A review by trafalgar_law
Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this book was made for me. While I do have some issues with the book that would make it a 4 star, this book touched my soul as someone who stopped reading until this year. This book welcomed me back into the reading world with open arms in a different way than all my other reads this year.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW UNTIL THE SPOILER WARNING LINE:
I was completely enthralled the second I saw this book on the Walmart bookshelf. I flipped through the first pages and I thought, “A moon and tides based magic system? Intriguing and beautifully written lore? A gorgeously illustrated college map? Sign me up!”
Reading this book completely transported me into their world. The Magic system is beautiful and intricate, the characters are interesting and diverse. I love the representation with gay and bi characters, as well as the androgynous Jae.
I could barely put the book down. I was completely enamored with this world- with Emory and her trauma, with Baz and his struggles with loss and his many fears. I could see myself in both of them; someone who feels mediocre, someone who’s afraid to lose people they love. The book beautifully balances their personal problems with the world and themselves with the death of Romie, Emory’s best friend and Baz’s sister, and boy does the mystery evolve.
SPOILERS INCOMING!
A few of my critiques on the book are with Emory. I felt like she was too naive in her relationship with Keiran, and I felt the same way I had when I read “Shadow and Bone”. However, I think I was critical because I was like Emory when I was her age- easily manipulated because I saw myself as unworthy, unlovable, and mediocre. I craved the eyes of certain ghosts from my past, and I would hurt others and use others to get what I wanted.
Emory knowing she was using Basil hurt me, but it just shows what she would do to get what she wants. Answers, safety, control over her newfound abilities.
I struggled a lot with Keiran as well. From the get go, I hated his mannerisms. Something screamed red flags at me, and I hated that Emory was so enthralled by him. A part of me couldn’t make sense of why he would sacrifice his friends in the end, literally killing Lizaveta with his own two hands. I still struggle with it. I know WHY they needed to be there, but I didn’t understand his motivations. Maybe I didn’t see enough of his love for his parents or Farran, maybe I missed some things in my ignorance through the beginning of the book.
However, there’s so much that outweighs the cons.
HEAVY PLOT SPOILERS BELOW!
The writing is beautiful. I loved every second of the story. As someone with INTENSE Thalassophobia I was horror struck when Travers and Lia emerged from the ocean. Literal chills went up my back and I had to stop and look around at my surroundings. The most terrifying moment in the book for me was when Romie says, “Jordyn? What are you doing?”
I wear I stopped breathing. Even now, thinking of that moment, I feel goosebumps forming on my skin. Lia’s body rising from the ocean? Then to find she screams and her throat is charred and her tongue is gone? HELLLLLL NO. I wrote in my book (I annotate) “BRUHHHHH” and then continued to devour the pages that followed. I have never been afraid reading a book before. Since I’ve just gotten back into reading, that doesn’t say much, but damn. The experience was new and so exciting to me.
I like that the romance felt respectful. The development between Baz and Emory felt so wholesome, and while I honestly hate when characters have a falling out bc of miscommunication or something like that, it felt a lot more justified and natural where. Baz, in his hurt and anguish and loneliness, saying “Everything you touch turns to ash”, destroyed me. Hell, we’ve all said something like that to someone in our lives, whether they deserved it or not.
In the end, where they have this unspoken connection, this companionship- it was so emotional. The things they couldn’t say, the things they didn’t have to say. Emory being the ocean, the tides themselves, and Baz being the shore she could always return to… god. Exquisite. Chef’s kiss. Amazing.
These wonderful things mixed in with the Institute and their bull, Kai and his entire character just being the best, Virgil, Nisha… I have so much to say about these incredible side characters. Virgil and Emory connected over Reaper magic and death, Virgil comforting her that death is just part of the cycle… I felt for them. Nisha and Romie’s relationship being explained, Kai stealing every scene he’s in, and Jae being the supportive figure I’ve always wanted in my life.
