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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
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