A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

E-Audio, 12:04:17
Narrated by: Jordan Cobb & A.J. Beckles 
Release Date: June 2, 2020
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Read from: June 27-30, 2020
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, #1
Source: Library (Overdrive)
TW: Mild Self-harm ideation, fantasy violence, emotional and physical abuse, anxiety and panic attacks, parent death, and animal death (From the preceding not from the author)
For fans of: Throne of Glass, Science Fantasy, African Mythology, Romance, Sparkly Covers, Multiple POVs, Bombshell endings, Series Opener, Series, YA

     The first in an fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction.

     For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

     But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

     When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death

*MY THOUGHTS*

I didn’t even have to read the synopsis to know I wanted to read this book. Just looking at the beautiful cover and seeing that the author wrote a letter that expressed the triggers in this book was enough. Well done Ms. Brown, the words inside the book match the beautiful on the outside as well.

Malik’s younger sister has been taken and all Malik can think of now is how to get her back. He enters a deal with the person who snatched his sister. He must kill the princess in order to get her back. So he enters a contest to try and get close to her. But as he readies himself to kill her, he finds the attraction between them is flying. Will he be able to finish his task and get his sister back?

The number one thing about this was the mythology. I LOVE stories about mythology, no matter what type. It’s the reason I’m so in love with the Rick Riordan Presents line. I read Tristan Strong which is also African mythology, but that one was for MG readers. This one is more for YA. Not having had these types of stories when I was younger, really made me grateful (and jealous) that the kids of today have books like these. I like the Now I DID see some reviews that said the mythology was too hard or too complicated, but it’s no more complicated than any other book about mythology. Wonder why this is particular mythology book is an issue. -___-

I also really liked the characters. Malik is dedicated and strong, but he did have some weak moments, just like a normal person would. The Princess was a bit naive. She didn’t concern herself with anything until she had to. In a position like that, you have to be ready no matter what. As for the other characters, I wish I had more of them, but in a story like this, I know it might have been a bit much to add into the story.

The plot was what I had an issue with. I did feel like some of the story could have been shaved off. I liked the way it came together in the end, but I felt like it could have been a more straight forward or a shorter way to get there. But overall, it wasn’t too bad. I still enjoyed reading it.

And the world-building was really good too. I loved all the descriptions of the contest and the parade and the wraiths and just everything. I felt like I was at the festival and I was really scared of the wraiths. I’m not sure if it was because I was listening to it on audio, but it seemed like all the descriptions were all really vivid and I felt like I was in the moment.

The ending was what threw me for a loop. It wasn’t a cliff hanger per se, but there was a lot of bombs that were dropped right at the end. It’s definitely an open ending and leaves room for the next book.

This book was so good! Some of these stories I have heard and loved since I was a kid. I really can’t wait to see what else happens in this series!

Overall, I give this

Did you read this? What did you think of the world-building? What did you think of the characters? Let me know in the comments!