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malisac16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Physical abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
alyshapowe11's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
mvergari_13's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think the idea of the series is cool but unfortunately for me the pacing was too slow and way too predictable. The main characters were hard to identify with. The ending felt sort of rushed and obvious. The romance was technically slow burn but I wasn't very emotionally invested in it. The characters technically had character growth but it didn't feel like they actually had to process or learn anything and the author had an end goal but struggled with the journey. The setting was interesting and the magic was fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Torture
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
mariamarsbar's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
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
indigoquill's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beware when the songbird sings.
I really, really wanted to like this book. The blurb was interesting, promising a tale of intrigue and thievery. While those things certainly were present, it all felt a little flat.
There was such phenomenal potential with this book. Both the worldbuilding and magic system fell flat for me, however. Not much is explained, and if it is, it's usually through witty banter between our main character, Larkyra, and her ally-turned-love interest Darius. Now, there's nothing wrong with banter, and it makes for a lighthearted break among the heavier topics present in this book, but nearly every conversation was full of quips and turns of phrase. Sometimes nothing would be explained, and your left just going along with whatever new magical item pops up to move the story along. Where are the rules to using these items? Can just anyone use them, or only those gifted with magic?
I truly didn't take much issue with the romance--I appreciate that is was insta-attraction, not insta-love. Larkyra and Darius do have a natural progression of their relationship, forbidden feelings and all.
What fell flat the most for me was the writing style. It's not horrible, simply lackluster. Even action scenes didn't hold enough tension to keep me interested. I found myself skipping lines here and there, and I still was able to follow the plot well enough. There were some beautifully written paragraphs, mostly related to Larkyra and her feelings toward her magic. The growth she experiences at the end felt earned.
Over all, Song of the Forever Rains is not a bad book. The themes explored do carry weight and are handled appropriately, with the characters reacting in natural and different ways to the horrors they discover. Will I read the sequels? Potentially.
If you're looking for a romance book with a dash of magic, this is for you.
I really, really wanted to like this book. The blurb was interesting, promising a tale of intrigue and thievery. While those things certainly were present, it all felt a little flat.
There was such phenomenal potential with this book. Both the worldbuilding and magic system fell flat for me, however. Not much is explained, and if it is, it's usually through witty banter between our main character, Larkyra, and her ally-turned-love interest Darius. Now, there's nothing wrong with banter, and it makes for a lighthearted break among the heavier topics present in this book, but nearly every conversation was full of quips and turns of phrase. Sometimes nothing would be explained, and your left just going along with whatever new magical item pops up to move the story along. Where are the rules to using these items? Can just anyone use them, or only those gifted with magic?
I truly didn't take much issue with the romance--I appreciate that is was insta-attraction, not insta-love. Larkyra and Darius do have a natural progression of their relationship, forbidden feelings and all.
What fell flat the most for me was the writing style. It's not horrible, simply lackluster. Even action scenes didn't hold enough tension to keep me interested. I found myself skipping lines here and there, and I still was able to follow the plot well enough. There were some beautifully written paragraphs, mostly related to Larkyra and her feelings toward her magic. The growth she experiences at the end felt earned.
Over all, Song of the Forever Rains is not a bad book. The themes explored do carry weight and are handled appropriately, with the characters reacting in natural and different ways to the horrors they discover. Will I read the sequels? Potentially.
If you're looking for a romance book with a dash of magic, this is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Physical abuse
asmokeybear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse
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