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A review by notteson
We Are the Song by Catherine Bakewell
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