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wysperias's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The way sofi sees the world and weaves descriptions is so intoxicating, it made me want to write and sing the same songs. She's such an interesting mc because its hard to root for her at times, and others you can clearly see how broken she is. Her perseverance and need to correct whats wrong made me so emotional and even more so when she realizes how her life was wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement
a_ab's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book explored interesting concepts, but I found it to be too long and meandering, especially in the middle.
It also suffers from "all fathers are monsters" syndrome - not a single father mentioned in the book (in their fatherly capacity), even in passing, could be described as even a half-decent person. It got a little weird there.
But otherwise this was an interesting young adult fantasy book with some thoughtful observations about talent, excellence and self-discovery.
It also suffers from "all fathers are monsters" syndrome - not a single father mentioned in the book (in their fatherly capacity), even in passing, could be described as even a half-decent person. It got a little weird there.
But otherwise this was an interesting young adult fantasy book with some thoughtful observations about talent, excellence and self-discovery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
kuurankero's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Sexism and Suicide
vintagefleece's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Overall, I enjoyed book and it's characters and story! I liked the dynamic between the two main characters. I liked how Lara was sweet, but also smart and passionate about music. The world was interesting to learn about too, as the characters recount different legends and as we explore the world they live in.
Near the end of the book, the main character makes a series of questionable decisions that didn't make a lot of sense to me, but that didn't kill the experience.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing as well :)
Near the end of the book, the main character makes a series of questionable decisions that didn't make a lot of sense to me, but that didn't kill the experience.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing as well :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Self harm
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sofi and the Bone Song is a beautifully written tale of love, magic, and music (not necessarily in that order).
Before I begin this review, I will now describe the plot. I don't really consider it a spoiler, given that most of the information can be found in the official blurb. But if you don't want to know anything about the plot at all, I've highlighted in bold where the plot summary begins and ends, so feel free to skip those parts if you wish.
PLOT SUMMARY
In the fantasy kingdom of Aell, the use of magic has run wild, with people using it for just about everything from composing poetry to styling their hair. Only one thing remains sacred and untouched - music. To ensure it remains so, the only people allowed to play music publicly are the five individuals who have been elected to the Guild of Musiks, and the Apprentices of their choosing.
Sixteen-year-old Sofi is the daughter of Frederik Ollenholt, one of Aell's most revered Musiks, and like her father, Sofi is a skilled lutenist. She has been raised by her father to believe that to be anything less than technically perfect is unacceptable.
When it comes time for the Musiks to choose their respective Apprentices, Sofi has no doubt that her father will choose her - so it comes as a terrible shock when after a round of auditions in which Sofi performs flawlessly, her father chooses another. Laravelle "Lara" Hollis is well-connected, beautiful, and charming, and offers up a compelling audition - despite having never played an instrument in her life.
Sofi is outraged at the decision, believing all her years of training were for naught. But worse is to come - the very next day, her father is found deadby his own hand . Lara must now take up his position as Musik, despite having none of the training required. Outwardly, Sofi agrees to help her rival, while secretly planning to expose Lara as a fraud. But as Sofi gets to know the girl who stole her future, the more Sofi doubts everything she thought she knew - about herself, her father, and about music.
END OF PLOT SUMMARY
A love of music infuses every page of Sofi and the Bone Song, which makes sense, given that author Adrienne Tooley is also an accomplished singer/songwriter of indie folk music - and has also majored in musical theatre! I loved how Tooley incorporated this love into the novel, viaSofi's changing attitudes to music . When we first meet Sofi, she believes that great music is only attained through suffering - an attitude honed and shaped by her demanding and manipulative father. How he did so is described in a series of flashbacks, which are literally skin-crawling. I almost couldn't read the part where he taught her that when a musician plays their instrument, they must suppress any emotion whilst doing so . If you are at all sensitive about emotional abuse and manipulation, read this novel with care.
