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A review by queer_bookwyrm
A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) fantasy violence, self-harm, emotional and physical abuse, anxiety/panic attacks, grooming, suicidal ideation
A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown is the second and final book of the Song of Wraiths and Ruin duology. This book blew my mind! The only thing I regret is not having read it sooner. I may have loved this book even more than the first one! Read the rest at your own risk, as there will be spoilers for book 1.
We pick up with Karina and Malik's perspectives after the very upsetting ending of the last book. Karina is on the run trying to figure out how take back her throne, get revenge on Farid, and have more control over her wind powers. Malik is with Farid and the lich still struggling with the war of anxiety in his mind along with the presence of the spirit Idir. I have never read a series where my opinions on the MCs have made a complete 180° since the last book. Last book I found Karina annoying, and I was constantly yelling at her to get it together and be responsible, but in this book I found her infinitely more relatable, courageous, and determined. I was rooting for her the whole time. Malik started out as the gentle boy with anxiety who tended to be self-destructive, and I just wanted to wrap him up and protect him. In this book, he becomes Farid's cowardly dog, and in his desire for control (over his mind and Idir), he becomes cruel, self-serving, and violent.
We get some great new side characters in this book that I wish we had gotten more of. This book was a study of the gray areas of life. No character was completely good or bad. Each made mistakes and hurt people, but it's hard to label someone a villain when you understand their motives and the circumstances that led up to them. The reasons don't absolve that person of their actions, but understanding goes a long way. It's also a story about forgiving yourself for your mistakes and moving forward to find something to live for. Just one thing.
Karina's story in particular, was about seeing what is wrong and being the one who does something about it. Things don't have to stay the way they have always been. Change, though slow and difficult, can happen if you're the one to make it happen. It's also a story of sacrifice, though it's never the sacrifice you expect.
This series is so severely underrated! I need everyone to go pick up a copy of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. Roseanne A. Brown did a marvellous job with duology. She made me feel so many things. Her words, especially while describing Malik's anxiety hit home, along with his trauma response of fawning whenever he thought Farid was upset. I never realized I do the same thing until I read this book.
Will be immediately buying all of Brown's future books as they come out.
A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown is the second and final book of the Song of Wraiths and Ruin duology. This book blew my mind! The only thing I regret is not having read it sooner. I may have loved this book even more than the first one! Read the rest at your own risk, as there will be spoilers for book 1.
We pick up with Karina and Malik's perspectives after the very upsetting ending of the last book. Karina is on the run trying to figure out how take back her throne, get revenge on Farid, and have more control over her wind powers. Malik is with Farid and the lich still struggling with the war of anxiety in his mind along with the presence of the spirit Idir. I have never read a series where my opinions on the MCs have made a complete 180° since the last book. Last book I found Karina annoying, and I was constantly yelling at her to get it together and be responsible, but in this book I found her infinitely more relatable, courageous, and determined. I was rooting for her the whole time. Malik started out as the gentle boy with anxiety who tended to be self-destructive, and I just wanted to wrap him up and protect him. In this book, he becomes Farid's cowardly dog, and in his desire for control (over his mind and Idir), he becomes cruel, self-serving, and violent.
We get some great new side characters in this book that I wish we had gotten more of. This book was a study of the gray areas of life. No character was completely good or bad. Each made mistakes and hurt people, but it's hard to label someone a villain when you understand their motives and the circumstances that led up to them. The reasons don't absolve that person of their actions, but understanding goes a long way. It's also a story about forgiving yourself for your mistakes and moving forward to find something to live for. Just one thing.
Karina's story in particular, was about seeing what is wrong and being the one who does something about it. Things don't have to stay the way they have always been. Change, though slow and difficult, can happen if you're the one to make it happen. It's also a story of sacrifice, though it's never the sacrifice you expect.
This series is so severely underrated! I need everyone to go pick up a copy of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. Roseanne A. Brown did a marvellous job with duology. She made me feel so many things. Her words, especially while describing Malik's anxiety hit home, along with his trauma response of fawning whenever he thought Farid was upset. I never realized I do the same thing until I read this book.
Will be immediately buying all of Brown's future books as they come out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts