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Feathertide
A girl.
A secret.
A life-changing journey.
Born covered in the feathers of a bird, and kept hidden in a crumbling house full of secrets, Marea has always known she was different, but never known why. And so to find answers, she goes in search of the father she has never met.
The hunt leads her to the City of Murmurs, a place of mermaids and mystery, where jars of swirling mist are carried through the streets by the broken-hearted.
And Marea will never forget what she learns there
Feathertide is an enchanting, magical novel perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale.
A secret.
A life-changing journey.
Born covered in the feathers of a bird, and kept hidden in a crumbling house full of secrets, Marea has always known she was different, but never known why. And so to find answers, she goes in search of the father she has never met.
The hunt leads her to the City of Murmurs, a place of mermaids and mystery, where jars of swirling mist are carried through the streets by the broken-hearted.
And Marea will never forget what she learns there
Feathertide is an enchanting, magical novel perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2020
108 people are currently reading
3334 people want to read
About the author
Beth Cartwright
2 books58 followersBeth Cartwright has taught English in Greece and travelled around South East Asia and South America, where she worked at an animal sanctuary. A love of language and the imaginary led her to study English Literature and Linguistics at Lancaster University, and she now lives on the edge of the Peak District with her family and two cats. Feathertide is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
January 3, 2023
Rating: 4/5 stars
“A place full of memories can never be completely empty”
A strange baby-girl is born in a whorehouse, covered in the feathers of a bird. Her father is a mystery, that came from the mist and worshiped the sky.
Growing up in the whorehouse, away from the prying eyes of strangers on her feathers, Marea has always felt a deep feeling of displacement: she doesn’t belong here. On her eighteenth birthday she leaves her sheltered life behind and sets off to the distant City of Murmurs, hoping to track down her father and the answers she’s looking for.
Most of my anticipated releases for a new year are the ones by authors that I’ve read and loved before, but every now and then a debut comes by with a premise and set-up that intrigues me so that I anticipate it even more than my favourite authors new release. Feathertide was an example of such a debut. I actually made a little jump of joy when my request for an ARC got excepted by publisher Del Rey. Teetering between magical realism and fantasy, centring around a coming of age story in a mysterious and atmospheric Venetian inspired city ánd being recommended for fans of Erin Morgenstern and Katherine Arden: this was going to be great! And it was.
As much as I think the “for fans of”-comparison often does a disservice to both parties (especially when comparing debuts to works by very celebrated authors), I can see where the publishers were coming from. Feathertide has many of the same selling-points as the works of the aforementioned authors: stunning writing style, a rich and vivid setting and an atmosphere fogged in magic. It’s the kind of worldbuilding where, even if not everything is explained in detail to you, you can feel the depth of the world the author created behind it.
Where the City of Murmurs is a beautiful set-piece that feels almost like a character, the characters that inhabit it conversely feel more like set-pieces themselves. They lack depth, and although it fits the “modern-fairy-tale”-style, I often found myself wanting to know a bit more about them, outside their main quirk and role in the plot. I’m honestly not sure if that was a bad thing, as the only reason I wanted to know so much more was because they were so incredibly interesting in set-up.
Whether you will enjoy Feathertide largely depends on if you typically enjoy this genre. If you don’t like these kind of modern fairy tales, hate magical realism or need a fast paced plot to keep you interested: this book probably won’t convince you otherwise, as it’s not a ground-breaker in its genre. If you, like me, do love this type of book, are willing to get lost in the atmosphere and don’t mind the slower pace: Feathertide is one you shouldn’t pass up.
Personally, I loved my time with Feathertide and I look forward to more by the author. I would also very much welcome a return to this world, as I feel there is so much more beauty to be explored here.
Many thanks to Del Rey Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“A place full of memories can never be completely empty”
A strange baby-girl is born in a whorehouse, covered in the feathers of a bird. Her father is a mystery, that came from the mist and worshiped the sky.
Growing up in the whorehouse, away from the prying eyes of strangers on her feathers, Marea has always felt a deep feeling of displacement: she doesn’t belong here. On her eighteenth birthday she leaves her sheltered life behind and sets off to the distant City of Murmurs, hoping to track down her father and the answers she’s looking for.
Most of my anticipated releases for a new year are the ones by authors that I’ve read and loved before, but every now and then a debut comes by with a premise and set-up that intrigues me so that I anticipate it even more than my favourite authors new release. Feathertide was an example of such a debut. I actually made a little jump of joy when my request for an ARC got excepted by publisher Del Rey. Teetering between magical realism and fantasy, centring around a coming of age story in a mysterious and atmospheric Venetian inspired city ánd being recommended for fans of Erin Morgenstern and Katherine Arden: this was going to be great! And it was.
As much as I think the “for fans of”-comparison often does a disservice to both parties (especially when comparing debuts to works by very celebrated authors), I can see where the publishers were coming from. Feathertide has many of the same selling-points as the works of the aforementioned authors: stunning writing style, a rich and vivid setting and an atmosphere fogged in magic. It’s the kind of worldbuilding where, even if not everything is explained in detail to you, you can feel the depth of the world the author created behind it.
Where the City of Murmurs is a beautiful set-piece that feels almost like a character, the characters that inhabit it conversely feel more like set-pieces themselves. They lack depth, and although it fits the “modern-fairy-tale”-style, I often found myself wanting to know a bit more about them, outside their main quirk and role in the plot. I’m honestly not sure if that was a bad thing, as the only reason I wanted to know so much more was because they were so incredibly interesting in set-up.
Whether you will enjoy Feathertide largely depends on if you typically enjoy this genre. If you don’t like these kind of modern fairy tales, hate magical realism or need a fast paced plot to keep you interested: this book probably won’t convince you otherwise, as it’s not a ground-breaker in its genre. If you, like me, do love this type of book, are willing to get lost in the atmosphere and don’t mind the slower pace: Feathertide is one you shouldn’t pass up.
Personally, I loved my time with Feathertide and I look forward to more by the author. I would also very much welcome a return to this world, as I feel there is so much more beauty to be explored here.
Many thanks to Del Rey Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
After a night of passion with a man she had only just met and didn’t even catch his name in the City of Murmurs Leman finds that she is pregnant. Marea is born in the whorehouse that Leman lives in. She is born with feathers on her shoulders and to keep her away from the prying eyes she is brought up in a basement room where she lives with her mother and has a tutor.
She is only allowed out once a year and granted one wish she can put in her wish jar. On her seventeenth birthday, her wish is for her freedom. She wants to travel to the City of Murmurs to try to locate her father. All she knows is that he came in a mist, had feathers too, and was a sky-worshipper.
Feathertide is a very unusual book. It certainly took me out of my comfort zone as I’m not really a fantasy fan and this was filled with fantasy, mystery, and magic.
The story is told in the first person, from Marea’s point of view of her life growing up in the whorehouse. Getting to see the world outside of the basement for the first time and then onto her adventure to find her father.
It took me a little while to get into the plot and at one point about four chapters in I did think about giving up but I’m glad that I pushed through as it does come alive and invite you into this weird yet satisfying story. It is quite a slow-build plot though so be prepared if you prefer fast-paced ones.
There are some amazing characters along the way my favourite being the Keeper of the Hours who not only kept the time but seemed to be the caretaker for the City of Murmurs.
If you are a fantasy fan then I think you will love this book. If like me fantasy isn’t your go-to-read, but the synopsis grabs you, give it a read anyway but make sure you stick with it as it has a kind of poetic feel to it. The world-building is so precise and imaginative that it will make you realise just how creative the author is.
After a night of passion with a man she had only just met and didn’t even catch his name in the City of Murmurs Leman finds that she is pregnant. Marea is born in the whorehouse that Leman lives in. She is born with feathers on her shoulders and to keep her away from the prying eyes she is brought up in a basement room where she lives with her mother and has a tutor.
She is only allowed out once a year and granted one wish she can put in her wish jar. On her seventeenth birthday, her wish is for her freedom. She wants to travel to the City of Murmurs to try to locate her father. All she knows is that he came in a mist, had feathers too, and was a sky-worshipper.
