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bea_reads_books's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay I have a lot of thoughts, mostly positive but let’s start with the negative.
This book has a lot of things that I’m realizing are common with “romantasy”, which I am learning is not my thing, so take my opinions with a grain of salt. If you love fantasy romance, these things probably won’t bother you.
First, structurally this book felt rushed. There were typos and weird run-on sentences (not a ton, but definitely enough that I noticed). There were times where the wrong word was used (i.e. “Dredges” when the author meant “Dregs”).
Second - and this is something I really disliked about the From Blood and Ash series - there is a lot of infodumping that is often, for some reason, repeated? Like we get a lot of the same information two or three times over, which made the book longer than I felt like it needed to be.
Third, it was kind of insta-love-y. I mean, the book takes place over a long enough period of time that it isn’t necessarily insta-love, but I personally felt like there were odd leaps between romantic moments, so it felt like we really rushed through the main characters bonding, which made the stronger emotions seem a little unfounded.
Fourth, and this is a very specific to myself complaint, I didn’t like Lan’s characterization very much. I’m getting really tired of every female main character being essentially a cardboard cutout of each other. She’s snarky and sassy, but has to be taught everything, but is also somehow a prodigy at everything she does, all while seeing herself as able to handle a lot, yet she’s constantly crying over something. (This isn’t to say that strength = emotionless, it’s just that her character feels set up to be more withdrawn and to keep her emotions inside, but then she’s falling over a lounge chair like a Disney Princess to sob uncontrollably.)
Lastly, I disliked the fact that Lan has no positive female relationships. Her mother is dead before the book starts; her supposed best friend is murdered like two seconds after we meet her (and Lan almost never thinks about her afterwards); her boss is a horrible person; and the only two female characters she meets for the rest of the book have instantaneous conflict with her that never gets resolved. I'm tired of reading about women and girls who only ever get along with men. Jenifer L Armentrout does this as well: Poppy and Seraphina both have exactly one positive female relationship who they are supposedly close with, but we don't see these women for practically their entire series. Every other female character is a villain or competition for her love interest, or else hates her for no apparent reason.
ON TO THE POSITIVES
I’ve been comparing this book to From Blood and Ash because they’re share a genre and I had some overlapping complaints, but all of the positives of this book are where we differ from that comparison. For instance, this book had a much more present and coherent plot, one that didn’t make me feel lost and confused every two chapters. I felt like the story was actually going somewhere. It also had a really cool magic system, which I did not feel like we got in FBaA.
Additionally, this book has actual themes about things that matter, and I thought they were handled in a much better and more responsible way. There is a recurring theme in Jenifer L Armentrout’s books of the “big bad” being a sexual predator. It happens because the love interest is just as murder-y and selfish as the bad guy, so she needed a way to differentiate so that we the readers would know why it’s okay for Sexy Lover Boy to be a heartless killer and not Evil Nasty Guy. It felt so lazy and frankly, just rancid overall, especially when it continued happening over and over again in each book of hers that I read.
On the flip side, in Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, we do see threats of sexual violence, but in the context of colonizers and invaders wielding their power over their victims, who have no leverage to say no. We also see villains who are actually just bad (greed, violence, lust for power, etc) without needing to make them rapists to show who we’re supposed to root for.
I thought the overarching points of this book were very important and relevant, especially in the context of current world events. The fact that horrific atrocities have been committed upon your people does not give you the right to turn around and do it to another people. Just because your people have hurt each other does not mean that violence against you is justified or “not that bad”.
The last thing I’ll say is that I really loved the setting and magic. It was so vibrant and I felt like I could really see and hear the places and events I was reading about. I know I’ve mentioned it at least twice now, but seriously this magic system might be one of the coolest and most unique I’ve read about recently (probably tied for first place with the magic system in Faebound).
Overall, it’s a good book, but this genre just isn’t my style. I plan to read the sequel because I’m very curious about where the story goes from here, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up more of this author’s books after that.
