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Books of Oreyn #1
When the Sea Is Rising Red
After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend, Ilven, kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous, wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2012
27 people are currently reading
7981 people want to read
About the author
Cat Hellisen
45 books276 followersPresumably a person, occasionally a table.
I write stories.
I write stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
April 19, 2012
What a weird, beautiful little book. Review to come.
This photo is for Kate, who shares my love of tea and Victoriana:
This photo is for Kate, who shares my love of tea and Victoriana:
February 10, 2012
This is an amazing book about people trapped by their families and their societies, struggling to break free. The shadows are very dark, and the world building is fascinating, with no one exactly who they seem to be. I gave this one a cover quote last year, so you *know* I liked it!
April 24, 2012
This book is 90% beautiful detailed moody atmospheric world-building and 10% very short very thin extremely basic plot to which the narrator is an incidental happenstance at best. Which is why I struggled with how many stars to give it—4 stars for world-building and 0 stars for plot and maybe like 0.5 stars for distant and indistinct characters. So I give the book on the whole 2 stars because it was an extremely unbalanced reading experience.
The worldbuilding was fleshed-out and immersive to the point of occasionally being confusing and some of the magical systems weren't ever wholly explained. The story feels like it takes place in a real world with its own history and society and politics, but I'm viewing everything through a window so I just have to take for granted that there is a rich backdrop but I'm not going to understand or see everything. The language sometimes tries too hard and ends up being florid instead of poetic, but after a while it smoothed out. I can definitely see this not being many people's cup o' tea though.
The protagonist, Felicita, was a very distant narrator, and half the time I didn't know what this girl was thinking even though it's first-person perspective. Does she actually like her love interests or, you know, love them? I was bemused by how quickly she threw herself at Dash and even though her waffling and angst over him were realistic, they didn't feel genuine, if that makes any sense—I couldn't see what she saw in him and since she never says what she sees in him, well, there you go.
As for Jannik, the entire basis of their relationship and her attraction to him is that the aura of magic around him makes her feel tingly. Seriously, that's it. Oh, and he's actually nice to her and seems pretty decent. But ooh, tingly thrilling magic!
The entire plot of this book can be summed up in two sentences (no spoilers, don't worry), and the weirdest thing is that if Felicita weren't in the book, things would probably have played out almost exactly the same, with only one or two differences and probably pretty much the same ending.
If you've read the blurb, you know Felicita is supposed to be involved with some plot or other that might result in the destruction of the city. It turns out that Felicita does play an important but not necessarily key role; i.e., the master planner probably had an alternative plan prior to Felicita's arrival, and only after she proved useful was the plan slightly altered to use her. But if she hadn't been there, the show would've gone on anyway.
So here you have a book where the protagonist actually doesn't matter. Is that not odd? I find it odd. Really quite very odd, actually. And not a good thing.
What little plot there is revolved around the people Felicita comes to know and not really Felicita herself; therefore you never get to witness or learn in detail the plot points and actions and events that lead to the conclusion. You only find out about them piecemeal in tidbits talked about by other characters. Mostly Felicita stands around washing teabowls, making Bambi eyes at Dash, and occasionally wishing for her drug fix of scriv. There were a ton of other characters and people who live with her, but although they started off with distinct personalities, by the end they were a morass of faceless names.
When the Sea is Rising Red gets an A for world-building, a D for characters, and a D- for its incredibly simplistic plot.
The worldbuilding was fleshed-out and immersive to the point of occasionally being confusing and some of the magical systems weren't ever wholly explained. The story feels like it takes place in a real world with its own history and society and politics, but I'm viewing everything through a window so I just have to take for granted that there is a rich backdrop but I'm not going to understand or see everything. The language sometimes tries too hard and ends up being florid instead of poetic, but after a while it smoothed out. I can definitely see this not being many people's cup o' tea though.
The protagonist, Felicita, was a very distant narrator, and half the time I didn't know what this girl was thinking even though it's first-person perspective. Does she actually like her love interests or, you know, love them? I was bemused by how quickly she threw herself at Dash and even though her waffling and angst over him were realistic, they didn't feel genuine, if that makes any sense—I couldn't see what she saw in him and since she never says what she sees in him, well, there you go.
As for Jannik, the entire basis of their relationship and her attraction to him is that the aura of magic around him makes her feel tingly. Seriously, that's it. Oh, and he's actually nice to her and seems pretty decent. But ooh, tingly thrilling magic!
The entire plot of this book can be summed up in two sentences (no spoilers, don't worry), and the weirdest thing is that if Felicita weren't in the book, things would probably have played out almost exactly the same, with only one or two differences and probably pretty much the same ending.
If you've read the blurb, you know Felicita is supposed to be involved with some plot or other that might result in the destruction of the city. It turns out that Felicita does play an important but not necessarily key role; i.e., the master planner probably had an alternative plan prior to Felicita's arrival, and only after she proved useful was the plan slightly altered to use her. But if she hadn't been there, the show would've gone on anyway.
So here you have a book where the protagonist actually doesn't matter. Is that not odd? I find it odd. Really quite very odd, actually. And not a good thing.
What little plot there is revolved around the people Felicita comes to know and not really Felicita herself; therefore you never get to witness or learn in detail the plot points and actions and events that lead to the conclusion. You only find out about them piecemeal in tidbits talked about by other characters. Mostly Felicita stands around washing teabowls, making Bambi eyes at Dash, and occasionally wishing for her drug fix of scriv. There were a ton of other characters and people who live with her, but although they started off with distinct personalities, by the end they were a morass of faceless names.
When the Sea is Rising Red gets an A for world-building, a D for characters, and a D- for its incredibly simplistic plot.
April 6, 2012
(Actual Rating: 3.5 stars)
I love books that surprise me. That may seem a strange thing to write from the perspective that, ideally, all the books you read should surprise you in some way. Given that we don't live in a perfect world, though, every reader is bound to come across plots, characters, and ideas that come across as predictable or derivative to them. That's just the way things are.
However, When the Sea Is Rising Red, debut novel from Cat Hellisen, is far from predictable or derivative. In a book world of trend waves and overused tropes, this novel is refreshing in that it doesn't stick to any of those things many of us have come to expect from various YA novels but instead strives to pave its own path, free of such restraints and focused on one thing: telling a good, imaginative story.
In Rising Red, Felicita -- daughter of the once-renowned House Pelim -- lives in a strange world where the sea can promise curses and death, magic requires the use of an addictive mineral called scriv, and humans try to keep hold of what power they can even as vampire families rise up and gain prominence. But Felicita's worries are closer to home: she feels trapped under the standards of her strict mother and her cold older brother. Only once the death of her best friend occurs does Felicita decide to grab her own chance at freedom and brave the shadowy world of the common people known as Hobs.
Beyond strength of prose or tightness of plot, I believe the make-or-break mark of a good storyteller is the ability to build strong, believable worlds -- and Hellisen definitely has that mark. Felicita's world is striking and haunting, the kind of place where dark fairy tales are the reality and not the nightmare.
As much as I enjoyed the world within the novel, though, I can't say my reading experience was always smooth. For a time after Felicita settled into a new way of life for herself, I felt as if the plot had reached a snag and lost its focus. It didn't help either that I just couldn't jump on board with how much of the "bonding" Felicita and the Hob characters had occurred during instances where alcohol and drugs were present. None of it seemed genuine to me from the perspective that people in general are rarely ever themselves with such substances addling their senses, and thus I felt wary and distrustful as the reader while the narrator herself never was. Though those scenes weren't without their purpose in the overall story, they simply didn't sit well with me.
On the other hand, I found myself intrigued by some other aspects of the story: particularly the character of Jannik, whose appearances throughout the novel are few and far between but who is a remarkably fleshed-out character nonetheless. The plot itself -- of the sea rising red -- really amazed me, even though I wish the sense of danger and mystery surrounding it had been interwoven into the story a bit more consistently. By the end, I felt satisfied by all that had transpired and found myself longing for a sequel, so that's saying something, isn't it?
When the Sea Is Rising Red may be a strange beast of a story compared to the usual YA fare, but I would recommend it simply because it has a lot more going for it than against it. If you're in the mood for a story that blends fairy tale and fantasy and dystopia, then definitely consider giving this one a try. Even with its flaws, it is still a story well worth the read.
I love books that surprise me. That may seem a strange thing to write from the perspective that, ideally, all the books you read should surprise you in some way. Given that we don't live in a perfect world, though, every reader is bound to come across plots, characters, and ideas that come across as predictable or derivative to them. That's just the way things are.
However, When the Sea Is Rising Red, debut novel from Cat Hellisen, is far from predictable or derivative. In a book world of trend waves and overused tropes, this novel is refreshing in that it doesn't stick to any of those things many of us have come to expect from various YA novels but instead strives to pave its own path, free of such restraints and focused on one thing: telling a good, imaginative story.
In Rising Red, Felicita -- daughter of the once-renowned House Pelim -- lives in a strange world where the sea can promise curses and death, magic requires the use of an addictive mineral called scriv, and humans try to keep hold of what power they can even as vampire families rise up and gain prominence. But Felicita's worries are closer to home: she feels trapped under the standards of her strict mother and her cold older brother. Only once the death of her best friend occurs does Felicita decide to grab her own chance at freedom and brave the shadowy world of the common people known as Hobs.
Beyond strength of prose or tightness of plot, I believe the make-or-break mark of a good storyteller is the ability to build strong, believable worlds -- and Hellisen definitely has that mark. Felicita's world is striking and haunting, the kind of place where dark fairy tales are the reality and not the nightmare.
As much as I enjoyed the world within the novel, though, I can't say my reading experience was always smooth. For a time after Felicita settled into a new way of life for herself, I felt as if the plot had reached a snag and lost its focus. It didn't help either that I just couldn't jump on board with how much of the "bonding" Felicita and the Hob characters had occurred during instances where alcohol and drugs were present. None of it seemed genuine to me from the perspective that people in general are rarely ever themselves with such substances addling their senses, and thus I felt wary and distrustful as the reader while the narrator herself never was. Though those scenes weren't without their purpose in the overall story, they simply didn't sit well with me.
On the other hand, I found myself intrigued by some other aspects of the story: particularly the character of Jannik, whose appearances throughout the novel are few and far between but who is a remarkably fleshed-out character nonetheless. The plot itself -- of the sea rising red -- really amazed me, even though I wish the sense of danger and mystery surrounding it had been interwoven into the story a bit more consistently. By the end, I felt satisfied by all that had transpired and found myself longing for a sequel, so that's saying something, isn't it?
When the Sea Is Rising Red may be a strange beast of a story compared to the usual YA fare, but I would recommend it simply because it has a lot more going for it than against it. If you're in the mood for a story that blends fairy tale and fantasy and dystopia, then definitely consider giving this one a try. Even with its flaws, it is still a story well worth the read.
i-wrote-this
August 29, 2012It was bugging me that it kept showing that "I WANT TO READ" button underneath it because let's be quite honest, I do not want to read it.
I've read it a thousand times (only a slight exaggeration). When the final copies arrived I couldn't even look at them. Haha.
This is not a review. In case that's, like, not immediately obvious.
But here, have a song, it's the closest thing to a soundtrack I had for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSpqj3...
I've read it a thousand times (only a slight exaggeration). When the final copies arrived I couldn't even look at them. Haha.
This is not a review. In case that's, like, not immediately obvious.
But here, have a song, it's the closest thing to a soundtrack I had for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSpqj3...
May 19, 2017
I'm sure I raised a few eyebrows when I added this to my currently reading shelf. If I'm not into YA and I'm not into fantasy, I am really not into YA fantasy. However! I am someone who'll read anything that's been suggested to me, so in an effort to expand my reading horizons, I heeded the recommendation of my friend Hadeer and decided to give it a go. And I'm glad I did!
When the Sea Is Rising Red is a paranormal fantasy with a vaguely Dickensian vibe. Think Oliver Twist or A Christmas Carol, and then throw in some magic and vampires. This is a moody and evocative book whose real strength lies in the atmosphere that Cat Hellisen creates. And on top of that, the world building in this novel is impressively extensive. Hellisen has a really phenomenal imagination.
The problem is, she wasn't always able to translate her visions into a cohesive narrative. There are so many incomplete elements to this novel that are full of promise, but they just... never manage to come together in a satisfying way.
For about 90% of this book, nothing happens. And that was fine with me, because I'm someone who prefers character-driven stories to plot-driven stories anyway. My problem is that most of the characters were paper-thin, and that the ending was incredibly rushed and dissatisfying.
The heroine of the novel, Felicita, is easily the most three-dimensional character. She's understandably youthful and naive, and I like that after she runs away from home she frequently considers going back. It's just realistic that a girl who grew up being waited on in a lavish home wouldn't be aware of just how difficult it is slumming it, sleeping on a hard floor and scrubbing dishes for ten hours a day. Her feelings toward her two potential love interests, the charismatic low-born Dash and the vampire Jannik, are likewise believable. She's a solid protagonist that holds the story together nicely.
But really, she's the only character I even begin to understand. I'm left with so many questions that I doubt will be answered in the sequel, all having to do with secondary characters' loyalties and allegiances. If you're going to sacrifice plot for the sake of depicting character dynamics, your reader shouldn't be left wondering what the characters are thinking, or how they feel about one another.
One of the worst examples of this is the relationship between Felicita and and her brother Owen, which was disappointingly underdeveloped. I didn't understand the impetus behind Felicita's decision regarding Owen at the end - it involves a change of heart that's never fully examined. The whole ending was wrapped up entirely too quickly and neatly - it's like the whole book was building up to a scene that ended up lasting about two paragraphs.
But ultimately, I enjoyed reading this. Hellisen's prose is incredibly mature for YA, and the world she creates here is rich in history and mythos. On the surface level, this book is gorgeous and strange and unique and fascinating. It's in the details that it starts to fall apart. Regardless, I'll probably be interested in checking out the sequel at some point.
When the Sea Is Rising Red is a paranormal fantasy with a vaguely Dickensian vibe. Think Oliver Twist or A Christmas Carol, and then throw in some magic and vampires. This is a moody and evocative book whose real strength lies in the atmosphere that Cat Hellisen creates. And on top of that, the world building in this novel is impressively extensive. Hellisen has a really phenomenal imagination.
The problem is, she wasn't always able to translate her visions into a cohesive narrative. There are so many incomplete elements to this novel that are full of promise, but they just... never manage to come together in a satisfying way.
For about 90% of this book, nothing happens. And that was fine with me, because I'm someone who prefers character-driven stories to plot-driven stories anyway. My problem is that most of the characters were paper-thin, and that the ending was incredibly rushed and dissatisfying.
The heroine of the novel, Felicita, is easily the most three-dimensional character. She's understandably youthful and naive, and I like that after she runs away from home she frequently considers going back. It's just realistic that a girl who grew up being waited on in a lavish home wouldn't be aware of just how difficult it is slumming it, sleeping on a hard floor and scrubbing dishes for ten hours a day. Her feelings toward her two potential love interests, the charismatic low-born Dash and the vampire Jannik, are likewise believable. She's a solid protagonist that holds the story together nicely.
But really, she's the only character I even begin to understand. I'm left with so many questions that I doubt will be answered in the sequel, all having to do with secondary characters' loyalties and allegiances. If you're going to sacrifice plot for the sake of depicting character dynamics, your reader shouldn't be left wondering what the characters are thinking, or how they feel about one another.
One of the worst examples of this is the relationship between Felicita and and her brother Owen, which was disappointingly underdeveloped. I didn't understand the impetus behind Felicita's decision regarding Owen at the end - it involves a change of heart that's never fully examined. The whole ending was wrapped up entirely too quickly and neatly - it's like the whole book was building up to a scene that ended up lasting about two paragraphs.
But ultimately, I enjoyed reading this. Hellisen's prose is incredibly mature for YA, and the world she creates here is rich in history and mythos. On the surface level, this book is gorgeous and strange and unique and fascinating. It's in the details that it starts to fall apart. Regardless, I'll probably be interested in checking out the sequel at some point.
November 18, 2015
People do not seem to like this one too much so obviously I, contrary creature that I am, like it a lot. I liked how courageous the book and obviously it's author are to present something that is so very different than what is flooding the market nowadays. All books try to be different but ultimately conform to the standard. Ms. Hellison's novel, in my not so humble opinion, succeeds in not just being different but being different in a good way.
Felicita is a very likable protagonist and as a woman, I immediately felt myself able to empathize with her predicament. Whether I would have gone to the lengths she did to extricate myself from the future her brother laid out for her...well, I don't know but the fact that she does, that she has the courage to go forth and take her destiny in her own hands shows the spunk and um, guts she has and I find that very admirable. (We'll get to you later, Cate.) The attraction of the book came from the careful and detailed world building. There is a strong sense of whimsy, a sense of surreality that surrounds it - a parallel universe that is full of magic and strange creatures - the imagery is very strong and I found myself easily calling to mind the streets, the beaches and the people described in the novel.
Felicita's attempt to become Firel, to become someone with a whole lot less than she is used to makes for an interesting read. The strange motley of people who give her a home and offer her friendship and new experiences are also fascinating. The plot is perhaps my favourite part of the book and I can't say too much about it without giving it away. The Sea is Rising Red very much resembles a fairytale come to life with its intriguing mix of legend and supernatural creatures.
The reason most people probably have trouble with this novel is the interesting way in which romance is approached. If you want fervent confessions of true, everlasting love, you might want to give this one a miss. The romance in this is a bit capricious, a bit playful and, maybe only to me, a bit exploratory in tone and even execution. There are two love interests but not quite a love triangle. I sincerely hope that this is a series because one of the love interests fascinates me. None of the characters are superhotbeautifulgorgeous and I love, love, love that.
You will like this book if you like curious things, if you are open to something different than hot boy notices plain girl, there are fireworks and then a kiss. The folklore-ish feel of the novel will be a hit with some and a miss with others. Ah, if you liked The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley, you will certainly like this one.
Felicita is a very likable protagonist and as a woman, I immediately felt myself able to empathize with her predicament. Whether I would have gone to the lengths she did to extricate myself from the future her brother laid out for her...well, I don't know but the fact that she does, that she has the courage to go forth and take her destiny in her own hands shows the spunk and um, guts she has and I find that very admirable. (We'll get to you later, Cate.) The attraction of the book came from the careful and detailed world building. There is a strong sense of whimsy, a sense of surreality that surrounds it - a parallel universe that is full of magic and strange creatures - the imagery is very strong and I found myself easily calling to mind the streets, the beaches and the people described in the novel.
Felicita's attempt to become Firel, to become someone with a whole lot less than she is used to makes for an interesting read. The strange motley of people who give her a home and offer her friendship and new experiences are also fascinating. The plot is perhaps my favourite part of the book and I can't say too much about it without giving it away. The Sea is Rising Red very much resembles a fairytale come to life with its intriguing mix of legend and supernatural creatures.
The reason most people probably have trouble with this novel is the interesting way in which romance is approached. If you want fervent confessions of true, everlasting love, you might want to give this one a miss. The romance in this is a bit capricious, a bit playful and, maybe only to me, a bit exploratory in tone and even execution. There are two love interests but not quite a love triangle. I sincerely hope that this is a series because one of the love interests fascinates me. None of the characters are superhotbeautifulgorgeous and I love, love, love that.
You will like this book if you like curious things, if you are open to something different than hot boy notices plain girl, there are fireworks and then a kiss. The folklore-ish feel of the novel will be a hit with some and a miss with others. Ah, if you liked The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley, you will certainly like this one.
October 30, 2011
First impressions: Fourteen pages. That's how long it took for this book to completely wow me. Cat Hellisen creates a beautifully unique world with full and vibrant characters that made it nearly impossible to put the book down.
Lasting impressions: There were a few moments that had me wailing, "Noooooo!" Despite some of the frustrations with the plot, I still found this to be a well-written and unique story.
Conflicting impressions: It always sucks when the love interest you want is not what you get. I had to work to find happiness with the ending, but I grudgingly accept that it was probably for the best of the characters involved.
Overall impressions: This book is being compared to the works of Neil Gaiman and Jacqueline Carey, and though I (gasp!) have yet to read anything by these fabulous authors, I recognize that they are fantasy geniuses. So, too, is Cat Hellisen. The village of Pelimburg is rich with magic, supernatural creatures, and a protected elite class bearing down on the lower castes. The world in this novel is easily imaginable and effortlessly complex.
Felicita is caught behind a powerful brother who rules her life and that of her mother. In Pelimburg, the patriarchy is strict and unchallenged, and Felicita faces an unhappy arranged marriage with few rights. Determined to take control of her own life, she flees to the streets and falls in with a group of poor workers who sometimes also fight against the elite under the charismatic boy-in-charge, Dash.
Dash has his own plans, and secrets, that entwine Felicita and her new friend, the vampire Jannik. As Felicita gets drawn deeper into Dash's plotting, she struggles with trusting him. Does he care for her or is he using her to get his way? As the story progresses, things get more convoluted and enemies stay firmly in gray areas. You never know who to trust in this ragtag group of street kids, which is part of the fun of the novel. I thought the plot went kind of crazy all over the place during the climax, and I wasn't satisfied that Felicita found true happiness the way I wanted, but it was definitely a fun journey.
I'd by lying if I didn't admit that I was mostly disappointed with the love interest. Felicita and Dash start something that seems cute and fun, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Things are complicated by some apparent affections for Jannik, her new vampire friend, but for the most part they stay platonic. For a story that starts out with fears of arranged marriage, I so wanted Felicita to find love and companionship in someone of her choosing, but I guess we don't always get what we want. In my opinion, this would have been a five star read if I'd just been able to find Felicita some true love. Ah well. A highly recommended fantasy read nonetheless!
Lasting impressions: There were a few moments that had me wailing, "Noooooo!" Despite some of the frustrations with the plot, I still found this to be a well-written and unique story.
Conflicting impressions: It always sucks when the love interest you want is not what you get. I had to work to find happiness with the ending, but I grudgingly accept that it was probably for the best of the characters involved.
Overall impressions: This book is being compared to the works of Neil Gaiman and Jacqueline Carey, and though I (gasp!) have yet to read anything by these fabulous authors, I recognize that they are fantasy geniuses. So, too, is Cat Hellisen. The village of Pelimburg is rich with magic, supernatural creatures, and a protected elite class bearing down on the lower castes. The world in this novel is easily imaginable and effortlessly complex.
Felicita is caught behind a powerful brother who rules her life and that of her mother. In Pelimburg, the patriarchy is strict and unchallenged, and Felicita faces an unhappy arranged marriage with few rights. Determined to take control of her own life, she flees to the streets and falls in with a group of poor workers who sometimes also fight against the elite under the charismatic boy-in-charge, Dash.
Dash has his own plans, and secrets, that entwine Felicita and her new friend, the vampire Jannik. As Felicita gets drawn deeper into Dash's plotting, she struggles with trusting him. Does he care for her or is he using her to get his way? As the story progresses, things get more convoluted and enemies stay firmly in gray areas. You never know who to trust in this ragtag group of street kids, which is part of the fun of the novel. I thought the plot went kind of crazy all over the place during the climax, and I wasn't satisfied that Felicita found true happiness the way I wanted, but it was definitely a fun journey.
I'd by lying if I didn't admit that I was mostly disappointed with the love interest. Felicita and Dash start something that seems cute and fun, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Things are complicated by some apparent affections for Jannik, her new vampire friend, but for the most part they stay platonic. For a story that starts out with fears of arranged marriage, I so wanted Felicita to find love and companionship in someone of her choosing, but I guess we don't always get what we want. In my opinion, this would have been a five star read if I'd just been able to find Felicita some true love. Ah well. A highly recommended fantasy read nonetheless!
October 21, 2019
This started weird in... maybe a good way, and finished weird in definitely not a good way. The plot... skips, and makes no sense, and the awful coloniser mindset of the lead is deeply unpleasant to read through, and doesn't improve enough to argue that the character is actually growing in any way.
July 2, 2012
If I was going to be completely rational about this book and base my review on content alone, it would probably be get four stars.
But because I was absolutely fascinated and entranced by it, I'm giving it five stars and all the love in the world.
It's a strange, haunting little book - more fantasy than supernatural. There are vampires in it, but it's not exclusively a vampire book. The world (which I must point out is wonderfully constructed) feels very old-fashioned but very natural and relatable.
The tone is dreamy and atmospheric. The sea and the storms and the mist are as alive as any character and I think anyone who's experienced living close to the water could really empathise. If you've never been close like that, Cat Hellisen has depicted it so well. In this way it reminded me a little of Nova Ren Suma's Imaginary Girls or even Lindqvist's Harbour....with giving so much power to a body of water, but for me it was a lot more engaging than them.
At the beginning of this book, Cat Hellisen throws the reader into this fantasy world. The dialect, the magic, the rules, the society are all new and different and she doesn't waste time with unnecessary explanations or the kind of self-indulgent glossaries certain writers are so fond of (I'm looking at you, Karen Marie Moning)
She shows the reader the world and trusts them to understand it and this continues throughout the plot. She trusts and expects the reader to figure out the plot and the characters and it makes for an exciting, effective reading experience.
