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kittykittycat's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Self harm
emily_mh's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.75
This was a fantastic YA fantasy standalone! It was structured well, beginning with the audition and then proceeding with the stages of the tour - but Tooley makes sure to make each stage a little different, a little more challenging, and works with the characters a little more each time, so that the plot doesn’t feel repetitive. The world-building complemented the story well, being woven into the narrative rather than info-dumped. For example, characteristics of Sofi’s world are the reason behind the inciting incident and also a lot of the personal and interpersonal tension. I liked the perpetual winter setting, and found the magic system of bones intriguing.
It would have been cool to see some kind of exploration of how the papers aided disabled people, as the papers are sort of like the equivalent of tech. Currently tech IS undermining art through the use of plagiarising AI (similar to how the papers give skill to a person without them learning it) - but on the other hand, tech is immensely helpful to disabled people (like a Paper might help treat symptoms if it can influence things like body temperature, or complete tasks for people with dexterity limitations). Please note I don’t find the absence of this exploration problematic, it’s just something I wished was there! It could have also been good to showcase more the effect on society of limiting music performance to five people. However, this is a personal preference, not a critique of quality. I get there are limits to what can be explored in a YA standalone!
The character work was really compelling. You have this MC, Sofi, that’s coming out of an abusive relationship with her father and herself, trying to find goodness but really struggling, too. The biggest lessons Sofi has to learn are that “the things you love shouldn’t hurt you”, and that devotion to your craft doesn’t look like self-flagellation. Tooley also shows Sofi’s love for and knowledge of music rather than just telling us she has these, which seems to be a step authors commonly forget when centring an art form in their book.
The romance was good! It was nothing particularly outstanding, but Tooley really put in the effort to make the reader understand not only the attraction between Sofi and Lara, but their connection, the reasons why they grew to love each other - and they did grow to do this, it wasn’t insta-love.
The themes were interesting. As I mentioned before, a big part of the book is Sofi healing from abusive relationships. Another topic was that art is better with emotion. There was also a really interesting discussion of achievement! The book showed that achieving a goal or title isn’t everything, and that being too focussed on a goal can lead to feelings of worthlessness and burnout. It was also so important to see a YA MC who wasn’t able to achieve her dream, as sometimes we do fail at things or miss the mark! This is a concept you don’t often see in YA, but it’s a really important one for this age group.
I’ll wrap up on a quote that really resonated with me:
“In fact, the Muse’s silence was so loud that Sofi began to fear the voice she had once heard, that whisper of her destiny, had merely been in her own head. Another way that she had forced herself to suffer.”
Rep: lesbian MC (word not used because fantasy), sapphic LI, Achillean SC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Suicide, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Blood, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: imprisonment Minor: capital punishment, childbirth, self-injury, menstruation, theftpuddleshoes's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Self harm and Emotional abuse
trickphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Neutral 2.5 stars - I think it was a fine book for a specific audience, but didn't suit my preferences. It helps to know from the start that character growth is a HUGE part of the story, so if you find the protagonist frustrating, keep that in mind.
I discovered while reading that I only like the enemies-to-lovers trope if BOTH characters dislike each other from the start. In this book the "enemies" part was very one-sided and it felt more like bullying than real rivalry or enmity. I didn't get very invested in the romance or the characters, just found them more vexing than lovable, and felt like their bonding was hard to believe. I also realized partway through that it hadn't given me any occasion to laugh, and I prefer a romance to involve some witty banter.
The plot didn't leave me guessing much, mostly as predicted with a slight twist at the end, so just a little too predictable for my tastes but not to an extent unusual for YA.
I enjoyed the world building, interesting setting, magic system, and culture built around music. The diversity of the characters was great, and there were some difficult topics handled quite tactfully. No complaints about the writing style itself either. Unfortunately just not to my taste.
I discovered while reading that I only like the enemies-to-lovers trope if BOTH characters dislike each other from the start. In this book the "enemies" part was very one-sided and it felt more like bullying than real rivalry or enmity. I didn't get very invested in the romance or the characters, just found them more vexing than lovable, and felt like their bonding was hard to believe. I also realized partway through that it hadn't given me any occasion to laugh, and I prefer a romance to involve some witty banter.
The plot didn't leave me guessing much, mostly as predicted with a slight twist at the end, so just a little too predictable for my tastes but not to an extent unusual for YA.