This book has a lot of things that I’m realizing are common with “romantasy”, which I am learning is not my thing, so take my opinions with a grain of salt. If you love fantasy romance, these things probably won’t bother you.
First, structurally this book felt rushed. There were typos and weird run-on sentences (not a ton, but definitely enough that I noticed). There were times where the wrong word was used (i.e. “Dredges” when the author meant “Dregs”).
Second - and this is something I really disliked about the From Blood and Ash series - there is a lot of infodumping that is often, for some reason, repeated? Like we get a lot of the same information two or three times over, which made the book longer than I felt like it needed to be.
Third, it was kind of insta-love-y. I mean, the book takes place over a long enough period of time that it isn’t necessarily insta-love, but I personally felt like there were odd leaps between romantic moments, so it felt like we really rushed through the main characters bonding, which made the stronger emotions seem a little unfounded.
Fourth, and this is a very specific to myself complaint, I didn’t like Lan’s characterization very much. I’m getting really tired of every female main character being essentially a cardboard cutout of each other. She’s snarky and sassy, but has to be taught everything, but is also somehow a prodigy at everything she does, all while seeing herself as able to handle a lot, yet she’s constantly crying over something. (This isn’t to say that strength = emotionless, it’s just that her character feels set up to be more withdrawn and to keep her emotions inside, but then she’s falling over a lounge chair like a Disney Princess to sob uncontrollably.)
Lastly, I disliked the fact that Lan has no positive female relationships. Her mother is dead before the book starts; her supposed best friend is murdered like two seconds after we meet her (and Lan almost never thinks about her afterwards); her boss is a horrible person; and the only two female characters she meets for the rest of the book have instantaneous conflict with her that never gets resolved. I'm tired of reading about women and girls who only ever get along with men. Jenifer L Armentrout does this as well: Poppy and Seraphina both have exactly one positive female relationship who they are supposedly close with, but we don't see these women for practically their entire series. Every other female character is a villain or competition for her love interest, or else hates her for no apparent reason.
ON TO THE POSITIVES
I’ve been comparing this book to From Blood and Ash because they’re share a genre and I had some overlapping complaints, but all of the positives of this book are where we differ from that comparison. For instance, this book had a much more present and coherent plot, one that didn’t make me feel lost and confused every two chapters. I felt like the story was actually going somewhere. It also had a really cool magic system, which I did not feel like we got in FBaA.
Additionally, this book has actual themes about things that matter, and I thought they were handled in a much better and more responsible way. There is a recurring theme in Jenifer L Armentrout’s books of the “big bad” being a sexual predator. It happens because the love interest is just as murder-y and selfish as the bad guy, so she needed a way to differentiate so that we the readers would know why it’s okay for Sexy Lover Boy to be a heartless killer and not Evil Nasty Guy. It felt so lazy and frankly, just rancid overall, especially when it continued happening over and over again in each book of hers that I read.
On the flip side, in Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, we do see threats of sexual violence, but in the context of colonizers and invaders wielding their power over their victims, who have no leverage to say no. We also see villains who are actually just bad (greed, violence, lust for power, etc) without needing to make them rapists to show who we’re supposed to root for.
I thought the overarching points of this book were very important and relevant, especially in the context of current world events. The fact that horrific atrocities have been committed upon your people does not give you the right to turn around and do it to another people. Just because your people have hurt each other does not mean that violence against you is justified or “not that bad”.
The last thing I’ll say is that I really loved the setting and magic. It was so vibrant and I felt like I could really see and hear the places and events I was reading about. I know I’ve mentioned it at least twice now, but seriously this magic system might be one of the coolest and most unique I’ve read about recently (probably tied for first place with the magic system in Faebound).
Overall, it’s a good book, but this genre just isn’t my style. I plan to read the sequel because I’m very curious about where the story goes from here, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up more of this author’s books after that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Torture, Violence, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and War
fandomsandfiction's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
this book is a drug and i am addicted.
