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Sea Change
The unhappy child of two powerful parents who despise each other, young Lilly turns to the ocean to find solace, which she finds in the form of the eloquent and intelligent sea monster Octavius, a kraken. In Octavius’s many arms, Lilly learns of friendship, loyalty, and family. When Octavius, forbidden by Lilly to harm humans, is captured by seafaring traders and sold to a circus, Lilly becomes his only hope for salvation. Desperate to find him, she strikes a bargain with a witch that carries a shocking price.
Her journey to win Octavius’s freedom is difficult. The circus master wants a Coat of Illusions; the Coat tailor wants her undead husband back from a witch; the witch wants her skin back from two bandits; the bandits just want some company, but they might kill her first. Lilly's quest tests her resolve, tries her patience, and leaves her transformed in every way.
Her journey to win Octavius’s freedom is difficult. The circus master wants a Coat of Illusions; the Coat tailor wants her undead husband back from a witch; the witch wants her skin back from two bandits; the bandits just want some company, but they might kill her first. Lilly's quest tests her resolve, tries her patience, and leaves her transformed in every way.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2013
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August 23, 2013
**I received a free copy of Sea Change from Tor in exchange for an honest review.**
A fantasy bildungsroman, Sea Change follows the isolated, lonely and headstrong protagonist, Lilly, as she explores the limits of friendship. Born into a prosperous house to parents who fight as fiercely as they once loved, Lilly is a disappointment to her father because she is not the male heir for whom he hoped and the birthmark that blemishes half of her face ostracizes her from the townspeople who fear she is a witch. It is not until she meets Octavius, a young kraken who can appreciate the beauty of her intelligence and compassion, that Lilly finds a kindred spirit with whom she can share her innermost self. When Octavius disappears and trouble at home forces Lilly to choose loyalties, she sets off on a quest to free the only true friend she's ever known--but the price may be more than she's willing to pay.
With its dark fairy tale quality, female protagonist, and unusual take on gender roles, Sea Change should have been a safe bet for me. And while S.M. Wheeler certainly creates a fantastic journey for Lilly and does not shy away from the more horrific, gruesome aspects of life, the novel struck me as being somewhat uneven. The transitions that occur in Lilly's life are indeed sea changes, often abrupt and unpredictable events that turn her entire life upside down, but the result was that I often felt as though I was reading a disjointed narrative. Certain events are given too much weight (such as the lengthy interlude with the bandits, during which Lilly's original intent for being there--a bit of clever trickery on her part regarding promised wealth in exchange for her life--is forgotten for several pages), and others are sadly given too little (the kraken appears very seldom in the book and only serves as the motivation for Lilly to undertake a quest that leads to self-discovery).
I also found Wheeler's syntax and phrasing to be confusing, often cluttered or inverted for no particular reason or to any desired effect. There are also several instances where references are made to people, objects, or events as though the reader should remember them from a previous mention--which never existed. By the end, I still found myself re-reading sentences and grasping for the meaning.
Despite this, I found myself experiencing a sea change in regard to the book once Lilly set off on her quest. Whereas I found the beginning overly long and tedious, Lilly's adventures after leaving home became compelling and I looked forward to seeing what peculiar character Wheeler would introduce us to next: a skinned witch, a troll who exacts an unthinkable price, a pair of homosexual bandits (I particularly enjoyed Wheeler's depictions of sexuality and the domestic, devoted relationship between these two men--even though they were every bit as violent as Neverwhere's Vandemar and Croup), the dark-wife who dines on memory, a zombie tailor whose specialty is the sought after Coat of Illusion, and many others. After a time, though, it seemed that too much was being crammed into one book. Some restraint in the number of characters may have resulted in a more streamlined narrative that was able to showcase these characters in all of their macabre and magical glory.
I look forward to reading Wheeler's next novel as there is a lot of promise in Sea Change, but there's also a lot of room to grow.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
A fantasy bildungsroman, Sea Change follows the isolated, lonely and headstrong protagonist, Lilly, as she explores the limits of friendship. Born into a prosperous house to parents who fight as fiercely as they once loved, Lilly is a disappointment to her father because she is not the male heir for whom he hoped and the birthmark that blemishes half of her face ostracizes her from the townspeople who fear she is a witch. It is not until she meets Octavius, a young kraken who can appreciate the beauty of her intelligence and compassion, that Lilly finds a kindred spirit with whom she can share her innermost self. When Octavius disappears and trouble at home forces Lilly to choose loyalties, she sets off on a quest to free the only true friend she's ever known--but the price may be more than she's willing to pay.
With its dark fairy tale quality, female protagonist, and unusual take on gender roles, Sea Change should have been a safe bet for me. And while S.M. Wheeler certainly creates a fantastic journey for Lilly and does not shy away from the more horrific, gruesome aspects of life, the novel struck me as being somewhat uneven. The transitions that occur in Lilly's life are indeed sea changes, often abrupt and unpredictable events that turn her entire life upside down, but the result was that I often felt as though I was reading a disjointed narrative. Certain events are given too much weight (such as the lengthy interlude with the bandits, during which Lilly's original intent for being there--a bit of clever trickery on her part regarding promised wealth in exchange for her life--is forgotten for several pages), and others are sadly given too little (the kraken appears very seldom in the book and only serves as the motivation for Lilly to undertake a quest that leads to self-discovery).
I also found Wheeler's syntax and phrasing to be confusing, often cluttered or inverted for no particular reason or to any desired effect. There are also several instances where references are made to people, objects, or events as though the reader should remember them from a previous mention--which never existed. By the end, I still found myself re-reading sentences and grasping for the meaning.
Despite this, I found myself experiencing a sea change in regard to the book once Lilly set off on her quest. Whereas I found the beginning overly long and tedious, Lilly's adventures after leaving home became compelling and I looked forward to seeing what peculiar character Wheeler would introduce us to next: a skinned witch, a troll who exacts an unthinkable price, a pair of homosexual bandits (I particularly enjoyed Wheeler's depictions of sexuality and the domestic, devoted relationship between these two men--even though they were every bit as violent as Neverwhere's Vandemar and Croup), the dark-wife who dines on memory, a zombie tailor whose specialty is the sought after Coat of Illusion, and many others. After a time, though, it seemed that too much was being crammed into one book. Some restraint in the number of characters may have resulted in a more streamlined narrative that was able to showcase these characters in all of their macabre and magical glory.
I look forward to reading Wheeler's next novel as there is a lot of promise in Sea Change, but there's also a lot of room to grow.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
June 2, 2013
Many thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the galley copy (via NetGalley)
A lonely eight-year-old girl named Lilly encounters a young kraken on the shore and decides to name it Octavius. Their friendship has a negative correlation to her relationship with her parents: as she and Octavius grow closer, Lilly is distanced from her family, especially her father. Years later, when Octavius is captured and sold to a circus master, Lilly embarks on a journey to save her dearest friend, a quest that will transform her and comes with a heavy price.
Before you decide to read S.M. Wheeler's debut novel, I suggest checking out this lengthy excerpt from the publisher's website. The reason for this is because Ms. Wheeler's writing style is rather lyrical; that is the best way I can describe it and it could very well get in the way of someone's personal enjoyment. This type of prose is not for everyone--I admit that it took me some time to fully settle into it--but I can wholeheartedly say that the style perfectly suits the story. The descriptions were vivid and full of detail: whether the author was describing Lilly's seaside home or the skinless witch Ms. Gottschalk, conjuring up these images in my head was an easy feat--perhaps almost too easy, since I can still clearly picture the witch's oozing body of muscles, tendons, and sinew, all pink and red.
Though Lilly is already a young woman by the time she begins her rescue mission, I would still classify this as a coming of age story due to the many challenges Lilly faces on her way to save Octavius. She encounters a troll, a witch, a "dark woman," automata (which are basically re-animated dead people, but not zombies), and other humans who are nearly as dangerous as the aforementioned creatures. She is changed, literally and figuratively, throughout her crusade and she handles adversity with unflagging politeness and a quiet, unshakable strength. I kept waiting for her to break, but she doesn't. On the surface she is an atypical heroine, but her singlemindedness, determination, adaptability, loyalty, bravery, and willingness to sacrifice pretty much anything for the sake of saving her friend makes Lilly a truly remarkable character, a protagonist worth rooting for. The fact that there is a sheen of vulnerability and loneliness shrouding her tenacity makes her even more appealing.
I do have one small complaint: I felt that Lilly stayed too long with the two bandits, Mr. Duerr and Mr. Kunze. This is a minor lament, however, one that others may not agree with. Even as I worried that she would forget about Octavius the longer she remained under their service, I understood that her time with them was beneficial to her character growth. Of course, this knowledge didn't stop me from (foolishly) yelling at her to hurry, for her dear kraken could already be dead and her entire ordeal would be for naught.
With lyrical prose, an admirable protagonist, and a story that doesn't sugarcoat the hardships of sacrifice, friendship, and love, Sea Change is just the right offering for those who are looking for a novel with fairy tale elements written for an adult audience.
A lonely eight-year-old girl named Lilly encounters a young kraken on the shore and decides to name it Octavius. Their friendship has a negative correlation to her relationship with her parents: as she and Octavius grow closer, Lilly is distanced from her family, especially her father. Years later, when Octavius is captured and sold to a circus master, Lilly embarks on a journey to save her dearest friend, a quest that will transform her and comes with a heavy price.
Before you decide to read S.M. Wheeler's debut novel, I suggest checking out this lengthy excerpt from the publisher's website. The reason for this is because Ms. Wheeler's writing style is rather lyrical; that is the best way I can describe it and it could very well get in the way of someone's personal enjoyment. This type of prose is not for everyone--I admit that it took me some time to fully settle into it--but I can wholeheartedly say that the style perfectly suits the story. The descriptions were vivid and full of detail: whether the author was describing Lilly's seaside home or the skinless witch Ms. Gottschalk, conjuring up these images in my head was an easy feat--perhaps almost too easy, since I can still clearly picture the witch's oozing body of muscles, tendons, and sinew, all pink and red.
Though Lilly is already a young woman by the time she begins her rescue mission, I would still classify this as a coming of age story due to the many challenges Lilly faces on her way to save Octavius. She encounters a troll, a witch, a "dark woman," automata (which are basically re-animated dead people, but not zombies), and other humans who are nearly as dangerous as the aforementioned creatures. She is changed, literally and figuratively, throughout her crusade and she handles adversity with unflagging politeness and a quiet, unshakable strength. I kept waiting for her to break, but she doesn't. On the surface she is an atypical heroine, but her singlemindedness, determination, adaptability, loyalty, bravery, and willingness to sacrifice pretty much anything for the sake of saving her friend makes Lilly a truly remarkable character, a protagonist worth rooting for. The fact that there is a sheen of vulnerability and loneliness shrouding her tenacity makes her even more appealing.
I do have one small complaint: I felt that Lilly stayed too long with the two bandits, Mr. Duerr and Mr. Kunze. This is a minor lament, however, one that others may not agree with. Even as I worried that she would forget about Octavius the longer she remained under their service, I understood that her time with them was beneficial to her character growth. Of course, this knowledge didn't stop me from (foolishly) yelling at her to hurry, for her dear kraken could already be dead and her entire ordeal would be for naught.
With lyrical prose, an admirable protagonist, and a story that doesn't sugarcoat the hardships of sacrifice, friendship, and love, Sea Change is just the right offering for those who are looking for a novel with fairy tale elements written for an adult audience.
July 21, 2013
I won an ARC from tor.com. Bargain!
This is a dark, weird book that is unlike anything else I've read. I think the closest I can come to a comparison is some of the short fiction of Caitlin Kiernan. I stayed up late finishing it, and I love me some sleep. In the end, this is a book about love and friendship that raises a lot of thorny moral questions it doesn't answer. It's immersive while you're reading it and gives you a lot to chew on afterward. So, yeah, basically it's brilliant. But not necessarily for everyone. Which leads me to my only critique of this book: the marketing.
My wife spotted me reading this from across the room and said, "are you reading Eat Pray Love?" kind of derisively. So there's problem number one. Then there's the blurb, above. When I got to "in Octavius' many arms.." I nearly didn't open the book. It sounds like some cheeseball beauty and the beast love story, and while it's about love, it also features skinless witches and undead tailors and a particularly gruesome and transformative encounter with a troll. I applaud Tor for taking a chance on this book, but I'm really afraid that the promotion is going to backfire. Trying to make this look like the fantasy Eat Pray Love is going to turn off readers who would love this book, and the book itself is far too weird for people who think they're getting a gentle love story.
But the book is fantastic, and as long as you're okay with the skinless witches and grusome troll encounters and such, I highly recommend it.
This is a dark, weird book that is unlike anything else I've read. I think the closest I can come to a comparison is some of the short fiction of Caitlin Kiernan. I stayed up late finishing it, and I love me some sleep. In the end, this is a book about love and friendship that raises a lot of thorny moral questions it doesn't answer. It's immersive while you're reading it and gives you a lot to chew on afterward. So, yeah, basically it's brilliant. But not necessarily for everyone. Which leads me to my only critique of this book: the marketing.
My wife spotted me reading this from across the room and said, "are you reading Eat Pray Love?" kind of derisively. So there's problem number one. Then there's the blurb, above. When I got to "in Octavius' many arms.." I nearly didn't open the book. It sounds like some cheeseball beauty and the beast love story, and while it's about love, it also features skinless witches and undead tailors and a particularly gruesome and transformative encounter with a troll. I applaud Tor for taking a chance on this book, but I'm really afraid that the promotion is going to backfire. Trying to make this look like the fantasy Eat Pray Love is going to turn off readers who would love this book, and the book itself is far too weird for people who think they're getting a gentle love story.
But the book is fantastic, and as long as you're okay with the skinless witches and grusome troll encounters and such, I highly recommend it.
March 4, 2019
Lilly befriends a kraken as a child and this strange friendship results in several grim adventures.
Wow! This is a dark fairy tale, Brothers Grimm style. There are few 'fun' moments and lots of disturbingly dangerous ones. Lilly's life is a hard one that really begins with her leaving her father's home because it's so awful. It only gets worse from there. But Lilly very much learns from her experiences and becomes a stronger person that I really respected by the end. She may not always think things through but she does not give up when people are relying on her.
Oftentimes, I'm not a fan of lyrical language. I'm making an exception for S.M. Wheeler - beautiful. It also is the reason I didn't give this five stars. It's not an easy read by any means. It's the kind of book that you have to fall into rather than skim along with. And while that's not easy, it's definitely worth it.
I'm disappointed to see that the author has not written another book. I'll be keeping an eye out because I was impressed with this debut novel. S.M. Wheeler - more, please!
Wow! This is a dark fairy tale, Brothers Grimm style. There are few 'fun' moments and lots of disturbingly dangerous ones. Lilly's life is a hard one that really begins with her leaving her father's home because it's so awful. It only gets worse from there. But Lilly very much learns from her experiences and becomes a stronger person that I really respected by the end. She may not always think things through but she does not give up when people are relying on her.
Oftentimes, I'm not a fan of lyrical language. I'm making an exception for S.M. Wheeler - beautiful. It also is the reason I didn't give this five stars. It's not an easy read by any means. It's the kind of book that you have to fall into rather than skim along with. And while that's not easy, it's definitely worth it.
I'm disappointed to see that the author has not written another book. I'll be keeping an eye out because I was impressed with this debut novel. S.M. Wheeler - more, please!
August 15, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: This had a refreshing new idea, but the writing style was confusing and the story was just too slow paced for me.
Opening Sentence: Acid flowed at the table more often than wine and had long since ceased to cause Lilly alarm; her attention remained on the soup even as Father asked, “Does the thought of me still pain your head, love?”
The Review:
Lilly is the daughter of a very rich merchant, and has been spoiled her whole life. Her mother is a very beautiful woman and unfortunately Lilly did not inherit her mother’s beauty. She has always been more plain and different. As a child she was very lonely and she sought comfort from the sea, where she happened to meet her best friend, Octavius. Octavius is a baby kraken. When Lilly meets him they grow up together experiencing much together. As they grow older it is hard for them to spend as much time together since Octavius has gotten so big that he has to travel out into the ocean for weeks at a time to find food, but he always comes back to Lilly. Then one time he doesn’t and it turns out he has been captured and Lilly will do anything to save her best friend. She goes on a wild adventure that takes her places she never imagined she would go and she does things she never thought she was capable of.
We get to see the story through Lilly’s eyes and she was an ok character for me. She is a shy girl that always does as she is told, but as she grows she develops a subtle strongness that I really liked. She is very loyal and keeps going even though things get hard at times. She grows significantly throughout the book, which I like, I just wish I could have liked her more through the whole book. My biggest problem was that she’s really not very memorable, there was nothing about her that made me really want to get to know her better. I wanted to like her more but I just couldn’t bring myself to care about her like I should have.
This book was just an okay read for me. The writing style is very different and really took some getting used to. Once I adjusted, I liked the style of writing, but it was also really confusing sometimes. There were moments where I would be reading a page and I would have no idea what the people were talking about, eventually it would make sense but I had to read it two or three times before it did. Another thing was that it took forever for anything significant to happen in the story so I had a really hard time getting through it. I did enjoy the setting and some of the characters, but overall this was just an okay read. Now that being said, I am sure there will be plenty of people who really enjoy this book, so if the synopsis sounds good give it a try.
