The 3-star review below was posted to Every Day Should Be Tuesday, Amazon, and Goodreads on 5/1/2018:

Song of Blood & Stone caught me off balance. Mostly I think because I wasn’t expecting the tech level. I was expecting something more in the usual medieval vein, but Penelope’s secondary world has a level of technology somewhere in the late 1800s to mid-1900s range. There are rifles and telephones and motorized vehicles and one airship. I also think I may have been conflating Song of Blood & Stone and Children of Blood and Bone in my mind.

Song of Blood and Stone was originally self-published before getting picked up by St. Martin’s Press, and it shows. There is considerable joy and raw skill in the storytelling, but it is also a bit of a mess. There is some interesting worldbuilding, but the heart of the book is the romance between Jasminda and Jack.

Song of Blood and Stone has a somewhat narrow scope, concerning a centuries-long war between the Elsirans and Lagrimari. Their respective countries are separated by a magical Mantle completely dividing the two. Except for the seven times there has been a breach, each resulting in a Breach War, it is impossible to cross the Mantle. But now the True Father wants to take down the Mantle for good.

Jasminda is the daughter of an Elsiran woman and a Lagrimari Earthsinger who was trapped on the Elsiran side of the border at the close of the last Seventh Breach War. Her skin and her magical abilities mark her as an outsider. Only Lagrimari can control the Earthsong. It cannot be used to directly kill, but it can be used for everything from controlling storms to communicating telepathically to healing.

Jasminda finding an injured soldier on her way home from town is the precipitating event that sets the story into motion. That injured soldier leads to a squad of soldiers quartered in her small cabin, and from there to events that will rock both nations.

The early part of the book is set in an area I found reminiscent of the American West. It is heavy on action and worldbuilding. Somewhere between a quarter and a third of the way through there is an abrupt shift. The setting shifts to something more reminiscent of 19th century continental Europe, and the plot becomes driven by romance and palace intrigue.

Song of Blood & Stone supports my thesis that the best place to find strong, virtuous male characters is in books written by women featuring a significant romantic element. The romance between Jasminda and Jack is definitely the strongest element of the book.

There is too little agency by the main characters in the palace intrigue parts for them to be entirely effective. Sure, being reactive is pretty much the lot of a politician, but it doesn’t exactly make for gripping fiction. The bigger problem is the tonal shift from the first part of the book to the very different second part. After moving along at a quick clip in the first part, the pacing screeches, if not a halt, to a much more sedate pace, only to give way to a rushed climax.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of Song of Blood & Stone via NetGalley.

First of all let's talk about the war, in fact there were several between Elsira and Lagrimari. The Lagrimari are locked on one side of the mountains by an ancient spell..

The people of Lagrimari are governed by a man who is called The True Father, this people has the power called Earthsong. The true Father asks his people for tributes, he wants their powers, they have no choice but to obey and then they no longer have powers.

The people of Elsira have no powers and are afraid of the Lagrimari and their Earthsinger. This people are led by the Prince Regent who governs until the queen wakes from her long sleep.
And now let's get down to business.

Jasminda has lost her parents and brothers, she has lived alone for two years on her parents' farm but when she returns home after going to the village she discovers an injured young man. Jasminda's father was a Lagrimari and her mother an Elsiran, therefore jasminda is an Earthsinger and Elsiran but her power is weak. She still succeeds thanks to her earthsong to save Jack, the unknown and she will help him in his quest to save his people, Elsiran.

Jasminda is an intelligent, independent girl, she is not afraid of others but the people of Elsira never accepted her because of her powers. Her incomprehension and sadness are felt perfectly. When she meets Jack, she discovers that not all Elsirans are the same and that some understand. I love Jasminda, she tries to do her best to help Jack and even if sometimes she forgives a little too easily their relationship is just beautiful.

Jack went to play spies in Lagrimari through a passage, when he was discovered; he fled and was saved by Jasminda. He absolutely wants to save his people from the approaching war, yet no one believes that The True Father will succeed in breaking down the barriers.

I love Jack, he is tender and adorable, he doesn't hesitate for a second to sacrifice himself to help Jasminda and he wants to protect her at all costs. He does not like the way his people treat the Lagrimari who came to seek refuge in Elsira. He will do everything to change mores but as for all that requires work and men of confidence.

The love relationship between Jasminda and Jack is slowly building over the book, it’s beautiful and I loved the love and understanding between these two characters. Of course they make mistakes but each time they come back to each other, their love is pure and sincere.

