Reviews

The Pisces by Melissa Broder

thaiscancian's review

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

ave_reviews's review against another edition

4.0

This modern take on the Siren story of Greek mythology was a surprising and enjoyable read. I loved the introspective and realistic writing, peppered with lines like: “This was just what people did now. We went from emotion to phone. This was how you didn’t die in the twenty-first century.” ⁣⁣
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I also love a book with an unlikeable, slightly disturbing narrator—this reminded me of “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” as a study of obsession and self-indulgence. I think a bit of a content warning is necessary for extremely graphic fish sex (?) and some unsettling animal maltreatment. Absolutely worth a read.

bookdon's review

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

quinkell98's review against another edition

dark reflective sad 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

2.0

casstellation's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

freshprincessofmelayers's review

dark sad

1.0

stephaniemariesbookshelf's review against another edition

3.0

Spoiler

This book was okay. Although I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next but at some points it dragged on a little. I love Sci Fi but this one wasn't focused on the relationship between Lucy and the merman it was more about her personal issues. This kind of reminded me of the shape of water but the ending threw me off a little and was kind of confusing. Like did the merman want to kill her or turn her into a mermaid and I don't like the cliffhanger that's she's probably pregnant which I kinda felt that coming too. Try reading the sample before buying it to see if it's something you actually want to read.

ceplunk's review

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Too much to grapple with. I thought it would be funny but it was really just dark and explicit and sometimes cruel.

cat80324's review

challenging slow-paced

3.5

viviantuyle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0