Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

64 reviews

happyhaley's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

3.25


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kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was extremely heartwarming, with a side of catharsis. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall I loved these characters and love love love that the author didn’t shy away from making these girls feel like natural teenagers: they are allowed to be angry, a little vindictive, naive, kind, happy, all at once 

I wish I’d had a book like this when I was actually a teen

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le_mur's review

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adventurous reflective tense 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

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mellymel1127's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad 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

4.5


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katharina90's review

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adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Unique blend of fantasy elements with real world socio-political commentary on anti-Black racism and police brutality. 

Plot, characters and worldbuilding had a lot of potential but felt underdeveloped, and the pace was too slow for my liking.

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carolined314's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

An inspiring tale of love and sisterhood and using your voice and Black power and strength and resilience. With sirens and gargoyles and more. Great Portland setting.

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whatcassiedid's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

I felt like the beginning of the book could've used a bit more worldbuilding but overall really enjoyed it!

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tatiana_luz's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.5

This is the first book I've read in a while. Overall, it was a fun read. I love a modern fantasy setting. I appreciated the nuance in intersectionality of different magical being, as eloks are not feared or attacked like siren. It was a good metaphor for how white and Black women are treated differently. There is also the concept of how race plays a role in the treatment of sirens, since it only occurs to Black women.

All that said, the pacing and direction were left somewhat lacking. I thought the story would center around Tavia based on the summary, but the latter half seemed to be more about Effie, who I found to be more interesting. It's a shame, because I thought Tavia had a good plot but little time to build on it. The author, understandably, took time setting up the world but ended up sacrificing plot. Regardless, I found this to be an enjoyable read.

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted 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


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briely's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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