raenyreads's Reviews (345)

I'm glad I read this short story collection. I really enjoyed most of the stories but the last, and by far longest, story was a miss for me.

A great second book in the series. It didn't have the usual middle book syndrome. The plot and character development kept me hooked throughout, I love both Malini and Priya. I can't wait to see what happens in the third installment.

This was really fun. It's super short but manages to pack in so much drama! The letters by Lady Susan and Mrs Johnson were my favourites to read as they were so awful but entertaining! There are some very funny lines. I didn't expect to enjoy this so much but I had such a good time reading it!

I'm kind of torn on this one. I love a lot of the world building and magic system that the author has created for this series. I also love the characters themselves, Hassa will always be a fave and I would absolutely read a spin off of hers if she got one. I also find the plot of the series to be a really interesting one and I flew through this book because I wanted to know what happened next.

However, I have a few problems. Though I like the main couple in the series, I never could get invested in the level of devotion they show considering the time they spent together. I also found many plot points in this book occurred too quickly and/or were resolved a bit too easily which left me feeling a bit disappointed overall

for example Anoor being so easily rescued and then recovering from brainwashing basically immediately

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I think my biggest gripe is with the ending though, considering so much was built up to it . I did find it to be satisfying in how it was all wrapped up but the way it was told left me disappointed.

I enjoyed some of the new POVs presented at the end and liked how they tied up some loose ends. However, introducing essentially new characters in the last 50 pages and having to quickly give their backstory just to get a page of relevant content, and having one of the main moments from the perspective of a creation, just really took me out of it.

I also think just one more chapter would have done this book a world of good.

So even though I've ranted a bit here, I still enjoyed the book and it was a solid 4 star read for me - I think I was just hoping it would be more of a favourite than it was.

This is such an amazing book. I was hooked from the first chapter and read through it so quickly. Yes some twists were a bit predictable but I was always caught up in how they were revealed. I loved the inclusion of the dual POV and I think it added a lot to the story. The worldbuilding/magic system though a little complicated at times was explained really well and I had no problem getting immersed into it. This is my second five star book from this author, I can't wait to read what they write next!

I think this is a really good book and I did learn some new facts and ways of thinking about some things from it. The information is interesting and the way the book is structured helps make it digestible. However it just never grabbed me, I was never hooked or surprised. I'm not sure why, it just didn't hit for me. Still glad I listened to it though.

A fun, fast paced read with a great main character and side characters. It has some dark topics but I think they are tackled well and the tone is still kept mostly light with the antics of Phryne.

This book blew me away, it inspired me, it broke my heart and mended it again; I think this is my new favourite book. Like ever. I feel like this book was written for me. So, here is my attempt to convey my feelings for this book without spoilers!

The blurb of the book summarises it the best when it says 'Three women: divided by time, connected by the ocean'. Each of the three main women characters have so much depth that they feel so real and well crafted, so I was very invested in each of their stories.

The three POVs are set in the past, present, and future. In the present and future, climate change is a prominent part of the story. The emotional connection the characters have to the environment and so the emotional distress they display regarding climate change was highly relatable and made me feel really connected to them. The past plotline, though it very much features its own conflicts, gave me such joy as the characters experience the marine environment for the first time. I found each of the plotlines to be engaging and unique, with the differing settings and voices, and so I was never disappointed when the POV changed.

The biggest draw with this book for me was the heavy focus on the ocean. The way it and its inhabitants are described with such reverance just absolutely warmed my heart and made me feel so inspired. This book reinvigorated my love for what I've chosen to spend most of my life dedicated to as a marine biologist. Though there is a big focus on the future effects of climate change, I think this book gives an overall hopeful vibe.

The take-home message is that if you love and care about the environment, especially the ocean, go read this book! I think you'll love it too. 

This is a rating/review of the series overall. 
First of all, the artwork was the selling point for me on this series and still at the end it's my favourite part. It's really phenomenal and being a marine biologist I was sucked in by the depictions of marine creatures and ocean imagery. Highly recommend on that alone.
As for the story, I found it had a lot of depth and I really enjoyed the characters introduced along the way. I loved the weaving in of the marine science points. I think I didn't grasp all the ideas presented within the series but I appreciate the overall message of interconnectedness.
It's a really heartfelt and meaningful series, illustrated spectacularly.

This book had some great parts such as the descriptions of the sea swimming, the beaches, the local folklore, and the details of the authors life. I enjoyed these parts and felt emotional towards the end.
However, I'm not going to lie, 13 years of catholic school has made me not want to read about christianity ever again and so each time it was brought up it made check out. Which was quite often. Definitely just a me problem though.
Overall I'm glad I read it, but I wish it focused on the seals more.