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A review by amphitritedreams
Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night by Iona Datt Sharma, Katherine Fabian
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
The best stories are the hardest to review.
Nat and Layla must not only do the impossible to save Meraud, but wrestle with conflicting identities, prejudices, fears and all the many kinds of love along the way.
Refreshingly, romantic love (which is present in existing relationships) takes a back seat to friends, families (found and otherwise), community and even finding room to love oneself. Similarly, it offers really excellent queer and polyamorous rep, but while it is important in shaping characters and the story, it is not in and of itself the story.
The writing is sharp and clear and rich, with vivid characters and fantasy modern London world building in very few words. It smells like cedar and river mud, mulled wine and icing sugar. It's frosty and dark and lit up with fairy lights and crowded kitchens. It is scary and sad and funny. It is kind. It is clear-eyed and still hopeful without being saccharine or cynical.
I cry every time I read it, but I come away hopeful and that much more ready to do and think hard things.
Obviously it also makes me gush and flail and try to get people to read it.
Nat and Layla must not only do the impossible to save Meraud, but wrestle with conflicting identities, prejudices, fears and all the many kinds of love along the way.
Refreshingly, romantic love (which is present in existing relationships) takes a back seat to friends, families (found and otherwise), community and even finding room to love oneself. Similarly, it offers really excellent queer and polyamorous rep, but while it is important in shaping characters and the story, it is not in and of itself the story.
The writing is sharp and clear and rich, with vivid characters and fantasy modern London world building in very few words. It smells like cedar and river mud, mulled wine and icing sugar. It's frosty and dark and lit up with fairy lights and crowded kitchens. It is scary and sad and funny. It is kind. It is clear-eyed and still hopeful without being saccharine or cynical.
I cry every time I read it, but I come away hopeful and that much more ready to do and think hard things.
Obviously it also makes me gush and flail and try to get people to read it.