3.25 stars

I was dying to read this based on the description. Seriously, what is not to like about a modern-day YA fantasy filled with sirens, gargoyles, and other supernatural creatures? I also was very intrigued by the use of high fantasy as a backdrop for some incredibly powerful, relevant, and modern social issues, including but not limited to racism, profiling, and misogynoir.

For all of the reasons, themes, and genres noted, I really enjoyed this book. However, I found it to be so incredibly slow as a result of weird, in my opinion, needless interludes. As soon as I got invested in a character or story line, there was a section that felt tangential. It's like I was dancing to the beat of a different author the whole time I was reading and could never really get on track here with the too-slow pacing.

Aside from this issue - which admittedly really impacted my view of the text overall - I liked so much about this book. It feels fresh in a way I haven't experienced for a minute.

This was a really interesting take on a fantasy novel, where race issues come into apply along with the supernatural elements. I liked the two main characters, I always like elements of fantasy, and I enjoyed the issues presented. It is a book with some depth (pardon the pun) that allows for some good discussions and questions, but also has the fun of mixing magic with our real life.

A refreshing take on mermaids with real issues. The main characters are some much needed voices especially in today's world.

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow has a refreshing magic system, exploring creatures that are usually ignored in YA fantasy. This is a book I will be recommending for a 13-15-year-old audience. The characters dealt with systematic oppression, teenage girl drama, school crushes, family drama, ex-boyfriends, and secret magical identities. More urban fantasy needs to be explored because there are opportunities to talk about social structures like this book did.

There was a lot of info dumping, which made for a clunky read. Some fantasy elements were introduced naturally, while others had paragraphs of character or magical history, which distracted from the main plot. The external conflicts were far more engaging than internal conflicts. And the character voices were not distinct enough. I was 50% of the way through when I finally learned the difference between our two protagonists.

I, a 26-year-old woman worried about getting laid off and going to graduate school before my parents' require my assistance, am in a completely different place than our two teenaged protagonists. So my inability to connect to our protagonists could come from my age. However, I think a younger audience would eat this book up.

So beautifully and effortlessly written! One thing I felt appreciated about this book that makes me excited to share it with my students is the way Morrow weaves in elements of the character’s cultural identity without it being overwrought. The book is full of relatable references to black life and struggle, of gentrification and segregated communities, while also containing a fantastical and compelling story of the sirens. Highly recommend!

This book was so interesting! I really don't think I've ever read anything like it. This story takes place in an alternate Portland, Oregon- imagine if not only did America have all the social and racial equity issues that we already do, and throw in kids as magical creatures like sirens, sprites, elokos, etc, Tavia is a siren, but goes to great lengths to hide it, and her best friend Effie is showing strange tendencies of something possibly even more rare. It's a LOT for the two of them to navigate- balancing their marginalized supernatural identities with their black teenaged girl identities, and at times, it's a lot for the book to balance as well. I have to say that some parts did not totally click for me. I loved the characters, pacing, and plot, but at times when it leaned hard into the realistic stuff, invoking state and domestic violence cases that happened in real life, it almost felt like the magic stuff didn't need to layer on top of it. And when it leaned into the magical side of things, it was never quite as playful as I hoped it would be. Because of this, the conclusion fell just a tad bit flat to me. I think this might have been an expectation management issue-I think I was expecting something just a little more light-hearted and comedic, and this book is less so. I have to say that I absolutely adored the use of gargoyles in this story, I freaking love gargoyles and they are underutilized in literature. I also loved the friendship between Tavia and Effie, it was beautiful. Despite wanting a little more cohesion in the tone, I'd describe this narrative as powerful, unique, and searing piece of speculative fiction.

This book has mythology woven within it. Which was interesting to someone that knows nothing about mythology. Also I appreciate how it was a refreshing angle of not just a fairytale retelling.

The changing of perspectives each chapter between the two main characters was done well.

A Song Below Water is the best of the YA genre right now. The story is thoughtfully political, has an interesting fantasy world that grows and evolves, and the characters are complex and realistic. There is no candy coating on this book. It tells a gritty YA story full of heart and suspense. This is my new go-to recommendation for people of all genre backgrounds, especially those who haven't clicked with YA before. A Breathtaking novel.

Review to be posted upon publication.

Reality and mythos blend together perfectly. Adopted sisters bound by water a d secrets. Both mythical creatures but only one of them knows. This story explores hate towards those that are different, love that can conquer the greatest insecurity, and growing into one's true skin. This was n awesome, read. It draws you in and does not let go. You will wonder if there will be more stories and you will want more. Moral, treat everyone how you want to be treated. You never know who can save you or awaken your true self.

What a brilliant way to explore current social issues in a fantasy (but still real world) setting!! Tavia and Effie are both fun and interesting characters, and the world of this story is so richly developed.