A book review: Feathertide
Title of the book: Feathertide
Author: Beth Cartwright
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: 30th of July 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction
Why I picked up this book:
Feathertide came to me as part of a book subscription box and initially I was a little bit disappointed. Yes, I fully understand that as a part of a subscription you get different books every week, month, quarter or however (in)frequent you choose, and they can’t all be winners. Yet, Feathertide felt like a departure from the genre(s) that I had selected.
Of course, it has some fantasy elements, I mean our main character is a girl born with feathers up and down our back. Who goes on a quest to find a mythical island surrounded by mermaids and magical mist. At its core, though it is a coming-of-age story, a journey of self-discovery and the fantasy elements are merely there as decoration.
So to say I was overjoyed to see it included as part of the fantasy/science-fiction pick for this month would be a lie. All of that being said, it did definitely surprise me!
About the author:
Beth 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.
Her debut novel, Feathertide, was sold at auction and was published in July 2020
Synopsis:
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
Review of the book:
As I said initially – Feathertide is an unusual book. Not necessarily to objective standards but certainly to mine. It took me out of my comfort zone as the fantasy elements, which I love dearly, take a backseat to the coming-of-age story.
Additionally, the tale is told from a first-person perspective. Which, as some of you should be aware of by now, is something I generally find to be very distracting. Rather than creating a closer bond with the main character, to me, it often creates a dissonance that leaves me unable to fully immerse myself in the story.
So it is safe to say this was a departure from my usual literary fare.
That being said, Cartwright did manage to somewhat deflect my disappointment as the tale unfolded.
Her descriptions and her command of poetic language are worth noting. Throughout the story, they captivate. Conjuring up images of a magical, Venice-like city shrouded by mist. Tended to by fantastical figures like the Keeper of Time. Her choice of words is a balm to the soul, bringing about sensations of comfort and warmth. Of a cup of tea on a day when the rain is lashing and the winds are howling at the door. It plays at your heartstrings, leaving you bleary-eyed and fragile less than 100 pages in.
However, that is where the praise stops. No amount of delectable language can compensate for the issues with pacing. Significant events were rushed and glossed over, in favour of details that were inconsequential to the larger story. Although enjoyable, we did not need to read about Marea’s many, many walks around the city with a pack of hounds in tow. Once or twice would have been sufficient.
The story could also have done with a bit more tension. Other than flirting with an LGBTQI+ relationship, and I use flirting liberally, the plot was safe, the plot was comfortable. Not once was I challenged, surprised, confused or anything else that wasn’t warm, happy or sweet. It is the equivalent of a sweater knitted by your favourite grandmother. It is home, it is easy, it makes perfect sense.
Finally, I experienced some serious Deja-vu reading Feathertide. The similarities between this book and my all-time favourite Studio Ghibli film: ‘ Kiki’s delivery service,’ were too abundant. And, given the choice between the two I know which one I’ll be returning to.
What are your thoughts? Did Cartwright’s debut instantly make it up your all-time favourite list? Are you a sucker for a good, sweet, coming-of-age story? Or where you like me, only partly enchanted and mostly disillusioned? Let me know in the comment section below and, until then - just one more page!
This review was also posted on Goodreads and Amazon