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885 reviews by:
midsummernightsread
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
My Review:
I've been anticipating this book since I first heard about it, and let me tell you it was just as amazing as I'd imagined. Retellings are one of my favourite genres, and The Little Mermaid has been a favourite of mine since I was younger-naturally this book was a match made in heaven. Christo's writing style is one that made for a quick read. It flows, it has wit, it has characters are both lovable and memorable, it has amazing world building... the list goes on.
A big part of the rating this book got from me stemmed from the world building. Though it is a relatively small fantasy novel, I was able to easily visualize and follow with the world as the characters traveled through it. From the golden kingdom of Midas, to the wintery Págos, and the depths of Diávalos, this was a world I'd like to revisit again. We learn so much in such a short time: histories, laws, geography, legends. To be a good fantasy novel, for me, a lush world is necessary and this one takes the cake. My one gripe with it is that there isn't a map! I am a firm believer that those add to the story, and I wish there was one for this amazing place.
The characters in this story were the other reason for my high rating. Though a cast of misfits, they blended together to create a fun to read atmosphere, and one that lead to some amazing character development. Lira and Elian's point of views were equally enjoyable, which is rare to find with love interest dual POVs. They flowed well from one to the other. The story felt complete, especially regarding the language barriers between sirens and humans. What couldn't be answered in Elian's chapter was easily resolved in Lira's. The side characters -Kahlia, Torik, Madrid, Kye- were also well developed through the novel. Their depths gave depths to the MCs and when you can create dynamic characters the way Christo has, I think it's amazing.
Though as is the case with retellings, it becomes a bit predictable to what will happen in the end, but the way it comes about is what makes this story so great. You think you know what's going to happen, then it happens in a way that was the complete opposite of what you thought. It is a little mermaid retelling, but don't be fooled to thinking its an overly fluffy one. It is a story with a lot of bite-literally. The action is non-stop and the fight scenes are well written and as easily followed as the rest of the novel.
Overall, this was an incredible debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the future. She has the potential to become one of my favourite authors and I am quite excited to see what projects she has planned for the future. Elian and Lira's story will be one I remember clearly for a long while.
“You are a little heartless today, aren't you?"
"Never," I say. "There are seventeen under my bed.”
My Review:
I've been anticipating this book since I first heard about it, and let me tell you it was just as amazing as I'd imagined. Retellings are one of my favourite genres, and The Little Mermaid has been a favourite of mine since I was younger-naturally this book was a match made in heaven. Christo's writing style is one that made for a quick read. It flows, it has wit, it has characters are both lovable and memorable, it has amazing world building... the list goes on.
A big part of the rating this book got from me stemmed from the world building. Though it is a relatively small fantasy novel, I was able to easily visualize and follow with the world as the characters traveled through it. From the golden kingdom of Midas, to the wintery Págos, and the depths of Diávalos, this was a world I'd like to revisit again. We learn so much in such a short time: histories, laws, geography, legends. To be a good fantasy novel, for me, a lush world is necessary and this one takes the cake. My one gripe with it is that there isn't a map! I am a firm believer that those add to the story, and I wish there was one for this amazing place.
The characters in this story were the other reason for my high rating. Though a cast of misfits, they blended together to create a fun to read atmosphere, and one that lead to some amazing character development. Lira and Elian's point of views were equally enjoyable, which is rare to find with love interest dual POVs. They flowed well from one to the other. The story felt complete, especially regarding the language barriers between sirens and humans. What couldn't be answered in Elian's chapter was easily resolved in Lira's. The side characters -Kahlia, Torik, Madrid, Kye- were also well developed through the novel. Their depths gave depths to the MCs and when you can create dynamic characters the way Christo has, I think it's amazing.
Though as is the case with retellings, it becomes a bit predictable to what will happen in the end, but the way it comes about is what makes this story so great. You think you know what's going to happen, then it happens in a way that was the complete opposite of what you thought. It is a little mermaid retelling, but don't be fooled to thinking its an overly fluffy one. It is a story with a lot of bite-literally. The action is non-stop and the fight scenes are well written and as easily followed as the rest of the novel.
Overall, this was an incredible debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the future. She has the potential to become one of my favourite authors and I am quite excited to see what projects she has planned for the future. Elian and Lira's story will be one I remember clearly for a long while.
“You are a little heartless today, aren't you?"
"Never," I say. "There are seventeen under my bed.”
Review originally posted on https://midsummernightsread.wordpress.com/2018/05/08/e-arc-review-sky-in-the-deep/
My Review:
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review-thanks!
I just have to say this book blew me away! I hadn’t expected to love it as much as I did. I read more than half of it in one sitting and after that couldn’t wait to return to it. The story, the characters, the world, the writing- just everything was amazing.
The story follows Eelyn as she struggles to face her once thought to be dead brother and the fact that he choose a people she has been raised to hate over their family. In order to stay alive, she must become a servant to her brother’s new family- a position that dishonors her in the eyes of her own god, Sigi. The poor girl goes through a lot in this book, all the while recovering from injuries, both physical and emotional.