Feathertide is a very unusual book. It certainly took me out of my comfort zone as I’m not really a fantasy fan and this was filled with fantasy, mystery, and magic.
The story is told in the first person, from Marea’s point of view of her life growing up in the whorehouse. Getting to see the world outside of the basement for the first time and then onto her adventure to find her father.
It took me a little while to get into the plot and at one point about four chapters in I did think about giving up but I’m glad that I pushed through as it does come alive and invite you into this weird yet satisfying story. It is quite a slow-build plot though so be prepared if you prefer fast-paced ones.
There are some amazing characters along the way my favourite being the Keeper of the Hours who not only kept the time but seemed to be the caretaker for the City of Murmurs.
If you are a fantasy fan then I think you will love this book. If like me fantasy isn’t your go-to-read, but the synopsis grabs you, give it a read anyway but make sure you stick with it as it has a kind of poetic feel to it. The world-building is so precise and imaginative that it will make you realise just how creative the author is.
August 6, 2020
I didn’t hate the book, it was an easy read however it’s a safe little story, no real tension even if there is a hint at adventure. I suspect that a younger audience will identify more with the main character and storyline.
I also think the publishers should not have specifically recommended this for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale and The Night Circus It created unfair expectations that unfortunately was not met.
And then there are the overabundance of similes. It became very distracting and completely unnecessary.
I think the author has talent and with time she will hone her craft as she certainly has the imagination for this genre.
Netgalley ARC: Expected publish date 30 July 2020
I also think the publishers should not have specifically recommended this for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale and The Night Circus It created unfair expectations that unfortunately was not met.
And then there are the overabundance of similes. It became very distracting and completely unnecessary.
I think the author has talent and with time she will hone her craft as she certainly has the imagination for this genre.
Netgalley ARC: Expected publish date 30 July 2020
September 7, 2020
"Sometimes there is beauty in broken things."
The Ten thousand doors of January meets Gabriel and the Swallows. 4, 5 stars.
In Feathertide we follow Marea, a girl born of a human mother and a Sky-Worshipper father (Sky worshippers are bird people reminiscent of something like angels aka humanoids with wings that speak like birds). Marea grows up very sheltered and overprotected in a whorehouse, until one day she decides to search for her father and travels to the city of Murmurs, the place where her father met her mother.
Feathertide is not magical realism but a fantasy coming of age told like it was magical realism. It distinguishes itself from all other YA: things take time to happen, there isn't really any cliffhanger. Just a story being told like you're listening to a very old, magical, slice-of-life tale. Nothing really happens and what happens is completely expected...and yet it manages to be magical and wonderful.
The weak points:
- The lack of dialogues and overuse of narrative. The narrator, Marea, describes everything, including the majority of the dialogues she had with people. There was too much narration and very little dialogues. It took the cruciality of many scenes which I have no doubt it would have impacted more if told in dialogue by the other characters.
- There are certain chapters were the lyrical prose becomes purple prose and it becomes just too much. Everything is described with metaphors and beautifully to the exhaustion. For instance, the hair color of a certain character is described four or five times. It was unnecessary.
- The weakest point however is the lack of depth of the supporting characters. If this book had given more attention and spotlight to them, it would have been amazing because each one of them had the potential to be so much more. Instead, they were developed to be one-dimensional. How I would have loved to see more of Marianne, the leader of the whores, Dr. Marino, Elevar, and Leo.
The good points:
- The author writes beautifully. The imagery she created, the worldbuilding, the mythology, her words were pure poetry and I felt its beauty in my heart. Captivating, raw beauty that turned this book into an ethereal experience to me. She created a world where through her prose I was able to see the sceneries clearly in my mind and feel its beauty. I dare to say this is one of the best lyrical prose I've ever read.
- Marea was a well-developped protagonist. It was so satisfying to watch her journey of self-growth/discovery.
- Elevar and Leo were two precious cinnamon rolls. I just kept wishing they had more dialogues and backstory and character development, however, they were without a doubt the two characters that held my most of my attention.
In sum, I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the way it made me dream and imagine and feel. It was like going with a soft, wave of the sea, without expecting anything, just enjoying the moment. A breath of fresh air, a soft enchanting breeze in the oversaturated YA world. It has no action, no heartbreaking angst, or cliffhanger. It's like...a calm, calm tide, a gentle sensorial experience.
So beautiful, so unique, and I could have read a duology or spin-off and still feel it was not enough, because it made me crave for more and at the end, it left a bittersweet, nostalgic feeling which I really haven't felt for a long time. It is not perfect, but it truly is a hidden gem.
If you like coming of age, magical realism, or fantasy that doesn't fit in the traditional box, give this a try. Fans of Anna-Marie's Mclemore's The Weight of Feathers might enjoy this.
Also, yes, MERMAIDS.
August 20, 2020
I don’t read fantasy very much but, this book caught my eye and I thought I’d just try it. Well I’m glad I did, I throughly enjoyed it, it was refreshing and very readable. The main character was very likeable and I really wanted her to find her father and achieve some happiness.
It was a very enjoyable book to read without being bogged down to lots of fighting and battles as with a lot of fantasy books. This one was gentle and calm. The descriptions were wonderful and I could picture the boats and the cold.
I do hope Ms Cartwright writes more books like this as I would definitely read more.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
It was a very enjoyable book to read without being bogged down to lots of fighting and battles as with a lot of fantasy books. This one was gentle and calm. The descriptions were wonderful and I could picture the boats and the cold.
I do hope Ms Cartwright writes more books like this as I would definitely read more.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
April 9, 2020
Where do I begin with Feathertide? It's beauty layered upon beauty and more beauty. And what is beauty? I'd like to think that beauty is what Donna Tartt writes in The Secret History, that "beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it". I wouldn't say that the beauty in Feathertide is entirely terrifying, for the book is made up of many forms of beauty. There is terror, thrill, and excitement, but there is also kindness, love, and acceptance.
Set in a city of dreams and wishes, Feathertide explores love, loss and discovery. I was enchanted by the storytelling, the unraveling of the city's streets and many wonders. The writing, though laden with similes which can be off-putting at first, was captivating and suited the tone of the story very much, adding a hint of fairy tale and magic to it. I enjoyed the simple story of Maréa, a girl born with feathers, whose main goal is to find her father. Throughout the book, Maréa struggles with accepting her feathers and their beauty. She has lived her life concealing her feathers, convinced that they are ugly after witnessing a display of freaks and oddities that she would rather be safe than sorry. It's beautiful to see her come to accept herself throughout the story by taking small but realistic steps.
The wildness we get to experience with the unpredictable character Elver is beautiful. Being unpredictable can easily be interpreted as being dangerous. In this book we're shown that yes, unpredictability can be dangerous, but not in the way we expect. Hearts may be broken, but it's not without warning and without advice. Maybe the thrill and excitement that can cause us heartbreak is still beautiful and is still worth experiencing after all.
Characters in this book don't have a specific "side" they're on. There is no specific good or evil. Instead, we are shown people with various natures. We can seemingly enslave a bird in a cage, but this bird could very well be our only companion. The characters have their own wants and needs, their own strengths and weaknesses, their own joys and sorrows that lured me deeper into the fairy tale it tells.
One character I wasn't too fond of was Leo. His relationship with Maréa progressed quickly, and I couldn't help thinking he just loved Maréa based solely on the fact that she has feathers and is part-bird, which comes off as not right somehow. Still, I loved the ending, which showed me that Maréa and Leo's relationship is still a "in progress" thing where they will no doubt have to learn and grow together, which is beautiful. The epilogue had me wanting more but thinking that it was the perfect ending to the book at the same time.
The best part of this book is after reading it is that I want to dream louder and to love boldly. I want to live and to listen to my heart while I'm at it. I want to be brave and I want to be true. This book dares me to be all these things I want to be, and I have to respect and love it for that.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House UK and Beth Cartwright for the ARC.
Set in a city of dreams and wishes, Feathertide explores love, loss and discovery. I was enchanted by the storytelling, the unraveling of the city's streets and many wonders. The writing, though laden with similes which can be off-putting at first, was captivating and suited the tone of the story very much, adding a hint of fairy tale and magic to it. I enjoyed the simple story of Maréa, a girl born with feathers, whose main goal is to find her father. Throughout the book, Maréa struggles with accepting her feathers and their beauty. She has lived her life concealing her feathers, convinced that they are ugly after witnessing a display of freaks and oddities that she would rather be safe than sorry. It's beautiful to see her come to accept herself throughout the story by taking small but realistic steps.