Felcita Pelim is a member of the upper class in Pelimberg. Her family's position is constantly crumbling and they hold on to status on a historical basis rather than true power and influence. The port-town they live in is, too, struggling as the vampire families gain power, the working classes grow restless, scriv (a drug that allows them access to the magic only ruling houses are allowed to wield) is in short supply and horrors of the sea threaten to destroy them all.
In her class, the women are subservient and after the suicide of her only friend, she runs away rather than be married off to some stranger. She's met Jannick, the vampire who intrigues and repulses her, but in order to hide her identity she winds up with a bunch of other misfits on Whelk Street, led by the charismatic Dash.
*slight spoilers from here*
Dash is a fascinating character. He's present before we ever meet him. He's commands power and respect but also looks after all the kids in the house. He's, in many ways, the typical charming, bad boy but he's got a purpose and sense of vulnerability that sets him apart. He's not, we soon learn, the kind of Byronic hero that's changed by the affection of a pretty girl. He's too complex for that.
Jannick is different. He's a vampire but as a male, he's basically powerless within his class. He's stoic and it takes more time to warm to him.
On Whelk Street, Felicita becomes part of Dash's little family and adjusts to the working class way of life. She learns a lot of truths about her family and the realities of the world. She falls for Dash's charms but soon learns he plans to bring Pelimberg to it's knees and her magic, along with the threats from the sea are how it's going to happen.
The setting, which reminded me of reading about the East End of London in Victorian times was just so vibrant. The tea-shop and the poets and Nalla and Lils were all a joy to read. Granted, the plot progression was rather slow while we got to experience this, but it brought so much fun to the story.
Nala and Lilya were a wonderful couple and I really liked how their relatinship was so naturally weaved into the story. There was never a reaction from F(now know as Firell) or shock at them being together and I really appreciated this.
I also really liked how F's falling for Dash was written. He was clearly a cad all along, albeit a likeable one, but you totally get swept along with her. The reader realises the truth of the situation before she does and it's all very poignant.
The drug use, also, is very well executed. The upper-class are all hooked on scriv but this is totally acceptable. The vampire's consumption of blood and the poor people's use of poisonink and very much frowned upon and the hypocrisy is stark and thought provoking.
The climax is exciting and messy. Nothing works out like people plan or people want it to. As thrilling as the fantasy aspect is, this is where the characters really get to shine. F becomes stronger. Dash shows his most personal self and Jannick becomes a lot more human.
The stars of this book are Dash and Jannick. I always wanted to see more of them. They haunt every page they're not featured on. They are far more complex and interesting than Felicita. Their bond, relationship, was hardly seen at all but made a massive impact. I felt for Felicita, as I would any girl who gets taken in by a smooth-talker, but my heart BROKE for Dash and Jannick. I was never sure of Dash's feelings for Felicita, if he liked her or saw her as a tool for his war. We know of the depth of feeling between him and Jannick, regardless of it's origin or if they really wanted to feel that way and it was all very very sad.
Felicita is largely passive throughout the story. She doesn't even really have her own name for most of it. She has moments of strength, with Dash and her brother, as it climaxes but she hasn't undergone the growth you would expect of a main character. Rather, the journey she takes with the Whelk Streeters and Jannick leave her with the tools to become the person she needs to be and we hope that when she leaves Pelimberg she will flourish.
I don't know why this book intrigued me as much as it did. I've read it twice in two days, picking it up and starting it again as soon as I was done. The second time showed me even more how skillfully Cat Hellisen wove this story and I cannot wait to see more from her. I'd love to see more in this world but whatever she writes, I will be trying it.
Highly recommended.
But because I was absolutely fascinated and entranced by it, I'm giving it five stars and all the love in the world.
It's a strange, haunting little book - more fantasy than supernatural. There are vampires in it, but it's not exclusively a vampire book. The world (which I must point out is wonderfully constructed) feels very old-fashioned but very natural and relatable.
The tone is dreamy and atmospheric. The sea and the storms and the mist are as alive as any character and I think anyone who's experienced living close to the water could really empathise. If you've never been close like that, Cat Hellisen has depicted it so well. In this way it reminded me a little of Nova Ren Suma's Imaginary Girls or even Lindqvist's Harbour....with giving so much power to a body of water, but for me it was a lot more engaging than them.
At the beginning of this book, Cat Hellisen throws the reader into this fantasy world. The dialect, the magic, the rules, the society are all new and different and she doesn't waste time with unnecessary explanations or the kind of self-indulgent glossaries certain writers are so fond of (I'm looking at you, Karen Marie Moning)
She shows the reader the world and trusts them to understand it and this continues throughout the plot. She trusts and expects the reader to figure out the plot and the characters and it makes for an exciting, effective reading experience.
Felcita Pelim is a member of the upper class in Pelimberg. Her family's position is constantly crumbling and they hold on to status on a historical basis rather than true power and influence. The port-town they live in is, too, struggling as the vampire families gain power, the working classes grow restless, scriv (a drug that allows them access to the magic only ruling houses are allowed to wield) is in short supply and horrors of the sea threaten to destroy them all.
In her class, the women are subservient and after the suicide of her only friend, she runs away rather than be married off to some stranger. She's met Jannick, the vampire who intrigues and repulses her, but in order to hide her identity she winds up with a bunch of other misfits on Whelk Street, led by the charismatic Dash.
*slight spoilers from here*
Dash is a fascinating character. He's present before we ever meet him. He's commands power and respect but also looks after all the kids in the house. He's, in many ways, the typical charming, bad boy but he's got a purpose and sense of vulnerability that sets him apart. He's not, we soon learn, the kind of Byronic hero that's changed by the affection of a pretty girl. He's too complex for that.
Jannick is different. He's a vampire but as a male, he's basically powerless within his class. He's stoic and it takes more time to warm to him.
On Whelk Street, Felicita becomes part of Dash's little family and adjusts to the working class way of life. She learns a lot of truths about her family and the realities of the world. She falls for Dash's charms but soon learns he plans to bring Pelimberg to it's knees and her magic, along with the threats from the sea are how it's going to happen.
The setting, which reminded me of reading about the East End of London in Victorian times was just so vibrant. The tea-shop and the poets and Nalla and Lils were all a joy to read. Granted, the plot progression was rather slow while we got to experience this, but it brought so much fun to the story.
Nala and Lilya were a wonderful couple and I really liked how their relatinship was so naturally weaved into the story. There was never a reaction from F(now know as Firell) or shock at them being together and I really appreciated this.
I also really liked how F's falling for Dash was written. He was clearly a cad all along, albeit a likeable one, but you totally get swept along with her. The reader realises the truth of the situation before she does and it's all very poignant.
The drug use, also, is very well executed. The upper-class are all hooked on scriv but this is totally acceptable. The vampire's consumption of blood and the poor people's use of poisonink and very much frowned upon and the hypocrisy is stark and thought provoking.
The climax is exciting and messy. Nothing works out like people plan or people want it to. As thrilling as the fantasy aspect is, this is where the characters really get to shine. F becomes stronger. Dash shows his most personal self and Jannick becomes a lot more human.
The stars of this book are Dash and Jannick. I always wanted to see more of them. They haunt every page they're not featured on. They are far more complex and interesting than Felicita. Their bond, relationship, was hardly seen at all but made a massive impact. I felt for Felicita, as I would any girl who gets taken in by a smooth-talker, but my heart BROKE for Dash and Jannick. I was never sure of Dash's feelings for Felicita, if he liked her or saw her as a tool for his war. We know of the depth of feeling between him and Jannick, regardless of it's origin or if they really wanted to feel that way and it was all very very sad.
Felicita is largely passive throughout the story. She doesn't even really have her own name for most of it. She has moments of strength, with Dash and her brother, as it climaxes but she hasn't undergone the growth you would expect of a main character. Rather, the journey she takes with the Whelk Streeters and Jannick leave her with the tools to become the person she needs to be and we hope that when she leaves Pelimberg she will flourish.
I don't know why this book intrigued me as much as it did. I've read it twice in two days, picking it up and starting it again as soon as I was done. The second time showed me even more how skillfully Cat Hellisen wove this story and I cannot wait to see more from her. I'd love to see more in this world but whatever she writes, I will be trying it.
Highly recommended.
October 18, 2011
I was at the hospital all morning getting all these funky tests done on my right hand (need surgery) and holding this book in my left hand (which is really hard to do- try flipping pages while holding a book without using your other hand- impossible). Long story short (my story-not the book), I really enjoyed this book. Obviously, I practically inhaled it.
Review coming in January.
Review coming in January.
February 15, 2012
When her best friend, Ilven, plunges to her death to escape of life of patriarchal control and arranged marriage, Felicita realizes she must also escape her similar, imprisoning lifestyle. As a daughter of the ruling House of Pelim, she’s lived a privileged, sheltered life – her entire existence governed by the decisions of others. And so, Felicita fakes her death, disappears into the underworld of Pelimburg and takes a job as a dishwasher. Her life is humble, but she’s out from under the thumb of her cruel, domineering brother, for the first time in her life able to make her own choices. When she meets the roguish, streetwise Dash and the quiet, compelling Jannik, her life and choices suddenly become more complicated than she ever anticipated.
Misfortune and pestilence soon fall upon Pelimburg, and the citizens begin blaming the suicides of the two high House daughters for stirring a dark, evil magic up out of the sea. Tension in the city is already running high, stoked by a festering, deep-seated social unrest, and Felicita finds herself torn between her new life and the honor of the family she left behind.
Pelimburg. With beautiful description and wonderful fantasy elements, Pelimburg is a city that Hellisen brings to life vividly. She’s given it depth, history, a mythology all its own, and has filled it with magic and mythical creatures such as selkies, boggerts, and vampires. Her descriptions of life in a seaside city are enchanting, and gives the impression that Hellisen herself is in love with the beauty and mysteries of the sea. However, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. Pelimburg is also a place weighted by a gritty realism and a dark underbelly that lend interest and controversy to both the setting and the plot.
Speaking of the gritty side of Pelimburg, one of the things that readers may find interesting is Hellisen’s use of morality. This story could have easily been a morality tale, yet it’s not. In fact, it doesn’t make much of a statement on the rightness or wrongness of things in general. But rather, it’s more of a pragmatic view of morality — situations and decisions stated more as fact. Things simply are what they are. People will inevitably make choices in their lives, be they right or wrong, and there are consequences for those decisions – outcomes that can effect the rest of one’s life and the lives of others as well. Decisions have weight. It’s a heavy book full of things I don’t necessarily agree with, but filled with motivations, choices, vices that make this world – despite it’s fantastic leanings – true to life and give it an authenticity I appreciate.
Felicita. When we first meet Felicita, she is a girl who feels very confined by the patriarchal society of Pelimburg. Women of the High-Lammer houses are virtually powerless, despite possessing their own magical abilities. Her indifferent and sometimes cruel elder brother, Owen, is the head of the family now that her father has passed away, and he, and he alone, has the final say in the direction of her future. Like Ilven, she begins scheming for a way out. Unlike Ilven, she desires to do so while still breathing.
Felicita is not typically the kind of heroine I connect with, but she is a refreshing change from the norm. She’s so very real, so very flawed, and fantastically so. Felicita’s the kind of person who makes her decisions, comes to an acceptance of what her choices lead to – good or bad – and perseveres past the things she cannot change. She’s independent, resolute, is not afraid to stand up for herself, and is a hard worker despite her upbringing. She’s also an addict, a bit immature, makes some incredibly bad decisions, and is not the best judge of character. Yet, I still found her to be likeable; still found myself rooting for her despite the choices she makes. Perhaps it’s because there are consequences to decisions in this novel? Perhaps it’s because she’s a person who was born without the opportunity to truly live? Yes, she makes what I consider to be mistakes, but they’re hers to make and there’s something freeing in that, no matter the outcome. But perhaps it’s also because in Felicita’s character, Hellisen strikes this intriguing balance between naivete and worldliness that keeps her fresh, interesting, and sympathetic.
Dash & Jannik. These boys are like night and day when compared each to the other, but both boys play important roles in Felicita’s new-found life. Dash lives life voraciously. A party boy and a ladies’ man, he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. He’s got many connections in the criminal underworld of Pelimburg, and his dealings are not exactly what one would call “above board.” He’s magnetic, authoritative, a bit dangerous and it’s not hard to see why Felicita would be drawn to him. Jannik, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Quiet, introspective, practical, with the soul of a poet and full of a magic all his own, Jannik is someone who can empathize and commiserate with Felicita over a lack of freedom and control as they come from similar backgrounds. Being a vampire, an association with him is considered taboo, yet despite convention, Felicita finds him very compelling. Both Dash and Jannik are wildly different from each other, yet both capture her attention and both play a vital role in her journey toward independence.
