⭐⭐⭐¾
Flowers for the Sea
By Zin E. Rocklyn
This book was baffling. I’m not completely sure of anything that I just read.
Rocklyn weaves a dreamlike world of refugees and a mysterious ark, but more than that, she creates a compelling story of feminine rage, unwanted motherhood, and fear.
I found the relationships and the situation confusing – it truly felt disjointed as if I were dreaming which may have been the intention.
Regardless, there were very vivid descriptions that raised more questions for me and kept this book on my mind for hours after.
This is a story of a Black woman who is ostracized and mistreated, and I’m glad that I read it. I felt a sense of satisfaction with the ending, that nearly made up for my confusion in the first 2/3 of the book.
I cannot pretend to understand the layers in this book, but it felt like there was a depth I couldn’t quite see.
I do think that part of this is the length of the book – at just over 100 pages I think the author did a great job of worldbuilding, but I wish there was more.
Would love to re-read sometime.
⭐⭐⭐¾
The Midnight Review 