She is a ruthless and strong character whose vulnerabilities play through in a believable way. She grows so much within the less than 200 page galley I read, it made the story that much better. Eelyn learns to become more accepting and to consider how what she does will affect those around her.
Speaking of characters, Fiske definitely deserves his own little paragraph. He is a unique and lovable character who was easy to envision throughout the story. Him and Eelyn’s subplot and relationship has to be one of my favourites so far this year. He has such a big heart, and though I know he can protect himself on his own, I would be willing to do so in a heart beat.
The world that Adrienne has created was built throughout the story in an eventual and slow way that I actually really enjoyed. It builds up the rivalry between these two Viking groups and illustrates how they have settled this area and the way they adapt to the seasons as they come. I am not sure if the finished version has a map, but I think that definitely would be beneficial.
Overall, this was a great read that I definitely will be picking up a finished copy of and I recommend you do the same.
My Review:
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review-thanks!
I just have to say this book blew me away! I hadn’t expected to love it as much as I did. I read more than half of it in one sitting and after that couldn’t wait to return to it. The story, the characters, the world, the writing- just everything was amazing.
The story follows Eelyn as she struggles to face her once thought to be dead brother and the fact that he choose a people she has been raised to hate over their family. In order to stay alive, she must become a servant to her brother’s new family- a position that dishonors her in the eyes of her own god, Sigi. The poor girl goes through a lot in this book, all the while recovering from injuries, both physical and emotional.
She is a ruthless and strong character whose vulnerabilities play through in a believable way. She grows so much within the less than 200 page galley I read, it made the story that much better. Eelyn learns to become more accepting and to consider how what she does will affect those around her.
Speaking of characters, Fiske definitely deserves his own little paragraph. He is a unique and lovable character who was easy to envision throughout the story. Him and Eelyn’s subplot and relationship has to be one of my favourites so far this year. He has such a big heart, and though I know he can protect himself on his own, I would be willing to do so in a heart beat.
The world that Adrienne has created was built throughout the story in an eventual and slow way that I actually really enjoyed. It builds up the rivalry between these two Viking groups and illustrates how they have settled this area and the way they adapt to the seasons as they come. I am not sure if the finished version has a map, but I think that definitely would be beneficial.
Overall, this was a great read that I definitely will be picking up a finished copy of and I recommend you do the same.
Actually rating 3.75
I really did enjoy this book, don't be alarmed by my rating. This book is SO important! It sheds light on asexuality, a valid and often disregarded sexuality. I found it very informative and I love the way it was handled throughout the novel. Especially some things that Alice's therapist tells her and how her friends view it, that part is very important. I loved reading from her perspective and came to love this aesthetic loving girl and all that she stood for. I was just left feeling there was some unneeded subplots that took away from the story. So much of the story is Alice figuring out who she is and how her feelings for Takumi work into everything that it just felt unnecessary to include the fight between her and Feenie.
I think what bothers me the most is that there is no resolution. Feenie refuses to talk to Alice after she leaves a party her and Ryan invited her to, to go have sex in another room. Alice is completely validated in her actions and thoughts! Who would want to stay at a party where you know no one and where you are being harassed by other party goers- certainly not me. When Takumi comes and Alice leaves with him I saw no problem. The whole thing where Feenie and Ryan are upset with her for doing the same thing she did is just bothersome to me. Feenie just can't let it go and constantly rubs it in Alice's face-that doesn't seem like friend behaviour to me. And to make things worse, when they do confront one another, there is no apology given to Alice from Feenie (at least to my recollection).
For me, this part took away from the rest of the story and its main message. It wasn't something I could ignore as it is reoccuring throughout the entire thing. I just wish there was less of that and more character building of Ryan and Feenie.
I really did enjoy this book, don't be alarmed by my rating. This book is SO important! It sheds light on asexuality, a valid and often disregarded sexuality. I found it very informative and I love the way it was handled throughout the novel. Especially some things that Alice's therapist tells her and how her friends view it, that part is very important. I loved reading from her perspective and came to love this aesthetic loving girl and all that she stood for. I was just left feeling there was some unneeded subplots that took away from the story. So much of the story is Alice figuring out who she is and how her feelings for Takumi work into everything that it just felt unnecessary to include the fight between her and Feenie.
I think what bothers me the most is that there is no resolution. Feenie refuses to talk to Alice after she leaves a party her and Ryan invited her to, to go have sex in another room. Alice is completely validated in her actions and thoughts! Who would want to stay at a party where you know no one and where you are being harassed by other party goers- certainly not me. When Takumi comes and Alice leaves with him I saw no problem. The whole thing where Feenie and Ryan are upset with her for doing the same thing she did is just bothersome to me. Feenie just can't let it go and constantly rubs it in Alice's face-that doesn't seem like friend behaviour to me. And to make things worse, when they do confront one another, there is no apology given to Alice from Feenie (at least to my recollection).
For me, this part took away from the rest of the story and its main message. It wasn't something I could ignore as it is reoccuring throughout the entire thing. I just wish there was less of that and more character building of Ryan and Feenie.