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jemiscool's review against another edition
a bad thing happens. the main character watches as people around her do things. she herself does nothing for like five minutes while people are in grave danger. but finally she's inspired to do something. but she fails. so she has a flashback to her gramma being sage and mystical (more than half of this book is made up of flashbacks). then she does something crazy that's never been done before. she sings at the stupid fire and it does something no one has ever thought of because the society is a caricature of stagnation. but while heroically saving everyone, she also puts everyone in danger, and then she blacks out, unsure of whether she's gonna get tossed overboard. ragged sarah gives her a wink somewhere in there. she's the only one who can save the world, but she's also a selfish liar who puts her own desires over the entire crew of the ship around her. rinse and repeat like forty times in just the half of the book that i suffered through. exhausting.
bobohearth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
karoliina_ida's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
sandrimeth's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
isabel005's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! The magic system/world building is UNHINGED (magic songs and magic human bone sculptures in magic fires magically propel ships that sail over a miles deep sea of magic plants..) but it's cool and explained well enough that I was sold and I enjoyed it, and the lore of the different cities is so original and interesting! Even though most of the book takes place on the surface, the ideas of the inescapable pull of the depths and incomprehensible horrors lurking below were clear and convincing and spooky. The description is beautiful and really gets the vivid imagery of an endless sea of green plants and colorful flowers across- the worldbuilding and description are the best parts of the book.
The plot was also pretty good! The very beginning is a little overwhelming because of all the new info about the setting, but then it picks up- the middle after and they're sailing on the open sea and deciding what to do and then there's a WORM is the best part I KNEW from the start they would find scary bug monsters from the depths and this book delivered! I read 200 pages of Dune waiting for some worm action and it wasn't even exciting, but The Forever Sea does not disappoint. The pacing is exciting and engaging, and then a while after the story drags a little bit, and the end is exciting again because the mysteries are unraveled and I wanted to know what Kindred would do. ......4.7 stars
I was very sold on the interpersonal relationships between Kindred and Ragged Sarah (magic bird caller) and the rest of the crew :) Kindred and Sarah's relationship is so heartfelt- the romance in this book isn't the focus of the plot, isn't shoved in your face, and doesn't feel forced. Their connection is believable and so sweet :)
Kindred isn't a crazy complex character, but it helps the audience project themselves onto her as she weighs the decisions she has to make about who she is loyal to and what path she will take to her future, and exists as a small part of a greater, scarier, destructive whole.
✅swords
✅worms
✅lesbians
✅bones
✅lurking horrors beyond comprehension
✅flowers
✅environmentalism
✅WORLDBUILDING
✅pirates
✅the all consuming call of the void
✅political corruption
The plot was also pretty good! The very beginning is a little overwhelming because of all the new info about the setting, but then it picks up- the middle after
Spoiler
the crew runs from ArcadiaSpoiler
they reach the Once CityI was very sold on the interpersonal relationships between Kindred and Ragged Sarah (magic bird caller) and the rest of the crew :) Kindred and Sarah's relationship is so heartfelt- the romance in this book isn't the focus of the plot, isn't shoved in your face, and doesn't feel forced. Their connection is believable and so sweet :)
Kindred isn't a crazy complex character, but it helps the audience project themselves onto her as she weighs the decisions she has to make about who she is loyal to and what path she will take to her future, and exists as a small part of a greater, scarier, destructive whole.
✅swords
✅worms
✅lesbians
✅bones
✅lurking horrors beyond comprehension
✅flowers
✅environmentalism
✅WORLDBUILDING
✅pirates
✅the all consuming call of the void
✅political corruption
pukeko's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
That this a debut novel is apparent. The perspective never shifts from that of the protagonist, Kindred, and as such she it always being pulled back into memories during action scenes to give required context, always idly thinking of this or that, and displaying an unendearing incompetence when it suits the plot, and great ability when that is needed to move the story forward.
However, the almost all female cast are competent, powerful, emotive characters thus giving young girls such inspirational characters as young boys have long been spoiled with an abundance of.
The environmental themes and endless ocean of grass kept me hooked. Would be beautifully represented by Miyazaki.
A more stringet editor and a bit more experience will bring Joshua's incredible imagination to light.
However, the almost all female cast are competent, powerful, emotive characters thus giving young girls such inspirational characters as young boys have long been spoiled with an abundance of.
The environmental themes and endless ocean of grass kept me hooked. Would be beautifully represented by Miyazaki.
A more stringet editor and a bit more experience will bring Joshua's incredible imagination to light.
garbitchdisposal's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
jephapha's review against another edition
5.0
I don't like fantasy books. I'm a slow reader who gets easily distracted, and I often find it hard to follow characters and plot lines. I picked up this book and couldn't put it down.
"The Forever Sea" is amazing. Johnson's beautiful prose fills your head and swims around as you grapple with the idea of sailing on prairie grasses. While many of the ideas (going underneath a prairie sea, for example) are abstract and take time to come to terms with, you feel okay and content with it. The story demands complexity and critical thinking, and yet at the heart of it there are pirates and a war between water stores and love and adventure. It is simplicity and complexity wrapped up in a book as vast and complex as the Sea it takes place on.
I've seen reviews that criticize the main character, Kindred, for her hasty and shallow decision-making, and while I recognize that Kindred can be a frustrating character to like from time to time, she is also noble and you still find yourself cheering for her and her success. She struggles with good and evil just as we all do, and Johnson uses her as a tool to help us grapple with the complexity of an all too divided and hasty, shallow decision-making world.
I absolutely love the imagery, I love the environmental themes and the messages throughout. The magic is INCREDIBLE. If nothing else, read this book for the magic; fire and magic are powered with bardic songs and characters gather inspiration and strength as they sing in hand-to-hand combat. Fire and water are both absolutely necessary in this book, for both life and death, and they compliment and juxtapose each other in fascinating ways. A brilliant book with beautiful writing. I highly recommend.
"The Forever Sea" is amazing. Johnson's beautiful prose fills your head and swims around as you grapple with the idea of sailing on prairie grasses. While many of the ideas (going underneath a prairie sea, for example) are abstract and take time to come to terms with, you feel okay and content with it. The story demands complexity and critical thinking, and yet at the heart of it there are pirates and a war between water stores and love and adventure. It is simplicity and complexity wrapped up in a book as vast and complex as the Sea it takes place on.
I've seen reviews that criticize the main character, Kindred, for her hasty and shallow decision-making, and while I recognize that Kindred can be a frustrating character to like from time to time, she is also noble and you still find yourself cheering for her and her success. She struggles with good and evil just as we all do, and Johnson uses her as a tool to help us grapple with the complexity of an all too divided and hasty, shallow decision-making world.
I absolutely love the imagery, I love the environmental themes and the messages throughout. The magic is INCREDIBLE. If nothing else, read this book for the magic; fire and magic are powered with bardic songs and characters gather inspiration and strength as they sing in hand-to-hand combat. Fire and water are both absolutely necessary in this book, for both life and death, and they compliment and juxtapose each other in fascinating ways. A brilliant book with beautiful writing. I highly recommend.
eletricjb's review against another edition
3.0
I really like the world he's created, but the writing style made it hard for me to stay engaged... World is intriguing enough that I'll probably pick up book 2 when it comes out, though.
ribread's review
5.0
Poetic and lyrical.
A 456 page love poem to the prairie filled with adventure, wonder, and unapologetic love.
A 456 page love poem to the prairie filled with adventure, wonder, and unapologetic love.