A Song Below Water

A Song Below Water follows best friends Tavia and Effie as they navigate high school in Portland, Oregon. In this contemporary fantasy world, mythical beings exist openly in society, but sirens - who are exclusively Black women - face intense discrimination and are required to register with the government. Tavia keeps her siren identity hidden while dealing with family tensions and the national spotlight on a murder trial involving another siren. Meanwhile, Effie struggles with mysterious events from her past and her growing role in Renaissance Faire performances, where she portrays a mermaid. The story tracks both girls as they support each other through personal challenges, social upheaval, and dangerous encounters. Their bond strengthens as they confront racism, protest movements, viral social media moments, and threats both magical and mundane. Through its blend of fantasy elements and real-world issues, the novel explores themes of identity, voice, and sisterhood in a society that often seeks to silence young Black women. The narrative examines how power structures respond to those they fear, and what it means to claim one's true self.

Readers credit this book for addressing racism, police brutality, and social justice through a unique fantasy lens. They connect with the sisterly relationship between Tavia and Effie and appreciate the contemporary Portland setting. Likes: - Strong representation of Black teen girls - Creative blend of mythology and modern issues - Real-world parallels with siren discrimination - Complex family dynamics Dislikes: - Confusing worldbuilding and magic system rules - Pacing issues, especially in first half - Too many plot threads left unresolved - Some found the writing style hard to follow Several readers note the book requires patience, with one stating "the payoff comes late but hits hard." Others mention struggling with the dual POV structure. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (100+ ratings) Professional reviews trend more positive than reader reviews, particularly praising the social commentary.

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🌊 The novel weaves contemporary issues with fantasy by using sirens as a metaphor for Black women's voices - specifically how they are often silenced or dismissed in society. 🎭 Author Bethany C. Morrow originally studied theater at the University of California Santa Cruz before pursuing her MA in Literature and Language. 📍 The story is set in Portland, Oregon, which historically had exclusion laws that banned Black people from living in the state until 1926. 🧜🏾‍♀️ While many stories portray sirens as white mermaids, the novel draws from African folklore where sirens are powerful Black women with magical voices. 📚 The book was selected as a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2020 and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.