Rating: ★★
The cover of The Musician's Daughter claims that it is both a mystery and a romance. Only half of each is true. The mystery part? The main character, Theresa, bumbles around the streets of eighteenth-century Vienna in search of the truth about her father's mysterious murder. However, instead of uncovering clues and putting the picture together herself, she has the entire story explained to her by her “love interest,” Zoltán. Her “romance” with Zoltán is disappointing to say the least, as it consists mostly of her teenage infatuation with/angst for the older violinist.
In addition, the heroine, Theresa, is one of the least likable main characters I've ever encountered. At least characters such as Dorian Gray or Scrooge have a depth to their personality that makes them interesting; Theresa is simply a self-absorbed and hormonal teenager. She continually endangers her younger brother by dragging him along on her adventures without a thought for his safety. I never felt any real concern about her safety or connected to her on any level. For example, the passages about her love for music, something which I thought I could share, just sound cliché and fake. The writing lacks sophistication, and the descriptions of Theresa and Zoltán's interactions are straight out of an indulgent fan fiction.
That said, this isn't a wholly unenjoyable novel. The plot picks up around halfway, when Theresa finally gets a clue about what's going on around her. The story manages to weave politics, historical setting, romance, gypsies, and a couple formidable bad guys into a mystery that I actually did want to solve by the end. The mystery, when it is revealed, is complex enough to satisfy the reader.
In short, I can't say that I gained much from this book, but it wasn't a complete waste of time, either. If you don't mind a few overly dramatic statements and a somewhat clueless protagonist, you might enjoy this light summer read.
Currently reading: Well, I have three more books from the school library, but I might read Paper Towns by John Green first.
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