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astoriareader's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SYNOPSIS:
- In a desolate, small town, the reader gets to know the narrator. Is the narrator actually a mermaid or out of her mind?
- Unnamed narrator believes she is a mermaid. Her father, who walked into the sea & was never seen again, told her she was a mermaid.
- She falls in love with an older man, Jude, who is a veteran. Jude suffers from PTSD & alcoholism.
MY THOUGHTS
- Wow, this one blew me away.
- A short (roughly 200 pgs), bleak read.
- Lyrical & poetic writing.
- Themes: unrequited love, coping mechanisms, grief, obsessive love, inability to process trauma, abandonment by a parent.
- Excellent character development.
- Told in 1st person POV.
- Atmospheric and can easily visualize the setting.
- Loved the author’s incorporation of words & the characters’ interest in language, definitions, and word choice.
- Felt really connected to the narrator. Readers can really feel how isolated and alienated she feels.
- I enjoyed the side characters, especially the grandfather.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️beautifully written + amazing story. only 200 pgs; super quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
mkwheelock's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage and War
katewillread's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
cinderelliex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Alcohol
Moderate: Miscarriage, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Vomit
torriejaywhite's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Miscarriage