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Submerged
On the night of the biggest storm in New York City history, Elysia Puente gets a call from her estranged little brother Angel, terrified, begging for help. When the call cuts out suddenly, despite the bad feelings between them, Ellie rushes into the night. Finding his broken phone in front of a barricaded subway station, Ellie follows echoes of her brother into the sinister darkness of the underground, desperate to find him before it’s too late.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 26, 2026
review to come
April 1, 2019
A modern day take on the Greek Underworld myth. Elysia travels the subways to find her brother amidst a hurricane in NYC. As she travels, her family history slowly unravels. Some of the Greek myths like Charon and Cerebus are easily detectable while others are more subtle.
Received an advance copy from Vault and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received an advance copy from Vault and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
February 5, 2019
I think I'm done with comics that look like this. Every time I open comics with art looking this way, I end up disappointed. The story is most of the time the same. Female protagonist? Check. Lesbian/bi? Check. Depressing stuff? Check. Bad/idiotic parent? Check. Not an interesting story? Check. "Let's show this character as really powerful and self-sufficient"? Check.
Seriously, this story was so depressing and boring and those characters were so whiny. I didn't feel bad for them at all, didn't believe them their pain, nope.
The only thing I liked there was that it was way darker than I was expecting. I mean especially parts underground.
#KNcelendz2019 (24)
Seriously, this story was so depressing and boring and those characters were so whiny. I didn't feel bad for them at all, didn't believe them their pain, nope.
The only thing I liked there was that it was way darker than I was expecting. I mean especially parts underground.
#KNcelendz2019 (24)
February 14, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I wasn't quite sure what to expect before I started reading this, but I was very pleasantly surprised once I got into it. It starts off a little bit vague [definitely on purpose] but it is more or less a woman's journey to find her brother set up like a journey through the Greek underworld. I don't want to give too much away about the plot because I think it's better if it is slowly revealed to you as you read, but it was definitely surprising and I loved the way the author blended the mythological aspects with the modern day stuff and family conflict. The art is gorgeous and the last issue especially was very moving. I would definitely recommend to people who like books like American Gods.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect before I started reading this, but I was very pleasantly surprised once I got into it. It starts off a little bit vague [definitely on purpose] but it is more or less a woman's journey to find her brother set up like a journey through the Greek underworld. I don't want to give too much away about the plot because I think it's better if it is slowly revealed to you as you read, but it was definitely surprising and I loved the way the author blended the mythological aspects with the modern day stuff and family conflict. The art is gorgeous and the last issue especially was very moving. I would definitely recommend to people who like books like American Gods.
December 2, 2019
Vita Ayala weaves together the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with a high-stakes family drama set in modern day New York City. Elysia Puente gets a phone call from her estranged younger brother Angel, begging for help. When the call cuts off, Elysia heads out into a torrential storm to find him. She follows clues and hints down into the storm-barricaded subway... or possibly the underworld. Demons, rats, mafia, and specters of her past rise up with the water as Elysia searches desperately for Angel, hoping to find him before it's too late.
March 10, 2019
Fun art and interesting story line. Had zero clue what was happening for most of this though.
February 24, 2019
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
During the middle of a hurricane, Elysia travels to the underworld to confront her personal demons. I like the little mythological references that come with this story, particularly Cerberus and the boatman. I'm not sure that the specifics of Elysia's story (e.g. the problems with her family) matter all that much. I liked this for the journey that she goes on to come to terms with her decisions. The way the other characters manifest is interesting because it subtly builds toward the end. For me it was satisfying to see her complete the journey and look toward the future, even if this is all of her story that we get to see.
I am kind of split on the art though. For the most part it is great. However, there were times that the character faces looked odd to me. Maybe it's more of a personal preference, but it did jar me out of the story a few times because they just didn't look right. Despite that, I think this book is worth checking out.
During the middle of a hurricane, Elysia travels to the underworld to confront her personal demons. I like the little mythological references that come with this story, particularly Cerberus and the boatman. I'm not sure that the specifics of Elysia's story (e.g. the problems with her family) matter all that much. I liked this for the journey that she goes on to come to terms with her decisions. The way the other characters manifest is interesting because it subtly builds toward the end. For me it was satisfying to see her complete the journey and look toward the future, even if this is all of her story that we get to see.
