Color Song by Victoria Strauss is a beautifully written historical novel set in Renaissance Venice. Giulia’s journey to pursue her passion for art is inspiring, and the setting brings the era to life. It’s a rich, immersive read with intrigue, art, and strong character growth. Perfect for historical fiction fans!

My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Children's Publishing/Skyscape for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

DNF at 11%. I DNF'd the first book, but had requested this one not realizing it was the second of a series (?), so I picked up a copy of the first book so I could read this one without being completely clueless. When I didn't like that one, it boded poorly for me liking this one, but I did try. I had requested this book, so the least I could do was try to read it.

I didn't hate the book, it just wasn't written in a way that was compatible for me as a reader. I expected a straight historical fiction taking place during the Renaissance. It has magical things in it, ie-they believed in spirits and sprites and being able to harness otherworldly powers to do your bidding and rather it being belief with nothing to back it up, it was actually real, BUT very subtle.

I wanted just historical fiction. What I got was historical fiction with some magic and I don't like that. It wasn't enough to be considered magical realism, which I loathe, but it was close enough that it just didn't resonate with me.

I can see it being a good suggestion for a YA reader who needs to read a historical fiction book for school and for those who enjoy history and magic/magical realism. It just wasn't what I expected and at 11% in I had to throw in the towel.

2, I didn't hate it but it didn't do anything for me, stars.