Xue, a talented young musician, is orphaned and lost her connection to a life outside her indenture contract. She is called to perform for Duke Meng, who offers her a year of residence at his manor.

However, the Duke's motives become suspect after an attack by a monster. She learns that the Six Realms are on the brink of disaster and that demonic beasts are increasing.

The Duke needs Xue's help to unlock memories from her past to stop the impending war, but she must also survive being the target of every monster and deity in the Six Realms.

Top 5 reasons to read this book:

~ The world created is amazing, fascinating, vibrant and vivid. It paints a stunning picture with the level of detail the author writes in.

~ The emotions were in a portrayed manner that left you feeling so much.

~ It has a flowery writing and vibe. Some words and lines were so beautiful.

~ The characters are mysterious and intriguing with Xue being courageous and brilliant.

~ This has mythological elements with poetry, music, gothic touch and mystery all woven together nicely.

I recommend this book to everyone.

The nebulous settings kind of gave this story an "ungrounding" effect, which made it difficult to picture and follow in many places. The romance wasn't nearly as present as many of the descriptions I've read about this book made it seem, but that was honestly okay because there wasn't much connection between the two main characters beyond the circumstances that bring them together.

Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and reflective in a way that I wasn't expecting.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

I revisited Song of the Six Realms when I got it in a special edition book box. It’s a beautiful blending of music and fantasy and I think Judy I. Lin did a really great job in using music as a form of magic.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I greatly enjoyed this and it was a perfect magical mood read.

Very beautiful. I loved the incorporation of music into the plot, but it just fell a bit flat for me.

I had to force myself to finish this.

Lin is not lacking in ideas, but the writing is BORING, inconsistent, and dare I say it: childish. I wish I had DNF'd.

I absolutely loved the Song of Six Realms. I wish I could read it over again. I’m just so obsessed with Judy I. Lin’s writing because it has a lyrical quality that speaks to me. I felt that way about The Book of Tea duology as well.

So this book reminded me of many things. I feel like I could do book pairings with dramas and video games. Ha ha. I felt a little Love between Fairy and Devil but it also reminded me a bit of the Sword and Fairy videogame.

I really liked the plot and that it combines music with magic. Which I feel like a lot of people feel magic when they hear certain songs.

So I adored the way the book ended. It sounds weird to say but an ending that has me thinking about my feelings always is a win for me.

I am such a fan of Lin's work and this book really fascinates me. It's a quiet novel - there is action, but so much of what happens is reflective/introspective and I have found I enjoy that very much. I think some might be willing to call this book boring, but I enjoyed it's slower pace because the writing is very beautiful and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. Xue is just so interesting and I love all the passages that describe her playing music. Lin is very talented at describing music and Xue's thoughts on music really struck a chord (ha!) with me. I found these moments in the novel to be very beautiful and contributed to my enjoyment of reading it.

The monsters in this novel are very unique - I found it very difficult to picture them, which is a small detractor, but the central conflict of the story is compelling and I did find myself curious to see how things would unfold as the story went on. I think Lin is a very good storyteller because she comes up with very imaginative and captivating stories. I was a little disappointed with how this particular story ends, but it's an understandable ending. This is more a personal grievance.

On a side note, I did enjoy her choice to create an asexual character. I particularly enjoyed the romance in this story not only because of this but because it was very quiet and well-developed. I appreciated it's difference amongst the many ya novels I've read where the romance is more in-your-face and perhaps not as well landed because the characters are not developed enough nor their relationship.

I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers who enjoy lush, beautiful settings and a slower-paced story.

In the best way possible, Song of the Six Realms truly scratched that C-drama xianxia itch in my brain. Brimming with lush worldbuilding and a gentle romance, this book checked all the boxes for me. I do think Judy I Lin took a risk with this book—Song may not be for everyone/the general YA reader due to its deliberate pacing and occasionally ambiguous moments (final resolution included)—but in my opinion, it absolutely paid off.