I am kind of split on the art though. For the most part it is great. However, there were times that the character faces looked odd to me. Maybe it's more of a personal preference, but it did jar me out of the story a few times because they just didn't look right. Despite that, I think this book is worth checking out.
February 13, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and illustrator, as well as the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I wasn't really into the description of the book, but the amazing cover art and the slight hint at the paranormal kept me coming back. I took a look at some reviews on Goodreads and found the various cover arts. It's the creep factor of the various covers that finally drew me into this graphic novel, and it was much, much better than I expected!
I really enjoyed the artwork, and the story is...interesting. New York (I think?) is on watch from a massive storm, and the subways are closing due to the possible flooding. When El's brother disappears, everything leads to him going into the subway. Whether it is a true battle against monsters, or all in her mind, El must fight her past as she reflects on her family interactions and the right thing to do.
The end was a rather interesting twist, and one of the things I like about this graphic novel is that it's a stand-alone collection with all four chapters (issues) of the story. It was a nice single piece that left me with an air of satisfaction.
At first, I wasn't really into the description of the book, but the amazing cover art and the slight hint at the paranormal kept me coming back. I took a look at some reviews on Goodreads and found the various cover arts. It's the creep factor of the various covers that finally drew me into this graphic novel, and it was much, much better than I expected!
I really enjoyed the artwork, and the story is...interesting. New York (I think?) is on watch from a massive storm, and the subways are closing due to the possible flooding. When El's brother disappears, everything leads to him going into the subway. Whether it is a true battle against monsters, or all in her mind, El must fight her past as she reflects on her family interactions and the right thing to do.
The end was a rather interesting twist, and one of the things I like about this graphic novel is that it's a stand-alone collection with all four chapters (issues) of the story. It was a nice single piece that left me with an air of satisfaction.
February 2, 2019
Interesting read. 2.5 stars for sure.
What I liked: The main character was hispanic, female, and a lesbian. Thats about it. Also, the artwork was good.
What I didn't like: The confusing plot, I am not sure why Elysia had to go on this journey. Also her family was so depressing and weak willed. Her father was abusive, her mother was an idiot, and her brother was selfish. I didn't feel bad for any of them.
Artwork: Really good, very clean and smooth. The green and blue hues are effective in this.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked: The main character was hispanic, female, and a lesbian. Thats about it. Also, the artwork was good.
What I didn't like: The confusing plot, I am not sure why Elysia had to go on this journey. Also her family was so depressing and weak willed. Her father was abusive, her mother was an idiot, and her brother was selfish. I didn't feel bad for any of them.
Artwork: Really good, very clean and smooth. The green and blue hues are effective in this.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2019
2,5/5. Intriguing concept but wasn't for me. The rhythm was perfect, it was fast paced like I like in comic but the transition from normal world to going into Hell to help her brother and then back to reality and all just seem force and I didn't like it or see the point to it. Not a bad one, but not much in this one for me.
February 17, 2019
Submerged is the story of Elysia, a latinx lesbian and her descent into the NY subway system to save her wayward brother, Angel. Through voicemails and flashbacks, their family dynamic shows a gender based rift between the two siblings. Elysia is La Princesa, an image of the perfect daughter in her father’s eyes. Angel is the boy, protected from consequences in youth but expected to take up his father’s violent business practices as a young adult.
In reality, Elysia consistently gets her brother out of jams in between hiding her relationships with women and building her own life. Meanwhile their mother struggles to do right by her children without incurring abuse from her husband - the result often being that she is the front line against Elysia being herself. Perhaps unexpected in a horror comic, the representation of what it’s like to grow up in a world where gender roles are enforced with physical and emotional violence is written with depth and drawn with empathy.
After a big fight, Elysia ignores Angel’s calls. When she listens to his messages her big sis instincts kick in at the sound of her brother’s voice. The clues lead her out into a terrible storm and down into the subway system, only to be greeted by a modern New York iteration of the entrance to Hades. It soon becomes clear that 1) the storm outside is a woeful one and 2) Elysia is being followed by creatures unknown.