I really liked this story, the fact that two peoples are at war and especially to understand why they have been at war for so long was really important. We finally realize that discrimination is everywhere and that consciences do not change quickly. You already know that Jack and Jasminda have a place in my heart but I also loved Oola, Yllis, Usher and his good advice.

I loved the ending and this discovery that finally changed the perception of the world for some.

The style of L Penelope is fluid, once in the story it's hard to close the book and stop, we want to know how it will end and quite frankly I look forward to reading the second volume, which is not about the same characters.

Quick word: A wonderful story of love and open-mindedness.

Song of Blood & Stone by L. Penelope is a vibrant new epic fantasy that will have you begging for more! There is so much to love about this book - racial diversity, political themes that reflect our modern era perfectly, star-crossed lovers, tons of magic, and a new fantastical world to get lost in. Jasminda and Jack are the bomb.com together, and Jasminda is one of my new favorite fantasy heroines. She has so much morality in her, and she really strives to do the right thing in every situation. I admire his courage and tenacity so much.

I'm really excited to be teaming up with the lovely team at St. Martin's Press for this blog tour post and special author Q&A. If Song of Blood & Stone isn't on your radar yet - run don't walk to add it right now. Trust me, you're not going to want to be left out of this party.

5 stars

That ragpile on the path is trouble, it just

happens to be a man. Jasminda doesn’t need trouble. She’s on her way home from a trip to town and worried about losing her home, being asked to disown her mother, and being treated differently just because her skin is a different color and she can use Earthsong. Her father was Lagrimari, a refugee from an evil and seeminly eternal tyrant. Now Jasminda has one more thing to worry about: How to save Jack, an Elsiran, whose mission may mean a lot more than life or death. It may mean the end of divided countries and the awakening of a Queen who has slept for centuries.

This story is just utterly fantastic. L. Penelope has wrought a complex storyline, woven in memorable and believable characters, created a world that flowers before us with life, history, and character, and simply forces us to live in Jasminda’s and Jack’s minds. Many tough subjects are tackled, including racism, sibling love and rivalry, a sovereign’s power and lack thereof, and much, much more. Even better, it’s all done in a story that captivates and enthralls with a lot of action and peril. Just a really excellent read all the way around. Song of Blood and Stone will leave you thinking long after you finish reading.

Highly recommended with one caveat: I would recommend for 17+ due to sexual content.

This was an interesting story, but I didn't enjoy it. Star crossed lovers, honestly the beginning was so good, I really enjoyed it, I found it to be really captivating then the middle meh it was ok, but the last part I couldn't stand. I don't know what happened it was just awful. It could have had so much potential, the romance was there the two world and the mystery and characters... but it just fell apart for me.

One of the things I enjoy most about the Fantasy genre is it's ability to weave current social topics into a story. Song of Blood and Stone, by L. Penelope, does this to stunning effect. On top of building a wonderful new universe with magic and "Earthsong", the story explores themes of prejudice, and the challenges of refugees.

What I Liked:
World-building:
The character's world is essentially divided in two by a barrier known as "The Mantle". One side has an abundance of technology and the other side is made up of people with "Earthsong" (the ability to control the elements with magic). There are often breaches in The Mantle when people from Lagamiri raid the Elsirians, causing lingering ill-will and prejudices.

I appreciated the way the author showed how magic both benefited, and harmed both sides. Technology was also a double-edged sword, helping to improve lives, but also taking a toll on the environment.

There was also a wonderful backstory about the origins of the conflict, pitting two siblings against each other.

Characters:
Jasminda is strong, smart, and resilient. Even though she has lost nearly everything, and everyone she loves, she still keeps going. Dark-skinned Jasminda is the product of a union between her Lagamirian father, and her Elsirian mother. Although she was born in Elsira, she looks like someone from Lagamira, and thus is discriminated against on a daily basis. People in Elsira mistrust her use of Earthsong, so she must keep her talents hidden. So much of the subtle (and not so subtle) discrimination Jasminda is subjected to mirrors the experiences of African-Americans in the United States!

Story:
I found the story to be a page-turner! There was lots of danger, romance, and mystery to keep me reading. The tension at various parts of the book was palatable. I was very moved by the story of the refugees and what they endured. The characters who did stand up for their beliefs went through many trials, and you could see the parallels between them and civil rights advocates throughout history.

