discarded_dust_jacket's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was such a unique story concept and world; I was pleasantly surprised by that. A steampunk underwater city occupied by selkies? So cool! The disability representation as well as trans and non-binary representation was really great as well.
The reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me was more a matter of personal preference. Sometimes I struggle to push through fantasy in first person POV when it spends a large chunk of the narrative waxing philosophical inside the protagonist’s head. That’s just a me thing though. I would for sure recommend this to anyone who enjoys queer sci-fi/fantasy.
The reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me was more a matter of personal preference. Sometimes I struggle to push through fantasy in first person POV when it spends a large chunk of the narrative waxing philosophical inside the protagonist’s head. That’s just a me thing though. I would for sure recommend this to anyone who enjoys queer sci-fi/fantasy.
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Murder, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
tinyelfarcanist's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rubem is running away from people who invaded his home in search of energy-producing parasites. But everyone he meets is more interested in taking advantage of the parasite attached to him than his well-being.
Maraheem is an underwater steampunk city populated by freckled ginger selkies. The class disparity is evident, and Rubem readily empathizes with the lower city's hardships. He finds an unlikely ally in Tavish, who uses his wealth to help the underprivileged.
Bryn built a queernormative and diverse world. Rubem is dark-skinned and gay, never fitting in any place and silencing his grief with alcohol. Tavish is an altruistic selkie princeling who happens to be plump, blind, and trans. From the moment they meet, their interactions are filled with bangxiety.
The alliance between these two men from different standings while fighting for their lives drives them to question the future they want.
An environmentalist tale of loneliness, connection, and love. Get it if you are looking for mental health and queer representation. There's a beautiful poem at the beginning of each chapter.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Sexual content, Body horror, Colonisation, Violence, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Torture, and Bullying
dusksolace's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Murder, Animal death, and Gun violence
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