I started reading this one but didn't hold my interest. I though the concept was good but I wish I could have connected with the characters more.

I love this gorgeous cover. I tried reading this several years ago and I couldn't get into it. Recently I decided to try the audio and had much better luck...at first. The first quarter or so was very interesting and kept me engaged, but things started to break down shortly after. I never really connected to Jasminda, which made reading things from her perspective difficult. She was very unsure of herself, and even at the 50% I didn't fee like I'd seen much growth from her. Still, I was invested enough to keep listening until they crossed the mantle and ended up in a more modern place. I kind of lost interest after that. I ended up DNFing it, but I may go back at some point in the future.

As a long-time reader of fantasy books that incorporate elements of magic, royalty, and fierce young women, I’ve longed for a book to thoroughly probe and expound on each of these story components while also making the main character explicitly a woman of color with whom I could strongly identify. Well, Song of Blood and Stone delivers all of this in a such a satisfying way that I am still processing the fact that I may have found a series that is as intriguing and affirming as N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance trilogy. In fact, my sense of disbelief is so profound that I’m already looking forward to my second reading of this novel just to make sure that the story exists – I breezed through the story in the matter of a day!

During my second reading, I’ll look forward to meeting each of the main characters once again. Jasminda is a young woman of mixed Elsiran (white, red-haired, non-magically-inclined people) and Lagrimari (Black, magically-inclined people) heritage who presents as a Black woman and has to deal with the aggression of her Elsiran neighbors alone after the death of her mother and disappearance of her father and twin brothers. Because her family is very unconventional in Elsiran society, they live in a secluded homestead near the Lagrimari border to avoid the racism of their countrymen. Jasminda is content enough with this arrangement…until she meets Jack. Jack is an Elsiran spy whom she saves from near death and has secrets of his own. As the story proceeds, we see how valuable these characters become to each other and just how important their roles are for the good of their region.

The plot thickens when we see just how much this fantasy world is tied to the issues we face in reality. Though the book isn’t very descriptive about the timing of this story, there are telephones, radios, and cars with no description of high or low tech these countries are, you can’t read this story without it feeling very present. For instance, one of the main conflicts within this book stems from the strong xenophobia with which the Elsirans regard the Lagrimari refugees. The Lagrimari are ruled by a strict tyrant and near deity called “True Father.” The True Father forces his constituents, regardless of age, to yield their inborn magical abilities to him then spend the rest of their lives as miners, other forms of manual labor, or in his harem. Even with knowledge of the harsh circumstances that the Lagrimari refugees flee when they migrate to Elsira, most Elsirans are willing to scapegoat the Lagrimari for the scarcity in natural resources and austerity measures they’ve had to take on due to economic strife. This is exacerbated by the false news articles and caricaturization of the prince as someone who is more concerned with providing meals for foreigners than for his own people. Sound familiar?

Matters take a turn for the worse when a soldier shoots a young, Black, Lagrimari boy who dares to walk towards food rationed for his people after the soldiers have decided they will not distribute food to foreigners ‘when it comes from their tax money.’ This scene puts an eerie, almost Luke Cage spin on the imagination exercise of Black people having superpowers and the treatment they could expect. Without powers, Black people are regarded as preternaturally dangerous, but with powers, the Lagrimari are known to mend themselves, and in this case, because the boy is surrounded by his community, they are able to heal him in time. While this moment is a clear parallel to issues faced in reality, it also sets up the true conflict between the Elsirans and Lagrimari: they each have what the other needs to survive. The irony is that while the Lagrimari actually have powers, the Elsiran lead freer lives. One hopes that the Elsiran will get over their racism and magic envy as the series goes on, but given the author’s penchant to reflect societal realities in this narrative, it’s more likely that the Lagrimari will find what works for themselves.

The thing I found most rewarding about reading Song of Blood and Stone was the fact that the author provides us with a true resolution at the end, while also leaving storylines open for what looks to be two more installments of a very interesting story. I very much look forward to reading those and the rumored dragon-related project up the author’s sleeve.

Have I ignited your curiosity? You’re in luck, there’s a 5 chapter sneak peek here. Happy plotting!

