A review by rorikae
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
'Flowers for the Sea' by Zin E. Rocklyn is an interesting horror novella that I wished had taken more time to explore its themes and characters.
On a boat far from her home, Iraxi is pregnant with a child that she thinks may be less human than one would hope. Still dealing with the trauma of losing her family and her home, Iraxi is coming to terms with her situation and what her child may be.
Rocklyn creates an intriguing scenario and interesting characters but I don't think enough time was given to each to fully tell the story that is promised. Iraxi is dealing with severe depression after the loss of her family and home and this causes her to weave in and out of the past and the present. This sets up some of her backstory but I found that we weren't given quite enough time in either her memories or the present to fully cement the story and allow for character growth.
Rocklyn does a great job of writing body horror as Iraxi questions her pregnancy and the child that she is going to give birth to. The prose is lyrical and evocative, which I really enjoyed.
At 112 pages, this is a short novella and it feels like it could have used expansion. I was left at the end confused over what was going on and why. Despite this, I would read more of Rocklyn's books in the future as I really enjoyed their writing and the premise is intriguing.
On a boat far from her home, Iraxi is pregnant with a child that she thinks may be less human than one would hope. Still dealing with the trauma of losing her family and her home, Iraxi is coming to terms with her situation and what her child may be.
Rocklyn creates an intriguing scenario and interesting characters but I don't think enough time was given to each to fully tell the story that is promised. Iraxi is dealing with severe depression after the loss of her family and home and this causes her to weave in and out of the past and the present. This sets up some of her backstory but I found that we weren't given quite enough time in either her memories or the present to fully cement the story and allow for character growth.
Rocklyn does a great job of writing body horror as Iraxi questions her pregnancy and the child that she is going to give birth to. The prose is lyrical and evocative, which I really enjoyed.
At 112 pages, this is a short novella and it feels like it could have used expansion. I was left at the end confused over what was going on and why. Despite this, I would read more of Rocklyn's books in the future as I really enjoyed their writing and the premise is intriguing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts