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marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciate that it really played into the chosen one stereotype even if it was clearly not the case, but this book could have done without the romance.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite things in the world is reading a book that challenges my assumptions, and one that holds true to classic mythology. A Mortal Song by Megan Crewe captures all those elements in a heart-warming story about choice, new opportunity, and maybe a little destiny, An exciting, well-written read, I highly recommend it as a standalone for anyone looking to adding a unique YA urban fantasy tale to their library. NOTE: I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m the kind of person who tries to pick out the ending of the story as she reads along. I know, I’m awful, but I can’t help it sometimes! I just read so much and begin to make predictions about how I think the story will go. So I was pleasantly surprised when A Mortal Song didn’t go the way I thought it would. After that, there were dozens of twists and turns, though the majority of the story lay in the subtext, which was masterfully woven to reflect on the pain of letting go, acceptance, and adapting to your surroundings and finding a new path.
Sora is a great character. She’s strong in everything she does and immensely courageous, willing to put her feelings aside temporarily to do what has to be done. I loved the side characters Takeo and Keiji, and Chiyo was an absolute riot. What I loved about the villains was that they weren’t inherently evil. They had their own justified reasons for their choices, and weren’t evil for the sake of being evil.
But my favourite element was the mythology. While it’s one of my favourite cultures to read about, I’m rusty with my Japanese lore. To have it refreshed accurately was an absolute joy and added another beautiful element to the story. I loved the variety of the kami, their personalities, how different spirits were interpreted, and how combing them as a whole gave the story made it seem more like a fantasy than I expected from its modern setting.
The writing was stellar, and I can see why it was praised by Kendare Blake (yes, that Kendare Blake). I’ve seen this book floating around newsletters and my Goodreads feed for a while now, and I was so happy to have gained the opportunity to finally read it. Crewe is definitely an author to watch out for.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m the kind of person who tries to pick out the ending of the story as she reads along. I know, I’m awful, but I can’t help it sometimes! I just read so much and begin to make predictions about how I think the story will go. So I was pleasantly surprised when A Mortal Song didn’t go the way I thought it would. After that, there were dozens of twists and turns, though the majority of the story lay in the subtext, which was masterfully woven to reflect on the pain of letting go, acceptance, and adapting to your surroundings and finding a new path.
Sora is a great character. She’s strong in everything she does and immensely courageous, willing to put her feelings aside temporarily to do what has to be done. I loved the side characters Takeo and Keiji, and Chiyo was an absolute riot. What I loved about the villains was that they weren’t inherently evil. They had their own justified reasons for their choices, and weren’t evil for the sake of being evil.
But my favourite element was the mythology. While it’s one of my favourite cultures to read about, I’m rusty with my Japanese lore. To have it refreshed accurately was an absolute joy and added another beautiful element to the story. I loved the variety of the kami, their personalities, how different spirits were interpreted, and how combing them as a whole gave the story made it seem more like a fantasy than I expected from its modern setting.
The writing was stellar, and I can see why it was praised by Kendare Blake (yes, that Kendare Blake). I’ve seen this book floating around newsletters and my Goodreads feed for a while now, and I was so happy to have gained the opportunity to finally read it. Crewe is definitely an author to watch out for.
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
4.0
Sora's life was full of magic—until she discovered it was all a lie.
Heir to Mt. Fuji's spirit kingdom, Sora yearns to finally take on the sacred kami duties. But just as she confronts her parents to make a plea, a ghostly army invades the mountain. Barely escaping with her life, Sora follows her mother's last instructions to a heart-wrenching discovery: she is a human changeling, raised as a decoy while her parents' true daughter remained safe but unaware in modern-day Tokyo. Her powers were only borrowed, never her own. Now, with the world's natural cycles falling into chaos and the ghosts plotting an even more deadly assault, it falls on her to train the unprepared kami princess.
As Sora struggles with her emerging human weaknesses and the draw of an unanticipated ally with secrets of his own, she vows to keep fighting for her loved ones and the world they once protected. But for one mortal girl to make a difference in this desperate war between the spirits, she may have to give up the only home she's ever known.
Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: diverse setting with an intriguing look into culture and mythologies from the region; strong-willed, resilient, endearing characters; lots of action and fight scenes; quick, entertaining read with a very large side of sass; awesome, unique story filled with well-crafted, relatable morals/lessons
Huge thanks to Megan Crewe, Another World Press, and Giselle @ Xpresso Book Tours for granting me early access to this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
Takeo offered me his hand. As I curled my fingers into his familiar, steady grasp, my mind flashed back to the taste of peach and the gentle pressure of someone else's lips. That unwelcome heat tickled through me.
