elerireads's review
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
A bizarre and impressive book. It's fairly compact but manages to immerse you completely in the marine world and societal structures of multiple different species. My marine biology knowledge is minimal so I have no idea how well they reflect reality but it felt comprehensive and compelling. All the characters felt so real and individual. Somehow, through dolphins and whales and fish, the author managed to incorporate all sorts of interesting perspectives on gender and power dynamics and disability and race and parenthood and consent and displacement and coexisting with cultural differences. And of course, fundamentally it's a book that gives voice to the voiceless and mostly unseen victims of the destruction we're wreaking on marine ecosystems. As I said, impressive book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Self harm, Blood, Child death, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Misogyny, Violence, Gore, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Sexual violence
More...