I enjoyed the world building, interesting setting, magic system, and culture built around music. The diversity of the characters was great, and there were some difficult topics handled quite tactfully. No complaints about the writing style itself either. Unfortunately just not to my taste.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Child abuse
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Death
rikana93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was such a lovely surprise! It drew me in very slowly, introducing me to the world and the characters. Before I knew it, I was hooked and had a really hard time putting the book down. The narrator's voice in the audiobook was perfect for the main character.
I truly appreciated having genuinely lovely characters who were good and loving people. The main character had many flaws that were quite infuriating, but it was so heartening to see her friends and loved ones helping her see how much she did deserve and help her grow. I simply loved Lara's character and couldn't get enough of her beautiful relationship with Sofi and the rapport that slowly grew throughout the book. I do think most of the other characters were a bit flat compared to Sofi and I wish there had been a way to flesh out their dimensionality more. This didn't take away from my love of the book at all though.
The book is quite meandering in its pace, and it really celebrates the power of music. As someone who played the flute for eight years, I was personally disappointed the flute got such a bad rep in this story! But, I still loved the story nonetheless.
I truly appreciated having genuinely lovely characters who were good and loving people. The main character had many flaws that were quite infuriating, but it was so heartening to see her friends and loved ones helping her see how much she did deserve and help her grow. I simply loved Lara's character and couldn't get enough of her beautiful relationship with Sofi and the rapport that slowly grew throughout the book. I do think most of the other characters were a bit flat compared to Sofi and I wish there had been a way to flesh out their dimensionality more. This didn't take away from my love of the book at all though.
The book is quite meandering in its pace, and it really celebrates the power of music. As someone who played the flute for eight years, I was personally disappointed the flute got such a bad rep in this story! But, I still loved the story nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Emotional abuse
wysperias's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The way sofi sees the world and weaves descriptions is so intoxicating, it made me want to write and sing the same songs. She's such an interesting mc because its hard to root for her at times, and others you can clearly see how broken she is. Her perseverance and need to correct whats wrong made me so emotional and even more so when she realizes how her life was wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Death of parent, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement
a_ab's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book explored interesting concepts, but I found it to be too long and meandering, especially in the middle.
It also suffers from "all fathers are monsters" syndrome - not a single father mentioned in the book (in their fatherly capacity), even in passing, could be described as even a half-decent person. It got a little weird there.
But otherwise this was an interesting young adult fantasy book with some thoughtful observations about talent, excellence and self-discovery.
It also suffers from "all fathers are monsters" syndrome - not a single father mentioned in the book (in their fatherly capacity), even in passing, could be described as even a half-decent person. It got a little weird there.
But otherwise this was an interesting young adult fantasy book with some thoughtful observations about talent, excellence and self-discovery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Toxic relationship
kuurankero's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexism and Suicide
vintagefleece's review
adventurous
sad
medium-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
4.25
Overall, I enjoyed book and it's characters and story! I liked the dynamic between the two main characters. I liked how Lara was sweet, but also smart and passionate about music. The world was interesting to learn about too, as the characters recount different legends and as we explore the world they live in.
Near the end of the book, the main character makes a series of questionable decisions that didn't make a lot of sense to me, but that didn't kill the experience.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing as well :)
Near the end of the book, the main character makes a series of questionable decisions that didn't make a lot of sense to me, but that didn't kill the experience.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing as well :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Self harm
beautifulpaxielreads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sofi and the Bone Song is a beautifully written tale of love, magic, and music (not necessarily in that order).
Before I begin this review, I will now describe the plot. I don't really consider it a spoiler, given that most of the information can be found in the official blurb. But if you don't want to know anything about the plot at all, I've highlighted in bold where the plot summary begins and ends, so feel free to skip those parts if you wish.
PLOT SUMMARY
In the fantasy kingdom of Aell, the use of magic has run wild, with people using it for just about everything from composing poetry to styling their hair. Only one thing remains sacred and untouched - music. To ensure it remains so, the only people allowed to play music publicly are the five individuals who have been elected to the Guild of Musiks, and the Apprentices of their choosing.
Sixteen-year-old Sofi is the daughter of Frederik Ollenholt, one of Aell's most revered Musiks, and like her father, Sofi is a skilled lutenist. She has been raised by her father to believe that to be anything less than technically perfect is unacceptable.
