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A review by karly_rose_reads
The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Carissa Broadbent is my favorite author, so it is no surprise that The Songbird & the Heart of Stone was my most anticipated read of the year. Did it live up to my high expectations? YES.
Let me preface this review with: Mische is my favorite side from The Nightborn Duet—the best friend of Raihn. We saw glimpses of the intricacy of this character in the duet—she was a child bride to the god of the sun who was forcibly Turned into a vampire, yet remains a loyal follower—so I was eager to learn more of her background and continue her story.
This epic fantasy romance begins with Mische being sentenced to death for murdering the vampire who Turned her, Malach. Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow and exiled necromancer, saves her by forcing her into a mission to the underworld to resurrect the god of death (Nyaxia's husband). This story primarily follows her journey through the underworld and the trials and challenges her and Asar face.
Carissa's writing style is beautiful and poetic, and her world building and character development are unmatched. One thing Carissa does especially well is writing beautifully flawed characters. Mische is complex, empathic, compassionate, and introspective. She is also grappling with her (groomed) loyal devotion to the sun god who ultimately failed her when she needed him most. Carissa showcases the damning effects of religious trauma in a respectful way that leaves your heart bleeding for Mische.
Asar's character perfectly compliments Mische's—"perhaps that's why you would be so perfect for each other. A girl who can only love broken things, and a boy so broken he can only love what he cannot have." They are kindred spirits in so many ways, and I loved the delicious forbidden romance and slow burn between these two.
If I had to set expectations for other readers, it would be to expect the level of spice from Carissa's War of Lost Hearts trilogy versus her Nightborn Duet (at least in this first book, I'm not sure what to expect from the sequel book). That being said, the romance within this book is delectable tension coupled with forbidden moments (Mische is a bride to the sun god).
I can go on and on for all the reasons I loved this book, but I doubt anyone would want to read it... so I will wrap things up by saying the theme of forgiveness is fantastic within this book. I feel like this book itched a spot in my brain that truly had me thinking of what someone gains from forgiveness—and sometimes if you can't get forgiveness from someone you've wronged, how can you come to terms with the regret so it doesn't eat you alive.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet, and I will be (semi) patiently waiting in the meantime. A sincere thank you Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an eARC.
Let me preface this review with: Mische is my favorite side from The Nightborn Duet—the best friend of Raihn. We saw glimpses of the intricacy of this character in the duet—she was a child bride to the god of the sun who was forcibly Turned into a vampire, yet remains a loyal follower—so I was eager to learn more of her background and continue her story.
This epic fantasy romance begins with Mische being sentenced to death for murdering the vampire who Turned her, Malach. Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow and exiled necromancer, saves her by forcing her into a mission to the underworld to resurrect the god of death (Nyaxia's husband). This story primarily follows her journey through the underworld and the trials and challenges her and Asar face.
Carissa's writing style is beautiful and poetic, and her world building and character development are unmatched. One thing Carissa does especially well is writing beautifully flawed characters. Mische is complex, empathic, compassionate, and introspective. She is also grappling with her (groomed) loyal devotion to the sun god who ultimately failed her when she needed him most. Carissa showcases the damning effects of religious trauma in a respectful way that leaves your heart bleeding for Mische.
Asar's character perfectly compliments Mische's—"perhaps that's why you would be so perfect for each other. A girl who can only love broken things, and a boy so broken he can only love what he cannot have." They are kindred spirits in so many ways, and I loved the delicious forbidden romance and slow burn between these two.
If I had to set expectations for other readers, it would be to expect the level of spice from Carissa's War of Lost Hearts trilogy versus her Nightborn Duet (at least in this first book, I'm not sure what to expect from the sequel book). That being said, the romance within this book is delectable tension coupled with forbidden moments (Mische is a bride to the sun god).
I can go on and on for all the reasons I loved this book, but I doubt anyone would want to read it... so I will wrap things up by saying the theme of forgiveness is fantastic within this book. I feel like this book itched a spot in my brain that truly had me thinking of what someone gains from forgiveness—and sometimes if you can't get forgiveness from someone you've wronged, how can you come to terms with the regret so it doesn't eat you alive.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this duet, and I will be (semi) patiently waiting in the meantime. A sincere thank you Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an eARC.