Lies We Sing to the Sea
by Sarah Underwood
HarperTeen, 2023. 420 pages.
Review written March 12, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review
Ah! This is the sort of book I was hoping to read by being on the Morris committee! (It came after two in a row that I didn’t finish.)
I’m not sure if Lies We Sing to the Sea is based on an actual Greek myth or embellished as a history of Ithaca after the story of Odysseus. But the premise is that Ithaca was cursed and every year has to offer twelve maidens to Poseidon, or the sea will ravage the island and kill many others.
As the book begins, Leto, the daughter of the last oracle, has received the mark of Poseidon – scales around her neck – so she’s sentenced to be hung with eleven other maidens. She almost escapes at one point, and of course we think that’s going to happen, because it’s the start of the book. We get the perspective of the prince as well, who hates to oversea the deaths of twelve girls every year.
But it actually happens. Yes, she meets eyes with the prince – but then Leto actually dies by the noose and her body is swept into the sea.
The next chapter, though, introduces us to Melantho. She lives alone on an island. She has become Poseidon’s creature. And she takes twelve bodies out of the water.
But then one of the dead girls opens her eyes – as one has done many times before, but decades ago. Leto is the twelfth girl to wash up alive on Melantho’s island. And it will be up to her to break the curse – by killing the prince.
We know it won’t be easy. After all, the prince is a viewpoint character, not some nameless evil guy. He doesn’t even want to order the killings.
And then Leto manages to bring Melantho with her as she leaves the island, something that’s never happened before. Together, they go back to Ithaca, posing Leto as the prince’s betrothed from Athens, and equipped with the power of Poseidon over the waters of the sea. Leto needs to kill the prince, and she needs to do it in the sea.
The story from there is woven expertly with twists and turns. Each character has secrets and back story that come out only gradually. They all want to break the curse, but will they be able to do it?
Fair warning, there’s some sex in this book, but not very closely described. Something that struck me as interesting was that this was the second young adult book I’ve read recently where a main character loves two people – but it’s not presented as a love triangle or even a choice she has to make – she simply loves both of them. I’m not quite sure how I feel about that, but in this particular book it worked out believably.
And the writing in this book is lyrical and beautifully woven – appropriate for a mythological tale.
I’m writing this review at the start of my Morris reading, but now I know that whatever we pick, they’re sure to be excellent – because this is one of the choices. It’s always wonderful in committee reading to find that first book you would be proud to include as your winner – and know that our choices are only going to expand.
sarahunderwood.uk
EpicReads.com
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Teens/lies_we_sing_to_the_sea.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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