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A review by monetp
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
4.0
"Like all the children of Crandon, Evelyn had been reared on the tales of the savagery and magic of the Floating Islands. It was said they housed the Known World’s last witches. Actual practical witches." ~ [b:The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea|51710973|The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea|Maggie Tokuda-Hall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592729153l/51710973._SY75_.jpg|58305868]
I went into this book with the foolish allusion that this would be a [b:The Little Mermaid|132391|The Little Mermaid|Hans Christian Andersen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309204955l/132391._SX50_.jpg|245197] retelling, maybe even Disney style. While I love the Disney version, I'm glad that this novel was very different. What is traded for classic storytelling is replaced with something better: cultural and gender diversity, storytelling experimentation, gorgeous diction, and a BEAUTIFUL BOOK COVER. This has been one of my most anticipated reads of August 2020 and it did not disappoint.
This read is atmospheric, imaginative, poetic, and immersive. Not only is the writing beautiful, but the cast of characters is the most diverse I have ever experienced. It's rare for me to read a novel with no white characters. I loved experiencing this gorgeous world [a:Maggie Tokuda-Hall|14160508|Maggie Tokuda-Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1587948278p2/14160508.jpg] dreamed up. What I admire is that the author didn't dilute her fantasy land into a perfect world. Even though there are no white characters, there is still a system of privilege. The author shows that privilege and suppression can exist anyway and that there will always be a battle between good and evil. At first, Florian is taught to believe that all imperialists are cruel and evil; this is their prejudice. While the imperialists in charge are corrupt, Florian learns that not all imperialists are bad. Evelyn is an extraordinary example of a person who recognizes their privilege and uses that privilege to help others. I'm so grateful that this book was published now because the themes are so important to what's going on in the world!
My only critiques are personal; I wish this novel was fiftyish pages longer. I didn't feel that there was enough time to understand Xenobia, Callum, Lady Ayer, and Genevieve as fully-fledged characters. I found them all fascinating, but I didn't feel that they fulfilled their full potential. Honestly, can we have a standalone novel with Xenobia that explains her history???! I would LOVE that. The author has stated that a sequel is possible, but that for now, this is a standalone book. I read this as a standalone book because it's pretty clear that Florian and Evelyn's love story is concluded. However, the book ends on a cliffhanger! I want to know why.
Ultimately this book was surprising and nothing happened the way I expected it to. I love the impressive LGBTQ+ representation, feminist themes, and modern messages. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoyed [b:Winterwood|43822698|Winterwood|Shea Ernshaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549309592l/43822698._SY75_.jpg|62284064], [b:Red Hood|43721070|Red Hood|Elana K. Arnold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561406538l/43721070._SY75_.jpg|68041410], and [b:These Witches Don't Burn|36484081|These Witches Don't Burn (These Witches Don't Burn, #1)|Isabel Sterling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541163363l/36484081._SX50_.jpg|58195438]. This novel is of the young adult genre, but it bridges the new adult gap as well. I can't wait to see what else [a:Maggie Tokuda-Hall|14160508|Maggie Tokuda-Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1587948278p2/14160508.jpg] writes in the future!
I went into this book with the foolish allusion that this would be a [b:The Little Mermaid|132391|The Little Mermaid|Hans Christian Andersen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309204955l/132391._SX50_.jpg|245197] retelling, maybe even Disney style. While I love the Disney version, I'm glad that this novel was very different. What is traded for classic storytelling is replaced with something better: cultural and gender diversity, storytelling experimentation, gorgeous diction, and a BEAUTIFUL BOOK COVER. This has been one of my most anticipated reads of August 2020 and it did not disappoint.
This read is atmospheric, imaginative, poetic, and immersive. Not only is the writing beautiful, but the cast of characters is the most diverse I have ever experienced. It's rare for me to read a novel with no white characters. I loved experiencing this gorgeous world [a:Maggie Tokuda-Hall|14160508|Maggie Tokuda-Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1587948278p2/14160508.jpg] dreamed up. What I admire is that the author didn't dilute her fantasy land into a perfect world. Even though there are no white characters, there is still a system of privilege. The author shows that privilege and suppression can exist anyway and that there will always be a battle between good and evil. At first, Florian is taught to believe that all imperialists are cruel and evil; this is their prejudice. While the imperialists in charge are corrupt, Florian learns that not all imperialists are bad. Evelyn is an extraordinary example of a person who recognizes their privilege and uses that privilege to help others. I'm so grateful that this book was published now because the themes are so important to what's going on in the world!
My only critiques are personal; I wish this novel was fiftyish pages longer. I didn't feel that there was enough time to understand Xenobia, Callum, Lady Ayer, and Genevieve as fully-fledged characters. I found them all fascinating, but I didn't feel that they fulfilled their full potential. Honestly, can we have a standalone novel with Xenobia that explains her history???! I would LOVE that. The author has stated that a sequel is possible, but that for now, this is a standalone book. I read this as a standalone book because it's pretty clear that Florian and Evelyn's love story is concluded. However, the book ends on a cliffhanger! I want to know why.
Ultimately this book was surprising and nothing happened the way I expected it to. I love the impressive LGBTQ+ representation, feminist themes, and modern messages. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoyed [b:Winterwood|43822698|Winterwood|Shea Ernshaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549309592l/43822698._SY75_.jpg|62284064], [b:Red Hood|43721070|Red Hood|Elana K. Arnold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561406538l/43721070._SY75_.jpg|68041410], and [b:These Witches Don't Burn|36484081|These Witches Don't Burn (These Witches Don't Burn, #1)|Isabel Sterling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541163363l/36484081._SX50_.jpg|58195438]. This novel is of the young adult genre, but it bridges the new adult gap as well. I can't wait to see what else [a:Maggie Tokuda-Hall|14160508|Maggie Tokuda-Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1587948278p2/14160508.jpg] writes in the future!