Flowers for the Sea

I don't understand why this book is considered horror/dark fantasy/ cosmic horror. There wasn't much cosmic about it except for maybe the description of Iraxi's child. There's not much back story. Why is she carrying this creature child? How is her child a creature when the father is human? There are a lot of plot holes and gaps in the story.

Something that really bothered me was the depiction of pregnancy in this story. I'm not entirely sure if the author has children, or has experienced pregnancy, but a lot of the information surrounding it was inaccurate or lazily researched. Also as a mother of 3, I know for a fact no woman wants to have passionate sex while experiencing active labor, and that's with a human child, nevermind some cosmic creature shredding your insides. I also find it weird how often the author mentions the main character's vagina scent. It's odd.

Characters are flat and not interesting. I was confused the entire time about this messy love triangle that didn't make sense. There are barely any horror elements in this novella and honestly I feel like the plot was thrown together just
To set up for the final scene.

There's not a lot of information on who Iraxi is, or why she's having a hybrid baby/creature that can speak full sentences at its birth.

Overall a very messy story. The cover is beautiful and the writing is good so I'll leave it at a 2 star.

Thank you to TorNightfire and NetGalley for an advanced copy.