The wildness we get to experience with the unpredictable character Elver is beautiful. Being unpredictable can easily be interpreted as being dangerous. In this book we're shown that yes, unpredictability can be dangerous, but not in the way we expect. Hearts may be broken, but it's not without warning and without advice. Maybe the thrill and excitement that can cause us heartbreak is still beautiful and is still worth experiencing after all.
Characters in this book don't have a specific "side" they're on. There is no specific good or evil. Instead, we are shown people with various natures. We can seemingly enslave a bird in a cage, but this bird could very well be our only companion. The characters have their own wants and needs, their own strengths and weaknesses, their own joys and sorrows that lured me deeper into the fairy tale it tells.
One character I wasn't too fond of was Leo. His relationship with Maréa progressed quickly, and I couldn't help thinking he just loved Maréa based solely on the fact that she has feathers and is part-bird, which comes off as not right somehow. Still, I loved the ending, which showed me that Maréa and Leo's relationship is still a "in progress" thing where they will no doubt have to learn and grow together, which is beautiful. The epilogue had me wanting more but thinking that it was the perfect ending to the book at the same time.
The best part of this book is after reading it is that I want to dream louder and to love boldly. I want to live and to listen to my heart while I'm at it. I want to be brave and I want to be true. This book dares me to be all these things I want to be, and I have to respect and love it for that.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House UK and Beth Cartwright for the ARC.
January 12, 2021
Marea is unusual; she is born under a luminous star-filled sky, with a tiny feather cluster growing from her shoulder and a wisp of feathers down her back. Raised in a whorehouse and hidden away in the basement, she stores wishes in a jar, until she turns eighteen and sets out to find her estranged birdlike father in the City of Water…
“It was as though someone had sprinkled a giant spoonful of sugar over everything and left it there to melt - waiting for the summer to pour out its warm brew.”
This book had a similar feel to Kiki’s Delivery Service; a young girl moving to a new town, seeking her place in the world. The City of Water itself is reminiscent of Venice, with winding streets, waterways and a floating bakery. It’s charming, with a dreamy fairytale-like feeling. There are mermaids, magical mist captured in jars and masquerade balls outside of time. The story is one of love, belonging and self-discovery, woven with delightful bird descriptions.
“I had stumbled into a city of sunset reds and pie-crust browns; of summer-baked apricots and dancing golden coins all reflected in the shimmering water.”
There was something about the pacing I struggled with. Significant events seemed rushed while insignificant details were lingered on. I also found the repeated references to the “whores” who raised Marea, including her mother, to be jarring in a coming-of-age tale. It was a quick read, however, with some lovely positive messages about love and loss, forgiveness, taking steps into the world and finding yourself.
“Time is neglected, forgotten, squandered, people fritter it away like careless gamblers. In a single moment everything can change and you can lose it all. People always want it back, but time is unredeemable.”
Thanks to the publisher and author for an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
“It was as though someone had sprinkled a giant spoonful of sugar over everything and left it there to melt - waiting for the summer to pour out its warm brew.”
This book had a similar feel to Kiki’s Delivery Service; a young girl moving to a new town, seeking her place in the world. The City of Water itself is reminiscent of Venice, with winding streets, waterways and a floating bakery. It’s charming, with a dreamy fairytale-like feeling. There are mermaids, magical mist captured in jars and masquerade balls outside of time. The story is one of love, belonging and self-discovery, woven with delightful bird descriptions.
“I had stumbled into a city of sunset reds and pie-crust browns; of summer-baked apricots and dancing golden coins all reflected in the shimmering water.”
There was something about the pacing I struggled with. Significant events seemed rushed while insignificant details were lingered on. I also found the repeated references to the “whores” who raised Marea, including her mother, to be jarring in a coming-of-age tale. It was a quick read, however, with some lovely positive messages about love and loss, forgiveness, taking steps into the world and finding yourself.
“Time is neglected, forgotten, squandered, people fritter it away like careless gamblers. In a single moment everything can change and you can lose it all. People always want it back, but time is unredeemable.”
Thanks to the publisher and author for an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
March 16, 2020
Rarely there comes a book that makes you go wow. When it does you want to treasure every word, savour the book, never let it end. This is that book. It’s a wonderful story accompanied by the most wonderful vocabulary that makes you feel you’re experiencing the journey of Marea.
Marea is born into a brothel, a girl different from all the rest. She’s kept away from the world and brought up by her mother, who obviously love her. Marea is different from everyone else as she has feathers on her back. She learns that her father had feathers and sets out to find him.
This is a tale of discovery, of wonderment, of fables. Mermaids live in the oceans, birdmen fill the skies. It mixes Japanese culture with Italian style. Marea’s journey is not an easy one as she heads for the City of Murmurs. It’s a coming of age tale told with the most exquisite language possible.
Each page is full of what I would call prose-poetry. Each scene carefully constructed so that at times you live and breath Marea’s journey. The story is excellent, the world seems far from the one we know, yet it’s rooted in real places that keeps the book from being too fanciful.
As you can see I really enjoyed the book. It had everything I love woven into a story that is timeless. The writer has produced something very rare, a literary work that’s worth the re-read.
Marea is born into a brothel, a girl different from all the rest. She’s kept away from the world and brought up by her mother, who obviously love her. Marea is different from everyone else as she has feathers on her back. She learns that her father had feathers and sets out to find him.
This is a tale of discovery, of wonderment, of fables. Mermaids live in the oceans, birdmen fill the skies. It mixes Japanese culture with Italian style. Marea’s journey is not an easy one as she heads for the City of Murmurs. It’s a coming of age tale told with the most exquisite language possible.
Each page is full of what I would call prose-poetry. Each scene carefully constructed so that at times you live and breath Marea’s journey. The story is excellent, the world seems far from the one we know, yet it’s rooted in real places that keeps the book from being too fanciful.
As you can see I really enjoyed the book. It had everything I love woven into a story that is timeless. The writer has produced something very rare, a literary work that’s worth the re-read.
November 19, 2019
Magical, inventive and unique. A truly beautiful story
March 16, 2020
I found this highly original, unusual and unexpected - beautifully written, reminiscent of old fairy tales, yet very modern in its concepts, full of weirdness and wonder and wisdom. Some of the scenes are stunningly well composed and it made me well up a few times, I’m still not quite sure how to describe what I’ve read - maybe this is a book about loss, maybe it’s about love and hope, maybe it’s about growing up and realising that nothing is what it seems and you never know the stories other people carry. It is in any case very moving, and left with me a huge urgency to hug my dog.
February 23, 2020
Right from the start Cartwright's writing is truly magical. The descriptive world building had me falling head over heels instantly and I was elated to discover this is consistent throughout the novel. The imagery written into each page is beautiful and had me returning to Feathertide at every given opportunity.
Written in the past tense from first person POV we follow Marea's life from the day she was born. Using a child as the narrator gives the book an innocent, naive tone which heightened the wonder I felt as a reader when discovering such a fantastical world.
Feathertide revolves around themes of motherhood, self discovery and individuality. As Marea searches for her father and the origin of her feathers she encounters the varying attitudes of curiosity, acceptance and cruelty dealt by others when confronted with diversity; a fitting topic for the world of today.
I adored every single character in this book. It was a refreshing escape to read about a world full of love and compassion. The women in Feathertide are all kind and supportive, even Sorren who we are led to fear at first. This gave the book a comforting quality I don't often find in my usual choice of reads.
Packed with magic, mermaids, birds and dreams, Feathertide is a fantastic debut from Cartwright. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future work. I highly recommend this book for fantasy lovers, bisexual rep, and strong female characters.
A real feel-good story.
Written in the past tense from first person POV we follow Marea's life from the day she was born. Using a child as the narrator gives the book an innocent, naive tone which heightened the wonder I felt as a reader when discovering such a fantastical world.
