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jennaniho's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
The biggest takeaway I had from this story was the dynamic perspective offered through the eyes of both Darius and Larkyra, while still keeping the latter as the main focus. Most importantly, E.J. Mellow's narrative beautifully captures the weight of their concealed emotions and makes them remarkably relatable, underscoring the profound lesson that, we can often be our own adversaries or we can decide to be our own saviors. Likewise, the world building is not too specific but not too vague; just right to keep your imagination going and still retain a bit of mystery of "what will come next".
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm, Addiction, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment
ender24's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
A entertaining and wonderful book. I’ve fallen in love with the world and it’s characters, and I can’t wait to read the next two books. I was not expecting the romance, but I feel like it did not impede the story in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Drug use, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
tpasta's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
maggywaggy's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
hopefulgoat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was a solid four star until the end... Now it's largely got four stars because I'm feeling generous.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The writing style appealed to me and the banter between the sisters was amusing and helped lighten the tone. The concept of the Thief Kingdom interested me and I hope it will be further fleshed out in the other Mousai books. The characters were likeable, although I feel like the Duke's evilness was exaggerated—I would have appreciated it if he'd had one or two positive traits.
The resolution of the smuggler plot line was a disappointment, albeit a predictable one. Since they hadn't spent much time fleshing out potential culprits, it meant that the reveal lacked impact. The book was more focused on the blossoming romance... It was cute, though rather cliché... And the sex scene felt unnecessary.
I feel like this was a good book and enjoyable read, but that's it. Worth reading but nothing exceptional.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The writing style appealed to me and the banter between the sisters was amusing and helped lighten the tone. The concept of the Thief Kingdom interested me and I hope it will be further fleshed out in the other Mousai books. The characters were likeable, although I feel like the Duke's evilness was exaggerated—I would have appreciated it if he'd had one or two positive traits.
The resolution of the smuggler plot line was a disappointment, albeit a predictable one. Since they hadn't spent much time fleshing out potential culprits, it meant that the reveal lacked impact. The book was more focused on the blossoming romance... It was cute, though rather cliché... And the sex scene felt unnecessary.
I feel like this was a good book and enjoyable read, but that's it. Worth reading but nothing exceptional.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
art_books_chemistry's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
I'm a huge high/epic fantasy person and this scratched that itch well. I really enjoyed the world that E.J. Mellow built within this first book and am excited to read the second one. However, there are two short-comings for me with this novel.
First, I wish there were more details is some parts. There were certain characters whose scenes were written as if we know everything about them, when we in fact no little to nothing as the reader yet. I'm always happy to see a map at the beginning of a book but I also think georgraphy should also be well-explained in the text. I do a lot of audiobooks, though this one I read via Kindle Unlimited, and a map only available in a visual format is a flaw over audio.
Secondly, I found some of the dialogue to be awkward in spots. One of the MCs (all of whom are high class citizens in this world) said "G'night" at one point which just felt off-kilter to the rest of the higher brow style dialogue language. I also had to roll my eyes at the use of "Sticks" as an expletive. The entire cast after the prologue is 19+ and I cannot understand why sticks of all words even is an expletive in this world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline, there were some clever plot points I haven't seen done this way in other books. If you want a completely wrapped story in one book, however, you may not want this as only one of the two major plot lines is resolved in the conclusion.
Definitely recommend for fantasy lovers! It's also technically a slow burn romance with the smallest amount of spice for those looking for that!
First, I wish there were more details is some parts. There were certain characters whose scenes were written as if we know everything about them, when we in fact no little to nothing as the reader yet. I'm always happy to see a map at the beginning of a book but I also think georgraphy should also be well-explained in the text. I do a lot of audiobooks, though this one I read via Kindle Unlimited, and a map only available in a visual format is a flaw over audio.
Secondly, I found some of the dialogue to be awkward in spots. One of the MCs (all of whom are high class citizens in this world) said "G'night" at one point which just felt off-kilter to the rest of the higher brow style dialogue language. I also had to roll my eyes at the use of "Sticks" as an expletive. The entire cast after the prologue is 19+ and I cannot understand why sticks of all words even is an expletive in this world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline, there were some clever plot points I haven't seen done this way in other books. If you want a completely wrapped story in one book, however, you may not want this as only one of the two major plot lines is resolved in the conclusion.
Definitely recommend for fantasy lovers! It's also technically a slow burn romance with the smallest amount of spice for those looking for that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Addiction, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
2.0
In this fantasy romance, the world-building is superficial, and the story is light. The three daughters of the Thief King wield powerful, sometimes deadly, musical magic. The youngest, Larkyra, has a powerful voice. She must constantly control her magic lest any strong emotion come through in speech or song to hurt others. The sisters go on missions for their father, partially to protect his interests and also for some do-gooder reasons (think Charlie's Angels). Larkyra embarks on her first solo mission to discover how a potent magical drug is being smuggled out of the Thief Kingdom.
So what did I like? There's a magical being who contains both a brother and sister. They converse internally and have a gender-fluid exterior to reflect who is in the lead at that time. I loved the way this character played with gender. I liked the spin on fantasy/paranormal romance tropes that here we have a woman who is dangerous and powerful and an essentially clueless man who needs her help. And usually, we would expect the reverse to be true. I was also a major fan of the fashion. When Lark was appalled at herself for not packing clothes to properly suit the ambiance of her destination, I knew she was my kind of person. Finally, the sisterly banter is A+. They can't stop, won't stop no matter who else is around.
Unfortunately, my issues with the book ran deeper. At the very start, Larkyra undergoes a family tradition of giving up her magic and aristocratic privilege for a month leading up to her nineteenth birthday. My problem here is how performative it is. Yes, it's probably good that the three sisters don't just live in a curated bubble, but what does throwing them into the slums accomplish on behalf of other people, really? They still know it will be over in a month and that they'll have access to food, medicine, and a roof over their heads then. Lark even admits that she thinks her father would have saved her if she got in enough danger. Which, good. But also that makes the whole experience very surface-level. And at the end, Lark is meant to have learned powerful life lessons but isn't expected to put them to use in a way that would help balance the scales. I suppose she gets to pocket her newfound street smarts and pat herself on the back for now understanding that the scales even exist. While it was a relief to avoid toxic masculinity on a pedestal in this book, there is still an uncomfy vibe of high-handed paternalism from our aristocratic characters. The lower classes are meant to receive charity and benevolent leadership, passive while their betters volley power plays at one another. Also, I was frustrated that in trying to give that veneer of edginess, torture is presented as a sometimes appropriate means to an end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Murder, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Terminal illness
mortonsspoon'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? It's complicated
4.5
I absolutely adored this book and would read again! It has a cool Gothic vibe without being dreary. It was so beautifully written and the characters leapt off the page.
The only thing keeping it from 5 stars for me were the somewhat jarring flashbacks, most of which didn't really seem necessary to the plot and were generally dropped in mid-scene.
Even so, this book is very much worth a read and I highly recommend it!
The only thing keeping it from 5 stars for me were the somewhat jarring flashbacks, most of which didn't really seem necessary to the plot and were generally dropped in mid-scene.
Even so, this book is very much worth a read and I highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
nannemonstera's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is more a romance in a fantastical setting and i wish we could see more from the whole whole and The Mousai but it was a great read nonetheless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent and Death
marciemarie's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a fun read! I found the universe to be pretty original, and I really enjoyed the unique magic mechanics/world building. It’s well written and pretty quick to get through. The romance wasn’t my absolute favorite, but I’m glad it was in the book because it did improve it overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief