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bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? No
4.0
โNever focus on whatโs behind you, Starling.
The future holds too much promise to be ignored.โ
I find the idea of the world building very intriguing with the forgotten Gods, spies and magical power as well.
The plot started a bit slow which is understandable since the author wanted to introduce how the aviary where the spies works and the key players of the story.
But things get a lot more interesting after it started to progress to the main plot.
However as for the romance, I didn't really ship Aella (FMC) with Raven to be togetherโฆ
I wish there are more interactions between them confiding to each other about the mission, I hope there will be more of them in the next book.. or maybe he's not the male lead ? who knows ?!๐ฑ
For a debut novel, this was a well written story and a great start for a fantasy romance series.
It's thrilling with riddles, quests, spying and also spicy!
By the last chapter, I have so many questions and theories which made me wish I have the 2nd book right now!
I'll keep an eye out for that sequel the moment it comes out๐คฉ
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and the author for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. Iโm leaving this review voluntarily!
โ ๏ธ ๐๐: Graphic language, abandonment, perilous situations, sexual activities, battle, blood, brutal injuries, intense violence, death, poisoning, PTSD, self-harm, and sexual assault/rape are shown on the page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Confinement, Torture, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy and War
whitney0498's review
5.0
I have been provided with a review copy of Songbird of the Sorrows from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an impartial review. Braidee Otto's debut fantasy novel Songbird of the Sorrows is the first book in the brand-new Myths of the Empyrieos Series. This was just a fantastic way to start off a new series. When an author can grab your attention within the first few sentences you know that the story is going to be excellent and totally worth the read. I am just stunned at how good this debut novel is and I canโt even fathom what the next installment will bring forth. My mind is just blown with all the information that I had to process from this story. You are just immediately in the action and totally invested in these characters' lives. I need everyone to read this book and sing its praises and be prepared for the cliffhanger ending. You will be left wanting so much more.
teaand_tomes's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
4.0
Thank you author Braidee Otto and Book of Matches Media for the gifted review copy!
A thrilling book with unexpected plot twists, vivid world-building, and well-crafted characters. The narrative is engaging and unpredictable, with the book ending on a cliffhanger that sets up the rest of the series. The use of bird breeds as code names adds a unique touch to the story. The book is highly recommended for those who enjoy plot-heavy romantasy.
A thrilling book with unexpected plot twists, vivid world-building, and well-crafted characters. The narrative is engaging and unpredictable, with the book ending on a cliffhanger that sets up the rest of the series. The use of bird breeds as code names adds a unique touch to the story. The book is highly recommended for those who enjoy plot-heavy romantasy.
hladelano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
bookishandblissful's review against another edition
4.0
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โข ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โข ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐:
โข Forbidden Romance with High Stakes
โข ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐๐
โข Complex Characters Facing Moral Dilemmas
โขIntricate Spy Networks
โข Plot Twists and Cliffhangers
๐โ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ : โ โ โ โ โ
๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐: โ โ โ โโ
๐ค๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ โ โ โ โ โ
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ: โ โ โ โ โ
๐ ๐๐๐๐:๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
๐๐๐๐๐โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐ป
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: โ โ โ โ โ
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: really liked It!
From the outset, Otto's ๐น๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ drew me into the story. She weaved a tale of danger, betrayal, and redemption. At the heart of the narrative is Aella, a disowned ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ turned ๐๐ฝ๐, who is on a journey of self-discovery and revenge.
While Aella shines as the protagonist, some ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ felt underdeveloped, lacking the depth and complexity of their counterparts to me. However, this does little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the story because I enjoyed Aella so fully. If youโre a person who really just needs an FMC that knocks it out, this is it.
The plot unfolds at a steady pace, gradually building ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, but I do think that I personally found the first 40% the most interesting bit of the book which is not typically how fantasy reads unfold for me. ๐ง๐๐ถ๐๐๐ and ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ abound, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Otto explores concepts of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice with nuance and sensitivity. The romance between Aella and her love interest is ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐น๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.
Overall, this was a convincing ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐, and I will be looking out for other books from Otto!
๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐:
โข Forbidden Romance with High Stakes
โข ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐๐
โข Complex Characters Facing Moral Dilemmas
โขIntricate Spy Networks
โข Plot Twists and Cliffhangers
๐โ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ : โ โ โ โ โ
๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐: โ โ โ โโ
๐ค๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ โ โ โ โ โ
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ: โ โ โ โ โ
๐ ๐๐๐๐:๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
๐๐๐๐๐โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐ป
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: โ โ โ โ โ
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: really liked It!
From the outset, Otto's ๐น๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ drew me into the story. She weaved a tale of danger, betrayal, and redemption. At the heart of the narrative is Aella, a disowned ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ turned ๐๐ฝ๐, who is on a journey of self-discovery and revenge.
While Aella shines as the protagonist, some ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ felt underdeveloped, lacking the depth and complexity of their counterparts to me. However, this does little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the story because I enjoyed Aella so fully. If youโre a person who really just needs an FMC that knocks it out, this is it.
The plot unfolds at a steady pace, gradually building ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, but I do think that I personally found the first 40% the most interesting bit of the book which is not typically how fantasy reads unfold for me. ๐ง๐๐ถ๐๐๐ and ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ abound, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Otto explores concepts of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice with nuance and sensitivity. The romance between Aella and her love interest is ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐น๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.
