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til_ly's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
anotherstoryreader's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm finding myself at a loss on how to review this book without spoilers. I'll do my best but I may add some at the bottom.
For those who care, there were many more F-bombs in this book than I cared to read and some very detailed sex scenes.
I found this book to be a very interesting story from the beginning. The writing was so good that I was about to just slip right into the story.
There were a lot of parallels to the Seaworld business practices in this story. How small and dank the holding cages are. How the animals are treated etc and I think it was interesting to "see" the animal's perspective of captivity. I found it a little hard to believe if we found mermaids in real life we would treat them as horribly as the Oceanantic facility treated them. Even if they were dangerous. But who knows. With what's going on in the world today it wouldn't surprise me.
I liked Fynn and I didn't like Fynn. LOL Maybe because come from Florida and I've know douchbags like him. It was hard for me to like him behind in the beginning. But his character does change and develop and he really does learn to care for the mer.
I read a review that mentioned they thought Erie was immature and too childlike. I think she comes across that way because she 's from another world. Everything is new for her and she's going to see things with a sometimes childlike view.
OK time for a few spoilers. Don't scroll any farther.
There are a few points at the end of the story I want to put out there.
1. Fynn ending confused me a little. He tells Erie and the media that he loves her. But it seems more like the love of a friend. He mentions being grossed out when Erie kisses him. He's in a full-on relationship with Jen and talks about wanting to continue their relationship when he leaves for college. (Or he’s thinking about it) So the ending where Erie and he end up together seems very abrupt but I also totally understand it too. I’m so conflicted because if it weren’t for Jen I would totally want him and Erie to end up together. It just seemed impossible to 99% of the book.
2. Man! Did I want just one more chapter in this story. I really wanted to see him reunited with his father. Or at least get to say goodbye to his family.
What about the politics between the ocean and the air worlds. Do the killings stop? What happens to Oceanic now that the controlling shareholder is "Dead"? Are they able to release the other Mer? Did Claire die when she attached Fynn? How did none of the Mer (Or Erie) know that the land advisor was once a human?? AND who changed him? It couldn't be Erie's mom because he accidentally killed her when he first found the Mer existed.
SOOO MANY QUESTIONS! I needed one more chapter to wrap up these questions. Or maybe a second book? I think there are enough loose ends that a second book could be awesome!!
I'm finding myself at a loss on how to review this book without spoilers. I'll do my best but I may add some at the bottom.
For those who care, there were many more F-bombs in this book than I cared to read and some very detailed sex scenes.
I found this book to be a very interesting story from the beginning. The writing was so good that I was about to just slip right into the story.
There were a lot of parallels to the Seaworld business practices in this story. How small and dank the holding cages are. How the animals are treated etc and I think it was interesting to "see" the animal's perspective of captivity. I found it a little hard to believe if we found mermaids in real life we would treat them as horribly as the Oceanantic facility treated them. Even if they were dangerous. But who knows. With what's going on in the world today it wouldn't surprise me.
I liked Fynn and I didn't like Fynn. LOL Maybe because come from Florida and I've know douchbags like him. It was hard for me to like him behind in the beginning. But his character does change and develop and he really does learn to care for the mer.
I read a review that mentioned they thought Erie was immature and too childlike. I think she comes across that way because she 's from another world. Everything is new for her and she's going to see things with a sometimes childlike view.
OK time for a few spoilers. Don't scroll any farther.
There are a few points at the end of the story I want to put out there.
1. Fynn ending confused me a little. He tells Erie and the media that he loves her. But it seems more like the love of a friend. He mentions being grossed out when Erie kisses him. He's in a full-on relationship with Jen and talks about wanting to continue their relationship when he leaves for college. (Or he’s thinking about it) So the ending where Erie and he end up together seems very abrupt but I also totally understand it too. I’m so conflicted because if it weren’t for Jen I would totally want him and Erie to end up together. It just seemed impossible to 99% of the book.
2. Man! Did I want just one more chapter in this story. I really wanted to see him reunited with his father. Or at least get to say goodbye to his family.
