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A review by vexasaurus_rex
Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin by Mariana Zapata
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
2/5 Rating
(no quotes worth pulling that stood out)
I am starting to question whether Mariana Zapata knows how to write main characters that are anything other than tomboys with a “not like other girls” complex. Once again, the readers are given a main character who is short (ever so cute!), barely wears makeup (ever so unique!), and makes dick jokes just like the boys (ever so funny!). Depth and overall charm are lacking. The details she chooses to add (such as the main character having breast implants) feel out of place and strangely over-focused on.
The 2 stars I give this book are for Zapata introducing a cast full of characters (other than the MC) that I have some interest in. The lack of any stars further than that are due to Zapata doing next to nothing with said cast. It’s almost infuriating. She brings in a new character, gives some innate detail about them, and then refuses to expand upon it. Laila, the handicapped best friend, barely shows up. The male lead’s mother shows up once to make an ominous threat and never return—Sacha himself has little depth or development other than being a nice guy singer who runs half marathons.
The one opportunity we have to learn more about Sacha, while in his hometown, is completely squandered because the MC has a tantrum over him having an ex, and does not sit down at the table to speak with his friends. Let me repeat that—the author had an opportunity to further develop the male lead, by introducing characters from his hometown—and then we get absolutely nothing from it.
Besides all this, the book and the main relationship held within fall flat. Its conclusion is anticlimactic. There is truly no big obstacle or tension found within this story. The MC struggles to deal with her crush on her new close friend. And then they get over it fairly quickly. To have to wait until 80 or so percent in the novel only to feel…disappointed and unimpressed with the resolution? Was incredibly frustrating.
I don’t know. I’ve liked Zapata’s work, before. But this just isn’t her best product. And I think we need to be so Absolutely Real about that.
(no quotes worth pulling that stood out)
I am starting to question whether Mariana Zapata knows how to write main characters that are anything other than tomboys with a “not like other girls” complex. Once again, the readers are given a main character who is short (ever so cute!), barely wears makeup (ever so unique!), and makes dick jokes just like the boys (ever so funny!). Depth and overall charm are lacking. The details she chooses to add (such as the main character having breast implants) feel out of place and strangely over-focused on.
The 2 stars I give this book are for Zapata introducing a cast full of characters (other than the MC) that I have some interest in. The lack of any stars further than that are due to Zapata doing next to nothing with said cast. It’s almost infuriating. She brings in a new character, gives some innate detail about them, and then refuses to expand upon it. Laila, the handicapped best friend, barely shows up. The male lead’s mother shows up once to make an ominous threat and never return—Sacha himself has little depth or development other than being a nice guy singer who runs half marathons.
The one opportunity we have to learn more about Sacha, while in his hometown, is completely squandered because the MC has a tantrum over him having an ex, and does not sit down at the table to speak with his friends. Let me repeat that—the author had an opportunity to further develop the male lead, by introducing characters from his hometown—and then we get absolutely nothing from it.
Besides all this, the book and the main relationship held within fall flat. Its conclusion is anticlimactic. There is truly no big obstacle or tension found within this story. The MC struggles to deal with her crush on her new close friend. And then they get over it fairly quickly. To have to wait until 80 or so percent in the novel only to feel…disappointed and unimpressed with the resolution? Was incredibly frustrating.
I don’t know. I’ve liked Zapata’s work, before. But this just isn’t her best product. And I think we need to be so Absolutely Real about that.