A Mortal Song

by Megan Crewe

• ISBN10: 0995216908
• ISBN13: 9780995216907
• Publish Date: 13 September 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Another World Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 316
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

A Mortal Song was super fun and cute! When it starts, it's Sora's 17th birthday and she's about to ask her royal kami parents to let train for her duties. Sora has always worried that there's something wrong with her, since she has strong ki, but her parents never gave her any responsibilities. Then her home, Mt. Fuji, is attacked by a swarm of ghosts led by a demon. Sora manages to escape and her guard leads her to a sage who knows of a prophecy. Apparently, Sora isn't a kami, she's just human and it's not up to her to save her family and friends.

I really enjoyed A Mortal Song. I loved the world that the author created on Mt. Fuji and how she used Japanese mythology. The kami live among humans, but unseen. Most of them stay on Mt. Fuji, keeping the volcano dormant and controlling the weather, amongst other things. Sora also has a dragonfly companion who provides her with power, since she has none of her own. It was also interesting to me how the yakuza played a large role in the plot! I wasn't expecting that!

What kept me from loving A Mortal Song was that it felt quite juvenile and simple at times. Characters would learn something new and then repeat it back, or they'd realize something and explain everything leading up to that point. There was also a twist, that wasn't really a twist, because I think one of the characters had made it pretty obvious and yet everyone else was shocked when it was revealed. The big showdown at the end between Sora and Company and the demon was very underwhelming. I had this moment of "Seriously?! That's it?!" It was so simple and boring. The ending twist on the prophecy was also quite cheesy, but at least that made me smile.

In the end, A Mortal Song was a fun story. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, and liked watching Sora stay strong despite her learning that she's just an ordinary human. She didn't let that stop her from saving her home and her family!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Beth C.]

The whole story in A Mortal Song took place in modern-day Japan, and it was fun to follow the characters as they dealt with both the modern and the mythical. One minute they’re riding in a car, the next they are staying in a shrine that is surrounded by ogres or ghosts. Crewe did a great job melding the two—it could have been extremely clunky, but it flowed well from one to the other. And sometimes both at the same time!

Read the rest of the review at http://vampirebookclub.net/review-a-mortal-song-by-megan-crewe/

[layawaydragon]

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.

[tweetybugshouse]

The Mortal Song was a unique book as it based in realm i do not know that much about so i had to do a bit of history or detective work to understand the culture that this story is based in. I like that we discover that the girl we thought would save the day is in fact not the girl who will save the day and how she has to come to terms with the fact that she might just be a mere human but a mere human with a lot of heart and faith in the home she always known. I really liked how you learned about the japense lore around kami and ghosts and it border for me as a middle grade novel but would interest ya lovers i think as well. A a very cool and unique story.