While this book started off a little slow, it was entirely what I was expecting. I wouldn't necessarily call this a fantasy novel - it seemed closer to historical fiction with some magical elements woven into the story.

We follow Marea, a very unique girl, as she heads out in search of her true self. The beginning of the book sees Marea very sheltered, and not even allowed outside 364 days of the year. She grows naturally curious, and finds she has a deep connection with the birds who sit near her window. When she finally gets out into the world, she finds a harsher world than she initially imagined. She learns the hard way who can be trusted, and who she needs to avoid to remain safe. I really did enjoy how the characters developed and learned that not everyone perceives them as they initially thought.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It was a bit slow in parts, and I found myself losing interest at times and reading other books, but the concept was really promising.

This was an enjoyable read and it was entertaining, but at the same time nothing really stood out for me and I don’t think wow that was great or I loved that bit and that as I would with others, it was full of potential but I think just missed the mark.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This was not quite what I expected, but still an enjoyable read.
Although the plot contained a few magical elements I wouldn't really class it as a fantasy. This book seemed more about how the different characters respond and resolve their own feelings and emotions and the differences between the way they saw themselves as opposed to how they were seen by others. There were also a lot of things within the pages that seemed one thing at first sight, yet were something completely different on closer inspection
This book puts me in mind of an old fairytale, with a small sprinkling of magic, but the whole story being a hidden lesson, as in Aesop's Fables.
A good book, but not a fantasy

I requested this book because of the pretty cover. I love the sea reference and I was curious of what will await inside.

I have to say that this was an enjoyable book! I found the plot amazingly fresh and unusual. The story of young girl descovering who she really is during the series of amazing adventures. Perfect for younger readers.

The writing style was great. Vivid, metaforical and easy to enjoy.

I was attracted to this book because of the beautiful cover - fantasy novels always have the best covers!

Feathertide is the story of Marea, who is born in a brothel and not allowed to leave - her mother worries that she will be made of fun of or stolen away. Marea, you see, is covered in golden feathers like a bird, although she cannot fly. When Marea reaches her seventeenth birthday she goes in search of her mysterious father in the City of Murmurs, a strange, half-flooded city of canals and little bridges (Venice?), where she meets a prophetess and a mermaid, and learns of the strange bird men who live on floating islands and only appear with the mist...

I'm not sure whether Feathertide is supposed to be a YA novel but I think it would appeal more to younger readers. Although clever and imaginative, it is a slow-burn story that I enjoyed more once I'd got past the halfway mark and Marea began to make friends in her new home. Feathertide has a touch of romance and a sprinkle of fairytale magic, and is a coming-of-age story - covering the pain of first love and of learning to accept who you are.


Thank you to Beth Cartwright and Del Ray (Ebury) for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

Thanks to Netgalley and PRH/Ebury for the free review copy.

I really enjoyed this book! Way more than I thought I was going to. It gave me serious 'Museum of Extraordinary Things' vibes, but more fantastical and slightly less dark. The premise is super interesting and original, I love the idea of this concentrated intrigue and mystery surrounding one girl who was born with feathers. You very easily fall into her story, confined to her small world much like she is. When she finally steps out and begins to discover who she is, we do the same. We get to witness the wonders of the world through her eyes, which makes it very easy to connect and relate to her.

As well as a story of self-discovery, this is also a story of love and heartbreak. It explores relationships, new and old, in such a delicate way. The story itself just feels so tiny and delicate, yet so important. I believe I'll remember it for a while.

4 stars.

This is an odd, beautiful little book about a young girl growing into herself and finding a place for herself in the world. The descriptions and turns of phrase are absolutely stunning; Cartwright's use of language perfectly embodies the sense of wonder Marea - the main character - has for everything she encounters. Cartwright makes normal, everyday things seem magical to the reader, by showing them to us through eyes that have never seen before.

But to be honest, even though the writing was so beautiful, the conceit that made it work - Marea's isolation from the world, making everything new to her when she finally gets to go outside - was really troubling for me. Because she was born with feathers on her back, Marea is hidden away inside the house where her mother works as a sex worker. The other sex workers, and the madam of the house, know she's there, but the customers and villagers must absolutely NOT know. So Marea is seven years old before she's ever allowed outside - and then it's only for one day a year! She's so ignorant of the real world that when she does eventually sneak out early one morning, she runs back inside screaming because she mistakes sunrise for the sky being on fire.