Notable Scene:
The ocean wore a pungent cologne on summer days as hot as this, but Lilly would have tolerated a rotted sardine hung around her throat for the sake of the sunlight on her skin and a breeze to brush away sweat. On a scraggy- limbed bush she hung her shoes and broad- brimmed hat and hiked her skirt to knee- height with the use of a belt.
At their beach, Octavius greeted her by thrusting a much- rusted device towards her, something alike to the inner gears of a watch, though so sorely degraded that she found it di?cult to discern one piece from another. “I found it on a ship,” he said, “and I cannot understand what it is.”
“It seems . . .” She turned it over in her hand, careful of a sharp- edged barnacle that clung to the back. “Something like a clock, perhaps?”
“You do not know?” He curled a tentacle around her wrist, delicately retrieving the thing. “Why, I will have to return it. A human thing at the bottom of the sea is free to whoever takes it up, but it must be the product of a di?erent animal— one who, perhaps, meant to return to it.”
“You are not a very discerning thief to have chosen this of all sunken treasures,” she teased, touching the ridge of his brow; she no longer had to bend to do so. “I fear I am losing my function as your guide through the human world. Where you bring to me sights, I can only tell stories.”
“But what stories they are. You approached with an expression that said you have found another worth telling.” He swept a rock free of sea wrack and gestured grandly for her to sit.
FTC Advisory: Tor/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Sea Change. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This had a refreshing new idea, but the writing style was confusing and the story was just too slow paced for me.
Opening Sentence: Acid flowed at the table more often than wine and had long since ceased to cause Lilly alarm; her attention remained on the soup even as Father asked, “Does the thought of me still pain your head, love?”
The Review:
Lilly is the daughter of a very rich merchant, and has been spoiled her whole life. Her mother is a very beautiful woman and unfortunately Lilly did not inherit her mother’s beauty. She has always been more plain and different. As a child she was very lonely and she sought comfort from the sea, where she happened to meet her best friend, Octavius. Octavius is a baby kraken. When Lilly meets him they grow up together experiencing much together. As they grow older it is hard for them to spend as much time together since Octavius has gotten so big that he has to travel out into the ocean for weeks at a time to find food, but he always comes back to Lilly. Then one time he doesn’t and it turns out he has been captured and Lilly will do anything to save her best friend. She goes on a wild adventure that takes her places she never imagined she would go and she does things she never thought she was capable of.
We get to see the story through Lilly’s eyes and she was an ok character for me. She is a shy girl that always does as she is told, but as she grows she develops a subtle strongness that I really liked. She is very loyal and keeps going even though things get hard at times. She grows significantly throughout the book, which I like, I just wish I could have liked her more through the whole book. My biggest problem was that she’s really not very memorable, there was nothing about her that made me really want to get to know her better. I wanted to like her more but I just couldn’t bring myself to care about her like I should have.
This book was just an okay read for me. The writing style is very different and really took some getting used to. Once I adjusted, I liked the style of writing, but it was also really confusing sometimes. There were moments where I would be reading a page and I would have no idea what the people were talking about, eventually it would make sense but I had to read it two or three times before it did. Another thing was that it took forever for anything significant to happen in the story so I had a really hard time getting through it. I did enjoy the setting and some of the characters, but overall this was just an okay read. Now that being said, I am sure there will be plenty of people who really enjoy this book, so if the synopsis sounds good give it a try.
Notable Scene:
The ocean wore a pungent cologne on summer days as hot as this, but Lilly would have tolerated a rotted sardine hung around her throat for the sake of the sunlight on her skin and a breeze to brush away sweat. On a scraggy- limbed bush she hung her shoes and broad- brimmed hat and hiked her skirt to knee- height with the use of a belt.
At their beach, Octavius greeted her by thrusting a much- rusted device towards her, something alike to the inner gears of a watch, though so sorely degraded that she found it di?cult to discern one piece from another. “I found it on a ship,” he said, “and I cannot understand what it is.”
“It seems . . .” She turned it over in her hand, careful of a sharp- edged barnacle that clung to the back. “Something like a clock, perhaps?”
“You do not know?” He curled a tentacle around her wrist, delicately retrieving the thing. “Why, I will have to return it. A human thing at the bottom of the sea is free to whoever takes it up, but it must be the product of a di?erent animal— one who, perhaps, meant to return to it.”
“You are not a very discerning thief to have chosen this of all sunken treasures,” she teased, touching the ridge of his brow; she no longer had to bend to do so. “I fear I am losing my function as your guide through the human world. Where you bring to me sights, I can only tell stories.”
“But what stories they are. You approached with an expression that said you have found another worth telling.” He swept a rock free of sea wrack and gestured grandly for her to sit.
FTC Advisory: Tor/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Sea Change. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
August 6, 2013
3 1/2 stars.
SEA CHANGE is not your typical children’s’ fairytale. Upon reading the synopsis for the book, I was expecting a much tame happy-ever-after type of book. Let me tell you, I was surprised to find out that SEA CHANGE is more The Brothers Grimm than sugar coated Disney. The story started out pretty simple, a girl name Lily is mistreated by her evil parents but finds happiness and comfort in her friend Octavius who happens to be a kraken (yes folks, the sea monster). Octavius, Lily’s only friend and the person she most cares about in the entire world gets captured by a greedy circus master. In order to save Octavius, Lily must retrieve a magical coat that changes ones appearance.
Lily is one of the youngest and strongest characters I’ve ever read. Lily is only sixteen (at the start of the book) and the thing she goes through in SEA CHANGE is something no teen should ever go through. She loses the most important part of her that makes her a young woman, and then finds herself in servitude to a witch and a couple of vicious-dangerous bandits. Lily risks everything to save Octavius. Their friendship and loyalty to one another is beyond amazing because she goes further than the call of friendship responsibility. The obstacle that Lily faces not only changes her life, but also transforms her as a person…going from childhood to adulthood.
SEA CHANGE was definitely not my usual read; it was darker and more sinister than I expected. It is one part beautiful lyrical-poetic prose and another part weird and disturbingly detailed. Sea Change is certainly written for a more mature/adult audience. I highly recommend SEA CHANGE to those looking for a different, multilayered fantasy that evokes intellectual-deep thinking. SEA CHANGE is not for the faint of heart or someone looking for an easy-light read. I am curious to see more of S.M. Wells work, and will be on the lookout for any book published by her in the future.
SEA CHANGE is not your typical children’s’ fairytale. Upon reading the synopsis for the book, I was expecting a much tame happy-ever-after type of book. Let me tell you, I was surprised to find out that SEA CHANGE is more The Brothers Grimm than sugar coated Disney. The story started out pretty simple, a girl name Lily is mistreated by her evil parents but finds happiness and comfort in her friend Octavius who happens to be a kraken (yes folks, the sea monster). Octavius, Lily’s only friend and the person she most cares about in the entire world gets captured by a greedy circus master. In order to save Octavius, Lily must retrieve a magical coat that changes ones appearance.
Lily is one of the youngest and strongest characters I’ve ever read. Lily is only sixteen (at the start of the book) and the thing she goes through in SEA CHANGE is something no teen should ever go through. She loses the most important part of her that makes her a young woman, and then finds herself in servitude to a witch and a couple of vicious-dangerous bandits. Lily risks everything to save Octavius. Their friendship and loyalty to one another is beyond amazing because she goes further than the call of friendship responsibility. The obstacle that Lily faces not only changes her life, but also transforms her as a person…going from childhood to adulthood.
SEA CHANGE was definitely not my usual read; it was darker and more sinister than I expected. It is one part beautiful lyrical-poetic prose and another part weird and disturbingly detailed. Sea Change is certainly written for a more mature/adult audience. I highly recommend SEA CHANGE to those looking for a different, multilayered fantasy that evokes intellectual-deep thinking. SEA CHANGE is not for the faint of heart or someone looking for an easy-light read. I am curious to see more of S.M. Wells work, and will be on the lookout for any book published by her in the future.
July 4, 2013
http://openbooksociety.com/article/se...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie
Sea Change is probably one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read. I don’t think it can be classified as fantasy unless it’s “fantasize about disturbing things we do for friendship.” Honestly, I was horrified as I read through Sea Change, but hey, at least I finished it!
It’s gory, creepy, scary, disgusting, and yet amazingly addicting at the same time. I felt pretty disgusted at the plot; you won’t believe what Lilly goes through. Lots of simply horrifying, gory, graphic events that somehow add (or subtract) into this unbelievable story.
Lilly is quite a character. She’s so strong that it hurts to read about her. She is such a great friend; I wouldn’t feel worthy of her companionship. She might not have died for her friend Octavius, but she has gone through much worse. I don’t know about any better character. (Sorry mom, even you can’t beat Lilly!)
There’s quite a bit of description as well. I could literally picture every single object and scene. I could imagine every bit of the story perfectly, and I don’t even want to know if that’s a good thing or not. Man, it is honestly so grotesque that I can’t bear to think about it!
