This book was gorgeous! I have so many good things to say about this book and author! To start with, I must say I've been having poor luck with so many books and writing styles being lackluster and just blah, and didn't expect to like this book; however, once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. The story, the mystery, the characters, all were so subtly strong and beautiful. I didn't want the book to end. The author does a masterful job of keeping you so involved and interested in the plot yet doesn't bore you with too many unnecessary details. It was gorgeous from beginning to end. The sweet romantic story line was beautiful, the characters were strong and easily loved. I loved how it was a sequel in a way, yet a totally fresh and new book in another way. Reading the first book would enhance your understanding of the worlds and some of the side characters, but not necessary.
Plus, the author didn't do a recap from the first book, which I LOVED! The author just jumped into this book and took the reader on an incredible adventure! I have to mention that this was a beautiful love story, not forced or drama, just gorgeously done. I could gush about this book all day, it was so enjoyable! Reyna was a wonderful main character, she was strong yet feminine and fierce. Not only was she an amazing character, but her friendships were beautiful and trusting, her grief was sensitive and touching. Levi was wonderful and strong yet sensitive and kind. This book has everything from action and adventure, mystery and a love story, to pirates and magic. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

A quick easy read, but still an engaging story. I liked many of the charters and the world building. I enjoy books with strong female leads, and will happily be recommending this one for YA readers who enjoy fantasy. I also appreciated that while it was the second in a series it could easily be a stand alone novel.

This book is a far ways out and I will be reviewing it more fully when we are closer, but just a few things:

1) I loved ISLE OF BLOOD AND STONE and so was very excited to see a sequel. I was even more excited to find that it's a companion. I'm all about companion series.

2) I loved Reyna in the first book and I enjoyed reading more of her life. It is so much fun to see how she's grown up. This girl is talented and clever and knows what she wants. I was rooting for her to become a Master Explorer.

3) I loved seeing glimpses the past characters, and also the characters Reyna meets in this book. Especially Levi! I love that name and I loved this prince and their gentle romance.

4) So much action and exploration - I loved seeing more of this world! And lots of secrets to uncover throughout it. I loved traveling with Reyna and Levi, and the ways they have to work together.

5) I would not consider myself to qualify to be a sensitivity reader, but I did get a little worried about some of the themes in this story to that regard. I know there is diversity in these nations from the first book, but it seemed a lot like a white nation discovering a backwards Asian nation and coming in to save the day and pull them out of darkness. The whole plot about the buried soldiers was fascinating and seemed taken from Chinese/Japanese/North Korean cultures, Very cool, and scary concept! But I got a little worried about how the closed off and brutal "foreign" nation was portrayed here, especially in opposition to the enlightened and open Caucasian sounding nations. Again, I wouldn't claim to be a sensitivity reader. But I would recommend another round of early reading in that regard, before the book is published.

This was a quick, easy read. I chose it because it sounded interesting, with a YA Fantasy theme. The story involved a strong young woman who knew what she wanted in her life and did what was necessary to achieve her goals. In training to be a master navigator, Reyna is serious about her studies and apprenticeships. After pirates attack her ship and she narrowly escapes, she encounters the young prince of a rival kingdom. Upon returning home she finds people she loves are in danger from the same pirates and must team up with the prince in a harrowing adventure to try to rescue her loved ones, with the fate of all of their countries in the balance.
While this book was full of lush descriptions of various countries and geographical locations, this story still felt as though it could have used more depth. I did like the character of Reyna as well as her prince and the secondary characters, I don't feel as though much character development went on. The plot, while exciting, just didn't seem as rich as it could have. There was romance, but it definitely was not one of the highlights of the book.
I did like the fact that this was the second installment of a series, but I did not feel as though I was missing out on any backstory or world-building. This could be a stand-alone book.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, quick read. The book could have used more depth and character development, but for someone who enjoys strong heroines, adventure, geography, and YA Fantasy, this would be an enjoyable, fast read.

“Song of the Abyss” by Makiia Lucier has traits of a classic YA story that’s heavy on adventure and mystery and light on the romance. I loved it! The story is fast-based with a great cast of characters. Reyna is a seventeen-year-old explorer who has to flee her ship for safety. Her adventure includes mythical creatures like sea monsters and harpies, a foreign prince who captains his own ships, mischievous best friends, and a conclusion that I did not see coming! This was a fantastic book that can be read as a stand-alone. If you have read the first book in the series, you’ll get to hear from some favorite characters from the first book.

I would recommend this book to readers of sea-faring adventure, young adult books, and anyone who enjoys a fun story!

I absolutely loved Isle of Blood and Stone and was looking forward to this one! (They are both stand alones, so you don't need to read one before the other, just fyi) The characters have this epic adventure and this is a must have! I can't wait to get a hardback copy of this soon! A definite MUST HAVE! Great story, great characters! HIGHLY recommend!

It’s a fun surprise when I try something from a genre that isn’t my usual choice and it’s a really good one! Reyna is my favorite kind of lead character - a strong, no-nonsense female who isn’t one of those wimpy boy crazy dimwits found in some young adult books. She is someone who young girls can look up to and learn from. This book has it all! Adventure, fun relationships, and an action packed plot that will have you losing sleep when you stay up way too late to finish it (like me last night). Very well written!

Initial post reading thoughts:
Absolutely stunning and mesmerizing 😍

Review:
I was super lucky to win a giveaway for Song of The Abyss back in November and an eGalley prior and I was going to wait longer to start it because this book does not come out until August. But the cover kept looking at me and I was looking at it and I caved. Release date is still a while off BUT I loved Song of the Abyss to much to not talk about it now.

○The action starts from page one and doesn't slow down for a moment. Each page furthered the plot and sucked me deeper into the story.

○Lucier created a cast of really likable characters. Obviously I didn't like the villain in the story, but I loved the connections each character had with each other and how in their own little sense were a family.

○It took me all of about two pages to fall in love with Levi, the prince of Lunes. He is super dreamy and moody and amazing.

○Though Song of the Abyss can be read as a stand alone it is a part of the Tower of Wind series and its companion novel Isle of Blood and Stone follows the story of Ulises and Elias who do play a large role in this book as well. It isn't required but I am sure it does clear some of their back story up.

○The last fifty pages over the novel were a complete page turner. The whole villain, what they were doing and the whole cultural part of the story really interested me. It was something really different and refreshing.

○Song of the Abyss was absolutely both stunning and mesmerizing!

Be sure to check back closer to August for my full review of Song of the Abyss, I promise this is one fantasy novel you are not going to want to miss in 2019!