Overall, with enchantingly vivid world, gritty tone, and fantastically-drawn characters, When the Sea is Rising Red, is a thought-provoking story about freedom and the lengths to which one will go to achieve it.
*** Due to mature themes and references to repeated drug usage, I’d recommend this book to an upper YA audience.
Misfortune and pestilence soon fall upon Pelimburg, and the citizens begin blaming the suicides of the two high House daughters for stirring a dark, evil magic up out of the sea. Tension in the city is already running high, stoked by a festering, deep-seated social unrest, and Felicita finds herself torn between her new life and the honor of the family she left behind.
Pelimburg. With beautiful description and wonderful fantasy elements, Pelimburg is a city that Hellisen brings to life vividly. She’s given it depth, history, a mythology all its own, and has filled it with magic and mythical creatures such as selkies, boggerts, and vampires. Her descriptions of life in a seaside city are enchanting, and gives the impression that Hellisen herself is in love with the beauty and mysteries of the sea. However, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. Pelimburg is also a place weighted by a gritty realism and a dark underbelly that lend interest and controversy to both the setting and the plot.
Speaking of the gritty side of Pelimburg, one of the things that readers may find interesting is Hellisen’s use of morality. This story could have easily been a morality tale, yet it’s not. In fact, it doesn’t make much of a statement on the rightness or wrongness of things in general. But rather, it’s more of a pragmatic view of morality — situations and decisions stated more as fact. Things simply are what they are. People will inevitably make choices in their lives, be they right or wrong, and there are consequences for those decisions – outcomes that can effect the rest of one’s life and the lives of others as well. Decisions have weight. It’s a heavy book full of things I don’t necessarily agree with, but filled with motivations, choices, vices that make this world – despite it’s fantastic leanings – true to life and give it an authenticity I appreciate.
Felicita. When we first meet Felicita, she is a girl who feels very confined by the patriarchal society of Pelimburg. Women of the High-Lammer houses are virtually powerless, despite possessing their own magical abilities. Her indifferent and sometimes cruel elder brother, Owen, is the head of the family now that her father has passed away, and he, and he alone, has the final say in the direction of her future. Like Ilven, she begins scheming for a way out. Unlike Ilven, she desires to do so while still breathing.
Felicita is not typically the kind of heroine I connect with, but she is a refreshing change from the norm. She’s so very real, so very flawed, and fantastically so. Felicita’s the kind of person who makes her decisions, comes to an acceptance of what her choices lead to – good or bad – and perseveres past the things she cannot change. She’s independent, resolute, is not afraid to stand up for herself, and is a hard worker despite her upbringing. She’s also an addict, a bit immature, makes some incredibly bad decisions, and is not the best judge of character. Yet, I still found her to be likeable; still found myself rooting for her despite the choices she makes. Perhaps it’s because there are consequences to decisions in this novel? Perhaps it’s because she’s a person who was born without the opportunity to truly live? Yes, she makes what I consider to be mistakes, but they’re hers to make and there’s something freeing in that, no matter the outcome. But perhaps it’s also because in Felicita’s character, Hellisen strikes this intriguing balance between naivete and worldliness that keeps her fresh, interesting, and sympathetic.
Dash & Jannik. These boys are like night and day when compared each to the other, but both boys play important roles in Felicita’s new-found life. Dash lives life voraciously. A party boy and a ladies’ man, he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. He’s got many connections in the criminal underworld of Pelimburg, and his dealings are not exactly what one would call “above board.” He’s magnetic, authoritative, a bit dangerous and it’s not hard to see why Felicita would be drawn to him. Jannik, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Quiet, introspective, practical, with the soul of a poet and full of a magic all his own, Jannik is someone who can empathize and commiserate with Felicita over a lack of freedom and control as they come from similar backgrounds. Being a vampire, an association with him is considered taboo, yet despite convention, Felicita finds him very compelling. Both Dash and Jannik are wildly different from each other, yet both capture her attention and both play a vital role in her journey toward independence.
Overall, with enchantingly vivid world, gritty tone, and fantastically-drawn characters, When the Sea is Rising Red, is a thought-provoking story about freedom and the lengths to which one will go to achieve it.
*** Due to mature themes and references to repeated drug usage, I’d recommend this book to an upper YA audience.
January 18, 2018
After a slow start, this turned into the most magical, memorable journey. So thought-provoking!
August 9, 2012
This book holds a strange, bleak and wonderful story. When the Sea is Rising Red took me completely by surprise. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. I would've given it three stars, but the prose was so delicate and beautiful that I had to give it four. A liberating read, where the romance wasn't clichéd: there wasn't a pure, beautiful girl waiting for her one and only Prince Charming.
The actual plot end seemed a bit weird and unusual - the story could have veered away from the fantastical elements, and still be great. The integration of unicorns and vampires and magic was flawless; Hellisen has built a wonderful world. The three-dimensional characters aren't morally sided - there are no good or bad characters, but merely people.
One of the great things about When the Sea is Rising Red was that nothing needed to be explained or explicitly stated - the reader would piece together all the little hints. This let the writing flow, without any info-dumping. There were a few things left out at the end, but it didn't really matter. This isn't a story where the ending is perfectly tied up with a bow on the top, but instead a beautiful tale that resonates within.
The actual plot end seemed a bit weird and unusual - the story could have veered away from the fantastical elements, and still be great. The integration of unicorns and vampires and magic was flawless; Hellisen has built a wonderful world. The three-dimensional characters aren't morally sided - there are no good or bad characters, but merely people.
One of the great things about When the Sea is Rising Red was that nothing needed to be explained or explicitly stated - the reader would piece together all the little hints. This let the writing flow, without any info-dumping. There were a few things left out at the end, but it didn't really matter. This isn't a story where the ending is perfectly tied up with a bow on the top, but instead a beautiful tale that resonates within.
March 20, 2012
Also Found On: A Book and A Record
This book wasn't really my cup of tea, it was very well written and the plot was well established. It held with the same ideas through the entire thing and I felt that all of the characters were justly motivated I just didn't really like any of the characters.
Dash can basically be caught as a player from a mile away. He’s a drunkard and a drug addict that likes to sleep around, and while Jannix is quite devoted to Firell (Felicita) he is still a vampire, and pretty open about what a bad guy he is.
Felicita (known throughout most of the book as Firell) is kind of a pansy, never really stepping up to the plate until she absolutely has to, and even then she kind of fails miserably. This got off to a good start, which is why I kept on going, but it quickly tapered into something that I didn’t find very appetizing.
I guess my problem isn't with the author, because the book is quite well written, but with the publisher. This book is marketed as a paranormal love story, and whilst they got the paranormal part correct this is in no way a love story. None of the Firell's (Felicita’s) relationships are particularly healthy at all and that was hard for me to deal with. I felt so sorry for the main character the entire time that it was impossible for me to like the book.
This book wasn't really my cup of tea, it was very well written and the plot was well established. It held with the same ideas through the entire thing and I felt that all of the characters were justly motivated I just didn't really like any of the characters.
Dash can basically be caught as a player from a mile away. He’s a drunkard and a drug addict that likes to sleep around, and while Jannix is quite devoted to Firell (Felicita) he is still a vampire, and pretty open about what a bad guy he is.
Felicita (known throughout most of the book as Firell) is kind of a pansy, never really stepping up to the plate until she absolutely has to, and even then she kind of fails miserably. This got off to a good start, which is why I kept on going, but it quickly tapered into something that I didn’t find very appetizing.
I guess my problem isn't with the author, because the book is quite well written, but with the publisher. This book is marketed as a paranormal love story, and whilst they got the paranormal part correct this is in no way a love story. None of the Firell's (Felicita’s) relationships are particularly healthy at all and that was hard for me to deal with. I felt so sorry for the main character the entire time that it was impossible for me to like the book.
May 24, 2014
It has been a very long time since a book has enthralled me as this one did. I loved this story's dark fantasy world that was at once vivid and surreal. The writing transported me to Pelim so that I could feel the cold fingers of mist and smell the fishy miasma over the docks. This book also provided a much needed fresh and unique approach to vampires and vampire society. The melding together of so many different folklores made this a stand-out read for me and one to which I plan to return.
The characters were quite easily the best part - a motley and wonderfully diverse cast that made me smile and cry as they endured various trials and tribulations. The casual attitude towards sexuality in this book is also something I loved and elevated this already excellent story head and shoulders above many others.
In short, I cannot recommend this book enough to those looking for a mature and intelligent YA read that is delightfully dark and unapologetic about its themes.
The characters were quite easily the best part - a motley and wonderfully diverse cast that made me smile and cry as they endured various trials and tribulations. The casual attitude towards sexuality in this book is also something I loved and elevated this already excellent story head and shoulders above many others.
In short, I cannot recommend this book enough to those looking for a mature and intelligent YA read that is delightfully dark and unapologetic about its themes.
August 5, 2011
I've walked with Cat from the start of this novel and to finally read the almost-finished project (I participated in her ARC-project) was utterly thrilling and spell-binding. Hellisen brings together the rich style of Jacqueline Carey with the magic and mystery of Neil Gaiman in a thoroughly intoxicating world. I wonder if Felicita knew what she'd go through during her journey whether she'd make that fateful decision to run away from her home. The world of Pelimburg is underpinned by social divisions reminiscent of South Africa's apartheid past and scented with the ever-present wash of the sea. Hellisen is the next big voice to not only rock YA literature but the entire fantasy genre.
February 26, 2014
When we first meet Felicita in When the Sea is Rising Red, she is a wealthy young girl stifled under the pressures of her caste. Felicita's best friend commits suicide escaping an arranged marriage and Felicita, bound for the same fate, fakes her death and runs to the Hob, filled with lower-caste individuals without magical ability. In Felicita's world, an addictive substance known as scriv is capable of unleashing the powers the Houses possess. Meanwhile, those of the lower caste systems must suffer in poverty or find ways to make money. More often than not, this either means becoming a prostitute or offering to allow a vampire to drink your blood. Bats, as the vampires are mockingly called, are another class entirely, below the Houses but not quite at the level of the Hob folk either. While the Houses are structured in typical fashion - patriarchal societies - the vampires are matriarchal hierarchies for only the females are born with magical power.
When Felicita runs away from home in the beginning of When the Sea is Rising Red , she is desperate. In an attempt to keep herself alive, she finds herself in the midst of flimsy friendships, shocking betrayals, and facing hasty decisions with unexpected consequences. When the Sea is Rising Red brings about both the best and the worst in Felicita, enabling her to understand her moral limits in a manner that is, frankly, disquieting. Felicita is, however, a remarkable protagonist. While her circumstances force her to regard both her societal status and previous lifestyle differently, they also propel her into darker paths. For the majority of her life, Felicita has lived following a code of strict guidelines. Naturally, when given the opportunity to make choices of her own, Felicita makes plenty of mistakes. When the Sea is Rising Red never attempts to gloss over the gravity of the difficult situations Felicita finds herself in, which I appreciate. While this is marketed to teens, I would argue that a handful of scenarios are, certainly, more adult in their nature.
Evidently, though, the strongest area of When the Sea is Rising Red remains its world-building. Hellisen has created a rich, complex world, one in which heavy disquiet runs among all the social classes. Although there this plenty of action towards the end of this novel and the pace moves rapidly, the conflict remains political at heart. Hellisen, though, has mastered the art of showing her universe to her readers in small, seemingly insignificant snippets which contribute to the depth of her world as a whole. Instead of blatantly describing her fictional land in a series of paragraphs, there is a sense that each chapter adds a new layer to the sphere she has created, which I appreciated as both a reader and a lover of words. Even beyond her world, though, the dual nature of her secondary characters keeps the narrative afloat for though their presence may be minimal, it is thought-provoking.
Where this tale tends to falter, for me at any rate, is in the fact that there are multiple story lines. Once in the Hob, Felicita meets Dash, an enigmatic young man whose confidence boasts of taking down the Houses and their ridiculous caste system. Into this mix is thrown Felicita's encounters with the vampire Jannik who brings her into his world, different though similar to both her own and what she has experienced in the Hob. Additionally, the death of Felicita's best friend continues to hang over the land and rumors of a sea witch rising from the waters haunt the streets. While all of these converging plot lines eventually come together in a startlingly original manner, the plot threads do become ever-so-slightly choppy at times through the middle of the narrative.
