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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
lilacsophie's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Child 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
restingconfusedface's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Characters: 86
World: 98
Plot: 78
Overall: 87
- strong female characters and friendships
- abusive parental figures
- spy/assassin
- the world makes me want to explore
- Balls and gowns
It’s a spy/assassin plot line in an expansive open world video game world with a dash of pride and prejudice and delightful characters.
There is something extremely delightful about this book. The world is fascinating and the way EJ Mellows writes it is transportive. This book feels like it could have easily been a video game with Kaipo being the fast travel option. The world feels like a critical role world. It is just delightful. And even with the rich and vibrant world it felt light like the world building didn’t slow you down like it often does for me making reading fantasy novels a bit more of a chore. Needless to say I’m obsessed with the world building. It was unique and gritty and dark while still being enchanting and beautiful and light. It was the perfect blend between the elegance of historical romance settings with their balls and gowns and castles and propriety and like a glorious expansive open world rpg like breath of the wild or xenoblade. And we’ve only seen a silver of this world in this book. I can not wait to see more with the second and third book.
The characters are delightful. Larkyra is funny and mischievous and adds so much levity to this book. Which sadly I’ve missed from a lot of the fantasy novels I’ve read. She is such a strong and kind heart that just makes me want to be her friend. Darius is cute and he seems like he’s constantly out of his depth when talking to Larkyra and her sisters. He reminds me of a stray kitten. I love the banter between Larkyra and Darius. And Naya is going to be such a fun next protagonist. And given how wonderful the development of all the characters thus far I am excited to learn more about some of the more stoic characters in the third book, Arabessa and Zimri.
That being said I found the romance plot line a bit lacking, I’m sorry that kind of hurt to say given all that I love about this book. It felt a bit rushed at the end like once the actual plot was taking a rest the romance subplot was like boom sex alright back to the murder. Not to say their relationship was not developed but I feel like their interactions were meant to develop either Larkyra or Darius individually but not them as a couple. Also given the historical setting I was expecting a bit more longing and pining and more tension.
And the plot was a tiny bit predictable.
World: 98
Plot: 78
Overall: 87
- strong female characters and friendships
- abusive parental figures
- spy/assassin
- the world makes me want to explore
- Balls and gowns
It’s a spy/assassin plot line in an expansive open world video game world with a dash of pride and prejudice and delightful characters.
There is something extremely delightful about this book. The world is fascinating and the way EJ Mellows writes it is transportive. This book feels like it could have easily been a video game with Kaipo being the fast travel option. The world feels like a critical role world. It is just delightful. And even with the rich and vibrant world it felt light like the world building didn’t slow you down like it often does for me making reading fantasy novels a bit more of a chore. Needless to say I’m obsessed with the world building. It was unique and gritty and dark while still being enchanting and beautiful and light. It was the perfect blend between the elegance of historical romance settings with their balls and gowns and castles and propriety and like a glorious expansive open world rpg like breath of the wild or xenoblade. And we’ve only seen a silver of this world in this book. I can not wait to see more with the second and third book.
The characters are delightful. Larkyra is funny and mischievous and adds so much levity to this book. Which sadly I’ve missed from a lot of the fantasy novels I’ve read. She is such a strong and kind heart that just makes me want to be her friend. Darius is cute and he seems like he’s constantly out of his depth when talking to Larkyra and her sisters. He reminds me of a stray kitten. I love the banter between Larkyra and Darius. And Naya is going to be such a fun next protagonist. And given how wonderful the development of all the characters thus far I am excited to learn more about some of the more stoic characters in the third book, Arabessa and Zimri.
That being said I found the romance plot line a bit lacking, I’m sorry that kind of hurt to say given all that I love about this book. It felt a bit rushed at the end like once the actual plot was taking a rest the romance subplot was like boom sex alright back to the murder. Not to say their relationship was not developed but I feel like their interactions were meant to develop either Larkyra or Darius individually but not them as a couple. Also given the historical setting I was expecting a bit more longing and pining and more tension.
And the plot was a tiny bit predictable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, and Blood
snowwhite02's review
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
wordsasnames's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
amyxx's review
dark
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse
abookandaspotoftea's review
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail