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weisstars's review against another edition
1.0
i have a hard time fathoming why people like this book. the writing style is painfully simplistic, lacking any detail at all. it's also impossible to connect or attach myself to any of the characters: not only does the pov switch every single chapter, jumping back and forth into random places and times, but it also makes everyone incredibly one-dimensional. no one has any character development, no flaws, and no strengths. all of the women in this book also talk in the same exact tone of voice, with no differentiation for voices and speaking cadence.
the pacing of the book is agonizingly slow. nothing regarding the actual 'threat' or 'mystery' that brings this book the 'horror' tag happens until basically the mid-to-end of the book. this could've easily been reduced by at LEAST 100 pages, and still get everything it needed to say. but it was insistent on rambling it's way through the plot.
i found the representation of WLW and autism/neurodivergency to be incredibly shallow. i have a hunch that people give this book high praises simply for that, or for how 'sciencey' it is. the 'sciencey' aspects of this seem to gravely miss the mark, and i noticed some inconsistencies with real research and what the supposedly scientist characters were saying. i didn't feel any sense of 'creep' or 'horror' factor except in the introduction showing anne's announced death. it fell off after that.
i feel that the book also is marketed as to be heavily about mermaids, but the mermaids are essentially just... there. i feel like that they were not focused on nearly enough, and that our main character has no strong tie to them enough beyond a dead sister for the story to feel substantial. essentially, they are nothing but a plot device and a 'big scary'.
the pacing of the book is agonizingly slow. nothing regarding the actual 'threat' or 'mystery' that brings this book the 'horror' tag happens until basically the mid-to-end of the book. this could've easily been reduced by at LEAST 100 pages, and still get everything it needed to say. but it was insistent on rambling it's way through the plot.
i found the representation of WLW and autism/neurodivergency to be incredibly shallow. i have a hunch that people give this book high praises simply for that, or for how 'sciencey' it is. the 'sciencey' aspects of this seem to gravely miss the mark, and i noticed some inconsistencies with real research and what the supposedly scientist characters were saying. i didn't feel any sense of 'creep' or 'horror' factor except in the introduction showing anne's announced death. it fell off after that.
i feel that the book also is marketed as to be heavily about mermaids, but the mermaids are essentially just... there. i feel like that they were not focused on nearly enough, and that our main character has no strong tie to them enough beyond a dead sister for the story to feel substantial. essentially, they are nothing but a plot device and a 'big scary'.
cassieleigh97's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
astronutty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sadalababa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
a_reading_xennial's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Surprisingly boring most of the time.
esterjean's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Interesting just not super good.
edencruix's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
madelinerichards's review against another edition
4.0
this was super good, but I'm not that surprised I liked it since it's actually written by Seanan McGuire and I tend to like her writing style
inthebrineydeep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gore
Minor: Sexual content