A review by the_grimdragon
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I've been branching out more with reading young adult novels here & there, especially if they are diverse! Also, with 2020 being what it was, I just couldn't sink into a thicc book like I normally would. My mental headspace just hasn't been there, so I've been getting through some leaner books, as well as standalones.

A Song Below Water is the debut young adult novel from Bethany C. Morrow. Since I don't read a ton of YA, it was this cover that initially pulled me in. I mean.. LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ARTWORK IS!!

A Song Below Water is a dual-perspective narrative with powerful themes of racism, bigotry, police brutality, misogyny, identity & sisterhood.

Plus-- Mermaids! Sirens! Pixies! Gargoyles!

It's funny & awkward, brutal & joyful. This absolutely deserves to be read!

That being said, it didn't fully come together for me. Ultimately, I prefer more magic with my magical realism! However, the bones are there & I'm definitely planning on reading the companion book, A Chorus Rises, when it comes out later this year!
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