What I Was Mixed About:
Characters:
Although I thought Jack was brave and down to earth, I also thought he was rather selfish and didn't treat Jasminda as well as he should have. He obviously sees Jasminda for the amazing woman that she is, but he doesn't call out others when they say and do blatantly racist things. He also expects Jasminda to be understanding when he wants to keep their relationship a secret. Basically, he wants all the perks and none of the challenges of being with her. I know this would have been really hard for him, but dude! Grow a backbone!

Sex On The Page:
The bedroom scenes in this book are very sexy. If you are looking for a "clean" romance, you won't enjoy this book. Because this is a book where the relationship between Jasminda and Jack evolved (they didn't just jump into bed at first sight), I was okay with these moments. They weren't the entire focus of the book. But normally, this is NOT my thing.

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<font face="Georgia"> <h3>Welcome to another session of Turning Pages!</h3>

<p><i><b>Synopsis</b></i>: Earthsinger Jasminda ul-Sarifor has always wished she things were diferent - that she had greater magic, a better relationship with the xenophobic Elsiran village in which she lives, and fewer Lagrimaran features than her father's ancestry has left her. But, alas, things are as they are, and she stubbornly persists in ekeing out a living on the side of the magical barrier that separates these two very different kingdoms, in a place that doesn't love her... until one day, a beaten scrap of a man falls into her path, and everything changes.</p>

<p>It's easy to want to trust Jack, because he's clearly honest - he's in dire straits, and not afraid to say so. It would be <i>stupid</i> to help Jack -- he's an Elsiran spy who was dropped into the midst of Lagrimaran soldiers. There's no real reason for Jasminda to help him - it looks better if she doesn't, after all - but what Jasminda sees of his treatment, and later, what Jack has to say about his mission leaves Jasminda horrified. The barrier - the wall that keeps the kingdoms apart - is about to fall. And when it does, the Lagrimaran religious zealot called True-Father who began the violence between these two countries will come roaring through, in full power, and begin a 'cleansing' of Elsira, and millions of innocent will die... </p>

<p>Jasminda doesn't want to believe this - doesn't want to change her whole world... but it's already changing. Refugees are flooding through in places where the barrier is thin, and it is clear that there is nowhere for them to go -- there's destruction and murder on both sides. Jasminda can't just sit around wishing things were different and better anymore - things aren't, they won't be, and she cannot simply hide. Furthermore, Jack is becoming way too important to her, and Jasminda is beginning to have a fearfully important reason ti want the world to continue...</p>

<p><i><b>Observations</b></i>: Isn't this a beautiful cover?</p>

<p>It's always delightful when a self-pubbed book is picked up by a traditional publishing house. (Or, it's delightful to <i>me</i>, anyway; it might be really fraught and scary for the author, but my joy is more readers for that book.) L. Penelope is a black writer who majored in film AND computer science and who first published this book in 2015.</p>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWvq_LJRe40/WufDmEgnHQI/AAAAAAAAJSo/w_Uc8uH7uccdvL9KGk38vFudE1_az3DegCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/36347830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWvq_LJRe40/WufDmEgnHQI/AAAAAAAAJSo/w_Uc8uH7uccdvL9KGk38vFudE1_az3DegCPcBGAYYCw/s400/36347830.jpg" width="264" height="400" data-original-width="314" data-original-height="475" /></a></div><p> This book was described in marketing materials as "Romeo & Juliet meets The Return of the King," which is an awkward juxtaposition, to my mind (it read more like a rewritten piece of Greek mythology to me), but it is very high fantasy, with the romance of danger and heightened everything - and also features star-crossed lovers, insofar as Jack and Jasminda are from warring countries and do not share a skin color. Readers will enjoy this novel not because of the love story - which I didn't entirely need, but they will enjoy that this is "just" a fantasy story, of the sort which has a big, sweeping cinematic drama between warring nations, and doesn't attempt to parallel any true history, or anything else. It's actually a bit of a quiet story, for all of its scope, and readers who go in looking for a major war or magic being thrown around will at first have to adjust their expectations.</p>