That's not sweet and cute. That's deeply disturbing, and makes me despise all of the adults that allowed this situation. Including the professor Marea's mother brings in to tutor her - although he helps her to make secret trips outside, that's such a passive, cowardly way to help. He neither confronts Marea's mother nor, as I was half-hoping, does he whisk Marea away so she can have an actual life outside her own bedroom.

Eventually, on one birthday trip, she stumbles upon a travelling freakshow and realises that the world wouldn't think her 'too beautiful' if they discovered her feathers (which is what she's been told): they would think she's ugly and monstrous. When she gets upset about this, she's told to 'stop sulking', because her mother has made enormous sacrifices for her.

Although Marea eventually gets her adventure, I couldn't get over how she was treated as a child. Small details, like her mother being impatient with Marea's fear/fascination with the ocean the first time she sees it, stuck out like a slap. Of course Marea doesn't know what it is, and it's horrible that her mother is so impatient and dismissive of these things that, for *her*, are completely normal. They're not normal because you've kept her locked up in her room for a decade! It's your fault!

I have a Thing about bad parents. Especially bad parents that stories try to insist are good ones. So while I'm very eager to see what Cartwright writes next - because her writing style really is beautiful, and I definitely want more of it - this one absolutely isn't for me, and I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to.

I'm not sure what to say about this book because the thing is, in two days I will probably remember none of what happened in the story. It just couldn't interest me. I kept reading more because I had to finish it than because I wanted to know what was going to happen.

The main character's name is said once at the very beginning and then we don't hear it again till past the halfway point so for most of the book I was "this is our main character who I don't remember the name". Please help people who have a short memory?

I think I would have prefered if we could have much more backstory and mythology and just history behind the City of Murmurs because THAT is a place that intrigued me but it feels we just barely touched the surface of it. So many magical feelings that were glossed over.

Feathertide is a coming-of-age story with fairytale vibes; there is magic, sure, but it is about our protagonist finally being okay with the fact that she is different. Marea grew up isolated in a brothel, where she was told to keep herself hidden due to the fact that she had feathers growing on her body, and later on, because she was a girl, and only gets to go out on her birthday, also hidden. Very curious about the outside world and feeling drawn to the birds, her mother finally relents and gets her a tutor who will bring the outside world to her. Said tutor tells her about a city across the sea where magic is real, and where she might find answers about her father. When she grows up, she sets out alone to find her father.

Marea's initial stay in the City of Murmurs is mostly her discovering the magic in the city. She lives with a witch who offers her housing in exchange for walking her dogs daily, during which she explores the city. She finds a mysterious girl who used to be a mermaid, and who is her first love; their relationship is a bit complicated in that the latter always yearns for the sea so Marea isn't sure if they have a future. She also gradually stops hiding her feathers, where once in childhood she had tried to remove them. The other person she meets in the city is an ornithologist who has a lead to the tribe that her father belongs to, a race of birdmen that occasionally come into the city, bringing the magical mist of their floating island along with them.

The plot plays with the themes of acceptance, longing, growing out of relationships and moving on. The first half is probably more magical because of all the things it introduces us to, the magic of the city, the magic of its inhabitants - it evokes Venice very well. The second half is where the emotional weight of the story is felt, as Marea struggles with missing her mother and family back home, to the uncertainty of love, and all the complicated feelings with it, as well as the anticipation of meeting her father. The writing is quite flowery, and while sometimes it can enhance the fairytale nature of the story, sometimes it did slow down the pace too much. Still, on the whole, an enjoyable read.

I didn't expect to like Feathertide. The blurb made me curious and I wanted to know what's with Marea and her feathers. The story didn't disappoint me. I read the book so easily it felt like it was reading by itself. I was so drawn in the story that I didn't realise I finished it.

I fell in love with the City of Murmurs and its mysteries, at every corner you can find something odd but fascinating. Sybel was my favourite, but I was curios about every character and I wished I could find out more about their history.

I loved the writing with so many beautiful metaphors, but after a while it was overwhelming. The cover is interesting with its lovely colours and for me the plot is something new and intriguing. Thank you NetGalley for this eArc in exchange of an honest review.

Overall
A slow mild read but interesting.