Was this just one more horrible human thing: the inability to remember who you'd dedicated your heart to?
So first and foremost: I signed up to read this book PURELY because of the intrigue surrounding it. When I signed on for a review copy, I didn't even have a cover or title. There was no blurb. What can I say--I'm the kind of person who picks up mystery grab bags because I want to know what's in them! This is not, honestly, the first book I've signed up to review before knowing what it was--and I sort of have a ton of fun doing it this way. It's like...mystery fuels my little penguin heart, or something.
That being said, this book? Took me by total surprise. For one thing--read that blurb up there. Read it again. This book? Takes "switched at birth" to a WHOLE new level. The setting is diverse...but THE FOCUS, guys! The focus of the plot here--on the cultures and mythologies of the region--is my favorite part of this entire read. Megan Crewe knows how to weave a story around what she learns of a corner of the world--and she proved that with this book. I had not, until opening this on my kindle, known anything about the kami mythology. Having read this, I'm disappointed by that fact--despite leaning more toward the fantastical (I mean...Sora DOES live with the kami in Mt. Fuji for most of her young life), Megan Crewe depicted the lore beautifully and with respect.
I was supposed to have centuries before I faced that place. Millennia. So many years I got weary counting them. Not seventeen. Seventeen was nothing.
But I was human, and this was how humans died. In an instant, a claw ripped across a throat.
The plot was fast paced and entertaining. From page one, we are thrust into Sora's life, and all the drama that unfolds within just a matter of several days. There is a LOT of character growth happening in this book, as well--and not just in the case of Sora. Even the minor characters have some small semblance of growth, of backstory--every contributing character is fleshed out and brought to life almost seamlessly. This story evokes a lot of conflicting emotions, as well--as Sora struggles to come to grips with her newfound identity and role in the life she THOUGHT was hers, readers are taken on a roller coaster of an emotional journey.
There are also many profound, relatable morals and lessons sprinkled throughout that readers--particularly those struggling to come to terms with who they are or what their roles in life are--will appreciate and emote with. This is not necessarily, however, a "heavy" read--the sass in these characters is real, and it's HUGE in several chapters. And you all know I love my books full of sass--snark is like hot fudge on a sundae in my world.
Love was such a powerful thing, but it could bring guilt and desperation. It could obscure everything else that mattered.
Despite going into this read literally blind, I LOVED the journey, and will definitely be looking out for Megan Crewe works in the future. She blended mythology and culture with the fantasy/paranormal seamlessly--and made the roller coaster of emotions both profoundly relatable and emotive. Lovers of switched at birth tales, diverse settings/cultures, and stubbornly kick-ass characters will ADORE this (currently) stand-alone novel. If this sounds like your type of book--pick it up!
flyingwargle's review against another edition
3.0
I stopped paying attention halfway because of the love triangle. It's a great book though, so give it a read.
bookfever's review against another edition
2.0
A Mortal Song by Megan Crewe was original, there's no denying that. I also loved that it was set in Japan because I haven't read a lot of books that are set there. But in the end I just didn't like the story enough for me to give a higher rating. The beginning was good, I thought but I started getting a little bit bored after that. Maybe this story wasn't just for me. I don't know.
Like I said, the book was original. it does get some bonus points for that. I thought it was original because of the main character Sora. She finds out after seventeen years that she isn't a Kami, but a regular human and has been switched with another girl. Most stories I read were about someone finding out she's magical, not to other way around. So I really liked that about this story.
I'm also pretty particular about the romances I read about. And I really didn't care for this one at all. I didn't like that Sora going back and forth between the two guys in the book. Anyway, this is what I disliked the most about the story, unfortunately.
The writing was okay, but not it didn't amaze me or anything. I also thought the story went too slowly. Maybe because I was kind of bored through out it. But I gotta say that although I don't know a lot about it all, I think all the Japanese stuff, the legends about the Kami and everything else was well researched.
I wish I had liked this book more because it has a great concept and originality. There need to be more books like this with Japanese characters. I just had some issues with it, but I think other readers will like it more.
