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A review by hobbithopeful
Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
adventurous
dark
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
Sing Me to Sleep is fantasy done right! Complex characters, an immersive world, and writing that makes you feel like you are right there in the pages.
The fantasy and magic elements are so interesting to read. Different species being confined to different areas of the city, and each of them having less and less rights as compared to the fae. The premise of a world that is so insulated and so set on teaching a certain narrative about who deserves to be in power was fantastically well done. There is a lot explored in this book, themes of prejudice, bystanders, and doing what you believe is right, no matter the cost.
Saoirse is so morally grey and such a badass. I really loved how comfortable and confident in herself. She knows how to use her powers and doesn't care what happens. I think she has the highest kill count of any other books that I have read! (In a good way bestie, I promise) Using her beauty and the male gaze to easily hunt and kill is really cathartic. Fantasy books have a way of making fmc's either really pretty and useless, or really badass and uncomfortable in their femininity. Saoirse knows what assets she has, and uses them to her advantage to manipulate, lie, and survive. Her ability to "taste" emotions is one of my favorite powers of hers. Burton excels at writing imagery so vivid it feels like you are "tasting" along with her, and I enjoy that aspect of her writing the most.
Don't go into this book expecting everything to be cut and dry. Saoirse is very morally grey teetering towards the dark sides for many of her actions. I really like how the topics of doing what is needed to protect your loved ones is explored. I feel like we often see bad guys or villains who are trying to justify their end goal, and not oftentime see that from the main character. At the end of the day she has a huge body count, and I like how her actions weren't just easily forgiven.
Hayes is such an interesting character too. He is a really good example of bystanders, and how they are just as guilty of not doing anything. I have my suspicions about where his character is going in the next book. I don't want to spoil anything, but you know what they say about people who talk big but don't act. (Nothing changes!) He is easily smitten in this book, but I am sure after certain events we will get to see him grow up quite a lot.
There is a sweet budding romance, but I am glad it wasn't the central focus of the book. I think the characters all have a lot of growing and coming into themselves to do, and I look forward to seeing how that changes in the sequel.
Also may I just say I love that this is an ALL Black & Brown cast! 100000% want more books like this.
I love this book, PLEASE READ IT! It is such a great fantasy and I can't wait till the sequel comes out to read it!
The fantasy and magic elements are so interesting to read. Different species being confined to different areas of the city, and each of them having less and less rights as compared to the fae. The premise of a world that is so insulated and so set on teaching a certain narrative about who deserves to be in power was fantastically well done. There is a lot explored in this book, themes of prejudice, bystanders, and doing what you believe is right, no matter the cost.
Saoirse is so morally grey and such a badass. I really loved how comfortable and confident in herself. She knows how to use her powers and doesn't care what happens. I think she has the highest kill count of any other books that I have read! (In a good way bestie, I promise) Using her beauty and the male gaze to easily hunt and kill is really cathartic. Fantasy books have a way of making fmc's either really pretty and useless, or really badass and uncomfortable in their femininity. Saoirse knows what assets she has, and uses them to her advantage to manipulate, lie, and survive. Her ability to "taste" emotions is one of my favorite powers of hers. Burton excels at writing imagery so vivid it feels like you are "tasting" along with her, and I enjoy that aspect of her writing the most.
Don't go into this book expecting everything to be cut and dry. Saoirse is very morally grey teetering towards the dark sides for many of her actions. I really like how the topics of doing what is needed to protect your loved ones is explored. I feel like we often see bad guys or villains who are trying to justify their end goal, and not oftentime see that from the main character. At the end of the day she has a huge body count, and I like how her actions weren't just easily forgiven.
Hayes is such an interesting character too. He is a really good example of bystanders, and how they are just as guilty of not doing anything. I have my suspicions about where his character is going in the next book. I don't want to spoil anything, but you know what they say about people who talk big but don't act. (Nothing changes!) He is easily smitten in this book, but I am sure after certain events we will get to see him grow up quite a lot.
There is a sweet budding romance, but I am glad it wasn't the central focus of the book. I think the characters all have a lot of growing and coming into themselves to do, and I look forward to seeing how that changes in the sequel.
Also may I just say I love that this is an ALL Black & Brown cast! 100000% want more books like this.
I love this book, PLEASE READ IT! It is such a great fantasy and I can't wait till the sequel comes out to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment