Woven Song

Thank you as always to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author Rachael Krotec for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions and review!

I'll be straight up: teenage girls are going to love this, especially if they have any passing interest in Japanese mythology. Dragons, yokai, mononoke, and Shinto myths walk across the pages in this very loose retelling of Kaguya-hime and the Bamboo Cutter. I would definitely recommend some familiarity with Japanese myths, but it's not required at all, the author does a solid job at giving you enough info to understand what's going on, and I suspect this book could be kindling to ignite interest in learning about Japan's mythology and Shinto religion. If I had been 13-16 when this book came out, it would've been my everything; (Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things was one of my favorite books to re-read at that age) If you have younger teen readers in your house, I highly recommend this book for them. It's a fun, pretty easy read with a colorful ensemble cast of likable characters, and it comes to a satisfying conclusion.

”Remember, remember, who you truly are, Kory. Make them regret ever challenging us.”

OMG, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE COVER?! It's seriously stunning, like I can't even handle how cool it is 😍. But for real, this book was awesome! I was hooked from the start, totally sweet, adventurous, and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Loved it!

What to expect:
🐉 Found Family
🐉 Fallen Gods
🐉 Asian mythology
🐉 Will they, won’t they?
🐉 Fight Scenes
🐉 Chronic illness rep
🐉 DRAGONS
🐉 Girls with swords

Alright, here's a quick summary! So, we've got Kaguya-hime, banished from the moon, and Yuki, accused of murder and kicked out of the imperial city of Gobe. Things get spicy when Yuki's life collides with the dragon god Ryu, and suddenly they're smack in the middle of a battle to save the mortal realm from Izanami, the ruler of the land of the dead. It's all about love, loss, betrayal, and loyalty, with secrets flying left and right.

Intrigued? SAME HERE! When I read the blurb, I was like, "Count me in!" So, I took a chance and requested this arc, and when I got accepted, I was over the moon (thanks for that!). As soon as I started reading, the writing had me hooked from the get-go. The first line? Pure gold. It got me wondering where this book was headed, and I gotta say, I was not disappointed. While that first line grabbed me, the rest of the writing kept me in its grip. The pacing? Just right. The short chapters gave it this kinda slow burn feel, but with a bit of oomph, you know? It had me turning pages like crazy. Rachael Krotec? A total talent. Plus, she made Japanese myths super accessible. I mean, I'm no expert in that stuff, but she explained it all so seamlessly. Now I feel like I've got a handle on it. Impressive, right? Loved every bit of it!

The characters? Pretty cool, if you ask me. They had their quirks and all, but I kinda wish they had a tad more depth. Like, I don't LOVE them, but I do like them. Their personalities, their inner battles, and how bold they were? All on point. But a little more depth would've pushed them into LOVE territory for me. What really got me, though, was the lesson they taught: rewrite your OWN story. Super important stuff, you know? Watching them face their challenges and eventually rewrite their own perfect story? That hit different. It's a reminder for all of us to take charge of our own narratives. Pretty beautiful, if you ask me.

So, about the romance... it wasn't smack dab in the middle of the book, but it was sprinkled in there, you know? I savored every little bit of it. Plus, the whole found family vibe added a sweet touch. Towards the end, the romance kicked up a notch, and man, it was just lovely. I had a blast with this book, seriously. Totally recommend it, especially if you're into Asian, especially Japanese, mythology. But even if you're not, give it a shot!

PUBLICATION DATE:
7th of June, 2024

*Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Absolutely fantastic piece of fiction! An interesting an engaging take on the The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, filled with rich worldbuilding, excellent action, fun characters, and a lot of intrigue! Highly recommended to any lovers of fantasy! Thank you to NetGalley and Nib & Leather, LLC for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved how the author put so much thought into this book, especially with the honorifics, you can clearly tell how passionate Rachael was about this book, down to the last detail,
the characters were easily loveable and now that I've finished the book I really do miss them!

