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chasinggrace's review
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.0
I fell in love with the cover of this book, and on the surface I enjoyed the story. The loved the dynamic between the sisters and I thought the world was built well.
Unfortunately, the writing is amateur, at best. The author TELLS you everything instead of showing you, and emphasizes and spells out every single interaction. I wish the author trusted the reader to infer emotions, to connect the dots themselves. Many statements were obvious observations that had me rolling my eyes.
I will also say that the plot is predictable - this is a basic fantasy romance story. Additionally, the love interest is too good with his words, he borders on corny.
I am interested in the two older sisters, MUCH more than I was in Larkyra, but I’m not sure if I can continue the series - the writing bothers me to that extent. The one thing I wish I could skip to is the obviously budding romance between the eldest sister and Zimri. I want to know more about him and I want to read about them specifically.
If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read with female characters that are equal parts strong and soft, this is a good read. The magic is unique yet uncomplicated as well.
Unfortunately, the writing is amateur, at best. The author TELLS you everything instead of showing you, and emphasizes and spells out every single interaction. I wish the author trusted the reader to infer emotions, to connect the dots themselves. Many statements were obvious observations that had me rolling my eyes.
I will also say that the plot is predictable - this is a basic fantasy romance story. Additionally, the love interest is too good with his words, he borders on corny.
I am interested in the two older sisters, MUCH more than I was in Larkyra, but I’m not sure if I can continue the series - the writing bothers me to that extent. The one thing I wish I could skip to
If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read with female characters that are equal parts strong and soft, this is a good read. The magic is unique yet uncomplicated as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was drawn in by the pretty cover and convincing blurb. The writing style was so prosaic and beautiful at first that it had me hooked for a while. Then it kind of fell flat. I think my first disappointment was that for something that’s labeled a “dark fantasy” it really wasn’t all that dark. The characters made choices that rendered them more like YA characters than adult characters (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I found it to be unbelievable for their experience and circumstances). I think the dialogue tags ruined the dialogue as well. Their spoken words alone were fine but when added with these adult women “grumbling” and “puffing” while trying fight against certain death, it just doesn’t feel like the right timing.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
malisac16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
mvergari_13's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think the idea of the series is cool but unfortunately for me the pacing was too slow and way too predictable. The main characters were hard to identify with. The ending felt sort of rushed and obvious. The romance was technically slow burn but I wasn't very emotionally invested in it. The characters technically had character growth but it didn't feel like they actually had to process or learn anything and the author had an end goal but struggled with the journey. The setting was interesting and the magic was fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, and Death of parent
jennaniho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
The biggest takeaway I had from this story was the dynamic perspective offered through the eyes of both Darius and Larkyra, while still keeping the latter as the main focus. Most importantly, E.J. Mellow's narrative beautifully captures the weight of their concealed emotions and makes them remarkably relatable, underscoring the profound lesson that, we can often be our own adversaries or we can decide to be our own saviors. Likewise, the world building is not too specific but not too vague; just right to keep your imagination going and still retain a bit of mystery of "what will come next".
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Misogyny, Self harm, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
mariamarsbar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
ender24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
A entertaining and wonderful book. I’ve fallen in love with the world and it’s characters, and I can’t wait to read the next two books. I was not expecting the romance, but I feel like it did not impede the story in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
indigoquill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beware when the songbird sings.
I really, really wanted to like this book. The blurb was interesting, promising a tale of intrigue and thievery. While those things certainly were present, it all felt a little flat.
There was such phenomenal potential with this book. Both the worldbuilding and magic system fell flat for me, however. Not much is explained, and if it is, it's usually through witty banter between our main character, Larkyra, and her ally-turned-love interest Darius. Now, there's nothing wrong with banter, and it makes for a lighthearted break among the heavier topics present in this book, but nearly every conversation was full of quips and turns of phrase. Sometimes nothing would be explained, and your left just going along with whatever new magical item pops up to move the story along. Where are the rules to using these items? Can just anyone use them, or only those gifted with magic?
I truly didn't take much issue with the romance--I appreciate that is was insta-attraction, not insta-love. Larkyra and Darius do have a natural progression of their relationship, forbidden feelings and all.
What fell flat the most for me was the writing style. It's not horrible, simply lackluster. Even action scenes didn't hold enough tension to keep me interested. I found myself skipping lines here and there, and I still was able to follow the plot well enough. There were some beautifully written paragraphs, mostly related to Larkyra and her feelings toward her magic. The growth she experiences at the end felt earned.
Over all, Song of the Forever Rains is not a bad book. The themes explored do carry weight and are handled appropriately, with the characters reacting in natural and different ways to the horrors they discover. Will I read the sequels? Potentially.
If you're looking for a romance book with a dash of magic, this is for you.
I really, really wanted to like this book. The blurb was interesting, promising a tale of intrigue and thievery. While those things certainly were present, it all felt a little flat.
There was such phenomenal potential with this book. Both the worldbuilding and magic system fell flat for me, however. Not much is explained, and if it is, it's usually through witty banter between our main character, Larkyra, and her ally-turned-love interest Darius. Now, there's nothing wrong with banter, and it makes for a lighthearted break among the heavier topics present in this book, but nearly every conversation was full of quips and turns of phrase. Sometimes nothing would be explained, and your left just going along with whatever new magical item pops up to move the story along. Where are the rules to using these items? Can just anyone use them, or only those gifted with magic?
I truly didn't take much issue with the romance--I appreciate that is was insta-attraction, not insta-love. Larkyra and Darius do have a natural progression of their relationship, forbidden feelings and all.
What fell flat the most for me was the writing style. It's not horrible, simply lackluster. Even action scenes didn't hold enough tension to keep me interested. I found myself skipping lines here and there, and I still was able to follow the plot well enough. There were some beautifully written paragraphs, mostly related to Larkyra and her feelings toward her magic. The growth she experiences at the end felt earned.
Over all, Song of the Forever Rains is not a bad book. The themes explored do carry weight and are handled appropriately, with the characters reacting in natural and different ways to the horrors they discover. Will I read the sequels? Potentially.
If you're looking for a romance book with a dash of magic, this is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Physical abuse
asmokeybear's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse
maggywaggy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Grief