I got a bit of an Erin Morgenstern vibe but the writing is not there yet. It's weird and whimsical with the tiniest details that become magical. I went back and forths between "the author is trying too hard" and "this is dreamy".

Story
We follow the main character as she grows up in a whore house away from any prying eyes and hidden in the basement wishing she knew who her father was. It's not a normal world though there is something extra about it, but I got major Scottish island feel.

I did feel the main character didn't struggle enough though. I could see the conflict building up but then it would evaporate and everything would be fine.

There are two plotlines in this book, and I felt the mermaid one got a bit in the way, which was probably the point. But it was most detailed than the father plotline and I would have loved to see more of the father-daughter "love story" with family love take the centre stage than the mermaid desire love story getting in the way. I cared a lot more about the father-daughter story that the other one.

I didn't expect the turn towards the end and I hoped she would have made a different choice though I understand why and that it leads her to where she needed to be at the end.

Worldbuilding
Everything is given in small bits like breadcrumbs. Exactly how I liked it.

The world starts on an island and I was getting Scotland vibes. But then the world expands with floating islands and magical mists, with sirens and half animals half-human people.

The place names throughout the books include names like Streets of Lost and Found, Bridge of Longing, City of Murmurs. In the beginning, this annoyed me, but it grew on me and now I kind of like it. But the place isn't big. They are all islands. I have no idea if this is a whole world but they keep referring, to what we would call the sea, to the lagoon so it feels smaller.

Characters
Marea the main character is half bird half something else. She hunts for her father and we follow her journey to find him. She seems to want to hide all the time but I also get the feeling she trusts very easily. I didn't buy her 100%, something wasn't right and I can't put my finger on it. I struggle to connect with her and she was quite frustrating some times.

Writing
Thee are small inconsistencies throughout the book which is mildly annoying but they are few and far between.

The writing itself is clear precise and not heavy which make the book joyous to read.

I did feel the author had made some decisions to let Marea off easy. There were several built-ups to a struggle or conflict that just dwindled away - like letting go of a balloon after you slowly blew it up. I got a bit disappointed, but then again I know it can be really hard for an author to inflict pain on their characters. I know, I've been there (though I'm not an author just a writer :) ). But then again, maybe I just like my characters to suffer...

I had an ARC ad I found a few continuity issues throughout the book but they were few and far between. I hope they are not included in the final version.

Summary
Interesting and magical but easy.

I'm curious to see what the author does next.

I did not read the book since it was archived before I downloaded it, I will update this review when I get a chance to read the book. I have put in requests for the latest version of the book available on NetGalley and have my fingers crossed for a chance to read it.

Marea was kept a secret all her young life because of her feathers. However, determined to find out about herself and uncover her destiny, she sets out for the City of Murmurs to find her father.

The descriptions of the City of Murmurs was the highlight for me. It really helps to transport the reader this highly atmospheric place. It had so much promise and hints of mystery it could almost have been a character itself. There was definitely some missed potential in terms of utilising the city in all its mystical glory.

Unfortunately also I found this very heavy handed in its writing style. I don’t mind some flowery writing but this sometimes this went to the extreme, to the detriment of the story and pacing. Often I was distracted to the point where I had to set this aside in favour of something some straightforward, because it was sending my head into a spin. I also found the plot largely predictable with not enough action and lacking in originality. The characters, aside from Marea are underwhelming and underdeveloped, lessening the importance the story tries to convey about not fitting in.

There’s potential here, with undeniable sparks of creativity, but it just couldn’t hold my attention.

A likeable enough book,feeling like an old school fairy tale with winged people and mermaids and a brothel.
It was a bit predictable, BUT very enjoyable to get swept away.

I felt though,it lacked a spark of magic,that the old city and the keeper of the hours might bring in their own story. Essentially for me,a minor character stole the show.


I look forward to what's coming next.

I think I'm the wrong audience for this book. I loved the cover and the blurb, so I requested it. And now I have to rate it. Here we go.

Cartwright has a knack for descriptions and characterization. That said, her prose leans too much toward purple to my taste. Instead of keeping me immersed, some of her similes and elaborate paragraphs made me roll my eyes.

The other issue I have concerns the pacing - this story lacks rhythm and variation. As a result, I found it boring. That being said, I'm sure younger readers will enjoy it a lot and identify with Marea and her struggles.

This is a YA book full of intrigue and mystery, also lots of imagination. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and publisher for this copy.

