Zoraida Córdova

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

More Nevernever Land than Hogwarts, THE VICIOUS DEEP is a mix of the poetic and profane that would do Shakespeare proud, ribald banter alongside lyrical imagery. Tristan faces challenges that range from a centuries old sea witch to a heartbroken ex-girlfriend and this blend of epic and ordinary created a memorable story that has me anxious for more.

Though this book is about merfolk, Tristan may as well be a siren. His voice absolutely seduced me show more from page one. Descriptive, wry, and distinct, as I highlighted more and more quotes it was clear that it really didn't matter what this story held, so long as I could enjoy it through his eyes. And soon I fell in love with them all... Layla with her fists, Maddy with her broken heart, Angelo and his father thanking God for girls in short shorts... Cordova makes every character vivid and loveable, each elegantly sketched with just the perfect details for them to bloom on the page.

Tristan is the charming guy you want to believe has a good heart, despite our ringside seats to his flaws. His love for Layla is lined up right next to his wayward erection, and everything from his rakish ways to his deep-set devotion is loveable. This is no hero with eyes only for the heroine, Tristan is comically aware of every female around him. Slowly it becomes clear, however, that the women he loves are described for more than just their appearance. His mother, his best friend, and eventually, his “cousin”, Thalia, Tristan respects and adores them, attuned to their strengths and quirks. And as a love interest, despite the parade of past flings (and his callow moments), Tristan is honest and helpless enough in his attraction that it’s impossible to hold against him. Ultimately, you can’t help but mirror Layla, with exasperation and love in every punch. Tristan is a man-boy that has potential... and a long way to go before he grows up.

THE VICIOUS DEEP is that magic blend of mayhem, comedy, and affection that makes for an irresistible adventure, which makes it all the more breathtaking when Cordova's rhythm slips poetry into the pages. It is rare that a book succeeds on so many levels, and I finished THE VICIOUS DEEP excited and eager to share it. Sweet and bawdy and beautiful, this book has something for everyone. She loves me, she loves me not... I certainly do, Tristan, I most certainly do.

Sexual Content: Kissing, references to sex and oral sex. show less

Made it halfway through and I just can't take it anymore. The main character's a douchecanoe, which is bad enough, but what might still be a fluffy, inconsequential read is ruined by some of the worst pacing I've encountered in a book.

The author needs her douchecanoe to be at odds with his best friend? Suddenly they are! No build-up, no real explanation, just one morning he announces that his best friend is mad at him. (Later he says that he hasn't spoken to her in a week, but still doesn't show more explain why that, in particular, would leave his BFF mad at him.)

The author needs an excuse not to disclose the ramifications of her douchecanoe's merman transformation? She just doesn't! Her douchecanoe merman espouses a bare minimum of curiosity about what this means, gets a bare minimum of explanation, and then proceeds to have conversations about the further details as the author believes they're relevant. (I think this is meant to build suspense, but instead just left me irritated that the author clearly believed her readers must be as stupid as her hero.)

It's as if Córdova slapped scenes together as she needed them and decided no characterization (motivations, development, likes/dislikes) was required to glue the story together. ...And, hey, with a hook like mermen, enough sparkly sea critters, and some chemistry between the douchecanoe and his BFF (Layla, you deserve so much better than this womanizing dick), who even needs thoughtful characterization, amirite? Ugh. show less

Alex is a bruja, but she is afraid of her own power and wants to reject the magic of her family. She finds a spell to do just that, but when she casts it on her Deathday, she accidentally sends her family away to another place called Los Lagos. And now she's determined to get them back.

This is my first book by Zoraida Cordova, and definitely won't be my last. The first in a series sets up a family with great characters and fantastic world-building. I was riveted and devoured the book in show more three days. show less

This was a lovely insta-love (or maybe fated mates vibe?) romance between a Bruja and a Merman. I know insta-love is often frowned upon but I love that shit. Please, give me a couple who actually like one another! (I love a good pining too, but sometimes it's pleasant when the mc's are forthright about their longing). Anyway, this was so good and a bit of wish fulfillment for folks who grew up wanting to be The Little Mermaid (the Disney movie one, lol not the fable coz we know that one ends show more in tragedy).

BRAIN DUMP:
What I find so interesting is juxtaposing this book with Adriana Herrera's book in the series (The Hellmouth Guardian's Lover) is the concept of a "circus". In the former, there is the Monster Bash where monsters, humans and sex workers join to consensually enjoy themselves without fear of judgement. The Monster Bash was created by Ariadne, the FMC, almost as a way to stay connected to a former lover. It's a beautiful concept and respectfully laid out - it's not for looky-loos to gawk and leer rather it is a safe space for monsters to be who they are. In The Captive Merman's Promise, the Grand Master of the Abyss controls the Shadow Market where he enslaves various magical creatures to be used to public display. Rónán is kept in a tank and is forced to give a show to patrons who care not about consent but only for their own entertainment. Maybe readers aren't even supposed to make this connection, but it stood out to me. This series is all about monster fucking but we are lucky to also get some social commentary and I love it!

Bang In the Night Bingo I Put a Spell on You (something with magic)

CW's: Curses, death due to curse (former lover falls to their death by accident due to a curse), explicit sex, forced sex work/monster trafficking? IMO Rónán - and other magical creatures - were trafficked by The Grand Master of the Abyss because the contracts they signed were all terrible and should not have been enforceable, choking, blood, light gore. show less