Challenge Corner discussion

Oh alright, I know we set it for the 16th but I'm finally beginning the book and yay, I am excited! :D

So, things are getting rough. 29% (view spoiler)[I like the The-Little-Mermaid effect that is coming into play right now but I'm curious as to how this is going to play out. With Elain now knowing things about her, for example, how she knows the tongue, there's going to be a helluva lot to answer for. I'm very curious to see how she will survive all of this. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-9: (view spoiler)[ It took me a few chapters to get into it, but I really like the actual enemies part of this enemies-to-lovers. I'm curious how they'll fall for each other since they're on opposite sides of an invisible war.

I think it may be a little predictable since it gave away a lot of lore at the beginning that lets me infer what'll happen, but I don't think I mind. (hide spoiler)]

Not sure if it still counts for BR but 🤷

Chapters 10-20: (view spoiler)[ I like that Elian doesn't lose his mind over a pretty girl in the sea and treats her with caution and suspicion. Well, apart from the momentary distraction when she speaks her mother tongue.

I'm also pretty impressed that Elian managed to make a deal and figure out a better deal that can nullify the first one.
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Chapter 21-30: (view spoiler)[ I like how Lira, while at first buying what her mother was selling, has begun to question her deeply held beliefs. Does she really want to the daughter her mother tried to raise her to be or if she wants to be a little more humane? What makes a good ruler?

I can't wait to see how Elian will react to finding out who Lira really is and how much she'll change by then. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31-43: (view spoiler)[Overall, I really liked it. There were some nice elements that grounded it as a retelling (e.g. losing her voice, becoming human, washing up around the ship) but it was still it's own thing. The world-building and lore was really fun to explore.

My only complaint is that it was very predictable and that the ending was rushed. There wasn't much time to digest how they'd begin a truce between sea folk and humans. It was also hard to determine how long the time skip was in the last chapter. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-14 (view spoiler)[
I don't read very many mermaid or siren books, but this is the first one where the main character is a killer. Usually they are portrayed as shy creatures who dream about being human, so this one is definitely a take on mermaids/sirens that I haven't read before. The two viewpoints, one human and one a siren, is also good to provide perspective of the two sides. I have to say, I am definitely intrigued so far. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 15-21 (view spoiler)[
I feel bad that Lira's mother is the Sea Queen. She has been raised to think any human emotion is bad, and if she showed any of this "weakness" she was punished. I really hope Lira can choose a different path than her mother and perhaps restore some sense of peace between humans and sirens. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 22-32 (view spoiler)[
I love Elian and Lira together. Not just like, oh they're so cute because there is some attraction there, but more like they complement each other. I like their little quips and jokes to one another. I hope when Elian finds out what Lira is doesn’t go too badly… although I wouldn't really blame him if he does get upset. She did save him life, though. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 33-43 (view spoiler)[
I sometimes don't like mermaid books, but this was really good. I was quite satisfied with that ending. I was nervous that this book, that had been great so far, was going to let me down. Elian finding out about Lira's true identity went smoother than I anticipated. Also, I am glad that this is a standalone and not dragged out into a series. (hide spoiler)]