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ladytiara's review against another edition
4.0
Beneath the Haunting Sea is a beautifully written young adult fantasy with gothic sensibilities. It starts off with a bang. Young aristocrat Talia Dahl-Said learns that she is the Emperor of Enduena's daughter and is named heir to the throne. Moments after the announcement is made, the emperor dies, Talia's half-sister steals the throne, and Talia is branded a traitor and exiled to a remote outpost of the empire. She arrives in Ryn to stay at the estate of a baron and his slightly odd son Wendarian, to whom Talia is betrothed as a condition of her banishment.
The estate is glooming and forbidden. The Baron's two wives died under mysterious circumstances that no one will talk about. There are locked rooms that Talia is forbidden to enter. And the sea seems to be calling her. The gothic elements are really well done. The writing really lovely, and the creepiness is so well done.
A big part of the story deals with the mythology of the empire's gods and goddesses. Talia isn't really a believer, but she has to reevaluate her beliefs when she comes to Ryn and feels called by the sea. The myths are caught up in the mysteries of Ryn, and the author does an excellent job of integrating them into the story.
I really enjoyed this book. Talia is a great character, the gothic elements were great, and there's a very sweet romance. Highly recommended.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
The estate is glooming and forbidden. The Baron's two wives died under mysterious circumstances that no one will talk about. There are locked rooms that Talia is forbidden to enter. And the sea seems to be calling her. The gothic elements are really well done. The writing really lovely, and the creepiness is so well done.
A big part of the story deals with the mythology of the empire's gods and goddesses. Talia isn't really a believer, but she has to reevaluate her beliefs when she comes to Ryn and feels called by the sea. The myths are caught up in the mysteries of Ryn, and the author does an excellent job of integrating them into the story.
I really enjoyed this book. Talia is a great character, the gothic elements were great, and there's a very sweet romance. Highly recommended.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition
3.0
It is a straight-up fantasy, with made-up place and made-up gods/goddesses. It’s a bit slow to get into (and the whole first part has very little connection to the rest of the story) but it picks up. There’s the very attractive but oh-so-wrong-for-you guy and the guy you’re engaged to because you have to be but don’t want to marry but oh yes turns out he’s the right one after all. The writing is better than many and the under-the-sea thing is different and interesting.
seathejoyfulsun's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
The MC in this is clearly a not like other girls kind of girl. She is a born rich bitch with a love triangle that...happened.
Now, I didn't like her untilthe dude she was in love with got married (about halfway through) but even though she was HELLA bratty, I didn't hate what I was reading. The story was interesting enough and I wanted to know more and she wasn't always annoying.
Plus, her reaction tobeing told by a married man that he did in fact love her after him denying it ? Fantastic. I love her for that. Plus she finally stopped caring about looks and instead cared about other things which was good development (not that caring about looks is a bad thing. She was just annoying about it to me.)
The story is tbh a little cliche but it works and was cute. The love triangle doesn't last too long and the mystery was well done. It wasn't my most favorite book and I don't know if I will ever reread it but it was a good read so I wasn't mad about it.
All in all: the mystery and drama were good and while the MC could be annoying, she was true to herself and the story felt complete.
If it interests you, give it a read!
(I will note that this book didn't interest me enough to read the second book. That description also didn't interest me.)
Now, I didn't like her until
Plus, her reaction to
The story is tbh a little cliche but it works and was cute. The love triangle doesn't last too long and the mystery was well done. It wasn't my most favorite book and I don't know if I will ever reread it but it was a good read so I wasn't mad about it.
All in all: the mystery and drama were good and while the MC could be annoying, she was true to herself and the story felt complete.
If it interests you, give it a read!
(I will note that this book didn't interest me enough to read the second book. That description also didn't interest me.)
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
4.0
I hate this cover. Let's be real upfront lol. But i LOVE Joanna Ruth Meyer's writing, and I was so excited to dig into this one. It's a little bit Jane Eyre, a little bit court intrigue, and then lots of mythology. And the romance at the end...SWOON!!!! gfhsgfh73yhtdhjfgf, Wen! <3 <3 (Wow, this review is turning out great) Basically, I felt this book was a little choppy in the beginning and a lot all over the place, but I love the ending and I can't wait to read the companion. I hope Talia & co. make an appearance in [b:Beyond the Shadowed Earth|43263577|Beyond the Shadowed Earth|Joanna Ruth Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1546025083s/43263577.jpg|63477180].
If you like your books a little [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639]/creepy house with unique mythology/world building with a dash of sea stuff (like [b:Song of the Current|31450960|Song of the Current (Song of the Current, #1)|Sarah Tolcser|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480156297s/31450960.jpg|51952745] pick this one up. Push through. It's worth it.
If you like your books a little [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639]/creepy house with unique mythology/world building with a dash of sea stuff (like [b:Song of the Current|31450960|Song of the Current (Song of the Current, #1)|Sarah Tolcser|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480156297s/31450960.jpg|51952745] pick this one up. Push through. It's worth it.
booksncurls's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I thought this book was really good.It did take me a while to get through the beginning. I also was not a fan of the whole thing with Caiden at the beginning. I did like the mythology mixed into the story. I also enjoyed seeing different parts of lore from sirens added in as well. Basically, a great book and different book overall.
banana83854's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It has some cringy drama and slow pacing in parts, but the lore and mythology for the world was very interesting and well thought out with a satisfying ending. Maybe 3.5 stars?
mistbored's review against another edition
4.0
This book was absolutely enchanting. From the gorgeous way Joanna Ruth Meyer paints the settings to the memorable characters - I loved every minute of it! Talia is a really great protagonist, you really root for her but she's not without her flaws, like any good character. Also I got way too invested in the romance in this one haha. No spoilers, but I was very satisfied with how it ended. Thank you for the beautiful tale, Joanna!
trippalli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
A breathing magical myth with love and adventure, heart characters and world building. I immediately picked up another bill by this author to read next.
ghostofefrant's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5