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halaagmod's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The main reason I don't read a ton of short stories is that there's only so much that an author can do to make a good, interesting, and engaging narrative while staying within the range of what's considered a short story. That, unfortunately, is what went wrong here.
The characters were all extremely interesting, and the premise promising. A trans woman who lures men to their death for coin and the love of a beautiful, immortal mermaid? Of <i>course</i> I thought I'd be all over this. But much of the writing is choppy in places, there's too much flowery dialogue from Laria about love and life getting in the way of expanding upon the characters and getting the reader to care about them and their plight (which is saying something if that's a con, because I'm a bitch for flowery prose), and the pacing, as expected from a book of only twenty-two pages, is absolutely terrible.
Were this a novella instead, where more could have been expanded upon and the author could have taken her time to craft a better conflict and develop the characters and their personalities more, I feel this could have easily have become an instant five star read. But instead we get a half-baked romance with a mediocre supernatural twist and an abrupt ending that does little to actually wrap the book together.
The characters were all extremely interesting, and the premise promising. A trans woman who lures men to their death for coin and the love of a beautiful, immortal mermaid? Of <i>course</i> I thought I'd be all over this. But much of the writing is choppy in places, there's too much flowery dialogue from Laria about love and life getting in the way of expanding upon the characters and getting the reader to care about them and their plight (which is saying something if that's a con, because I'm a bitch for flowery prose), and the pacing, as expected from a book of only twenty-two pages, is absolutely terrible.
Were this a novella instead, where more could have been expanded upon and the author could have taken her time to craft a better conflict and develop the characters and their personalities more, I feel this could have easily have become an instant five star read. But instead we get a half-baked romance with a mediocre supernatural twist and an abrupt ending that does little to actually wrap the book together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Body horror, and Gore
Minor: Transphobia and Misogyny
jessereadsthings's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Still good upon reread. I do wish it was a bit longer, so the story had a little longer to grow.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Gore, and Transphobia
jurizprudence's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the question asked was: what if you're a mermaid and i am a thief and i lure evil men to your river so you could eat them and i could take their money
a very engaging and quick read! it's important to note, though, that this is not a romance—it's more of a character arc/coming of age story. would've liked it better if laria's realization and change of mind towards the end were explained much longer, because the resolution felt abrupt for me.
a very engaging and quick read! it's important to note, though, that this is not a romance—it's more of a character arc/coming of age story. would've liked it better if laria's realization and change of mind towards the end were explained much longer, because the resolution felt abrupt for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gore and Body horror
Minor: Misogyny, Transphobia, and Sexual content
fujo_cat's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you are a hopeless lesbian looking for a monster gf, this book is for you 😤👌 jokes aside, this is such a good short novel! I would love an expansion on these characters, truly!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Violence, Murder, and Body horror
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Gun violence
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