Scan barcode
bittersweetcritiques's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Songs of Vice is a delightful heist story filled with loveable characters, complicated motives, and plenty of twists & turns.
Songs of Vice is a delightful heist story filled with loveable characters, complicated motives, and plenty of twists & turns.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Death, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual content
chapterswithrae's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Songs of Vice by Nicole Bailey - 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Tropes:
• reluctant hero
• enemies to lovers to ??allies??
• fated mates
• found family dynamics
Highlights:
• inclusive range of characters, including but not limited to: non-binary character, lesbian characters, gay characters
• the found family group dynamics were well-written and made me feel safe as a reader
• multiple POVs kept the story moving
• realistic representation of anxiety and low self-worth perception
• the author had a sensitivity reader and a dedicated content warning page
You’ll like Songs of Vice if you enjoy:
• fae/court politics
• impossible heists
• kingdoms on the brink of war
• fighting destiny to choose your own fate
• being emotionally torn to shreds by the FMC & MMC
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-book ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Tropes:
• reluctant hero
• enemies to lovers to ??allies??
• fated mates
• found family dynamics
Highlights:
• inclusive range of characters, including but not limited to: non-binary character, lesbian characters, gay characters
• the found family group dynamics were well-written and made me feel safe as a reader
• multiple POVs kept the story moving
• realistic representation of anxiety and low self-worth perception
• the author had a sensitivity reader and a dedicated content warning page
You’ll like Songs of Vice if you enjoy:
• fae/court politics
• impossible heists
• kingdoms on the brink of war
• fighting destiny to choose your own fate
• being emotionally torn to shreds by the FMC & MMC
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-book ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
kaylierian's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rep: sapphic mc, nonbinary side
romance: m/f + f/f
Sai my precious boy, let's lose this "prince of darkness" nickname. You aren't scary!
Okay, for real now. I had so much fun with this book. One of the few times I kept reading a story because of the plot and not the characters. So fast-paced and I always am down for a good heist novel. Especially one with such a great cast of characters. Strong The Gilded Wolves vibes.
Never in my life have I preferred to read from a man's point of view, but now I have. Sai's character is fantastic. Lira was... Lira. This girl is afraid of EVERYTHING and I understand that it was a point of development for her, but it drove me insane. Not to mention how dramatic she was! There was a point of conflict between her and Sai about 70% through that I didn't really understand. She kept mentioning how Sai "used" and "betrayed" her but I didn't get it. I think the author was going for a lovers-to-enemies kind of situation but it definitely didn't play that way. Not to mention the instant lust/love they had. TWO there were only one-bed scenes before 40% (one at 20%) and both resulted in cuddles. Well, the second one did a little more than that but that one was understandable.
There's another mc, Neia that is lightly touched on. She has an established wlw! relationship and that's kind of the extent of her story. I did appreciate her friendship with Sai though! So nice to see platonic m/f relationships, especially in fantasy.
I am still reeling over that ending,, I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for the next one.
So so so good. I very much recommend.
thank you to booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this early and for free! all thoughts are my own <3
romance: m/f + f/f
Sai my precious boy, let's lose this "prince of darkness" nickname. You aren't scary!
Okay, for real now. I had so much fun with this book. One of the few times I kept reading a story because of the plot and not the characters. So fast-paced and I always am down for a good heist novel. Especially one with such a great cast of characters. Strong The Gilded Wolves vibes.
Never in my life have I preferred to read from a man's point of view, but now I have. Sai's character is fantastic. Lira was... Lira. This girl is afraid of EVERYTHING and I understand that it was a point of development for her, but it drove me insane. Not to mention how dramatic she was! There was a point of conflict between her and Sai about 70% through that I didn't really understand. She kept mentioning how Sai "used" and "betrayed" her but I didn't get it. I think the author was going for a lovers-to-enemies kind of situation but it definitely didn't play that way. Not to mention the instant lust/love they had. TWO there were only one-bed scenes before 40% (one at 20%) and both resulted in cuddles. Well, the second one did a little more than that but that one was understandable.