OK, first, can we just take a moment and squee over that gorgeous cover? I first read this book back when it came out with a traditional big publisher in 2018 and liked it, and I’m rereading the series in preparation for the third book. It’s interesting to revisit this book, especially knowing more than I did then. Besides the plot twists, the way the Elsirans treat the Lagrimari refugees especially hit a lot harder in 2020 than it did back in 2018. There’s apparently a new version out with expanded scenes, but I don’t have that one so can’t comment on the content.

“Most folks hate easy and love hard. Should be the other way around, I reckon.”


Jasminda is the daughter of a Lagrimari refugee and an Elsiran woman, she’s had a rough time, especially since her mother died and her father and twin brothers disappeared during a snowstorm. She runs the family goat farm in a remote valley by herself and tries to avoid the nearby village of prejudiced Elsirans. Though she lives near the border, speaks the language, and has inherited a little of her father’s magic, called Earthsong, she knows very little about the reclusive country ruled by a cruel dictator, the True Father. All this changes when she encounters a wounded Elsiran soldier on her mountain shortly before a storm, and her peaceful farm is invaded by the Lagrimari soldiers who’ve captured him. Jasminda must make the choice between keeping her family’s legacy safe or – just possibly – saving the country from another invasion…

“I am sorry I didn’t tell you,” he said, voice pitched low. “I wanted to. I should have. It’s inexcusable, I just . . .”
She longed to hear an excuse that would satisfy her and return things to the way they were. No words came.”


I liked Jasminda from the start. I especially liked how she wanted to solve her problems herself rather than rely on anyone else to help her. Jack, I think, was a little more one-dimensional, and I spent a good chunk of the book being annoyed at him for keeping his “secret” – look, anyone who’s read a freaking YA fantasy knows exactly what that secret is from the first time he appears on page – from Jasminda for so long. He honestly had no good reason for it, and the way it came out was extremely public and hurtful for her. While it’s solidly new adult (Jasminda is 19), there is a young adult feel to the book. There’s a lot of all-or-nothing characterization. Almost everyone in Elsira despises the Lagrimari. Almost everyone on Jack’s council is anti-Lagrimari and pretty much anti-Jack. The plot’s predictable, the romance is insta-love with a fairy tale quality, but there’s still something about it that drew me in.

“Hidden corridors, cloaks, and face paint. Late-night rendezvous and secret trysts. Was there no one who would bring their acquaintance with her out into the light of day?”


What intrigued me the most about the book was its focus on secrets. Jasminda’s relationship with Jack has to be kept secret for various political reasons. Even her relationship with her aunt, a Sister who works with the refugees, has to be hidden from her grandmother. She’s judged constantly based on the color of her skin and nothing else. And while on the surface it seems like Jack gets the better half of the deal, he feels smothered by the weight of the crown and the decisions that he has to make in order to keep Elsira safe, decisions that go against his own moral code. Everything that makes him Jack – the things he was sent away as a child to the army barracks to learn – need to be shut away so that he can now be the Prince Regent. There’s also secrets in relation to the Queen Who Sleeps, the somewhat mythical queen who’s worshipped by Elsirans as practically a goddess who will return when the True Father is defeated. There’s scant details about, well, anything about her, something that Jasminda discovers when the Lagrimari Keepers – rebels who use their Earthsong to fight against the True Father – give her the caldera, a stone that holds some of the Queen Who Sleeps’ memories that are apparently only accessible to Jasminda. Everything Jasminda knows about Queen Oola comes from those particular memories, though the Queen Who Sleeps also occasionally appears in dreams to her believers. The epilogue does cast these events in a new (and sinister) light.

Overall, while I wouldn’t call this groundbreaking, the world building and characters were perfectly satisfying for the start of a new series.

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I always have a hard time writing reviews for books I really enjoy and this one is no different. I loved the setting of this one because it was fantasy but also felt like an old historical setting. I liked that the magic system was easy to understand and not over complicated like some books. I also loved that my suspicions of some things were right. I just love that feeling when you wonder about a story line and Yes you were right. Initially I was unsure about the romance between the two characters but the hero won me over very quickly. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

Unfortunately I did not finish this book and so do not feel like I can write a full and proper review.

