Scan barcode
mariah13's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
ghouligan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Although the story is historical fiction inspired by West African folklore, the author has created a story that mirrors many current events in the U.S. and across the globe.valpyre's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the worldbuilding here was fairly interesting, but i found this a fairly slow listen overall, and it took me right till around 80% to really get into it.
i did actually appreciate that the two protags spent a lot of time apart in the book -- i think it set them up really well as independent characters with their own goals -- however i was never really taken up with the romantic part of their relationship.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Death, and Animal death
queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body horror, Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia
kiahmaria04'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? Yes
4.5
firstly, i cannot believe this was a debut book. it was so well written and had everything you would want in a fantasy (and lowkey romance) book. it was so refreshing and interesting to read a book based on west and north african folklore and i loved getting to dive into this magical world. despite the book being relatively fast paced, i still felt like it flowed well, the plot was cohesive (and relatively easy to understand for a fantasy book lol), and the characters had really good development. Karina and Malik’s struggles with mental illness we’re definitely relatable to me and it made my heart so full to see them overcome their struggles (i felt like a proud mom lol). the romance in this book, i thought, was definitely more lowkey, however i didn’t mind. i think that it was still well done and contributed well to the plot. i think (and hope!) that Brown will dive more in depth to the main character’s romance in the next book. all in all, i literally cannot wait until “a psalm of storms and silence” comes out!!
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Vomit
ryleecanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Overall it was a fine book!
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
deereadsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
mn0rgan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Self harm
pagebypaigereviews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
--A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
Once every 50 years a comet passes by Ziran, and its people hold a week long celebration to usher in a new era. But unbeknownst to the majority, the comet's passing has even greater significance than just a reason to party. Malik and Princess Karina each harbor dangerous secrets, which leads them on separate, deadly missions to save someone they love.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is told from two perspectives: Malik and Princess Karina. Each main character has their own mental health struggles and unresolved trauma. It features a unique magic system and world building. I was fascinated by the concept behind the belief system, but the amount of world building did make it slower for me to get into. Most of the action picks up in the second half of the book. The end was a series of shocking reveals that had me yelling at my book!
One thing that kind of bothered me was the ease with which each of the characters considered murder. I thought there would have been more moral qualms associated with the act. It also seemed a little repetitive at times. At the end, I still had a hard time understanding everything about the magic system, so I hope we get more explanation in the next book.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Gore
Minor: Vomit, Slavery, and Genocide
chia_pet'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death