Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

This had a great storyline but it didn’t grab me.

I found the twists too obvious and guessed them before they were revealed.

I love the idea of the magic system. It’s a unique and fun idea and I did enjoy reading how each of the skylark and nightingale embraced their natures so differently.

This also had a great final ending which was nice to finish on.

This was beautifully written. I don't remember much of the original tale of The Nightingale, but this book definitely took on its own spin.

I adored the depictions of loneliness, it sang (lol) true for me. And it was so seamlessly woven into the storyline.

I also adored Oriane and Andala's interactions - their paths were so alike for people who only met by happenstance.

There's a tiny romance in this, and it's very beautiful, and soft.

If you're someone who enjoys retellings with a wonderful twist, then I recommend this one!

First would like to say thank you so much pantera press and netgalley for letting me read this e-arc book.

I have definitely enjoyed reading skysong as the character development is wonderfully told, with the FMC evolving in meaningful ways as the story unfolds with the help of supporting characters as well adding layers to the narrative, each with their own struggles and triumphs.

The pacing is well-crafted, balancing moments of tension with reflective interludes that allow readers to connect deeply with the characters journeys. The world-building is impressive; Wright has created a setting that feels alive, with a history and culture that enhance the story's stakes.

A must read for people who love reading retellings with the fairytale/fantasy feel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 stars

thank you to C.A. Wright and NetGalley for an ARC of Skysong!!

i really enjoyed this book - the beautiful, lyrical writing and and heartbreaking but amazing story! this book was very well written and i enjoyed the story that i was pulled into.

Oriane's story was enthralling from start to finish and I enjoyed the magical elements that drove it. Andala's story sold it for me - the way she navigated her own fears and found a way to move through them was beautiful.

this is a local story (the author is from the city i live in!) so it was awesome to be able to read and review this.

would recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher of providing me with an e-arc of this book. My opinions are my own.

Firstly, before reviewing this I did my homework on Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Nightingale’, which I haven't read. But I am aware that it is a popular story to be retold.

This is a very creative take on the tale. Focusing more on a day bringing Skylark and its connection to the nightingale and night, then directly on the nightingale itself. So the theme throughout the book is light and dark, grief, and that inner darkness (mental health). This is prevalent in not just the two main characters but also the sub-characters. Depression is not a word that exists in this world, but it is what we are talking about.

Much of the first part of the book is about concealing who the nightingale is from you, and then from the other characters in the book and Id prefer the readers to find out that for themselves. But I did find this method a little frustrating, because it resulted in the character becoming annoying unpredictable and guarded, which should have been fine in the context of this book, but it for me it didn't really work.

My other criticism is that the writing was maybe one draft of perfection, ie. some parts felt a little under cooked or simplistic.

I enjoyed this retelling, and despite how much it has deviated from its origins, a lot of the elements are still there. Cleverly incorporated. The tale itself is adorable and wonderful exploration of how to have multi-faceted characters,
Also the cover is stunning,

skysong was a beautifully written story that almost read as if it were a fairytale. wright has such a gorgeous writing style that i am sure many readers will adore.

unfortunately i struggled to connect with the story quite a bit, particularly in terms of characters and the relationships. i haven't read the original 'the nightingale' but i do wish i had beforehand, as i believe this would have enhanced my reading experience further.

SKYSONG - C A WRIGHT

I'm a big fan of retellings, and Skysong is a brilliant one. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale, C A Wright elevates the fairytale, pads it out and adds a new setting and new characters to give it a modern, fresher feel. Here's the blurb:

Oriane is the skylark, and the sun only rises if she wills it. Every morning, she transforms from woman to bird, calling the dawn with her song. Seclusion has kept her safe her whole life - but it has also left her lonely and craving freedom. When Oriane finally succumbs to the lure of the wild unknown, she is discovered in the gardens of the royal palace, where she is taken in by the king and treated like a goddess - and a prisoner.

With writing that's beautiful, whimsical and descriptive, C A Wright has created something that still feels very much like a fairytale, but one that's more relevant and relatable. By adding a different setting and a whole host of characters to get invested in, the story feels broader and, for me, has a lot of elements that I associate with cosy fantasy. That’s always going to be a big plus.

There's a super sweet and subtle love story at its core - a meeting of light with dark - and, while there is a lot of action, it doesn't feel as high stakes or accompanied by as much of the stress I feel reading other fantasy books.

If you choose to read this book (and please, please do so), be prepared to get swept away by this stunning new fairytale - a story that feels authentic and delicately conjured, just like its thoughtfully created central characters. This may be a fantasy standalone, but thanks to Skysong, C A Wright has become one of my new auto-buy authors.

Thank you to C A Wright, NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC.

Release date: 1 October 2024

Review score: 5/5

TW: death, loss of parent, imprisonment

Thank-you to Netgallery, C.W. Wright for the reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this whimsical read. It was beautiful, captivating yet had some darker aspects. I really loved the premise of the skylark and nightingale being two halves of a whole. The sapphic romance was icing on top of the cake! The story definitely kept you hooked and turning the pages.

Unfortunately it did feel like it was missing something i wish there had been more depth and stolen moments to the romance. I also wish there had been one more chapter of a reunion at the end.

What an enchanting story. It’s been a while since I’ve read something that made me feel quite so fuzzy inside. The backstories, the subtle foreshadowing, the whimsical prose. I was enraptured within the first few chapters and would absolutely recommend this to fairytale lovers and fantasy lovers alike.