All The Murmuring Bones by A. G. Slatter (2021) Review

I’m so excited All the Murmuring Bones release date has arrived!

Growing up I used to read my grandfather’s childhood tales, they were old dusty books with the true versions of fairy tales. This book gave me the same vibes, but it is too dark for children. I simply loved the atmospheric experience of a fairy tale for adults.

Aoife McMahon did a superb job narrating this book. I honestly did not miss a full cast, her accent enhanced the atmosphere, her pace was perfect. I felt like I was being told a story by someone who had lived, and I could not get enough of it!

We follow Miren O’Malley as she refuses to be a passive agent of her own story. Her ancestors had struck a deal with the mer people – the sacrifice of an O’Malley from each generation in exchange for prosperity. For years, unable to keep their end of the deal, the O’Malley’s fortune started to decline and Miren’s grandmother is decided to sacrifice her.

Miren is a strong, smart, independent woman who doesn’t accept her fate is goes on a coming-of-age journey to write her own story.

I loved Slatter’s mer mythology. This was an original story, told superbly with well developed characters and enthralling atmosphere.

While I appreciate Slatter’s careful descriptions and feel it helped build the atmosphere. I felt this book read slightly too long. Maybe it is my bias and association with dark fairy tales I read as a child, but had this been shorter or even a novella, it would have been a 5-star read to me.
I highly recommend this book.

Thank you W.F. Howes Ltd, A.G. Slatter and NetGalley for an advanced copy of All the Murmuring Bones, narrated by Aoife McMahon, in exchange for an honest review.

#AllTheMurmuringBones #NetGalley

My total rating: 4.5

Review for this book included in this video: https://youtu.be/WixTJ_WPyuY