smudgeandbee's review against another edition
3.0
It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but the end felt abrupt and unearned. I was disappointed. I think I just didn’t connect with Malin as the main character. It felt like she was never an active participant in her own story, only reacting to circumstances thrust upon her.
drewanabri's review against another edition
3.0
Competently written and reasonably engaging to read, but somehow, it just wasn't very satisfying.
My main issue wasn't the writing style, which was actually quite well done. The problem was just the plot and characterization. The main character didn't really grow or discover much of anything about herself.
She just sort of vaguely wandered around, encountering people who were randomly nice or unreasonably mean for no apparent purpose. She kept ending up on the brink of death but then had other people rescue her. And ultimately, she only made the decision she did because something else outside her control happened to her.
My main issue wasn't the writing style, which was actually quite well done. The problem was just the plot and characterization. The main character didn't really grow or discover much of anything about herself.
She just sort of vaguely wandered around, encountering people who were randomly nice or unreasonably mean for no apparent purpose. She kept ending up on the brink of death but then had other people rescue her. And ultimately, she only made the decision she did because something else outside her control happened to her.
coolbaud's review against another edition
4.0
Gently and interestingly surreal with enough action to keep your attention; less to do with mermaids and more to do with adventure. The only reason it didn't rate 5 stars was the ending. Loved it in spite of that.
celestemarin's review against another edition
3.0
This was weirder than I expected. In many ways it’s a lot like the YA fantasy books I read but somehow it felt like an adult book. There was one section that I thought might be in the wrong place. I listened to a downloadable audiobook and there are sometimes problems. I can’t decide if it’s a 3 or 4 star book. Narrator was very good.
rtollett's review against another edition
5.0
There were a lot of very uncomfortable scenes but overall I loved it
grandbarda's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
jennybeastie's review against another edition
3.0
An odd book, but I loved its mysterious, fairly genderless, hero and its haunting, dreamy quality. Epic adventure muted by abuse and uncertain realities made somehow lyric. Not a fantasy novel, nor a fairy tale, and as much as I love those things the fact that this book isn't fantasy is a strength. Belief shapes reality. To a point.
Advanced readers copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced readers copy provided by Edelweiss.
rachl27r's review against another edition
2.0
As many reviews have said, not what I was expecting from reading the back cover and frankly, it was just a really depressing book.
parnassusreads's review against another edition
2.0
This book required too much suspension of disbelief and had the protagonist bounced around by the plot, not her own agency. It just didn't hold together well enough for me to really enjoy it.
jbayze's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book until the end. The end, however, ruined it for me. The last chapter seemed rushed - almost like the author didn't know how to end the book and decided, "Oh, unhappy woman? Let's just get her pregnant and end it that way!" Seriously? So disappointing.