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mehek's review
4.0
This book has everything I like in it. A good and interesting magic system, two sapphic and sometimes painfully oblivious MCs, a villain I liked to dislike, and messy/complicated relationships. This book is one that’s about questioning, always, it’s really the heart of it. Questioning other characters, the world, the magic. It’s a good quick read with some strong characters and dark vibes that’ll leave you happy. This isn’t the kind of book that sticks with you for years that has you throwing it in the faces of everyone you meet, but it’s not something you regret having read either- it’s a very good book but not a great one.
Moving to what I didn’t like though and the reason this wasn’t a five star read for me. The ending confused me a little bit. Cadence and Remi are beautiful sapphic ladies but I wanted more out of their relationship- more pining, more time together, just more as a whole. I feel like there were moments that could’ve gone emotionally deeper and just didn’t.
Overall? Although this wouldn’t be my first rec to someone, if you’re on the fence about Ruinsong, I would say to just read it because it’s nice and Remi is a baddie.
Moving to what I didn’t like though and the reason this wasn’t a five star read for me. The ending confused me a little bit. Cadence and Remi are beautiful sapphic ladies but I wanted more out of their relationship- more pining, more time together, just more as a whole. I feel like there were moments that could’ve gone emotionally deeper and just didn’t.
Overall? Although this wouldn’t be my first rec to someone, if you’re on the fence about Ruinsong, I would say to just read it because it’s nice and Remi is a baddie.
lottie1803's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
classiestcass's review
2.0
I feel like the synopsis for this novel had so much potential but the execution of it just kind of fell flat for me. While I understand that it was a standalone, it felt rushed and could've used a lot more time for world building and just really fleshing out, well, everything. If that means it should've been more than one book, then that's something I would've been okay with if that produced a story that sank its hooks into me. As it was, I wasn't really able to delve into this book because there was nothing really to delve into. All the relationships were superficial, as were the characters themselves. With more time (and by time I mean like, more books I guess), I feel like this book would've been a million times better. There would have been more at stake during the conflict. There would have been just more feelings on my end, to be honest with you.
And I'm not trying to say this book was bad because it wasn't. But it wasn't great either. At most it was okay, which is why I gave it two stars. Plus I feel like the potential was there, it just needed longer to really come together.
Overall it was an okay book, and I'd recommend people maybe giving it a try if you're into this kind of story. I know that some people really liked this book, so it might just be my particular tastes that kept me from being really hooked by this story.
And I'm not trying to say this book was bad because it wasn't. But it wasn't great either. At most it was okay, which is why I gave it two stars. Plus I feel like the potential was there, it just needed longer to really come together.
Overall it was an okay book, and I'd recommend people maybe giving it a try if you're into this kind of story. I know that some people really liked this book, so it might just be my particular tastes that kept me from being really hooked by this story.
lurihime's review against another edition
4.0
(Muchas gracias a Wonderbooks por el envío del ejemplar)
4 de 5 estrellas
Canción de sangre de Julia Ember es un libro que me ha gustado mucho y me ha dejado con ganas de más. Me llamó la atención por tres razones: su portada, me encantan las ilustraciones que representan a Cadence y Remi y los colores purpura y dorado que hacen que resalte entre otras; su sinopsis que esconde o promete una historia diferente; y por último toda la premisa de los canticantes, una profesión que hasta ahora solo había visto en algunos videojuegos, los llamados Spellsingers en inglés. Hechiceros que evocan y manipulan su magia a través de sus voces y las canciones.
Para poneros un poco en situación, sin ningún spoiler, la sociedad de Canción de sangre se divide en tres facciones: los hechiceros, los nobles y los plebeyos, y dichas facciones son gobernadas por una reina. Pero esta sociedad no funciona como en otras historias. En Canción de sangre los nobles son los repudiados, los plebeyos gozan de "cierta libertad" y los hechiceros son el arma y escudo de una reina que ha llegado el trono derramando la sangre de su antecesora.
En mi opinión la historia va de menos a más. La primera mitad es un poco introductoria sobre las protagonistas y los cambios en la sociedad al pasar de un reinado a otro. A través del punto de vista de Cadence nos cuenta su infancia, su vida en palacio como hechicera y las cosas que le obligan a hacer como primera cantante. A través de Remi conocemos el punto de vista de los nobles y su decadencia con los años, que a pesar de seguir manteniendo sus títulos y posesiones han perdido toda su libertad y son castigados solo por ser lo que son. Es a partir de la mitad cuando la historia coge ritmo y se presentan varios dilemas tanto para Cadence como para Remi, secretos que desconocían y decisiones que tendrán que tomar y que afectará tanto al reino como a sus propias vidas. El final sí que me ha parecido algo precipitado, pero coherente con como iba la historia, tal vez algo más de páginas de desarrollo en los últimos capítulos hubieran venido bien.
