Clara Ward

Set in the future, humans have become more aware of the impacts we have on our environment and have finally made proper strides in sustainability. This book follows Wend, a marine biologist as they sail with Viola (a marine photographer) and Aljon (a talented cook) as they make their way to Hawai'i as well as what happens after their journey.

I loved the characters in this. Mostly. And I think that this greatly contributed to my enjoyment as this story is very character driven. Yes, plot show more happens to them (things get pretty intense towards the middle!) , but I felt like the focus is always on the characters. I absolutely loved Wend and found them incredibly relatable as a neurodivergent non-binary person who works in biology. I also adored Aljon (an asexual person who needs to escape from people and their drama) who I also saw a lot of myself in. Although we saw less of them as they only really appeared later, I also loved getting to get to know most of the rest of the cast. Especially Avery. I would absolutely love a book about the three of them and their adventures! I loved the diversity and well-executed representation of the variability of human relationships. That being said, there were other characters I was less fond of. While people like her definitely exist, I very much disliked Shelley and her hostility. Most disappointingly, I feel like we never fully get to know Viola, even though she has spent so much tie with Wend. Although I do wonder how much this is due to how other closer relationships are written about.

Although the characters are delightful and there is some beautiful found family in the pages, this book does delve into some darker themes. I found myself having to put this down a couple of times. But I found it all to have been written respectfully and believably - this was definitely not the "I am mad now" kind of need to put the book down, but rather the "well this has brought up some feelings I need to process" variety. But contrasting that was a much more accepting world than the one I am familiar with. While there is some queerphobia and the like, it's so much more normalised (the fact that so few people respond to Wend's pronouns!) and the characters are largely so respectful of each other and their boundaries. This and the more eco conscious world are really so beautiful to see.

If you love well-developed queer and/or neurodivergent characters, found family, the ocean and mysterious dreams I can definitely recommend this book. Things may develop slowly, but I loved the journey that the author has taken me on.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.

(Also, I would just like to add that the author has an impressive knowledge of sea life and explored this in a very creative way!) show less

Ryn is someone that a lot of neurodivergent people, especially in a school setting, can relate to. Juggling sensory and processing needs along with a chronic back problem, Ryn just wants to be chosen to go to Mar.s But when they are caught by a food allergen, their plans for Mars are dashed, and they're left on an Earth that is becoming increasingly inhospitable due to climate change. Or are they?

When Ryn realizes that they aren't alone in their dreams, and that the others who they know in show more the Academy's tower, namely Jay the geeky guard, and Akira from lab four, are with them, it turns out that perhaps they were perfectly designed for a new journey. The problem is, Ryn isn't sure they can trust either Jay or Akira and time is growing short.

I absolutely loved this book with neurodivergent and chronically ill representation that I could relate to and secondary characters who you both were wary of and loved. This was an engaging read with strong world building. I was delighted to find out it was a continuation of an earlier work, which I will definitely seek out. A brilliant read. show less

Full of sea-based magical realism and sci fi elements, reading this felt like swimming: sometimes floating, sometimes speed swimming.

Wend (neurodivergent and nonbinary) takes a chance by offering themself as crew on Viola's boat in exchange for Wend's stories. With all too real dreams, Wend, Viola, and Aljon make their way to Hawai'i, where Wend rediscovers personal connections and uncovers a mystery.

I absolutely love the way neurodivergence was represented in this novel. It's not often I show more read about older protagonists so having the majority of the cast in their 60s was a really great change too. The queer rep was also fantastic with a pan and nonbinary MC and supporting characters that are ace, Sapphic, and poly. The pacing was a little rough with the beginning being very slow which made the last third feel jam-packed by comparison. However, I LOVED the found family aspect and thoroughly enjoyed the magical realism in the flying/swimming dreams. show less

I loved Be The Sea and was incredibly excited when I saw Clara Ward had written another story in the same universe. Unfortunately, I didn't end up enjoying it quite as much, even though I still did like it overall. I loved Ryn as a character and found them to be incredibly relatable. I also loved the idea behind the plot and probably liked that aspect a little more than Be The Sea. However, I felt like this should have been longer. The book could have benefitted from having some more space show more and time for the characters, their relationships and the plot to develop.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own. show less