helterskelliter's review
5.0
“I’d always been greedy for possibility, but my want was more exact than that. I wanted to be someone for whom anything was possible. I wanted to be someone who didn’t accept the word ‘no’ and invented herself as she pleased.” (16)
Clementine Fowler is a survivor.
To persist in spite of anyone and everyone is what Clementine knows how to do best. Men taught her to do this well—really, it’s one of the only good things men taught her.
In a man’s world, survival is a woman’s best weapon. Best revenge.
That’s not to say, though, that Clementine didn’t try to live a good life, a noble life. An honest one. Clementine studied, fought to go to school and excelled, married a man she loved. Phin. He loved Clementine. He supported her. He listened to her. Believed her.
It could’ve been enough.
But, it wasn’t.
Clementine was a scientist. Like her father, even if her father refused to acknowledge it. She studied the land and conducted research. She knew a disaster was nigh. An eruption of Mt. Telamon, Astoria’s most volatile volcano.
Clementine wanted to publish her research. Share her findings. Be believed.
But, no.
No one ever believes a woman until it’s too late.
When Phin dies in a sudden earthquake, that’s the last straw. Clementine will not save people who don’t deserve it.
When she leaves, all Clementine takes with her is Thea. Her daughter, named for the goddess of cleverness of logic. Clementine hoped to imbue Thea with these strengths. They would need them, to survive in this world.
But, Thea is not her mother.
Her mother is strong, yes. Smart and clever, courageous and calculating. She knew Mt. Telamon would erupt and it did, nearly wiping out all of Astoria. Her mother got them a boat and set sail days before the catastrophe.
In three years time, Clementine became a pirate queen. The sea became hers and her the sea’s.
But, Thea knows survival can be cruel and callous—like her mother. It can relentless and unforgiving—like the sea.
Thea is not sure who she wants to be. Who she can be, in a world like this.
When the opportunity to start again arises, Thea can’t think of a reason not to. She knows the world can be harsh but she doesn’t want to have to be harsher for it. Her mother saved her—but survival is not always kind. Thea, the goddess of cleverness, saved herself through great personal sacrifice.
Survival is sometimes the meanest thing you can do.
It can come at great cost.
Will Thea be able to define strength for herself in these tough waters she must tread? When her deepest regrets resurface, will she be able to be brave in her own way?
What does it mean to be brave in a world so indifferent to your struggles?
This book tore me to pieces—in a good way. I feel split open down the middle, all my insides torn out and placed under the glaring light of day. Like a whale, washed ashore.
I feel gutted.
This is such a powerful and profound exploration of not only survivorship and strength but also womanhood and persistence in spite—of everything. This book demonstrates the particular, accumulating and steady hurts of being a woman in the world so deftly and articulately that I had to set the book down several times and just breathe.
Thea is such a raw and real, relevant character who’s struggles are so familiar and terrible. This is fantasy story, yes. But, the indignities and abuse and the self-imposed silence pain inflicts—all of it is all too real. Clementine is a pirate, yes. But, she’s also the embodiment of all women’s rage and hurt and pain made vengeful and efficient, murderous and free.
And, Thea is her daughter.
Hurt by the same world. Hurt my Clementine, too, who couldn’t see her own daughter beyond her pain, her desire for revenge. But, Thea doesn’t blame her. Isn’t even sure she fully understands.
Love is supposed to be enough. But, what happens when it’s not? When you must love yourself in spite?
Thea knows survival can be mean. Has seen it. Has felt it. But, she hopes it can be more too. She wants to be more than a reaction—to her mother, to her circumstances, to pain.
This book is such a good ache. I could go on and on about how much I appreciate the nuance and dexterity with which this author crafts this story. I could. But, I’d rather recommend you read it for yourself.
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Highly recommend~
Clementine Fowler is a survivor.
To persist in spite of anyone and everyone is what Clementine knows how to do best. Men taught her to do this well—really, it’s one of the only good things men taught her.
In a man’s world, survival is a woman’s best weapon. Best revenge.
That’s not to say, though, that Clementine didn’t try to live a good life, a noble life. An honest one. Clementine studied, fought to go to school and excelled, married a man she loved. Phin. He loved Clementine. He supported her. He listened to her. Believed her.
It could’ve been enough.
But, it wasn’t.
Clementine was a scientist. Like her father, even if her father refused to acknowledge it. She studied the land and conducted research. She knew a disaster was nigh. An eruption of Mt. Telamon, Astoria’s most volatile volcano.
Clementine wanted to publish her research. Share her findings. Be believed.
But, no.
No one ever believes a woman until it’s too late.
When Phin dies in a sudden earthquake, that’s the last straw. Clementine will not save people who don’t deserve it.
When she leaves, all Clementine takes with her is Thea. Her daughter, named for the goddess of cleverness of logic. Clementine hoped to imbue Thea with these strengths. They would need them, to survive in this world.
