Returning to this universe which Ms. Lin so skillfully wove in “The Book of Tea” duology was a real treat. The mythology–along with the food and scenery descriptions!–are unparalleled in the fantasy books on the market right now. The love story had echoes of “Rebecca” and “Romeo and Juliet,” and while the ending left me mildly unsatisfied, I can say the story kept me wanting more throughout.

Thank you NetGalley, Feiwel and Friends and Macmillan Publishing for letting me read and review this book! First of all the art on the cover is stunning! Second of all this book is so beautifully written and it flows well.

Xue believes her life can’t possibly go anywhere and she resigns herself to a modest life performing in a tea house even though her true dreams are to travel. Then she gets whisked far away by a Duke and her new home is full of secrets and mysteries that are just waiting to be unraveled.

There’s a good blend of story and delivery of information necessary for the world building especially for a stand alone novel! I would describe this book as Memoirs of a Geisha meets the Sandman with Spirited Away vibes. It’s dark and mysterious yet whimsical.

Absolutely STUNNING read, I was not expecting whatsoever. Thank you so much Netgalley for the opportunity for this ARC, a new must read author!!

Welcome to the hype train I am the conductor 😭 like what do you mean it centers a gothic manor and the magic of music????

Judy Lin has completely surpassed my expectations with this book because I went in expecting one story and came away with something completely different. And the writing...it's never too floral, but somehow it's also incredibly delicate and beautiful.

Like... "First we breathed, then we dreamed" hello the simplicity and the beauty together??

This story begins in kind of typical hero's journey fashion with Xue, a talented musician, orphaned by disgraced parents, receiving an unexpected offer at the end of her apprenticeship at an esteemed entertainment house. When Xue is offered a place at a manor house by a mysterious young man who may be from a noble family, it appears as though her chance at independence may finally be won, but the manor house is more than it seems.

At the beginning of the story I really thought I knew where this was going...but I didn't. I think this might be because I'm bad at guessing, but it's also because Lin weaves the story together so seamlessly that I wasn't really trying to pick apart where I was headed. I was honestly just happy to be on the journey.

General spoiler: As one might guess from the title (if one is more savvy than I am), the manor that Xue enters is essentially a portal to the Celestial realm, and the young man is the Celestial in charge of the dream world. He requires Xue's musical talents to recover memories about what happened to those who were previously in the manor, and Xue agrees to help him.

Ok without more spoilers, the quest nature of this book is lovely. Lin has perfectly designed her story to lead to revelations about the characters and to develop their relationships, while also moving the plot forward. And there's a kind of Tears of the Kingdom feeling to the quest, which was incredible to me personally. Is this book what would happen if Tears of the Kingdom met Jane Eyre met The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea? Maybe it is.

Finally...have I mentioned the writing?

In her eyes, I saw clouds shift, the sun rise and fall, flowers bloom and whiter--time's swift passing

ANYWAY this book is really my beloved child now. Please preorder and read.

Well that was a lovely, engrossing book.

Nothing is what it seems in the beginning and while having it's roots in Chinese folklore I also saw some inspiration from other fantasy books, and really appreciated how it melded into this tale (I did think of Harry Potter in a few points, particularly with memories).. I always love the snippets of stories and poems within a book, and here we get that when we learn of the different songs that our narrator will play. The story moved quickly and you don't have to wait too long for reveals. You may also figure a few things out, but that doesn't stop the flow and force of the book (at least it didn't for me).

Beautifully written, id dip back to a world that Lin has created again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
Orphaned Xue’s ability to play the qin catches the ear of a young nobleman, Duke Meng. The duke offers to buy out her contract at the House of Flowing Water, if she will come to his estate to play. At his estate, she finds demonic beasts, Celestials, secret rooms and gardens, and a complex political situation. Her playing can help the duke get to bottom of many of the secrets, and possibly open his heart to a mortal.
Beautiful story weaving music, poetry, mythology and romance. There were many places where I could not put the book down.


#SongoftheSixRealms #NetGalley

While there is so much about this book that I enjoyed, particularly the beauty of the setting and everything about the characters, I found that this book was just not for me. I found myself not completely invested in what was happening, and I just didn't fall completely in love.

Can we just acknowledge that this cover is WOW?!

I loved Judy I. Lin’s The Book of Tea duology and was really looking forward to Lin’s next novel.

Song of the Six Realms weaves Chinese mythology with Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel, Rebecca. It is about a young woman named Xue, who was orphaned at a young age and raised by her uncle. With her uncle’s influence, Xue becomes a gifted qin player and joins an entertainment house. While there, her uncle passes away, but she impresses a patron who offers to purchase her contract in exchange for her playing music at his residence for a year. Without many options, Xue accepts. There is obviously more than meets the eye at this patron’s manor and Xue quickly realizes there are blurry lines between the mortal and celestial worlds.

There were definitely references to large plot and character points from DDM’s Rebecca, which made the overarching story predictable. Tbh that didn’t bother me since there are supernatural elements in Song that made it different enough from Rebecca. My only comment would be that I enjoyed Rebecca not necessarily for its plot/characters, but instead for its gothic tone… which was not a part of Song. (I got no creepy vibes in Song. lol!)

Something that threw me off about Song was that the book started with the Structure and Order of the Six Realms, which includes a summary of the realms, who rules/governs them, important officials, different clans, etc. I was kind of overwhelmed before I got to the first page of the story and semi-freaked out that I’d need to understand or remember this stuff. At first, when a celestial was named, I’d try to remember who they were, where they were from, etc., but then I later realized that this was not all that important to the overall story and plot. (Maybe it can be something I focus on in a reread or if there’s a sequel, but once I decided to ignore the titles or whatnot, I didn’t think doing so detracted from the story itself.)

