Fantasy · Mystery · YA

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Lori Carroll
Buy a copy

Grade: 4

Disclaimer: If you are reading this review and you live in the United States, most likely this book is going to bring up some emotions. The storyline of Sirens and other supernatural people are woven into the Civil Rights movement and the current Black Lives Matter movement. There is a trial happening in the background of the book that was similar to a trial occurring while I was reading that had an interesting emotional impact. While I recommend this book, you might experience additional trauma in reading and should consider carefully before starting. 

While all sorts of supernatural beings exist in this world, Sirens are considered to be extremely dangerous and therefore Sirens choose to keep their existence a secret. Tavia’s family has worked at keeping the fact that Tavia is a Siren a secret for most of her life. When Effie is  adopted by Tavia’s family after her Mom died, she is looped in, but has no problem keeping it a secret. Tavia and Effie quickly become sisters at heart. While Tavia keeps a secret from the world about her identity, Effie discovers the people in her world have been keeping secrets about her from her. 

I absolutely loved the sisterhood between Tavia and Effie. I’m a sucker for chosen families, and you know these girls will be together forever.

The intertwining of the history of Civil Rights and the current BLM with supernatural beings history and acceptance was incredibly well thought out.

There are mysteries about Effie’s history throughout the story that give some good twists, which means there isn’t much I can share without ruining the read. I appreciated how it was done, so you just wanted to keep going and find out what was happening.

The only real stumbling block for me was the pacing of the beginning of the book. There was quite a bit of information not provided about the world itself, which pulled you out of the story to try to figure out if you missed something. There was one specific side character that every time she came on to the page something was missing from her story. It made for a lot of stops and starts in the reading of the book.

Bottom line: Worth a read!

Lori Carroll

Lori Carroll

Owner at Jan's
Starting late in life reading, Lori made up for it by becoming a voracious reader. Recently she bought an established bookstore in Beaverton, OR and now spends her day surrounded by nothing but books and booklovers!
Lori Carroll

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