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thisjaelynn's review against another edition
3.0
*Audiobook Review*
This was an interesting take on an origin story. As a whole, I thought the story was compelling and the plot was enjoyable, even if the end was a bit dissatisfying by nature.
What worked for me:
- The story was interesting with a lot of different plot elements to keep things entertaining.
- I liked most of the main characters.
- The narrator did an excellent job! I really enjoyed the way she read and the character voices!
What didn't work for me:
- The writing style was way too wordy for my preference. The author used so many verbs and adjectives and additional clauses to say everything, and it got tedious and repetitive, especially in the audiobook format. This book really could have benefitted from a bit more editing.
- Aspects of the ending were, while to be expected due to the nature of the story, frustrating and dissatisfying.
- There were a lot of odd inconsistencies in this book that bothered me. Things like Sereia not knowing the word for "feet", but knowing things like "thighs", "linen", "spice", etc. I get what the author was going for, but there was a lack of logic to what she did and didn't know, and it got a bit annoying, and I feel like an editor catching this would have made for a stronger book.
This was an interesting take on an origin story. As a whole, I thought the story was compelling and the plot was enjoyable, even if the end was a bit dissatisfying by nature.
What worked for me:
- The story was interesting with a lot of different plot elements to keep things entertaining.
- I liked most of the main characters.
- The narrator did an excellent job! I really enjoyed the way she read and the character voices!
What didn't work for me:
- The writing style was way too wordy for my preference. The author used so many verbs and adjectives and additional clauses to say everything, and it got tedious and repetitive, especially in the audiobook format. This book really could have benefitted from a bit more editing.
- Aspects of the ending were, while to be expected due to the nature of the story, frustrating and dissatisfying.
Spoiler
Sereia's spiral to insanity at the end made it all feel pointless since she doesn't even get to enjoy her revenge.- There were a lot of odd inconsistencies in this book that bothered me. Things like Sereia not knowing the word for "feet", but knowing things like "thighs", "linen", "spice", etc. I get what the author was going for, but there was a lack of logic to what she did and didn't know, and it got a bit annoying, and I feel like an editor catching this would have made for a stronger book.
booksthrilljessica's review against another edition
3.0
Sereia is a mermaid with extraordinary magical powers. Powers that surpass her brother’s, Triton. He is in the hopes to rule the kingdom when their father’s trident is passed down to him. But when Sereia’s younger sister is captured by humans it is up to her to destroy them with all that she has. This incident will forever change her fate. When Triton is outmatched by Sereia he curses her to live life as a human hoping she will never return.
Washing up on the shore of Atlantis, Sereia finds she must adapt to her new life and new found legs. She must find a way back home to exact her revenge. Can she find the twin to her father’s trident and undo her curse? Or will she find love that will make her forget about all who have wronged her?
Overall rating 3 /5
I liked the prequel feeling of this book to the Little Mermaid, and to add the conspiracy of Atlantis. I love a story about a strong willed woman character, and especially if they get their revenge. I do feel like the story lagged a bit in some spots and could have been supplemented with a little more of a slow burn romance. I would also not classify this as a Children’s book, which I thought this was, but more of a YA.
*Thank you to Kristi McManus, Netgalley and CamCat Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the audio book copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
Washing up on the shore of Atlantis, Sereia finds she must adapt to her new life and new found legs. She must find a way back home to exact her revenge. Can she find the twin to her father’s trident and undo her curse? Or will she find love that will make her forget about all who have wronged her?
Overall rating 3 /5
I liked the prequel feeling of this book to the Little Mermaid, and to add the conspiracy of Atlantis. I love a story about a strong willed woman character, and especially if they get their revenge. I do feel like the story lagged a bit in some spots and could have been supplemented with a little more of a slow burn romance. I would also not classify this as a Children’s book, which I thought this was, but more of a YA.
*Thank you to Kristi McManus, Netgalley and CamCat Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the audio book copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
kapo27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
lecy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mama_b88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thelibrarylady42's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
bethl's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t clock this was Ursula’s back story till the very end of the book but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I felt it started out really strong I loved the Bon between the two sisters and the rivalry between her brother and herself. The middle felt a bit rushed, I think the romance could’ve been more developed and the time she spent on land felt very short. I did enjoy the ending and the revenge aspects that were worked through out the book. A fun summer read overall. I thought the narrator did a very good job and suited the book well.
mfrazier126's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
niffler_for_words's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“We value knowledge above all else. And even though we fear the possibility of magic and the destruction it could bring, we refuse to hide in ignorance by destroying what could be our salvation.
I listened to the audio version of Our Vengeful Souls.
My first reason to pick the book –with the blurb, of course– was the narrator’s voice and rhythm. I absolutely adored her performance and it was a great addition to the story.
I loved Sereia’s character. She is a very empowered young woman, determined to make her own place into her mermaid’s world, but the (mer)men in her life –brother and father– aren’t decided to let her. This results in her brother Triton cursing her, forcing her to live among humans, her return to the ocean impossible –unless she breaks the malediction. On Atlantis, she learns how to mix, and makes connections, realizing that maybe all she had been taught under the sea wasn’t true. I liked that part because if many fantastic novels deal with humans’ prejudices regarding the supernatural, not many do the opposite. This book perfectly weaves mythology and a villain's origin story from a tale. But between the lines, it discusses the power of myths, women’s status and how men finally can always keep the upper-hand. That book was sometimes difficult, because a lot of sh** happens to Sereia. She doesn’t always help her cause because she doesn’t make good choices all the time (which makes her human… or at least relatable), and ends with her fate. I loved that balance in the character, how events are ruthless to her, but how she also makes things worse, especially because of her pride. Even if I couldn’t read such a story every day, I truly enjoyed that ride.
Thank you NetGalley, Kristi McManus and CamCat Books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
zoeybird234's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5