* I was provided an arc by NetGalley in exchange for a review*

Book 1 of the Earthsinger Chronicles, this story just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The biggest issue I had was the romance element in this novel as it just didn’t feel genuine to me as the reader. And unfortunately it did take away from the overall magic that the author is able to create this world out of. I also feel that some of her topics just didn’t work because they were overshadowed by my dislike for this instalove. Jasminda is a an interesting enough character, but Jack didn’t rock my boat. Sadly, I can’t say is come back to this series.

Read Nov 18

The world-building in this was fantastic and so immense! At times though all the information was a little overwhelming and I’d need to put the book down for a bit. Also, as detailed as it was bits felt like the were missing. Jasminda is an outcast due to her darker colouring and assumed to be from a different area but we’re never told why.

The Earthsinger thing is really interesting and different and I liked Jack, he was kind and noble and somewhat naïve in an adorable way. Also, hella sexy love scene! Also beware attempted rape scene earlier in the book. My main criticism is that the relationship was too happy and the main plot was rather slow, lots of waiting and travelling.

I tried reading this book but sadly I didn't make it very far while reading this book. I think that the different point of views made it a bit difficult to understand . I usually love this author's books and I hoped that this one would work out for me.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I read this book in one sitting because I could not put the book down, I highly recommend reading this book!

DNF @ ~20%

I want to be clear that I had no real complaints about this book. I know it has received a lot of great reviews. But for me this didn't stand out at all.

I wasn't engaged in the story. While I appreciated the characters and the storyline, it was all just a little blase. The world-building itself was implemented into the story very slowly. This likely added to my disinterest with the story.

I wish I had more to say about this book and why it just wasn't the one. But I don't.

1 1/2 stars

Listen, this is a "It's not the book, it's me" moment. It's not that I hated this book or had any huge issues with it. Rather, I was bored and kept going "Wait, how the hell did we get here?". I was just happy to finish this audiobook and move on. Clearly many others loved it so please take this little note on my experience with a grain of salt.

While I liked this book, it wasn't quite for me and didn't draw me into its world as I would have hoped. I didn't really understand a lot of the world building and struggled to understand what was happening at some points. This may just have been me and others may find is completely absorbing.

That being said, I enjoyed Jack's and Jasminda's characters and the relationship that developed between them.

Jasminda was strong, determined and loyal to those she loved. Faced with adversity, she stood to fight rather than just give in and take the easy way out.

Jack was caring and honorable. He believed in doing what was right and standing up for those who needed help. He did not run from a fight, but did allow himself to be steered by public opinion and to be manipulated by those close to him.

Some of the plot twists were a little hard to believe, and others were kind of predicable. I'm intrigued by what happens next, and would like to see what happens next for Jack and Jasminda,

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley and the publisher {St. Martin's Press} in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this to be a very enjoyable, if not massively original book. It tells the story of Jasminda, a young mixed race girl struggling to get by in her town when she runs into Jack, a young soldier on a quest to awaken the Sleeping Mother and save his people from the magic of the breach.

The Positives: There is a great magic system in play here and I liked the idea of connection to the elements as an Earthsinger. The mythology of the world is very interesting and the visions Jasminda experiences are well placed to reveal further information about the past, which I really appreciated. I also thought that the pacing was quite good and that the story kept my interest throughout. There was a lot of interesting discussion about refugees and belonging, which I thought was sensitively tackled in the narrative.

The negatives: I found the relationship between our protagonists a little bit rushed, which meant it didn't feel that authentic or believable. I also thought that there could have been a lot more exploration around the hostilities between the two lands. Some of the political intrigue was underdeveloped and fell a little flat. Finally, the story itself is just not that original and hits a lot of the same beats as many other fantasy tales.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A fantastic story filled with solid world-building and characters I could really connect to. Cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Books, Fantasy, Young AdultSong of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope Kristin 1 Year Ago No Comments
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E-Book Edition Releasing May 1st 2018!

5

Song of Blood and Stone Book Cover Title: Song of Blood and Stone
Series: Earthsinger Chronicles (Book 1)
Author: L. Penelope
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: May 1, 2018

"Wonderful characters, unique setting, and an engaging romance set against the backdrop of ancient magic. I can't wait to see what L. Penelope will do next."--Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A treacherous, thrilling, epic fantasy about an outcast drawn into a war between two powerful rulers.

