This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our library collection and recommended it to students.

~Thank you NetGalley and Tor Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!~

*This is a spoiler-free review, so you can read it even if you haven’t read the book yet!*

"I'm never gonna be okay with people trying to erase the rest of who I am. Never again."

My Rating: 4 stars

Note: The first thing I feel like I should mention is that somehow I didn’t realize this was a sequel when I requested the ARC and I thought it was a standalone. And then I checked Goodreads, and I rushed the finish the first book, so I could read and review this one. I think it was partly because even though this cover is gorgeous it has really different vibes than the first one. It says this could be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the first book before reading this one because otherwise, this book would be really confusing and hard to understand.

Characters: I really and thoroughly despised Naema for the way she wrecked Tavia’s and Effie’s lives in the previous book so I was skeptical about whether or not I would be able to connect to her character, but I was pleasantly surprised. At first, it was really annoying since she didn’t seem to regret what she did even one bit, and she thought she was doing everyone a favor, but her character change by the end of the book made it worth it.

Plot and Message: This book was mostly about Naema’s journey and the aftermath of what happened at the end of A Song Below Water. Throughout the book, her struggle with understanding who she is and telling her story was portrayed well. I did feel like this book wasn’t as exciting external plot-wise since there wasn’t as much danger or action, but it still had a very powerful meaning.

Though this wasn’t as fun of a read as the first book, I’d recommend it to anyone who read and enjoyed A Song Below Water!

DNF at 31%

I read and enjoyed A Song Below Water and was really excited to read A Chorus Rises however I just can’t push myself to read any further due to:

1. The heavy handed writing with so much rehashing of what happened in the first book. Unfortunately it’s done in a really poor way where there’s a lot of information given, but would be confusing for those who haven’t first read A Song Below Water.

2. Naema’s character. I’m all for a redemption arc but Naema is incredibly self-centred and unlikeable which is unenjoyable to read.

Being Eloko had always been amazing, people worship you and treat you like a goddess. But when Naema comes out of the stone her perspective has changed and so have her Eloko abilities. A trip to see family reminds her of who is she, and all those in her family, and when homegrown terrorists seem determined to take down Sirens she calls on family, blood and chosen, to help her right the wrongs. I loved the first book in this series and this book picks up the tale flawlessly, I can’t wait to see if there are more to come.

I didn't know there was a previous book before this, so I was kinda confused about some details. It says it could be read as a standalone, but I was overall frustrated at my confusion. Gorgeous cover, but could work on pacing.

I didn't realize this was the sequel to a previous book; I read about 10% and obviously knew a dramatic incident had occurred in the recent past, but thought I could read it anyway. I can't, because I'm missing all of the magical setup and the rules (even with some explanations)! I really want to read the first before this one, so I will look for it. Beautiful cover, though!

(Should be an "N/A" rating but judging based on how I think I would like it.)

I received this ARC from NetGalley & Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book. I think it's a good companion to A Song Below Water, but it can be read as a stand-a-lone. I didn't feel as connected to the characters in this one but I still liked all the little bits of "magic".

Thanks for this ARC!

2.5 stars

The Chorus Rises is a companion novel that could be read as a standalone. However, it did not feel like that at all. When I started this book, I had absolutely no idea what was happening-- the terms confused me, I didn't fully understand the powers any of the creatures mentioned had, or the network that they kept referring to. And by the end of the book, I still wouldn't be able to explain fully what the magic was. I understand that my reading experience was completely hindered by the fact that I did not read the first book, so perhaps it will be different for those who have read it. Furthermore, I did not really love the main character. For a good half of the book I felt like she was too self-centered and ignorant of everyone else around her. I also felt that her friends and her boyfriend weren't even really genuinely good to her and I found them to be annoying at times. The only characters that I really liked were the ones from her family, especially her cousin, Courtney, who was such a delight to read. His interactions with Naema were always so entertaining, and I love that fact that they were able to form a tighter bond by the end of the book. That being said, I did like the development that Naema goes through by the end of the novel.

What I appreciate about this book though was how it was able to tackle important topics in such a unique way. I really love the fact that the themes were consistent throughout the book-- the way it talks about how women can not like each other without it becoming an anti-feminist statement and how the prejudices against black people was such a prominent discussion throughout the book were done well.

Personally, I did not really enjoy this book but as I've stated above, it was mainly because I couldn't really grasp the fantasy elements in it. Nonetheless, I didn't really hate it because there were still aspects that I really liked about it.

"I'm never gonna be okay with people trying to erase the rest of who I am. Never again."