Additionally, the romantic entanglements within this novel are...strange. It isn't quite a love triangle, at least not of the usual variety, but while I enjoyed the ultimate revelations and outcome of the romance in this novel, I was never attached to either of the love interests. But, then again, I do not believe I was meant to be. Felicita never truly falls in love in this installment. While she believes she has strong feelings for a character, they do not overtake the plot at hand and neither do they play a strong role in her own growth. Instead, there are a plethora of stronger, more true emotions regarding the characters in question which contribute to the gray matter and brilliance of this novel. Thus, for those looking for an epic love story in the midst of a rebellion, When the Sea is Rising Red isn't your best bet. (Yet, I encourage romance fans to stick to this series if they enjoy the paranormal for the romance in House of Sand and Secrets is ALL kinds of swoon!)
Nevertheless, there is so much to love within When the Sea is Rising Red , from its complex world to its even more complicated characters whose mistakes are exposed for all the world to see, right alongside their strengths. Another point to note about Hellisen's universe, though, is the fact that it boasts of LGBT characters. It isn't unusual or even regarding as peculiar for two men or two women to be involved in a relationship. For sexuality to be embraced in such a bold manner, particularly in a world where individual freedoms are generally restricted, spoke volumes about equality and diversity in both this fictional world and our own very real one. Needless to say, for fans of the paranormal with just a touch of fantasy magic, romance, and strong contemporary relationships, When the Sea is Rising Red offers something to love for everyone. Moreover, for those looking for a haunting, thought-provoking read, Hellisen's debut is sure to keep you up late into the night. And, really, aren't those the best kind of books?
When Felicita runs away from home in the beginning of When the Sea is Rising Red , she is desperate. In an attempt to keep herself alive, she finds herself in the midst of flimsy friendships, shocking betrayals, and facing hasty decisions with unexpected consequences. When the Sea is Rising Red brings about both the best and the worst in Felicita, enabling her to understand her moral limits in a manner that is, frankly, disquieting. Felicita is, however, a remarkable protagonist. While her circumstances force her to regard both her societal status and previous lifestyle differently, they also propel her into darker paths. For the majority of her life, Felicita has lived following a code of strict guidelines. Naturally, when given the opportunity to make choices of her own, Felicita makes plenty of mistakes. When the Sea is Rising Red never attempts to gloss over the gravity of the difficult situations Felicita finds herself in, which I appreciate. While this is marketed to teens, I would argue that a handful of scenarios are, certainly, more adult in their nature.
Evidently, though, the strongest area of When the Sea is Rising Red remains its world-building. Hellisen has created a rich, complex world, one in which heavy disquiet runs among all the social classes. Although there this plenty of action towards the end of this novel and the pace moves rapidly, the conflict remains political at heart. Hellisen, though, has mastered the art of showing her universe to her readers in small, seemingly insignificant snippets which contribute to the depth of her world as a whole. Instead of blatantly describing her fictional land in a series of paragraphs, there is a sense that each chapter adds a new layer to the sphere she has created, which I appreciated as both a reader and a lover of words. Even beyond her world, though, the dual nature of her secondary characters keeps the narrative afloat for though their presence may be minimal, it is thought-provoking.
Where this tale tends to falter, for me at any rate, is in the fact that there are multiple story lines. Once in the Hob, Felicita meets Dash, an enigmatic young man whose confidence boasts of taking down the Houses and their ridiculous caste system. Into this mix is thrown Felicita's encounters with the vampire Jannik who brings her into his world, different though similar to both her own and what she has experienced in the Hob. Additionally, the death of Felicita's best friend continues to hang over the land and rumors of a sea witch rising from the waters haunt the streets. While all of these converging plot lines eventually come together in a startlingly original manner, the plot threads do become ever-so-slightly choppy at times through the middle of the narrative.
Additionally, the romantic entanglements within this novel are...strange. It isn't quite a love triangle, at least not of the usual variety, but while I enjoyed the ultimate revelations and outcome of the romance in this novel, I was never attached to either of the love interests. But, then again, I do not believe I was meant to be. Felicita never truly falls in love in this installment. While she believes she has strong feelings for a character, they do not overtake the plot at hand and neither do they play a strong role in her own growth. Instead, there are a plethora of stronger, more true emotions regarding the characters in question which contribute to the gray matter and brilliance of this novel. Thus, for those looking for an epic love story in the midst of a rebellion, When the Sea is Rising Red isn't your best bet. (Yet, I encourage romance fans to stick to this series if they enjoy the paranormal for the romance in House of Sand and Secrets is ALL kinds of swoon!)
Nevertheless, there is so much to love within When the Sea is Rising Red , from its complex world to its even more complicated characters whose mistakes are exposed for all the world to see, right alongside their strengths. Another point to note about Hellisen's universe, though, is the fact that it boasts of LGBT characters. It isn't unusual or even regarding as peculiar for two men or two women to be involved in a relationship. For sexuality to be embraced in such a bold manner, particularly in a world where individual freedoms are generally restricted, spoke volumes about equality and diversity in both this fictional world and our own very real one. Needless to say, for fans of the paranormal with just a touch of fantasy magic, romance, and strong contemporary relationships, When the Sea is Rising Red offers something to love for everyone. Moreover, for those looking for a haunting, thought-provoking read, Hellisen's debut is sure to keep you up late into the night. And, really, aren't those the best kind of books?
Read
March 28, 2012I wanted to like WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED so bad I can't even tell you. Just read the premise. How does that NOT sound interesting? I was so intrigued by it that I really couldn't wait to read it. Unfortunately I got my expectations dashed, mainly because I obviously set them way too high. Maybe it's my fault. Or maybe I've genuinely run into another lackluster book. But here we go.
First impression, the voice was horribly pretentious and stilted and I immediately hated Felicita. Initially I believe she was supposed to be a product of her environment, growing up uber-rich and privileged and taught to sneer down on everyone else. But when she breaks away from the life she found so horrible and actually lives with the people she wants to spit on her views don't change. She almost pines to give up the hard life (after 12 hours, seriously) but is constantly doting on how shamed her family will be if she returns. Constantly. And the way she kept saying Hob about the people around her, to me, always sounded derogatory. Like "oh yeah, that's a nice jacket, for a Hob." Not an exact quote but the situation matches. She wanted, pretty much begged, for help from these people but continued looking down her nose at them. And I hated her for it. She was such a snatch that I honestly couldn't tolerate her. I might have hated her even more than the world, and that was pretty bad. So probably not.
I've come to the conclusion, pretty much as of yesterday, that good world-building is a requirement for my reading enjoyment. If the story it set somewhere other than the here and now the world better be it's own damn character. So when a world fails if the remaining elements, like the story or the characters, don't keep my attention, the book's going to flop for me. This one was a fish on land.
Almost the second I started reading WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED I knew I was going to have to tap into the Turkey City Lexicon because the "world-building" found here belongs in those quotations. I was robbed of what sounded like an absolutely amazing world for what was nothing more than a Victorian-era set story where some of the mundane, normal elements were searched and destroyed at the Word phase to be replaced by pretty "world-relevant" words for no reason other than to look like world-building. To define -
“Call a Rabbit a Smeerp“
A cheap technique for false exoticism, in which common elements of the real world are re-named for a fantastic milieu without any real alteration in their basic nature or behavior. “Smeerps” are especially common in fantasy worlds, where people often ride exotic steeds that look and act just like horses. (Attributed to James Blish.) (Turkey City Lexicon)
To say this is a pet peeve of mine is to say Santa only kind of likes Christmas. This was the world-building here and it drove me up a wall worse than Felicita's atrocious personality. The world itself is not built. There's very little going on there that sets it apart as some kind of fantasy land. There are Hobs but really they're people with browner skin, not actual faery hobs. There's a vampire, whom you'd never know was one if it wasn't for Felicita mentioning it. He doesn't do anything vampirish other than be pale and he may have pointy teeth. There's the mention of scriv, which is some kind of addictive drug that allows those with so-called magic to use their magic. Except scriv is never really defined except mentioned as a magic-enhancer made from unicorn horn. That's about as deep as it gets. I read to the halfway point and the only actual use of magic I saw was from Felicita's brother who held her in place with magic, rooted her to the spot, I guess. Although from how much of a dick he was he could probably do that with fear alone.
The "real world-building" existed in the switched out words: look-far (lookout), Gris (seemingly their god, not defined or elaborated on to the point I read), dragon-dogs (no definable difference from hounds), uni-foal (I'm assuming a baby unicorn as opposed to the literal 'one foal'), nilly-flesh (I have no idea, I'm assuming fish flesh, it's never explained), and sea mews (which I assume are seagulls although just before she mentions white gulls but sea mews aren't explained and they're a flock so I have no idea what else they'd be, according to Wiki they're your standard gulls but by context I'm led to believe they're something else and just not explained), just to name a very few. Throw in some random unicorns and funky names for the town and some rivers and OMG NEW WORLD! It's cheap and I felt cheated. This is not world-building; it's cloaking. It's a beautiful, super-repressed, super-caste Victorian society but lets not pretend it's something it's not. I did really like the family set-up that was going on, between the high-Lammers and the vampire houses. The society alone was the best part of it all. That's a story in and of itself but that's pretty much all the originality this story can boast. I just wish there was more of it.
The story itself, buried under all of this, seemed to be okay. Extenuating circumstances not withstanding I would have liked to have seen how Felicita fared and just what Ilven's death conjured up in the deep. A kracken, maybe? But between a heinous MC and a poorly-built world I just couldn't get involved. I had too much pulling me away from the story and not anywhere near enough to keep me interested. If I have to admit it to myself, the shoddy world-building hurt worse than the MC. It's just so cheap. As if the author picked random elements out of a hat and though "I can use this . . . and this . . . and this . . . and this . . ." and BAM! "World." If I have to even more admit it to myself, I'm actually insulted. Lipstick on a pig. Now there's just whale fat on my perfectly good bacon. Take it away.
I know I didn't mention it before but I did mention I only got halfway through this one, it's a DNF. I tried. I really did. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. Cinda Williams Chima? THAT'S world-building. This is a t-ball player in the major leagues. Sorry, but it affected me that much. I'd like to know how it ends but I can't bring myself to keep reading. It's Goodreads rating is pretty high so there are people enjoying it. I guess if you're not as picky about world-building as I am then you'll probably enjoy it. Even I had a few pieces that I liked. Although I didn't find anything redeeming about Felicita.
First impression, the voice was horribly pretentious and stilted and I immediately hated Felicita. Initially I believe she was supposed to be a product of her environment, growing up uber-rich and privileged and taught to sneer down on everyone else. But when she breaks away from the life she found so horrible and actually lives with the people she wants to spit on her views don't change. She almost pines to give up the hard life (after 12 hours, seriously) but is constantly doting on how shamed her family will be if she returns. Constantly. And the way she kept saying Hob about the people around her, to me, always sounded derogatory. Like "oh yeah, that's a nice jacket, for a Hob." Not an exact quote but the situation matches. She wanted, pretty much begged, for help from these people but continued looking down her nose at them. And I hated her for it. She was such a snatch that I honestly couldn't tolerate her. I might have hated her even more than the world, and that was pretty bad. So probably not.
I've come to the conclusion, pretty much as of yesterday, that good world-building is a requirement for my reading enjoyment. If the story it set somewhere other than the here and now the world better be it's own damn character. So when a world fails if the remaining elements, like the story or the characters, don't keep my attention, the book's going to flop for me. This one was a fish on land.
Almost the second I started reading WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED I knew I was going to have to tap into the Turkey City Lexicon because the "world-building" found here belongs in those quotations. I was robbed of what sounded like an absolutely amazing world for what was nothing more than a Victorian-era set story where some of the mundane, normal elements were searched and destroyed at the Word phase to be replaced by pretty "world-relevant" words for no reason other than to look like world-building. To define -
“Call a Rabbit a Smeerp“
A cheap technique for false exoticism, in which common elements of the real world are re-named for a fantastic milieu without any real alteration in their basic nature or behavior. “Smeerps” are especially common in fantasy worlds, where people often ride exotic steeds that look and act just like horses. (Attributed to James Blish.) (Turkey City Lexicon)
To say this is a pet peeve of mine is to say Santa only kind of likes Christmas. This was the world-building here and it drove me up a wall worse than Felicita's atrocious personality. The world itself is not built. There's very little going on there that sets it apart as some kind of fantasy land. There are Hobs but really they're people with browner skin, not actual faery hobs. There's a vampire, whom you'd never know was one if it wasn't for Felicita mentioning it. He doesn't do anything vampirish other than be pale and he may have pointy teeth. There's the mention of scriv, which is some kind of addictive drug that allows those with so-called magic to use their magic. Except scriv is never really defined except mentioned as a magic-enhancer made from unicorn horn. That's about as deep as it gets. I read to the halfway point and the only actual use of magic I saw was from Felicita's brother who held her in place with magic, rooted her to the spot, I guess. Although from how much of a dick he was he could probably do that with fear alone.