En cuanto a los personajes principales nos encontramos a las protagonista, Cadence y Remi, y los antagonistas, la reina Elene y su ejecutor Ren. Cadence me ha parecido una chica muy frágil. A pesar del poder que posee, vive con miedo de enfadar a Elene, y es ese comportamiento tan voluble entre el miedo y el valor lo que me ha confundido un poco, o me ha desencantado. Quiero entender que le tenga miedo a lo desconocido, que habiendo crecido sin nada y ahora teniendo ciertos privilegios, quiera mantenerlos, pero no a cualquier precio, no con esa indecisión. A Remi, noble de nacimiento, le apodera una desconfianza total, sobre todo después de saber que ha sido de su amiga de la infancia Cadence. Aun así es luchadora y valiente, no le importa sufrir si con ello salva a su familia. Elene es todo un enigma para sus seguidores y enemigos, ya que nadie conoce el alcance de su poder como hechicera. A raíz de un acontecimiento pasado buscó venganza y asesinó a la antigua reina para apoderarse del trono y así hundir a la nobleza. Es la típica villana que utiliza a otros para no ensuciarse las manos y se vale de amenazas para conseguir lo que quiere. Y por último Ren, otro hechicero como Cadence y ejecutor de la reina. Torturador y sádico, poco más se conoce de él.
La traducción está muy bién. Al ser una historia de fantasía a veces nos podemos encontrar con un vocabulario desconocido, pero en ningún momento ha sido un impedimento, ni me ha sacado fuera de la historia.
En resumen, recomiendo Canción de sangre porque es una historia de fantasía en la que las canciones toman mucha importancia y le dan un toque original, en una sociedad distópica totalmente dividida. Y quiero puntualizar que el romance entre las protagonistas no interrumpe ni le quita importancia al hilo principal.
4 de 5 estrellas
Canción de sangre de Julia Ember es un libro que me ha gustado mucho y me ha dejado con ganas de más. Me llamó la atención por tres razones: su portada, me encantan las ilustraciones que representan a Cadence y Remi y los colores purpura y dorado que hacen que resalte entre otras; su sinopsis que esconde o promete una historia diferente; y por último toda la premisa de los canticantes, una profesión que hasta ahora solo había visto en algunos videojuegos, los llamados Spellsingers en inglés. Hechiceros que evocan y manipulan su magia a través de sus voces y las canciones.
Para poneros un poco en situación, sin ningún spoiler, la sociedad de Canción de sangre se divide en tres facciones: los hechiceros, los nobles y los plebeyos, y dichas facciones son gobernadas por una reina. Pero esta sociedad no funciona como en otras historias. En Canción de sangre los nobles son los repudiados, los plebeyos gozan de "cierta libertad" y los hechiceros son el arma y escudo de una reina que ha llegado el trono derramando la sangre de su antecesora.
En mi opinión la historia va de menos a más. La primera mitad es un poco introductoria sobre las protagonistas y los cambios en la sociedad al pasar de un reinado a otro. A través del punto de vista de Cadence nos cuenta su infancia, su vida en palacio como hechicera y las cosas que le obligan a hacer como primera cantante. A través de Remi conocemos el punto de vista de los nobles y su decadencia con los años, que a pesar de seguir manteniendo sus títulos y posesiones han perdido toda su libertad y son castigados solo por ser lo que son. Es a partir de la mitad cuando la historia coge ritmo y se presentan varios dilemas tanto para Cadence como para Remi, secretos que desconocían y decisiones que tendrán que tomar y que afectará tanto al reino como a sus propias vidas. El final sí que me ha parecido algo precipitado, pero coherente con como iba la historia, tal vez algo más de páginas de desarrollo en los últimos capítulos hubieran venido bien.
En cuanto a los personajes principales nos encontramos a las protagonista, Cadence y Remi, y los antagonistas, la reina Elene y su ejecutor Ren. Cadence me ha parecido una chica muy frágil. A pesar del poder que posee, vive con miedo de enfadar a Elene, y es ese comportamiento tan voluble entre el miedo y el valor lo que me ha confundido un poco, o me ha desencantado. Quiero entender que le tenga miedo a lo desconocido, que habiendo crecido sin nada y ahora teniendo ciertos privilegios, quiera mantenerlos, pero no a cualquier precio, no con esa indecisión. A Remi, noble de nacimiento, le apodera una desconfianza total, sobre todo después de saber que ha sido de su amiga de la infancia Cadence. Aun así es luchadora y valiente, no le importa sufrir si con ello salva a su familia. Elene es todo un enigma para sus seguidores y enemigos, ya que nadie conoce el alcance de su poder como hechicera. A raíz de un acontecimiento pasado buscó venganza y asesinó a la antigua reina para apoderarse del trono y así hundir a la nobleza. Es la típica villana que utiliza a otros para no ensuciarse las manos y se vale de amenazas para conseguir lo que quiere. Y por último Ren, otro hechicero como Cadence y ejecutor de la reina. Torturador y sádico, poco más se conoce de él.