But the more Sofi comes to know Lara (and begins tofall for her ), the more she begins to doubt the lessons her father taught her. Far from being emotionless, Sofi learns, music is all about emotion. Fear, love, joy, sadness, and everything in between can be expressed in music - and the art of creating should be a joyous and inspiring experience. It should not be like working oneself to the bone (pun fully intended) in order to achieve a result.
My reading experience of Sofi and the Bone Song wasn't perfect. I kind of wish I hadn't left such long time gaps in my reading of it, as it affected my ability to follow the plot and character development. I did feel at points that Soficame to her conclusions too quickly , but that may have been on me. There was an issue of pace towards the end, it kind of jarred a bit with me. One day, I will reread this novel more slowly and carefully, so I can better adjust to its rhythm (excuse the musical pun).
Anyway, despite my issues, I did very much enjoy this novel.
Before I begin this review, I will now describe the plot. I don't really consider it a spoiler, given that most of the information can be found in the official blurb. But if you don't want to know anything about the plot at all, I've highlighted in bold where the plot summary begins and ends, so feel free to skip those parts if you wish.
PLOT SUMMARY
In the fantasy kingdom of Aell, the use of magic has run wild, with people using it for just about everything from composing poetry to styling their hair. Only one thing remains sacred and untouched - music. To ensure it remains so, the only people allowed to play music publicly are the five individuals who have been elected to the Guild of Musiks, and the Apprentices of their choosing.
Sixteen-year-old Sofi is the daughter of Frederik Ollenholt, one of Aell's most revered Musiks, and like her father, Sofi is a skilled lutenist. She has been raised by her father to believe that to be anything less than technically perfect is unacceptable.
When it comes time for the Musiks to choose their respective Apprentices, Sofi has no doubt that her father will choose her - so it comes as a terrible shock when after a round of auditions in which Sofi performs flawlessly, her father chooses another. Laravelle "Lara" Hollis is well-connected, beautiful, and charming, and offers up a compelling audition - despite having never played an instrument in her life.
Sofi is outraged at the decision, believing all her years of training were for naught. But worse is to come - the very next day, her father is found dead
END OF PLOT SUMMARY
A love of music infuses every page of Sofi and the Bone Song, which makes sense, given that author Adrienne Tooley is also an accomplished singer/songwriter of indie folk music - and has also majored in musical theatre! I loved how Tooley incorporated this love into the novel, via
But the more Sofi comes to know Lara (and begins to
My reading experience of Sofi and the Bone Song wasn't perfect. I kind of wish I hadn't left such long time gaps in my reading of it, as it affected my ability to follow the plot and character development. I did feel at points that Sofi
Anyway, despite my issues, I did very much enjoy this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, and Death of parent
Quoted from the author, Adrienne Tooley in the title pages: "This book contains depictions of emotional abuse at the hand of a parent, death by suicide (off-page), and descriptions of self-harm." I should also note that as well as the MC's fathersaltylane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
3.75
I liked this story well enough. The pace was rather slow at times, and there were a lot of monologues, so it almost verged on boring sometimes. The writing style wasn’t my favorite; a lot of inner feelings and thoughts were explained in detail, which is fine in small doses but not so much in such a large amount, imo. The characters were diverse from their sexualities & genders, to their appearances and flawed personalities, which was a nice change of pace compared to a lot of popular literature. The main character was extremely flawed, and she definitely grew throughout the story. I liked the ending, even though certain parts seemed more rushed than I feel they should have been.
<spoiler > I think they kind of left the plot point of the arranged marriage without really addressing it later on, which was a bit strange to me. </spoiler >
<spoiler > I think they kind of left the plot point of the arranged marriage without really addressing it later on, which was a bit strange to me. </spoiler >
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Self harm
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i do love a heartwarming sapphic book, especially one of adrienne tooley’s and this was so atmospheric and lovely but again idk it didn’t really live up to my hype. little disappointed but i still very much love the characters and world she creates.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
asexualandriod's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've never read a book that so accurately captures the experience of a classical music lover. The book resonated (pun intended) with me so much. I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story. You get bits and clues about some big story elements, but the full context is still twisty enough to be very satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
catwhisperer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Confinement and Suicide