I loved every single aspect of this book and it's story. The characters are all very lovable and unique, and you understand their motivations and their personalities very well. That is very important to me - I hate nothing more than bland characters. The story has a perfect pace and the multi POV is perfectly done. And I haven't expected a romance when I requested the book, but I am more than happy to find it in the book - and once again perfectly written.

I know that epic fantasies are nowadays all compered to GoT to gain more attention, but in my opinion, this one is more enjoyable and better. This book was so good that made me want to read everything Ben Spencer wrote which I will be doing soon. Even the cover is perfect in my opinion and I would always pick it up in a bookstore. Now I would really want to know how long we need to wait for the second book.

I received this ARC for free and I am leaving my absolutely honest review.

The cover for this book is absolutely GORGEOUS, which is what caught my attention first. Then I read the description and knew it would be a book I would enjoy. Which I did, very much. I'm a huge fan of the multiple POVs so you can get different perspectives and know what each character is thinking. I love the world this author has built, everything was amazing and the characters were fantastically written. I couldn't get enough and I can't wait to see what happens next. Ben Spencer is an author I will have to read more works of (well, at least add them to my ever growing TBR pile).

This book was very well written, it just wasn’t really my jam. I could have used a character / locations reference list. Nice story though.

I loved this book. It tells a well-paced story, with vivid, sympathetic characters, great world-building and a good magic system. The writing is really snappy and there were some parts I would re-read because the wording was that good. I also enjoyed how each chapter focussed on one character’s story, alternating though the characters in the book. While there was some violence, as is inevitable in epic fantasy, it was kept to an essential minimum. I look forward to reading more books in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Knock-Knee Books for the advance reader copy.

*The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree* is a captivating foray into the realm of high fantasy, introducing readers to a richly woven narrative that revolves around three compelling protagonists: Johanna Salk, Silas O’ the Songs, and Gregor Thorn. Each character embarks on a distinct journey, only to have their fates entwined by the enigmatic leaves of the Yubriy Tree and the prophecies they carry. This debut novel not only pays homage to the genre's greats, such as *Game of Thrones* and *The Priory of the Orange Tree*, but it also carves out a unique identity through its intricate world-building, character development, and the infusion of traditional fantasy elements with a fresh perspective.

The author adeptly employs a multi-POV structure, allowing readers to delve into the thoughts and motivations of each main character. Johanna, the headstrong daughter of a noble family, seeks freedom and autonomy, while Silas, a lutist with dreams of grandeur, battles personal insecurities. Gregor, the presumed bastard brother of King Micah Dayborn, navigates the treacherous waters of royal politics with a burden of duty and magical prowess. The interplay of their narratives not only keeps the reader engaged but also serves to highlight their individual complexities, ensuring that fans of character-driven fantasy will find plenty to appreciate.

The thematic exploration of choices, destinies, and the intertwining of personal and political ambitions echoes throughout the novel. The presence of the Yubriy Tree, with its prophetic leaves, serves as a symbol of fate and the power of individual agency. The ceremonial elements associated with its protection and the gathering of leaves enrich the world-building and lend an air of mystique to the plot. Each character's journey is marked by significant choices that have profound implications for their lives and the world around them, provoking readers to consider the weight of their own decisions.

The supporting cast is equally engaging, featuring characters like Easton Dayborn and Wyn Dunkin, whose personalities and backstories add depth to the narrative. The author skillfully crafts a tapestry of relationships that enhance the main storyline while enriching the overall experience. Side characters such as Madrig and Jacy also leave a lasting impression, proving that the world is populated with intriguing figures beyond the primary trio.

While the pacing fluctuates, particularly in the early chapters, the lush detail and rich descriptions serve to immerse readers in a vividly constructed world. Although some readers may find the initial slow build a hurdle, the narrative gains momentum as the characters’ paths converge and the stakes rise, culminating in a gripping climax. The anticipation of dragon sightings adds an exciting layer of danger and intrigue, serving as a reminder that in fantasy, the return of such formidable creatures often heralds monumental shifts in power dynamics.

Despite its strengths, the book does present some areas for improvement, particularly in character depth. While the primary characters are well-defined, there are moments where deeper emotional connections could enhance reader investment. However, this is a minor critique in light of the strong narrative foundation laid for future installments. The world of the Yubriy Tree is vast, and the potential for exploration in subsequent books is tantalizing.

Overall, *The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree* is a remarkable debut that offers a rich tapestry of fantasy elements while deftly handling themes of choice, destiny, and the quest for self-discovery. The author’s ability to create a vibrant world filled with magic, political intrigue, and compelling characters bodes well for the series’ future. As readers finish this installment, they will undoubtedly find themselves eagerly awaiting the continuation of these characters’ journeys. This book is a must-read for fans of high fantasy, promising a blend of adventure, emotional resonance, and the ever-enigmatic dance of fate and choice.