Naema Bradshaw is THE Eloko and THE girl to be in Portland. That is, until she is outted as being the person who exposed and bullied a siren. Social media cancels her, her fans cancel her, her friends don't get her anymore, and her boyfriend is acting weird. So Naema escapes to her roots in the Southwest to get away from the drama and learn more about herself and her magic. During this escape she finds a subset of fans who have remained loyal and are ready to fight tooth-and-nail for her. But when those loyal few turn their crusade to targeting Black girls and women, under the guise that they are sirens, Naema needs to put aside her differences and learn how to use her magic to protect herself and others.

I 100% recommend reading A Song Below Water before you read this. I know in some areas that this has been advertised as being in the same world, but not necessarily connected and you can get away with just reading this but I would not agree with that. This and the first novel are 100% connected and if you want the full story you will need to read it. Otherwise things get confusing.

My rating for this is 3.5 stars. This story really shows that there is ALWAYS two-sides to every story. The story, the messages, most of the characters, and the ending are all actually a 4 star in my mind. But, unfortunately, Naema is soooooooooooooooooo hard to like at the start that I can't give this a full 4. It took me over 75% of the book to actually end up feeling for her. She was so opposed to developing herself and realizing she is part of the problem for the first three-quarters of the book that I almost didn't finish it. She resisted change so hard and had a "poor me, no one understands that I need my fame and followers to live" and goes as far to say she can't help it that she has come to live off the "status they gave her"; I was so ready to hate her throughout the whole story.
Thankfully, she does develop, change, grow, and realize her misgivings. By the end of the story I felt like I had grown with her. She went from being all about herself to the slow realization that she is lucky to be Eloko and be able to be "protected" from the racism that sirens get by being so. Naema really becomes a hero by the end and I am so thankful for that. I just wish there were shimmers of the person she is by the end throughout the beginning so I didn't want to DNF this book so bad. I wish that there was more time for Naema's redemption because it was EXTREMELY NEEDED.
The underlying message of this book that it's all fun and games while you're famous until you get outed as being a 'not-so-great' person and have to re-evaluate what is actually important in life is too true. We see it time and time again, but even less now. We see 'woke' celebrities get away with things all the time, which is an awful message.
All in all, the story was great; with so many important messages involving race and discrimination. I like to consider it The Hate U Give with a bit of fantasy on top.

As a pair, A Song Below Water and A Chorus Rises are amazing. If I were to recommend this I would say to read both one right after another, so you get the full picture.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. These are my own opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I was really trying to be open minded going into this because there’s two sides to every story. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Naema’s side, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her, her family and what it’s like to truly be Eloko. I enjoyed getting to see her side, why she was so upset and her motives behind her actions from A Song Below Water.

The idea of the Eloko’s and their powers and the ancestors. The idea of how they influence Naema was a really cool addition and I truly loved it! I also loved seeing her grow and decide to be whomever she wanted to be. Her entire arc was entirely well crafted and very well done.

I have to say my only downfall, which truly wasn’t a downfall, was that it wasn’t really what I originally expected. But, I enjoyed the way it unfolded and didn’t end up minding that it was actually focused on the fantastical elements, but on standing up for yourself, who you are and those who need it. I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in this series & highly recommend it!

This book was not what I was expecting. I didn't know it was part of a series, which I wish was a little more obvious. But, luckily enough, I have the first one! So I was able to catch up.

I think this book was well written and I really like the idea. I loveee anything to do with mermaids or sirens, so I would definitely recommend this book if you're into anything like that.

This book kind of fell short with the pacing, however. I was honestly a little confused throughout. And I was really trying to pay attention, but I was still left with a lot of questions. I think this book is meant to be read as a standalone, but it was honestly still confusing even if you do read the first one.

I loved the way that this author is able to include issues of race and gender into a fantasy setting. I think fantasy books are a wonderful way of exploring issues within our own world, and I think this book did a great job of doing that.

Also, that cover is absolutely gorgeous!

This book was received as an ARC from Macmillan Tor/Forge-Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

If this book is not a reality check, I don’t know what is. You are famous on social media part of this elite group and all of a sudden one of your deepest darkest secrets gets revealed and your image gets tainted and the public no longer perceives you as valuable, your world changes and leaves you drained out. Bethany C Morrow through this book reminds us what is important in life and as long as you believe in yourself and you know you deserve what you want. Discovering who you are and embracing who you are no matter what anyone else says is the greatest gift anyone can ever receive and Neema surely eventually discovers that through her journey. We need a positive, uplifting YA book and I am so happy I found it in A Chorus Rises.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

The cover for this book is absolutely beautiful. I wanted to be excited about this story but I just couldn’t get into it. It could be due to me not reading the first result of the series so I will give it a neutral rating.

