Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by ThoughtsStained
Song of Blood and Stone was my first Leslye Penelope novel, but it absolutely won’t be my last. (As you can see, since I’ve since read The Monsters We Defy and purchased Savage City.) This is romantic fantasy at its finest.
Book Info
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press | Release Date: July 2019 | Pages: 528
Age Range: Adult | Genre: Fantasy | Format: Paperback | Source: Bought
The kingdoms of Elsira and Lagrimar have been separated for centuries by the Mantle, a magical veil that has enforced a tremulous peace between the two lands. But now, the Mantle is cracking and the True Father, ruler of Lagrimar and the most powerful Earthsinger in the world, finally sees a way into Elsira to seize power.
All Jasminda ever wanted was to live quietly on her farm, away from the prying eyes of those in the nearby town. Branded an outcast by the color of her skin and her gift of Earthsong, she’s been shunned all her life and has learned to steer clear from the townsfolk…until a group of Lagrimari soldiers wander into her valley with an Elsiran spy, believing they are still in Lagrimar.
Through Jack, the spy, Jasminda learns that the Mantle is weakening, allowing people to slip through without notice. And even more troubling: Lagrimar is mobilizing, and if no one finds a way to restore the Mantle, it might be too late for Elsira. Their only hope lies in uncovering the secrets of the Queen Who Sleeps and Jasminda’s Earthsong is the key to unravel them.
Thrust into a hostile society and a world she doesn’t know, Jasminda and Jack race to unveil an ancient mystery that might offer salvation.
On the Page
Referenced
Minor
Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.
Review
Likes
- Very Strong Worldbuilding: Absolutely loved the worldbuilding in this. It sprinkles the worldbuilding throughout, rather than info-dumping. (Which my current WIP is doing. Oops.) So not only was it an enjoyable story, but it was also really informative for me as a writer!
- Romance: I actually (perhaps foolishly) didn’t realize how much romance there would be in this book. So I was oh so pleasantly and happily surprised when that element was woven in–and very well written, too!
- Reading the Expanded Edition: I am so thankful that Penelope decided to add more to this novel, because I think it takes the novel to an entire different level. (Of course, I’m making that claim without having read the first edition. But, just trying to picture this story without Ella and Benn’s layers and threads is….really hard to do.)
Dislikes
- Modern elements a surprise: To be honest, I didn’t expect the modern elements. It was a bit jarring at first, but once I got used to it, I was fine!
Rating
Overall, I quite enjoyed reading Song of Blood and Bone. I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships and the way the worldbuilding was handled. I loved this blend of fantasy society and some of the more modern-day elements that we are familiar with, like phones and cars. (Despite that very thing catching me off-guard, at first.) It was also really cool to read a book that helped teach me the element of craft I am currently tackling in my own revisions. So that made this book just extra special for me.
Definitely recommend and will most certainly be continuing this series!!
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