“The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree” is the first in an upcoming epic fantasy series. In this world the Yubriy tree’s leaves contain prophecies, so when the leaves drop, the king’s soldiers collect them all so that the royalty can learn information about the fate of the kingdom. The Union is made up of a collaboration between the two primary religions, the Stavusians and those who worship the Twins, two faiths that are so disparate from one another that they can get along. We have 3 POVs: Johanna, the “lesser” twin of the Salk family, a young widow whose potential for a new marriage is a crucial bargaining chip for her lord father; Silas, a lutist and composer whose songs just don’t have that special something to make them truly extraordinary; and Gregor, the king’s half brother and one of the reviled jeyedoshi, who travels thing kingdom doing his brother’s bidding and getting himself (and others) high. Some things I particularly enjoyed was Johanna and Easton’s journey, watching them grow both as individuals and together in a relationship dynamic I haven’t seen much before: mild dislike to lovers plus fake dating. I also found the relationship between Silas and Wyn a fascinating one, though it was more difficult to parse until the ending. The history between Gregor and King Micah had the potential to be very interesting, but fell somewhat short of my hopes.
In fact, falling somewhat short of expectations was my main impression of this book. It’s being compared to Game of Thrones and Name of the Wind, but the complexity and the heart just weren’t there. There were many plot threads twisting together until the end, but so many of them were dropped periodically and picked back up later that it was hard to follow (for example, I forgot until this point in the review that there’s also a dragon somewhere, and I just finished reading it 12 hours ago). I also just….didn’t like most people’s names. Subjective yes, but definitely made an impression. I’m from the Northeast and Wyn Dunkin cannot be extricated from thoughts of mediocre coffee. The primary characters were somewhat flat, and the best characters (Anjay, Greta, and Wulfess, looking at you) were criminally underused. The lore was strangely sparse (still not clear to me why people hate the jeyedoshi? What is a woodkin?) and the world didn’t really feel lived in. The bare bones of a really good book were there, but they just weren’t fleshed out very well. Still curious enough to pick up book 2, but I really did want this to better than it was.

4.5/5 ⭐️
Damn. This was amazing. I loved that you can tell this was inspired by Game of Thrones, but the author did a brilliant job making it their own. The world was so rich. The stories so engaging. And so many times I found myself pleasantly surprised. For example, I would be sad of a particular character’s death (and the fact they had me sad within only one chapter) to kicking my feet with excitement for the outcome that followed.
I am constantly in search of another high fantasy story that captures what George RR Martin created. One that has a deep world, court politics, an engaging plot, and most important of all, interesting characters. And this checked every box. I cannot recommend this book enough. I’m so mad I now have to wait for the rest of the series to come out cause I need to know what happens next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

I had the wonderful opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader through NetGalley, for which I want to express my gratitude! It is the first book I have read and reviewed as an ARC reader and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Every year, prophecy leaves fall from the Yubriy Tree. And every year, the Dayborn king sends his most trusted servants to collect the leaves and return them to the capital. Only this year, one of the leaves drifted into the forest unseen.

Three lives will be forever changed by the undetected prophecy leaf: the strong-willed daughter of a powerful family, the mysterious and reviled half-brother of the king, and a talented but unlucky musician, desperate to write the song that will bring him good fortune.

Meanwhile, reports emerge of the first dragon sighting in Ragar Or in over sixty-five years. And, as history warns, whenever dragons appear, royalty dies.

Review:
As a passionate fantasy reader with dyslexia, I enjoyed many aspects of this book. The story is compelling, and the world-building is immersive. I’m already intrigued to see how things develop in the second book.

Plot & Pacing:
The story aligns well with its genre, and there are some truly fun and original elements in the plot. I particularly enjoyed the immersive world with its rich history and clear, engaging plotlines. However, I found that the pacing in the first part of the book was a bit slow due to heavy detailing, which sometimes detracted from the momentum. Once the pacing picked up, it flowed steadily, and I became more invested in the unfolding story.

Characters:
The characters are original and well-thought-out, though I wish we had gotten to know them more deeply on a personal level. This would have helped me connect with them more emotionally, which is something I’m hopeful for in future installments.

World-Building:
The world felt magical and expansive, with plenty of mysteries and layers yet to uncover. There’s a sense of depth and history to it that drew me in, and I’m excited to explore more of the world and its lore as the series continues.

Writing Style:
The writing style is immersive and often beautifully lyrical. However, as someone with dyslexia, I found it challenging at times. The shifts in prose style and certain word choices sometimes made it hard for me to maintain my reading flow. It took me a bit longer to adjust to those changes, but overall, the writing carried a fun and engaging tone.

Themes:
The themes of the story—finding your own path and embracing your true self—are powerful and will resonate with many readers. These messages were clearly conveyed and added emotional depth to the narrative.