What about the politics between the ocean and the air worlds. Do the killings stop? What happens to Oceanic now that the controlling shareholder is "Dead"? Are they able to release the other Mer? Did Claire die when she attached Fynn? How did none of the Mer (Or Erie) know that the land advisor was once a human?? AND who changed him? It couldn't be Erie's mom because he accidentally killed her when he first found the Mer existed.
SOOO MANY QUESTIONS! I needed one more chapter to wrap up these questions. Or maybe a second book? I think there are enough loose ends that a second book could be awesome!!
alandd's review against another edition
4.0
La historia empieza y se desarrolla con un ritmo bastante calmado y a veces hasta lento, detallando hasta lo más mínimo para que el lector tenga una imagen muy completa de lo que está pasando y dar a conocer este mundo tétricamente similar al real. Al principio no iba a clasificar esta historia como una novela de fantasía, sino de monstruos, pero un giro inesperado me hizo cambiar de opinión. ¿Qué tiene de importante esto? El que el mundo está construido de una manera muy cuidadosa, sin usar magia en ningún momento.
Reseña completa (4 de mayo): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2021/05/resena-review-speak-ocean.html
The story begins and develops with a fairly calm and sometimes even slow pace, detailing down to the smallest detail so that the reader has a very complete picture of what's happening and to reveal this gloomy world similar to the real one. At first, I was not going to classify this story as a fantasy novel, but a monsters' one, but an unexpected twist made me change my mind. What's important about this? That the world's constructed in a very careful way, without using magic at any time.
Full review (May 4): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2021/05/resena-review-speak-ocean.html
Reseña completa (4 de mayo): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2021/05/resena-review-speak-ocean.html
The story begins and develops with a fairly calm and sometimes even slow pace, detailing down to the smallest detail so that the reader has a very complete picture of what's happening and to reveal this gloomy world similar to the real one. At first, I was not going to classify this story as a fantasy novel, but a monsters' one, but an unexpected twist made me change my mind. What's important about this? That the world's constructed in a very careful way, without using magic at any time.
Full review (May 4): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2021/05/resena-review-speak-ocean.html
cafeyre's review against another edition
4.0
Finn is a young student who was interested in the ocean all his life. He’s working at Oceanica, the place that is training mermaids to perform and entertain the audience. For many years he was waiting for the day when he will become a trainer. His dream came true when they brought new mer to train. However, it wasn’t just some other mermaid. She looked exactly like the first mer that was discovered by his father. He decided to train her in his own way, without shocking her with the loop as most of the trainers do. Thanks to his new approach he discovered that mermaids are more than dangerous fish.
Erie is a princess of Seadom. She spends her days trying to find a pattern between the disappearing of the mermaids in her kingdom. However, the dates don’t make any sense to her. Her kingdom lives in the fear and hunger. She tries to find a way to help her people, but instead of helping she is the one who’s taken away to the land. Thankfully, her loyal guard Niku didn’t leave her alone and let the landfolk to take him with her. Since there is no way back, she decides to learn the language of humans and find out why are they doing this.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Erie is such a precious soul, and I couldn’t bear anyone who tried to heart her. She cares for her people more than for her own life. I loved the moments when she was showing Finn and Jen that she is smarter than they thought. It was so cute how interested she was in the Disney movies and any other new thing that they showed them. It was so easy to fall in love with her. I wanted to cry whenever someone tried to break her like other Mer. Mermaids in the Oceanica were treated worse than you can imagine. They couldn’t speak or touch each other. If they do, they were shocked until they couldn’t move. The funniest thing is that people were surprised that they are trying to attack them or kill them whenever they have a chance. After all, they do to them I would be surprised if they wouldn’t want to do that.
Finn was the only trainer that proved it. He taught Erie respectfully and kindly and he received back the same thing. He understood that mermaids are not the bad guys here and that it needs to be changed. However, this change didn’t come fast to him. Throughout most of the book, he was one of the most annoying characters in this book. It’s not that I don’t like him because I do, he’s a good guy. I feel like he’s very lost because he finally found out that everything he believed in and dreamed about was a lie. Most of the time he behaves in a way that he doesn’t even want to notice it. Moreover, he is very selfish. He thinks only about what will be good for him and he doesn’t see how much he can hurt people around him with his actions. Thankfully, my precious Erie showed him that it’s not what life is about and changed him.