The "real world-building" existed in the switched out words: look-far (lookout), Gris (seemingly their god, not defined or elaborated on to the point I read), dragon-dogs (no definable difference from hounds), uni-foal (I'm assuming a baby unicorn as opposed to the literal 'one foal'), nilly-flesh (I have no idea, I'm assuming fish flesh, it's never explained), and sea mews (which I assume are seagulls although just before she mentions white gulls but sea mews aren't explained and they're a flock so I have no idea what else they'd be, according to Wiki they're your standard gulls but by context I'm led to believe they're something else and just not explained), just to name a very few. Throw in some random unicorns and funky names for the town and some rivers and OMG NEW WORLD! It's cheap and I felt cheated. This is not world-building; it's cloaking. It's a beautiful, super-repressed, super-caste Victorian society but lets not pretend it's something it's not. I did really like the family set-up that was going on, between the high-Lammers and the vampire houses. The society alone was the best part of it all. That's a story in and of itself but that's pretty much all the originality this story can boast. I just wish there was more of it.
The story itself, buried under all of this, seemed to be okay. Extenuating circumstances not withstanding I would have liked to have seen how Felicita fared and just what Ilven's death conjured up in the deep. A kracken, maybe? But between a heinous MC and a poorly-built world I just couldn't get involved. I had too much pulling me away from the story and not anywhere near enough to keep me interested. If I have to admit it to myself, the shoddy world-building hurt worse than the MC. It's just so cheap. As if the author picked random elements out of a hat and though "I can use this . . . and this . . . and this . . . and this . . ." and BAM! "World." If I have to even more admit it to myself, I'm actually insulted. Lipstick on a pig. Now there's just whale fat on my perfectly good bacon. Take it away.
I know I didn't mention it before but I did mention I only got halfway through this one, it's a DNF. I tried. I really did. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. Cinda Williams Chima? THAT'S world-building. This is a t-ball player in the major leagues. Sorry, but it affected me that much. I'd like to know how it ends but I can't bring myself to keep reading. It's Goodreads rating is pretty high so there are people enjoying it. I guess if you're not as picky about world-building as I am then you'll probably enjoy it. Even I had a few pieces that I liked. Although I didn't find anything redeeming about Felicita.
January 7, 2012
When I first started reading this for some reason I was under the impression that this was a Victorian Era novel. Which is halfway accurate, but I somehow missed the whole supernatural aspect. Not to worry though, still loved it.
Felicita is a member of the magical elite of Pelimburg, the city that was named after her esteemed family that has since fallen. She is a War-Singer meaning that she can control the very air around her to do her will, but since she is a girl she is only thought of to be married off. When her best friend Ilven, from a neighboring House kills herself to escape from an arranged marriage, Felicita can't help the idea that sparks from her friend's tragedy. She fakes her own death and escapes into the city slums below.
After falling in with a group of rag tag orphans led by the enigmatic Dash, it seems that Felicita has found a new home, until a corpse washes up on the shore. As the body count grows, its clear that Ilven's death has risen a horrible magical being from the depths of the water, that will soon threaten Pelimburg. Dash wants to destroy the social caste system of Pelimburg and is willing to do anything to do so. Felicita must decide whether to stay by her new friends or protect the family she abandoned.
What I really liked about this novel was that the author was so unapologetic about everything that happened. Well...maybe unapologetic isn't quite the right word. Maybe, nonchalant is better. Oh those two girls are lesbians? Ok, that's cool. Felicita just lost her virginity? What, it was bound to happen sooner or later. It was just refreshing. Drama free. It was like I was in this nice happy little world free of overblown emotions. It was nice, I gotta say. I just felt like Felicita was so down to earth. She realized that shit happens and that you can't beat yourself up over every little thing. Sometimes you just have to move on and try to do better. Dwelling over every horrible thing that happens gets you no where. Once again, it was just nice.
Though Dash was kind of the main love interest, I just liked Jannik so much better. Maybe it was because he was a vampire...and well, vampires are just better, but I liked him as a person way more as well. While Dash is a conniving little bastard with a hidden agenda, Jannik can actually relate to Felicita. In a privledged house, but unable to do what you want because of your gender. Vampire House's are matriarchal instead of patriarchal and so his idiot of a sister will have all the power of the House while he is basically her glorified servant of a brother. He was just so nice too. Maybe I 'm a sucker for those kind-hearted, sullen, black haired, mysterious guys but hey. What can I say? Dash was a douche, and even though I say that I still can't bring myself to totally hate him. He had his reasons, is all I can say.
Truthfully though I kind of just wanted Dash and Jannik to just kiss and make up. God. Those two. So Iri and Nial and Lesley from the Wicked Lovely books? It was like one of their weird love triangles where they all love each other. Weird, but somehow that always seems to work. O.o
Anyway, I really enjoyed Felicita as well. She was a very refreshing MC and I greatly enjoyed her narrative. I really hope there is a second book, cuz I really want to know how it plays out. The ending left me wanting more. The only criticism I have on this was that I wish the story was a bit more fleshed out. For instance, the elite magical caste. You barely get to see them using magic. It's there and all, but it's rarely used. Same with the different caste systems. It's explained, but I wish why they were so hateful towards each other was more fleshed out. And especially with the vampires! Vampires are rather different in this world too, so I wish they had been explained more. All in all, the background and information was just adequate enough to get you through the book. Just wish there had been more flushing out. It would have moved this book from good to great. I really enjoyed this book, but I feel like it was more geared towards my taste. I like dark, unusual worlds and non-traditional characters. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I greatly enjoyed it.
Felicita is a member of the magical elite of Pelimburg, the city that was named after her esteemed family that has since fallen. She is a War-Singer meaning that she can control the very air around her to do her will, but since she is a girl she is only thought of to be married off. When her best friend Ilven, from a neighboring House kills herself to escape from an arranged marriage, Felicita can't help the idea that sparks from her friend's tragedy. She fakes her own death and escapes into the city slums below.
After falling in with a group of rag tag orphans led by the enigmatic Dash, it seems that Felicita has found a new home, until a corpse washes up on the shore. As the body count grows, its clear that Ilven's death has risen a horrible magical being from the depths of the water, that will soon threaten Pelimburg. Dash wants to destroy the social caste system of Pelimburg and is willing to do anything to do so. Felicita must decide whether to stay by her new friends or protect the family she abandoned.
What I really liked about this novel was that the author was so unapologetic about everything that happened. Well...maybe unapologetic isn't quite the right word. Maybe, nonchalant is better. Oh those two girls are lesbians? Ok, that's cool. Felicita just lost her virginity? What, it was bound to happen sooner or later. It was just refreshing. Drama free. It was like I was in this nice happy little world free of overblown emotions. It was nice, I gotta say. I just felt like Felicita was so down to earth. She realized that shit happens and that you can't beat yourself up over every little thing. Sometimes you just have to move on and try to do better. Dwelling over every horrible thing that happens gets you no where. Once again, it was just nice.
Though Dash was kind of the main love interest, I just liked Jannik so much better. Maybe it was because he was a vampire...and well, vampires are just better, but I liked him as a person way more as well. While Dash is a conniving little bastard with a hidden agenda, Jannik can actually relate to Felicita. In a privledged house, but unable to do what you want because of your gender. Vampire House's are matriarchal instead of patriarchal and so his idiot of a sister will have all the power of the House while he is basically her glorified servant of a brother. He was just so nice too. Maybe I 'm a sucker for those kind-hearted, sullen, black haired, mysterious guys but hey. What can I say? Dash was a douche, and even though I say that I still can't bring myself to totally hate him. He had his reasons, is all I can say.
Truthfully though I kind of just wanted Dash and Jannik to just kiss and make up. God. Those two. So Iri and Nial and Lesley from the Wicked Lovely books? It was like one of their weird love triangles where they all love each other. Weird, but somehow that always seems to work. O.o
Anyway, I really enjoyed Felicita as well. She was a very refreshing MC and I greatly enjoyed her narrative. I really hope there is a second book, cuz I really want to know how it plays out. The ending left me wanting more. The only criticism I have on this was that I wish the story was a bit more fleshed out. For instance, the elite magical caste. You barely get to see them using magic. It's there and all, but it's rarely used. Same with the different caste systems. It's explained, but I wish why they were so hateful towards each other was more fleshed out. And especially with the vampires! Vampires are rather different in this world too, so I wish they had been explained more. All in all, the background and information was just adequate enough to get you through the book. Just wish there had been more flushing out. It would have moved this book from good to great. I really enjoyed this book, but I feel like it was more geared towards my taste. I like dark, unusual worlds and non-traditional characters. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I greatly enjoyed it.
March 3, 2014
Different. the lead, her troubles, their world... taken together there's nothing quite like this, partly given how magic is wove into it; mostly for the world it's set in; and a little bit for the connections made.
The world will enthrall you. Her society is structured with the Houses, both high and low, plus those on the fringe. Each is governed by rules on what to do and why to do something. And in all that, there's Felicita- aware of what's expected and limited by it.
Not much is glossed over, the ugly in her world, the choices made necessary because of the same, and the mistakes and discoveries made as a result. Each detail here, each person contributes to the dark stark feel of things. Dark at first, given how stifled amd choiceless everything is made to appear for her, but then darker still once out of her box.
I repeat the dark is not glossed over. I wish the same attention to detail had been paid to how all the relationships came to be. As they were, this aspect had me wondering at the convenience of it all. Connections, allies and foes, are both made too easily. How she finds herself taken under their wing... a bit unexpected, but set that aside, one sees this is not just about Dash and his big plan or Jannik and his problems or Felicita and the choices she's made. It's all that AND MORE.
All the people encountered here contribute in their own way so that Hobverse is clear. Nala and Lil, Esta and her theatre boy and Dash on one side, Jannik on the other, then the world as she knew it: cruel brother, indifferent mother, and lost best friend included. It turns your head a little how so many things were going on all at once but when those threads finally get pulled together it's ends all the more impressively.
because we have the political, the fast paced, the magical, then the down rigjt depressing, but the way all thos things just ARE is what works. We're not given paragraph after paragraph of how thing are, we're given people and their stories amd their with each their agenda. Side note on a fantasy world of what IS verus what SHOULD BE OK, on who you're with; there's none of the I wish it were's just a matter of faxt handling of things, they are who they are and who they choose to be. And that? That was just a lovely bonus.
-----
wow. now, how. do. i. get. book 2
The world will enthrall you. Her society is structured with the Houses, both high and low, plus those on the fringe. Each is governed by rules on what to do and why to do something. And in all that, there's Felicita- aware of what's expected and limited by it.
Not much is glossed over, the ugly in her world, the choices made necessary because of the same, and the mistakes and discoveries made as a result. Each detail here, each person contributes to the dark stark feel of things. Dark at first, given how stifled amd choiceless everything is made to appear for her, but then darker still once out of her box.
I repeat the dark is not glossed over. I wish the same attention to detail had been paid to how all the relationships came to be. As they were, this aspect had me wondering at the convenience of it all. Connections, allies and foes, are both made too easily. How she finds herself taken under their wing... a bit unexpected, but set that aside, one sees this is not just about Dash and his big plan or Jannik and his problems or Felicita and the choices she's made. It's all that AND MORE.
All the people encountered here contribute in their own way so that Hobverse is clear. Nala and Lil, Esta and her theatre boy and Dash on one side, Jannik on the other, then the world as she knew it: cruel brother, indifferent mother, and lost best friend included. It turns your head a little how so many things were going on all at once but when those threads finally get pulled together it's ends all the more impressively.
because we have the political, the fast paced, the magical, then the down rigjt depressing, but the way all thos things just ARE is what works. We're not given paragraph after paragraph of how thing are, we're given people and their stories amd their with each their agenda. Side note on a fantasy world of what IS verus what SHOULD BE OK, on who you're with; there's none of the I wish it were's just a matter of faxt handling of things, they are who they are and who they choose to be. And that? That was just a lovely bonus.
-----
wow. now, how. do. i. get. book 2
August 22, 2012
I like When the Sea is Rising Red.
