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biome_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I found the start to be pretty slow but it picks up a bit after and keeps you hooked to figure out what happens!
carraujo's review against another edition
3.0
Finished this book yesterday. What a fantastic ride into the inky depths of family secrets, siren lore, and the expression & psychology of grief, identity, and trauma. This novel was a lot more dark than I thought it would be, but still gorgeously written, almost like a poem at parts. The characters are fully fleshed out, something you're aware of even when being shown their surface level selves. I would have loved to have read the back stories of some of them from their POV. Our protagonist Miren is great though and I liked seeing her process her feelings around the hand she'd been dealt, while at the same time playing detective.
There's a lovely balance between the fantasy elements and the more rooted-in-reality obligations and expectations our protagonist endures. She's a person navigating this world -- one where ghosts stop you in the middle of your journey to play a guessing game -- with the weight of generational trauma, neglect, and abandonment on her shoulders. Also, I really enjoyed the author's choice to include fantasy vignettes, which our protagonist reads from an old family book of stories. They were generally wonderful, but also devastating and melancholic. I think that's actually how I'd describe this novel too.
There's a lovely balance between the fantasy elements and the more rooted-in-reality obligations and expectations our protagonist endures. She's a person navigating this world -- one where ghosts stop you in the middle of your journey to play a guessing game -- with the weight of generational trauma, neglect, and abandonment on her shoulders. Also, I really enjoyed the author's choice to include fantasy vignettes, which our protagonist reads from an old family book of stories. They were generally wonderful, but also devastating and melancholic. I think that's actually how I'd describe this novel too.
immobilization's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A medium to high fantasy world. Nobody is perfect but some people are definitely worse. The descriptions of various magics and creatures are concise enough to not be a drag on someone who already has an idea. It paints a spooky picture. The mood of the ending is not perfect but definitely satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Stalking
sophielrobinsonauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this story. It had the read of a long fairy tale which I like. It does have a satisfactory ending.
mebutmagic's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this. It was well told with the perfect language for the story. I loved the interweaving of folk tales and myths with the story of an independent woman who knows what she wants and goes out to get it.
At times it was funny and at others sad but it was always fair, always real.
At times it was funny and at others sad but it was always fair, always real.
lemonverbena's review against another edition
5.0
Set in the world of many of the author’s short stories, All the Murmuring Bones is enthralling and magical. I didn’t want the book to end!
dottienic123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
n4ttyb4tty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lorilanefox's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this modern day fairytale of mermaids and their relationships with humans. Fun and well-written. If you like contemporary and/or rewritten/reimagined fairytales, you will love this book.