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The Mermaid, the Witch and the Sea
Book Review
I was impressed by the cultural and ethnic diversity as well as the way it explored gender identity and sexuality
This book has a fantastically diverse cast. I was impressed by the cultural and ethnic diversity as well as the way it explored gender identity and sexuality without it being forced or overly pushed. I think the authors ideas are incredible and her writing style suits the story well.
Honestly, this book has it all; pirates, witches, mermaids and magic. Arguably it has a bit too much of everything and some of those additions could have been omitted because I found the plot over-complicated and the author placed too much importance on characters that it didn’t need.
Unfortunately I felt the extra characters were an unnecessary addition which ultimately had the effect of leaving the reader confused. The plot itself was cramped in some parts of the book and, in my opinion, this story would have been better had it been allowed more space to develop.
I would say also say that I would have enjoyed this book more had I read it when I was slightly younger (13-15 years ideally). I do not think that gender makes a difference, though I imagine that it would appeal more to female readers of this age group. This book is not a fast paced action novel and probably isn’t what is needed to get you out of a reading slump, but it is not a heavy read either.
About the Book
In this fantasy novel for teens, set on the high seas, Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s characters search for answers to the big questions about identity, power and love whilst the swash-bucking action and magical elements of the narrative keeps the reader turning the pages.
In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas. Aboard the pirate ship Dove, Flora the girl takes on the identity of Florian the man to earn the respect and protection of the crew. For Flora, former starving urchin, the brutal life of a pirate is about survival: don’t trust, don’t stick out, and don’t feel.
But on this voyage, Flora is drawn to the Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, who is headed to an arranged marriage she dreads. Flora doesn’t expect to be taken under Evelyn’s wing, and Evelyn doesn’t expect to find such a deep bond with the pirate Florian. Neither expects to fall in love. Soon the unlikely pair set in motion a wild escape that will free a captured mermaid (coveted for her blood) and involve the mysterious Pirate Supreme, an opportunistic witch, double agents, and the all-encompassing Sea herself.
Author
Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Maggie Tokuda-Hall is an American author of children’s and young adult fiction, known for books like 'The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea' and 'Love in the Library'. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of San Francisco and lives in Oakland, California.
Reviewer Profile
Ella, 16
- Reviews: 5
- Likes: writing, drama, Rufus (my dog)
- Dislikes: tomatoes and sports
- Favourite Book: The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy
- Favourite Film: Thor: Ragnarock
- Favourite Song: Colors by Halsey
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