La traducción está muy bién. Al ser una historia de fantasía a veces nos podemos encontrar con un vocabulario desconocido, pero en ningún momento ha sido un impedimento, ni me ha sacado fuera de la historia.
En resumen, recomiendo Canción de sangre porque es una historia de fantasía en la que las canciones toman mucha importancia y le dan un toque original, en una sociedad distópica totalmente dividida. Y quiero puntualizar que el romance entre las protagonistas no interrumpe ni le quita importancia al hilo principal.
thebookwormsfeast's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book - but I would have liked a little more Phantom of the Opera-ness, hence the .5 of a star. It follows two women doing their best to survive in a kingdom ruled through terror - where magic is wrought through songs. I really liked the magic system, and the bits of intrigue peppered throughout. I'd loved to have dipped more into the supporting cast of characters, so if any other stories came from this world in the future I'd be very keen to delve back on in.
I really enjoyed this book - but I would have liked a little more Phantom of the Opera-ness, hence the .5 of a star. It follows two women doing their best to survive in a kingdom ruled through terror - where magic is wrought through songs. I really liked the magic system, and the bits of intrigue peppered throughout. I'd loved to have dipped more into the supporting cast of characters, so if any other stories came from this world in the future I'd be very keen to delve back on in.
anagram's review
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Let's get the obvious out of the way. Magic battles? Awesome. Magic battles that are also musicals? Even awesomer. As pretty much every other reviewer had mentioned, Ruinsong's magic system is a masterpiece. Defined and original, it adds a haunting and imaginative edge to the story. If I had to find a criticism, it would be that I'd have liked to see more of it.
As incredible as it seems, Julia Ember managed an incredible feat among fantasy authors: using first-person present tense in a way that didn't make me hate the characters. No one let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. No one looked in the mirror while giving a complete rundown of her features. The writing style adds to the story; I can't imagine it being told in any other way.
Also, not hating the characters doesn't cover it. Cadence is a complex masterpiece of a protagonist. The reader supports her even when she makes (arguably) bad choices, because it's easy to understand where she's coming from. Her internal narration of her conflicts was super interesting, and I loved her character arc. Not to quote Elene, but Cadence really did learn she was a mage and not a mouse.
Unfortunately, Remi fell a little short to me. Even with the plot point at the end, it didn't feel like she had to be there. Like there was no distinct reason for her to have a narration. Maybe it that her motivation seemed to fall short, or maybe she wasn't distinctive enough. Anyway. She was just kind of iffy for the entire book.
I did like the dynamic between Cadence and Remi, but it didn't really sell the whole "childhood best friends" thing. Also it was a little too much like instalove for my taste.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend Ruinsong to a friend. A short but very interesting read, don't be afraid to give this book a try!
Let's get the obvious out of the way. Magic battles? Awesome. Magic battles that are also musicals? Even awesomer. As pretty much every other reviewer had mentioned, Ruinsong's magic system is a masterpiece. Defined and original, it adds a haunting and imaginative edge to the story. If I had to find a criticism, it would be that I'd have liked to see more of it.
As incredible as it seems, Julia Ember managed an incredible feat among fantasy authors: using first-person present tense in a way that didn't make me hate the characters. No one let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. No one looked in the mirror while giving a complete rundown of her features. The writing style adds to the story; I can't imagine it being told in any other way.
Also, not hating the characters doesn't cover it. Cadence is a complex masterpiece of a protagonist. The reader supports her even when she makes (arguably) bad choices, because it's easy to understand where she's coming from. Her internal narration of her conflicts was super interesting, and I loved her character arc. Not to quote Elene, but Cadence really did learn she was a mage and not a mouse.
Unfortunately, Remi fell a little short to me. Even with the plot point at the end, it didn't feel like she had to be there. Like there was no distinct reason for her to have a narration. Maybe it that her motivation seemed to fall short, or maybe she wasn't distinctive enough. Anyway. She was just kind of iffy for the entire book.
I did like the dynamic between Cadence and Remi, but it didn't really sell the whole "childhood best friends" thing. Also it was a little too much like instalove for my taste.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend Ruinsong to a friend. A short but very interesting read, don't be afraid to give this book a try!
eggwiggle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I couldn't get past every single character being introduced as "black" or "white". An interesting premise but the writing not there to back it up.
onlytheimmature's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
belleden's review
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wish there was a “How would you rate the pace of this book?” option that just said “weird”.
Edit: This was supposed to be a Phantom of the Opera retelling???
Edit: This was supposed to be a Phantom of the Opera retelling???
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death