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erwikka's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book is written in verse which is super fun. I think the author handle grief and hope in such an amazing way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage
thepetitepunk's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I usually love novels in verse but I don’t think the verse format was fitting for the writing style here. It felt more like lazy than poetic, instead creating something distant and disjointed rather than artistic and emotion. There is no reason a novel in verse should take me over a week to read, even given the subject matter. I’m all for plotless explorations of grief (really! that’s my favorite! and verse is perfect for that!) but I felt no connection to the characters or story. Having dual POVs didn’t help either—they sounded the same. There were a couple lines here and there towards the end that I liked though.
I usually love novels in verse but I don’t think the verse format was fitting for the writing style here. It felt more like lazy than poetic, instead creating something distant and disjointed rather than artistic and emotion. There is no reason a novel in verse should take me over a week to read, even given the subject matter. I’m all for plotless explorations of grief (really! that’s my favorite! and verse is perfect for that!) but I felt no connection to the characters or story. Having dual POVs didn’t help either—they sounded the same. There were a couple lines here and there towards the end that I liked though.
katie_l21's review
5.0
This was a beautifully written story of two sisters navigating their diverging paths and grief their shared grief. A lovely portrait of two sisters.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
5.0
5/5
This book had me crying. I loved how it went to explain grief and how people grew from it and became better through some trial. The sisters bond was one of the reasons I love this book. They were so close but most importantly they weren’t alone in the grief. There was someone else there for them to cry with and remember good times with.
This book had me crying. I loved how it went to explain grief and how people grew from it and became better through some trial. The sisters bond was one of the reasons I love this book. They were so close but most importantly they weren’t alone in the grief. There was someone else there for them to cry with and remember good times with.
brittneyfike's review
3.0
I'll start by saying I always enjoy reading a novel in verse. But dang. This is one really sad book. I enjoyed the dual POV of the sisters and how they were navigating their grief. I did feel the end wrapped up a bit quickly which I wasn’t a fan of. I needed more closure I guess.
crystalmethany's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
bookish_olga's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded up
"Turtle Under Ice" isn't just a book; it's a gut-punching, heart-wrenching journey through grief and sisterhood that'll leave you breathless. Del Rosario's exquisite verse writing pulls you in from the very first page, immersing you in the raw emotions of Row and Ariana as they grapple with loss and longing.
From the poignant portrayal of Filipino-Chamorro-American sisters to the exploration of grief as both a burden and a creative force, every word of this novel resonates with depth and authenticity. The sibling dynamic is beautifully captured, reminding us of the enduring power of family even in the darkest of times.
As you delve deeper into the intertwined lives of Row and Ariana, you'll find yourself shedding tears, laughing, and ultimately, feeling grateful for the bonds that hold us together even when everything else falls apart. "Turtle Under Ice" is not just a book to be read; it's an experience to be felt, cherished, and shared with those you hold dear.
As you turn the final pages of "Turtle Under Ice," you'll be left with a profound sense of connection—to the characters, to their struggles, and to the universal truths about love and loss that bind us all together. This book isn't just about grief; it's about resilience, about finding beauty in the midst of darkness, and about the enduring power of hope. "Turtle Under Ice" is a poignant reminder that even when life feels like a frozen wasteland, there are still moments of warmth and light waiting to thaw our hearts and lead us back to the ones we love.
"Turtle Under Ice" isn't just a book; it's a gut-punching, heart-wrenching journey through grief and sisterhood that'll leave you breathless. Del Rosario's exquisite verse writing pulls you in from the very first page, immersing you in the raw emotions of Row and Ariana as they grapple with loss and longing.
From the poignant portrayal of Filipino-Chamorro-American sisters to the exploration of grief as both a burden and a creative force, every word of this novel resonates with depth and authenticity. The sibling dynamic is beautifully captured, reminding us of the enduring power of family even in the darkest of times.
As you delve deeper into the intertwined lives of Row and Ariana, you'll find yourself shedding tears, laughing, and ultimately, feeling grateful for the bonds that hold us together even when everything else falls apart. "Turtle Under Ice" is not just a book to be read; it's an experience to be felt, cherished, and shared with those you hold dear.
As you turn the final pages of "Turtle Under Ice," you'll be left with a profound sense of connection—to the characters, to their struggles, and to the universal truths about love and loss that bind us all together. This book isn't just about grief; it's about resilience, about finding beauty in the midst of darkness, and about the enduring power of hope. "Turtle Under Ice" is a poignant reminder that even when life feels like a frozen wasteland, there are still moments of warmth and light waiting to thaw our hearts and lead us back to the ones we love.
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Turtle Under Ice explores the many ways that grief can shape a life. Row and Ariana’s mother died six years ago, but the loss has carved a hole into their lives that has never been able to be completely filled. Ariana, especially, hasn’t been able to move on from her grief completely because she was there when her mother died and the trauma affected her in ways she can’t define. When the girls’ stepmother has a miscarriage, it brings all that grief back to the forefront for them both. Ariana heads out into a snowstorm without telling anyone, and Row worries that her bond with her sister might be stretching too thin. The book is told in dual POV and partially in flashbacks as the two try to figure out how to process their feelings without denying them. The ending is especially wonderful, as the two sisters finally come together and understand each other more deeply than they ever have before.
***Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Turtle Under Ice explores the many ways that grief can shape a life. Row and Ariana’s mother died six years ago, but the loss has carved a hole into their lives that has never been able to be completely filled. Ariana, especially, hasn’t been able to move on from her grief completely because she was there when her mother died and the trauma affected her in ways she can’t define. When the girls’ stepmother has a miscarriage, it brings all that grief back to the forefront for them both. Ariana heads out into a snowstorm without telling anyone, and Row worries that her bond with her sister might be stretching too thin. The book is told in dual POV and partially in flashbacks as the two try to figure out how to process their feelings without denying them. The ending is especially wonderful, as the two sisters finally come together and understand each other more deeply than they ever have before.
***Disclosure: I received this book for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***