A review by meaganmarie
A Mortal Song by Megan Crewe
3.0
3.5 stars
This book was definitely interesting and unique. Sora is an extremely likable character who was strong but humble through all of the adversities thrown her way. Keiji and Chiyo were other characters that were really fleshed out and I loved them. But some other characters, like Takeo, fell a little flat for me. I really wanted to like Takeo but he didn't end up standing out enough. Keiji was a great flawed character who you were silently rooting for, and Chiyo was peppy and positive so she was enjoyable to read about. The kami mythology was very represented and well researched. At times I felt a little disappointed with the Japanese cultural elements feelings too stereotypical but that's mostly a personal preference on my end. I definitely got the feel that I was in a Japan setting while reading this and that made me happy. There aren't many widely known or talked about books set in Japan and I think this book does do the culture justice. I REALLY really would have loved some simple phrases used in the text to make the culture stand out even more. This book did have a lot of cultural elements though. The character names, the setting, the basis the plot was set on, the way the kami dressed, the importance of shrines and well being spiritual Japanese populations believe. It was great to see a book include a culture other than western culture.
Kami are invisible deities who can heal unhealthy people, but also help dying people pass their souls on to the next world or sometimes transfer them temporary to something they enjoyed in life before passing on. They get their power from energy that's called ki; and some Kami have more than others. Main character, Sora, is a Kami.
The setting was on Mt. Fuji where Kami (a myth to the humans who live nearby). They act as guardians to the world. Humans, if they believe in the Kami, can pray to them for well being. Modern day Tokyo was a setting as well. I also thought it was cool that the shrines provide a safe haven for Kami. They were a place where ghosts and demon influence couldn't touch.
The plot took me for a turn as well. I thought it was the typical chosen one trope. The chosen one who is oblivious to a prophecy and then one day after trouble arises, they find out they have to fulfill some prophecy is a stereotype I am finding more and more and I don't really enjoy it. This book feels like it's going in that direction and then it took a 360 turn around. It's not a chosen one stereotype at all, so that it definitely something to keep in mind. I think it's something that makes this book appealing as well if you are not wanting that stereotype.
Favorite quote:
"If you give enough to the Earth, it gives you joy in return"
This book was definitely interesting and unique. Sora is an extremely likable character who was strong but humble through all of the adversities thrown her way. Keiji and Chiyo were other characters that were really fleshed out and I loved them. But some other characters, like Takeo, fell a little flat for me. I really wanted to like Takeo but he didn't end up standing out enough. Keiji was a great flawed character who you were silently rooting for, and Chiyo was peppy and positive so she was enjoyable to read about. The kami mythology was very represented and well researched. At times I felt a little disappointed with the Japanese cultural elements feelings too stereotypical but that's mostly a personal preference on my end. I definitely got the feel that I was in a Japan setting while reading this and that made me happy. There aren't many widely known or talked about books set in Japan and I think this book does do the culture justice. I REALLY really would have loved some simple phrases used in the text to make the culture stand out even more. This book did have a lot of cultural elements though. The character names, the setting, the basis the plot was set on, the way the kami dressed, the importance of shrines and well being spiritual Japanese populations believe. It was great to see a book include a culture other than western culture.
Kami are invisible deities who can heal unhealthy people, but also help dying people pass their souls on to the next world or sometimes transfer them temporary to something they enjoyed in life before passing on. They get their power from energy that's called ki; and some Kami have more than others. Main character, Sora, is a Kami.
The setting was on Mt. Fuji where Kami (a myth to the humans who live nearby). They act as guardians to the world. Humans, if they believe in the Kami, can pray to them for well being. Modern day Tokyo was a setting as well. I also thought it was cool that the shrines provide a safe haven for Kami. They were a place where ghosts and demon influence couldn't touch.
The plot took me for a turn as well. I thought it was the typical chosen one trope. The chosen one who is oblivious to a prophecy and then one day after trouble arises, they find out they have to fulfill some prophecy is a stereotype I am finding more and more and I don't really enjoy it. This book feels like it's going in that direction and then it took a 360 turn around. It's not a chosen one stereotype at all, so that it definitely something to keep in mind. I think it's something that makes this book appealing as well if you are not wanting that stereotype.
Favorite quote:
"If you give enough to the Earth, it gives you joy in return"