But, Thea is not her mother.
Her mother is strong, yes. Smart and clever, courageous and calculating. She knew Mt. Telamon would erupt and it did, nearly wiping out all of Astoria. Her mother got them a boat and set sail days before the catastrophe.
In three years time, Clementine became a pirate queen. The sea became hers and her the sea’s.
But, Thea knows survival can be cruel and callous—like her mother. It can relentless and unforgiving—like the sea.
Thea is not sure who she wants to be. Who she can be, in a world like this.
When the opportunity to start again arises, Thea can’t think of a reason not to. She knows the world can be harsh but she doesn’t want to have to be harsher for it. Her mother saved her—but survival is not always kind. Thea, the goddess of cleverness, saved herself through great personal sacrifice.
Survival is sometimes the meanest thing you can do.
It can come at great cost.
Will Thea be able to define strength for herself in these tough waters she must tread? When her deepest regrets resurface, will she be able to be brave in her own way?
What does it mean to be brave in a world so indifferent to your struggles?
This book tore me to pieces—in a good way. I feel split open down the middle, all my insides torn out and placed under the glaring light of day. Like a whale, washed ashore.
I feel gutted.
This is such a powerful and profound exploration of not only survivorship and strength but also womanhood and persistence in spite—of everything. This book demonstrates the particular, accumulating and steady hurts of being a woman in the world so deftly and articulately that I had to set the book down several times and just breathe.
Thea is such a raw and real, relevant character who’s struggles are so familiar and terrible. This is fantasy story, yes. But, the indignities and abuse and the self-imposed silence pain inflicts—all of it is all too real. Clementine is a pirate, yes. But, she’s also the embodiment of all women’s rage and hurt and pain made vengeful and efficient, murderous and free.
And, Thea is her daughter.
Hurt by the same world. Hurt my Clementine, too, who couldn’t see her own daughter beyond her pain, her desire for revenge. But, Thea doesn’t blame her. Isn’t even sure she fully understands.
Love is supposed to be enough. But, what happens when it’s not? When you must love yourself in spite?
Thea knows survival can be mean. Has seen it. Has felt it. But, she hopes it can be more too. She wants to be more than a reaction—to her mother, to her circumstances, to pain.
This book is such a good ache. I could go on and on about how much I appreciate the nuance and dexterity with which this author crafts this story. I could. But, I’d rather recommend you read it for yourself.
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Highly recommend~
rachels1127's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
something vital was missing here as i wasn't particularly invested but there were some good pieces and i liked the ending.
"I love you, idiot"
"I love you, idiot"
kellysavagebooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
Thea wanted to be a scientist, but when her father dies, her mother Clementine takes her to the sea and a life of piracy.
I would read Robson’s shopping list at this point, I love her writing so much. There’s an ache and a bittersweetness I feel in my bones. Her worlds are gray and bright, whether it’s all floods and aerial dancers (Girls at the Edge) or whales and bees (this book). Her characters are so alive, their relationships so complicated and uncomfortable and sweet. I think what I love most about her characters is that they’re so shaped by what happens to them. Thea is who she is because of her father and the loss of him, her love of the ocean, her relationship with her mother, her fondness for science, her SA survival, the myths she grew up with, the violence she has witnessed, the school she went to, etc. etc. and it all blends together and coalesces into this person who is so real and so herself that I’m not convinced Robson didn’t travel interdimensionally to meet her.
TSKMN is about mothers and daughters, it’s about whales, it’s about sexual assault, it’s about wanting so badly to be tender while fear makes you hard, it’s about mythology, and it’s about girlhood. It’s technically fantasy, because it’s second-world, but there’s no magic. In short, I cannot recommend this (or Girls) enough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
sofareads's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
apriljp57's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
3.5
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
winifara's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Rape
moonprismbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am so glad I came across this book at my library. I did not know what to expect going into this one, but wow what a book.
This is such a powerful and raw story I’m blown away. You can easily find yourself relating to Thea as we followed her along on her journey. I really loved the connecting of the Then and Now with the mythology stories. The stories helped tie the plot together really well.
Thea’s self discovery journey was a pleasure to follow. I love the variation of relationships we see. The good and the bad. Nothing was held back. She needed time to realize she was so strong and although Clementine didn’t show it in the best way some times, she did mean well by Thea.
This is such a powerful and raw story I’m blown away. You can easily find yourself relating to Thea as we followed her along on her journey. I really loved the connecting of the Then and Now with the mythology stories. The stories helped tie the plot together really well.
Thea’s self discovery journey was a pleasure to follow. I love the variation of relationships we see. The good and the bad. Nothing was held back. She needed time to realize she was so strong and although Clementine didn’t show it in the best way some times, she did mean well by Thea.
librarianaaryn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Loved the strong female character in this pirate based YA fantasy. For ages 14+.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault