Reviews

A csonthárfa dala by A.G. Slatter

bexolotl's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

margueritestjust's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The first time that I attempted to read this book, I DNF'd it after the first chapter or so because I just wasn't feeling it.  After having actually read the full thing, I think I should have stuck with that instinct.

There are a few plotlines balanced during this book: Miren's arranged marriage and her running away, what happened to her parents, and the storyline that concerns her family's bargain with the merfolk.  The plot was extremely disjointed - none of the plotlines seemed to connect to each other meaningfully, and the amount of magic in the story adds so little to the overall story that it makes me ask why the author even bothered to include it.  I genuinely felt as though the author had forgotten about the mer plotline for the entire middle section of the book.  The beats of the story were fairly predictable, and there were some plot points that really disappointed me -
I disliked the killing of the assassin as he was up to that point, the most interesting character, as well as the double suicide of the caretaker and his sister.  Why even save the old woman from the poisoned blanket or whatever it was if we're just going to kill her off later. 
  Additionally, I did not connect to the main character whatsoever.  She was irritating.

The writing is extremely uneven - it swings back and forth from dialogue that's written almost like a script with little to no description, to pages upon pages of introspection and description.  If you go into this book expecting an incredible atmosphere, prepare to be disappointed.  The cover is the best part of the atmosphere for this book.

olyts's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

4.25

natprince's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow wow wow! Stunning book, I was hooked from start to finish! This is definitely a gothic tale, not for the faint of heart. Miren is SUCH A BADASS! I really loved her, and I loved how she told the stories throughout the book as well. I’m really looking forward to reading more from Angela Slatter. Brava!

carraujo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

dasrach's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

a_chickletz's review against another edition

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4.0

I grabbed this book because I like dark, gothic tales.... and with mermaids thrown in? Deal.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed that there was no overdone, over-troped romance. The book focused on the main character and her quest to live her life without the interference of men. The men in this book, mind you (except for a fair few) are disgusting and controlling.

I love the mermaid tales that were sprinkled throughout the book that have to do with the backstory of the family and or mermaids in general. They're not all happy and that was refreshing to me.

I think I rated it down a star because I can see where some of the people who read this thought it was slow - probably because there was a lack of characters and it was her on the road. I think that I also rated it down because when she does find her love interest, he is just written rather off-handedly. Like, 'oh, here is a guy she took in with, guess they're a thing now', A 'blink and you'll miss it' romance.

jane_pendragon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

almareads2023's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

morganmxe's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.5