A Song Below Water
A Novel
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3 Months Free
Buy Now for £14.37
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Narrated by:
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Andrea Laing
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Jennifer Haralson
Bethany C. Morrow's A Song Below Water is the story for today’s listeners — a captivating modern fantasy about black mermaids, friendship, and self-discovery set against the challenges of today's racism and sexism.
In a society determined to keep her under lock and key, Tavia must hide her siren powers.
Meanwhile, Effie is fighting her own family struggles, pitted against literal demons from her past. Together, these best friends must navigate through the perils of high school’s junior year.
But everything changes in the aftermath of a siren murder trial that rocks the nation, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical voice at the worst possible moment.
Soon, nothing in Portland, Oregon, seems safe. To save themselves from drowning, it’s only Tavia and Effie’s unbreakable sisterhood that proves to be the strongest magic of all.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Teen
“An enthralling tale of black girl magic and searing social commentary ready to rattle the bones.” — Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles
Continue the series
Critic reviews
“I love this book so, so much! Bethany C. Morrow delivers a blistering modern classic with this gorgeous tale of friendship and power. A Song Below Water somehow manages to be intensely happy and sad at the same time and all in the balance of great, riveting storytelling. The best YA novel I've read all year.” — Daniel José Older, New York Times bestselling author of Shadowshaper
“Morrow masterfully blends the real lives of Black girls in contemporary Portland with a mythic world of sirens, gargoyles and other supernatural creatures to create a compelling coming-of-age story in which two sisters, bound by love and fate, find their voices and their power.” —Rebecca Roanhorse, Hugo, Nebula and John W. Campbell Award Winner, author of Trail of Lightning
“Empowering and full of surprises, A Song Below Water reminds us how important it is to use our voices, even when we’re afraid. Morrow has created a world that’s both familiar and brimming with fantastical creatures, and the result is timely, necessary, and utterly captivating.” —Akemi Dawn Bowman, award-winning author of Starfish and Summer Bird Blue
“The world is lush and intense, the voice intoxicating, and the message eternal. Morrow will have you under her spell from page one.” — L.L. McKinney, author of A Blade So Black and A Dream So Dark
“A lush, colorful, and deeply moving masterpiece. An irresistible and perfectly bewitching read that I couldn't put down!” —Jay Coles, composer and critically-acclaimed author of Tyler Johnson Was Here
“A compelling tale packed with endlessly inventive magical concepts, blazingly current social commentary, and heroines you'll fall hopelessly in love with. I'm obsessed.” — Sarah Kuhn, author of Heroine Complex series and finalist for the John W. Campbell Award
“A rich, intricate dive into mythology, misogynoir, and the way the world makes black girls out to be monsters. Like the siren's song, A Song Below Water is irresistibly compelling.” —Heidi Heilig, award-winning author of For a Muse of Fire and The Girl from Everywhere
“Morrow seamlessly blends timely topics with timeless myths in a story that will convince readers of the power of their voice.” —Parker Peevyhouse, author of The Echo Room
Random but somehow interesting
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Lots of triggery things, racial violence and oppression of minorities and parental death and lots of skin picking/trich triggers and manipulative adults
But this book is so fantastic and I loved it so much even when it made me cry. The characters are rich and deep and I really hope there is more of their story
so good!
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Sirens, gargoyles and other mythical creatures
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Excellent performance
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I am too tired to give this incredible book the review it deserves, so for now I will say that this one of the most readable and intimate stories of two unconventional sisters trying to understand themselves and the world, and one of the heaviest and most difficult reading experiences I have had due to the completely unfiltered and honest portrayal of racism and abuse with intimate personal reflection and visceral emotion. I genuinely had to take breaks and ended up triggering my C-PTSD and getting on the edge of having a panic attack -- this is on me for not making myself as aware of the CWs as I should and I only include to show the impact this book has on me.
I am really confused by some of the lukewarm responses to this blistering novel, as well as some seemingly odd and rather subjective responses to the fantastic elements, worldbuilding, and narrative. Nothing is perfect and this book does have it's flaws, but this novel is packed with quality, heart, and searing, exquisite depictions of emotion, as well as the frank and powerful discussion and exploration of seriously important topics. I have never read a YA novel that treats its intended audience with as much respect, honestly, and maturity.
Morrow truly is a master of their craft and I need to read everything she publishes. I will absolutely be picking up the second book in this series once I have had some time and space to process this one.
I'm just blown away and wish I wasn't so tired and writing this review with only one eye and a few braincells. I will have more thoughts and try to do this spectacular book more justice another time.
Heartbreaking, Hopeful & Unflinchingly Confronting
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