A review by biblio_kel
The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters
Did not finish book. Stopped at 74%.
This story has two protagonists - Natasha and Della - and the chapters are split between the two. The story is told in first person narration which works surprisingly well. Usually I find split narration stories to feel disjointed and find it hard to become immersed with the tale but that wasn't an issue with this book.
I really enjoyed the world building and the natural environments. I found myself really interested in Della's story and actively looked forward to her chapters. She was a complex but sympathetic character and I was keen to see where her family's story would go.
Natasha, on the other hand, I could not stand. At all. She is the most infuriating character I have ever read. Her entitled, self-centred, lack of self-awarness attitude made me want to give up on the book multiple times but my interest in Della kept me from doing that...until the part in the story where Natasha and Della's stories merge completely and then I had no escape from Natasha's toxicity. I couldn't keep going once even Della's chapters were full of Natasha's drama.
Initially, I placed the book on my NRN (not right now) pile but everytime I've considered picking it back up, I've genuinely felt a visceral repulsion at doing so. In the end, I decided to read an online synopsis.
The story seems to end in an appropriate manner although I do have two criticisms (spoliers ahead):
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2. The romance. Seriously? Was this just the alloromantic need to couple people off or what? Sure, a little physical attraction was mentioned here and there but how does that trump Natasha being awful to Della?
I'd have raged at the point if I had kept reading.
Lonely outcast girl falls for the pretty rich girl despite the pretty rich girl treating the lonely outcast girl like trash for most of the book.
I'm seriously sick of unhealthy relationships being portrayed as the 'goal' or 'best outcome' in young adult literature. Can we please start showing unhealthy relationships for what they are and modelling what healthy relationships look like?
Did. Not. Finish.
I really enjoyed the world building and the natural environments. I found myself really interested in Della's story and actively looked forward to her chapters. She was a complex but sympathetic character and I was keen to see where her family's story would go.
Natasha, on the other hand, I could not stand. At all. She is the most infuriating character I have ever read. Her entitled, self-centred, lack of self-awarness attitude made me want to give up on the book multiple times but my interest in Della kept me from doing that...until the part in the story where Natasha and Della's stories merge completely and then I had no escape from Natasha's toxicity. I couldn't keep going once even Della's chapters were full of Natasha's drama.
Initially, I placed the book on my NRN (not right now) pile but everytime I've considered picking it back up, I've genuinely felt a visceral repulsion at doing so. In the end, I decided to read an online synopsis.
The story seems to end in an appropriate manner although I do have two criticisms (spoliers ahead):
•••
••
•
Spoiler
1. I think the entire "I have magic too now" thing was hard to swallow, especially since up until then it seemed to be a familial thing that requires training and practise.2. The romance. Seriously? Was this just the alloromantic need to couple people off or what? Sure, a little physical attraction was mentioned here and there but how does that trump Natasha being awful to Della?
I'd have raged at the point if I had kept reading.
Lonely outcast girl falls for the pretty rich girl despite the pretty rich girl treating the lonely outcast girl like trash for most of the book.
I'm seriously sick of unhealthy relationships being portrayed as the 'goal' or 'best outcome' in young adult literature. Can we please start showing unhealthy relationships for what they are and modelling what healthy relationships look like?
Did. Not. Finish.