There is care taken to include that wild storms due to climate change are on the rise, they’re a part of the alternate world that is built. Ayala’s use of real life threats as the paint and wood of their nightmare scape is masterfully creepy. Familial and internal homophobia, climate change, centipedes - these are all things that already keep me up at night and here they are, realized and validating and scary af.
For Fans of: Infidel, The Wilds, I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez, Becky Cloonan stuff, Warriors the movie (if only for the stellar use of subway systems as a spooky set for misdeeds)
Art: The strength of concept is proven with the visual product. Lisa Sterle dresses Elysia in the clothes and expressions that are authentic, and then surrounds her with dubious, eerie creatures and structures. Stelladia’s breathless blues and purples keep the tension and tone consistent. They come together to make a world that looks like concrete but shifts like the smoke of dreams - perfect for the modern Orpheus vibe of the book.
Sell it: To people looking for emotional, well-constructed spooky content from non-binary and femme creators.
In reality, Elysia consistently gets her brother out of jams in between hiding her relationships with women and building her own life. Meanwhile their mother struggles to do right by her children without incurring abuse from her husband - the result often being that she is the front line against Elysia being herself. Perhaps unexpected in a horror comic, the representation of what it’s like to grow up in a world where gender roles are enforced with physical and emotional violence is written with depth and drawn with empathy.
After a big fight, Elysia ignores Angel’s calls. When she listens to his messages her big sis instincts kick in at the sound of her brother’s voice. The clues lead her out into a terrible storm and down into the subway system, only to be greeted by a modern New York iteration of the entrance to Hades. It soon becomes clear that 1) the storm outside is a woeful one and 2) Elysia is being followed by creatures unknown.
There is care taken to include that wild storms due to climate change are on the rise, they’re a part of the alternate world that is built. Ayala’s use of real life threats as the paint and wood of their nightmare scape is masterfully creepy. Familial and internal homophobia, climate change, centipedes - these are all things that already keep me up at night and here they are, realized and validating and scary af.
For Fans of: Infidel, The Wilds, I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez, Becky Cloonan stuff, Warriors the movie (if only for the stellar use of subway systems as a spooky set for misdeeds)
Art: The strength of concept is proven with the visual product. Lisa Sterle dresses Elysia in the clothes and expressions that are authentic, and then surrounds her with dubious, eerie creatures and structures. Stelladia’s breathless blues and purples keep the tension and tone consistent. They come together to make a world that looks like concrete but shifts like the smoke of dreams - perfect for the modern Orpheus vibe of the book.
Sell it: To people looking for emotional, well-constructed spooky content from non-binary and femme creators.
May 8, 2019
A shallow trip through a metaphorical underworld with characters that are just a collection of attributes(Latinx, lesbian, sibling, etc) with names attached. The plot is too bare to convey why anyone does what they do, so they have to spell it out for one another in emotionless monologues. I'm not sure what story a second volume could even tell.
April 2, 2020
New York, gangs, trauma, and underworld mythologies rendered in cool tones and eerie tunnelscapes. Reminded me a bit of Russian Doll. I enjoyed it.
October 16, 2019
On the surface this is about the main character, Elysia, trying to find her brother and going on a dangerous path to do so. But a story called "Submerged" is not likely to be about what's on the surface, is it?
There are obvious similarities to Orpheus and Eurydice, but a lot of the imagery reminded me more of medieval art and symbolism, and Submerged might relate more to Dante. Elysia's goal at the start might be to retrieve her mother, but it is really more about saving herself, finding forgiveness and wholeness and a way of relating to her family and herself that she can live with.
So when at the end of the journey, back up at the surface, Angel keeps asking Elysia to look at him, and she keeps trying to avoid it but eventually can't, that is not a failure. It was never possible or right to bring back the dead, but making peace is possible.
Orpheus could never adjust to the loss of Eurydice, lost faith, and was torn apart by Maenads. Elysia can have a better fate, having been able to reconcile looking back and letting go.
There are obvious similarities to Orpheus and Eurydice, but a lot of the imagery reminded me more of medieval art and symbolism, and Submerged might relate more to Dante. Elysia's goal at the start might be to retrieve her mother, but it is really more about saving herself, finding forgiveness and wholeness and a way of relating to her family and herself that she can live with.
So when at the end of the journey, back up at the surface, Angel keeps asking Elysia to look at him, and she keeps trying to avoid it but eventually can't, that is not a failure. It was never possible or right to bring back the dead, but making peace is possible.
Orpheus could never adjust to the loss of Eurydice, lost faith, and was torn apart by Maenads. Elysia can have a better fate, having been able to reconcile looking back and letting go.
March 3, 2019
Hmmm… A four-parter fantasy comic that wants to be all Neil Gaiman, with a subway network under threat of life-changing flood damage, and a teenaged girl trapping herself in it in a quest for her brother amidst a welter of peculiar places and cod-mythological monster types. Unfortunately it gives us too many flashbacks to the siblings bickering, and all boils down to being 'hey, Hispanic characters have daddy issues too!'. A shame.
May 23, 2024
2.5 stars
It could have been a really good comic book if only she hadn’t forgiven her abuser.
It could have been a really good comic book if only she hadn’t forgiven her abuser.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2019
This quick review is also posted on my blog with some panels from the comic. They're all property of the creators of the comic.
First of all, this book is absolutely gorgeous. It takes a lot to get me to read a book called "Submerged" and has something to do with a hurricane — I don't do water, much less flooded NYC subway stations. Nuh uh — nooooo thank you. But this comic contains absolutely gorgeous blue undertoned artwork.
I will admit that while Netgalley did have this arc on their "read now" shelf, I did actually buy and read this in issue form. I was super curious to see if the volume contained extra bits, so I grabbed it quickly.
I did list this as one of my favorites in 2018, and I still stand by that. It is a weird, surreal comic. Am I still a little bummed that the Dante's Inferno references don't quite pan out? Yes, which is why this isn't a full five-star review. I still love the portrayal of the Ferryman — I am not sure if it is specifically Charon (or which culture's underworld this is), but ferrymen to the underworld are always my favorites. (Okay there is also a mention of Cocytus, so I am going to go with Greek.)
The overall theme of this book discusses the protection of younger siblings and whether you are truly responsible for your families' actions or is there a separation when you become an adult. Dealing with the guilt of not picking up Angel's call before he went missing is eating up Elysia. The comic is woven with flashbacks to her protecting her brother in childhood as well as her tense relationship with her parents. Is there actual danger or is it all just a mental battle with guilt?
Also a forewarning if you don't speak Spanish, there is some throughout the trade, with no translations provided.
PPS I want all the Jen Bartel alternate covers.
PPPS the dog does die.
First of all, this book is absolutely gorgeous. It takes a lot to get me to read a book called "Submerged" and has something to do with a hurricane — I don't do water, much less flooded NYC subway stations. Nuh uh — nooooo thank you. But this comic contains absolutely gorgeous blue undertoned artwork.
I will admit that while Netgalley did have this arc on their "read now" shelf, I did actually buy and read this in issue form. I was super curious to see if the volume contained extra bits, so I grabbed it quickly.
I did list this as one of my favorites in 2018, and I still stand by that. It is a weird, surreal comic. Am I still a little bummed that the Dante's Inferno references don't quite pan out? Yes, which is why this isn't a full five-star review. I still love the portrayal of the Ferryman — I am not sure if it is specifically Charon (or which culture's underworld this is), but ferrymen to the underworld are always my favorites. (Okay there is also a mention of Cocytus, so I am going to go with Greek.)
The overall theme of this book discusses the protection of younger siblings and whether you are truly responsible for your families' actions or is there a separation when you become an adult. Dealing with the guilt of not picking up Angel's call before he went missing is eating up Elysia. The comic is woven with flashbacks to her protecting her brother in childhood as well as her tense relationship with her parents. Is there actual danger or is it all just a mental battle with guilt?
Also a forewarning if you don't speak Spanish, there is some throughout the trade, with no translations provided.
PPS I want all the Jen Bartel alternate covers.