<p>This is a new volume in the Heroine's Journey, and while the path is somewhat familiar, this is such a beloved tale that many readers will be sucked right in. The first volume in L. Penelope's duology is mostly scene-setting and lining up allies v. enemies. I look forward to how it all ends.</p>
<p><i><b>Conclusion</b></i>: A sweeping romance of warring nations, a mysterious Queen Who Sleeps, and a black girl poised to save the world through her personal brand of magic - which she believes to be insufficient and unimportant. A good starter book for young fantasy readers who aren't as familiar with the genre, the writing is clear, and the pacing is at times a little slow, but engaging.</p>
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<hr width=55%><p>I received my copy of this book courtesy of the publisher. As of TODAY, May 1, 2018, you can find <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/aff/readersrant7?product=9780990922803"><i>SONG OF BLOOD AND BONE</i></a> by L. Penelope at an online e-tailer, or at a real life, independent bookstore near you!</p>
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Unfortunately I DNF this book at about 35%. In a market flooded with YA Fantasy a new series needs to either have a plot that hooks me right away, or excellent writing, and this book had neither. I had to put it down for a few days and realized that I had no interest in picking it up again. The world-building and Earthsong mythology/origins felt inadequate,. I imagine it's fleshed out more later, but by 35% it was still too vague. Also didn't like the anachronistic presence of firearms in a fictional fantasy setting. This book wasn't bad or poorly written, just didn't hold my attention and I don't have enough free time to trudge through a book that I don't find interesting.

L. Penelope writes with the soul of Octavia Butler, the heart of Tananarive Due, and the mind of Cerece Rennie Murphy. Combined, this skillfully crafted science fiction debut novel has all the elements that a seasoned reader comes to expect from a classic. A Song of Blood and Stone’s world-building and societal dynamics mirror today’s issues so well, that it is a not-so-subtle reach at showing how dark and deep life experiences will become if some harsh realities aren’t analyzed and resolved. At times action-packed and others, introspective, the current story of a woman riding the line of two cultures, a caste system, and the past that has driven a wedge between people who have existed since time began in such a way that no one can seem to bridge the gap. This is a perfect first effort from L. Penelope and she ends the story with grace while still setting the stage for more, without leaving the reader feeling lost. That, in itself, is an awesome feat.

WOW! I just finished reading Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) by L. Penelope and it was GREAT! L.Penelope does a fantastic job of drawing the reader’s attention with a magical world-building introduction. Jasminda, the main heroine, is a strong character whom I adored. The book is set in an alternate 1920’s with historical fantasy, magic, and my favorite romance! This is a great start to the series and I’m excited to see what happens next!

First off—While marked as YA (intended for the Young Adult audience, ages 14 to 18), this book holds very explicit, graphic, intimate scenes.

Set in a wonderfully vivid world, this is a story full of fantasy, discrimination, fighting against the odds, and finding oneself.

Jasminda leads a solitary life. Her family has disappeared or is dead, leaving her alone with a lovely small farm in a country she's apart of but will never feel at home in. Not only does her skin color set her apart, but she harbors magical powers and comes from the nation over the mountains—one the people in her one land greatly fear. When she finds an injured man on the roadside who claims he's being hunted by enemy soldiers, she's sure he's delirious. But not only her world, but those of both countries are about to be turned upside down. Her solitary life disappears leaving her at the center of a war and so much more.

I love the world building in this one. The author brings the small town and Jasminda's farm to life, making it easy to soak in the sights and sounds. It's peaceful (at first) and clashes so well will the harsh prejudice Jasminda faces. Within a few pages, the author weaves in Jasminda's problems and gains immediate empathy for the character. Jasminda is a lovely girl, inside and out, and it's hard not to love her from the very first page.

The magic in this book was layered and complex. There's a little bit of background given, which unfolds more and more through Jasminda's visions and the people she meets. Still, I found this aspect a bit confusing at times, especially during the first half of the book. Still, the magic flows well and has a nice natural side, which fits well with Jasminda.

Fast-paced describes most of the read. The secrets and danger mount constantly as Jasminda's world and situation fluctuate constantly. It's hard to guess what will happen next. The evil is delightfully horrible, and the world around Jasminda is so uncertain that it's impossible for anything to settle into the realm of boring. She has so much to face, externally and inwardly. It's hard to put this book down.

The romance is strong and a vital part of the story. Unfortunately, being sold as a YA, it's too strong and, in my opinion, should be classified as a NA (over 18). The intimate scenes are very explicit and parents need to be aware of this. There is also a near rape scene which is also graphic. Other than this, the romance was a bit too quick for my taste and missed the necessary build-up and chemistry before diving into bed.

All in all, this is a nice read. The writing is beautiful, the tension kept high and Jasminda is an amazing character to root for until the end. It's a wonderful beginning to what appears to be a great series.