Feathertide revolves around themes of motherhood, self discovery and individuality. As Marea searches for her father and the origin of her feathers she encounters the varying attitudes of curiosity, acceptance and cruelty dealt by others when confronted with diversity; a fitting topic for the world of today.
I adored every single character in this book. It was a refreshing escape to read about a world full of love and compassion. The women in Feathertide are all kind and supportive, even Sorren who we are led to fear at first. This gave the book a comforting quality I don't often find in my usual choice of reads.
Packed with magic, mermaids, birds and dreams, Feathertide is a fantastic debut from Cartwright. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future work. I highly recommend this book for fantasy lovers, bisexual rep, and strong female characters.
A real feel-good story.
March 20, 2020
A Girl. A secret. A life-Changing Journey.
Maréa was born covered in feathers, and kept hidden away from prying eyes in a crumbling whorehouse that plays coy with its many secrets.
She has always known she was different, an outcast but never known why.
To find such answers to her growing list of question, she goes in search of the father she never knew.
A hunt that leads her to the City of Murmurs - a mysterious place where jars of mist are carried around by those with a broken heart 💔
And Maréa will never forget what she finds there.....
What unfolds around Maréa is a world she has only ever known exists in the fairy tales her mother told her as a child; cities of mist, someone who isn’t of this world, a big-hearted bear of a woman willing to help in her quest 🐻
But as Maréa uncovers more of this ethereal world, finding people who may have answers and someone who could help her connect with those truly known to her as family, she will have to make decisions that could be just too heavy on the heart to ever make.
Just how much does Maréa wish to unearth about herself as she desires more than just seeing her father for the first time?
This is a beguiling, beautifully crafted gem 💎 of a book which had me reading late into the night when the mist would feel like it was creeping underneath my door and would envelope me into its intoxicating tale of family, loss, love, and self identity.
The world building is on point and I feel like there could easily be a follow up as I want more of this gorgeous world and it’s colourful characters! 💖
I loved this book as it is escapism at its most page turning worthiness, encouraging the reader to be true to who they really are!
Remember, no one can truly gain back time that is lost.... can they? ⏰
Maréa was born covered in feathers, and kept hidden away from prying eyes in a crumbling whorehouse that plays coy with its many secrets.
She has always known she was different, an outcast but never known why.
To find such answers to her growing list of question, she goes in search of the father she never knew.
A hunt that leads her to the City of Murmurs - a mysterious place where jars of mist are carried around by those with a broken heart 💔
And Maréa will never forget what she finds there.....
What unfolds around Maréa is a world she has only ever known exists in the fairy tales her mother told her as a child; cities of mist, someone who isn’t of this world, a big-hearted bear of a woman willing to help in her quest 🐻
But as Maréa uncovers more of this ethereal world, finding people who may have answers and someone who could help her connect with those truly known to her as family, she will have to make decisions that could be just too heavy on the heart to ever make.
Just how much does Maréa wish to unearth about herself as she desires more than just seeing her father for the first time?
This is a beguiling, beautifully crafted gem 💎 of a book which had me reading late into the night when the mist would feel like it was creeping underneath my door and would envelope me into its intoxicating tale of family, loss, love, and self identity.
The world building is on point and I feel like there could easily be a follow up as I want more of this gorgeous world and it’s colourful characters! 💖
I loved this book as it is escapism at its most page turning worthiness, encouraging the reader to be true to who they really are!
Remember, no one can truly gain back time that is lost.... can they? ⏰
August 3, 2020
This beautiful story felt like I was reading some kind of poetic, dreamy tale that completely enchants your mind. I was immediately captivated by the author’s style of writing and it is probably one of the most imaginative, magical books I have ever read. While you read it you feel a sense of calm wash over you and you are literally taken in with the tide and you wash up at the end feeling like you have been on a journey to a fairytale land. The imagery is just out of this world, you can imagine the sights and sounds and even the smells due to the vivid descriptions the author brings to you as a reader.
Marea as our main character is someone I immediately took a liking too, she is so naïve and unworldly but grows so much as a person throughout the story and becomes so strong and proud of who she is. I adored her!
I loved the underlying theme to this story about how somebody by being different to the people around them makes them hide themselves away for fear of being ridiculed and seen as some kind of freak. When underneath they are something beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. It is so cleverly and beautifully written. This is a book about love, finding yourself and your destiny. I highly recommend this book to fantasy readers. It is such a great book to sit back and unwind and let yourself escape to to another world.
Marea as our main character is someone I immediately took a liking too, she is so naïve and unworldly but grows so much as a person throughout the story and becomes so strong and proud of who she is. I adored her!
I loved the underlying theme to this story about how somebody by being different to the people around them makes them hide themselves away for fear of being ridiculed and seen as some kind of freak. When underneath they are something beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. It is so cleverly and beautifully written. This is a book about love, finding yourself and your destiny. I highly recommend this book to fantasy readers. It is such a great book to sit back and unwind and let yourself escape to to another world.
March 20, 2020
Sadly the book offered nothing new or memorable .
* I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via netgalley
* I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via netgalley
February 20, 2020
A beautifully crafted debut! I adored every piece, from the unique characters to the setting that put me so in mind of the mysterious winding canals of Venice. Delicious and captivating.
July 21, 2020
Sometimes I come across books that make me savor each and every scrap of world-building descriptions - this is one of those books. Feathertide was truly a beautiful coming of age tale for one unusual little girl named Marea. Her story is one of personal growth, discovery, and acceptance. The pacing is like a stroll through all the lovely descriptions Beth Cartwright breathes to life in her book. If fast-paced and action-packed books are your cup of tea you may not enjoy this one.
It was hard to pin down an actual time frame the novel takes place in. The circus, the town itself, and the boats make it sound like it's in the past but the mention of algebra made it sound more modern. As the book continued on, the time and place factor faded greatly and really doesn't have much impact on the story itself. The romance portion of the book is pretty light although it does include Marea's involvement with both sexes. I wish that Marea had more time to spend and learn about the Ornis Tribe as the little she did learn was a little unsatisfying after all that time.
"Discoveries, no matter what they are, can bring uncertainty because they can change everything."
Marea had always been special to the ladies of the whorehouse in which she is kept hidden. After keeping herself hidden in every way from outsiders she has a hard time letting anyone in and truly loving who she really is. Only when Marea leaves the only life she's ever known in search of her history does she begin to find her true self. The supporting characters in Feathertide are lovingly done and they each help Marea in some fashion (even if she doesn't immediately realize it). My favorite character that I would love to know more about was Elver, specifically her time before she found herself in the City of Murmurs.
"Desire is the sea. Love is the rock, solid, strong and defiant. Desire rushes to embrace you, and shower you with affection, wrapping itself around you and filling every crevice. But it is a disguise. With every touch desire reduces you, gouging out your surface, eroding your senses until you crumble; slowly sinking out of sight. We reshaped each other as lovers often do and then watched each other was away, until there was nothing left, but sediment. Desire has no boundaries, but it is love that sets them straight. Desire is ruinous; love is the ruin left behind.
The ending of the book could be cracked open towards a sequel, if that happens, I would 100% read it. I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy and young adult fantasy novels that feature slow pacing but beautiful world-building. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Beth Cartwright, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautifully crafted debut - all opinions are my own.
It was hard to pin down an actual time frame the novel takes place in. The circus, the town itself, and the boats make it sound like it's in the past but the mention of algebra made it sound more modern. As the book continued on, the time and place factor faded greatly and really doesn't have much impact on the story itself. The romance portion of the book is pretty light although it does include Marea's involvement with both sexes. I wish that Marea had more time to spend and learn about the Ornis Tribe as the little she did learn was a little unsatisfying after all that time.
"Discoveries, no matter what they are, can bring uncertainty because they can change everything."
Marea had always been special to the ladies of the whorehouse in which she is kept hidden. After keeping herself hidden in every way from outsiders she has a hard time letting anyone in and truly loving who she really is. Only when Marea leaves the only life she's ever known in search of her history does she begin to find her true self. The supporting characters in Feathertide are lovingly done and they each help Marea in some fashion (even if she doesn't immediately realize it). My favorite character that I would love to know more about was Elver, specifically her time before she found herself in the City of Murmurs.