Guys (and gals), if you’re not easily grossed out, definitely check this book out and be humbled by such a character.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie
Sea Change is probably one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read. I don’t think it can be classified as fantasy unless it’s “fantasize about disturbing things we do for friendship.” Honestly, I was horrified as I read through Sea Change, but hey, at least I finished it!
It’s gory, creepy, scary, disgusting, and yet amazingly addicting at the same time. I felt pretty disgusted at the plot; you won’t believe what Lilly goes through. Lots of simply horrifying, gory, graphic events that somehow add (or subtract) into this unbelievable story.
Lilly is quite a character. She’s so strong that it hurts to read about her. She is such a great friend; I wouldn’t feel worthy of her companionship. She might not have died for her friend Octavius, but she has gone through much worse. I don’t know about any better character. (Sorry mom, even you can’t beat Lilly!)
There’s quite a bit of description as well. I could literally picture every single object and scene. I could imagine every bit of the story perfectly, and I don’t even want to know if that’s a good thing or not. Man, it is honestly so grotesque that I can’t bear to think about it!
Guys (and gals), if you’re not easily grossed out, definitely check this book out and be humbled by such a character.
May 30, 2016
BEST READS OF 2014
This book was beautiful, one of the best things I've read this year, and hauntingly stuck in my head. The prose was lyrical, the premise fantastically unique, and the ending gnawingly raw. Wheeler played with fairy tale themes in a way that feels familiar while introducing tales that were entirely original. I can't recommend it enough.
This book was beautiful, one of the best things I've read this year, and hauntingly stuck in my head. The prose was lyrical, the premise fantastically unique, and the ending gnawingly raw. Wheeler played with fairy tale themes in a way that feels familiar while introducing tales that were entirely original. I can't recommend it enough.
Want to read
March 6, 2013There is an except from this book on Tor.com and it looks amazing! I totally want a sea monster best friend.
http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/03/se...
http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/03/se...
February 28, 2019
Immernoch verwirrt. Sowas abgedrehtes :D
March 4, 2017
This book is very reminiscent of Hans Christian Anderson's work. If you're looking for a happy ending, then I suggest you look elsewhere. The main character goes on a quest to obtain the release of her captured friend, and many horrible things happen to her along the way. In the end, after all of the hardships she's endured, she wins her friend's freedom by relinquishing her memories of him in payment. I did enjoy the storyline, and the many interesting magical creatures therein....but it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down, and I didn't feel the need to rush back to it each time that I did. I've read much longer books, in a much shorter period of time. I kept falling asleep while reading it, so even though I did like it, that's why I've only given a 2 star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2017
Here's a book that reminds you that fairy tales were meant to be scary. They were meant to explain the unexplainable, and they were cautionary tales. Be polite to strangers, because you never know what power they might wield. Be cautious what you ask for- you might be taken literally. Sometimes, you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time and that's enough for punishment.
Lilly is a child with wildness in her heart. As a young girl, she befriends a small kraken, who becomes her best and possibly only friend. He loves her, and that helps her cope with a mother who feels imprisoned by her family and a father who resents her. Octavius (what else would an 8 year old name a kraken?) grows and becomes beautiful and powerful. But he won't hurt humans, because Lilly has asked him not to.
The friendship between these two was probably my favorite part of the story, and the set-up was the part I most enjoyed reading.
But nothing stays the same forever. Lilly leaves her home and Octavius is captured by a circus who displays him like their other exotic animals. Lilly seeks the help of a trollwife to find him, and has her first lesson in how to carefully phrase a request. She offers whatever is hers, and the troll takes her gender. Lilly is now perhaps able to travel more safely in the world than she could as a young woman, but she wasn't expecting such a loss. It's an interesting twist on the idea how exactly a young girl could accomplish some of the things that they do in fairy tales, but it also brings home the idea of sacrifice. This isn't an adventure, it's a quest, and one in which loss will happen.
Lilly (or Lyle, as she begins to call herself) finds herself (she still thinks of herself as a girl) tasked with finding a suit of clothes that will allow the wearer to be perceived as whatever they wish. In the usual string of fairy-tale quests, that means that she ends up having to rescue a sort of zombie-tailor from the outlaws who have captured him. In order to do _that_, she has to help a flayed-yet-living witch recover her skin. Again, this book does not shy away from the horrors of the supernatural, and yet manages to keep all of its monsters human somehow. Lyle lives with murderers and yet has some compassion for their fears and insecurities. His politeness ends up earning him otherwise monstrous allies. Perhaps because Lyle has been friends with a supernatural creature, he is able to look past appearances and see pain underneath. This odd empathy persists even in the face of the death that must accompany a quest.
I do think that the pacing of the book was uneven. I loved the writing, but felt that the interlude with the outlaws ended up dragging a bit and made the end happen too quickly. And then I didn't get enough wrap up for my satisfaction. So no complaints about the writing or the strange world I visited, but the story pace could have been tauter.
Lilly is a child with wildness in her heart. As a young girl, she befriends a small kraken, who becomes her best and possibly only friend. He loves her, and that helps her cope with a mother who feels imprisoned by her family and a father who resents her. Octavius (what else would an 8 year old name a kraken?) grows and becomes beautiful and powerful. But he won't hurt humans, because Lilly has asked him not to.
The friendship between these two was probably my favorite part of the story, and the set-up was the part I most enjoyed reading.
But nothing stays the same forever. Lilly leaves her home and Octavius is captured by a circus who displays him like their other exotic animals. Lilly seeks the help of a trollwife to find him, and has her first lesson in how to carefully phrase a request. She offers whatever is hers, and the troll takes her gender. Lilly is now perhaps able to travel more safely in the world than she could as a young woman, but she wasn't expecting such a loss. It's an interesting twist on the idea how exactly a young girl could accomplish some of the things that they do in fairy tales, but it also brings home the idea of sacrifice. This isn't an adventure, it's a quest, and one in which loss will happen.
Lilly (or Lyle, as she begins to call herself) finds herself (she still thinks of herself as a girl) tasked with finding a suit of clothes that will allow the wearer to be perceived as whatever they wish. In the usual string of fairy-tale quests, that means that she ends up having to rescue a sort of zombie-tailor from the outlaws who have captured him. In order to do _that_, she has to help a flayed-yet-living witch recover her skin. Again, this book does not shy away from the horrors of the supernatural, and yet manages to keep all of its monsters human somehow. Lyle lives with murderers and yet has some compassion for their fears and insecurities. His politeness ends up earning him otherwise monstrous allies. Perhaps because Lyle has been friends with a supernatural creature, he is able to look past appearances and see pain underneath. This odd empathy persists even in the face of the death that must accompany a quest.
I do think that the pacing of the book was uneven. I loved the writing, but felt that the interlude with the outlaws ended up dragging a bit and made the end happen too quickly. And then I didn't get enough wrap up for my satisfaction. So no complaints about the writing or the strange world I visited, but the story pace could have been tauter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2013
I have to be honest I was so apprehensive to start reading Sea Change because our main character Lilly is so young. I usually try to read books where the characters are closer to my age range. Because I find that I connect more personally with characters that are closer to my age. But after reading the first chapter of Sea Change I knew I would have no problems with the age difference. Sea Change is about Lilly's relationship with a kraken named Octavius. Lilly forms a very close bond with the kraken due to her parent's distance to her. Then Octavius is kidnapped and Lilly decides to go after her childhood friend and rescue him.
I loved Lilly's character, she definitely acts older than her years. Which is one of the reasons why I connected with her so well. I also felt sympathetic toward Lilly's journey, especially because of her cruel parents. My favorite aspect of the book was Lilly & Octavius relationship. I was totally captivated by the friendship between the two since the first chapter.
Then the novel shifts to all-out fantasy and stays that way throughout the bulk of the story. I've read many fantasy books, but never one with such great detail. I literally could picture the world and adventures Lilly went on. But this was also a challenge for me. Because of this book being a more high-end of fantasy I had to pay very close attention and keep up with what was going on and why. This book literally had all aspects of fantasy which I never expected. Along with our kraken friend we also got to be read about trolls, witches, and the undead.Giving way to some complicated and unexpected detours that make Lilly's quest all the more epic. And I loved the ending. It didn't leave me with any questions and it left me feeling hopeful.
For those who enjoy fantasy and literary fiction, you won't want to miss this debut novel. Also, a small warning for the more queasy readers this is a very blood/gory book and sometimes it gets a little tough to read. But it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation for this review.
I loved Lilly's character, she definitely acts older than her years. Which is one of the reasons why I connected with her so well. I also felt sympathetic toward Lilly's journey, especially because of her cruel parents. My favorite aspect of the book was Lilly & Octavius relationship. I was totally captivated by the friendship between the two since the first chapter.