PPPS the dog does die.
October 17, 2019
2.5 stars, I guess.
The concept of 'underworld myth made modern in the NYC subway' sounds great on the tin, but was just executed here really poorly. Reads like a dramatic student project from someone working through personal issues. The flow was very choppy in places, the dialogue was poor while also being needlessly dramatic, and the concepts definitely needed major refining.
You can tell that the family story here is probably a super personal one, and I think that ended up weighing everything down. The characters are SO RIGIDLY locked into their roles that it's easy to predict basically everything that's about to happen: we have the Brother Who's In Too Deep, the Mother Who Is Strict In Order To Protect Herself, the Queer Protagonist With An Unsupportive Family who must soldier on and prove themselves a hero to people who probably really don't deserve the time of day anymore... I dunno. If these characters had ANY sort of originality to them, it probably would have been easier for them to move more organically within the story and actually contribute something interesting.
I also didn't love all of the harsh bigoted language here-- I mean, yes, it happens and is true to life in that way, but it made for a very jarring reading experience. Readers could have been made to understand how unsupportive and homophobic Elena's family was in subtler ways, but as established, this book STRUGGLES WITH SUBTLETY!
The statued gods are the parents? The little subway boy is her brother? Are the centipedes FBI agents? Did we really need all of those ~mYsTeRiOuS hOmElEsS pEoPlE~? Bleh. Felt like a first draft of something that needs many more edits. Honestly, it would probably be better as a CW show; it certainly would benefit from having a larger team to help edit the vision and it would also be able to flaunt its pulpiness in the form of mindless tv.
The concept of 'underworld myth made modern in the NYC subway' sounds great on the tin, but was just executed here really poorly. Reads like a dramatic student project from someone working through personal issues. The flow was very choppy in places, the dialogue was poor while also being needlessly dramatic, and the concepts definitely needed major refining.
You can tell that the family story here is probably a super personal one, and I think that ended up weighing everything down. The characters are SO RIGIDLY locked into their roles that it's easy to predict basically everything that's about to happen: we have the Brother Who's In Too Deep, the Mother Who Is Strict In Order To Protect Herself, the Queer Protagonist With An Unsupportive Family who must soldier on and prove themselves a hero to people who probably really don't deserve the time of day anymore... I dunno. If these characters had ANY sort of originality to them, it probably would have been easier for them to move more organically within the story and actually contribute something interesting.
I also didn't love all of the harsh bigoted language here-- I mean, yes, it happens and is true to life in that way, but it made for a very jarring reading experience. Readers could have been made to understand how unsupportive and homophobic Elena's family was in subtler ways, but as established, this book STRUGGLES WITH SUBTLETY!
The statued gods are the parents? The little subway boy is her brother? Are the centipedes FBI agents? Did we really need all of those ~mYsTeRiOuS hOmElEsS pEoPlE~? Bleh. Felt like a first draft of something that needs many more edits. Honestly, it would probably be better as a CW show; it certainly would benefit from having a larger team to help edit the vision and it would also be able to flaunt its pulpiness in the form of mindless tv.
May 16, 2019
I wasn't quite sure what to think upon picking this up from Vault. I adore Vault's catalog. They combine two of my favorite things, sci-fi/fantasy, and comics. Previously, I read The Vagrant Queen and loved it. It had a definite space opera vibe to it, which I appreciate. Submerged, however, started confusing, and I realized pretty early on that the confusion was purposeful. I believe that the story was written that way to set the reader off balance. Ayala is throwing odd and fanciful situations at Elysia that verge on realistic. But, something is off in every scene. You feel like Elysia is on a journey to an unknown destination in the search for her brother, but you can't understand what is going on. As the story progresses, you discover that Elysia is on a journey into the underworld to liberate her brother from its clutches.
