and share how she felt about him and his life, it was such a triumph for the reader and for the character.
The overarching story plot of finding the Lyric was such an interesting device. I also really liked the idea of the shipwreck gene; were some members of Violet‘s family saw their heritage as a source of strength, Violet saw it almost like a curse. And then, in the end, when she was able to come to terms with the idea of a curse not necessarily being a bad thing, but a promise … that was just very cool from a storytelling perspective.
There is this triumphant moment when they think they found the Lyric; it’s very contemplative where it almost doesn’t matter whether or not the ship is actually there. I thought that was going to be a climax in and of itself, but the way that the author was able to up the tension with the kayak and going out to sea was unexpected but thrilling. It also made a lot of sense for Sam‘s character to do something reckless but also so very alive; and the hint of mysticism with the voice that urged them to swim up and not really understanding whether or not the wreck was there beneath them was a satisfying conclusion will still leaving things open ended and not neatly tied up in a narrative bow.
Over all this was such an unexpectedly poetic, beautiful and intriguing plot with a lovable cast of characters you wanted to root for. What a surprise and delight!
The wave this book told the story from the perspective of a teenager was incredibly well done. Violet is such a relatable character, even though our life experiences are wildly different. The author was able to encapsulate the feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, self hatred, defensiveness, young love, queerness, self-discovery, confusion, and pain in such a way that was beautifully and lyrically done. The story made me remember my teenage years, and all of the emotions, change, and overwhelming feelings that came during that time period of life.
The story itself is complex, but told in such a way that feels very straightforward until you get deeper into the story and realize all the different layers coming together. The way the author structures the story lets you learn along with violets friends all the things that have gone on in her life. Violet is showing us her life story, through her lived experiences and her thoughts about what’s going on in the present but taking the reader backwards in time in such a way where I don’t feel like I was being info-dumped upon but rather things were coming to light as they related to the experiences she was having in the moment.
The cast of characters in the story was also incredibly three-dimensional and well flushed out. The love triangle was handled in such a way where I honestly did not know where the story was going to go until we were almost at its conclusion. The romance was so heartbreakingly teenager, but also so much bigger and deeper in a way that felt really special.
The overarching story plot of finding the Lyric was such an interesting device. I also really liked the idea of the shipwreck gene; were some members of Violet‘s family saw their heritage as a source of strength, Violet saw it almost like a curse. And then, in the end, when she was able to come to terms with the idea of a curse not necessarily being a bad thing, but a promise … that was just very cool from a storytelling perspective.
There is this triumphant moment when they think they found the Lyric; it’s very contemplative where it almost doesn’t matter whether or not the ship is actually there. I thought that was going to be a climax in and of itself, but the way that the author was able to up the tension with the kayak and going out to sea was unexpected but thrilling. It also made a lot of sense for Sam‘s character to do something reckless but also so very alive; and the hint of mysticism with the voice that urged them to swim up and not really understanding whether or not the wreck was there beneath them was a satisfying conclusion will still leaving things open ended and not neatly tied up in a narrative bow.
Over all this was such an unexpectedly poetic, beautiful and intriguing plot with a lovable cast of characters you wanted to root for. What a surprise and delight!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death
mariah_poulin's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 out of 5 stars
Threads of mystery thrum through ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’, interweaving with the unkempt messiness of heartache, sorrow, grief and hope, tugging the cast of characters through their journey of wreck-hunting.
‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’ follows Violet Larkin after her Year of Wild is cut dramatically short by her younger brother Sam’s (thankfully) failed attempt to end his life. In a bid to keep their daughter out of trouble and focus on helping their son, Violet’s parents parents ship her off to Lyric, Maine, to live with her uncle.
There, wrecked ships and cursed emeralds and whale song weave their way into Violet’s heart. In the aftermath of her brother’s suicide attempt, Violet is desperate to disappear. Once the focal point of every room, the centre of all attention, she craves nothing more than to sink in on herself and vanish into the violent, quiet crush of Lyric.
However, it’s only a matter of time before she resolves to find the lost shipwreck of her family’s tangled past—desperate to make amends with her own and prove to herself and her brother that their lives meant something. Desperate to heal the notorious shipwreck gene that drags at their heals, sinking them deeper and deeper into sorrow.
The best books, in my opinion, contain an unnameable, unfathomable magical quality which lifts the prose from the page. The best books make you feel as you’re stood, toes wriggling into the sand and the cool water of the ocean pooling around your ankles, right alongside the protagonists.
And that’s precisely what ‘the Last True Poets of the Sea’ feels like.
This book is heavy with the scent of warm summer nights and saltwater tides; the smell of campfire sweet s’mores and cigarette ash clings to your fingertips as you turn the page. There is a finality and honesty that grants the book this bittersweet goodbye; it’s a tribute to lost shipwrecks and lost girls and the hope that they can be found once more.
Julia Drake plays with form, tense and perspective in a whimsical and soul-crushing way that I really admired. The lyricism of her prose coupled with the innovative way she utilised narrative structure made for a spell-binding read.
Moreover, ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’ snags on the haunting nature of family, mapping out the bruising brilliance that such relationships can have on your heart. It’s magical and beautiful and agonising all at once, and Julia Drake manages to convey that complexity perfectly here.
While Sam’s suicide attempt is the catalyst for their family’s fallout, it is nevertheless treated with the utmost care and dignity within the narrative. The portrayal of mental illness within the novel overall is nothing short of wonderfully nuanced and respectful; the experience of the characters is never tokenised, used for cheap drama or conflict and is always, always treated with kindness.
Violet’s attempts to grapple with her self-loathing is heartbreaking—her sorrow runs bone deep, deep enough to swallow you wholly and fully. ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’ captures so well some of the most vulnerable parts of my heart; the weight of isolation and the twisting, poisoned blade of self-hatred and the fear that, no matter how hard I try, how much I want to be better; I will never be good enough.
It’s hard to bare those aspects of your soul to someone, harder still to see them reflected back at you on paper.
This is truly a beautiful book and I highly, highly recommend picking up this absolute work of brilliance. What a magical read.
(Notable content warnings for ‘The Last True Poets of the Sea’: suicide, suicide ideation, discussions of suicide, disordered eating, loss of a loved one, panic attacks, underage drug/alcohol use.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol