By Emily Habeck
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ (Goodreads: 3.98)
GENRE: Speculative Fiction/Fantasy
PART OF A SERIES? No
WORTH READING? Yes
SUMMARY:
Lewis and Wren have only been married for a few weeks when Lewis receives an unusual diagnosis. Although he will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, Lewis’s body will gradually transform into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the characteristics and behaviour of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams. At first, Wren tries to explore a way she could still be with her husband, once he turns into the sea creature. She can’t bear thinking of them not being together. Then, a glimpse of Lewis’s developing predatory nature brings long-repressed memories to the surface for Wren.
Opening line: 'LEWIS: In the early days after I left New York, I would ruminate, doubt all my choices.'
I was so dubious about reading Shark Heart but decided to dive in (if you’ll pardon the ocean reference) … and I didn’t regret it, not even for a moment.
One of my main criteria to judge a ‘good book’ is if the author has succeeded in making you form an emotional attachment to his/her characters. This book really played with my emotions… it is quite heartbreaking in parts. It's not a complicated tale as such, but there was just something really special about it.
Emily Habeck writes poignantly and really made me feel what the two main characters (as well as secondary characters) were feeling… what they were resiliently enduring. Habeck’s character development was fantastic in Shark Heart. Habeck even makes the supplementary characters of Wren’s mother and Wren’s ex-girlfriend come to life, along with the woman Wren swims next to (who is pregnant with twin birds), and subsequently the reader cares about them, too.
It was enlightening to delve into the background of Wren’s family and what she went through when she was younger, both with her family and her college ex-girlfriend.
In Shark Heart, Emily Habeck uses vivid descriptions that really bring people and places to life. She doesn’t overdo it; she gives you enough to picture the scene or the person, without going over the top.
Habeck has intentionally not provided a year in which Shark Heart is set, although one assumes it is in the future, due to the genetic mutations.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this highly unusual novel! Go in with an open mind, suspend your disbelief and join Lewis and Wren on their ride.
Click here to purchase this very original story
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