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aseel_reads's review
adventurous
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
3.75
This was a super adorable little fantasy novel. I like the MC a lot, her character arc was very sweet and I liked seeing her being young and learning to trust herself. Plus, I've never read a musical fantasy, so this was fun.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
nutmegandpumpkin's review
adventurous
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
3.5
Overview
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Dialogue: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Dialogue: 3/5
Writing style: 4/5
World Building: 5/5
Description: 5/5
Description: 5/5
Personal Enjoyment: 4/5
———
Note: StoryGraph has it listed as a middle grade but imo the target audience for this book felt more so on the cusp between middle grade and YA. Like it feels perfect for older middle grade readers and/or younger YA readers.
Thoughts: It was a very enjoyable book and I thought the world building was done masterfully; it was sprinkled naturally throughout the story and felt well developed. The idea of a music based magic system and songs that bring miracles is a really cool concept. Through Elissa, I also found myself loving Cae (the goddess in the book). I also thought the description — particularly the setting descriptions — were written beautifully.
There were one or two parts in the book that were a bit redundant but it didn’t bother me too much. There was a lot of incorporation of musical terminology which I didn’t mind except for when it described voices. I don’t know, something about it felt forced? I’m also not super knowledgeable in the more technological part of music so it could just be me.
Examples of this:
———
Note: StoryGraph has it listed as a middle grade but imo the target audience for this book felt more so on the cusp between middle grade and YA. Like it feels perfect for older middle grade readers and/or younger YA readers.
Thoughts: It was a very enjoyable book and I thought the world building was done masterfully; it was sprinkled naturally throughout the story and felt well developed. The idea of a music based magic system and songs that bring miracles is a really cool concept. Through Elissa, I also found myself loving Cae (the goddess in the book). I also thought the description — particularly the setting descriptions — were written beautifully.
There were one or two parts in the book that were a bit redundant but it didn’t bother me too much. There was a lot of incorporation of musical terminology which I didn’t mind except for when it described voices. I don’t know, something about it felt forced? I’m also not super knowledgeable in the more technological part of music so it could just be me.
Examples of this:
“‘No,’ I said, my voice pianissimo.”
“Her voice was sharp and crisp; strings plucked pizzicato.”
^This happens A LOT throughout the book
There is also plot point that happens a little more than halfway through the novel that made me wish THAT was the plot of the book. Said plot point:When Cae told Elissa she had to find the other voices. I thought if the bulk of the book was Elissa journeying and searching to find the other voices and allowing us to get to really know their characters (which we don’t really because it’s at the very end that we see any of them) would’ve worked so much better for me as the plot. I don’t think what was written before was bad but when this plot point was brought up I realized how much cooler the story could have been. Plus this really cool plot point ends up being rushed which I talk about in my next point
The pacing was a bit unbalanced too. The first three-quarters of the book has a steady slowish medium pace to it but then the rest seemed so fast and rushed which was a bit disappointing. I think it could’ve been longer but maybe it wasn’t because of the target audience? I’m not sure but it felt very descriptive and full of depth and then it felt like whiplash towards the latter half of the novel. The solution that’s set up to solve the conflict is complicated and seems like it should take a lot of work but it’s rushed when it actually happens.
That being said, I think the VERY ending was really well done and a portion made me tear up a bit :)
There is also plot point that happens a little more than halfway through the novel that made me wish THAT was the plot of the book. Said plot point:
The pacing was a bit unbalanced too. The first three-quarters of the book has a steady slowish medium pace to it but then the rest seemed so fast and rushed which was a bit disappointing. I think it could’ve been longer but maybe it wasn’t because of the target audience? I’m not sure but it felt very descriptive and full of depth and then it felt like whiplash towards the latter half of the novel. The solution that’s set up to solve the conflict is complicated and seems like it should take a lot of work but it’s rushed when it actually happens.
That being said, I think the VERY ending was really well done and a portion made me tear up a bit :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
reading_something_else's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is such a sweet book that I would've adored when I was younger! I think it's a good read to help kids learn to listen to their intuition, and not cave to peer pressure. I also loved that music was at the core of this book.
The beginning of the book was a little slow, but the climax flowed very seamlessly and didn't feel rushed. Overall relaxing and a quick read.
The beginning of the book was a little slow, but the climax flowed very seamlessly and didn't feel rushed. Overall relaxing and a quick read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Death of parent and War
lizgriffinwords's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? No
4.75
Thank you Holiday House Books and NetGalley for an eARC of We Are the Song by Catherine Bakewell. We Are the Song is a delightful upper middle grade fantasy in a world where music is magic! 12-year-old Holy Singer Elissa can heal, transform, and bring joy with her voice… but can she learn to listen to the Goddess for herself? I am blown away by how lovely and insightful this book is, covering topics of gifts/callings, self-trust, and how even those who love us can (sometimes inadvertently) manipulate us to what they see best. The descriptions are so cinematic, and I want to hear all of these musical compositions.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture and War
happily_undignified's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of We Are The Song by Catherine Bakewell in exchange for an honest review.'
