A review by laurareads87
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.0

I've been waiting to read Flowers for the Sea since I first learned of its release, saw that gorgeous cover, and read of comparisons to Octavia E. Butler.  I was not at all disappointed.  The story follows a group of survivors who've been at sea for over seventeen hundred days, surrounded by water and threatening creatures both above and below.  Iraxi is pregnant, and seems to be the only one on the ship who has been able to carry to term; she fears the fetus is not entirely human.  Iraxi is an incredible character, her rage and pain captured perfectly in gorgeous prose; the ship feels like a key character in its own right, and Rocklyn brought the sounds, sights, and horrifying smells to life with their descriptions.  The entire novella is profoundly claustrophobic, and nowhere in the tiny setting feels safe.  There is a lot to say about the intricacies of the story but for the sake of not including spoilers, I will not say too much.  This may be a book best gone into knowing as little as possible.  Recommended; look forward to reading more from Rocklyn.
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