Reviews

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin

starryorbit12's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

marylu412's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious slow-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

akacya's review against another edition

4.0

2024 reads: 161/250

xue is a talented young musician with an apprenticeship at one of the kingdom’s most esteemed entertainment houses. when her uncle, who arranged the apprenticeship, is killed, xue finds herself in an uncertain situation. however, she’s soon offered a place as a musician in duke meng’s manor for one year, upon which he will release her from her indenture. this sounds like a good deal to xue, but she learns that she may have signed up for trouble.

a couple years ago, i read judy i. lin’s the book of tea duology and was captivated by its beautiful world building and writing. i went into this book expecting the same, and i was not let down! i was also really interested in the story and the characters. we have the mystery of xue’s uncle’s murder, the impending war, and the rising tension between xue and the duke.

i recommend this to YA fantasy readers and i can’t wait for whatever’s next from judy i. lin.

victoriabooksaga's review against another edition

4.0

This book was absolutely beautiful. The writing style was different. At first, the writing reminded me a little of This Woven Kingdom; but it wasn't really like that at all. It was gentle, the words sprung from a memory, the details fuzzy but precious. They were the words of a heart and soul changed and strummed as the cords of the qín by its master.

Guxue and Jinglang were woven in a love that was quiet yet strong. The unfolding of the story was a veil slowly lifting.

This book, simply put, was a calming tonic to my soul. Perhaps it will be so for you as well.

Content: slaughtered horse, wild animals mauling people

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written, and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

sankoekenpan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

smallesttrashcan's review against another edition

2.75

I was more excited about finishing the book. I tried to like it but it was soo boring. After 50% things got intresting then towards the end I just lost intrest. 

madeliney's review against another edition

slow-paced

stopped reading at around 55%. 

so disappointed in this. the writing felt strange, it was flat and not engaging in the slightest. world building is nonexistent. the characters weren’t believable. i’m just so bored by this story and it’s a shame because i was really looking forward to it. 

the best thing this book has to offer is the gorgeous cover. 

bmeurer's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

3.5

epilieaspiechick's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

2.0

This is another one of those authors whose writing style just doesn't work for me. Too much flowery language, not enough character development to get me to care about them. 

staticmemories's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

3.25