a song below water by Bethany C. Morrow

Sixty-fifth book of 2020

Reading period: Aug 13th 2020 – Aug 16th 2020

Summary

Tavia is already at odds with the world, forced to keep her siren identity under wraps in a society that wants to keep her kind under lock and key. Never mind she’s also stuck in Portland, Oregon, a city with only a handful of black folk and even fewer of those with magical powers. At least she has her bestie Effie by her side as they tackle high school drama, family secrets, and unrequited crushes.

But everything changes in the aftermath of a siren murder trial that rocks the nation; the girls’ favorite Internet fashion icon reveals she’s also a siren, and the news rips through their community. Tensions escalate when Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical voice during a police stop. No secret seems safe anymore—soon Portland won’t be either. 

Rating

Review

I am pleased by this book even if it wasn’t what I was expecting.

The trial becomes a background element and the use of the magical voice, and Effie’s identity search come at the front. While I was reading, I was searching for all the clues about the creature that Effie can be, so I bet on one being, and I can say that I was right from the beginning.

I like the subjects the author talks about, as it’s something that I personally lived or observed. This book describes a lot of significant problems that you don’t know anything about it if you don’t live it. Nevertheless, there are a lot of powerful moments and sentences.

Some events which are happening in the book wasn’t okay at all, I just wanted to scream: ‘It’s not fair”. I love the bond between Tavia and Effie. They always find a way to talk to each other. Plus, they never let the other down even if it means that their problems come after. They are uplifting towards each other. I am sad for Tavia and her relationship with her parents, especially with her father. She is not responsible for who she is, but he is so afraid of it. I just didn’t understand at all Naema’s behaviour from the beginning to the end of the story.

The way the author always explain the myths that surround the creatures and the addition of details specific to this world helps to have a bigger image of how the society works. You also have a lot of pieces of information about the mermaid and how their voice works. Furthermore, we see all the problem that they live as they are mermaid and black women.

I would have love to know more about the community, which is formed by the magical creature, about how it works. Nevertheless, the fact that you have a network is the best thing. I love these kinds of books as it feels like you are a part of something.

Just a reminder: our voices are power.

Liz.