I received a complimentary copy through Netgally and wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

An interesting blend of a sociopolitical fantasy combined with star-crossed lovers, the first in the Earthsinger Chronicles shows highs and lows of a torn society. I have to admit, I have seen this story for a while and it didn't really appeal to me. When I accidentally accepted the book for review, I dragged my feet to read it. It wasn't just the cover that made me avoid it as I am not much influenced by covers. I can say the cover did nothing for me and probably would have been better without seeing it. I bring this up because the cover stuck out for me and not in a good way. I can't quite figure out why I didn't like it. Regardless, due to a looming deadline, I powered through this story. I have mixed feelings about this story. It tackles on some real world problems with a rosy coloured glasses viewpoint which grated me the wrong way. It also shows some unvarnished truths that I am not sure readers want to see.

I liked Jasminda. She is a woman who is all alone with her immediate family out of the picture. Her grandfather on the other hand is doing everything he can to erase her existence. Because she is nothing more than a repulsive half-breed. Unfortunately for Jasminda, her physical traits makes her an outcast in Elsira where she's born. She also has magic which brings fear in the minds of the Elsirans who have been at war with one of their neighbors for as long as they can remember.

Jasminda as a character is lovely. She is doing the best she can and she is fighting an uphill battle because the truth of it is that any child who has a mixed heritage is discriminated against by not one but both sides. It is a sad truth that I've seen as a child over 35 years ago. One would think in this day and age, with more interbreeding, it would be less, but there are still many pockets which this is not the case. Watching Jasminda be treated with suspicion from those she's grown up with and be treated with hatred by others who resemble her is heartbreaking. Jasminda is the one who carries this story and without her, it would have been painful to read.

Jasminda's good heart is what brings Jack into her life. Let no good deed go unpunished. Yes, that is a little harsh but in some ways, Jack is what throws her life into turmoil. His idealistic ideas without any political understand is his downfall. As a jaded person, watching Jack's actions makes me cringe. His social justice warrior is admirable if naive.

What really killed me in this story is the refugees. This is hot top as refugees streaming into many different countries are not being treated well for various reasons. What is portrayed in this book is a bit of a bleeding heart perspective. What is sad to see is how refugees are being treated by both the countries they are running from and ones they are trying to find sanctuaries. Refugees are pawns. That is what they are and just like pawns, they will be used to make a point and used for sacrifice. Did the refugee strain the finances of their sanctuary country? Yes. Did they try to talk and find ways communicate and integrate with their sanctuary country? No. Instead, they used powers which scared people and they generated more bitter resentment through their anger. Are they at fault? Not 100%. The sanctuary country created a camp filled with military. How is this helping? Soldiers who have been fighting against these people are probably not the best to help them integrate because they only see the refugees as the enemy. The politicians of Elsira are fools. They think sending the refugees back would make the True Father honour a peace treaty. There are so many conflicting emotions conjured by this messed up situation.

Whilst this is going on, the history of how the two countries came to be is slowly revealed. Within the third snippet of Jasminda's dream sequences, I'm already guessing the ending and I feel a terrible foreboding. I'm not surprised by turn of events at the end and I am glad to see the happily ever after does not exactly happen. This is a well thought out story with some very slow parts, some hateful vitriol and sweet unexpected kindness. Recommended for fantasy readers who enjoy turmoil between seemingly different people.

l. penelope's song of blood and stone is an epic fantasy filled with poetry, danger, magic, betrayal and a love so powerful it overcomes every obstacle. when jasminda meets jack she believes he's out of his mind. but when he risks his life to keep her safe, something no one has ever done for her, she returns the favor.

trapped in the middle of a burgeoning war, jack and jasminda escape one set of dangerous circumstances for another. and when the truth of jack's identity is revealed, the feelings that have developed between these two are even more complicated than the differences in the color of their skin and their ability to use magic.

as the politics and danger surrounding them grows, so does the depth of their feelings for each other. and having it all means risking it all. but the reward could mean everything.

there is so much i loved about this book. i love the relationship between jasminda and jack. i love the themes of racism, of identity, of otherness that imbue the story. i love the setting of this fractured world, being healed through connection. most of the fantasy i read is young adult, but i have to say there's something to be said for adult epic fantasy too.

**song of blood and stone will publish on may, 1, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/st. martin's press in exchange for my honest review.