Like I said, the book was original. it does get some bonus points for that. I thought it was original because of the main character Sora. She finds out after seventeen years that she isn't a Kami, but a regular human and has been switched with another girl. Most stories I read were about someone finding out she's magical, not to other way around. So I really liked that about this story.
I'm also pretty particular about the romances I read about. And I really didn't care for this one at all. I didn't like that Sora going back and forth between the two guys in the book. Anyway, this is what I disliked the most about the story, unfortunately.
The writing was okay, but not it didn't amaze me or anything. I also thought the story went too slowly. Maybe because I was kind of bored through out it. But I gotta say that although I don't know a lot about it all, I think all the Japanese stuff, the legends about the Kami and everything else was well researched.
I wish I had liked this book more because it has a great concept and originality. There need to be more books like this with Japanese characters. I just had some issues with it, but I think other readers will like it more.
booksandladders's review against another edition
4.0
Full review to come on August 11th!
Books and Ladders | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Books and Ladders | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
raeanne's review against another edition
3.0
Mortal Song hooked me with the interesting premise, following an Unchosen One in Japan. There were a lot of ups and downs, never sinking below “Okay” or rising above “Better”, leaving it an average 3 stars.
It was an easy and quick read, but I was never fully immersed. I was aware that I was reading and of what I was reading the whole time. There’s plenty of action and problems to keep it moving, but I think I’d liked it if that was sacrificed to flesh it out more.
I will say though, only some issues were felt while reading. The rest came in when I sat down to write this review and the more I thought, the more I realized.
After it all, Mortal Song was worth reading for me but I wouldn’t call it satisfying. It’s complete and I’m moving on. What I really have a hankering for now though is something more authentic and immersive. I don’t think I’ll find another quite like Mortal Song though, so it’s too bad I didn’t like it more. I certainly wanted to.
The beginning was interesting but had rough spots. Mostly tied to characters who should know this shit acting dumb so someone can explain it to the readers and repetition. Did you guys know The Seer’s prophecies are vague and obscure? Like really? And she hasn’t changed! OMG!
It got better once they were around humans to play the audience substitute.
Unfortunately, there is one glaring plot hole I caught right away, one “Uh, when was this decided?” missing piece, and a “why didn’t they think of or mention that?” misstep. It is possible to ignore it but it sticks out memorably after reading. Of course, I wasn’t immersed either so it didn’t kill my enjoyment as much as usual.
What kept me going throughout it all was Sora and her Unchosen One story line. But that didn’t last all the way through. It became a sort of mish-mash of Chosen One sub-tropes which ends up being kinda-sorta-not-really different. This along with more rushing and logic leaps like the beginning is what really brought the ending down.
While I enjoyed the action in between, it was a bit much. A Mortal Song could’ve used less of that and more depth to bring it to life. I wanted to get lost in this world, but couldn’t, like music that’s out of tune.
I know this sounds allll negative and I hate that because it was enjoyable. I liked how they thought their way through the myriad of problems and obstacles. I loved Sora and Keiji, separate and together. There was a twist I didn’t see coming, which I obviously can’t reveal. The reasons behind the ghostly invasion and its leader were perfect that again, I can’t discuss. Music was important to Sora and the kami with it being laced throughout and was rather touching. It was great meeting the different kinds of kami and mythological creatures.
World Building:
I don’t want to call it shallow, but it didn’t go deep enough for me. It focuses on action and isn’t very descriptive. I wasn’t immersed; I was aware that I was reading and of what I was reading the whole time.
Wouldn’t there be more to it? What about the origin stories and famous kami? No thoughts on how wrong the modern depiction is of kami? Or is it right? Wouldn’t the humans ask questions like “How true are the legends? The animes?”
Crew did her research. It does show throughout the novel and in her author's note but I still felt something was missing.
It’s interesting for those that aren’t familiar with Shinto and kami but doesn’t have the same soul.
Characters:
A Mortal Song focuses on Sora’s character progression and inner turmoil amid the action. I liked Sora and the issues she was grappling with. It was a great journey from beginning to end. I appreciated her romantic problems and thoughts on the matter. However, she’s marred by plot twists that make her another special snowflake and ruin the initial premise I loved.
Keiji was a loveable, adorable geek. Behind Sora, he was my favorite. However, that’s hardly surprising given how one-dimensional the kami were, which was on purpose but disappointing.