There's another mc, Neia that is lightly touched on. She has an established wlw! relationship and that's kind of the extent of her story. I did appreciate her friendship with Sai though! So nice to see platonic m/f relationships, especially in fantasy.
I am still reeling over that ending,, I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for the next one.
So so so good. I very much recommend.
thank you to booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this early and for free! all thoughts are my own <3
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) alcoholism, graphic death, xenophobia, child neglect mentions, homophobia, lesbophobia, cisgenderism, cursing, sexual content
"You are a lioness who's been raised to believe she's a kitten. You could tear the world apart if you wanted."
Songs of Vice by Nicole Bailey is book one The Siren's Call series, coming to a bookshelf near you next month. You guys know how I felt about the Apollo Rising series, and this one doesn't disappoint! It's like a New Adult Six of Crows or The Gilded Wolves mixed with The Folk of the Air. This one is also a bit spicier 🌶️ than the Apollo books too. Just think: magic, fairies, elemental magic, found family, lots of queer characters, and many twists.
We follow Lira, a siren mostly ignorant about her powers and about the Fae, just wants to get away from her abusive mother and not harm anyone anymore. While trying to make her escape, she becomes embroiled in a magical heist with Fae, specifically the mysterious Sai. We get a great and diverse cast of characters who I immediately loved and would die for. I love Neia and Elisa's relationship, it's so pure. Sai is greyromantic! And there is a nonbinary character, named Luz, who I hope gets a pov chapter next book.
At first I found Lira's naivete and meekness to be annoying until I realized it was because she reminded me of me. That's what happens to someone when their mother is emotionally abusive and narcissistic. Luz's quote above perfectly sums up Lira, and it was so satisfying to see her finally stand up to her mother and tell her to die mad about. Something I wish I could do. There were also twists! I guessed one of them, but not the others. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for book two.
Your only job next month is to go buy this book.
"You are a lioness who's been raised to believe she's a kitten. You could tear the world apart if you wanted."
Songs of Vice by Nicole Bailey is book one The Siren's Call series, coming to a bookshelf near you next month. You guys know how I felt about the Apollo Rising series, and this one doesn't disappoint! It's like a New Adult Six of Crows or The Gilded Wolves mixed with The Folk of the Air. This one is also a bit spicier 🌶️ than the Apollo books too. Just think: magic, fairies, elemental magic, found family, lots of queer characters, and many twists.
We follow Lira, a siren mostly ignorant about her powers and about the Fae, just wants to get away from her abusive mother and not harm anyone anymore. While trying to make her escape, she becomes embroiled in a magical heist with Fae, specifically the mysterious Sai. We get a great and diverse cast of characters who I immediately loved and would die for. I love Neia and Elisa's relationship, it's so pure. Sai is greyromantic! And there is a nonbinary character, named Luz, who I hope gets a pov chapter next book.
At first I found Lira's naivete and meekness to be annoying until I realized it was because she reminded me of me. That's what happens to someone when their mother is emotionally abusive and narcissistic. Luz's quote above perfectly sums up Lira, and it was so satisfying to see her finally stand up to her mother and tell her to die mad about. Something I wish I could do. There were also twists! I guessed one of them, but not the others. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for book two.
Your only job next month is to go buy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Deadnaming
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Transphobia
libraryofhelixis's review
adventurous
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? Yes
3.5
I loved this book. The author truly knew what she was doing writing the characters and their social dynamics were perfect.
I do wish there was more character development in the way of backstory. I feel as though lira’s character would have really benefited from an expanded exploration of her relationship with her mother and other sirens. But overall the cast was really diverse and very loveable.
Despite seeing a few of the plot twists coming they still took me by surprise, they were so fantastically written
I do wish there was more character development in the way of backstory. I feel as though lira’s character would have really benefited from an expanded exploration of her relationship with her mother and other sirens. But overall the cast was really diverse and very loveable.
Despite seeing a few of the plot twists coming they still took me by surprise, they were so fantastically written
cortanasreadingnook's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Victory Editing Co-op and Netgalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!
Lira is a siren who’s bound to a future of being the leader of her magical troupe. However, when her fate is suddenly entangled with Sai, who’s a con artist with a past shrouded in secrecy and a heist to take back what’s rightfully theirs, she soon realizes that her
untethered powers run deep in secrets and deadly fae politics.
This book served some good tropes which I found incredibly fun. The dynamics between the characters were hilarious and written well, with an exciting, intriguing plot built into a beautifully-written world. You miss nothing and get everything! Tension, forced proximity, found family, soulmates trope, Sapphic side characters, a non-binary soldier, and gay princes of enemy courts. It is adventurous with fast-paced narrating and is perfect for fans seeking a casual fantasy read!
jessicanb93's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
What a fun book! This book has humans, fae, sirens, a magical heist, and found family- what more could you ask for? I really liked all the characters of the heist- there were a couple I felt we didn't get to know very well so I hope we see more of them in the sequel. The big reveal at the end of the book made me excited to read the sequel.
I have only a couple of critiques. Firstly, I felt that there wasn't enough world building at the beginning of the book. We were just dumped into the world and about half way through the book I still didn't understand some things (how the group knew each other, who each of them were, how sirens work, etc.) Secondly, Lira herself felt wayyyyy too naive at the start of the novel through about 3/4 of the way through the book. Her constantly folding into herself and seeming scared of her own shadow lasted too long.
Other than these couple of critiques, I thought the plot was fun and adventurous and I'm excited to read the sequel when it comes out.
I have only a couple of critiques. Firstly, I felt that there wasn't enough world building at the beginning of the book. We were just dumped into the world and about half way through the book I still didn't understand some things (how the group knew each other, who each of them were, how sirens work, etc.) Secondly, Lira herself felt wayyyyy too naive at the start of the novel through about 3/4 of the way through the book. Her constantly folding into herself and seeming scared of her own shadow lasted too long.
Other than these couple of critiques, I thought the plot was fun and adventurous and I'm excited to read the sequel when it comes out.
penelopelouise's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
ale9417's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
if you loved Six of Crows and you like bokks with multiple POV, then this is the read for you! It is a dark fantasy where fae , mermaids, forbidden magic, stolen magical objects, hidden truths and betrayals are the main characters.
🔥 One thing I really appreciated is world building which,despite its complexity and the much information that are given, does not slow down or weigh down the reading in any way thus managing to get the reader into the story without any difficulty.
The element that I liked the most,however,are the characters.In fact,the different POVs manage to perfectly describe each character making them unique with their abilities and their way of Thinking. Moreover ,among them you will find,also a non-binary character and a Sapphic relationship beautifully described and treated with a sensitivity not at all common.
🧜♀️ I loved Lira: initially she reminded me a lot of Evangeline from UOABH because she is so naive and so closed in her world that you would like nothing more than to embrace her. Later,however,it was wonderful to see her grow up,learn to make decisions and learn to fight for herself and her comrades.
You know,on the other hand,as much as I loved him,I didn't always agree with his decisions ..although I appreciated that each one was made to protect her comrades.
A special mention goes to Neia and Elisa: their relationship is so sweet and so well described that every time I read one of their chapters my heart melted. The two are two different sides of the same coin and it was also wonderful to see their first meeting thanks to Neia's backstory.
✨As you may have already guessed I loved this book ..in fact I finished it in two days! It has a smooth and fast-paced writing that will keep you hooked from beginning to end entertaining you and leaving you with bated breath. In addition, the author has written a bonus story about two characters whose backgrounds I am very curious about.✨
char_reads_'s review
adventurous
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? N/A
4.0