Then the novel shifts to all-out fantasy and stays that way throughout the bulk of the story. I've read many fantasy books, but never one with such great detail. I literally could picture the world and adventures Lilly went on. But this was also a challenge for me. Because of this book being a more high-end of fantasy I had to pay very close attention and keep up with what was going on and why. This book literally had all aspects of fantasy which I never expected. Along with our kraken friend we also got to be read about trolls, witches, and the undead.Giving way to some complicated and unexpected detours that make Lilly's quest all the more epic. And I loved the ending. It didn't leave me with any questions and it left me feeling hopeful.
For those who enjoy fantasy and literary fiction, you won't want to miss this debut novel. Also, a small warning for the more queasy readers this is a very blood/gory book and sometimes it gets a little tough to read. But it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation for this review.
June 19, 2013
If you are a fan of fantasy and want a read that stands out from the crowd, you are in luck: Sea Change is a quirky, captivating, poetically penned "fairytale for grown-ups." Featuring a host of fantastical characters who nonetheless maintain a gritty sense of realism, the story is a touching tale of friendship between two unlikely companions: a gentle-natured kraken, and a socially isolated girl. A dark and unflinching narrative unfolds with the help of skillful word craft that is a style all Wheeler's own - one that will no doubt have readers eager for the next installment.
Loathed and feared due to a birthmark that covers half of her face, Lilly is the emotionally neglected offspring of a crumbling marriage between two strong but selfish parents. She turns to the sea for the comfort not offered at home, where she meets a young sea monster who becomes her only childhood companion. The years do not improve her situation; she is driven from home with the arrival of a new wife and infant, and Octavius goes missing. Learning of his fate, Lilly shows readers the true meaning of friendship as she strives to free him from captivity at any cost through a harrowing series of exchanges - a skill taught by her merchant father. Along the way she finds valuable allies and powerful adversaries - ones given depth and complexity, much to the satisfaction of this often dissatisfied fantasy reader! Will she save Octavius in time? Readers will have trouble putting this one down until they have their answer!
Despite my fondness for the story, I can not say with honesty that it is for everyone. Stylistically, some readers may find it difficult; the prose is beautiful but does require focus to fully appreciate. If you want to skim through a quick, easy read, this one isn't for you. However, if you enjoy words just as much as you enjoy stories, you are in for a treat.
Overall: a deeply satisfying read, and I eagerly anticipate more from Wheeler
Loathed and feared due to a birthmark that covers half of her face, Lilly is the emotionally neglected offspring of a crumbling marriage between two strong but selfish parents. She turns to the sea for the comfort not offered at home, where she meets a young sea monster who becomes her only childhood companion. The years do not improve her situation; she is driven from home with the arrival of a new wife and infant, and Octavius goes missing. Learning of his fate, Lilly shows readers the true meaning of friendship as she strives to free him from captivity at any cost through a harrowing series of exchanges - a skill taught by her merchant father. Along the way she finds valuable allies and powerful adversaries - ones given depth and complexity, much to the satisfaction of this often dissatisfied fantasy reader! Will she save Octavius in time? Readers will have trouble putting this one down until they have their answer!
Despite my fondness for the story, I can not say with honesty that it is for everyone. Stylistically, some readers may find it difficult; the prose is beautiful but does require focus to fully appreciate. If you want to skim through a quick, easy read, this one isn't for you. However, if you enjoy words just as much as you enjoy stories, you are in for a treat.
Overall: a deeply satisfying read, and I eagerly anticipate more from Wheeler
June 22, 2013
Lilly is a strange child, caring more about her friend the kraken than her parents, who bicker constantly. The day her mother leaves, she knows that it will soon be time for her to leave as well. Her father never wanted a daughter, especially not one who has a birthmark on her face. When he remarries, she finds herself ready to leave, to be replaced by another child. What she wasn't expecting was for her friend to go missing, Octavius the kraken seems to have vanished, so Lilly sets out on a journey to find him.
And as in all quests, there are witches and bandits, magical being and creatures. Lilly soon finds herself becoming Lyle, in a gruesome trade with a witch, stealing her own womanhood and shaping her into a young man, yet lacking. I found this part disturbing and yet fitting to the start of what becomes a terror filled adventure. I'm not sure how I can describe this book. From Lilly's point of view I felt like everything was a bit unemotional at times. Lilly is nothing if not steadfast in her ways and throws caution aside at times despite her knowing better.
I loved the old time, fairy tale feel to the whole thing, full of danger and also that pacing of writing where there is not an over amount of intricate detail, but enough to really pull you into the story. The characters, even the evil ones, had a baser nature to them, fulfilling a need by their devious ways and really becoming a bit unpredictable. Lilly seems to choose love over everything that she has been offered and makes more than one sacrifice to save her dear friend.
Final Verdict: Not a light read, but there is an assurance throughout it in knowing it is a gruesome fairy tale, one that will transport you and keep you reading on. I will definitely be looking for more of Wheeler's books in the future.
And as in all quests, there are witches and bandits, magical being and creatures. Lilly soon finds herself becoming Lyle, in a gruesome trade with a witch, stealing her own womanhood and shaping her into a young man, yet lacking. I found this part disturbing and yet fitting to the start of what becomes a terror filled adventure. I'm not sure how I can describe this book. From Lilly's point of view I felt like everything was a bit unemotional at times. Lilly is nothing if not steadfast in her ways and throws caution aside at times despite her knowing better.
I loved the old time, fairy tale feel to the whole thing, full of danger and also that pacing of writing where there is not an over amount of intricate detail, but enough to really pull you into the story. The characters, even the evil ones, had a baser nature to them, fulfilling a need by their devious ways and really becoming a bit unpredictable. Lilly seems to choose love over everything that she has been offered and makes more than one sacrifice to save her dear friend.
Final Verdict: Not a light read, but there is an assurance throughout it in knowing it is a gruesome fairy tale, one that will transport you and keep you reading on. I will definitely be looking for more of Wheeler's books in the future.
May 20, 2013
Sea Change is the story of Lilly, a girl with a birthmark on her face. She is the daughter of a trader who has become nobility, but the birthmark keeps her isolated as the people of the village think she is a witch. Her only friend is Octavius, a kraken. When Octavius is captured and sold to a circus, Lilly sets out to free him. What follows is a sequential quest. At each stage of her quest some other deed or article is demanded of her.
I struggled with this book from the beginning. Occasional paragraphs are in itallics for no reason that I could discern. The style of writing is also one that distanced me from Lilly. I thought that her trials and tribulations were interesting, but I wasn't engaged. I found Octavius a much more sympathetic character. I might have worked past the odd use of italics or the disengaged character, but I found the beginning of the story very confused and dislocated. The interaction of many of the characters appeared arbitrary and inexplicable.
At the end of the story I was left with a vague feeling of disappointment. I had put in the effort needed to reach the conclusion of the story only to feel that the author had simply decided to put their pen down and walk away. It didn't make any more sense than the early parts of the book.
It is rare for me to be unable to find and redeeming qualities in a book. This book does have some interesting characters, but they are relegated to the margins. I can not recommend this book.
I struggled with this book from the beginning. Occasional paragraphs are in itallics for no reason that I could discern. The style of writing is also one that distanced me from Lilly. I thought that her trials and tribulations were interesting, but I wasn't engaged. I found Octavius a much more sympathetic character. I might have worked past the odd use of italics or the disengaged character, but I found the beginning of the story very confused and dislocated. The interaction of many of the characters appeared arbitrary and inexplicable.
At the end of the story I was left with a vague feeling of disappointment. I had put in the effort needed to reach the conclusion of the story only to feel that the author had simply decided to put their pen down and walk away. It didn't make any more sense than the early parts of the book.
It is rare for me to be unable to find and redeeming qualities in a book. This book does have some interesting characters, but they are relegated to the margins. I can not recommend this book.
November 15, 2015
I found this book utterly charming. The roles of gender, friendship, and family are used are so wonderfully nuanced and rich, and I think that those are the strongest aspects of the book. I know others have expressed dislike for the writing style, but I felt like that -- in addition to the (also critiqued) plethora of characters that aren't around for as long of a time as they would be in other books -- really emphasized this story as fairy tale-esque, which I found perfectly fitting. The growth of Lilly as a character is enormous, and I enjoyed how it was pointed out toward the ending when Lilly considers her motivations as a child; perhaps it wasn't subtle, but I think, in a story so filled with stories, it was a good touch. The ending was heartbreaking in a good sort of way -- and apparently there's going to be a sequel? That makes me feel much better about everything. Honestly, I would go for an entire series just about Lilly and Octavius's visits together in their youths because the few we had in the beginning of the novel were absolutely wonderful. I do kind of hope for more of the dark-wife as well, because she might be one of my favorite characters from any book I've ever read.