Chiyo was a major disappointment. She seemed really human at first and became the Chosen Magical girl stereotype. She should’ve been fleshed out more. Not only would it have been enjoyable, but it’s add balance and reinforce the themes of A Mortal Song. Takeo was kami too, but didn't have the same characterization issues as her.
Decent read I don’t regret but it wasn’t what I was expecting or ultimately looking for.
If it sounds interesting, I’d preview it to check it out. Buying an e-copy, reading it on Kindle Unlimited, or borrowing it would be a great idea if we’re similar readers, though the cover is gorgeous.
I also think if you don’t like Sora, you won’t like A Mortal Song.
It was an easy and quick read, but I was never fully immersed. I was aware that I was reading and of what I was reading the whole time. There’s plenty of action and problems to keep it moving, but I think I’d liked it if that was sacrificed to flesh it out more.
I will say though, only some issues were felt while reading. The rest came in when I sat down to write this review and the more I thought, the more I realized.
After it all, Mortal Song was worth reading for me but I wouldn’t call it satisfying. It’s complete and I’m moving on. What I really have a hankering for now though is something more authentic and immersive. I don’t think I’ll find another quite like Mortal Song though, so it’s too bad I didn’t like it more. I certainly wanted to.
The beginning was interesting but had rough spots. Mostly tied to characters who should know this shit acting dumb so someone can explain it to the readers and repetition. Did you guys know The Seer’s prophecies are vague and obscure? Like really? And she hasn’t changed! OMG!
It got better once they were around humans to play the audience substitute.
Unfortunately, there is one glaring plot hole I caught right away, one “Uh, when was this decided?” missing piece, and a “why didn’t they think of or mention that?” misstep. It is possible to ignore it but it sticks out memorably after reading. Of course, I wasn’t immersed either so it didn’t kill my enjoyment as much as usual.
What kept me going throughout it all was Sora and her Unchosen One story line. But that didn’t last all the way through. It became a sort of mish-mash of Chosen One sub-tropes which ends up being kinda-sorta-not-really different. This along with more rushing and logic leaps like the beginning is what really brought the ending down.
While I enjoyed the action in between, it was a bit much. A Mortal Song could’ve used less of that and more depth to bring it to life. I wanted to get lost in this world, but couldn’t, like music that’s out of tune.
I know this sounds allll negative and I hate that because it was enjoyable. I liked how they thought their way through the myriad of problems and obstacles. I loved Sora and Keiji, separate and together. There was a twist I didn’t see coming, which I obviously can’t reveal. The reasons behind the ghostly invasion and its leader were perfect that again, I can’t discuss. Music was important to Sora and the kami with it being laced throughout and was rather touching. It was great meeting the different kinds of kami and mythological creatures.
World Building:
I don’t want to call it shallow, but it didn’t go deep enough for me. It focuses on action and isn’t very descriptive. I wasn’t immersed; I was aware that I was reading and of what I was reading the whole time.
Wouldn’t there be more to it? What about the origin stories and famous kami? No thoughts on how wrong the modern depiction is of kami? Or is it right? Wouldn’t the humans ask questions like “How true are the legends? The animes?”
Crew did her research. It does show throughout the novel and in her author's note but I still felt something was missing.
It’s interesting for those that aren’t familiar with Shinto and kami but doesn’t have the same soul.
Characters:
A Mortal Song focuses on Sora’s character progression and inner turmoil amid the action. I liked Sora and the issues she was grappling with. It was a great journey from beginning to end. I appreciated her romantic problems and thoughts on the matter. However, she’s marred by plot twists that make her another special snowflake and ruin the initial premise I loved.
Keiji was a loveable, adorable geek. Behind Sora, he was my favorite. However, that’s hardly surprising given how one-dimensional the kami were, which was on purpose but disappointing.
Chiyo was a major disappointment. She seemed really human at first and became the Chosen Magical girl stereotype. She should’ve been fleshed out more. Not only would it have been enjoyable, but it’s add balance and reinforce the themes of A Mortal Song. Takeo was kami too, but didn't have the same characterization issues as her.
Decent read I don’t regret but it wasn’t what I was expecting or ultimately looking for.
If it sounds interesting, I’d preview it to check it out. Buying an e-copy, reading it on Kindle Unlimited, or borrowing it would be a great idea if we’re similar readers, though the cover is gorgeous.