I’ve always found Lin’s characterization on the weaker side, and while this isn’t to say the characters were all flat, I think the prose, worldbuilding, and mythology definitely carried this book. Xue and the Duke’s romance was natural and well-developed, and while they didn’t have sparkling chemistry that flew off the page, I really appreciated the subtleties and small moments of their affection. I found the small cast of side characters all interesting (though a bit trope-y, but is it a xianxia without some familiar tropes?), though I think Lin does well to keep the (gothic) narrative focus on Xue. Like most xianxia dramas, the story is also binary, with the first half dedicated to worldbuilding and romance while the second half is a trial-esque series meant to help the characters prove the strength of their love. Again, this type of story probably won’t win over a general reader who’s used to a more straightforward narrative characteristic of most Western/English fiction, but I really liked that Lin remained fully committed to the xianxia genre. Similarly, the ending is intentionally open with just the right amount of closure and hope for a future “happier” ending. This worked for me personally, but I know some readers will want a more definitive ending.

Song of the Six Realms is an admirable challenge to Western genre categorization. Though borrowing elements of mythological retelling, fantasy, romance, gothic, and mystery genres, Song successfully blends them into a gorgeous homage of all my favorite xianxia C-dramas. Lin’s attention to detail, from food to poetry to mythology, is especially admirable and really enhanced the novel’s immersiveness. Though not for every reader, fans of xianxia, mythology, and lush slow-burn romance-mysteries will find much to love.

4.5/5 stars
Thank you to Fierce Reads for the e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read this as both an ebook and an audiobook and the audio version definitely helped me get invested in the story. The plot was a lot more fleshed out and compelling compared to Lin's debut duology and the world-building was more developed as well. The ending lowkey wrecked me and almost makes me wish this was also a duology

I just simply adored this book. The writing and world building felt so whimsical. I felt like I could see the story playing out in front of my eyes. The magic system was easy to follow and I loved the asian mythology. Every story I read from Judy I Lin just sucks me right in. THe romance takes a back seat which I didn't mind. I enjoyed the more story driven plot. After Xue lost he Uncle, she thought she would be tied to the House of Flowering Water forever until Duke Meng comes along and promises to set her free after a year of service. I felt a lot of the reveals pretty early on but still enjoyed the story. The way this ended has me wanting an extended chapter with my two favs reunited on page. I will continue to read anything else Judy I lin. has to offer!

3 stars

A fresh YA fantasy that stumbles occasionally but has a rich soul. This novel feels like Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, but with a Chinese setting, celestial beings, and a musical leitmotif. If you’re looking for a YA gothic romance, this is the book for you!

I loved the historical setting, especially the richness of Xue’s knowledge of and love for qin music and its accompanying poetry. In fact, I loved the historical setting so much that I found myself less invested when Xue is taken from her apprentice-house to the Celestial Realm, which felt less grounded (no pun intended) and interesting by comparison. I also found the timeline a little vague in the Celestial Realm and its history, which perhaps contributed to my ambivalence about it.

I enjoyed the various side characters, including some really well done queer rep that fit well into the story. However, I didn’t feel much chemistry between our two main characters, Xue and Duke Meng, and so their romance was one of the weaker parts of the book for me.

The climax crescendoed in a way that felt more appropriate to an anime battle than a gothic romance, even considering the way the gothic has historically been intertwined with melodrama; there is likely an element of Chinese/East Asian storytelling traditions here that I am failing to appreciate due to my limited reading of non-Western-based or -inspired literature, which isn’t the book’s fault. It’s a charming narrative and worth a read if you enjoy YA fantasy.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

What a beautiful fantasy story. Judy Lin does it again taking a simple object and infusing it with magic to tell a wonderful story. It takes a minute to understand what the story is going to be about but it doesn't take long to appreciate the beautiful story telling. And that's exactly what this book did. I was absorbed into this wonderful story and the characters within it. As the story unfolds, it really builds. I enjoyed the mystery behind the memory stones and how everything was connected. The writing itself is lyrical which is perfect for the musical setting of the plot. While this is more of a lyrical written book, it can be slow so be prepared to push through these parts!

