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For years and years, the O’Malleys prospered and were the most powerful family for miles. They owned many ships and traded far and wide; they were known for their abundance of high-quality silver. They built a mansion, called Hob’s Hallow, next to the cliffs at Hob’s Head, with a tower at the center and wings added later. The family was large and for years had many branches, but they mostly intermarried to keep the bloodline as “pure” as possible.
But now, Miren O’Malley is the only (mostly) “true” O’Malley of her generation. Her parents dead since she was a girl, she’s been raised by her grandparents at Hob’s Hallow, the treasure and ships long gone. While there is nothing left of the fortunes the family was known for, Miren’s grandparents still hold on to their fierce pride in the family name.
When her grandfather dies, Miren’s grandmother is determined to marry her off to a wealthy cousin to restore the family glory. But Miren wants nothing to do with the man who would hurt and use her, and she finds a way to escape from his clutches. Thanks to secret letters she finds in her late grandfather’s desk, she sets off on a last-ditch journey to find freedom and family. The journey itself is often dangerous, and even when she finds what she thought she was looking for, not everything is as it seems. Miren at last learns the full truth about the O’Malleys and can make decisions for herself and right old wrongs.
All the Murmuring Bones is a richly layered story filled with fabulous tales Miren has been told all her life. It’s dark and gothic and populated by strong women who can work just a little magic and one or two who can work a great deal; powerful men who always seek to have their way but who, to their detriment, underestimate the women; mythical creatures like mer, ghosts, rusalki, kelpies, werewolves, and an enchanting clockwork singer. Danger and peril are the norm, the backdrop mostly darkness, but there are moments of sweetness and beauty, bright rays of light breaking through. Miren grows and comes into her own and becomes a force to be reckoned with. It’s thoroughly rewarding to go along on her journey with her.
I fell into the magical world of the story and still find myself ruminating on it, as if in finishing the book I’ve emerged from the depths of the dark water but haven’t quite dried off yet. Bits of seaweed and water cling to me.
Such a satisfyingly atmospheric novel with a finely crafted plot.
Rated: Moderate. There are three instances of an Irish swear word that’s very similar to strong language but is an unrelated mild swear word; there are fewer than 10 instances of mild language and a handful of instances of moderate profanity. There are two very brief sex scenes with almost no details. There are references to mating between humans and magical sea creatures. Violence includes a number of murders, mostly without much detail or gore. A powerful sea creature is held hostage for many years. Mer people are fed a child every generation. A man is fed to a mermaid. (These are not Disney-fied mer people; they are dangerous and man-eating.)
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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