"Desire is the sea. Love is the rock, solid, strong and defiant. Desire rushes to embrace you, and shower you with affection, wrapping itself around you and filling every crevice. But it is a disguise. With every touch desire reduces you, gouging out your surface, eroding your senses until you crumble; slowly sinking out of sight. We reshaped each other as lovers often do and then watched each other was away, until there was nothing left, but sediment. Desire has no boundaries, but it is love that sets them straight. Desire is ruinous; love is the ruin left behind.
The ending of the book could be cracked open towards a sequel, if that happens, I would 100% read it. I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy and young adult fantasy novels that feature slow pacing but beautiful world-building. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Beth Cartwright, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautifully crafted debut - all opinions are my own.
February 25, 2020
Quite literally the most beautiful book I’ve ever read. I can honestly liken finishing it to feeling like waking from a dream I didn’t want to end.
August 22, 2021
“Secretly, the heart navigated you to where it needed you to be.”
🌊🥀
Born under the encouraging hands of kohl-eyed ladies in a musky whorehouse, Maréa grows up to be a girl with feathers on her back and a naturally curious heart. Kept hidden within the crumbling house full of secrets, Maréa longs to find answers to her questions. Her desire to know more leads her from Lemàn's (Maréa's mother) protectiveness, Professor Elms’ endless knowledge, and tip-toeing across the dark hallways of the whorehouse to the City of Murmurs.
Maréa's journey from glimpsing the outside world for the first time as a little girl to stepping inside the ship moving towards the City of Murmurs was fascinating to read on its own.
“A gull screeched overhead and instinctively I ducked for fear it would swoop down and carry me off in its talons.”
Maréa's wonder-filled innocence and the utter bewilderment at experiencing the world outside her window for the first time were very refreshing to read. Her reactions were the most amusing and I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face the whole day.
“Being outside felt like a miracle to me.”
Searching for a father she never met, Maréa's story in Feathertide revolves around self-love, healing, magical encounters, loss, grief, love, and birds— lots and lots of colorful birds.
🌊🥀
“..., and the storm in her eyes made me drop anchor before we both capsized…”
“...some cities where the fog is so thick it's just like pea soup.”
Woven with beautiful similes and meaningful (and just as beautiful!) quotes, the author has made this book an enchanting place to dive in for readers. I had a hard time putting the book down. Not to exaggerate but it felt maddening to miss even a single sentence— I am a sucker for pretty words and fancy lines after all…
“Mourning without a death, a burial without a body…”
“...the wrong sort of love, if there was such a thing…”
“The building had a weariness about it like it had hobbled away to sulk in a back street.”
The characters Maréa had had fateful meetings with after reaching the City of Murmurs were each very unique. Amidst the ethereal town where there is no shortage of mysteries and solace is found in jars of swirling most, Maréa finds her home in the gentle and strong presence of the sea, most covered bridges, a fortune teller with a wise and warm demeanor, and walking said fortune-teller's dogs around the streets.
🌊🥀
The storyline flows in a mellow sort of way throughout the book— its pace akin to water gently lapping against the boat, with the occasional bigger waves hitting it. Though I wouldn't have minded some disturbance in the water— not much to overturn the boat itself but preferably enough to get me shaken. However, the truly charming and magnetic dialogues somehow made up for it.
“ ‘...Lemàn is a great storyteller, … ’
‘..., I'm sure she is. But you're not imagined, are you?’ ”
“ ‘How were the stars last night?’
‘Closer than I imagined.’ ”
The conversations were what made me wish there was more to discover about Sorren and The Keeper of the Hours. Those two characters were so mysterious that I had to squash down the urge to rip the veil off their secrets.
“ ‘What else do you do besides restore time, polish door handles, and unclog wishes?’
‘I rescue the occasional stranded cat,’ ”
“ ‘Not everyone believes in God, but they like an alternative.’ ”
🌊🥀
For all the anticipation of meeting her father, Maréa's reuni– no, union with him was a satisfying hum and made me content. I would have loved it if their bond had evolved into something more strong than the budding, precious and hopeful state it was in. Though I suppose the almost fragility of their relationship made it all the more cherishing.
Although I saw the confrontation between Leo, Maréa, and Elver coming pages before, the final event still unsettled me. These scenes, however, did agree with my thoughts of Maréa's character being an interesting and unpredictable one. As the other characters, I couldn't "figure out" Maréa's— innocent, joyful, blunt, indecisive, fiery, silent, determined, weary, distrustful, whimsical and so many other faces to her that I could only let the story move on with her mistakes made and lessons learnt.
“It was here on the edge of the town, hidden behind a woodpile, that she unveiled me like a magic act.”
“... so Lemàn decided that if she couldn't take her out into the work, then she would have to bring the world inside to me.”
🌊🥀
“Storms uproot more than just trees and it isn't just the worms that try to wriggle out of that dirt.”
“ ‘It's a dangerous beauty though.’
‘Isn't all beauty dangerous?’ ”
Much like the sea, this story had moments that managed to run a shiver up my spine. Some strength or sudden, unconscious pull to reality or a mess of mesmerizing words— Feathertide has been the most enchanting read to me so far this year.
“,... but I doubted there was enough coral in the whole world's ocean to cleanse us of our visitors.”
“Men reduced to boys with the flick of a wrist.”
“She gave me a small half-smile, but her mouth was uneven and I knew her happiness would always be a crooked thing.”
🌊🥀
Born under the encouraging hands of kohl-eyed ladies in a musky whorehouse, Maréa grows up to be a girl with feathers on her back and a naturally curious heart. Kept hidden within the crumbling house full of secrets, Maréa longs to find answers to her questions. Her desire to know more leads her from Lemàn's (Maréa's mother) protectiveness, Professor Elms’ endless knowledge, and tip-toeing across the dark hallways of the whorehouse to the City of Murmurs.
Maréa's journey from glimpsing the outside world for the first time as a little girl to stepping inside the ship moving towards the City of Murmurs was fascinating to read on its own.
“A gull screeched overhead and instinctively I ducked for fear it would swoop down and carry me off in its talons.”
Maréa's wonder-filled innocence and the utter bewilderment at experiencing the world outside her window for the first time were very refreshing to read. Her reactions were the most amusing and I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face the whole day.
“Being outside felt like a miracle to me.”
Searching for a father she never met, Maréa's story in Feathertide revolves around self-love, healing, magical encounters, loss, grief, love, and birds— lots and lots of colorful birds.
🌊🥀
“..., and the storm in her eyes made me drop anchor before we both capsized…”
“...some cities where the fog is so thick it's just like pea soup.”
Woven with beautiful similes and meaningful (and just as beautiful!) quotes, the author has made this book an enchanting place to dive in for readers. I had a hard time putting the book down. Not to exaggerate but it felt maddening to miss even a single sentence— I am a sucker for pretty words and fancy lines after all…
“Mourning without a death, a burial without a body…”
“...the wrong sort of love, if there was such a thing…”
“The building had a weariness about it like it had hobbled away to sulk in a back street.”
The characters Maréa had had fateful meetings with after reaching the City of Murmurs were each very unique. Amidst the ethereal town where there is no shortage of mysteries and solace is found in jars of swirling most, Maréa finds her home in the gentle and strong presence of the sea, most covered bridges, a fortune teller with a wise and warm demeanor, and walking said fortune-teller's dogs around the streets.
🌊🥀
The storyline flows in a mellow sort of way throughout the book— its pace akin to water gently lapping against the boat, with the occasional bigger waves hitting it. Though I wouldn't have minded some disturbance in the water— not much to overturn the boat itself but preferably enough to get me shaken. However, the truly charming and magnetic dialogues somehow made up for it.
“ ‘...Lemàn is a great storyteller, … ’
‘..., I'm sure she is. But you're not imagined, are you?’ ”
“ ‘How were the stars last night?’
‘Closer than I imagined.’ ”
The conversations were what made me wish there was more to discover about Sorren and The Keeper of the Hours. Those two characters were so mysterious that I had to squash down the urge to rip the veil off their secrets.
“ ‘What else do you do besides restore time, polish door handles, and unclog wishes?’
‘I rescue the occasional stranded cat,’ ”
“ ‘Not everyone believes in God, but they like an alternative.’ ”
🌊🥀
For all the anticipation of meeting her father, Maréa's reuni– no, union with him was a satisfying hum and made me content. I would have loved it if their bond had evolved into something more strong than the budding, precious and hopeful state it was in. Though I suppose the almost fragility of their relationship made it all the more cherishing.
Although I saw the confrontation between Leo, Maréa, and Elver coming pages before, the final event still unsettled me. These scenes, however, did agree with my thoughts of Maréa's character being an interesting and unpredictable one. As the other characters, I couldn't "figure out" Maréa's— innocent, joyful, blunt, indecisive, fiery, silent, determined, weary, distrustful, whimsical and so many other faces to her that I could only let the story move on with her mistakes made and lessons learnt.
“It was here on the edge of the town, hidden behind a woodpile, that she unveiled me like a magic act.”
“... so Lemàn decided that if she couldn't take her out into the work, then she would have to bring the world inside to me.”
🌊🥀
“Storms uproot more than just trees and it isn't just the worms that try to wriggle out of that dirt.”
“ ‘It's a dangerous beauty though.’
‘Isn't all beauty dangerous?’ ”
Much like the sea, this story had moments that managed to run a shiver up my spine. Some strength or sudden, unconscious pull to reality or a mess of mesmerizing words— Feathertide has been the most enchanting read to me so far this year.
“,... but I doubted there was enough coral in the whole world's ocean to cleanse us of our visitors.”
“Men reduced to boys with the flick of a wrist.”
“She gave me a small half-smile, but her mouth was uneven and I knew her happiness would always be a crooked thing.”
August 3, 2020
Feathertide was not quite what I expected based on first impressions from the cover, but it turned out to be a beautiful coming-of-age, fantasy novel steeped in magical-realism and focused on ideas of self-confidence and love.
The novel follows a young girl Marea who is born with feathers and kept hidden away in the cellar of a whore-house for her whole life. She slowly begins to realise as she grows up that she is different from those who inhabit her world around her and she hides herself and her feathers. The novel speaks to those that are shunned for being different as Marea is part-bird and deeply fearful of being shown in a 'Freaks and Oddities show. Upon reaching maturity, she takes the decision to brave the wide-open world and search for answers about her father, her identity and her future. This takes her to the City of Murmurs which is a city steeped in mystery and magic. Here Marea experiences first loves, makes friends, and begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding her heritage and future.
It took me a little bit to get into this novel, but it really came into its own once Marea landed in the City of Murmurs. The relationship that blossomed between her and Leo, and her and the girl with the flaming golden hair who embodied the ocean as much as Marea represented the sky really captured by heart. The relationships that Marea developed between these two beautifully represented the struggles of first loves, identity and developing sexuality. The focus was on the person and their behaviours and values rather than their gender or identity which I really liked. Both of the love-interests taught Marea something about herself and helped her to grow as a person and I loved this element of the novel.
The actual plot itself is quite slow and meandering as the focus is on Marea's growth and development, her family and love. The novel is steeped in description and beautiful metaphors as it builds up the city and the characters within. I do wish we'd had a little bit more about the world and the history of The City of Murmurs and how it came to be, where it is. Nevertheless, this was a novel that was beautiful in its descriptions and reminded me very much of The Night Circus. For those that loved The Night Circus the flowery descriptions, slow plot pacing and focus on mystery, magic and finding ones identity will love Feathertide.
This was a beautiful mystery that slowly and daintily unraveled itself and surprisingly impressed me as it went along. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the eARC.
The novel follows a young girl Marea who is born with feathers and kept hidden away in the cellar of a whore-house for her whole life. She slowly begins to realise as she grows up that she is different from those who inhabit her world around her and she hides herself and her feathers. The novel speaks to those that are shunned for being different as Marea is part-bird and deeply fearful of being shown in a 'Freaks and Oddities show. Upon reaching maturity, she takes the decision to brave the wide-open world and search for answers about her father, her identity and her future. This takes her to the City of Murmurs which is a city steeped in mystery and magic. Here Marea experiences first loves, makes friends, and begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding her heritage and future.
It took me a little bit to get into this novel, but it really came into its own once Marea landed in the City of Murmurs. The relationship that blossomed between her and Leo, and her and the girl with the flaming golden hair who embodied the ocean as much as Marea represented the sky really captured by heart. The relationships that Marea developed between these two beautifully represented the struggles of first loves, identity and developing sexuality. The focus was on the person and their behaviours and values rather than their gender or identity which I really liked. Both of the love-interests taught Marea something about herself and helped her to grow as a person and I loved this element of the novel.
The actual plot itself is quite slow and meandering as the focus is on Marea's growth and development, her family and love. The novel is steeped in description and beautiful metaphors as it builds up the city and the characters within. I do wish we'd had a little bit more about the world and the history of The City of Murmurs and how it came to be, where it is. Nevertheless, this was a novel that was beautiful in its descriptions and reminded me very much of The Night Circus. For those that loved The Night Circus the flowery descriptions, slow plot pacing and focus on mystery, magic and finding ones identity will love Feathertide.
This was a beautiful mystery that slowly and daintily unraveled itself and surprisingly impressed me as it went along. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the eARC.
May 17, 2020
Everything you need to know about Feathertide by Beth Cartwright
.
Rep: Bisexual protagonist, Sapphic romance.
.
What you get?
.
🍷Marea, born with feathers and kept hidden from the world in a whorehouse, ventures out to the City of Murmurs at the age of 17 to find her father and her true identity.
🍷Things happen exceptionally fast in this story and the author carefully avoids any mishaps. I mean, how lucky can a person be? Things are way too easy for this lady.
🍷A lot of effort has been given to beautifying and perfecting the outside world. The world building is exquisite, with Venice like vibes.
🍷An emotionally engaging read. The loose ends are tied carefully and neatly, for the most part.
🍷The themes that are recurring in the story are that of longing, fleeting relationships, self acceptance, personal experiences and difficult choices.
.
What you don't get:
🍷A first person narration, but I could hear the author in my head and not the protagonist.
🍷Minimal character development.
🍷Very little Mermaid time (you can't get away with drawing a Mermaid on the cover and disappointing us later).
🍷Severe lack of adventure with zero nail-biting experience.
.
Special Mention:
🍷It's a crime to compare this to The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
.
Rep: Bisexual protagonist, Sapphic romance.
.
What you get?
.
🍷Marea, born with feathers and kept hidden from the world in a whorehouse, ventures out to the City of Murmurs at the age of 17 to find her father and her true identity.
🍷Things happen exceptionally fast in this story and the author carefully avoids any mishaps. I mean, how lucky can a person be? Things are way too easy for this lady.
🍷A lot of effort has been given to beautifying and perfecting the outside world. The world building is exquisite, with Venice like vibes.
🍷An emotionally engaging read. The loose ends are tied carefully and neatly, for the most part.
🍷The themes that are recurring in the story are that of longing, fleeting relationships, self acceptance, personal experiences and difficult choices.
.
What you don't get:
🍷A first person narration, but I could hear the author in my head and not the protagonist.
🍷Minimal character development.
🍷Very little Mermaid time (you can't get away with drawing a Mermaid on the cover and disappointing us later).
🍷Severe lack of adventure with zero nail-biting experience.
.
Special Mention:
🍷It's a crime to compare this to The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
August 4, 2020
A lovely debut novel by Beth Cartwright. A well-crafted fantasy story that takes the reader on a magical adventure.
Marea has always been always an outcast. Born covered in feathers and keep locked away in the basement of a whorehouse, she is permitted only once a year to go out and put a wish in her wishing jar. Her most ardent wish is freedom and to locate her father. She doesn't know who he is, the only thing Marea has from him are the feathers on her back. And on her 18th birthday, she decides to leave her cell and travel to the City of Murmurs in search of answers but what she stumbles upon is an adventure that will change her life.
The writing style is beautifully descriptive and lyrical. The pace is a bit slow but the writing style is so enthralling that I absolutely didn't mind it. The vivid descriptions of the city, the mystical lands, and the ethereal beings pull you into the story and it's easy to imagine those scenes before your eyes. This is a story os self-discovery and I think the author did a great job in crafting Marea's character. I loved the way she developed throughout her journey. Overall it was an entertaining read and I recommend it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for providing me with a copy for review.
Marea has always been always an outcast. Born covered in feathers and keep locked away in the basement of a whorehouse, she is permitted only once a year to go out and put a wish in her wishing jar. Her most ardent wish is freedom and to locate her father. She doesn't know who he is, the only thing Marea has from him are the feathers on her back. And on her 18th birthday, she decides to leave her cell and travel to the City of Murmurs in search of answers but what she stumbles upon is an adventure that will change her life.
The writing style is beautifully descriptive and lyrical. The pace is a bit slow but the writing style is so enthralling that I absolutely didn't mind it. The vivid descriptions of the city, the mystical lands, and the ethereal beings pull you into the story and it's easy to imagine those scenes before your eyes. This is a story os self-discovery and I think the author did a great job in crafting Marea's character. I loved the way she developed throughout her journey. Overall it was an entertaining read and I recommend it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for providing me with a copy for review.
January 27, 2020
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.
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.
February 18, 2021
*I received a free ARC of this novel, with thanks to the author, Cornerstone / Penguin Random House and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Feathertide is a compelling blend of the mundane and the fantastical, in the form of a ‘coming of age’ fairytale.
Main character, Marea, is born with feathers and is hidden away in the basements of a brothel for most of her life, to avoid her being used or abused by an outside world that doesn’t understand her beauty. Unfortunately, this well-meaning protection leaves her full of shame and self-loathing for her physical differences, to the point of self-harm in an attempt to become ‘normal’. Thus her quest to find her father and understand her purpose is actually a journey of emotional self-discovery, as she learns to love herself and finds the world more diverse than she thought, and more forgiving than she is to herself.
There is a little romantic subplot, which I felt could have been much more than it was, and I would have loved to see more of the Sky-worshippers and mermaids, as it was the fantasy element that drew me to the book in the first place. However, the mermaids, bird people and psychics are not the focus of this beautifully spun story; they are merely the window dressing for an – actually quite simple – tale of learning to love yourself, and appreciate your differences, and those of others.
I’m not sure I would compare this to The Night Circus or The Bear and the Nightingale, as while richly written and imaginative, the plot and characterisations are less complex and the moral lessons more direct. However, I would definitely read more from Beth Cartwright – her beautiful feathered, and scaled, characters have stayed with me long after I put the book down, and I still think often and fondly of Marea and Sibel.
'Jewelled colours somersaulted through the sky, momentarily mapping out new constellations in the darkness. The swish of a rocket and the swirl of a wheel. Frost shimmered on the rooftops and left long, glistening trails along the pavements. The world stood – watchful, whisperful, wonderful – counting down the minutes to the end of something frayed and worn at the edges, and to the start of something woven with promise and hope. The old unravelling into the new, when another year was safely tucked up into the warm folds of memory.
A luminous star-filled sky; wish-ready.
It was the night I was born.'
– Beth Cartwright, Feathertide
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
Feathertide is a compelling blend of the mundane and the fantastical, in the form of a ‘coming of age’ fairytale.
Main character, Marea, is born with feathers and is hidden away in the basements of a brothel for most of her life, to avoid her being used or abused by an outside world that doesn’t understand her beauty. Unfortunately, this well-meaning protection leaves her full of shame and self-loathing for her physical differences, to the point of self-harm in an attempt to become ‘normal’. Thus her quest to find her father and understand her purpose is actually a journey of emotional self-discovery, as she learns to love herself and finds the world more diverse than she thought, and more forgiving than she is to herself.
There is a little romantic subplot, which I felt could have been much more than it was, and I would have loved to see more of the Sky-worshippers and mermaids, as it was the fantasy element that drew me to the book in the first place. However, the mermaids, bird people and psychics are not the focus of this beautifully spun story; they are merely the window dressing for an – actually quite simple – tale of learning to love yourself, and appreciate your differences, and those of others.
I’m not sure I would compare this to The Night Circus or The Bear and the Nightingale, as while richly written and imaginative, the plot and characterisations are less complex and the moral lessons more direct. However, I would definitely read more from Beth Cartwright – her beautiful feathered, and scaled, characters have stayed with me long after I put the book down, and I still think often and fondly of Marea and Sibel.
'Jewelled colours somersaulted through the sky, momentarily mapping out new constellations in the darkness. The swish of a rocket and the swirl of a wheel. Frost shimmered on the rooftops and left long, glistening trails along the pavements. The world stood – watchful, whisperful, wonderful – counting down the minutes to the end of something frayed and worn at the edges, and to the start of something woven with promise and hope. The old unravelling into the new, when another year was safely tucked up into the warm folds of memory.
A luminous star-filled sky; wish-ready.
It was the night I was born.'
– Beth Cartwright, Feathertide
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
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August 10, 2020
Thank you to Penguin Books UK for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The first time I saw this book, more specifically its cover, I knew I needed to find out about it and I was gratefully sent a copy to review. Other than the little synopsis we are given, I went into this book fairly blind and I’m so glad I did.
The book follows Maréa from her birth all the way into her late teens and we see the incredible journey she goes on – both literally and emotionally. We follow her early days being born with feathers to living a hidden life with her mother and other sex workers in an old house. As she grows, she becomes more curious about her father and knows she must said off on a journey to find him, taking her to the City of Murmurs – here she begins a life of independence with the help of Sybil, a fortune teller who hires Maréa to work her dogs in exchange for somewhere to live, Elver, a girl who was once a mermaid and Leo, the man with all the answers to her backstory and most importantly, her father.
The first thing that will capture you in this book is its lyrical prose. I just wanted to sit and highlight every other line because it was just so beautifully written. Everything from Maréa’s world inside the whorehouse to her journey into the City of Murmurs is just full of magic and the atmosphere makes it impossible for you to remember that this is just a fictional world. All the characters came to life in this world and magic just flowed from beginning to end.
Maréa was a wonderful character to follow and I was pleased to discover that she is either bisexual or pansexual and there is a sapphic romance in this book. Other than that, I adored the relationship between her and her mother, Lemán. Her mother wanted to protect her but she loved her unconditionally and it’s so heartwarming to see a strong mother/daughter bond in fiction. There is also Sybil who becomes like a mother-figure to her as well as Professor Elms who is originally introduced to her as a teacher but becomes a lifelong friend. I just really enjoyed all the different bonds in this book, rather than having a main character who just goes off on their own or only really has a love interest and nobody else.
I also really enjoyed the story itself – it isn’t an action-filled plot with twists and turns but like the overall theme of the book, it flows naturally and kept me hooked regardless. It is much more of a character-driven story and I know that can either be hit or miss but for me, I really appreciated it. I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fantasy fan and just want a book you can cozy up in bed with and just forget about the world.
The first time I saw this book, more specifically its cover, I knew I needed to find out about it and I was gratefully sent a copy to review. Other than the little synopsis we are given, I went into this book fairly blind and I’m so glad I did.
The book follows Maréa from her birth all the way into her late teens and we see the incredible journey she goes on – both literally and emotionally. We follow her early days being born with feathers to living a hidden life with her mother and other sex workers in an old house. As she grows, she becomes more curious about her father and knows she must said off on a journey to find him, taking her to the City of Murmurs – here she begins a life of independence with the help of Sybil, a fortune teller who hires Maréa to work her dogs in exchange for somewhere to live, Elver, a girl who was once a mermaid and Leo, the man with all the answers to her backstory and most importantly, her father.
The first thing that will capture you in this book is its lyrical prose. I just wanted to sit and highlight every other line because it was just so beautifully written. Everything from Maréa’s world inside the whorehouse to her journey into the City of Murmurs is just full of magic and the atmosphere makes it impossible for you to remember that this is just a fictional world. All the characters came to life in this world and magic just flowed from beginning to end.