From an overall perspective, I enjoyed this story—once I let go of trying to understand the different realms and hierarchies. Just like I loved Lin’s tea magic in the Tea duology, I enjoyed her magical connection with music. Although I can easily say I loved the Tea duology more, I’m still thankful to have read Song since it was an entertaining book. I'd probably give this book a 3.5 out of 5, so I'll round up to 4.

A Magic Steeped in Poison was the first book I ever had approved on NetGalley and I absolutely loved it. Judy I. Lin has such a talent for creating beautiful worlds and characters. It is so easy to imagine the places she writes about. I also always want to eat whatever she puts in her books. I was so excited to get Song of the Six Realms and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. It'll sweep you away from the first page. I absolutely recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends, and Macmillan Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my gosh, thank you! Song of the Six Realms is one of my anticipated releases of 2024, and it did not disappoint!

Xue is a talented musician who was orphaned at a young age. Left with no clear memories of her past and taken care of by her beloved Uncle, he leaves Xue to be trained in the arts of the entertainment industry at the House of Flowing Water. When it is her time to showcase her talent with the qin, she captures the attention of Duke Meng. He offers her a deal she is unable to refuse: he will pay off her contract if she leaves the House of Flowing Water but she has to live with him at his estate for three years. Little does she realize there is a bigger plot at hand, and a mystery involving her uncle in need of unravelling or the Realms will see its demise.

The way Judy I. Lin can weave a story and leave you entirely breathless is incredible. I adore the Book of Tea duology, and I just knew I would love her newest release. The characters are flawed, well-developed, and intriguing. The world-building is compelling, complex, and magical. I wanted to stay in the world so much longer. The story flowed perfectly, and the pacing is just right for the amount of information we are given. There was never a dull moment reading from Xue's point of view. She is a character I enjoy reading about and I love her spirit and courage. The bond between her and Jinglang is bittersweet. I'm honestly happy with how this book ended. I think I would have been disappointed if it went a different, or more predictable, route.

The last few chapters were intense and exciting, and I was hooked from the start. I believe Song of the Six Realms is a stand-alone but I can see another book come out of it. I feel there is a lot of lore to work with and other characters to follow if the option is there for one.

I highly recommend Song of the Six Realms if you love the Book of Tea duology, Strike the Zither, and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.

This book is beautiful. The setting is lovely and compelling. The world building is incredibly rich and engaging, the romance highly engaging. I really enjoyed this!

For those who enjoyed the author's previous books, The Book of Tea duology, you are sure to enjoy this book as well. This felt like a stand alone book, although I could see more being written in this land and about these characters. I don't know why, maybe it was the music connection, but it brought to mind for me the book Sabriel by Garth Nix.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Song of the Six Realms" by Judy I. Lin is a beautifully crafted young adult fantasy novel that seamlessly blends elements of gothic romance with a richly imagined celestial world. The story revolves around Xue, a talented musician with a mysterious past, who finds herself entangled in the intrigues of the divine rulers of the Celestial Realm. Lin's storytelling is both lyrical and captivating, drawing readers into a world filled with magic, danger, and romance.

Xue's character is deeply compelling, embodying both vulnerability and strength. Her journey from a life of servitude to becoming a key figure in the fate of the Six Realms is expertly depicted, resonating with themes of self-discovery and destiny. The relationship between Xue and Duke Meng, the enigmatic Duke of Dreams, is particularly engaging. Lin skillfully develops their connection, balancing the romantic tension with the larger narrative of celestial politics and impending war.

Lin's world-building is a standout feature of this novel. The Six Realms are vividly described, each with its unique characteristics and inhabitants. The integration of celestial beings, demonic beasts, and the intricacies of realm politics adds a layer of complexity and intrigue to the story. The use of traditional Chinese instruments and cultural references enriches the narrative, providing a unique and immersive experience.

The plot unfolds with a perfect blend of action, mystery, and romance. Lin’s pacing keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader thoroughly engaged. The theme of memories and their connection to one’s identity and destiny is explored in a thoughtful and intriguing manner.

"Song of the Six Realms" is a stunning addition to the fantasy genre, offering a fresh and enchanting tale that will captivate fans of YA fantasy and gothic romance alike. Lin's ability to weave a complex and engaging narrative with well-developed characters and a mesmerizing setting makes this book a standout. It's a novel that not only entertains but also leaves the reader pondering the deeper questions of identity, power, and the choices that define our destiny.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it. The cover is beautiful, as all their books are. I keep coming back to this author because honestly all their books are just so amazing and you can see tiny pieces of other books if you look close enough

Judy Lin once again weaves a gorgeously-written tale with high stakes, compelling relationship dynamics, and complex characters you can't help but fall in love with. The Duke and Xue have one of the most unique relationships I've read in YA, and I love any story that centers around a main character struggling to remember their forgotten past. Lin keeps the momentum pushing forward despite a good portion of the plot revolving around the past, which isn't easy to do. With thrilling action and an unforgettable pair of characters, SONG OF THE SIX REALMS cements Lin as one of the strongest YA writers of our time.

I really enjoyed this book so much! I flew through this book and I was so upset when it was over. The plot was fast paced but not much which is what I really enjoy. I am obsessed with the characters and can not wait to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.