*****
This book is so weird. Fortunately, I like weird. Having said that, When the Sea is Rising Red is not for everybody. and I meant that. I'm impressed with Hellisen because she is not afraid to tell a story that is a whole new level of different. So, the questions is: Are you bold enough to read this?
Felicita was stunned when her best friend Ilven committed suicide. When she realized she's facing the same situation that made Ilven jumped, she ran away after faking her own death. Living in the slums was a far cry from her High-Lammer life and Felicita almost succumbed to going back after every hardship. But she carried on, not knowing that she got caught in the uprising being brewed in Old Town.
I'm a little confused on the legends of sea-witches and boggerts, but i get the gist and it was fun. It reminded me of a folklore here in the Philippines about a body of water (say a river, or ocean) where people drowned. They say that the spirit or entity residing in that particular river/ocean requires a sacrifice every now and then in exchange for a bountiful catch. Quite scary, yes? It is similar with Hellisen's sea-witch. The Hobs and Low-Lammers are really scared of the sea-witch stories even when High-Lammers like Felicita doesn't believe in it.
The love triangle was actually not a love triangle per se, but it did involve Felicita, Dash, and Jannik, not in the way I expected. And this is my first encounter with weird. Ha! This book almost felt like a mystery/suspense because I keep solving and connecting the links! I guessed right, on how it gone down between the three, but it still was weird to me. Yeah, let's leave it at that, shall we? Like i said, I like weird. But hey, if indeed it was a love triangle, I'm all for Jannik. ;)
The fantasy element was quite good, especially Lil's magic. I really liked that concept. If this was a series, I would continue reading after this one.
I think I need to read this again. Once is not enough to fully capture and enjoy the rare story that Hellisen delivered. When the Sea is Rising Red is something that will tickle your dark imagination.
*****
This book is so weird. Fortunately, I like weird. Having said that, When the Sea is Rising Red is not for everybody. and I meant that. I'm impressed with Hellisen because she is not afraid to tell a story that is a whole new level of different. So, the questions is: Are you bold enough to read this?
Felicita was stunned when her best friend Ilven committed suicide. When she realized she's facing the same situation that made Ilven jumped, she ran away after faking her own death. Living in the slums was a far cry from her High-Lammer life and Felicita almost succumbed to going back after every hardship. But she carried on, not knowing that she got caught in the uprising being brewed in Old Town.
I'm a little confused on the legends of sea-witches and boggerts, but i get the gist and it was fun. It reminded me of a folklore here in the Philippines about a body of water (say a river, or ocean) where people drowned. They say that the spirit or entity residing in that particular river/ocean requires a sacrifice every now and then in exchange for a bountiful catch. Quite scary, yes? It is similar with Hellisen's sea-witch. The Hobs and Low-Lammers are really scared of the sea-witch stories even when High-Lammers like Felicita doesn't believe in it.
The love triangle was actually not a love triangle per se, but it did involve Felicita, Dash, and Jannik, not in the way I expected. And this is my first encounter with weird. Ha! This book almost felt like a mystery/suspense because I keep solving and connecting the links! I guessed right, on how it gone down between the three, but it still was weird to me. Yeah, let's leave it at that, shall we? Like i said, I like weird. But hey, if indeed it was a love triangle, I'm all for Jannik. ;)
The fantasy element was quite good, especially Lil's magic. I really liked that concept. If this was a series, I would continue reading after this one.
I think I need to read this again. Once is not enough to fully capture and enjoy the rare story that Hellisen delivered. When the Sea is Rising Red is something that will tickle your dark imagination.
March 13, 2012
I don´t know how but the author managed to write a sagas worth material in only one book.
Felicita´s world falls apart when her brother breaks the news that her best friend Ilven had committed suicide. So she decides to start living her life the way she wants and not the way everyone expects her to, if she does she fears her life will end the same way as Ilven´s.
She wants to run away from her already planned life and in order to do that she needs to fake her death. She just leaves a pair of boots and a shawl by the cliff where her best friend took her own life for everyone to put pieces together.
She leaves everything behind, even her true self without scriv she can´t perform magic. She changes her looks and starts working in a tea shop cleaning dishes, something she never had to do in her previous life where everything was handed in a silver platter.
We witness how Felicita grows and learns how to stand up for herself, she thinks every now and then of running back to her mother but the shame and humiliation that would entail make her change her mind constantly.
She finds a true friend in Jannik, a mysterious vamp, who admires her courage to leave her life behind and he wishes to do the same. In Dash she finds love, but not everything is at it seems.
If I keep writing I think I´ll give too much away and really don´t want to spoil anything.
I found the book intriguing, fast paced and once I turned the last page it left me wanting more.
Felicita´s world falls apart when her brother breaks the news that her best friend Ilven had committed suicide. So she decides to start living her life the way she wants and not the way everyone expects her to, if she does she fears her life will end the same way as Ilven´s.
She wants to run away from her already planned life and in order to do that she needs to fake her death. She just leaves a pair of boots and a shawl by the cliff where her best friend took her own life for everyone to put pieces together.
She leaves everything behind, even her true self without scriv she can´t perform magic. She changes her looks and starts working in a tea shop cleaning dishes, something she never had to do in her previous life where everything was handed in a silver platter.
We witness how Felicita grows and learns how to stand up for herself, she thinks every now and then of running back to her mother but the shame and humiliation that would entail make her change her mind constantly.
She finds a true friend in Jannik, a mysterious vamp, who admires her courage to leave her life behind and he wishes to do the same. In Dash she finds love, but not everything is at it seems.
If I keep writing I think I´ll give too much away and really don´t want to spoil anything.
I found the book intriguing, fast paced and once I turned the last page it left me wanting more.
May 31, 2013
Exquisite world building. So effectively foreign and atmospheric yet real and immersive, in fact, that I almost didn't notice the female protagonist was involved in a love triangle with two boys, one of which happened to be a vampire. It almost felt like the publisher told Hellisen the story had to have those ingredients--love triangle, one girl two boys, vampire--for them to consider her book, so she included them as necessary then made them as unobtrusive and unimportant to the overall story as possible. Much more significant are the mysterious, dark magics of Felicita's world, the social structure and class dynamics, and Felicita's pursuit of an independent identity. Just enough grunge and danger to give the whole affair weight without descending to drudgery and despair. I enjoyed this one a great deal.
January 25, 2014
Set in a world where fall-out from a magical war has changed the mundane into the magical—lions have become sphinxes, goats have changed into unicorns, and crocodiles are now dragons. That’s just one part. Another is the class divisions between the high-lammers, the low-lammers, the hobs, and the bats. Hellisen has built a rich and layered world that could be late 19th century England, except it’s so much more, with nooks and crannies that take you by surprise, scented and spiced with lyrical prose, and the muted roar of ocean surf ever-present in the background. The characters are prickly and flawed. The genders are fluid. The outcome is anything but certain. And what makes me happiest of all is that this book is just the introduction into her Hobverse series.
April 7, 2016
If I had to describe this book in one word, I would use weird.
Even after finishing it, I don't feel like I understand the mythology, society and magic system in this book. It was confusing and felt sort of disjointed and strange.
I felt no connection to the main character, she was annoying and kind of stupid at times. I also didn't like either of her love interests, there was no chemistry anywhere in this story.
There were some interesting concepts in this books, but none of them were utilized very well in my eyes.
Even after finishing it, I don't feel like I understand the mythology, society and magic system in this book. It was confusing and felt sort of disjointed and strange.
I felt no connection to the main character, she was annoying and kind of stupid at times. I also didn't like either of her love interests, there was no chemistry anywhere in this story.
There were some interesting concepts in this books, but none of them were utilized very well in my eyes.
June 2, 2013
This is a goddamn sexy book and I was completely and utterly absorbed from the first paragraph. I could also smell the fishy air and taste the salt on my lips as Ms Hellisen is a magical master and drawing you into the world of her characters. LOVE LOVE LOVE! What more can I say but READ THIS BOOK and watch this author as I think she is going to be big.
March 13, 2012
Just as beautiful and bitter and haunting and hopeful as it was when I read it the first time as an early draft, only now it is so tightly woven together in a way that hurts. Take your time with this book--savor it. It is delicious.
October 27, 2014
(a similar version of this review can be found here at Into the Hall of Books: http://www.intothehallofbooks.com/201...)
I started reading Cat Hellisen's When The Sea Is Rising Red and knew right away that I was going to love it. It was dark and a little creepy, yet imaginative and beautiful. Cat Hellisen was so luxuriously descriptive that I felt like I was right alongside Felicita in every scene.
1. The Main Characters. They're absolutely incredible. I felt emotionally connected to each of them.
2. The Secondary Characters. The supporting cast is just as amazing as the main cast, and they all had special, unique, and wonderful things about them. Some of them had special powers; some of them were especially kind; some of them were cruel and mean-spirited. But all of them blended together to make this novel magical and really marvelous.
3. The Setting. Oh my gracious, this has to be one of my favorite settings in such a long time! The setting was an absolute feast for my senses on almost every page. Pelimburg is so full of magic that the air is hanging with it, and this was evident to me when I was reading because I felt like I was literally inhaling tingly magic. Pelimburg has a very wide range of social status represented, from the very wealthy to the very poor. I could visualize the finery in the decor of the homes and clothing of the wealthy; I could almost see and smell the filth and grime on the homes, clothes, and faces of the poor in the slums. I could practically hear the ocean, smell and taste the salt-air, and feel the mist while I was reading. Reading this book was such an amazing sensory experience.
4. Magic. I love a book that is rich with magic and-as I mentioned earlier-this book is full of it. (One of my favorite things about the magic is the way Felicita could actually feel the magic radiating off of Jannik. I can't wait until you read more about that!)
5. Romance. There is a little bit of romance in this book, but it is not overwhelming at all. The three main characters are interconnected in what could be called a love triangle, and what probably will be called a love triangle by some people, but I'm not going to call it that. The interaction between the three is sometimes confusing and frustrating, but always interesting. Despite this, everything is wrapped up neatly and resolved completely by the end of the story.
6. The Names. I have a need to point out that I really love the names of the people and places in this story. Besides the three mentioned above-and the town of Pelimburg-there is Ilven, Esta, and Lala (to name a few). So unique and lovely, something so simple as these names made a great story a little more rich.
7. The End. The last part of the book was the peak of the story, which was really big and fantastic and explosive and bigger than life...followed by a brief transition to the ending with excellent resolution of some key long-length conflicts. I felt like even though the ending wasn't what I expected, all of the questions were answered and everything worked out well. It was just a great story that was brilliantly written. Great debut.
Between the magic, the supernatural beings, and the social castes, the author kept the story fueled and kept the pages turning. I do not often like to play the comparison game with books (please forgive me Ms Hellisen!), but I HAVE to say that this story is reminiscent to me of Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy (which is a truly great thing). I LOVED that Felicita reminded me of Gemma in some ways and I loved some of the other similarities as well. I feel that fans of Bray's work would certainly love When The Sea Is Rising Red, without a doubt.
When The Sea is Rising Red is set in a complex world, but still played vividly like a movie in my imagination as I read. Readers who love an intricate setting-in both time and place-will most likely enjoy the world Cat Hellisen has created. If you are a fan of magic and the supernatural, you are also likely to enjoy this one-please, add it to your wish list. And if you are anything like me-a sucker for a well-developed, wonderfully fleshed-out group of characters-you won't go wrong with this book.
When The Sea is Rising Red is a beautifully dark and thrilling debut. I pondered it and was puzzled over it a few times, but mostly I spent my time fully immersed in it and I loved it from cover to cover.
*I borrowed this book as part of Around The World Book Tours in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. I received no compensation for my review.
I started reading Cat Hellisen's When The Sea Is Rising Red and knew right away that I was going to love it. It was dark and a little creepy, yet imaginative and beautiful. Cat Hellisen was so luxuriously descriptive that I felt like I was right alongside Felicita in every scene.
So let's get to it. Why should this go on your Wish List?
1. The Main Characters. They're absolutely incredible. I felt emotionally connected to each of them.
**Felicita. Born rich. Moves to the slums after faking her death. (Don't judge her; she has her reasons!) I LOVE this very bold move, Felicita's reasons behind this, and her life once she gets to the slums. I love her willingness to work and to get her hands dirty despite never having worked for anything before. Felicita is an amazing main character-she's brave, she's independent, she's a hard worker. She's also a thinker and has to make a few pretty big decisions that kept me turning the pages faster and faster.
**Jannik. 'The Bat' (aka vampire). A wildly interesting character, and maybe my favorite of the bunch. I ADORE everything about him-his look, his attitude, his social status, as well as his status within his own family. He's mysterious and dark, and in my mind I imagined that he was super handsome. I loved the integration of 'the bats' into the Pelimburg society even though they weren't always widely accepted. Jannik is a vampire that seems to be written differently from other vampires that are out there in YA literature right now, and this is refreshing.