Overall, this was a convincing ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐, and I will be looking out for other books from Otto!
jenacidebybibliophile's review
adventurous
fast-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? No
4.5
dreyblackb's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
arinaiovu's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
oohlalara's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
๐ฆโโฌARC REVIEW๐ฆโโฌ
๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ
Release date: JUNE 18
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ.5
โ๐ด๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ ๐ ๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฐโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐.โ
If thereโs anything you take from my page, GET THIS BOOK. I am calling it now- this is THE next big book that WILL blow up, so go ahead & pre-order & thank me later. ๐
A princess hidden & trained as a spy, Aellaโs first mission is to return to court to compete in the Royal Trials to become the Prince of Eretriaโs bride. While she competes and distracts the court, her cohort is tasked to extract a powerful weapon. As she tries to stay focused & committed to her mission, she finds herself gravitating back to Raven- a distraction both forbidden & dangerous as a spy & songbird.
What a PHENOMENAL debut for Braidee Otto! Her writing is beautiful. Her words were flowing off the page so effortlessly & lyrically with all of her descriptive world building & imagery. Her metaphors were just flawlessly placed in the story.. just overall enchanting. I think I found a new fave author!
The characters are diverse but also multi layered & just so exciting to read. You canโt help but fall in love with them- flaws and all. They were deep but also realistic & just two idiots in love (lust?) ๐คญ
Aellaโs story is heartbreaking yet hopeful. Her POV of her journey throughout the book is truly riveting. I was fully invested within the first few pages & didnโt want it to end! Thankfully we have more to come ๐ฅฒ
๐ฆโโฌforbidden romance
๐ฆโโฌcourt intrigue
๐ฆโโฌhigh stakes trials
๐ฆโโฌspies, royals, & assassins
๐ฆโโฌperilous heist
๐ฆโโฌclose proximity
This is book 1 of the Myths of the Empyrieos series & ends in a cliffhanger. & OMG that cliffhanger!!!
Thank you, Braidee Otto for an ARCโฅ๏ธ
๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ
Release date: JUNE 18
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ.5
โ๐ด๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ ๐ ๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฐโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐.โ
If thereโs anything you take from my page, GET THIS BOOK. I am calling it now- this is THE next big book that WILL blow up, so go ahead & pre-order & thank me later. ๐
A princess hidden & trained as a spy, Aellaโs first mission is to return to court to compete in the Royal Trials to become the Prince of Eretriaโs bride. While she competes and distracts the court, her cohort is tasked to extract a powerful weapon. As she tries to stay focused & committed to her mission, she finds herself gravitating back to Raven- a distraction both forbidden & dangerous as a spy & songbird.
What a PHENOMENAL debut for Braidee Otto! Her writing is beautiful. Her words were flowing off the page so effortlessly & lyrically with all of her descriptive world building & imagery. Her metaphors were just flawlessly placed in the story.. just overall enchanting. I think I found a new fave author!
The characters are diverse but also multi layered & just so exciting to read. You canโt help but fall in love with them- flaws and all. They were deep but also realistic & just two idiots in love (lust?) ๐คญ
Aellaโs story is heartbreaking yet hopeful. Her POV of her journey throughout the book is truly riveting. I was fully invested within the first few pages & didnโt want it to end! Thankfully we have more to come ๐ฅฒ
๐ฆโโฌforbidden romance
๐ฆโโฌcourt intrigue
๐ฆโโฌhigh stakes trials
๐ฆโโฌspies, royals, & assassins
๐ฆโโฌperilous heist
๐ฆโโฌclose proximity
This is book 1 of the Myths of the Empyrieos series & ends in a cliffhanger. & OMG that cliffhanger!!!
Thank you, Braidee Otto for an ARCโฅ๏ธ
pageturningseasons's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Listen, the moment I started reading this book I was drawn in.
Songbird of the Sorrows (SOTS) is the first book in the Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine, her struggles through high stakes trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue and Kingdom Politics, and a journey of discovery, true love and redemption.
I absolutely loved Aella and all she stood for, I felt for her at some many points during the first instalment. Her determination, and unwillingness to backdown from whatever was happening throughout the story, her ability to challenge others without concern for the consiquences, and the start in her journey of self discovery were some of the best character developments about her as a FMC. I honestly just loved her and her ability to question and not take everything at face value.
There are a few chapters that really had me emotional, there are some trigger warnings to be aware with for this book.
For anyone wanting to read this, the final 20% of the book completely THREW ME OF GAURD LIKE WHAT. I didn't even expect THAT twist and I'm fairly good at predicting them in books but this one truly had me stumped! I'm still in shock at the ending and I'm super excited to see where the rest of this series goes.
I NEED ANSWERS ABOUT XAN WHO IS HE I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HIM IMMEDIATELY!!!
Songbird of the Sorrows (SOTS) is the first book in the Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine, her struggles through high stakes trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue and Kingdom Politics, and a journey of discovery, true love and redemption.
I absolutely loved Aella and all she stood for, I felt for her at some many points during the first instalment. Her determination, and unwillingness to backdown from whatever was happening throughout the story, her ability to challenge others without concern for the consiquences, and the start in her journey of self discovery were some of the best character developments about her as a FMC. I honestly just loved her and her ability to question and not take everything at face value.
There are a few chapters that really had me emotional, there are some trigger warnings to be aware with for this book.
For anyone wanting to read this, the final 20% of the book completely THREW ME OF GAURD LIKE WHAT. I didn't even expect THAT twist and I'm fairly good at predicting them in books but this one truly had me stumped! I'm still in shock at the ending and I'm super excited to see where the rest of this series goes.
I NEED ANSWERS ABOUT XAN WHO IS HE I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HIM IMMEDIATELY!!!