I received this book via the author, Megan Crewe. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
A Mortal Song by Megan Crewe Published by Another World Press on 2016-09-13
Length: 382 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2016 ARC August, 2016 New Release Challenge, COYER 2016 Summer Vacation
Sora's life was full of magic—until she discovered it was all a lie.
Heir to Mt. Fuji's spirit kingdom, Sora yearns to finally take on the sacred kami duties. But just as she confronts her parents to make a plea, a ghostly army invades the mountain. Barely escaping with her life, Sora follows her mother's last instructions to a heart-wrenching discovery: she is a human changeling, raised as a decoy while her parents' true daughter remained safe but unaware in modern-day Tokyo. Her powers were only borrowed, never her own. Now, with the world's natural cycles falling into chaos and the ghosts plotting an even more deadly assault, it falls on her to train the unprepared kami princess.
As Sora struggles with her emerging human weaknesses and the draw of an unanticipated ally with secrets of his own, she vows to keep fighting for her loved ones and the world they once protected. But for one mortal girl to make a difference in this desperate war between the spirits, she may have to give up the only home she's ever known.
A Mortal Song by Megan Crewe is an impressive tale that blends Japanese mythology with that of the urban world. Sora is the daughter of the kami rulers at Mt. Fuji. She’s been sheltered, loved and immersed in their beliefs. When a demon with an army of ghosts overruns the palace on Sora’s 17th birthday, she escapes with her best friend and loyal guard Takeo, but as she leaves Mt. Fuji behind her powers dissipate and she finds out the world she loves is not the world she belongs to.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I’ve always enjoyed a good urban fantasy, but Crewe blends her story with Japanese mythology and I LOVED this element. It brought a magical quality to the story that many urban fantasies lack. Sora is a character that is easily relatable and my heart broke for her over and over again. She’s strong, dedicated, and loyal yet flawed and insecure tying the human world with that of the kami’s perfectly.
The plot is fairly simple. Sora with Takeo and some new found friends must find a way to save the kami from the demon before Fuji erupts. I liked that the plot was easy to follow as I’m unfamiliar with the mythology present in the story. I decided to spend some time on my own researching while I read, though this is NOT necessary, the author just peaked my interest 😀 There is plenty of action and problems along the way to move the story forward. The fight scenes with the ghosts were particularly interesting. They are well written and it was easy to picture it in my mind as a fluid scene while reading.
Overall I really enjoyed Sora’s story. It’s a standalone, which is hard to find these days. Featuring plenty of action, suspense with each rumble from Fuji, and even a little romance, I highly recommend it!
About Megan Crewe
Like many authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: she lives with her husband, son, and three cats in Toronto, Canada (and does on occasion say "eh"); she tutors children and teens with special needs; and she can't look at the night sky without speculating about who else might be out there. Along with the Sky Trilogy, she is the author of the paranormal novel GIVE UP THE GHOST and the post apocalyptic Fallen World trilogy.
Leave a Reply