A Chorus Rises tells the tale of Naema, Influencer, Star and Eloko - a powerful woman gifted with a voice that can woo anyone who hears her songs. She is on a journey that begins as visiting her family to hide away from being framed for exposing anothers secret powers. but turns out to be so much more. In the last year since A Song Below Water, things have changed drastically for Naema and she needs to learn about herself, and her newfound abilites to get through this.

While it helps to read the predecessor to this book, you can easily pick this up and find yourself engrossed in the beautifully vivid world that Morrow has created. Magical realism is not an easy feat - but this story feels like a vibrant dream that is far too easy to read all in one sitting.

Throughout this book, we watch Naema grow and change as from the character we once knew and it's impossible to not love her despite her bristly exterior.

Alongside the stunning storytelling, Morrow also continues to explore and dissect personal identities, race, and social issues - weaving fantasy into reality seamlessly into something truly magical.

DNF at ~30% :(. I liked A Song Below Water and I was excited for this companion, but I was super confused by what I was able to get through. maybe I will pick it back up in the future but disappointed for now.

~ received as an ARC from NetGalley ~

2.5.5 stars.

I know this says it could be a standalone, but there were so many things I didn't understand in the book. I would definitely recommend reading #1 of her world...even though this was supposed to be read even if you didn't read the other one.

To be honest, I don't know what I really liked about the writing or the plot. Naema's growth is minimal and rushed at the end with apologetic rhetoric that still puts her at the center of attention.

I did like the ancestral connections within the text, and the focus on black women and the prejudice in society.

I'm not sure if my review is biased because I didn't read the other book in this "world" but much of the magic and world building was lost on me. Why are there sirens and gorgons? What type of magic is being used? There are so many things that still need explained for this to function as a standalone novel.

The cover is beautiful though....

A Chorus Rises follows Naema Bradshaw and the events that follow Bethany Morrow's A Song Below Water.

Naema is an Eloko, who has seemingly had a perfect life until the Awakening. Needing to get away, Naema leaves Portland to go South and visit her family for the first time. She discovers more of herself and her powers.

I will say that Morrow did an excellent job in making Naema a character that would need redemption. She was not likeable in A Song Below Water, however getting to know her in A Chorus Rises helps readers understand her. A Chorus Rises follows Naema's internal struggle to reclaim herself.

I thought that Morrow did an excellent job of exploring the intersectionality that race can play in today's world. I appreciated that race issues were integral to the plot and the character development, just as in A Song Below Water. Magic and race are their own separate identities in this series and it's something I appreciate.

If you enjoyed A Song Below Water then you'll enjoy A Chorus Rises and the exploration of intersectionality.

Morrow does a brilliant job including current events and activism in a mythical low fantasy that is well thought out. The background for the characters is interesting and their character arcs are believable and genuine

A Chorus Rises, the sequel to Bethany C. Morrow's A Song Below Water, tells the story of Naema, an Eloko who up until now has had a pretty perfect life. In the year since the events of A Song Below Water, however, things have not gone as well for Naema. Needing to get away from Portland, Naema goes to visit family for the first time, and discovers new abilities she never knew she had.

Naema is not the most sympathetic character in A Song Below Water, and A Chorus Rises does an excellent job of making her extremely relatable while not undermining any of the characteristics that define her. The novel also introduces some truly wonderful new characters, such as Naema's cousin Courtney, while providing further depth to characters only mentioned in passing in A Song Below Water.

A Chorus Rises is much more internal than A Song Below Water -- much of the novel's action takes place within Naema's thoughts. It is a smaller novel overall by page count as well as in its scope -- the stakes feel lower, the tension not running at high.

Morrow continues to explore intersectionality with great success, managing to avoid using magic as a metaphor for race, a trope fantasy novels too often fall into, by having the race issues integral to the plot and character development. This is not a world where magic exists instead of race -- it is a world where magic is yet another identity that has to be taken into consideration right alongside race.

The ending of A Chorus Rises falls a little flat, but overall the book is a fantastic continuation of this world and this story, and anyone who liked A Song Below Water is sure to enjoy A Chorus Rises.

Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for the ARC!

Firstly, that cover is so beautiful 😍 I loved this, just as good as a song below water. I loved the characters and would definitely recommend this book!