The imagery is vivid, almost to the point of beautiful. But tempering that beauty is an undercurrent of pain and fear that penetrates the panels. Elysia is in pain. She is terrified of not finding her brother and failing him, terrified of the creatures and images she has to face, and most of all she is terrified of meeting the inner darker parts of herself and her history. It is a journey of self discovery, but it is a journey of forgiveness. We, as readers, become invested in this tale. We want to know what is going to happen. Ayala drops bits and pieces of the narrative as the story progresses, the tension from panel to panel ratchets up as she fights not only the environment, cleverly a flood instead of fire, but parts of herself. The story is chock full of imagery from different pantheons, mainly Egyptian and greek, and I found myself googling description from the various panels to delve into the deeper meaning that Ayala was shooting for.
Overall, Submerged was a beautiful story to read. It wasn't perfect for me. There were pacing issues that I struggled with, but overall, I found myself going back to different panels and rereading. It is a dark and deep story. That is well drawn and well executed. It has Latinx representation that you do not often find in stories of this type. It is a story of love, loss, beauty, and what it means to be human. It is well worth the read.
The imagery is vivid, almost to the point of beautiful. But tempering that beauty is an undercurrent of pain and fear that penetrates the panels. Elysia is in pain. She is terrified of not finding her brother and failing him, terrified of the creatures and images she has to face, and most of all she is terrified of meeting the inner darker parts of herself and her history. It is a journey of self discovery, but it is a journey of forgiveness. We, as readers, become invested in this tale. We want to know what is going to happen. Ayala drops bits and pieces of the narrative as the story progresses, the tension from panel to panel ratchets up as she fights not only the environment, cleverly a flood instead of fire, but parts of herself. The story is chock full of imagery from different pantheons, mainly Egyptian and greek, and I found myself googling description from the various panels to delve into the deeper meaning that Ayala was shooting for.
Overall, Submerged was a beautiful story to read. It wasn't perfect for me. There were pacing issues that I struggled with, but overall, I found myself going back to different panels and rereading. It is a dark and deep story. That is well drawn and well executed. It has Latinx representation that you do not often find in stories of this type. It is a story of love, loss, beauty, and what it means to be human. It is well worth the read.
September 2, 2023
A young woman goes searching for her brother in the subways of the city, getting caught up in a retelling of classical myths as she plunges deeper into the underworld and the depths of hell (but, like, a New York version). It wears the mythical influence on display clearly but I don't think it ever really does enough with it- it's not quite fantastical enough to feel like a true myth but our protagonist spends too much time being weirded out by the fantasy elements for this to feel truly grounded. I do like her growth throughout the book though, coming to terms with her screwed up family dynamic and learning which parts to take accountability for and which parts to forgive. Elysia has a lot to work through and while searching for her brother she has to take a good look at herself and her parents as well.
Lisa Sterle's art is my favourite part about this book, here are some moments of clever panelling and the art did a good job pulling different 'versions' of this character (from visions of her past and own reflections) into a scene at the same time but keeping them clear and easy to follow.
Lisa Sterle's art is my favourite part about this book, here are some moments of clever panelling and the art did a good job pulling different 'versions' of this character (from visions of her past and own reflections) into a scene at the same time but keeping them clear and easy to follow.
January 8, 2020
'Submerged Vol. 1' by Vita Ayala with art by Lisa Sterle is a graphic novel about a storm, a trip to the underworld, and family secrets.
Elysia Puente didn't have the best home life, but she always looked out for her estranged brother Angel. When he calls her on the night of the worst storm in history, Elysia goes into the subways looking for him. What she finds is a journey filled with ghosts from her past. She'll have to confront the things she has done in order to find her brother.
I liked the idea of this, but wasn't completely blown away by it. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it left me wanting. I think the storm element to the story kept pulling me away from the more interesting story of Elysia. The art is interesting.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Elysia Puente didn't have the best home life, but she always looked out for her estranged brother Angel. When he calls her on the night of the worst storm in history, Elysia goes into the subways looking for him. What she finds is a journey filled with ghosts from her past. She'll have to confront the things she has done in order to find her brother.
I liked the idea of this, but wasn't completely blown away by it. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it left me wanting. I think the storm element to the story kept pulling me away from the more interesting story of Elysia. The art is interesting.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
February 12, 2019
I liked the art style! The covers were amazing!
