shxdes0fpaper's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nicole_readsalot's review
5.0
I looooved this book! I devoured it until I was to scared to read the last 100 pages.
geneav21's review
It was very promising at the beginning, Interesting plot and dual characters, but the reading pace became really slow making it hard to keep me hooked. I’m planning on finishing anyways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Deadnaming
hxnh's review
3.0
So, bottom line? I enjoyed this.
But I have some thoughts.
- The first 40% or so of this book was like a siren song; I couldn’t get enough, couldn’t put it down, was truly and utterly enthralled by it.
Around the halfway mark though, things started to get a little shaky.
- It’s almost as if a completely different person wrote the second half of this book.
It felt extremely rushed.
To a point where the ability to maintain an interest, or any emotional connection to the story, completely disappeared for me.
-The characters didn’t have a whole lot of depth or a real motive behind a majority of their actions.
I was hoping that in the second half the reader would get more insight to who they were as people, but instead it just felt like the author was trying to TELL you how to feel.
“She’s wonderful and everyone loves her.”
“He’s gorgeous and worth saving.”
“Feel sorry for him.”
“Root for her.”
“We hate this guy.”
Like okay, cool, but *why*?
-The story line and plot idea is wonderful, but the way it was executed was just a bit off for me.
I stopped caring. I stopped wondering what would happen next.
For example.. My favorite character in the whole book had an emotionally charged *moment/thing* near the end, and I couldn’t find it in myself to give a shit. Like at all.
All in all, I did like it. I just didn’t vibe with the entirety of the writing style.
If/when the next book in this series comes out, I’ll more than likely read it, but I’m not waiting with bated breath.
But I have some thoughts.
- The first 40% or so of this book was like a siren song; I couldn’t get enough, couldn’t put it down, was truly and utterly enthralled by it.
Around the halfway mark though, things started to get a little shaky.
- It’s almost as if a completely different person wrote the second half of this book.
It felt extremely rushed.
To a point where the ability to maintain an interest, or any emotional connection to the story, completely disappeared for me.
-The characters didn’t have a whole lot of depth or a real motive behind a majority of their actions.
I was hoping that in the second half the reader would get more insight to who they were as people, but instead it just felt like the author was trying to TELL you how to feel.
“She’s wonderful and everyone loves her.”
“He’s gorgeous and worth saving.”
“Feel sorry for him.”
“Root for her.”
“We hate this guy.”
Like okay, cool, but *why*?
-The story line and plot idea is wonderful, but the way it was executed was just a bit off for me.
I stopped caring. I stopped wondering what would happen next.
For example.. My favorite character in the whole book had an emotionally charged *moment/thing* near the end, and I couldn’t find it in myself to give a shit. Like at all.
All in all, I did like it. I just didn’t vibe with the entirety of the writing style.
If/when the next book in this series comes out, I’ll more than likely read it, but I’m not waiting with bated breath.
bayleyburgess's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Little Mermaid was my favorite children’s movie, so obviously I had to pick this up.
Lark is a Reaper who is deeply envious of the mortals she helps cross into the afterlife. She has a great adventure where she finds her family, experiences life and loss, and learns that something much bigger than her mortal existence is at play.
There were a few plot points that made very little sense to me. The romance honestly is a bit meh.
I really enjoyed most the characters in this book. I genuinely was fascinated by them. The magic, monsters, and gods are also absolutely fascinating and I loved how they were woven into the story.
It is a bit slow and a slog to read through at times. This book is long, over 600 pages. So you’re in for a commitment.
Will definitely pick up the sequel! Please give me more Kenna!
Lark is a Reaper who is deeply envious of the mortals she helps cross into the afterlife. She has a great adventure where she finds her family, experiences life and loss, and learns that something much bigger than her mortal existence is at play.
There were a few plot points that made very little sense to me.
Spoiler
Why does Vana want to kill Gavriel? How do Daciana and the group just accept and trust Lark right away? Why does it take Gavriel two seconds to go from hating but obsessing over Lark to fully acknowledge that he’s in love with her?I really enjoyed most the characters in this book. I genuinely was fascinated by them. The magic, monsters, and gods are also absolutely fascinating and I loved how they were woven into the story.