I also think if you don’t like Sora, you won’t like A Mortal Song.
ladybugz410's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. Was really different from the things I usually read. I liked the story line and the characters.
lolasreviews's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
It was the cover that caught my attention and the blurb that convinced me I had to read this one. I was so happy I managed to got a review copy from netgalley. I really enjoyed A Mortal Song, it was an unique read with how the story is told from someone who would normally be a side character. It took place in Japan and there was some Japanese mythology in there as well. There was action, magic and a saving the world plot line, but it's also more than that. It's about how power and strength can come in different shapes, finding out who you are and what being human is about.
A Mortal Song follows the story of Sora, who always thought she was a kami, but then she learns everything she believed was a lie. She's just a normal human and the people she thought were her parents aren't. It was very interesting to read about Sora her struggle with this. She has to deal with knowing her whole life was base don a lie, not having magic and just being human and everything that comes with it. I liked how this book turned things around, instead of the normal main character finding out she's special, we have a main character who thought she was special, and finding out she isn't. I really liked this.
This book is mostly Sora her journey, her mortal song as the title calls it. It's very fitting I think and the cover fits the book as well. I think we get to know Sora the most of all the characters as we only get her perspective, but that was fine with me. Sora was an interesting character and there's a lot of character change in this book. The side characters all were great too, although I would've liked to get to know them a bit better. From Takeo who has been Sora her friend since they were young. To Keji who was just a normal human who gets involved. Then there is Chiyo who is the real kami and who got switched with Sora at birth. And more. I also liked how the kami felt a bit off to human standards and how Sora eventually realizes this and how kami and humans are different. It was interesting. There is a bit of romance, but it really is just a subplot, I did like it and how it was handled. It's very subtle, but done well. I also liked how Sora handles things with the romance.
Then there is the story, the danger and Sora and her friends their journey throughout Japan to save their home. There are obstacles, doubts and difficult parts. The book kept my attention the whole time and I really enjoyed reading it. The pace was very well done. It is a bit of a longer book than I normally read at close to 400 pages, but the length was perfect for the story. I did think the ending was a tad rushed, it also seemed a bit too easily how things got solved in the end, but on the other hand I also liked how things were handled as it was a bit different. I also would've liked to see more of what happens afterwards or maybe a sort of epilogue, but that also might be because I got so involved in the story and wanted to read more about Sora and how she would adjust to life after everything that had happened in this book.
The world building isn't the focus of this book, but the world did came alive. We learn about the kami, their magic and tasks and mount Fuji. We get to travel through Tokyo and the surrounding regions with Sora and her friends. There are ghosts and demons and along the way they find out a bit more about ghosts and what works against them. I liked the focus on Japanese mythology that gave the book a unique feel. And I loved imaging how everything looked like.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book! The book follows Sora her journey after finding out she isn't a kami, but just a normal human. I liked reading about her struggles and seeing her character change and find her own strength along the way. This kept my attention the whole time and the pace was well done. The ending felt a bit rushed and like things got fixed a bit too easily, but I also liked how things got handled. I just would've liked it to get a bit more dragged out around the ending. Sora is a great main character and I liked reading about her, the side characters are fun too although we get to know less about them and there's a bit of romance which was subtle, but well done. I also like the Japanese mythology and feel of the book. Overall this was a great read and I am glad I read it!
It was the cover that caught my attention and the blurb that convinced me I had to read this one. I was so happy I managed to got a review copy from netgalley. I really enjoyed A Mortal Song, it was an unique read with how the story is told from someone who would normally be a side character. It took place in Japan and there was some Japanese mythology in there as well. There was action, magic and a saving the world plot line, but it's also more than that. It's about how power and strength can come in different shapes, finding out who you are and what being human is about.
A Mortal Song follows the story of Sora, who always thought she was a kami, but then she learns everything she believed was a lie. She's just a normal human and the people she thought were her parents aren't. It was very interesting to read about Sora her struggle with this. She has to deal with knowing her whole life was base don a lie, not having magic and just being human and everything that comes with it. I liked how this book turned things around, instead of the normal main character finding out she's special, we have a main character who thought she was special, and finding out she isn't. I really liked this.
This book is mostly Sora her journey, her mortal song as the title calls it. It's very fitting I think and the cover fits the book as well. I think we get to know Sora the most of all the characters as we only get her perspective, but that was fine with me. Sora was an interesting character and there's a lot of character change in this book. The side characters all were great too, although I would've liked to get to know them a bit better. From Takeo who has been Sora her friend since they were young. To Keji who was just a normal human who gets involved. Then there is Chiyo who is the real kami and who got switched with Sora at birth. And more. I also liked how the kami felt a bit off to human standards and how Sora eventually realizes this and how kami and humans are different. It was interesting. There is a bit of romance, but it really is just a subplot, I did like it and how it was handled. It's very subtle, but done well. I also liked how Sora handles things with the romance.
