B-
Genre: Paranormal, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
One of my favorite movies as a kid was The Creature from the Black Lagoon and I always felt bad for The Creature. Sea Creatures Prefer Redheads played into that nostalgia wonderfully.
Opal Prince is a costume designer and make-up artist for Neptune pictures in 1947. She’s the genius behind Kel, the monster in The Kelp-Dweller from Fathoms Below. Kel is a mishmash of her own forbidden monstrous fantasy and her secret crush on the actor who wears the costume, Adrian Waterson.
Adrian has a crush on Opal as well, but he’s harboring a secret. He was a Kelpie before a curse forced him into human form. True love’s kiss will break the spell, but if Opal really is the one, then how can he be with her once he’s reverted back to his Kelpie form?
This is very much a Beauty and the Beast romance where Beauty digs the Beastly form. Opal isn’t at all put off by Adrian’s Kelpie form and yes, there are monster sexytimes.
The conflict is mostly external–how can Adrian and Opal be together when he might be stuck permanently back as in “sea monster” form (although he can breathe air)? In addition, Opal is struggling with her dickhead boss taking credit for her designs. Misogyny in the workplace! Lovers with gills! How will they prevail?
The lack of internal conflict makes this novella seem a little emotionally shallow. Adrian and Opal certainly have some issues to manage, but neither of them need to change or overcome any emotional obstacles to be together.
Opal is remarkably accepting of Adrian’s change into a Kelpie, in fact, with only a moment needed to come to terms with it.
As a result, the novella felt like the pair had to just get a few chores squared away before they could be together.
In some ways this book is a tribute to Millicent Patrick, the real designer of The Creature from The Creature from the Black Lagoon who didn’t get credit for her work in her lifetime. Sea Creatures Prefer Redheads is a sexy, short monster romance and if you’re okay with the lack of emotional conflict, it’s a fun spooky season read.
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And it’s $2.99 on Amazon. I’ve rarely clicked so fast ….
Does the thieving boss get his comeuppance? I can’t cope with much patriachic BS at the moment.
@Jazzlet
I read this last year – it’s a non-fiction biography of Millicent Patrick and discussion of working in the film industry as a woman in general. I wonder whether Gillen read it as inspiration for this. It was a great book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40165912-the-lady-from-the-black-lagoon
The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick
by Mallory O’Meara
I’ve gotta give them credit for a great, eyecatching title and cover with this one!