alexperc_92's review against another edition
4.0
I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review and blog tour can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
The story of Jade and her life underwater was a very interesting one. There's politics plot to destroy and a very vivid, colorful underwater world. I liked the premise of the book, but what kept me hook to the story was the constant race against time in order to save everyone.
Needless to say the reason I also loved this book was because the underwater city where Jade lives is named Thessalonike, just like my home city in Greece!
The story of Jade and her life underwater was a very interesting one. There's politics plot to destroy and a very vivid, colorful underwater world. I liked the premise of the book, but what kept me hook to the story was the constant race against time in order to save everyone.
Needless to say the reason I also loved this book was because the underwater city where Jade lives is named Thessalonike, just like my home city in Greece!
kongart's review
1.0
DNF at maybe 25%? I don't really know or care.
I read this on the Kindle app using Kindle Unlimited so I wouldn't have to spend any money in order to read it—because I didn't want to spend money on it if I didn't like it. I'm definitely glad I spent $0.00.
I feel like most of the time I spent on this book was taking rage-screenshots and typing out rude notes on my phone. I wish I could share those notes in their true form, but I oughtn't. Since I read this book two weeks ago, however, I will be referring to those notes for this review.
One of the many issues I have is that I didn't care about any of the characters. They all could have died and I would have cheered. The characters also have annoying names?? Like?? George?? and Benjamin?? and Tor??tor da god o' tunder This is probably just a personal preference, but WHY are the names so annoying? And why is their world so annoying? The book is written like the characters are on land—until OOPS JUST REMEMBERED A THING LOL THEY'RE UNDERWATER.
Honestly, this book was exhausting, and not just because the same two verbs are repeated so the reader knows the characters aren't walking on land. There are also a lot of cliche phrases ("pursing my lips"), but weird things irritate me, I guess—though Jade, the protagonist, describing herself by looking in the mirror nearly killed me.
I wrote "racism" a lot in my notes, so there's that. There's also a dolphin named Kiki, and somehow mermaids just wear regular old cloth?? but how. The book reads like a contemporary fiction novel but is fantasy?? I don't understand. Some fun things are in this book like, "what the depths," "skub," "peace be upon you," and "[something] my fin." I have a note that says, "now ur isolating the protagonist so she can be ~*~sad~*~ and ~*~speshul~*~ because she's Not Like Other Girls." I stand by that.
This mermaid city, Thessalonike (did i spell that right who knows), has places with kitchens?? but how do they cook. UNDERWATER. At one point the main character "dons a cloak," but HOW DOES THE HOOD STAY ON. UNDERWATER. The eye and hair colors of every single person are described as soon as that character appears (okay maybe that's a slight exaggeration), and I want you all to know that if amerman has "broad shoulders" and "an attractive chest area," he is definitely The One.
The dialogue is juvenile and Horrid, and the naiads have powers that aren't explained, AND HOW ARE THE NAIADS THE ONES IN POVERTY WHEN THEY HAVE ~*~MAGIC~*~?? The question of the century.
The last thing I wrote in my notes was, "i literally hate jade so much i want her to die." I did great.
I read this on the Kindle app using Kindle Unlimited so I wouldn't have to spend any money in order to read it—because I didn't want to spend money on it if I didn't like it. I'm definitely glad I spent $0.00.
I feel like most of the time I spent on this book was taking rage-screenshots and typing out rude notes on my phone. I wish I could share those notes in their true form, but I oughtn't. Since I read this book two weeks ago, however, I will be referring to those notes for this review.
One of the many issues I have is that I didn't care about any of the characters. They all could have died and I would have cheered. The characters also have annoying names?? Like?? George?? and Benjamin?? and Tor??
Honestly, this book was exhausting, and not just because the same two verbs are repeated so the reader knows the characters aren't walking on land. There are also a lot of cliche phrases ("pursing my lips"), but weird things irritate me, I guess—though Jade, the protagonist, describing herself by looking in the mirror nearly killed me.
I wrote "racism" a lot in my notes, so there's that. There's also a dolphin named Kiki, and somehow mermaids just wear regular old cloth?? but how. The book reads like a contemporary fiction novel but is fantasy?? I don't understand. Some fun things are in this book like, "what the depths," "skub," "peace be upon you," and "[something] my fin." I have a note that says, "now ur isolating the protagonist so she can be ~*~sad~*~ and ~*~speshul~*~ because she's Not Like Other Girls." I stand by that.
This mermaid city, Thessalonike (did i spell that right who knows), has places with kitchens?? but how do they cook. UNDERWATER. At one point the main character "dons a cloak," but HOW DOES THE HOOD STAY ON. UNDERWATER. The eye and hair colors of every single person are described as soon as that character appears (okay maybe that's a slight exaggeration), and I want you all to know that if a
The dialogue is juvenile and Horrid, and the naiads have powers that aren't explained, AND HOW ARE THE NAIADS THE ONES IN POVERTY WHEN THEY HAVE ~*~MAGIC~*~?? The question of the century.
