Hope and forgiveness pulled from the depths of a wounded history.
(Note: this review covers the sample text only.)
The world-building is one of the first aspects of the story that leaps out at you. Solomon introduces us to Yetu and Amaba while also providing a background of their people's ties to the ocean, their past struggles, current dangers, and uncertain future. It feels like a mix of mythologies and fables set in a unique atmosphere with a difficult history, all rolled up into an initial convesation . between mother and daughter. It doesn't feel like it's exposition-heavy, either.
I also enjoyed how some of the more fantasical elements were attempted to be explained by science. It adds a sense of realism that helps ground the story in our reality.
"Her people's survival was reliant upon her suffering. It wasn't the intention. It was no one's wish. But it was her lot." This is a heavy burden placed on Yetu and I'm excited to see how her responsiblity to her people and her duties as a historian conflict against her personal values and desires.
The world-building is one of the first aspects of the story that leaps out at you. Solomon introduces us to Yetu and Amaba while also providing a background of their people's ties to the ocean, their past struggles, current dangers, and uncertain future. It feels like a mix of mythologies and fables set in a unique atmosphere with a difficult history, all rolled up into an initial convesation . between mother and daughter. It doesn't feel like it's exposition-heavy, either.
I also enjoyed how some of the more fantasical elements were attempted to be explained by science. It adds a sense of realism that helps ground the story in our reality.
"Her people's survival was reliant upon her suffering. It wasn't the intention. It was no one's wish. But it was her lot." This is a heavy burden placed on Yetu and I'm excited to see how her responsiblity to her people and her duties as a historian conflict against her personal values and desires.