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imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Violence, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Colonisation, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
5.0
Update 2022: Rereading this has made me love it even more. Upgrading my rating to 5 stars!
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020 and although it was not at all what I expected, I loved it! This book was advertised as a YA star-crossed romance between two enemies who are trying to kill each other, but I think that’s off the mark. For me, this book was about two individuals, a princess and a refugee, and their journey through an impressive fantasy world to face their personal demons and the demons of the past. It’s also a book about family, mental illness, immigration, politics, and conflict.
The world-building was so intricate and rich I felt like I was transported. There are so many layers of politics, myths, and conflicting allegiances. I also adored the focus on grief and mental illness, which I think was really well done. One of the main characters has anxiety and I really, really appreciated how it was incorporated into the main plot. There was one clever twist in the final battle that made me want to cheer out loud! It was extremely satisfying and clever.
The romance was a lot more slow-moving and subtle than I expected. In fact, it takes quite a while for the main characters to even interact. Instead you get an introduction to the world of Ziran and its dangers, prejudices, and conflicts. Family is very important to the story as well as mythology and history. I definitely wouldn’t go into this book expecting only a romance, but if you want an engaging high fantasy, this is it! I think the author has done a great job setting the groundwork and I’m very excited for the sequel!
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020 and although it was not at all what I expected, I loved it! This book was advertised as a YA star-crossed romance between two enemies who are trying to kill each other, but I think that’s off the mark. For me, this book was about two individuals, a princess and a refugee, and their journey through an impressive fantasy world to face their personal demons and the demons of the past. It’s also a book about family, mental illness, immigration, politics, and conflict.
The world-building was so intricate and rich I felt like I was transported. There are so many layers of politics, myths, and conflicting allegiances. I also adored the focus on grief and mental illness, which I think was really well done. One of the main characters has anxiety and I really, really appreciated how it was incorporated into the main plot. There was one clever twist in the final battle that made me want to cheer out loud! It was extremely satisfying and clever.
The romance was a lot more slow-moving and subtle than I expected. In fact, it takes quite a while for the main characters to even interact. Instead you get an introduction to the world of Ziran and its dangers, prejudices, and conflicts. Family is very important to the story as well as mythology and history. I definitely wouldn’t go into this book expecting only a romance, but if you want an engaging high fantasy, this is it! I think the author has done a great job setting the groundwork and I’m very excited for the sequel!
cottonmouse42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
charlie_smiles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kelcaro1's review against another edition
3.0
DNF @ 257 pages, I do not think I am a fan of fantasy romances anymore. Any discussion of feeling between the two characters made me angry.
zepeng's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
We love representation! I'm slowly trying to diversify my books to include more fantasy reads from various cultures and this is an excellent choice. It has a nice balance of introducing the culture to newbies, while also staying true to its roots (not sure, but no one is complaining as far as I know). The magic system is a good side plot, though I wish it can be explored further. I also like how the most mundane stuff, like hair care 101 is included in this book. It really provides a better perspective to understand other cultures.
To sum up this book, it's unproblematic. Everything is fine, think of it as hunger games with magic and there you have it. The plot is not very predictable per se but it does follow the typical YA fantasy route. Honestly, for a debut novel, I think the author has done an excellent job.
Character wise, I am particularly captivated by the soft MC at the beginning. It's not common to have the male character as the POV, especially one as soft as Malik. He is the unconventional male MC and I think most readers can identity with him. However, I feel like the characterization in the book falls a bit flat on me. I feel like the author only picks one defining trait for the characters and it is stuck throughout the book. Every action and thought process only revolves around that trait, which slowly becomes predictable and boring because it is overwritten.
The middle part is a bit too drag-y for my personal preference. There is this supposed cliffhanger that can be executed better by taking away some chapters. In essence, I think the whole flow would be better if it is more concise and packed.
Overall, a very successful debut! I'm not too sure if I will pick up the next book but chances are very high. An enjoyable read.
We love representation! I'm slowly trying to diversify my books to include more fantasy reads from various cultures and this is an excellent choice. It has a nice balance of introducing the culture to newbies, while also staying true to its roots (not sure, but no one is complaining as far as I know). The magic system is a good side plot, though I wish it can be explored further. I also like how the most mundane stuff, like hair care 101 is included in this book. It really provides a better perspective to understand other cultures.
To sum up this book, it's unproblematic. Everything is fine, think of it as hunger games with magic and there you have it. The plot is not very predictable per se but it does follow the typical YA fantasy route. Honestly, for a debut novel, I think the author has done an excellent job.
Character wise, I am particularly captivated by the soft MC at the beginning. It's not common to have the male character as the POV, especially one as soft as Malik. He is the unconventional male MC and I think most readers can identity with him. However, I feel like the characterization in the book falls a bit flat on me. I feel like the author only picks one defining trait for the characters and it is stuck throughout the book. Every action and thought process only revolves around that trait, which slowly becomes predictable and boring because it is overwritten.
The middle part is a bit too drag-y for my personal preference. There is this supposed cliffhanger that can be executed better by taking away some chapters. In essence, I think the whole flow would be better if it is more concise and packed.
Overall, a very successful debut! I'm not too sure if I will pick up the next book but chances are very high. An enjoyable read.
lindsaybethlyons's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Im excited to read book 2!
bootrat's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I wish I'd DNFd this, and I definitely won't be reading the sequel. Just very meh, and failed at everything it tried to do.
alychee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
it was so good i need the second book asap
(also the audiobook is a banger the narrators slayed especially jordan cobb ma'am the emotions ?? she portrayed karina like the queen she is i had so much fun)
(also the audiobook is a banger the narrators slayed especially jordan cobb ma'am the emotions ?? she portrayed karina like the queen she is i had so much fun)