Review of Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey
As someone who has eagerly followed Kelsey on YouTube for nearly eight years, the release of her debut novel, Voice of the Ocean, was a moment I anticipated with childlike excitement. Kelsey has a knack for storytelling that captivated me through her Sims videos, so it felt like pure magic to finally dive into her written world. While my overall impression lands at a solid 3.5 stars, I found it to be a tale filled with incredible potential, vibrant settings, and a few bumps along the way.
The world of sirens Kelsey crafted was fresh and truly enchanting. I was particularly charmed by the small, quirky details, like Celeste’s description of her emotions as “bubbles” instead of “butterflies.” It struck me as a delightful illustration of her innocent curiosity and emotional depth—something that breathed life and authenticity into her character. As the youngest, Celeste’s vulnerability, curiosity, and powerful emotional range made her stand apart from the cold-hearted antiheroes often seen in today’s fantasy. The exploration of what it means to be human, with an emphasis on emotions, magic, and the imperfections that make us unique, resonated deeply with me.
The writing style, however, encountered some inconsistencies that made it a challenging read at times. Initially, the pacing felt awkward; scenes jumped without clear transitions, leaving me disoriented. I found myself uncertain about Celeste’s whereabouts, a distraction from what could have been some breathtaking moments. The prose often felt stripped down to short sentences that, while occasionally effective, grew monotonous. In particular, moments of tension could have benefitted greatly from more varied sentence structures, as shown in my example edit. The latter half of the book smoothed out considerably, especially during the festival where the atmosphere came alive and I felt wholly immersed in the scene. Yet, the awkwardness returned in the final act, dimming the brilliance of some climactic scenes.
Characterization was a strong suit for Celeste, but I struggled to connect with the supporting cast. The found family trope felt underdeveloped, especially with her best friend Maeve, whom I found difficult to empathize with due to a lack of meaningful interactions. Similarly, Raiden oscillated between conflicting personalities, almost as if he had multiple identities vying for attention. Their supposed “enemies to lovers” arc never quite clicked for me, lacking the tension and chemistry I craved in their interactions.
While I appreciated the magical elements, particularly the lore surrounding the "Voice of the Ocean," I found the pacing and narrative structure undermined some of its significance. The Sea Witch felt more like a plot device than a fleshed-out antagonist; I longed for more of her character to truly understand the stakes. I also wished Celeste had showcased her siren abilities more, which could have highlighted her unique gifts beyond mere human experiences.
In conclusion, Voice of the Ocean presents an imaginative debut that successfully explores the beauty of vulnerability, emotion, and exploring what it means to be human, yet faces challenges in pacing and character development. Readers seeking a fresh fantasy infused with whimsy and heart will likely enjoy this book. As a fan of Kelsey’s work, there’s a hopeful anticipation for what she will bring us next. Despite my critiques, I felt a sense of wonder and connection to Celeste’s journey—an experience that will linger with me long after closing the cover. If you’re a fan of enchanting tales, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Kelsey’s world—I have no doubt the journey is just beginning.