**Dash. Charming and charismatic, Dash is the leader of the group that Felicita joins in the slums. He is a flawed character with a tortured soul, but this gives him so much depth. Dash is written beautifully. Despite his problems, he is kind and I loved him just as much as the others. He keeps secrets, however, and eventually everyone becomes a pawn in his schemes, whether they want to or not.
2. The Secondary Characters. The supporting cast is just as amazing as the main cast, and they all had special, unique, and wonderful things about them. Some of them had special powers; some of them were especially kind; some of them were cruel and mean-spirited. But all of them blended together to make this novel magical and really marvelous.
3. The Setting. Oh my gracious, this has to be one of my favorite settings in such a long time! The setting was an absolute feast for my senses on almost every page. Pelimburg is so full of magic that the air is hanging with it, and this was evident to me when I was reading because I felt like I was literally inhaling tingly magic. Pelimburg has a very wide range of social status represented, from the very wealthy to the very poor. I could visualize the finery in the decor of the homes and clothing of the wealthy; I could almost see and smell the filth and grime on the homes, clothes, and faces of the poor in the slums. I could practically hear the ocean, smell and taste the salt-air, and feel the mist while I was reading. Reading this book was such an amazing sensory experience.
4. Magic. I love a book that is rich with magic and-as I mentioned earlier-this book is full of it. (One of my favorite things about the magic is the way Felicita could actually feel the magic radiating off of Jannik. I can't wait until you read more about that!)
5. Romance. There is a little bit of romance in this book, but it is not overwhelming at all. The three main characters are interconnected in what could be called a love triangle, and what probably will be called a love triangle by some people, but I'm not going to call it that. The interaction between the three is sometimes confusing and frustrating, but always interesting. Despite this, everything is wrapped up neatly and resolved completely by the end of the story.
6. The Names. I have a need to point out that I really love the names of the people and places in this story. Besides the three mentioned above-and the town of Pelimburg-there is Ilven, Esta, and Lala (to name a few). So unique and lovely, something so simple as these names made a great story a little more rich.
7. The End. The last part of the book was the peak of the story, which was really big and fantastic and explosive and bigger than life...followed by a brief transition to the ending with excellent resolution of some key long-length conflicts. I felt like even though the ending wasn't what I expected, all of the questions were answered and everything worked out well. It was just a great story that was brilliantly written. Great debut.
Between the magic, the supernatural beings, and the social castes, the author kept the story fueled and kept the pages turning. I do not often like to play the comparison game with books (please forgive me Ms Hellisen!), but I HAVE to say that this story is reminiscent to me of Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy (which is a truly great thing). I LOVED that Felicita reminded me of Gemma in some ways and I loved some of the other similarities as well. I feel that fans of Bray's work would certainly love When The Sea Is Rising Red, without a doubt.
When The Sea is Rising Red is set in a complex world, but still played vividly like a movie in my imagination as I read. Readers who love an intricate setting-in both time and place-will most likely enjoy the world Cat Hellisen has created. If you are a fan of magic and the supernatural, you are also likely to enjoy this one-please, add it to your wish list. And if you are anything like me-a sucker for a well-developed, wonderfully fleshed-out group of characters-you won't go wrong with this book.
When The Sea is Rising Red is a beautifully dark and thrilling debut. I pondered it and was puzzled over it a few times, but mostly I spent my time fully immersed in it and I loved it from cover to cover.
*I borrowed this book as part of Around The World Book Tours in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. I received no compensation for my review.
July 3, 2012
I am so very conflicted right now. I don’t know what I just read. Well, partly I do know, but it’s all confusing.
Being introduced to this new world was confusing and strange. It was like how societies used to be before we had democracies and republics. There are Houses that consider themselves superior than everyone else because they can do some magic using scriv which is more like being high on some dusted drug made by some magical being. There are Hobs and vampires and unicorns and so many other strange creatures in this book. The Houses basically look down on all the other low class people and call themselves High-Lammers. The low-lammers, as the name suggests, are like the common men but the lowest class are the Hobs. There are vampires who are powerful and have magic but are hardly tolerated by the city. There are certain rules and restrictions that are to be followed by each class.
The protagonist in this story is Felicita. She is from High House Pelim and is a War-Singer which means her bloodline can control air. Her older brother Owen is a cruel man who only cares about his wife and his unborn baby. Her mother only cares about Owen and the honor of their House and follows the rules set by the males of the society blindly. Felicita feels only close to her best friend Ilven who is supposed to marry another high lammer. However, the story starts when Ilven commits suicide because she doesn’t wanna marry anyone to bring her family more lands and honor. It’s believed by the Hobs that the suicide of high lammers brings sickness and poverty to the shores. Felicita plagued by her best friend’s death finally decides to leave her house when her ten years older brother wants her to marry a man she doesn’t want to spend her life with.
Major spoilers ahead:
Felicita is selfish. She is shallow and looks down on almost everyone in the beginning and is prejudiced but I will blame her upbringing for that. However, there is "some" change in her throughout the book. I think she was utterly naïve. She had no idea what she was doing leaving her house. She just wanted out of her glorified prison and she took a leap without even considering the consequences. I don’t blame her much because she was grieving and she had no idea of the world outside her mansion. The beginning of her journey is troublesome and she held on pretty well. But after Dash got involved she just went downhill. I don’t even think she made the right decisions. She might have got a decent ending in the end with a clean slate but I don’t think I like her.
Also, I couldn’t understand Dash. Jannik was easier to figure out but Dash was a mystery. Even after the book has ended I don’t know what I feel about his decisions. They were harsh and too bold and some-what selfish but I really don’t know if I can truly blame him. If the reason for his vengeance and all the rumors that were spread about Owen are believed to be true, I think I would like to sympathize but I really can’t. Even then his plan was cynical. He risked the lives of a lot of innocent people to achieve some twisted vendetta against the High Houses. I agree that Felicita messed it all up. She was responsible for the deaths of a lot of people because she was too mad after being betrayed but I think she should have seen that coming. Dash was a very complicated character. He must have been some kind of a freak since the beginning. I mean, which nine-year old has connections or even the mind to kill a person? All his power and control seemed to be theoretical. I guess I would’ve been more convinced if more of his story was revealed. Felicita was a fool to trust him. She hardly knew him and even after Lils warning she couldn’t be more alert and suspicious. She was too slow to connect the dots. The book was too obvious at places and yet it left me perplexed with no idea about what just happened at other places.
The whole Jannik and Dash thing seemed kinda off. I understand that Dash did everything he could think of to get some money and destroy the high lammers and I admit that he was smart and played good mind games. His intentions had been clear from the beginning and he knew how and where to set the pawns. I don’t know if Jannik and Dash were really romantically involved. I can’t figure out a lot of things. I’m sometimes annoyed by authors who point out everything to the readers even if it’s damn obvious but I feel like an imbecile cause I would have better understood a lot of things if the author had given a clearer picture. I don’t know if Owen really did kill Dash’s sister. I guess he did but I’m not sure. I don’t know if Anja and Dash were somehow romantically involved as well. I don’t know if Dash ever took Felicita as something more than his jackpot in his big scheme of events. I don’t know if Jannik felt anything for Felicita other than respect. I guess he cared about her but did he care about her as much as he cared about Dash? It’s all tangled up in my head and I am unsure of almost everything after ending this book.
I liked the world building. The plot was honestly unclear to me in the beginning. But later it was all about trying to blur the lines between the different classes that existed or something along that line if I’m vaguely correct. I still don’t know what happened in the end. There was a sea-witch and selkies and bogglers and Ilven draining the life out of Dash and hanging around to say a final goodbye to Felicita (WUT?) and then Felicita killing Owen because she finally figured out how big a mess she had created and then Jannik and her marrying (Again, WUT?).
It was so much fantasy when most of the book looked quite un-fantasy like; if that even makes sense. I don’t know how to rate it. I wasn’t bowled over by it or anything but it was okay.
2.5 stars. But it will be 2 according to the goodreads rating cause I'm not sure that I like it enough to give it 3 stars.
Being introduced to this new world was confusing and strange. It was like how societies used to be before we had democracies and republics. There are Houses that consider themselves superior than everyone else because they can do some magic using scriv which is more like being high on some dusted drug made by some magical being. There are Hobs and vampires and unicorns and so many other strange creatures in this book. The Houses basically look down on all the other low class people and call themselves High-Lammers. The low-lammers, as the name suggests, are like the common men but the lowest class are the Hobs. There are vampires who are powerful and have magic but are hardly tolerated by the city. There are certain rules and restrictions that are to be followed by each class.
The protagonist in this story is Felicita. She is from High House Pelim and is a War-Singer which means her bloodline can control air. Her older brother Owen is a cruel man who only cares about his wife and his unborn baby. Her mother only cares about Owen and the honor of their House and follows the rules set by the males of the society blindly. Felicita feels only close to her best friend Ilven who is supposed to marry another high lammer. However, the story starts when Ilven commits suicide because she doesn’t wanna marry anyone to bring her family more lands and honor. It’s believed by the Hobs that the suicide of high lammers brings sickness and poverty to the shores. Felicita plagued by her best friend’s death finally decides to leave her house when her ten years older brother wants her to marry a man she doesn’t want to spend her life with.
Major spoilers ahead:
Felicita is selfish. She is shallow and looks down on almost everyone in the beginning and is prejudiced but I will blame her upbringing for that. However, there is "some" change in her throughout the book. I think she was utterly naïve. She had no idea what she was doing leaving her house. She just wanted out of her glorified prison and she took a leap without even considering the consequences. I don’t blame her much because she was grieving and she had no idea of the world outside her mansion. The beginning of her journey is troublesome and she held on pretty well. But after Dash got involved she just went downhill. I don’t even think she made the right decisions. She might have got a decent ending in the end with a clean slate but I don’t think I like her.
Also, I couldn’t understand Dash. Jannik was easier to figure out but Dash was a mystery. Even after the book has ended I don’t know what I feel about his decisions. They were harsh and too bold and some-what selfish but I really don’t know if I can truly blame him. If the reason for his vengeance and all the rumors that were spread about Owen are believed to be true, I think I would like to sympathize but I really can’t. Even then his plan was cynical. He risked the lives of a lot of innocent people to achieve some twisted vendetta against the High Houses. I agree that Felicita messed it all up. She was responsible for the deaths of a lot of people because she was too mad after being betrayed but I think she should have seen that coming. Dash was a very complicated character. He must have been some kind of a freak since the beginning. I mean, which nine-year old has connections or even the mind to kill a person? All his power and control seemed to be theoretical. I guess I would’ve been more convinced if more of his story was revealed. Felicita was a fool to trust him. She hardly knew him and even after Lils warning she couldn’t be more alert and suspicious. She was too slow to connect the dots. The book was too obvious at places and yet it left me perplexed with no idea about what just happened at other places.
The whole Jannik and Dash thing seemed kinda off. I understand that Dash did everything he could think of to get some money and destroy the high lammers and I admit that he was smart and played good mind games. His intentions had been clear from the beginning and he knew how and where to set the pawns. I don’t know if Jannik and Dash were really romantically involved. I can’t figure out a lot of things. I’m sometimes annoyed by authors who point out everything to the readers even if it’s damn obvious but I feel like an imbecile cause I would have better understood a lot of things if the author had given a clearer picture. I don’t know if Owen really did kill Dash’s sister. I guess he did but I’m not sure. I don’t know if Anja and Dash were somehow romantically involved as well. I don’t know if Dash ever took Felicita as something more than his jackpot in his big scheme of events. I don’t know if Jannik felt anything for Felicita other than respect. I guess he cared about her but did he care about her as much as he cared about Dash? It’s all tangled up in my head and I am unsure of almost everything after ending this book.
I liked the world building. The plot was honestly unclear to me in the beginning. But later it was all about trying to blur the lines between the different classes that existed or something along that line if I’m vaguely correct. I still don’t know what happened in the end. There was a sea-witch and selkies and bogglers and Ilven draining the life out of Dash and hanging around to say a final goodbye to Felicita (WUT?) and then Felicita killing Owen because she finally figured out how big a mess she had created and then Jannik and her marrying (Again, WUT?).
It was so much fantasy when most of the book looked quite un-fantasy like; if that even makes sense. I don’t know how to rate it. I wasn’t bowled over by it or anything but it was okay.
2.5 stars. But it will be 2 according to the goodreads rating cause I'm not sure that I like it enough to give it 3 stars.
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