The Mermaid's Sister - Carrie Anne Noble

70%
09.05.20

A whimsical, lyrical book that's, ironically, steeped in the grief and loss of the long, lingering death of a loved one. It's a really lovely, well-written read - a little awkward in parts, perhaps, and with a plot that doesn't bear too much examination - but certainly fantastic in many senses.

The Gloaming - Kirsty Logan

49%
26.03.20

I'm not sure why magical realism always seems so depressing and negative but this didn't make me change my mind. On the one hand, the writing was evocative and lyrical but, on the other, nothing really happened to the sketchily drawn characters.

Elijah's Mermaid - Essie Fox

Didn't finish

I was hoping to have a short mermaid season (a short season of  mermaid book reviews, not a season of not-very-tall mermaids - how can you measure their height if they don't stand up?). But this was unreadable so never mind.

The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock - Imogen Hermes Gowar

68%
27.06.19

I like a quirky, historical romp and this is indeed both quirky and rompy. What sets it apart, though, is the quality of the writing: lyrical, layered prose with few of the usual jarring cliches. Yes, some of the characters are a little sketchy, and it could have done with a little structural support for its meandering plot, but in general both fun and thought-provoking.