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and War
vampire_burrito's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Colonisation
chaos_and_chapters's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Slavery, Medical content, and Cannibalism
shaipanda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- 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
3.0
Thanks for the publisher for the early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I seriously considered DNFing this around 35% but pushed through given the very high ratings and how many early reviewers seemed to love this. Unfortunately despite ultimately finishing it I did not end up loving it the way I wanted to. I wasn’t pulled in and despite the drama and action of the story, I found it a bit of a slog to get through personally. I was also really hoping this was a stand alone which it definitely is not, but that’s my own fault for not checking. While I did enjoy the writing and the world overall, I didn’t feel entranced and invested in the characters.
Edit: I’m pushing this up to a 3 because idk 2.75 feels really harsh when there’s nothing specific I remember disliking looking back it was just very meh for me so I’m gonna give it a 3
Edit: I’m pushing this up to a 3 because idk 2.75 feels really harsh when there’s nothing specific I remember disliking looking back it was just very meh for me so I’m gonna give it a 3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Genocide, and Rape
mxkanteven's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Solid book, no real notes but it’s firmly in the YA camp in a way in which I’m realizing isn’t to my liking anymore.
It’s very idealistic in the way it tackles colonial violence and the use of violence against colonial forces.
It’s very idealistic in the way it tackles colonial violence and the use of violence against colonial forces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Minor: Sexual violence
sarrie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75? Rounded up to 4
TL;DR: If you enjoy non-stop YA fantasy this is the one for you. I really enjoyed a lot of this but found the pace a bit too fast.
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night has me on the fence. It follows, primarily two characters. Lan is a 'songbird', a girl who works in a tea parlor singing for work. The city and land she lives in has been conquered by an invading force, her culture and people repressed and destroyed. Our second character is Zen, a young practitoner who is seeking out others like him and information about the magic and culture that they've lost. The two come in contact and the book explodes (almost literally) out from there.
My biggest problem with Song of Silver is the pacing which is breakneck for me. It was so fast, there were little to no quiet moments, no moments of reprieve for the characters. One good thing would happen, or five mins of dialogue and then immediately there is an emergency or a dire situation. Fast paced books are fine, but this felt almost as if our author just did not want or know how to give the characters rest. I felt so bad for them because of how much they seemed to deal with in such fast succession. There was one period of time that the characters didn't have a pressing emergency and that was described as 'And time passed'. Which during that time we had to assume that our characters grew attached to certain things and people but we never saw it.
Past this I loved a lot about this book! I want more of the characters we were introduced to, especially the side characters and the system and world is beautiful. The themes that the author is struggling with and representing, I felt were clear and heartbreaking (as they should have been). The villains did end up feeling a little over the top, especially in a final scene, but considering the wuxia/xianxia style of the action and magic in this I think that can be forgiven. The setting and magic were incredible and really that's what kept me coming back.
So while I wish the story had more time to breath and give us a breath this was a beautiful ride. If you don't mind books that just 'go, go, go' pick this up. It's got an amazing setting, beautiful magic, and over the top fighting that will not miss if you love that sort of thing.
4 out of 5 Ocarinas.
TL;DR: If you enjoy non-stop YA fantasy this is the one for you. I really enjoyed a lot of this but found the pace a bit too fast.
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night has me on the fence. It follows, primarily two characters. Lan is a 'songbird', a girl who works in a tea parlor singing for work. The city and land she lives in has been conquered by an invading force, her culture and people repressed and destroyed. Our second character is Zen, a young practitoner who is seeking out others like him and information about the magic and culture that they've lost. The two come in contact and the book explodes (almost literally) out from there.
My biggest problem with Song of Silver is the pacing which is breakneck for me. It was so fast, there were little to no quiet moments, no moments of reprieve for the characters. One good thing would happen, or five mins of dialogue and then immediately there is an emergency or a dire situation. Fast paced books are fine, but this felt almost as if our author just did not want or know how to give the characters rest. I felt so bad for them because of how much they seemed to deal with in such fast succession. There was one period of time that the characters didn't have a pressing emergency and that was described as 'And time passed'. Which during that time we had to assume that our characters grew attached to certain things and people but we never saw it.