I have too much to say, truthfully. What a beautiful story. I desperately need the next book, and I hope to someday be able to express my adoration and appreciation to the author. This is my second 5 star read this year, and I’m happy it has taken that place.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW UNTIL THE SPOILER WARNING LINE:
I was completely enthralled the second I saw this book on the Walmart bookshelf. I flipped through the first pages and I thought, “A moon and tides based magic system? Intriguing and beautifully written lore? A gorgeously illustrated college map? Sign me up!”
Reading this book completely transported me into their world. The Magic system is beautiful and intricate, the characters are interesting and diverse. I love the representation with gay and bi characters, as well as the androgynous Jae.
I could barely put the book down. I was completely enamored with this world- with Emory and her trauma, with Baz and his struggles with loss and his many fears. I could see myself in both of them; someone who feels mediocre, someone who’s afraid to lose people they love. The book beautifully balances their personal problems with the world and themselves with the death of Romie, Emory’s best friend and Baz’s sister, and boy does the mystery evolve.
SPOILERS INCOMING!
A few of my critiques on the book are with Emory. I felt like she was too naive in her relationship with Keiran, and I felt the same way I had when I read “Shadow and Bone”. However, I think I was critical because I was like Emory when I was her age- easily manipulated because I saw myself as unworthy, unlovable, and mediocre. I craved the eyes of certain ghosts from my past, and I would hurt others and use others to get what I wanted.
Emory knowing she was using Basil hurt me, but it just shows what she would do to get what she wants. Answers, safety, control over her newfound abilities.
I struggled a lot with Keiran as well. From the get go, I hated his mannerisms. Something screamed red flags at me, and I hated that Emory was so enthralled by him. A part of me couldn’t make sense of why he would sacrifice his friends in the end, literally killing Lizaveta with his own two hands. I still struggle with it. I know WHY they needed to be there, but I didn’t understand his motivations. Maybe I didn’t see enough of his love for his parents or Farran, maybe I missed some things in my ignorance through the beginning of the book.
However, there’s so much that outweighs the cons.
HEAVY PLOT SPOILERS BELOW!
The writing is beautiful. I loved every second of the story. As someone with INTENSE Thalassophobia I was horror struck when Travers and Lia emerged from the ocean. Literal chills went up my back and I had to stop and look around at my surroundings. The most terrifying moment in the book for me was when Romie says, “Jordyn? What are you doing?”
I wear I stopped breathing. Even now, thinking of that moment, I feel goosebumps forming on my skin. Lia’s body rising from the ocean? Then to find she screams and her throat is charred and her tongue is gone? HELLLLLL NO. I wrote in my book (I annotate) “BRUHHHHH” and then continued to devour the pages that followed. I have never been afraid reading a book before. Since I’ve just gotten back into reading, that doesn’t say much, but damn. The experience was new and so exciting to me.
I like that the romance felt respectful. The development between Baz and Emory felt so wholesome, and while I honestly hate when characters have a falling out bc of miscommunication or something like that, it felt a lot more justified and natural where. Baz, in his hurt and anguish and loneliness, saying “Everything you touch turns to ash”, destroyed me. Hell, we’ve all said something like that to someone in our lives, whether they deserved it or not.
In the end, where they have this unspoken connection, this companionship- it was so emotional. The things they couldn’t say, the things they didn’t have to say. Emory being the ocean, the tides themselves, and Baz being the shore she could always return to… god. Exquisite. Chef’s kiss. Amazing.
These wonderful things mixed in with the Institute and their bull, Kai and his entire character just being the best, Virgil, Nisha… I have so much to say about these incredible side characters. Virgil and Emory connected over Reaper magic and death, Virgil comforting her that death is just part of the cycle… I felt for them. Nisha and Romie’s relationship being explained, Kai stealing every scene he’s in, and Jae being the supportive figure I’ve always wanted in my life.
I have too much to say, truthfully. What a beautiful story. I desperately need the next book, and I hope to someday be able to express my adoration and appreciation to the author. This is my second 5 star read this year, and I’m happy it has taken that place.