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jazzed_chemist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
maysiesx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
redlemoon's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
jonzard's review against another edition
2.0
Not my thing. Well written though and wouldn't put anyone off of it.
coppercrane2's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
latad_books's review against another edition
4.0
“One for the house, one for the Church and one for the sea.”
This somewhat ominous statement is echoed several times in this terrific alternate world fantasy, populated with scheming families, mermaids, assassins, kelpies, automata, vampires, and various other magical being and magics.
It’s a dark, tension-filled story about a young woman, Miren, groomed for a particular fate she tries to outrun: to breed more children to ensure the family continues, its fortunes rise, and it meets its otherworldly obligations, restoring its influence and repair its crumbling mansion.
Miren is not that interested in her family’s plans for her, and escapes, hoping to find her mother (who had also run away from her family’s expectations years earlier.) Miren escapes one fate, only to land in a similar one, when she finds yet another shabby mansion, a dubious male relative, and many people relying on her to restore their prosperity.
This is a wonderfully dark tale, with stories within the larger story, and a wonderful protagonist: Miren is reserved, smart, ruthless when necessary, and kind. And a practitioner of small magics, such as an ability to convince plants to flourish.
The pacing is slow, but never dreary or dull (like the dreadful cold and wet weather that is the backdrop for the story’s action). I loved the tone, sharp-edged writing and the atmosphere A.G. Slatter created of horror, danger and clamminess permeating this world.
This somewhat ominous statement is echoed several times in this terrific alternate world fantasy, populated with scheming families, mermaids, assassins, kelpies, automata, vampires, and various other magical being and magics.
It’s a dark, tension-filled story about a young woman, Miren, groomed for a particular fate she tries to outrun: to breed more children to ensure the family continues, its fortunes rise, and it meets its otherworldly obligations, restoring its influence and repair its crumbling mansion.
Miren is not that interested in her family’s plans for her, and escapes, hoping to find her mother (who had also run away from her family’s expectations years earlier.) Miren escapes one fate, only to land in a similar one, when she finds yet another shabby mansion, a dubious male relative, and many people relying on her to restore their prosperity.
This is a wonderfully dark tale, with stories within the larger story, and a wonderful protagonist: Miren is reserved, smart, ruthless when necessary, and kind. And a practitioner of small magics, such as an ability to convince plants to flourish.
The pacing is slow, but never dreary or dull (like the dreadful cold and wet weather that is the backdrop for the story’s action). I loved the tone, sharp-edged writing and the atmosphere A.G. Slatter created of horror, danger and clamminess permeating this world.
bujo_planbee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
amphelise's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
randyrasa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely and evocative fantasy with elements of horror, folk tales, mystery, and feminism, along with strong gothic vibes and a historical fiction feel. The narrative is straight-forwardly told through the main character's voice, though the timeline of the tale meanders a bit through time as she unravels the mystery behind her family history. I do wish there there had been more explanation of the Mer, and their interactions with the people, and how their magics worked. The writing was beautiful throughout.