Past this I loved a lot about this book! I want more of the characters we were introduced to, especially the side characters and the system and world is beautiful. The themes that the author is struggling with and representing, I felt were clear and heartbreaking (as they should have been). The villains did end up feeling a little over the top, especially in a final scene, but considering the wuxia/xianxia style of the action and magic in this I think that can be forgiven. The setting and magic were incredible and really that's what kept me coming back.
So while I wish the story had more time to breath and give us a breath this was a beautiful ride. If you don't mind books that just 'go, go, go' pick this up. It's got an amazing setting, beautiful magic, and over the top fighting that will not miss if you love that sort of thing.
4 out of 5 Ocarinas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
A beautifully crafted and utterly compelling, Xianxia-style fantasy, steeped in Chinese mythology which was thrilling and heart-wrenching in equal measure. This is actually only the first of Amélie Wen Zhao’s books that I’ve ever read. And given the gorgeously detailed world building, complex (and multidimensional) characters and the skilful tackling of important themes (such as: generational trauma, the price of power and the untold destruction colonialism causes) it certainly won’t be the last.
It follows Lián’ér a member of the Hin people who—after her country falls to Elantian colonisers—finds herself scavenging for scraps of the past or anything that will help her to understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother, in her last act before death.
Having been forced to take a new name by the people who killed her mother, outlawed her country’s unique magic and steal its precious resources for its own gain; Lan—now a song girl at the Rose Pavilion Teahouse, spends her days earning her keep by singing to Madam Meng’s patrons.
No one can see the mysterious mark… until Zen appears at the teahouse and saves her life. Zen is a practitioner (a fabled magician whose magical abilities are rumoured to come from the demons they commune with.) Magic that was long thought lost, and which could be the key to understanding the mark and the secrets that died with her mother. But the magic must remain hidden at all costs.
Despite each of their own long buried secrets, Lan and Zen’s have been brought together by fate—but their destiny still has yet to be written. For the power they both hold could free the kingdom and it’s people… or cause the world’s very destruction.
This was an incredible read and I enjoyed just how all encompassing and immersive it was! The world building was especially good and soo detailed that I definitely lost myself in all the incredible descriptions for a while. And, despite the sheer depth and breadth of the mythology that Wen Zhao intricately crafts (the history surrounding the ninety nine clans, each Kingdom era and the lore surrounding the four demons) the pace was remarkably consistent and never dragged or felt slow. Likewise, the magic system was incredibly intriguing—the concept of balance being necessary for the Kingdom (and the world’s survival) was especially interesting.
But personally, it was the nuanced, flawed and multifaceted characters that I intrigued me the most. Lan, was such a sassy and genuinely funny protagonist who despite all the heartbreak and pain she’s had to endure, shows great courage in facing once again having to face the perpetrators who have caused it all. Her journey (and her path to self discovery) was truly inspiring. I don’t think I could be half a courageous if put in her position.
Zen too, was a really interesting character who is dealing with struggles of his own that we don’t really get to know a lot about until the second half of the book. I enjoyed the air of mystery that surrounds him but the exquisitely developed personal arc (in which Zen must make some truly difficult choices) was masterfully done and really kept an edge of intense ambiguity right up until that phenomenal ending.
It is told through both Lan and Zen’s alternating POVs which I really enjoyed and felt it added soo much depth to both characters, as we watch their interactions turn from reluctant allies to friends and then, into something more. I was definitely a fan of the playful teasing and flirtatious banter we’re treated to. If you love your romance swoon worthy and deliciously slow burn then you’re gonna adore these two.
I also wanted to mention that themes centred around some pretty heavy subject material are explored; involving colonialism, cultural appropriation and exploitation (as well as racism, sexism and brief mentions sexual harassment/violence) so do bare this in mind before reading. That being said, it’s definitely handled sensitively and does highlight some important and relevant issues that definitely need to be discussed further.
