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mars4444's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
lochanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
An African-inspired, high stakes, vibrant fantasy novel. A Song Of Wraiths and Ruin is a brilliant, fast-paced debut and a beautifully woven story. It was a enchanting mix of adventure, sorcery, legend and romance. Loved it and excited for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Blood, and Child abuse
kaylamoran's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not the 5 star read I was predicting, but I devoured this! I loved the characters and the world, and the magic system was very unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Self harm, and Blood
mme_carton's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Mental illness, Murder, Blood, War, Alcohol, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Slavery, Abandonment, and Confinement
abookstereotype1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
The perfect YA fantasy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, and Physical abuse
corriejn's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.25
First two thirds or so of this book were great: skilled worldbuilding, introduction of characters and storylines that were destined to clash. However, things fall a part a bit when the author actually gets to resolving how those various storylines interact and resolve. Brown seems to want to be N. K. Jemisin, but falls short. Too many flat, undeveloped characters who pop in to be major parts of the narrative, too many twists and turns that aren't foreshadowed or a logical part of the story, but just tossed in and basically rewrite the worldbuilding and characters that were more skillfully introduced earlier. I don't plan to read the rest of this series. It started off really promising through most of this volume, but ended up a jumbled mess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Racism, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcohol, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Physical abuse
Minor: Cannibalism, War, and Torture
jasthebooklover4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
At the start of the novel, Princess Karina is grieving the lost of her father and older sister. Then her mother died, and Karina doesn't think she is capable to rule. So she plans to resurrect her mother, but first she needs the beating heart of a king. I found Karina to be strong, but she does have her stubborn moments. I do think by the end she does have some growth and more awareness of the truth of her kingdom.
Then we have Malik, who is a sweet cinnamon roll. When Malik finally arrived to Ziran with his two sister. His younger sister Nadia is taken by a revengeful spirit. So to get his sister back, Malik must kill Karina. Honestly, Malik can't just caught a break in this book. He has to lie about who he is, has to kill Karina which he doesn't want to do, but has to, he has this magic power that he doesn't understand or has a grasp with, and has to deal with prejudice from the people in Ziran. Malik was just a sweet caring guy and stronger than he realize. I am a bit worry about the path he is being lead by the end.
I enjoyed both Malik and Karina point of view. Yet, I wasn't invested in their romance. The romance did fell more towards the sideline of the story. It took a while for them to actually meet and we didn't see them together enough. Their strong feelings for each other felt too sudden.
I found the world building to be so complex and flesh out. It was a bit confusing when I first read it, but by the end I think I understood it. It was a bit slow, but towards the end I was just at the edge of my seat. There was also a lot of violence and the book got extremely dark. Overall, I really enjoy this book and can't wait to read the sequel.
Then we have Malik, who is a sweet cinnamon roll. When Malik finally arrived to Ziran with his two sister. His younger sister Nadia is taken by a revengeful spirit. So to get his sister back, Malik must kill Karina. Honestly, Malik can't just caught a break in this book. He has to lie about who he is, has to kill Karina which he doesn't want to do, but has to, he has this magic power that he doesn't understand or has a grasp with, and has to deal with prejudice from the people in Ziran. Malik was just a sweet caring guy and stronger than he realize. I am a bit worry about the path he is being lead by the end.
I enjoyed both Malik and Karina point of view. Yet, I wasn't invested in their romance. The romance did fell more towards the sideline of the story. It took a while for them to actually meet and we didn't see them together enough. Their strong feelings for each other felt too sudden.
I found the world building to be so complex and flesh out. It was a bit confusing when I first read it, but by the end I think I understood it. It was a bit slow, but towards the end I was just at the edge of my seat. There was also a lot of violence and the book got extremely dark. Overall, I really enjoy this book and can't wait to read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Self harm
bffwnho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia, Self harm, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
hayleemarie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Grief, and Death
Minor: Self harm, War, Physical abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: self-harm, violence, emotional and physical abuse, anxiety and panic attacks, parent death, and animal death, slavery
"But you are kind, Malik Hilali. Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown is an excellent YA fantasy set in a West African inspired setting. I devoured this book. I wish I had this book when I was in high school.
We follow two MCs whose pov alternates with each chapter. Malik, an Eshran boy with anxiety is trying to get into the city of Ziran with his sister's when he unwittingly makes a deal with a spirit names Idir, and is dragged into a game in order to save his younger sister. Karina, the princess of Ziran is a bit of an impetuous brat who has no motivation to rule, suffers from migraines and ends up having to take her mother's place sooner than she thought. Both are of their destinies are connected, but they are trying to kill each other.
This is classic hero's journey with enemies to lovers slow burn. I really liked the magic system in this, but I hope we get to explore it more in the next book. I loved how the author weaved in an element of oral storytelling and the power it can have. We also get representation of anxiety and panic attacks along with it actually becoming the thing that helps him in the end.
I loved the descriptions in this! I could practically smell the spices and see all the colors of Solsatcia! The writing was a joy to read. It was like Brown was weaving her own illusions, just like Malik.
I liked the way the MC's stories tied together and there were twists I didn't see coming. Some things were a little predictable, but I didn't mind. I did find Karina to be annoying for a good chunk of the book, because she was being very stubborn, short sighted, and selfish until she finally got it together. I'm looking forward to seeing how each of their magic grows as Malik and Karina learn how to use it.
"But you are kind, Malik Hilali. Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours."
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown is an excellent YA fantasy set in a West African inspired setting. I devoured this book. I wish I had this book when I was in high school.
We follow two MCs whose pov alternates with each chapter. Malik, an Eshran boy with anxiety is trying to get into the city of Ziran with his sister's when he unwittingly makes a deal with a spirit names Idir, and is dragged into a game in order to save his younger sister. Karina, the princess of Ziran is a bit of an impetuous brat who has no motivation to rule, suffers from migraines and ends up having to take her mother's place sooner than she thought. Both are of their destinies are connected, but they are trying to kill each other.
This is classic hero's journey with enemies to lovers slow burn. I really liked the magic system in this, but I hope we get to explore it more in the next book. I loved how the author weaved in an element of oral storytelling and the power it can have. We also get representation of anxiety and panic attacks along with it actually becoming the thing that helps him in the end.
I loved the descriptions in this! I could practically smell the spices and see all the colors of Solsatcia! The writing was a joy to read. It was like Brown was weaving her own illusions, just like Malik.
I liked the way the MC's stories tied together and there were twists I didn't see coming. Some things were a little predictable, but I didn't mind. I did find Karina to be annoying for a good chunk of the book, because she was being very stubborn, short sighted, and selfish until she finally got it together. I'm looking forward to seeing how each of their magic grows as Malik and Karina learn how to use it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Animal death
Moderate: Violence, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Slavery