About the story, the main character was trying to help his brother who she loves a lot. She didn’t have an easy life and her family was guilty in that way, she knows her family has a lot of problems but ignores and the things just keep happening over and over. I liked the main character, she has her flaws and that's reality, even when she tries to accept the problems, didn't like so much her brother but his actions were the reflex of his education in some way. The idea it’s interesting but a little confusing and the beginning seemed a little fast paced and forced.
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
About the story, the main character was trying to help his brother who she loves a lot. She didn’t have an easy life and her family was guilty in that way, she knows her family has a lot of problems but ignores and the things just keep happening over and over. I liked the main character, she has her flaws and that's reality, even when she tries to accept the problems, didn't like so much her brother but his actions were the reflex of his education in some way. The idea it’s interesting but a little confusing and the beginning seemed a little fast paced and forced.
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2024
Man this book has so many shitty racist reviews. You all are just jealous of vita ayala and lisa sterle’s talent. This book is incredible. When i saw that it was a retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice but with siblings instead of lovers i was skeptical but ayala and sterle pull it off really well. The mix of the New York subway aesthetic with Greek mythology and specifically underworld imagery is genius and a lot of fun. The book explores the complicated family situation of the main character and you really feel for her. In particular I love the way her toxic relationship with her mother is depicted. Highly recommend especially for a rainy day!
February 24, 2019
The author takes elements from the Greek classics (notably the Aeneid and the Odyssey) and uses them to tell the story of a Hispanic girl's descent into her own personal hell. Elysia comes from a family many Latinos (including myself) can probably relate to, with parents who expect their oldest child to always take care of the younger more reckless siblings. There are issues of abuse, gender stereotypes and sexuality addressed as well, all with a fantasy background that ultimately tells a story of family, loyalty and the choices we must make to become independent adults.
March 2, 2019
I received a free eARC from NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
Submerged is not what I expected in the least. The description seemed interesting, and I figured I'd give it a shot. What followed was an a broken hearted woman's dangerous and cathartic journey through the subway system. Not exactly where you would expect that sort of thing to take place, but weirdly applicable in a Dante sort of way.
I give it 4 stars because it made me feel.
Warnings, contains verbal abuse, physical abuse, slurs, and profanity. If those are things you are avoiding, I would give this one a miss.
Submerged is not what I expected in the least. The description seemed interesting, and I figured I'd give it a shot. What followed was an a broken hearted woman's dangerous and cathartic journey through the subway system. Not exactly where you would expect that sort of thing to take place, but weirdly applicable in a Dante sort of way.
I give it 4 stars because it made me feel.
Warnings, contains verbal abuse, physical abuse, slurs, and profanity. If those are things you are avoiding, I would give this one a miss.
March 19, 2019
Memorable, creepy and not at all what I was expecting. At its core this is a story about generational trauma that many women can probably relate to, with different experiences that follow along the same lines. I enjoyed that the writing was confusing to build suspense, but allowed that confusion to dissipate once catharsis was called for, something not all authors are capable of.
August 19, 2019
One of the many books I picked up at Flame Con this past weekend, Submerged is a creepy retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice set in the underground (literally and figuratively) during Hurricane Sandy. Beautiful art and nice writing, but as it cribs so much from myths and accompanying Jungian symbols I was rarely surprised by its twists and turns.
January 28, 2020
A bit too didactic but heart wrenching and lovely too. Loving our queer characters here. I get that some people might be tired of the angry strong lesbian trope, but I want to acknowledge how hard it still is to be a queer woman of color and queer second generation America. It’s not all Queer eye and cuteness. People are still working hard to be themselves in America.
May 2, 2021
Slightly disorienting (I think that’s the point), but I get what the story was trying to do. Elysia has to confront her trauma and regrets in the weirdest subway station ever. Talk of toxic masculinity, gender roles, sexuality, babying boys but forcing girls to grow up, gang violence, unreasonable parental expectations, and toxic family relationships.
2.5
2.5
December 15, 2021
Single volume collected work. It had a lot of neat components: Hispanic family, lesbian MC, Greek mythology, etc but it felt like there was something missing to add depth/urgency to the story. The characters overall felt like one-dimensional tropes, which is too bad since the premise was an interesting one.
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