Xue was such a great main character. Raised by her Uncle but left at an entertainment house really helped develop her character. It was easy to see the influence her Uncle had on her but the raising in the house. Her beautiful music playing is destined and her place within the realms but sometimes I felt like her personality was a little too strong in some instances. However, I still really enjoyed her point of view.

Overall, Song of the Six Realms by Judy I Lin was a beautifully told story. The lyrical way of writing can lead to some parts being slow but it fits the story itself. Lin has a way of taking ordinary items and blending them into the magic of her stories which I love. Xue was a strong character, and I enjoyed her point of view. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy lyrically told stories with magical folklore.

1 whole star for the breathtaking cover. Unfortunately, the story failed to get me engaged and hooked since the very beginning. It was all tell and not showing. I can't care with what Xue was thinking. The characters are boring and flat....

The world building is actually pretty cool. It has potential to be a well written one. The premise is promising but again, the execution didn't live up to its advertisement.

The second half to the end was actually pretty intriguing. It's unfortunate that the sudden many realms were underdeveloped. I prefer a more action packed pacing and a great character development arc.

And the romance dynamic was not there....

The writing's oke, the interlude was a nice touch ✨👌🏼

If you're into slow paced Chinese inspired fantasy, give this book a go.

Thankyou for the arc in exchange of honest review.

Utterly enchanting and captivating. Judy I. Lin wove a beautiful story within this book. One that had me sitting at the edge of my seat and devouring it within less than 24 hours.

I’d recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy!

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

Song of the Six Realms is a new, standalone title from Judy Lin, where romance and mystery swirl together to form a story of magic, intrigue, and destiny.

While I enjoyed the lush worldbuilding and characterization of this story, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing, and it ended up being a slow downfall for me as I continued to push through. Our main character, Xue, is intelligent, kind, and brave, but other than her talent for music, specifically her magical qin, she is a bit of a flat entry. Her love interest, the Duke of Dreams, was nice, friendly, a bit awkward, but overall had good chemistry with her, but due to him being gone for large portions of the story, I felt mostly apathetic towards the romance as a whole. The family drama going on in the celestial realm was not interesting enough for me to stay 100% tuned in. So, while the writing style, characters, and plot were quality, I sadly didn't find myself enjoying this one as much as other stories.

i really enjoyed the prose and lush writing but the plot was definitely lacking and the pacing was so slow sometimes i couldn’t be bothered to read

thank you netgalleu for the e-arc!

Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison, weaves a dreamy standalone romance about a talented musician swept away to the Celestial Realm by a handsome duke in Song of the Six Realms.

This book had the most gorgeous writing and setting but the plot was lacking.

This book is very slow-paced and despite the interesting world-building, I could not keep my attention on the pages. This is not to say this is a bad book; it just was not what I was expecting.

Review: 3 stars

I don't know what to make of this book. The cover is just so darn pretty, and the synopsis is intriguing....

This story is a beautiful representation of Chinese folklore and homage to traditional Chinese music and poems -the nod to it is brilliant, and kudos to the author for all the research she has done as she weaves this into the story. The vivid descriptions of the lush world-building from the Duke's palace to the delish food descriptions are heaven.

However, because the focus is so much on worldbuilding, the character development suffers, and the plot is just chaos of confusion. After reading this book, I still can't tell what the whole purpose of this main character was —that's how confusing it was for me. The love plot was seriously a side development and there were a lot of instances where the plot dragged and had no focus. There were some moments where the pacing suffered, and there was so much information dumping...

If you are looking for a book with pure aesthetics like a beautiful cover, this will be for you.
But if you are looking for an intense story, I highly recommend you look elsewhere.