A Song Below Water (A Song Below Water, #1) in Into the Forest

Sep 06, 2020 Shomeret rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, mythology

I read and reviewed Bethany C. Morrow's first novel Mem . That review indicates my ambivalence about the book. The themes, the characters and the powerful narrative got my endorsement, but I found the concept unworkable. As a first effort it was really quite good though flawed. I was looking forward to seeing what Morrow would do next. That's why I checked out A Song Below Water from the library and read it at my first opportunity.

I was thoroughly impressed with Morrow's world building in this I read and reviewed Bethany C. Morrow's first novel Mem . That review indicates my ambivalence about the book. The themes, the characters and the powerful narrative got my endorsement, but I found the concept unworkable. As a first effort it was really quite good though flawed. I was looking forward to seeing what Morrow would do next. That's why I checked out A Song Below Water from the library and read it at my first opportunity.

I was thoroughly impressed with Morrow's world building in this YA alternate universe fantasy. She develops several different types of supernatural species. Her premise, according to the Acknowledgements, was "What if all sirens were Black girls?" This is a transformative vision for a familiar myth. The alternate history aspect is introduced through references to sirens in the 1960's Civil Rights movement who were vilified and legally persecuted. This bigotry against sirens continued into the present. At one point, a prominent siren felt she had to say that "Black lives don't matter until siren lives do." So this is a very African American centered book in its concepts and themes. There aren't enough fantasy novels with this focus, and there should be.

There are two protagonists. One is Tavia, the siren main character. Effie, the other protagonist, was created by Morrow's friend Jen French, who Morrow calls an unofficial twin in the Acknowledgements. When I read what Morrow had written about Jen French, it seemed to me that the deep sisterly relationship between Tavia and Effie was modeled on Bethany C. Morrow's relationship with Jen French. Other reviewers have commented on how beautiful it was. Tavia showed her loyalty toward Effie through her actions. That's what I consider a sign of genuine commitment toward another individual.

Honestly, I thought this book had everything. This novel deals with issues that have arisen as a result of endemic racism that exists throughout American society. A Song Below Water also had intense relationship scenes and light entertaining moments. There was ordinary teen life, and fantastical events that could only happen to characters with paranormal gifts. I loved the protagonists, and learned a great deal from being immersed in their lives.

For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2... ...more

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Sep 23, 2020 Margaret rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, audiobook, fairytale-myth-inspired, contemporary-fantasy, aoc

Considering the verdict that just passed for Breonna Taylor's killers, this book is very timely. It opens with a Black woman's murder being justified because she might've been a siren. Tavia is a siren in hiding, and its clear why, with everyone defending the idea of murdering a siren as being self-defense. Her adopted sister Effie has something going on with her too, though they haven't figured out what. Some magical humanoids are okay, but sirens are feared. A lot of that fear is because siren ...more

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