It is a bit slow and a slog to read through at times. This book is long, over 600 pages. So you’re in for a commitment.
Will definitely pick up the sequel! Please give me more Kenna!
theromancebookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 ⭐️-3 ⭐️
Look I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love it either and I did end up dnf’ing it at 63% I just couldn’t mentally finish it. It was incredibly long and very stale about 30-40% in. It really put me in a reading slump and I was dreading going back to it.
I love the idea of the plot and honestly the first half of the book earns the rating but it wasn’t worth finishing so I would say it’s more 2.5 stars. The plot had potential but I think it could have been split into two books with more substance and romance. The romance gets lost even though it was the main plot to begin with. I assume the original danger come back into it but when I do not know. I just don’t believe they forget about her. Just seems misplaced. I just think if you are going to a long book you have to be careful with how much fluff you add to the book before it gets to much. It had to be done right. This book was lacking. Great concept, but of a let down.
Look I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love it either and I did end up dnf’ing it at 63% I just couldn’t mentally finish it. It was incredibly long and very stale about 30-40% in. It really put me in a reading slump and I was dreading going back to it.
I love the idea of the plot and honestly the first half of the book earns the rating but it wasn’t worth finishing so I would say it’s more 2.5 stars. The plot had potential but I think it could have been split into two books with more substance and romance. The romance gets lost even though it was the main plot to begin with. I assume the original danger come back into it but when I do not know. I just don’t believe they forget about her. Just seems misplaced. I just think if you are going to a long book you have to be careful with how much fluff you add to the book before it gets to much. It had to be done right. This book was lacking. Great concept, but of a let down.
bookishturtle's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The series title is perfect, it’s truly a dreamer’s misfortune 😭 Songs of the Wicked is definitely a first book where we mostly get to learn about the world and the characters. It slowly and artfully sets up the plot for the rest of the series!
Little Mermaid is my favorite fairytale, but I’m ambivalent mermaids so this version where she’s originally a Grim Reaper was perfect for me.
It was so sweet to see Lark experiencing everything a human. Even though she was immortal, she’s so naïve as a human. She’s grappling with these really intense emotions of like fear, anger, love and happiness for the first time 🥺
It’s been so long since I’ve read a book with a good humored ragtag crew traveling a kingdom, and eventually going on a journey. The characters were so delightful to read. Each book is going to have a different MC that is focused on while we still have all the characters and multiple POVs! I’m so excited to explore Lark’s friends deeper because she runs with quite a loving but closed off crew with traumatic pasts.
Spoiler
I had to put my book down after the reveal in the throne room and I processed for 5 hours. And omg I got so emotional for Hugo’s funeral!!!The novel had a great balance of dark fantasy but also really sweet moments in the found family and romance aspects. Even when we see popular tropes, there’s so much depth in the execution. These are characters that are going to live in my soul.
This was an excellent debut! Thank you to C. A. Farran for writing about these poor little dreamers💖 I cannot wait for book 2!
justbookvibes's review
4.0
This was a long book but was well worth the read. This book from beginning to end comes full circle. The characters, the world, the banter is all done really well. I really felt for the main character, Lark. This story is often said to be a dark reimagining of the Little Mermaid, and just like Ariel, Lark yearns for something more and is willing to do whatever to get it. But that is where the similarities stop. The characters introduced are the best! I loved each of them for the different qualities they brought to the book. The slow burn romance was done in a way that left you wanting more and begging the pages to give you what you wanted. The author allowed the characters to grow at their own pace and did not rush the timing. This book put me through joyous and happy moments to heartbreak and grief. I already was hooked but the last quarter of this book solidified my need to know what will happen next in this story!
A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
starseternal182's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this fantasy story. It was unique and intriguing and had all the aspects I love in fantasy romance.
It leaned heavily into the found family trope and I loved the adventure/trouble these characters got into together.
I cannot wait for more in this world.
The only slight negative is the pacing in the beginning and middle and could have been edited down more BUT it didn’t take away from the story, I was invested the whole time and really enjoyed it.
It leaned heavily into the found family trope and I loved the adventure/trouble these characters got into together.
I cannot wait for more in this world.
The only slight negative is the pacing in the beginning and middle and could have been edited down more BUT it didn’t take away from the story, I was invested the whole time and really enjoyed it.