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pinksalt's review against another edition
2.5
Pretty prose. Shit men, controlling religion, mermaid lol
thisbookishbee's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for granting me an arc.
The first thing I thought when I started reading Seawomen was that this was a book on cults. In a way that's exactly what it is. The inhabitants live on an Island called Eden's Isle and they have lived there for so long that the original name of the island is now lost to history. There are no records, nothing to say who or what lived on the island before Esta's people first landed there. Led by Father Jessop the inhabitants of Eden's Isle are led to believe that they must remain pure, devoted to God and not give into the temptation of the Seawomen. Creatures who live in the sea and would seek to bring death and destruction to their island.
The island is a highly misogynistic place to live. The men lead and the women are expected to do their part and breed children once the Eldermothers declare them fit to be mothers. In truth, the women are the ones to watch for, the ones who are more likely to give into temptation. If a calamity befalls the island it is the work of the Seawomen and whichever woman on the island whom they have enchanted. Once the woman is found it often leads to a process called the Untethering. A brutal act in which the woman is tied down and cast out to sea to drown. Esta's grandmother forces her to watch each one, to show her what happens to the faithless.
Despite all this Esta is still drawn to the sea in a way she can't describe and one fateful night, chased by a group of boys, she finds herself drowning in the very sea she's drawn to. What shocks her the most is when she's saved not by a seawoman, but a seaman called Cal. A budding ill-fated romance begins to form, which turns Esta's and Cal's whole lives upside down as they struggle to find a way to be together in a world where his very existence is taboo.
The first thing I thought when I started reading Seawomen was that this was a book on cults. In a way that's exactly what it is. The inhabitants live on an Island called Eden's Isle and they have lived there for so long that the original name of the island is now lost to history. There are no records, nothing to say who or what lived on the island before Esta's people first landed there. Led by Father Jessop the inhabitants of Eden's Isle are led to believe that they must remain pure, devoted to God and not give into the temptation of the Seawomen. Creatures who live in the sea and would seek to bring death and destruction to their island.
The island is a highly misogynistic place to live. The men lead and the women are expected to do their part and breed children once the Eldermothers declare them fit to be mothers. In truth, the women are the ones to watch for, the ones who are more likely to give into temptation. If a calamity befalls the island it is the work of the Seawomen and whichever woman on the island whom they have enchanted. Once the woman is found it often leads to a process called the Untethering. A brutal act in which the woman is tied down and cast out to sea to drown. Esta's grandmother forces her to watch each one, to show her what happens to the faithless.
Despite all this Esta is still drawn to the sea in a way she can't describe and one fateful night, chased by a group of boys, she finds herself drowning in the very sea she's drawn to. What shocks her the most is when she's saved not by a seawoman, but a seaman called Cal. A budding ill-fated romance begins to form, which turns Esta's and Cal's whole lives upside down as they struggle to find a way to be together in a world where his very existence is taboo.
__rachk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jessslibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
5.0
stegobookosaurus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the atmosphere and the darkness of this one. Sadly, I could believe that it could happen. Esta was a relatable protagonist who I was desperate to follow.
What stopped it being a five star was that it ended quite suddenly. After the meandering pace of the book, we rush through things in the last five pages or so.
What stopped it being a five star was that it ended quite suddenly. After the meandering pace of the book, we rush through things in the last five pages or so.
paige__mahoney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
3.5
jayra's review against another edition
4.0
This is so heartbreaking? and disgusted at the same time.
This story is heavily focused on Esta, whom was raised in a faraway island controlled by christian cult, raised by her grandmother who is very religious. They believed that lives beyond their island border is bad and evil, or if they look at the sea too much, they will be bewitched by the wicked seawomen and bad things will happen to the island (e.g thunderstorm, people get sick etc).
The pace was a bit slow at first until Esta turned 15, that's where it gets interesting and also you will feel disgusted as women in the island were not protected.
And the ending?? oh my heart. Please read - especially if you're into The Handmaid’s Tale / The Crucible / The Shape of Water
This story is heavily focused on Esta, whom was raised in a faraway island controlled by christian cult, raised by her grandmother who is very religious. They believed that lives beyond their island border is bad and evil, or if they look at the sea too much, they will be bewitched by the wicked seawomen and bad things will happen to the island (e.g thunderstorm, people get sick etc).
The pace was a bit slow at first until Esta turned 15, that's where it gets interesting and also you will feel disgusted as women in the island were not protected.
And the ending?? oh my heart. Please read - especially if you're into The Handmaid’s Tale / The Crucible / The Shape of Water
rachelandrews's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
idk about anyone else but dystopian feminist novel/mermaid smut is a new genre for me but turns out it’s really good lmao
a bit heavy handed at times but overall a serve
a bit heavy handed at times but overall a serve
sugarpop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25