Turtle was born with an illegal genetic modification; meant to increase her lung capacity, the mod instead gave her gills and the ability to breathe underwater. Later in life, the mod began to create unusual health issues and all of the illegally modded children were rounded up and placed in a group home on a boat, The Mermaid, with volunteer caretaker, Constance. Ever vigilant and overprotective, Constance slowly cut off all of the kids from the rest of the world. Now, as kids living off of the coast of the slowly sinking Spoonbill Island, Turtle and the other teenage Mer scavenge drowned houses in order to sell items for Constance. However, on Constance's last scavenging trip, a chance encounter with a human diver will change her perspective on being a Mer and lead her on a fight for rights in a changing world.
Sea Change is a young adult, speculative fiction story that delves much deeper than romance. In the beginning, Turtle seems like a very typical teen, concerned about romance, friendships and her own internal struggles. While she values her ability as a Mer, she also longs for connection with the "normal" world, especially after meeting Kai, a human boy. Her desire to reunite with her family, from whom Constance has isolated her, is also a driving force. I found it engaging to learn about the daily life aboard The Mermaid and the different Mer's viewpoints on their unique existence and interactions with human society. Although the budding romance between Turtle and Kai, and the decisions Turtle makes as a result, appear to be central to the plot, the narrative extends beyond this. The story skillfully explores the complexities of the situation on Spoonbill Island, where there isn't a clear antagonist. The choices made by different characters, including Constance's overprotective actions that lead to isolation and the subsequent prejudice from the outside world, are presented with understandable, albeit flawed, intentions. The Mer children are victims of non-consensual genetic modification, leading to their separation from society and eventual displacement. Turtle's personal journey, as she navigates her identity between the Mer community and the human world, creates a compelling dynamic as she strives to help the Mer survive and reconnect with their families while also seeking her own place within the family she lost. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change serves as a significant backdrop, influencing the characters' decisions as they grapple with survival in a sinking world.
Overall, *Sea Change* is a thought-provoking story that delves into themes of acceptance, prejudice, and the impact of climate change.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Sea Change is a young adult, speculative fiction story that delves much deeper than romance. In the beginning, Turtle seems like a very typical teen, concerned about romance, friendships and her own internal struggles. While she values her ability as a Mer, she also longs for connection with the "normal" world, especially after meeting Kai, a human boy. Her desire to reunite with her family, from whom Constance has isolated her, is also a driving force. I found it engaging to learn about the daily life aboard The Mermaid and the different Mer's viewpoints on their unique existence and interactions with human society. Although the budding romance between Turtle and Kai, and the decisions Turtle makes as a result, appear to be central to the plot, the narrative extends beyond this. The story skillfully explores the complexities of the situation on Spoonbill Island, where there isn't a clear antagonist. The choices made by different characters, including Constance's overprotective actions that lead to isolation and the subsequent prejudice from the outside world, are presented with understandable, albeit flawed, intentions. The Mer children are victims of non-consensual genetic modification, leading to their separation from society and eventual displacement. Turtle's personal journey, as she navigates her identity between the Mer community and the human world, creates a compelling dynamic as she strives to help the Mer survive and reconnect with their families while also seeking her own place within the family she lost. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change serves as a significant backdrop, influencing the characters' decisions as they grapple with survival in a sinking world.
Overall, *Sea Change* is a thought-provoking story that delves into themes of acceptance, prejudice, and the impact of climate change.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
RSS Feed