We Are the Song by Catherine Bakewell is a beautiful fantasy brimming with music. This mid-grade fantasy follows Cae Elissa, a young teen who is part of an elite group of singers known as the Voices of the Goddess. She travels with a composer, Lucio, throughout her war torn land doing miracles in the name of the Goddess Cae. When she is faced with an impossible task she finds her true voice and realizes that she is blessed in more ways than she can imagine.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with beautiful imagery and I loved all of the musical references. The story is a bit heavy on religious imagery but it is woven in well enough to not take away from the main message. Elissa is a tortured artist type who has a great deal of character growth in the story. I found myself easily rooting for her and the other singers as they worked together to try to use their gifts for good.
I would recommend this book to all mid-grade and older readers who love fantasy and stories of good vs. evil.
We Are the Song by Catherine Bakewell is a beautiful fantasy brimming with music. This mid-grade fantasy follows Cae Elissa, a young teen who is part of an elite group of singers known as the Voices of the Goddess. She travels with a composer, Lucio, throughout her war torn land doing miracles in the name of the Goddess Cae. When she is faced with an impossible task she finds her true voice and realizes that she is blessed in more ways than she can imagine.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with beautiful imagery and I loved all of the musical references. The story is a bit heavy on religious imagery but it is woven in well enough to not take away from the main message. Elissa is a tortured artist type who has a great deal of character growth in the story. I found myself easily rooting for her and the other singers as they worked together to try to use their gifts for good.
I would recommend this book to all mid-grade and older readers who love fantasy and stories of good vs. evil.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and War
notteson's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In WE ARE THE SONG, music is magic, and that magic is wielded by the Voices of the Goddess Caé, who is the creator of the world and life itself. Bakewell's writing is beautiful, poetic, and lyrical, which is perfect as music is central in this story.
What I liked about this book:
-It is a hopeful story about the power of peace, love, and nonviolence--everything that religion *ought* to be, but often isn't.
-Positive queer and nonbinary representation in secondary characters, where their gender identity and sexual orientation weren't their single defining characteristic and personality trait
-Unique magical system
What didn't sit well with me:
-As someone who is working through religious trauma, I was a bit put off by the overzealousness, fanaticism, and blind faith of the followers of the Goddess, and it reminded me of the personal hurt that I'm currently working through. Though, I do appreciate the picture she was trying to paint in that, much like in the real world, many people in power try to use "religion" and "faith" for their own purposes and ends, often to the detriment of those around them, most notably the poor and marginalized.
In WE ARE THE SONG, music is magic, and that magic is wielded by the Voices of the Goddess Caé, who is the creator of the world and life itself. Bakewell's writing is beautiful, poetic, and lyrical, which is perfect as music is central in this story.
What I liked about this book:
-It is a hopeful story about the power of peace, love, and nonviolence--everything that religion *ought* to be, but often isn't.
-Positive queer and nonbinary representation in secondary characters, where their gender identity and sexual orientation weren't their single defining characteristic and personality trait
-Unique magical system
What didn't sit well with me:
-As someone who is working through religious trauma, I was a bit put off by the overzealousness, fanaticism, and blind faith of the followers of the Goddess, and it reminded me of the personal hurt that I'm currently working through. Though, I do appreciate the picture she was trying to paint in that, much like in the real world, many people in power try to use "religion" and "faith" for their own purposes and ends, often to the detriment of those around them, most notably the poor and marginalized.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and War
dlrosebyh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Firstly, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me an e-ARC of We are the Song in exchange of an honest review.
Fantasy books are either a hit or a miss; you'll either fall in love with them or despise them. That is, in the vast majority of cases. We Are the Song is surprisingly in the middle, however I'm leaning toward making it my entire personality.
This book didn't get off to a great start. I became bored while reading this book, thus it took me a long time to finish it. However, after I got to the middle of the book, I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down. I finished the second part of the book in one sitting.
As a result of my father's influence, I've always been a tremendous music enthusiast. That's what intrigued me to this novel in the first place. The title, the cover, and the summary all drew me in to read this book. Despite the fact that I didn't love it, I can confidently state that it did not disappoint.
I found the main character to be really stereotypical. Despite the fact that she is like every other middle grade protagonist, I adored her. Then there's the typical betrayal trope. We Are the Song is a standard middle-grade story with a musical twist.
The literary style, like the theme, was wonderful. It was poetic, which pleased me because lyrical writing is difficult to master, especially when creating a middle school novel.
In general, I like this book. I believe that fans of music, great writing, and the ideal balance of plot and character will enjoy this book. I also recommend this book to anyone who are new to fantasy because the world building isn't as difficult to follow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and War
chaptersofmads's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and War
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