This book has been getting a lot of buzz lately. It just came out last week, and after reading, I can firmly say that it deserves all the buzz it’s been getting. A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN is the story of Malik, who wants to save his sister, and Princess Karina, who wants to resurrect her mother. But for each of them to succeed, they need to kill the other, which is complicated by the growing attraction between them.
Before I go any farther, just note that while I intend this to be a spoiler free review, I’m writing about my opinion of the book as a whole, and if you absolutely don’t want to risk knowing anything before you read, go on ahead and read the book then come back.
So here are ten things I loved about A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN:
1. The Patron God System
In the world of SONG, in the culture of Ziran, there is a god for each day of the week. These gods are all the patrons of things like the moon, the earth, life, and etc. Everyone is considered to have an alignment toward the element of the god of the day of the week they were born. This system is one I’ve never seen anything like before, and I just think it’s cool.
2. Karina:
Our leading lady is a point I loved all by herself because I love her that much. She’s a princess trying to live up to the role and duties of her station, but even as she tries hard to do the right thing, it keeps going wrong. Despite her efforts to do well, her reputation is not good. I loved reading about her and how she kept trying.
3. Malik:
Our leading man Malik is another point I loved. Where Karina is a princess, Malik is a refugee. He’s also plagued by anxiety and panic attacks. He has two sisters, and is dedicated to his family, while also feeling like he’s let them down. Also, despite the rough circumstances life has dealt him, he’s genuinely kind.
4. Portrayal of Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Like I said before, Malik deals with anxiety and panic attacks throughout the story. It’s rare enough for me to find a story dealing with these things to begin with, but SONG is the first high fantasy I can remember to do it. And SONG does it well. The narrative presents a thorough look at Malik’s panic attacks and how he deals with them in a way that’s respectful and refreshing.
5. Portrayal of Trauma and Grief
Karina deals with migraines relating to the grief for her dead family members. Her loss is raw and heartrending, and SONG managed the monumental feat of making me mourn for characters that were dead before the story even began.
6. Wanting the Impossible
Karina and Malik have goals that are perfectly at odds with one another. They can’t both succeed, because one’s success means the other’s death. SONG had me somehow yearning for both of them at the same time because of how much I wanted them to get what they want, even as I know that both of their plans can’t work. I want the impossible.
7. Romance
If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers, you’ll love this romance. Even though I wouldn’t quite call it traditional enemies-to-lovers, but more enemies-to-lovers where each of them doesn’t know the other thinks of them as the enemy. I won’t say more because spoilers, but this romance was amazing.
8. Depiction of Refugees
Malik and his sisters are refugees, and that is an important part of Malik’s backstory. It’s not a huge part of the current story, but SONG does touch on the idea of how we treat refugees in a way that strengthens the story overall.
9. Balancing the Mood
Between grief and death, panic attacks and refugees, there is a lot of dark stuff going on. But SONG manages the tone masterfully, and keeps balance between dark and light tones.
10. The Family
Malik and Karina’s families are major influences on their lives. In their own ways, they are both motivated to save their families. I’m always up for a good familial element in my fantasy, and SONG used it to great effect.
So that was ten things I loved about A SONG OF WRAITH AND RUIN. (If you want a bonus thing, I don’t know if it was intentional, but when you abbreviate Wraith and Ruin you get WaR. Like I said, no idea if that’s actually a thing or just me seeing things, but I love it anyway.)
If you couldn’t tell, I highly recommend you read this book. Right now there’s a movement started by Amistad Books of buying two books by black writers between June 14 and June 20 to celebrate black authors and help fill the bestseller list for this week with black authors. I highly encourage everyone who can to participate and buy this book.
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