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Wow. So, I loved the original, indie published version of this book. And I am so glad I bought a copy before they were removed from print. The book was re-released traditionally later on, and I was mildly curious to see the new version, so I gave the audio book a shot.

Now, it's been six years since I read the original, but like I said, I really loved it. So, I knew several parts of the story, and was a little fuzzy on others. Still, I noticed quite a few changes pretty easily--including that whole new ending. And, overall...I'm disappointed. The focus of the story shifted, and I missed some of the sweet elements in the original. I definitely preferred the original ending and twist to this one. This one felt...like a shadow of the original story.

The plot focused a lot on the love story, and as sweet as that love story is, other things were lost in that focus. Besides, this one felt like a whole lot more pining and whining than the first. And the whole end just kind of ruined the bittersweet love of the Ocean and the sisters for me. Everything focused in on Khalen, but I missed Aisling's part (She felt more like a castaway ragdoll in this one! But she was sooo instrumental in the original!). And, that bottle at the end just didn't do it for me. The whole issue (trying so hard not to spoil) with Kahlen and Akinli was just so cliche. Especially the way it was solved. It felt hollow to me.

And the Ocean. Oh, man, one of the best parts of the original was the Ocean. Learning who she was and discovering her love. I felt like she was a whole new character in this version almost. I really did. And I missed the tenderness and discovery in the original. Her honesty and forthrightness. I missed falling in love with her as a reader. I missed little things, like how the Ocean washed up money for the girls or how their dresses changed colors based on the region they were going to. Things that, I guess, just didn't make the cut for the traditional publisher.

My memory of the sisters and Akinli and his family are a little hazy, but something felt a little off with the sisters and with Akinli. They almost felt kind of dumbed down a little, more juvenile in a way. But, maybe it's just been too long since I read the original. Reading this felt like picking up a cartoon rendition of a story when I was expecting LOTR epic film. Glazed over. Softened at the edges. It's hard to explain. It isn't a bad story. It just isn't the story I fell in love with.

Look, maybe for someone who hasn't read the original, this will be an awesome read. Maybe they'll fall in love with it like I did the first one. Maybe it's because I couldn't help comparing the two that this one fell so short for me. It's like watching a film adaptation that just missed the mark. But, if you've never read the book, the movie is pretty good, right? I'm not saying don't give the book a shot. It's got a really cool, unique world and some truly loveable characters. Akinli is still one of my favorites in the book. So is Aisling. Give them a shot. But I doubt I'll read this version again, when the OG is sitting on my shelf. (May buy the new book eventually, though, for it's cover.)

Speaking of covers, as lovely as the new cover is (and, really, it is!), I think the original is even more beautiful and true to the story. I thought that before the reread. I mean, the new dress doesn't even look like one of the seasalt dresses! That's my biggest issue with it, petty as it is. Ugh, I have a love/hate relationship with the new cover. It's gorgeous. The sea, the girl, the title. I just wish the dress were the right color. The new one reflects the changes aptly. It's conformed to modern expectations and norms in the genre. It's pretty and has that aesthetic. But the old one was bittersweet and haunting and beautiful in its simplicity, a hidden depth waiting to be discovered.

Quick note on the audio: the narrator did an excellent job! This is one of the better done audio books, in my opinion.

Content: A few mild swear words smattered throughout, four or five ish that I remember. The story is a romance, but there was nothing explicit. A few brief kisses, allusion to the sexualization of sirens, a pg night in a club, and reference to a siren who had many lovers. There's no graphic violence, but there is the whole underlying theme of four women who are basically mass murderers. And that leaves scars. The girls are haunted by what they do, so thematically consider that. Also, there is reference to one girl who had a less than stellar past and endured pretty awful abuse at the hands of her family before she was changed into a siren. All in all, though, I'd be okay giving this to 15/16+

Reread: 7.30.20