Do you remember when The Little Mermaid got her voice back and everything was magical? That’s how I think of Delphernia’s rebellious singing.

This YA book is about a small island that appears to be very remote with limited resources and interaction with outsiders. The inhabitants have traditions like imprisoning half the young girls as babies, so that they learn to be song-less, subservient gold-spinners; gold that is made by learning to channel their voice/song into this precious metal rather than make noise.

The island has a child queen, but she isn’t the real leader, it is her custodian and he hates music.

Delphernia knows she isn’t like the other gold-spinning turnaway girls, not least because she hasn’t yet been able to make gold. And she has secrets.

As her story unravels, D and her new friends find there are more secrets surrounding them that they must uncover before they can truly feel free.

Whilst some elements of the story didn’t quite hit the mark for me, overall this was an easy read as it wasn’t overly complex and is a relatively short book (under 300 pages with large print). It had some pretty descriptions and turns of phrase too with a couple of unexpected twists in the story.

More like a 3.5

I almost broke down reading some parts of The Turnaway Girls. Seriously. I don't want to ruin this book, and all the tragic and emotional surprises in store. But there was something about it that spoke to me. The way this was so clearly almost dystopic and the way that the society is trying to shape Delphernia into something she isn't. The ways they try to force her into a mold. It's not a discussion and there is no real chance to exist outside it. I read it as a metaphor for the suppression of identity.

full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-the-turnaway-girls-by-hayley-chewins/

Lush language and a distracting use of present tense make this read more as a myth than a story with real characters. The main character exists to move from situation to situation, showing off the magic world she lives in, but she never really takes any actions of her own.

3.5

What a gorgeous cover! And the inside of this book is similarly gorgeous - I was right there with Delphernia Undersea, wanting to sing. I initially picked this book up hoping it would be a reverse Little Mermaid, and it kind of is? Delphernia wants to sing, and she finds her voice and family with/through the sea.

A few quotes to show the beautiful language:

"She knew the sea would take her if she sang. She made a sound anyway."

"People will use any words they can find to convince themselves that their cruelties are useful."

"Even if the sea doesn't drag singing girls into its waters, men armed with silence can do their part to ensure that they taste salt."