Maréa was a wonderful character to follow and I was pleased to discover that she is either bisexual or pansexual and there is a sapphic romance in this book. Other than that, I adored the relationship between her and her mother, Lemán. Her mother wanted to protect her but she loved her unconditionally and it’s so heartwarming to see a strong mother/daughter bond in fiction. There is also Sybil who becomes like a mother-figure to her as well as Professor Elms who is originally introduced to her as a teacher but becomes a lifelong friend. I just really enjoyed all the different bonds in this book, rather than having a main character who just goes off on their own or only really has a love interest and nobody else.
I also really enjoyed the story itself – it isn’t an action-filled plot with twists and turns but like the overall theme of the book, it flows naturally and kept me hooked regardless. It is much more of a character-driven story and I know that can either be hit or miss but for me, I really appreciated it. I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fantasy fan and just want a book you can cozy up in bed with and just forget about the world.
August 5, 2020
My thanks to Random House U.K. Cornerstone for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Feathertide’ by Beth Cartwright in exchange for an honest review.
I will admit that I was initially attracted to this novel by its stunning cover art: the waves, the mermaid’s tail, a golden bird flying above. Yet I was quickly drawn into this wonderful tale of Maréa, who was born covered with the feathers of a bird.
Her mother, Lemàn, had given birth in the crumbling bawdy house where she continues to work. Usually a child would not be kept but Lemàn hide her away and she grew up in the shadows accepted though ignored.
Maréa had been conceived far away on one of the Scatterings, floating city-islands. When she finally asks about her father, Lemàn, reveals the story of their brief encounter. “‘Was he really a bird?’ I whispered, scarcely able to believe what I was asking. ‘More that than anything else,’ came her reply.”
When Maréa reaches her seventeenth year she leaves her mother behind in order to find answers about her father. Among the Scatterings she seeks the City of Water, where her friend and mentor, Professor Elms, told her that folk say mermaids can be found living in its waters.
Maréa was a delightful narrator, her thoughts full of wonder. In the City of Waters she is befriended by Sybel, a prophetess who lives with six scraggy-looking dogs. She makes other allies along the way and yes there are mermaids!
This novel was enchanting. Its story is not about grand adventures fighting demons that are laying waste to cities. Not that there is anything wrong with that kind of story but it was refreshing for the focus to be on a young woman seeking to understand her differences.
I felt completely transported by Beth Cartwright’s beautiful writing and quickly obtained its audiobook edition, narrated by Sophie Colquhoun, in order to listen alongside reading the eARC.
This is a delicate story, enchanting from start to finish. Bittersweet yet hopeful. I loved it and would highly recommend it.
I shall certainly be watching out for Beth Cartwright’s future projects following this amazing debut.
I will admit that I was initially attracted to this novel by its stunning cover art: the waves, the mermaid’s tail, a golden bird flying above. Yet I was quickly drawn into this wonderful tale of Maréa, who was born covered with the feathers of a bird.
Her mother, Lemàn, had given birth in the crumbling bawdy house where she continues to work. Usually a child would not be kept but Lemàn hide her away and she grew up in the shadows accepted though ignored.
Maréa had been conceived far away on one of the Scatterings, floating city-islands. When she finally asks about her father, Lemàn, reveals the story of their brief encounter. “‘Was he really a bird?’ I whispered, scarcely able to believe what I was asking. ‘More that than anything else,’ came her reply.”
When Maréa reaches her seventeenth year she leaves her mother behind in order to find answers about her father. Among the Scatterings she seeks the City of Water, where her friend and mentor, Professor Elms, told her that folk say mermaids can be found living in its waters.
Maréa was a delightful narrator, her thoughts full of wonder. In the City of Waters she is befriended by Sybel, a prophetess who lives with six scraggy-looking dogs. She makes other allies along the way and yes there are mermaids!
This novel was enchanting. Its story is not about grand adventures fighting demons that are laying waste to cities. Not that there is anything wrong with that kind of story but it was refreshing for the focus to be on a young woman seeking to understand her differences.
I felt completely transported by Beth Cartwright’s beautiful writing and quickly obtained its audiobook edition, narrated by Sophie Colquhoun, in order to listen alongside reading the eARC.
This is a delicate story, enchanting from start to finish. Bittersweet yet hopeful. I loved it and would highly recommend it.
I shall certainly be watching out for Beth Cartwright’s future projects following this amazing debut.
March 21, 2020
"He brings me such happiness, but love after loss is always a little bit more fragile-like a bird with a broken wing trying to fly again. There should be a word for that kind of love"
I received an online copy from Netgally, thank you.
The cover of this novel caught my eye, and I'm so glad it did.
This story is about a girl who has feathers, but has always been hidden from the world because she is too beautiful.
As she grows, she starts to question the world she lives in and wants answers.
This is a beautiful and very magical journey we are invited to join. The imagery is so magical. The writing is very descriptive, and really brings the story to life. It was just so pleasurable to read.
The characters were interesting and some mysterious, which kept me reading. For me, there was no dullness to be part of this story. I just don't think my review can do it justice. Just read it.
I received an online copy from Netgally, thank you.
The cover of this novel caught my eye, and I'm so glad it did.
This story is about a girl who has feathers, but has always been hidden from the world because she is too beautiful.
As she grows, she starts to question the world she lives in and wants answers.
This is a beautiful and very magical journey we are invited to join. The imagery is so magical. The writing is very descriptive, and really brings the story to life. It was just so pleasurable to read.
The characters were interesting and some mysterious, which kept me reading. For me, there was no dullness to be part of this story. I just don't think my review can do it justice. Just read it.
May 22, 2020
I was drawn into this story from the prologue. Marea has had an intriguing start to her life, hidden away in a whorehouse, the pet of all but protected from prying eyes and scared that her secret will be found out. On reaching adulthood she embarks on a journey to find her roots and meets a cast of delightful characters on the way.
This is a tale of magic; of difference and acceptance; of friendship, love, hope and new beginnings.
It will certainly have appeal in the young adult market- but also with those of us older readers who enjoy getting entranced, entangled or simply lost in new and enchanting places! I loved this book x
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a tale of magic; of difference and acceptance; of friendship, love, hope and new beginnings.
It will certainly have appeal in the young adult market- but also with those of us older readers who enjoy getting entranced, entangled or simply lost in new and enchanting places! I loved this book x
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2021
A beautiful debut.
July 28, 2020
Marea has always been different from everyone else. She was born with feathers and never understood why. When she reaches adulthood she decides to visit the City of Murmurs in hope of finding her Father and the answers she needs. Whilst there she'll find adventure, love and herself.
I think this would be a really good starting point for those just getting into fantasy. It's quite a light hearted and the writing style and details are really easy to follow. I enjoyed all the characters and the overall story.
For me this lacked a little danger that you usually find in fantasy novels as there was never any real threat. I also would have liked to have seen more of the mermaid element.
Overall, this is great debut novel and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with a copy to read.
I think this would be a really good starting point for those just getting into fantasy. It's quite a light hearted and the writing style and details are really easy to follow. I enjoyed all the characters and the overall story.
For me this lacked a little danger that you usually find in fantasy novels as there was never any real threat. I also would have liked to have seen more of the mermaid element.
Overall, this is great debut novel and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with a copy to read.
January 5, 2021
Definitely one of the best fairytales written!
Reading this book was like disappearing into a completely different world yet it felt as if I was returning home.
It was refreshing to read a book with a completely new type of world building that isn't unnecessarily confusing. We follow Marea, half girl half bird. She has never met her father but heard stories about him from her mother. And in order to find herself, she must first find her father. In search for him, Marea finds herself on an enchanting island where magic seems real and everything seems possible.
The book leaves you feeling wistful. Like waking up from a dream that you don't completely remember but know that it was a rather beautiful dream. If you haven't already picked up this book, then please do! It definitely delivers.
Reading this book was like disappearing into a completely different world yet it felt as if I was returning home.
It was refreshing to read a book with a completely new type of world building that isn't unnecessarily confusing. We follow Marea, half girl half bird. She has never met her father but heard stories about him from her mother. And in order to find herself, she must first find her father. In search for him, Marea finds herself on an enchanting island where magic seems real and everything seems possible.
The book leaves you feeling wistful. Like waking up from a dream that you don't completely remember but know that it was a rather beautiful dream. If you haven't already picked up this book, then please do! It definitely delivers.
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