The story overall is beautiful. I love the smooth changes in the characters. It was very hard for me to get through the violence with which the trainers treat the mermaids and the reasons they were stating, she’s only a fish, were completely dumb. Even if she would be only an animal or fish, it doesn’t matter you can hurt them for your own entertainment.
The thing I loved the most about this book is a presentation of the cruelty to animals/sea creatures in places like Oceanica. Even if the mermaids do not exist and this is just a fantasy book, I’m sure that animals are not treated better in places like this. I’m really grateful that the author touched on this subject since the subject seems a little bit forgotten.
I feel that this book deserves much more attention than it gets. It’s an amazing, well-written book that will make you forget about reality. I would like to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Enzor, and REUTS Publications for providing me with a copy of this book. I think that this book is joining the list of my favorite releases of 2020.
Erie is a princess of Seadom. She spends her days trying to find a pattern between the disappearing of the mermaids in her kingdom. However, the dates don’t make any sense to her. Her kingdom lives in the fear and hunger. She tries to find a way to help her people, but instead of helping she is the one who’s taken away to the land. Thankfully, her loyal guard Niku didn’t leave her alone and let the landfolk to take him with her. Since there is no way back, she decides to learn the language of humans and find out why are they doing this.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Erie is such a precious soul, and I couldn’t bear anyone who tried to heart her. She cares for her people more than for her own life. I loved the moments when she was showing Finn and Jen that she is smarter than they thought. It was so cute how interested she was in the Disney movies and any other new thing that they showed them. It was so easy to fall in love with her. I wanted to cry whenever someone tried to break her like other Mer. Mermaids in the Oceanica were treated worse than you can imagine. They couldn’t speak or touch each other. If they do, they were shocked until they couldn’t move. The funniest thing is that people were surprised that they are trying to attack them or kill them whenever they have a chance. After all, they do to them I would be surprised if they wouldn’t want to do that.
Finn was the only trainer that proved it. He taught Erie respectfully and kindly and he received back the same thing. He understood that mermaids are not the bad guys here and that it needs to be changed. However, this change didn’t come fast to him. Throughout most of the book, he was one of the most annoying characters in this book. It’s not that I don’t like him because I do, he’s a good guy. I feel like he’s very lost because he finally found out that everything he believed in and dreamed about was a lie. Most of the time he behaves in a way that he doesn’t even want to notice it. Moreover, he is very selfish. He thinks only about what will be good for him and he doesn’t see how much he can hurt people around him with his actions. Thankfully, my precious Erie showed him that it’s not what life is about and changed him.
The story overall is beautiful. I love the smooth changes in the characters. It was very hard for me to get through the violence with which the trainers treat the mermaids and the reasons they were stating, she’s only a fish, were completely dumb. Even if she would be only an animal or fish, it doesn’t matter you can hurt them for your own entertainment.
The thing I loved the most about this book is a presentation of the cruelty to animals/sea creatures in places like Oceanica. Even if the mermaids do not exist and this is just a fantasy book, I’m sure that animals are not treated better in places like this. I’m really grateful that the author touched on this subject since the subject seems a little bit forgotten.
I feel that this book deserves much more attention than it gets. It’s an amazing, well-written book that will make you forget about reality. I would like to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Enzor, and REUTS Publications for providing me with a copy of this book. I think that this book is joining the list of my favorite releases of 2020.
g_korbin's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Rounding it up to 4.
I loved the plotline in this. I found it extremely intriguing, mostly realistic (except maybe the ending but I could live with that--it was foreshadowed enough) and I binged it in a very short amount of time.
