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rebelbelle13's review
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This novel has a melancholy vibe weaving throughout. There is an unnamed sadness hanging over each and every chapter- a sense of loss of things that have been and will never be again. Songs from the Drowned Lands is broken up into five short stories. It is the end of their world through five different character's eyes- a princess, a bard, a sea captain, a scientist/mathematician, and a sorceress. They are attempting to battle the end of their world as they know it, as it has been foretold in dreams and prophecy. It reads like a combination of morality tales, fairy tale retellings and European mythology.
It was slow in parts, and there were sections of action sequences that were difficult to follow. Characters kept talking about the end of their world, but we never were told the actual prophecy, where it came from, or who gave it. It also baffles me that in all of the Grey Isles, only one boat was built to sail away from the oncoming tragedy, with 19 souls on board. I understand they all held a stake in sorcery and thought they might have a chance to fend off the water, but to me their choices were foolish.
All in all, it's an interesting fantasy that can stand alone, and a decently fast read.
It was slow in parts, and there were sections of action sequences that were difficult to follow. Characters kept talking about the end of their world, but we never were told the actual prophecy, where it came from, or who gave it. It also baffles me that in all of the Grey Isles, only one boat was built to sail away from the oncoming tragedy, with 19 souls on board. I understand they all held a stake in sorcery and thought they might have a chance to fend off the water, but to me their choices were foolish.
All in all, it's an interesting fantasy that can stand alone, and a decently fast read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
myths, fairy tale retellings, fables
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