Orphaned and alone, Jasminda lives in a land where cold whispers of invasion and war linger on the wind. Jasminda herself is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her gift of Earthsong is feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive--an injured spy who threatens to steal her heart.

Jack's mission behind enemy lines to prove that the Mantle between Elsira and Lagrimar is about to fall nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing Song of a mysterious young woman. Now he must do whatever it takes to save Elsira and its people from the True Father and he needs Jasminda's Earthsong to do it. They escape their vicious captors and together embark on a perilous journey to save Elsira and to uncover the secrets of The Queen Who Sleeps.

Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation.

The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.

"Prepare to be hooked. SONG OF BLOOD AND STONE is brimming with captivating lore, unique magic, and plot-turns you never saw coming. L. Penelope has written your next fantasy obsession." --Elise Kova, USA Today bestselling author of The Loom Saga



Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope is the first edition in the Earthsinger Chronicles. Earthsingers are people who have a magical ability called Earthsong. It is as natural to them as air, and connects them to nature. They are non-confrontational people but can utilize the elements of earth as defense in battle. Those born with Earthsong are scorned by people who are born without.

Jasminda was the strongest of them all, even if her Earthsong was the weakest.
Song of Blood and StoneDespite being hardly tolerated in Elsira, Jasminda manages to keep her chin held high while living alone on her family property. Her father was an Earthsinger from Lagrimar but stayed in Elsira to be with her mother. Her parents were not well liked in their town because of their interracial relationship. For choosing to marry an Earthsinger, Jasminda’s mother was disowned from her Elsirian family.

Lagrimarians are not trusted, are believed to be inferior, and are often referred to as the slur “grol”. L. Penelope has presented a different concept for representing bias and the hardships people endure for having a quality that is naturally inherent to them. Earthsong is the cause of discrimination while the color of their skin is only an outward indicator of the ability.

Jack, an Elsirian soldier and therefore not an Earthsinger, is our leading man carrying a few secrets. He is caught spying on Lagrimarian soldiers and beaten nearly to death. It is when his captors commandeer Jasminda’s cabin that she and Jack are thrown together in a fight for survival. They are a formidable pair, each saving the other time and time again. Just when they think they can find happiness with each other, they arrive at Elsira’s Capital where less than a handful of people are kind to Jasminda.

Her appearance attracts gossip and rudely open stares.
Jasminda receives little kindness and virtually no respect while in Elsira’s Capital. Internally she feels the pain of being judged, yet outwardly she is the picture of confidence. She is a stronger heroine than most. Her internal struggle with the cruelty of others is honest and how most of us feel when we are misjudged. How she reacts reflects a deep will not to succumb to the prejudice of others. She manages to continue putting the well being of others before her own, desperate to figure out why The Queen Who Sleeps is sending her visions in her dreams.

Despite the personal cost to her own happiness, Jasminda is determined to find a way to wake The Queen and stop The True Father from taking overQueen of Elsira - Earthsong the lands and stealing Earthsong from all Lagrimarians. She finds new friends among the Lagrimarian refugees who have managed to hide from The True Father and retain their Earthsongs. Not all of them trust her, but they recognize that she has been chosen by The Queen.

Song of Blood and Stone touches on another sensitive subject, the treatment of refugees. There is dangerous tension and mistrust among refugees and soldiers. They’re rejected by the community and thought of as less than. This isn’t the key story line but it does easily apply to our very real climate.

There might be some predictability in the love story, but I was not expecting the amount of feelings I would experience in this book. I was entranced by the magic of Earthsong, and impressed at the resilience of a young woman in the face of adversity.

Song of Blood and Stone is much more than a young fantasy story, it is an experience that all book readers need to endure.

Song of Blood & Stone has had something of a confusing publishing trajectory. If you're new to the series, here's a quick rundown before my review. L. Penelope self-published Song of Blood & Stone in 2015, then the book was picked up by St. Martin's Press and reissued in May 2018. Now there's an extended version coming out in paperback July 2019.  The second book was also self-published and is due to come out in October from the same publisher. There's also a prequel novella out as of January. Got all that?


