If I could write one sentence for this review it would be: “go get this book right now.” In fact, I’m tempted to just leave it like this. There is simply no way that I can convey how excited I am about this book or how much I loved it, otherwise.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is the first in its self-titled series by Roseanne A. Brown. I went into this book more or less cold. I have never read anything by Brown before, nor did I read the back matter. This was an impulse purchase, based entirely on the cover and the genre. And, my friends, I was more than pleasantly surprised.
For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.
But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.
When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is based off West-African folklore which was a refreshing change of pace from the typical anglicized lore we’re so used to seeing. It had all the makings of classic fantasy with immersive world-building and beautiful characterization.
The story is told from two perspectives, which allows us to see the world through not just Malik’s and Karina’s eyes, but from differing castes. We can see events playing out, giving us (the reader) a full view of all the moving parts, but also gain an intimate understanding of the classic struggle with the haves and the have nots. Further, we get to see complex internal struggles. Malik who has to wrestle with his morality to end a life to save his family. And Karina, who is so scared of her own legacy, she’s hellbent on delving into unnatural, dangerous magic to change the course of her destiny.
Often (especially in YA), I feel like the author tries desperately to make us feel a certain way about their characters. You must love this character because they’re the hero! You must loathe this character because they’re the villain! In doing this, they strip back the fatal flaws and internal conflicts that make the characters human. Brown did a stunning job in allowing us to make up our own minds and ultimately, connecting with the story.
While everyone has a different opinion on what makes a long book, I feel like the general consensus is 400+ pages can be considered on the longer side. Having devoured this book, cover to cover in a day and a half, I can say that it was beautifully paced, and its writing was gripping enough that it was difficult to tear my eyes away to do necessary things (like sleeping and working).
I will say that when I read the last page, I ran—not walked—to get the second book, A Psalm of Storms and Silence. I have yet to crack it open (the TBR shelf and I are having some very strong words about these rules I’ve put in place), but I am daydreaming about it. To a point that, frankly, it’s embarrassing.
You can find Roseanne A. Brown: Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Website.
Have you read this series? If you have, I’d love to know what you thought about it! And if you haven’t, what was the last series you read that you physically felt like you could not put down?
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Ivy Whitaker 