Overall, an exquisite and breathtakingly masterful series starter that lovers of sweeping fantasy epics and unforgettably complex characters are going to absolutely devour. I’m genuinely excited to see what happens next.
Also, thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for this absolutely gorgeous finished copy.
It follows Lián’ér a member of the Hin people who—after her country falls to Elantian colonisers—finds herself scavenging for scraps of the past or anything that will help her to understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother, in her last act before death.
Having been forced to take a new name by the people who killed her mother, outlawed her country’s unique magic and steal its precious resources for its own gain; Lan—now a song girl at the Rose Pavilion Teahouse, spends her days earning her keep by singing to Madam Meng’s patrons.
No one can see the mysterious mark… until Zen appears at the teahouse and saves her life. Zen is a practitioner (a fabled magician whose magical abilities are rumoured to come from the demons they commune with.) Magic that was long thought lost, and which could be the key to understanding the mark and the secrets that died with her mother. But the magic must remain hidden at all costs.
Despite each of their own long buried secrets, Lan and Zen’s have been brought together by fate—but their destiny still has yet to be written. For the power they both hold could free the kingdom and it’s people… or cause the world’s very destruction.
This was an incredible read and I enjoyed just how all encompassing and immersive it was! The world building was especially good and soo detailed that I definitely lost myself in all the incredible descriptions for a while. And, despite the sheer depth and breadth of the mythology that Wen Zhao intricately crafts (the history surrounding the ninety nine clans, each Kingdom era and the lore surrounding the four demons) the pace was remarkably consistent and never dragged or felt slow. Likewise, the magic system was incredibly intriguing—the concept of balance being necessary for the Kingdom (and the world’s survival) was especially interesting.
But personally, it was the nuanced, flawed and multifaceted characters that I intrigued me the most. Lan, was such a sassy and genuinely funny protagonist who despite all the heartbreak and pain she’s had to endure, shows great courage in facing once again having to face the perpetrators who have caused it all. Her journey (and her path to self discovery) was truly inspiring. I don’t think I could be half a courageous if put in her position.
Zen too, was a really interesting character who is dealing with struggles of his own that we don’t really get to know a lot about until the second half of the book. I enjoyed the air of mystery that surrounds him but the exquisitely developed personal arc (in which Zen must make some truly difficult choices) was masterfully done and really kept an edge of intense ambiguity right up until that phenomenal ending.
It is told through both Lan and Zen’s alternating POVs which I really enjoyed and felt it added soo much depth to both characters, as we watch their interactions turn from reluctant allies to friends and then, into something more. I was definitely a fan of the playful teasing and flirtatious banter we’re treated to. If you love your romance swoon worthy and deliciously slow burn then you’re gonna adore these two.
I also wanted to mention that themes centred around some pretty heavy subject material are explored; involving colonialism, cultural appropriation and exploitation (as well as racism, sexism and brief mentions sexual harassment/violence) so do bare this in mind before reading. That being said, it’s definitely handled sensitively and does highlight some important and relevant issues that definitely need to be discussed further.
Overall, an exquisite and breathtakingly masterful series starter that lovers of sweeping fantasy epics and unforgettably complex characters are going to absolutely devour. I’m genuinely excited to see what happens next.
Also, thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for this absolutely gorgeous finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual violence, Torture, Grief, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual harassment
dontwritedown's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
A great way to start the New Year off right, I highly recommend "Song of Silver, Flame Like Night".
Fans of "Girls of Paper and Fire" will enjoy this quick read.
Could not put the book down and already ready for book two despite this book not technically being out for release yet. On that note, shoutout to NetGalley.com for this free copy. I will be buying two copies on it's release date, one for my personal collection and one for a friend.
Fans of "Girls of Paper and Fire" will enjoy this quick read.
Could not put the book down and already ready for book two despite this book not technically being out for release yet. On that note, shoutout to NetGalley.com for this free copy. I will be buying two copies on it's release date, one for my personal collection and one for a friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Sexual violence
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