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samiharts's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
bee324's review
3.5
This is a solid book. Probably a little too short for the kind of depth and development of character, etc that I prefer. But it was a fun little read and a creative, interesting retelling of The Little Mermaid where the mermaid falls for a girl, which I found enjoyable. My favorite part is probably that in this story the Ariel and Ursula characters are combined, thus complicating and giving an interesting backstory to Ursula.
Also, I adore the cover.
Also, I adore the cover.
brettmichaelorr's review
4.0
Short, smart, and super enjoyable. I didn't know quite what to expect from this Little Mermaid retelling, but Ember has cleverly crafted a world that's partly familiar and partly new. From the intricate thought that went into mermaid physiology and diet, to the surprisingly deep character building and criticism of current misogynistic society, the whole book rests on very solid ground. With a diverse story that effortlessly expresses a bisexual character and a gender-fluid (literally, in a magical sense too) Trickster God, The Seafarer's Kiss has a little for everyone!
jamies_shelves's review
3.0
This story had so many amazing elements. It was a retelling, it involved mermaids, it had mythology, it's LGBT! It could have been so amazing! But for me it just fell very flat.
This book had a ton of different elements to it (as listed above), so this story could have been so intricate and amazing. Instead it tried to fit about three different plots into only 230 pages. If you like really easy fast reads this book could be for you. I just tend to prefer good world building and character development over that.
I feel like everything was resolved so quickly so that it could all fit in this short book. One chapter was all it took for full plots to be taken care of.
If this book was fleshed out more I think it could have been something amazing. I wanted to be invested in the characters and this world, I really did. I just feel like I don't know them.
This book had a ton of different elements to it (as listed above), so this story could have been so intricate and amazing. Instead it tried to fit about three different plots into only 230 pages. If you like really easy fast reads this book could be for you. I just tend to prefer good world building and character development over that.
I feel like everything was resolved so quickly so that it could all fit in this short book. One chapter was all it took for full plots to be taken care of.
If this book was fleshed out more I think it could have been something amazing. I wanted to be invested in the characters and this world, I really did. I just feel like I don't know them.
dsuttles's review
3.0
Really cute! I borrowed this on a whim when I heard it was like a lesbian version of the Little Mermaid. It didn't disappoint. I was quickly immersed in the underwater world.