This is a first person narrative following the life of Marea from birth to adulthood. Born with feathers, for most of her childhood she is kept hidden by her mother and the women she lives with. Eventually, Marea leaves the confines of her home and goes out to find her father and to discover who she really is.
This book is about difference, belonging, love and being true to yourself. It has a fairy tale quality with some beautiful imagery.
Initially I found the writing very poetic and delightful but it soon became overdone with far too many similes and metaphors. The characters were interesting but not fully developed. The same is true of the plot. At first there were hints of menace but nothing came of them and there was very little action in the story. The story plods on without much happening and in the end it all feels rather flat.
This is a story that started with so much potential but ended up being very disappointing. Pretty but insubstantial.

I haven't actually finished reading this book but wanted to write something down!

This is an intense novel featuring captivating characters and an unknown plot line. The main character must remain hidden due to her beautifully feather covered body. She lives in a brothel with her mother but she is hidden in the basement. Her heritage is unknown to the reader still but there lies the great mystery.

I am loving the intrigue and mystery so far. The book is so well written and hard to put down.

Excellent book for YA readers.

Will add more once I complete the book but for now I can safely say it is wonderful.

We follow Marea from the moment her mother goes into labour with her. We skip through the years as she grows up, hidden away in the basement of "whorehouse" because of the feathers that cover her. Eventually the need to know more about herself leads her to the City of Murmurs.
I loved the descriptions of the City of Murmurs, a sinking city of crumbling ruins, canals, and something different down each alleyway - I'd have liked more time exploring everything there.
I liked the characters, and there were some interesting side characters that added to the atmosphere of the city.
The writing style was very descriptive and whimsically fairytale-like but I found the use of similes a little too much, at one point I was counting the number of times 'like' appeared per page.
I also wasn't keen on the heavy use of 'whores' or 'whorehouse' - these are supposed to be the women who cared for the main character as she grew up but they are never anything besides 'whores'.
Overall, I enjoyed the idea and the setting but I wasn't completely gripped by the plot.

To begin, I’d like to thank Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book, and to NetGalley for facilitating. And a thank you to Beth Cartwright for the world you created!

No spoilers as usual in this review.

Eh... I’ve been struggling with what to write in this review for the best part of a month. This is a tough one, it was marketed as perfect for fans of The Night Circus or The Bear and The Nightingale - well, I think I’m probably Katherine Ardens biggest fan and loved The Night Circus and can safely say that Feathertidewas in no way, shape or form “perfect for me”.

I’ll begin with the characters... that’s usually a good place to start! They were interesting, somewhat mysterious, quite one dimensional and cliched, but on the whole they were enough to inspire some emotional response.

The language, whilst impressive, felt more like a piece of coursework where you’re trying to fit in as many language skills as possible into each sentence in order to achieve high marks. I didn’t need that many similes. No one needs that many similes... sometimes the best way to write a sentence is exactly as it should be said. There’s a place for flowery, artsy sentences and they can make a book very beautiful to read, but not when something that took a page to say could have been said in a sentence or two. It felt at times like a word count needed to be met so some extra fluff was sprinkled in.

The story itself was sweet, it was by no means gripping and I was waiting for so long for some sort of peak or climax... some drama... but it didn’t happen. It was very flat to me. I might have enjoyed it as a teenager but not as an adult. There was just not enough going on for me.

This was not even remotely similar to the “comparable” books and because of that I think I resented it, because my expectations had been raised with references to Arden and Morgenstern and it failed to live up by a loooong mile. Which is why it took me so long to feel able to review it - because I was trying to think about it without the disappointment of false expectations. But unfortunately, the comparison was drawn from outset (and not by me), and so I couldn’t not compare and sadly, I found Feathertide come up seriously short. I fail to see at all how this is in any way similar.

I don’t know what else I can say. I didn’t hate this book... I can’t even say I disliked it, the story was sweet, and the book was readable. But I didn’t like it either, I wanted more from Feathertide.

Sorry, I hate writing reviews like this because I can only imagine how much an author must put into their work, how invested they must be... and protective. And how horrible it must be to read words of people who don’t enjoy it. So I am sorry to Beth Cartwright for my words - I think a younger audience would identify more with the characters and find more enjoyment in the book than I did. I think perhaps the target market needs adjusting as this did feel more YA than adult fantasy.