When it comes time for the Musiks to choose their respective Apprentices, Sofi has no doubt that her father will choose her - so it comes as a terrible shock when after a round of auditions in which Sofi performs flawlessly, her father chooses another. Laravelle "Lara" Hollis is well-connected, beautiful, and charming, and offers up a compelling audition - despite having never played an instrument in her life.
Sofi is outraged at the decision, believing all her years of training were for naught. But worse is to come - the very next day, her father is found deadby his own hand . Lara must now take up his position as Musik, despite having none of the training required. Outwardly, Sofi agrees to help her rival, while secretly planning to expose Lara as a fraud. But as Sofi gets to know the girl who stole her future, the more Sofi doubts everything she thought she knew - about herself, her father, and about music.
END OF PLOT SUMMARY
A love of music infuses every page of Sofi and the Bone Song, which makes sense, given that author Adrienne Tooley is also an accomplished singer/songwriter of indie folk music - and has also majored in musical theatre! I loved how Tooley incorporated this love into the novel, viaSofi's changing attitudes to music . When we first meet Sofi, she believes that great music is only attained through suffering - an attitude honed and shaped by her demanding and manipulative father. How he did so is described in a series of flashbacks, which are literally skin-crawling. I almost couldn't read the part where he taught her that when a musician plays their instrument, they must suppress any emotion whilst doing so . If you are at all sensitive about emotional abuse and manipulation, read this novel with care.
But the more Sofi comes to know Lara (and begins tofall for her ), the more she begins to doubt the lessons her father taught her. Far from being emotionless, Sofi learns, music is all about emotion. Fear, love, joy, sadness, and everything in between can be expressed in music - and the art of creating should be a joyous and inspiring experience. It should not be like working oneself to the bone (pun fully intended) in order to achieve a result.
My reading experience of Sofi and the Bone Song wasn't perfect. I kind of wish I hadn't left such long time gaps in my reading of it, as it affected my ability to follow the plot and character development. I did feel at points that Soficame to her conclusions too quickly , but that may have been on me. There was an issue of pace towards the end, it kind of jarred a bit with me. One day, I will reread this novel more slowly and carefully, so I can better adjust to its rhythm (excuse the musical pun).
Anyway, despite my issues, I did very much enjoy this novel.
Before I begin this review, I will now describe the plot. I don't really consider it a spoiler, given that most of the information can be found in the official blurb. But if you don't want to know anything about the plot at all, I've highlighted in bold where the plot summary begins and ends, so feel free to skip those parts if you wish.
PLOT SUMMARY
In the fantasy kingdom of Aell, the use of magic has run wild, with people using it for just about everything from composing poetry to styling their hair. Only one thing remains sacred and untouched - music. To ensure it remains so, the only people allowed to play music publicly are the five individuals who have been elected to the Guild of Musiks, and the Apprentices of their choosing.
Sixteen-year-old Sofi is the daughter of Frederik Ollenholt, one of Aell's most revered Musiks, and like her father, Sofi is a skilled lutenist. She has been raised by her father to believe that to be anything less than technically perfect is unacceptable.
When it comes time for the Musiks to choose their respective Apprentices, Sofi has no doubt that her father will choose her - so it comes as a terrible shock when after a round of auditions in which Sofi performs flawlessly, her father chooses another. Laravelle "Lara" Hollis is well-connected, beautiful, and charming, and offers up a compelling audition - despite having never played an instrument in her life.
Sofi is outraged at the decision, believing all her years of training were for naught. But worse is to come - the very next day, her father is found dead
END OF PLOT SUMMARY
A love of music infuses every page of Sofi and the Bone Song, which makes sense, given that author Adrienne Tooley is also an accomplished singer/songwriter of indie folk music - and has also majored in musical theatre! I loved how Tooley incorporated this love into the novel, via
But the more Sofi comes to know Lara (and begins to
My reading experience of Sofi and the Bone Song wasn't perfect. I kind of wish I hadn't left such long time gaps in my reading of it, as it affected my ability to follow the plot and character development. I did feel at points that Sofi
Anyway, despite my issues, I did very much enjoy this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, and Child abuse
Quoted from the author, Adrienne Tooley in the title pages: "This book contains depictions of emotional abuse at the hand of a parent, death by suicide (off-page), and descriptions of self-harm." I should also note that as well as the MC's father