Woven Song by Rachael Krotec is a beautifully written story with a mashup of Chinese and Japanese mythology that will appeal to those who enjoy being emersed in the cultures. This book is well-paced and picks up in the last third of the story. Rachael did an amazing job with world-building, character development, and the plot of the story. From the first page to the last I was swept away to the world of Gobe and with every twist and turn that occurred I wanted to read more. Woven Song really played on my heart strings with themes such as found family, chronic illness and many more. If you enjoy mythology sprinkled with the right amount of romance this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley, Nib and Feather, LLC, and Rachael Krotec for providing the ARC ebook!

Absolutely loved the focus on Asian mythology. As someone that loves mythology in general I absolute devoured this book. Even though I’m not super familiar with Asian mythology I still think this book was a pretty easy read. I also enjoyed the fact that the characters aren’t cliche flawless one dimensional characters they all have some level of depth which makes them so much easier to like.

Asian mythology

The cover is absolutely beautiful. I could see this being a special edition with beautiful sprayed edges sitting on my shelf.

This book was such an interesting read. I watch a ton of anime and enjoy Japanese mythology so this book was easy for me to understand. The author does help paint a beautiful picture and describes everything so that even if you aren't familiar you'll still be able to appreciate the world.

I really enjoyed the story and read it all in one sitting xD

The characters are pretty likeable as well. They all have a hidden pain or something that kind of shapes their personality. Ryu was my favorite character, I'm sure for obvious reasons lol.

This isn't my typical read but I really enjoyed a change of pace that this book gave.

Publication date: June 7, 2024

The writing is extremely beautiful in this reimaginative tale of ancient legends. I got so lost in this world and I didn't want to leave. I loved every single bit of this and want more!

Title: Woven Song by Rachael Krotec

Release Date: June, 7th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Embark on a breathtaking journey through the realms of mythology and mortality in Woven Song by Rachael Krotec, where divine identity and mortal struggles collide in an epic tale of love and betrayal.


Kaguya-hime, yearning for connection, descends from the moon to the mortal realm, unknowingly sealing away her divine identity in the process. Meanwhile, Yuki, banished from the imperial city of Gobe under false accusations, returns at the emperor's request to restore her family dojo. But tragedy strikes, shattering her dreams and forcing her to confront the truth behind her banishment.

As Yuki's life hangs in the balance, she becomes entwined with Ryu, the dragon god, and discovers herself at the heart of a battle to save the mortal realm from Izanami, ruler of Yomi—the land of the dead. With her mortal and divine identities at odds, Yuki must navigate a world where secrets hold power, allies may be enemies, and love is both a balm and a battleground.

Why I enjoyed It:

🌌 Rich Mythology: Rachael Krotec seamlessly weaves Asian mythology into a captivating narrative, immersing readers in a world brimming with gods, spirits, and ancient mysteries.
💔 Emotional Depth: From love and loss to betrayal and redemption, Woven Song delves into the complexities of human emotion, offering a poignant exploration of the human experience.
🐉 Dynamic Characters: Yuki's journey from outcast to heroine is compelling, while Ryu's enigmatic presence adds depth and intrigue to the narrative.
📖 Epic Adventure: Filled with twists, turns, and heart-stopping moments, this epic tale keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Rachael Krotec's Woven Song is a spellbinding fusion of mythology and storytelling, offering a fresh take on familiar legends while crafting a wholly original narrative. The blend of action, romance, and intrigue creates a captivating reading experience that will leave you eagerly turning pages until the very end.

The world-building is masterfully done, transporting readers to a realm where gods walk among mortals and every corner holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Yuki's journey of self-discovery is both relatable and inspiring, serving as a powerful reminder of the strength that lies within us all.

Woven Song is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and mythology alike. Rachael Krotec's lyrical prose and intricate storytelling make this a book you won't want to put down—a tale that resonates long after the final page is turned.

Thank you to The Publisher Nib and Feather, LLC ,The Author Rachael Krotec & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.