This review is of the first traditionally published version of this book, read on audio. Not the self-pubbed or the new extended version.


***


Song of Blood & Stone is a timeless and timely fantasy romance filled with politics and violence and magic. The politics and worldbuilding are complicated, so this review will cover but a tiny portion of it. Jasminda's parents had something of a forbidden romance, her father from Elsira and her mother from Lagamiri, two nations that have been at war for centuries. Lagamiri, the kingdom with magic (Earthsong), has been ruled all this time by the True Father, a tyrant who steals the songs of his people in order to subjugate them and keep himself powerful and alive. Elsira is a monarchy, kept "safe" by armies and by a magical wall that keeps Lagamiri from invading. The wall is coming down, and everything is spun into chaos.


 With the magical wall coming down, hundreds of refugees are crossing the boundary from Lagamiri into Elsira. Not unlike current refugee crises around our world, the white Elsirans want to expel the black Lagamiran refugees. Elsira is supposedly not run by a tyrant, but its people claim jobs and housing and "dangerous magic" as the reasons they don't want the refugees. They even make an agreement with the True Father to send back the refugees (who will be killed) in exchange for Lagamiri to not invade. It all sounds so very familiar.


As for the romance, the book begins with Jack held captive by soldiers who decide that Jasminda's isolated cottage is the perfect place to stay for a few days. (Content Warning for attempted sexual assault on both Jack and Jasminda, plus actual physical assault and a close-call escape. The beginning of the book may be difficult for some readers.) Eventually they escape and set out to save the world, as you do. Their relationship builds gradually and is complicated by issues of race, class, and duty. They do get that HEA, but it's an interesting journey to get there, and I did wonder how they'd make it work.


(You may also be interested to know that there's an aunt in a long-term lesbian romance.)


Overall, this is a solid read for fans of fantasy romance. It's thought-provoking and immersive and I look forward to the second, which follows a different couple. My only complaint is that the ending was a bit abrupt, but I suspect that the new extended edition fixes that.





If you're a librarian reading this, I strongly suggest bringing these titles in now that they'll be in trade paperback. (Look at those covers!)





Content Warnings: war, death, murder, attempted sexual assault, children in peril, racism, xenophobia

I really wanted to like this one--and at first, I did. But then, about halfway through, we start slipping into...how can I put this nicely...smut. At first just a few lines here and there. Then, suddenly, a whole chapter of it. And ick. There is just no need for that. It wasn't even well-written smut. So, I chose to stop reading, because I don't need to put smut into my brain. It's sad, because the world-building was decent and the characters were interesting...but when you take that and dissolve it into petty sex and pouty teenage angst, it rather steals the luster.

This was such a fantastic read and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves the fantasy genre. I absolutely loved the main character Jasminda and I felt that her character development throughout this story was phenomenal. The plot dragged slightly at time, which can sometimes happen when a book is part of a series. Overall, I highly recommend this book!.

Jasminda an orphaned girl living in a land that has whispers of invasion and war . She is an outcast from her homeland of Elsira because she has the gift of Earthsong . When the soldiers take over her cabin she is captivated by a young man who she heals . She and Jack are thrust into a fight for the land and to stop an evil force that's is trying to take over . Will they be able to save the nations and come out the other side with their hearts intact .
I truly liked the two main characters , they were written so well and they are complex . Jasminda is an outcast but you see her strength and character . She is tough but also sensitive . She just wants to be left alone in her cabin . She thinks that no one would want her because of her gift . As you read you really watch her grow and become a kick butt character . Jack is a soldier and a prince and a man of honor . He helps brings Jasminda into force to be reckoned with . He is smitten with Jasminda but deep down I think he knows that duty might rip him away from her . There are a lot of supporting characters that help and hinder the main characters on their journey to end the wars .
I sat down and started reading this book . I was blown away on how beautifully written it was .. The author takes us on an emotional journey where duty and love collide . The characters will take your breath away they are complex and well written . You will fall in love with Jasminda and Jack and cry and cheer with them . There is a mystery and romance through out this book . But I did feel that there were parts of the book that did drag a bit . I felt the last bit of the book could of had more fighting and a bit more action to bring the ending to a resolve . Over all I did love the book and would recommend it for your summer reading list . So check it out .