What was hard for me to swallow and caused me to bump this review from 4 to 3.5 stars was Finn. I don't know if the author intended him to come off this way on purpose or tried so hard to get inside the male mindset she ended up somewhat stereotyping him. Finn, as was very explicitly stated, had hit on every single female member of the crew. He's so into beer and sex. He calls the mermaids "sweetness"; and "beautiful". And I will probably never get a very specific phrase about vindictive b***** out of my mind. Was that on purpose? Honestly? He treats most (all?) women horribly, and he doesnt really learn anything by the end of the book. Not in the "let's not treat women as disposable things" department anyway.
But he likes the ocean! And he doesn't electrocute his talking mermaid so we're supposed to root for him! I guess?
It's really hard for me not to like main characters. Kudos to the author for getting me to care about a book where I didn't like the main, but so many points off for actually getting me to the point where he would bother me so much.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the plotline in this. I found it extremely intriguing, mostly realistic (except maybe the ending but I could live with that--it was foreshadowed enough) and I binged it in a very short amount of time.
What was hard for me to swallow and caused me to bump this review from 4 to 3.5 stars was Finn. I don't know if the author intended him to come off this way on purpose or tried so hard to get inside the male mindset she ended up somewhat stereotyping him. Finn, as was very explicitly stated, had hit on every single female member of the crew. He's so into beer and sex. He calls the mermaids "sweetness"; and "beautiful". And I will probably never get a very specific phrase about vindictive b***** out of my mind. Was that on purpose? Honestly? He treats most (all?) women horribly, and he doesnt really learn anything by the end of the book. Not in the "let's not treat women as disposable things" department anyway.
But he likes the ocean! And he doesn't electrocute his talking mermaid so we're supposed to root for him! I guess?
It's really hard for me not to like main characters. Kudos to the author for getting me to care about a book where I didn't like the main, but so many points off for actually getting me to the point where he would bother me so much.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
dreamstobecome's review against another edition
5.0
SPEAK THE OCEAN is an incredible debut, filled with vibrant character, breathtaking stakes and a highly realistic take on what it would inevitably be like if mermaids were captured and used in a theme park. The morality of marine life in captivity for human amusement is key to the heart of this story, and it pulls sharply on the heartstrings of any reader, especially those who have a soft spot for marine life and ocean conservation. In addition to believable depictions of marine science and the amusement park industry, the book has some delightful nods to real-life Key West that any local Floridian will smile at. Rebecca Enzor has a deeply natural sense of character and dialogue that flows with feeling and wit. Both narrators - human trainer Finn and Mer captive Erie - are vivacious, strong-minded and flawed with beautiful hearts at their core. Reading along with their change and growth is a beautifully written journey of ebb and flow that I almost didn’t want to end... but the ending is so exquisite you won’t want to put the book down! I have been aggressively informing people about this book since I was fortunate enough to read its early draft several years ago, and now having read its final form I am so incredibly thrilled to continue brandishing it at anyone who will stand still long enough to listen.
soulinpages's review against another edition
4.0
ARC given by REUTS Publications and Netgalley.
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Speak the ocean tells the story of Finn, a human mermaid trainer and Erie, a mermaid princess who is captured by Finn. Finn's aunt discovered Mermaids and Finn had the idea of opening an amusement park that captures Mermaids and make them perform for an audience. Humans find Mers' dangerous because they kill their trainers after years of abuse and Mermaids find Humans dangerous because they kidnap them. When Erie learns to speak English and Finn starts to treat her occasionally like an individual rather than an animal, they begin to understand each other and later fall in love.
I loved how cruelly this book put animal abuse in front of the reader. Kudos Rebecca Enzor, I loved] your writing. You didn't tell us how to feel instead you impartially described the events and let us feel whatever we felt. It was powerful. Yes, Orcas and Dolphins are treated with such cruelty and we watch them at amusement parks for entertainment. Yes, we need to stop doing it.
Finn is a horrible selfish human with no nice qualities. He prefers to lord over Erie to show her how 'powerful' he is. Hated him. Unfortunately, most human trainers are like him.
Jen has far more redeeming qualities. She definitely brings out the 'human' in Finn.