Sea Change is definitely going on my (very short) to-be-bought list, and I can see myself reading it over many times.
Sea Change is definitely going on my (very short) to-be-bought list, and I can see myself reading it over many times.
January 3, 2015
I can understand why there are such mixed reviews of this book. While it seems to fall within certain genres and tropes (fairy tale, fantasy, quest), it (like its mercurial genderqueer protagonist) doesn't ever conform fully to any of them. Maybe this book just happened to be what I needed at the the time or maybe it's that I'm so relieved the writer didn't resort to other, nastier (sexist, racist, homophobic) tropes for edginess or resolution. The book is very dark in its themes and storylines and its magic is never easy or painless, so this was a real fear for me. I've read enough (you can see the genderfail, rapefail bookshelves in my profile) of these to last a lifetime and was incredibly happy to see that this writer was talented/skilled enough to resist the 'easy' way to create tension. Lilly has trouble and pain enough from her own family and the writer elegantly navigates these obstacles allowing Lilly complex reactions to her world.
The story pacing did get bogged down a bit in the middle section (dealing with the humanity of the devoted sociopath bandit/partners and the witch they have enslaved), but understandable since this is really where Lilly grows up.
I really enjoyed not only the writer's style, but her imagination and storytelling and can't wait for more from her.
The story pacing did get bogged down a bit in the middle section (dealing with the humanity of the devoted sociopath bandit/partners and the witch they have enslaved), but understandable since this is really where Lilly grows up.
I really enjoyed not only the writer's style, but her imagination and storytelling and can't wait for more from her.
Read
June 18, 2013If a sea monster reading you grisly fairy tales sounds like a great idea, you may love Sea Change by S.M. Wheeler.
Once upon a time, a girl named Lilly was born with a port-wine-stain birthmark. Had this smear of red been on her ankle she might have led a normal life. Instead people called her a demon, a witch child, because half her face crawled with a bloody splotch.
Superstition treats no one kindly, but even if Lilly had lived in our world she might have felt dominated by a few inches of skin pigment. Imagine if the first thing anyone noticed about you was a “defect,” if it began every conversation. Lilly handles it with heroic aplomb. When someone tells her that her birthmark is ugly, she replies, “Does that make the other half of my face beautiful?” And again, when another person asks her what kind of monster she is, she says, “None, except that I am human.”
Read my complete review on Fantasy Faction:
http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/sea-c...
Once upon a time, a girl named Lilly was born with a port-wine-stain birthmark. Had this smear of red been on her ankle she might have led a normal life. Instead people called her a demon, a witch child, because half her face crawled with a bloody splotch.
Superstition treats no one kindly, but even if Lilly had lived in our world she might have felt dominated by a few inches of skin pigment. Imagine if the first thing anyone noticed about you was a “defect,” if it began every conversation. Lilly handles it with heroic aplomb. When someone tells her that her birthmark is ugly, she replies, “Does that make the other half of my face beautiful?” And again, when another person asks her what kind of monster she is, she says, “None, except that I am human.”
Read my complete review on Fantasy Faction:
http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/sea-c...
August 9, 2013
i am really torn on this book. i loved the beginning with the dynamics between Lilly's parents, how she was treated by them, and her close friendship with Octavius. but then Octavius is stolen and my favorite part of the book was gone. while the middle section is still pretty good, i also loved Horace and Ms. Gottschalk(she is one literature's creepiest inventions!), i was always wishing Octavius was present. i also dug the genderbending twist. i was totally not expecting it and was like "woaah, interesting...". but since Lilly and Octavius's friendship was my favorite part, the end just really bummed me out.
did-not-finish
January 3, 2017Not really my thing... At first it seemed like a love story between a kraken and a birthmarked girl, but then it turned into a quest with witches, spells, and bandits, and I felt less interested. Although I wasn't interested in the other direction I thought it was going either, because consummating that particular relationship would just be awkward. Imagine the offspring....
I skimmed through to the end and was not unhappy that I quit after halfway.
I skimmed through to the end and was not unhappy that I quit after halfway.
January 28, 2016
Slight spoilers (hints?) inside:
Lyrical and lingering, this book is full of jarring imagery and flavor. I told my sister about it once, and she says she's still haunted by the ending months later. As she hasn't read the book herself, I'd consider this a true victory for the author.
As for me, I'm amazed by the rhythmic prose here, and I'm terribly fond of the skinless witch. All the carnal, gory imagery employed with her was a lot of fun.
Lyrical and lingering, this book is full of jarring imagery and flavor. I told my sister about it once, and she says she's still haunted by the ending months later. As she hasn't read the book herself, I'd consider this a true victory for the author.
As for me, I'm amazed by the rhythmic prose here, and I'm terribly fond of the skinless witch. All the carnal, gory imagery employed with her was a lot of fun.
June 17, 2013
Overall impression:
Sea Change doesn’t lack in creativity, but it fails to provide any real emotion, causing me to put it down before finishing.
Read the full review on Book Revels.
Sea Change doesn’t lack in creativity, but it fails to provide any real emotion, causing me to put it down before finishing.
Read the full review on Book Revels.
April 7, 2013
Simply amazing. A beautiful, sophisticated, captivating fairy tale. One of the best books I've read all year.
January 17, 2017
Weird and lovely, and much more complicated than it sounds.
June 20, 2013
This Review and more can be found on my blog: The Muses Circle
My Review: A brave young heroine. An unusual, yet poignant friendship. A harrowing journey of self discovery, perseverance, and how far one would go to save the person they love. Sound intriguing? That doesn't even scratch the surface when trying to describe Sea Change by the extremely talented S.M. Wheeler. However, I am up for the challenge because I have a feeling that for every glowing review there will be some negative ones. Why? I fear that this novel will struggle to find its intended audience while others may pass harsh judgement before giving the story time to unfold and settle. I'm not trying to sound negative or set the book up for failure or insult the intelligence of my fellow readers. But this is a novel unlike anything I have ever read before and with this unique story comes very strong emotions. I can't help but want to protect it and defend its honor. But I need to stop being a mother bear and have faith that Sea Change can hold its own weight. My job is to explain why I liked it, what I had issues with, and let others know what to expect before delving in.
Let's start with the premise of the story as that is what drew me to Sea Change. Lilly is a young girl of marriageable age when we first meet her. Her parents, Nikolaus and Anna Rosa, where born country folk but worked their way up to nobility status. You learn rather quickly that Lilly's childhood consisted of her parents arguing constantly and the majority of the time it was about her. While some of the servants, in particular Miss Scholastika, try to shield her from the often devastating remarks, Lilly doesn't seem to react like one would expect. Instead of a deeply insecure little girl that feels sorry for herself, Lilly has the maturity of an old soul and seems remarkably unscathed despite the emotional and mental abuse from her parents, specifically her father, who doesn't even consider her his heir. Why? Because Lilly was born with a birthmark on her face, a mark that quite often resulted in her father calling her "hellspawn".
So where does this strength and resilience come from despite years of abuse? An unlikely friendship, one forged by the sea. S.M. Wheeler beautifully weaves in little vignettes of Lilly and her most precious friend Octavius, who just so happens to be a... kraken. Yes, a sea monster that in mythology has been described as gigantic and fearsome and most often the cause of shipwrecks. But in Sea Change, we get to see this legendary sea creature in a whole different light for Octavius is Lilly's true family, her protector, her confidante and loves her unconditionally. As Octavius grows larger, he is forced to hunt further out to sea for his food, sometimes disappearing for a week or two at a time. But when he does not return after an unusually long absence, Lilly knows deep in her heart that something wrong. Her most loyal friend would never abandon her, not like her very own mother. With fierce determination, Lilly sets out on her own to find Octavius, a journey that will change her in ways you could never imagine...
One of the things I loved about Sea Change is how the author creates this sense of magical realism in the beginning of the story and how it transitions into dark fantasy once Lilly sets out to find Octavius. The premise of the story is refreshingly original, but after her hasty, naive bargain with a troll that turns into a violent encounter in order to gain Octavius' whereabouts, I realized I was reading a story that could easily be considered a fairytale. But not just any fairytale. I'm talking about the old Brothers Grimm tales that were often dark, twisted, and frightening, and did not always have a happy ending.
Another thing that I enjoyed is the fact that S.M. Wheeler doesn't spell everything out for readers. For example, Lilly's birthmark was not something revealed right away. There were clues here and there, one such clue being a description of what I at first thought was a bruise on her face caused by her father. But I realized later it was in fact a birthmark: "...Miss Scholastika only rested it against Lilly's cheek, the side of her face where the skin looked darkly bruised, brown and black, swollen." What this forced me to do was slow down my reading and what a great eye opener this was for me. Being a blogger has its good points and bad points and one of these bad points is feeling the need to quickly finish one book so I can move onto the next. I got into this habit of thinking books that I finish reading quickly are the best kind of stories when that is not necessarily true. Sea Change is one of those novels that if you read it too quickly, you may just miss something. It's the type of book that should be savored and that is exactly what I've been forgetting to do. Just because a story may take more time to read doesn't mean it is any less powerful than others that you can't seem to put down.