Final Thoughts:
The pieces of the story are now fully in motion, and I’m eager to see how things develop in the next book. The world feels vibrant and full of potential, with plenty of mysteries still to uncover. I look forward to continuing the journey!

Also: How gorgeous is that cover! Absolutely stunning!

This review is placed on Goodreads on Wednesday 25 September 2024, link is added.
This review will also appear on my TikTok-account called meltriestowriteastory and the review will be placed online on Saturday 28 September 2024.

This was brilliant. I was racing through this, and getting annoyed with myself because I knew it was an arc and there's gonna be a wait for the next book.
It's really EXCELLENT. A real big chunky fantasy to sink your teeth into, with dark GoT hints and brilliant chapter characters. A common criticism of some of the late GoT books is that some of the characters chapters' are just boring and you want to skip to your fave character again - this book has it perfect. I loved each characters arc, I loved the threads crisscrossing through the hook and enjoyed each character even when they're being awful!
If you like fantasy, you'll love this.
Please release an arc of the next one because I need to read more!

I loved the concept of this book. It was refreshing and something different for the genre.

Ben Spencer has a terrific way of describing characters and feelings. Especially with our main characters. This was a brilliant way of showing how grounded this story can be.

The plot itself was interesting and makes me eager for part two. Spencer kept me intrigued throughout and I was a massive fan of the unravelling.

I enjoyed this book. It's very character-driven but not to the detriment of the rest of the book. The descriptions were beautiful and the writing itself was very polished and pleasant to read.

That being said, nothing much really happens. Most of the action takes place in the last 20% and the whole thing really just felt like a lead-up the next book in the series (ending isn't really a resolution but feels like things are just getting going).

an imaginative and richly woven fantasy novel that takes readers into a world filled with magic, prophecy, and ancient secrets. At the heart of the story is the Yubriy Tree, a mystical symbol with the power to shape the fate of kingdoms. The characters are deeply layered, each driven by their own struggles, ambitions, and ties to the prophecy. The plot is filled with twists, well-built tension, and an intricate blend of magic and adventure. This novel offers a compelling narrative for fans of epic fantasy with deep lore and vibrant world-building.

The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree (The Song of the Burning Heart Book 1) by Ben Spencer. Publishing date: 19th October 2024. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I picked this book as the title intrigued me and I am so glad I did as it was fantastic!

The book centres around three main characters - Johanna Salk who is the lesser twin daughter of the Lord of a great house. Silas O’ the Songs who is a young lutist who longs to write and play his own original songs for a grand audience, and Gregor Thorn the bastard half brother (or is he??) of King Micah Dayborn. The Yubiry Tree and its prophetic leaves peaked my interest and I really enjoyed the ceremonial elements to its protection and gathering of the leaves.

The multiple character POV works really well in this book and fans of character driven fantasy will not be disappointed. I felt that was beginning to understand who the characters are by the end of the book (except Wyn who I cannot wait to find out more about!), yet wanting to know more of each characters back story as I went along.

The trio start on separate paths and we meet side characters on the way who are just as interesting as the main characters such as Easton Dayborn, Wyn Dunkin, and Madrig & Jacy (who I instantly loved). There are also tales of dragons of old and a dragon resurgent in the lands.

Ben Spencer has weaved together elements of a number of my favourite high fantasy books and come up with a brilliant story of his own. I couldn’t put it down. It has a rich but easy to follow plot with politics, magic, a little romance, and it’s full of interesting and intriguing characters which left me wanting more.

I honestly can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

I received this book as an arc read and my review is my own personal view of the book.

This is a great fantasy world build, but anyone who watched and/or read Game of Thrones will see the parallels. Of course this book has less graphic violence and sex, and no incest. But the fun last names, the politics, and the magic are very Game of Thrones

i enjoyed reading this book, and think that others will enjoy it also. i will try to give a spoiler-free review.

it checks a lot of boxes that we look for in fantasy: magic, dragons, medieval combat, and royalty. the characters are interesting, and their goals (specially for the main characters) are understandable and relatable within their stories. the setting and worldbuilding are relatable, but they don't feel cut-and-pasted from another fantasy world. we have things to look forward to. the second book in the series will not come quickly enough.

i would give the book five stars, but for one issue that plagued me throughout. the book feels like three good independent stories that were connected with a plot device of a prophecy tree. none of the three stories got much farther than its inciting incident. by the half way mark of the book i was wondering when the separate mc threads would join, and they almost never did. having said that, the title and cover of the book make the promise that the separate storylines will eventually become more relevant to one another. and, the book is still more than worth the time of reading it, and i feel sure i will want to read it again after it is released.

thank you for the opportunity to read the book.

This was a strong start to the Song of the Burning Heart series, it had that fantasy element that I wanted and enjoyed. I thought the cover worked well with the story inside and had me engaged with what was inside. The plot had that magic and epic that I was looking for, I wanted to read the next book in the series right away as I really enjoyed the way Ben Spencer wrote this one.