The last thing I wrote in my notes was, "i literally hate jade so much i want her to die." I did great.
danielle0514's review against another edition
Just not the story I had hoped for, it wasn’t bad it was just slow and just not what I wanted to be reading
darquedreamer's review against another edition
3.0
Breakwater plunges you in to a world inhabited by mermaids. In this underwater city of Thessalonike, social classes are held and ruled over by the King. A human like species, called the Naiad, exists as the lowest standing class of this hierarchy. This story will immerse you in to the struggle of the oppression of the Naiad and the issues of injustice from the higher classes.
Though I enjoyed Breakwater for the most part, I felt like I was missing more imagery and details about this underwater world. I wish the characters had been a bit more developed and that I would have gotten a thorough explanation of how life works under the ocean and how the Naiads are able to walk on the ocean floor. This was a quick read, and the story really caught my interest after the first few chapters, but I still felt that it lacked depth.
The character of Jade was enjoyable enough, but, again, I felt that she needed more development. She was brave and held good morals, but she didn't stand out to me enough. I would have liked to have seen more of a connection between her story and her namesake's story. I also felt that her father's story was lacking details since it was used as much of her motivation.
The story line of the love interest took an unexpected twist. The ending of the book was definitely not expected and left me believing that there will be a sequel. I enjoyed the book enough to say that I would pick up the sequel to find out what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest opinion.
Though I enjoyed Breakwater for the most part, I felt like I was missing more imagery and details about this underwater world. I wish the characters had been a bit more developed and that I would have gotten a thorough explanation of how life works under the ocean and how the Naiads are able to walk on the ocean floor. This was a quick read, and the story really caught my interest after the first few chapters, but I still felt that it lacked depth.
The character of Jade was enjoyable enough, but, again, I felt that she needed more development. She was brave and held good morals, but she didn't stand out to me enough. I would have liked to have seen more of a connection between her story and her namesake's story. I also felt that her father's story was lacking details since it was used as much of her motivation.
The story line of the love interest took an unexpected twist. The ending of the book was definitely not expected and left me believing that there will be a sequel. I enjoyed the book enough to say that I would pick up the sequel to find out what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest opinion.
josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. My. Goodness.
This is exactly the kind of Christian-produced fantasy I'm ever searching to read:
- A unique fantasy world with awesome settings and believable cultural worldbuilding?
- Characters who aren't predictable and yet are always authentic as to who they're supposed to be?
- A plot featuring a number of unique and unexpected twists that keep the story constantly moving?
- And, most importantly, relevant themes and thematic questions that are difficult, painful, and yet utterly important for living life well in a messy society?
This book checks all those boxes, and I adore it. I shouldn't have gotten it on Kindle because now I'm going to have to go out and get it in paperback because it was that good and I want the whole trilogy now.
Talk about a gut-wrenching and utterly entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Excellent).
This is exactly the kind of Christian-produced fantasy I'm ever searching to read:
- A unique fantasy world with awesome settings and believable cultural worldbuilding?
- Characters who aren't predictable and yet are always authentic as to who they're supposed to be?
- A plot featuring a number of unique and unexpected twists that keep the story constantly moving?
- And, most importantly, relevant themes and thematic questions that are difficult, painful, and yet utterly important for living life well in a messy society?
This book checks all those boxes, and I adore it. I shouldn't have gotten it on Kindle because now I'm going to have to go out and get it in paperback because it was that good and I want the whole trilogy now.
Talk about a gut-wrenching and utterly entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Excellent).
citrusbergamottttttttt's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars. buddy read
The protagonist was a VERY passive character. She never made anything happen, the story is the one who pushed her through it. She was so annoying and forgetful that I don't even remember her name. The world-building and plot were great with different elements and the rising tension throughout the book but that solely couldn't redeem the book. If we followed Pippa or even Maximus, the story would've been much better. I don't think I will pick up the next one.
The protagonist was a VERY passive character. She never made anything happen, the story is the one who pushed her through it. She was so annoying and forgetful that I don't even remember her name. The world-building and plot were great with different elements and the rising tension throughout the book but that solely couldn't redeem the book. If we followed Pippa or even Maximus, the story would've been much better. I don't think I will pick up the next one.
elysareadsitall's review
4.0
Fun fantasy and political thriller
This book takes place in a mermaids city and deals with conflict between the mermaids and naiad population. The book focuses on political turmoil, and that aspect is fascinating. I wasn't as invested in the characters' personal problems, but it didn't detract from the story. It was a fun read, and I'm interested to see how the series progresses.
This book takes place in a mermaids city and deals with conflict between the mermaids and naiad population. The book focuses on political turmoil, and that aspect is fascinating. I wasn't as invested in the characters' personal problems, but it didn't detract from the story. It was a fun read, and I'm interested to see how the series progresses.
bibliophile889's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
A good fantasy read
duskvamp's review
4.0
Rollercoaster
The story goes up and down, there are loops and twists you never quite know what's coming. Now I really must read book 2
The story goes up and down, there are loops and twists you never quite know what's coming. Now I really must read book 2