I can't go any further in this review without praising the author's writing and boundless imagination. S.M. Wheeler is a master of beautiful, lyrical prose, which ties back into that fairytale feel. There is some great use of personification and similes throughout the story as well. One of my favorites is during the scene when Lilly first meets Octavius. It was on Lilly's 8th birthday that she wandered down by the sea, searching for her bully of a cousin. She was just about to leave when she heard a noise and realized something was being eaten by a seagull. Octavius was only a tiny sea creature then and at the mercy of a hungry seagull. "Crying insults at her, the gull took flight" after she waved it away. I also love how Lilly gave Octavius his name and how the author chose to express it in words: "She looked to him, thinking: eight limbs, gold eyes, both intelligent and merry. It called for something with an ancient but teasing feel. 'Octavius! Or Octavia.--Which would you be?' 'The first one. I like the noises.' Again those arms wriggled with excitement. 'Octavius, Octavius--I'll have a name to tell the sirens when they say I will never grow big, I will say, I must match my long name by growing long. And the selkies cannot eat something with such a strong word-weapon.' He giggled, touched her cheek again. Fascinated with the texture of her skin, she realized. 'Thank You.'"
Even though Lilly is the narrator, I like how S.M. Wheeler uses Octavius as a way to see the world in a different way. When Lilly is older and troubled over her father's reluctance to find her a suitable suitor, mainly because he is ashamed of the mark on her face, Octavius says, "I would parade you in the hall of the monarchs of the ocean if you could breathe water." Or Octavius describing the difference between man hunting wales and how he hunts them. He says: "There are men who hunt those waters for whales--and oh! the pitiful wailing of that proud people when the harpoons strike their sides. It is entirely unlike their war-bellows when I hunt them." Such an interesting way for us as the reader to see things the way Octavius does-- who would have thought that whales could be proud creatures that had their own "war bellows" when battling other sea creatures?
So here is what I had issues with. At first Lilly's journey is exciting, frightening, and even heart breaking. We meet an interesting array of characters, from a troll to a circus master, to a reanimated tailor that can make coats of illusions, to a skinless witch, to bandits. Her journey is fascinating yet hard to witness because the girl with an old soul that seemed so confident in the beginning of the story becomes stripped away. You get to see her naivety and innocence as she makes these life changing (and let's not forget physically altering) bargains and promises in order to win Octavius his freedom. But where the story starts to stutter is the rather long stay with the bandits. In order to help the witch get her skin back from the bandits (truly creepy, she reminds me of the woman in the movie Hellraiser II), she has to gain their trust, and trust takes time. But I think what is lacking is the void of Octavius. The first 50 pages built the foundation of their relationship through memories. Then the last 100 pages is Lilly finding her way back to Octavius. But during her stay with the bandits he is hardly mentioned if not at all. I guess what I am trying to say is, maybe an occasional dream or past memory of him would have helped break up the monotony. I get this is Lilly's story, but a reminder of what she is doing all this for would have helped because I myself was becoming restless. On the flipside of that, perhaps the lack of Octavius being mentioned was intentional by the author. After all, I know her stay with the bandits was a big part of her growth as a character because it was there that she learned how to prepare food, sew, take care of the sick-- all the skills she would need to survive in the world on her own. But I'd also like to think that Lilly's endurance and dedication to saving Octavius is what kept her going when most would have given up.
My only other gripe with the story is the rather abrupt ending. I don't need every book to have a happy ending nor do I need every plot point to be explained and tied up into neat little bows. And sometimes an ambiguous ending can be really thought provoking. However, Sea Change doesn't really do any of those things. It just...ends. I don't really want to say any more and this is NOT to discourage anyone from picking up the novel. Because despite the abrupt ending and the drawn out story in the middle, I still give Sea Change a 4 star rating. It's just THAT good. And while I may not be at liberty to say this, a sequel to Sea Change is being worked on. Whether or not it comes to fruition is something we all will have to wait and see.
Some books are more challenging than others and may require focus and careful reading. Sea Change is one of those books. At times it may confuse you, it may frustrate you, it may even lose you, but I promise if you stick it out, things will start to connect and come full circle. Although Lilly is technically a teenager, I would not recommend this novel for young children. I'm thinking 16 and older due to mature subject matter, disturbing and violent scenes.
"He is my oldest and dearest friend, she would say. A balm to my hurts and a brightness to my day."
--Lilly's thoughts on Octavius
Mia @ The Muses Circle
My Review: A brave young heroine. An unusual, yet poignant friendship. A harrowing journey of self discovery, perseverance, and how far one would go to save the person they love. Sound intriguing? That doesn't even scratch the surface when trying to describe Sea Change by the extremely talented S.M. Wheeler. However, I am up for the challenge because I have a feeling that for every glowing review there will be some negative ones. Why? I fear that this novel will struggle to find its intended audience while others may pass harsh judgement before giving the story time to unfold and settle. I'm not trying to sound negative or set the book up for failure or insult the intelligence of my fellow readers. But this is a novel unlike anything I have ever read before and with this unique story comes very strong emotions. I can't help but want to protect it and defend its honor. But I need to stop being a mother bear and have faith that Sea Change can hold its own weight. My job is to explain why I liked it, what I had issues with, and let others know what to expect before delving in.
Let's start with the premise of the story as that is what drew me to Sea Change. Lilly is a young girl of marriageable age when we first meet her. Her parents, Nikolaus and Anna Rosa, where born country folk but worked their way up to nobility status. You learn rather quickly that Lilly's childhood consisted of her parents arguing constantly and the majority of the time it was about her. While some of the servants, in particular Miss Scholastika, try to shield her from the often devastating remarks, Lilly doesn't seem to react like one would expect. Instead of a deeply insecure little girl that feels sorry for herself, Lilly has the maturity of an old soul and seems remarkably unscathed despite the emotional and mental abuse from her parents, specifically her father, who doesn't even consider her his heir. Why? Because Lilly was born with a birthmark on her face, a mark that quite often resulted in her father calling her "hellspawn".
So where does this strength and resilience come from despite years of abuse? An unlikely friendship, one forged by the sea. S.M. Wheeler beautifully weaves in little vignettes of Lilly and her most precious friend Octavius, who just so happens to be a... kraken. Yes, a sea monster that in mythology has been described as gigantic and fearsome and most often the cause of shipwrecks. But in Sea Change, we get to see this legendary sea creature in a whole different light for Octavius is Lilly's true family, her protector, her confidante and loves her unconditionally. As Octavius grows larger, he is forced to hunt further out to sea for his food, sometimes disappearing for a week or two at a time. But when he does not return after an unusually long absence, Lilly knows deep in her heart that something wrong. Her most loyal friend would never abandon her, not like her very own mother. With fierce determination, Lilly sets out on her own to find Octavius, a journey that will change her in ways you could never imagine...
One of the things I loved about Sea Change is how the author creates this sense of magical realism in the beginning of the story and how it transitions into dark fantasy once Lilly sets out to find Octavius. The premise of the story is refreshingly original, but after her hasty, naive bargain with a troll that turns into a violent encounter in order to gain Octavius' whereabouts, I realized I was reading a story that could easily be considered a fairytale. But not just any fairytale. I'm talking about the old Brothers Grimm tales that were often dark, twisted, and frightening, and did not always have a happy ending.
Another thing that I enjoyed is the fact that S.M. Wheeler doesn't spell everything out for readers. For example, Lilly's birthmark was not something revealed right away. There were clues here and there, one such clue being a description of what I at first thought was a bruise on her face caused by her father. But I realized later it was in fact a birthmark: "...Miss Scholastika only rested it against Lilly's cheek, the side of her face where the skin looked darkly bruised, brown and black, swollen." What this forced me to do was slow down my reading and what a great eye opener this was for me. Being a blogger has its good points and bad points and one of these bad points is feeling the need to quickly finish one book so I can move onto the next. I got into this habit of thinking books that I finish reading quickly are the best kind of stories when that is not necessarily true. Sea Change is one of those novels that if you read it too quickly, you may just miss something. It's the type of book that should be savored and that is exactly what I've been forgetting to do. Just because a story may take more time to read doesn't mean it is any less powerful than others that you can't seem to put down.
