RE-READ: Under and Over Seas (Pisces theme)
Look I get it Mellony
I love the sea the same way I love lions and big bears I fear the sea - in much the same way. And yet, if presented with the choice to adapt to the merciless waters to swim below forever with a sweet angel like Pelayo - I'd do it in a heartbeart.

Probably my favorite Mer-human couple.

Gills, you say?
Webbed hands, you say?
Did you say scsles and little side-leg fins?
Sign👏me👏up👏
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OLD REVIEW:

Get in losers we're commandeering the ocean to stop Slave Traders and then we're falling in love with Mermen seriously though, this was stinking cute.

Despite some heavy subject matter .. let's see: slavery, dirtbag slave trading first husband, oh and "Walking the Plank" well at least getting thrown over by said 5 pump chump dirtbag Garret - this book gave me some warm and fuzzies.

I am warming up to first person narrative these days, especially in Romantasy. Sometimes it's a bit jarring but despite that I was rooting for Mellony and I also wanted to yell at her for confronting trashbag Garret on a stormy ship in the middle of the ocean. HELLO situational awareness much?

Romance: Plot/Storyline/Themes: I am convinced Romantasy is ruining all men for me - seriously why can't they just be like Pelayo huh? Mellonyfulgria and Pelayo are sweet and spicy and all things nice. What a love story. The underlying themes are definitely abandonment and a sense of self worth that has taken one too many dings given the time and women's agency in that world.

Character Development/Favorite Character/s:
Mellony: a beautiful 26 year old (considered a spinster in that era) who has never been loved, is riddled with a weird combination of self confidence and in the same breadth doubt. The FMC is accustomed to being begrudgingly tolerated as opposed to loved - a lot of childhood trauma to unpack there.
It’s better to be alone than unwanted, and my soul feels lighter for it. (Mellony on ...life)

Pelayo: I love this kind of merfolk characterization; not just top half human, bottom half fish - his anatomy is realistic (given the fantastical nature of this creature and my suspension of disbelief) and feels all the more mesmerizing. Okay so, I realize I am objectifying this merman, what can you do, he's equal parts hot, adorable, loyal, kind, brave - you know what I love you Mellony but Imma just nip back into this book and snatch him up for myself mkay?
“I shall cherish you, Mellonyfulgria, and protect you with all my strength. My heart, my body, my spear, shall be yours alone.” (Pelayo being every bit as endearing as a merman could be).

Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene::
Two creatures, both studying each other intenly, what's similar and what's different. Cuteness.

While I’m ogling him, he’s ogling my toes. I suppose I must’ve lost my shoes while the sea was tossing me about. The merman pokes my pinky toe, and I can’t help but curl the rest of them when he does. He grasps my foot by the ankle and lifts it a few inches. He looks at it from every angle (Mellony taking it rather well that a merman is staring at her toes)

Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
●"Everything that passes my lips tastes like broken dreams." (Mallory on the "joys" of marriage )
●"it’s hard to be properly scared of someone when he’s sniffing your toes." (Meet cute so cute )

Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts: Merfolk Magic
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Romance books by 2025