Then there is the story, the danger and Sora and her friends their journey throughout Japan to save their home. There are obstacles, doubts and difficult parts. The book kept my attention the whole time and I really enjoyed reading it. The pace was very well done. It is a bit of a longer book than I normally read at close to 400 pages, but the length was perfect for the story. I did think the ending was a tad rushed, it also seemed a bit too easily how things got solved in the end, but on the other hand I also liked how things were handled as it was a bit different. I also would've liked to see more of what happens afterwards or maybe a sort of epilogue, but that also might be because I got so involved in the story and wanted to read more about Sora and how she would adjust to life after everything that had happened in this book.
The world building isn't the focus of this book, but the world did came alive. We learn about the kami, their magic and tasks and mount Fuji. We get to travel through Tokyo and the surrounding regions with Sora and her friends. There are ghosts and demons and along the way they find out a bit more about ghosts and what works against them. I liked the focus on Japanese mythology that gave the book a unique feel. And I loved imaging how everything looked like.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book! The book follows Sora her journey after finding out she isn't a kami, but just a normal human. I liked reading about her struggles and seeing her character change and find her own strength along the way. This kept my attention the whole time and the pace was well done. The ending felt a bit rushed and like things got fixed a bit too easily, but I also liked how things got handled. I just would've liked it to get a bit more dragged out around the ending. Sora is a great main character and I liked reading about her, the side characters are fun too although we get to know less about them and there's a bit of romance which was subtle, but well done. I also like the Japanese mythology and feel of the book. Overall this was a great read and I am glad I read it!
katleap's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of A Mortal Song from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this book so bad. It had all the elements I liked. It had an interesting plot line and the world building made sense. I was really happy that the setting was in Japan and the cast was all Japanese. It’s also fantasy and the kami culture was interesting, especially because kami’s are real things. I especially thought that the blend of urban fantasy and mythology worked well.
I was really interested in Sora. The feeling of displacement and how does she fit into the only world she knows but is not really a part of. I also really liked Chiyo. She gets hit with the “you are a kami” punch and totally rolls with it. She is not afraid to try this thing and is never whiney about it. Sora and Chiyo are two sides of the same of coin and I liked the idea of how the two of them could be friends and maybe sisters.
The actual worse thing about the book was Kenji. I loathed that character. Every time he opened his mouth I wanted to punch him. He would figure something out and then blab about it. Sora would be unhappy at him and then think he was cute. I just couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t see any real reason for him, except to make Sora feel like the human world could be home because she fell in love with him. I didn’t like Kenji as a character or the romance.
Overall I liked but the book but I didn’t really connect to it. I kinda felt that I was in a Japanese anime and I never lost that feeling. I think that it is a me thing and I because I couldn’t get over it, I wound up coloring the whole book with it. I did enjoy the book but not as much as I could have.
I received an e-ARC copy of A Mortal Song from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this book so bad. It had all the elements I liked. It had an interesting plot line and the world building made sense. I was really happy that the setting was in Japan and the cast was all Japanese. It’s also fantasy and the kami culture was interesting, especially because kami’s are real things. I especially thought that the blend of urban fantasy and mythology worked well.
I was really interested in Sora. The feeling of displacement and how does she fit into the only world she knows but is not really a part of. I also really liked Chiyo. She gets hit with the “you are a kami” punch and totally rolls with it. She is not afraid to try this thing and is never whiney about it. Sora and Chiyo are two sides of the same of coin and I liked the idea of how the two of them could be friends and maybe sisters.
The actual worse thing about the book was Kenji. I loathed that character. Every time he opened his mouth I wanted to punch him. He would figure something out and then blab about it. Sora would be unhappy at him and then think he was cute. I just couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t see any real reason for him, except to make Sora feel like the human world could be home because she fell in love with him. I didn’t like Kenji as a character or the romance.
Overall I liked but the book but I didn’t really connect to it. I kinda felt that I was in a Japanese anime and I never lost that feeling. I think that it is a me thing and I because I couldn’t get over it, I wound up coloring the whole book with it. I did enjoy the book but not as much as I could have.