I can't go any further in this review without praising the author's writing and boundless imagination. S.M. Wheeler is a master of beautiful, lyrical prose, which ties back into that fairytale feel. There is some great use of personification and similes throughout the story as well. One of my favorites is during the scene when Lilly first meets Octavius. It was on Lilly's 8th birthday that she wandered down by the sea, searching for her bully of a cousin. She was just about to leave when she heard a noise and realized something was being eaten by a seagull. Octavius was only a tiny sea creature then and at the mercy of a hungry seagull. "Crying insults at her, the gull took flight" after she waved it away. I also love how Lilly gave Octavius his name and how the author chose to express it in words: "She looked to him, thinking: eight limbs, gold eyes, both intelligent and merry. It called for something with an ancient but teasing feel. 'Octavius! Or Octavia.--Which would you be?' 'The first one. I like the noises.' Again those arms wriggled with excitement. 'Octavius, Octavius--I'll have a name to tell the sirens when they say I will never grow big, I will say, I must match my long name by growing long. And the selkies cannot eat something with such a strong word-weapon.' He giggled, touched her cheek again. Fascinated with the texture of her skin, she realized. 'Thank You.'"
Even though Lilly is the narrator, I like how S.M. Wheeler uses Octavius as a way to see the world in a different way. When Lilly is older and troubled over her father's reluctance to find her a suitable suitor, mainly because he is ashamed of the mark on her face, Octavius says, "I would parade you in the hall of the monarchs of the ocean if you could breathe water." Or Octavius describing the difference between man hunting wales and how he hunts them. He says: "There are men who hunt those waters for whales--and oh! the pitiful wailing of that proud people when the harpoons strike their sides. It is entirely unlike their war-bellows when I hunt them." Such an interesting way for us as the reader to see things the way Octavius does-- who would have thought that whales could be proud creatures that had their own "war bellows" when battling other sea creatures?
So here is what I had issues with. At first Lilly's journey is exciting, frightening, and even heart breaking. We meet an interesting array of characters, from a troll to a circus master, to a reanimated tailor that can make coats of illusions, to a skinless witch, to bandits. Her journey is fascinating yet hard to witness because the girl with an old soul that seemed so confident in the beginning of the story becomes stripped away. You get to see her naivety and innocence as she makes these life changing (and let's not forget physically altering) bargains and promises in order to win Octavius his freedom. But where the story starts to stutter is the rather long stay with the bandits. In order to help the witch get her skin back from the bandits (truly creepy, she reminds me of the woman in the movie Hellraiser II), she has to gain their trust, and trust takes time. But I think what is lacking is the void of Octavius. The first 50 pages built the foundation of their relationship through memories. Then the last 100 pages is Lilly finding her way back to Octavius. But during her stay with the bandits he is hardly mentioned if not at all. I guess what I am trying to say is, maybe an occasional dream or past memory of him would have helped break up the monotony. I get this is Lilly's story, but a reminder of what she is doing all this for would have helped because I myself was becoming restless. On the flipside of that, perhaps the lack of Octavius being mentioned was intentional by the author. After all, I know her stay with the bandits was a big part of her growth as a character because it was there that she learned how to prepare food, sew, take care of the sick-- all the skills she would need to survive in the world on her own. But I'd also like to think that Lilly's endurance and dedication to saving Octavius is what kept her going when most would have given up.
My only other gripe with the story is the rather abrupt ending. I don't need every book to have a happy ending nor do I need every plot point to be explained and tied up into neat little bows. And sometimes an ambiguous ending can be really thought provoking. However, Sea Change doesn't really do any of those things. It just...ends. I don't really want to say any more and this is NOT to discourage anyone from picking up the novel. Because despite the abrupt ending and the drawn out story in the middle, I still give Sea Change a 4 star rating. It's just THAT good. And while I may not be at liberty to say this, a sequel to Sea Change is being worked on. Whether or not it comes to fruition is something we all will have to wait and see.
Some books are more challenging than others and may require focus and careful reading. Sea Change is one of those books. At times it may confuse you, it may frustrate you, it may even lose you, but I promise if you stick it out, things will start to connect and come full circle. Although Lilly is technically a teenager, I would not recommend this novel for young children. I'm thinking 16 and older due to mature subject matter, disturbing and violent scenes.
"He is my oldest and dearest friend, she would say. A balm to my hurts and a brightness to my day."
--Lilly's thoughts on Octavius
Mia @ The Muses Circle
May 12, 2017
There was far less kraken in this book than I expected, given the title and the description.
It almost felt as if I were reading one story, only to have it interrupted by another, picking up the first story again only at the very end. The storyline with the witch and the bandits felt fairly disconnected from Octavius's storyline; Lilly barely thought about Octavius during her time there, which was especially odd given she was away for so long--I would have expected her to become increasingly concerned for Octavius's wellbeing. Despite how much I loved Octavius and his storyline, I almost felt the story would have been better served without him. Perhaps they would be best served as two separate novellas.
I also wasn't sure how to feel about the narrative style. The syntax was beautiful and poetic, but I couldn't figure out what purpose that served. Often, the style got in the way of the story, especially in specific concrete details. I found myself confused about the number of characters and their physical location quite often. It felt like a lot of details were missing that were necessary for clarification or for a solid sense of setting. While I liked the style on an aesthetic level, unfortunately I think it hindered the novel in many ways.
But one thing I can say is I adored the characters. Even with the obfuscating syntax, the characters felt full and real. I also appreciated how the novel did not shy away from the gritty and bizarre. And of course I loved the exploration of gender and sexuality, even if it was a bit underdeveloped for my tastes. So while I wouldn't strongly recommend the novel, I'm giving it three stars because I did enjoy myself, bewildered and a bit let down as I was.
It almost felt as if I were reading one story, only to have it interrupted by another, picking up the first story again only at the very end. The storyline with the witch and the bandits felt fairly disconnected from Octavius's storyline; Lilly barely thought about Octavius during her time there, which was especially odd given she was away for so long--I would have expected her to become increasingly concerned for Octavius's wellbeing. Despite how much I loved Octavius and his storyline, I almost felt the story would have been better served without him. Perhaps they would be best served as two separate novellas.
I also wasn't sure how to feel about the narrative style. The syntax was beautiful and poetic, but I couldn't figure out what purpose that served. Often, the style got in the way of the story, especially in specific concrete details. I found myself confused about the number of characters and their physical location quite often. It felt like a lot of details were missing that were necessary for clarification or for a solid sense of setting. While I liked the style on an aesthetic level, unfortunately I think it hindered the novel in many ways.
But one thing I can say is I adored the characters. Even with the obfuscating syntax, the characters felt full and real. I also appreciated how the novel did not shy away from the gritty and bizarre. And of course I loved the exploration of gender and sexuality, even if it was a bit underdeveloped for my tastes. So while I wouldn't strongly recommend the novel, I'm giving it three stars because I did enjoy myself, bewildered and a bit let down as I was.
June 26, 2017
This is a powerfully strange story. It is magical and takes place in that typical environment of fairy tales where no internal combustion engines roam, and there are witches and spells, but aside from that it is largely atypical of any tale, fairy or otherwise. It does not seem to be allegorical or based on any classic narrative. It is not "the hero's journey" in the sense taught to us by Joseph Campbell although we do have a central protagonist who undertakes an epic task and encounters a labyrinthine sequence of ordeals. It does not have the mood or tone or arc of any fantasy I have ever read.
It does have engaging characters and curious events, conflicts and puzzling resolutions, expectations established and then played against. It does have fine prose, plot and action. It did draw me from page to page with a fascination to see what would happen next and what it might mean.
I am still hoping for the implications of all this to settle into me. I have the resonance but not the heart.
I would never have named this novel Sea Change nor have given it this cover.
It does have engaging characters and curious events, conflicts and puzzling resolutions, expectations established and then played against. It does have fine prose, plot and action. It did draw me from page to page with a fascination to see what would happen next and what it might mean.
I am still hoping for the implications of all this to settle into me. I have the resonance but not the heart.
I would never have named this novel Sea Change nor have given it this cover.
December 24, 2024
I picked this book up at a Library book sale, and am now incredibly sad to see the author has not written more. This book was beautifully written. The prose is very much the style of old fashioned original fairy tales. You can see Brothers Grimm or old stories of Baba Yaga in the style and manner of this quest. However, it remains a world and a questline all it's own. Original, intriguing, and genuinely absorbing with a genderqueer main chatacter. Though trigger warring, those with body dysmorphia issues may find this book unsettling. It lost one star for me because...our main hero/heroine did not end up where I so hoped they would be. This was simply too much self sacrifice to end in such a loss of self and love. It was sad, and lacked reward for our hero. I would have happily taken a sequel, but alas it looks like there is no such luck there.
September 13, 2018
Fantastic book, and aptly named for it is full of some unfathomable transformation of Lilly brought upon by the sacrifice and quest to rescue her friend.
My only issue is that I sometimes found the narrative a bit hard to follow, of who was speaking or taking action, so I had to reread sentences and paragraphs a bit.
My only issue is that I sometimes found the narrative a bit hard to follow, of who was speaking or taking action, so I had to reread sentences and paragraphs a bit.
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