Sadly, I hated the ending of The Sea in You. And the boyfriend deserved more than a punch in the jaw (I’m with Skylla, hit him with a rock)!


I start my review out with such strong feelings because that is what this originally webcomic now full book (but I read via an online reader copy on Edelweiss) did to me. Gave me strong feelings. I had all the emotions from liking Corinth to not liking her to liking her… ; from liking Skylla to not liking to …. ; and that boyfriend? Seriously, he has a crappy life, but to do Corinth that way? And those friends of his put up with him? Or is he just an a-hole to Corinth? (And btw, the boyfriend will now be known as ButtHead as he shall not be given the honor of the title friend, or a real name). And the family of Crointh has some things going on that really set the tone and what is needed for the story. I understand why the mother is deaf (she is pretty awesome and I like how it is handled very tastefully) as we need our heroine to know ASL, but I was a bit surprised at first. I liked the idea of Corinth being a sweet kid who just wants to clean up the beach and finds a lot more. There is so much more, but to tell you is to tell you the story and you need to read this yourself.

Jessi Sheron has created a clever retelling of The Little Mermaid with a Sapphic twist. Corinth acts a bit older than her said age of 15, but also, she’s very immature and naive. This is part of the reason I never loved her but I did enjoy going on the journey with her. I have some questions about the characters, mostly as I want to understand the “bigger picture” (why is the mother mermaid that large? There are multiple mermaid Fathers and they are smaller than the children? The bandmates of ButtHead who are they? Do we have a little background on Corinth’s parents?) This book is an experience read that I wish I had the completed story arc to experience. Where is book two??


Book two is needed for no other reason than to fix that ending! Oh sure, I was loving the blue that flowed and splashed off the page, as it just made for one more amazing illustration. These things are a fun combination of colors and swirls and lines and emotions and feelings. They are mystical and over the top and even when they are not overly detailed they are busy and telling. In other words, they are nice.

This is my seventh read from Iron Circus Comics and I have a few others on my TBR. These books run the gamut of different styles, but all are edgy and interesting. The Sea in You is a bit younger than the others, but not for sensitive or young readers as there are images of mental and physical abuse, there are tense real and fantasy scenes, and while I am sure that teens have read and/or seen worse, the concept might be a bit “much” for some readers. With that said, I am comfortable with saying ages 13 and up would be good.