Niku, I love you. What is better than a dolphin? A dolphin bodyguard with nerves of steel and a heart of gold. (Do NOT capture dolphins)
Erie, you smart, beautiful and extremely stupid girl. You can do a lot better than Finn.
I hated the ending. Erie now has some version of Stockholm Syndrome. I guess the author wanted to show that change takes time but I can't understand Erie falling for Finn after everything he has done. He rips the fins off a mermaid with his bare hands in the first few pages and later shocks her just to show his dominance. Shouldn't he pay for his crimes?
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Speak the ocean tells the story of Finn, a human mermaid trainer and Erie, a mermaid princess who is captured by Finn. Finn's aunt discovered Mermaids and Finn had the idea of opening an amusement park that captures Mermaids and make them perform for an audience. Humans find Mers' dangerous because they kill their trainers after years of abuse and Mermaids find Humans dangerous because they kidnap them. When Erie learns to speak English and Finn starts to treat her occasionally like an individual rather than an animal, they begin to understand each other and later fall in love.
I loved how cruelly this book put animal abuse in front of the reader. Kudos Rebecca Enzor, I loved] your writing. You didn't tell us how to feel instead you impartially described the events and let us feel whatever we felt. It was powerful. Yes, Orcas and Dolphins are treated with such cruelty and we watch them at amusement parks for entertainment. Yes, we need to stop doing it.
Finn is a horrible selfish human with no nice qualities. He prefers to lord over Erie to show her how 'powerful' he is. Hated him. Unfortunately, most human trainers are like him.
Jen has far more redeeming qualities. She definitely brings out the 'human' in Finn.
Niku, I love you. What is better than a dolphin? A dolphin bodyguard with nerves of steel and a heart of gold. (Do NOT capture dolphins)
Erie, you smart, beautiful and extremely stupid girl. You can do a lot better than Finn.
I hated the ending. Erie now has some version of Stockholm Syndrome. I guess the author wanted to show that change takes time but I can't understand Erie falling for Finn after everything he has done. He rips the fins off a mermaid with his bare hands in the first few pages and later shocks her just to show his dominance. Shouldn't he pay for his crimes?
bookb1tch's review
3.0
I did like this book. I really did. But I would of liked it better without the whole‘Little mermaid’ feel to the story. Why does there have to be an under the sea Kingdom???? It made the whole book feel extremely childish/fairytale situation. It just put me off the whole story. All I could picture was cartoon characters when it came to those parts. The rest of the story was good and like I said I did enjoy it.
laura_hippos's review
5.0
I learned about this incredible author over a year ago when I got hooked on her short story and her voice in "Putting the Science in Fiction." I can't wait to read Speak the Ocean because it will open the gateway to making Mer the next big thing in the sci-fi world.
dannireadsallthetime's review against another edition
4.0
"If he ever jumps into my tank again, I will steal his air, because he stole my ocean."
Finn helped create Oceania with Aunt D, who worked with his dad, who sadly died trying to provide the evidence that the Mer people exist.
Finn is just waiting for his opportunity to become a trainer, and now is his chance.
A really interesting and engaging story of love, courage and bravery.
I really loved this story, and I really loved the ending of this story too. I did find the writing very cringe worthy at points (I think the author is a Star Wars fan?) And I did feel that some parts maybe shouldn't have been included, as is seemed to be conflicted between young adult and really adult. Despite these issues I had with the book, I enjoyed the story and the characters, I read it very quickly too. I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to Netgally for my readers copy
Finn helped create Oceania with Aunt D, who worked with his dad, who sadly died trying to provide the evidence that the Mer people exist.
Finn is just waiting for his opportunity to become a trainer, and now is his chance.
A really interesting and engaging story of love, courage and bravery.
I really loved this story, and I really loved the ending of this story too. I did find the writing very cringe worthy at points (I think the author is a Star Wars fan?) And I did feel that some parts maybe shouldn't have been included, as is seemed to be conflicted between young adult and really adult. Despite these issues I had with the book, I enjoyed the story and the characters, I read it very quickly too. I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to Netgally for my readers copy