I don't often read fantasy books, but this one caught my eye. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Jasminda is a well-written heroine. She is a young woman, an orphan, and despised in her home town because of her heritage. Her mother was an Elsiran, where Jasminda lives, but her father was Lagrimari, whose people are hated enemies. Jasminda's mother had been disowned by her family because of her marriage, so the family had settled in a remote area of the kingdom, away from harm. Her mother had died, and her father and two brothers had gone missing in a storm, presumed dead. Jasminda had her father's colouring, so when she needed to visit the local town she was viewed with suspicion, and shopkeepers would try and cheat her. One day after being in town she comes across soldiers with a prisoner who they are treating badly. It is clear that they are Lagrimari, and believe themselves to be in their own country, so it is clear to Jasminda that there has been a further breach in the magical wall that divides the two countries.

And so Jasminda's adventure begins. She is an Earthsinger, with the power of healing, which she uses on the prisoner Jack. But her powers are not strong, she can only use it in short bursts, then will take a day to recover the power. She and Jack manage to escape through a certain amount of cunning, neither of them is strong enough to fight armed soldiers. Jack is not quite telling the truth about himself, he is a far more powerful person than she could have imagined. There are a lot of adventures, Jasminda is not the strongest of heroines, but she is brave and determined, and you quickly warm to her, and care about her.

There is a happy ending, with many surprises along the way. Worth reading.

One of the main reasons I picked up this book was because of the gorgeous cover. Just look at it. It's so pretty. Initially this book started off slow to me and to tell the truth I thought about putting it down. But I'm glad I kept reading because it got so good after they left Jasminda's farm. Jack to me though seemed a little to perfect while Jasminda had doubts and was a kickass female character. I enjoyed the fact that Jack and Jasminda were a biracial couple. I don't read many books that feature biracial couples. I really enjoyed this book after the initial slowness and I can't wait for the second book to be released.

I like YA novels that have a dystopian setting and this one did not disappoint! Jasminda, half Elsiran and half Legrimari, lives in Elsira, but people do not like her because she is an Earthsinger and looks more like a Legrimari. She helps the soldier Jack and they are brought together a day later due to unforeseen circumstances and when away from danger are brought to the capital. Secrets are uncovered and love blossoms during all the bad while trying to bring the Elsiran to fight against the True Father and help prevent the break in the Mantel between the two lands. After ups and downs it is a happy ending with more to come. Can’t wait to read the next book!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Unfortunately I have to report that I just <b>couldn’t get into this book no matter how much I wanted to</b>. I really tried to give this book as many chances as I could, because I was so excited to participate in the Blog Tour and the premise had me really intrigued. However, this book didn’t seem to be for me, which is just me though! It could totally be the book for you, so please give the book a chance! I’m going to make a short bullet-point Review, instead of a long Review as I wasn’t a fan of the book.

<b><u>What I Liked</u></b>
- <b>Jack was great</b>! I immediately liked him, because he was funny, kind, protective and someone that was so easy to like. I definitely liked him as a love interest as well and can say that he really brightened the book for me!

- <b>The overall idea for the book was good</b> and like I said the premise was what drew me in in the first place! I actually liked the prologue and the little collected fairytales at the beginning of each chapter! I also found the concept of Earthsong and the Mantle to be very interesting!

- <b>Jasminda was a good, headstrong heroine</b>! I loved that we saw her struggling with being seen as an outsider and I liked that she wasn’t a super strong Singer, it was refreshing to see a heroine who is not super powerful

<b><u>What I wasn’t a Fan of</u></b>
- <b>The worldbuilding could have been more fleshed out</b>. I still have a lot of questions and would have wished them to be answered, as there was a lot of potential!

- <b>I couldn’t get into the writing style at all</b>. I don’t know exactly what it was, but for me the writing didn’t draw me in or make me very invested in the story. That’s primarily why I had a hard time staying engaged.

- <b>The pacing was a bit slow at times</b>. This also added to my issues with staying engaged, because I felt like the beginning was a bit too slow in my opinion and even later the pace wasn’t as fast as I would have liked it to be. That’s just me though.

<b>IN CONCLUSION:</b> <i>Song of Blood & Stone</i> had a really good premise and offered an interesting world, but sadly I couldn't get into it and was not engaged in the story. I felt like the pacing wasn't the best and the writing style could not keep my attention either.

This was pretty good! I wasn't sure at first but i really got into it. The characters were interesting and well developed. The heroine's powers wrre awesome! The story draws you in and you fall into this great tale. I can't wait to see what the next book brings to us!

First off, this book is not YA, I know it’s shocking that I read an adult book. I think the cover looks YA and the summary made it sound that way, so my thinking was that it might have YA appeal or even New Adult. And to some extent it does. But there are some very mature scenes in this book, so I would caution you to consider that before recommending it to someone under 17. If it was a movie I would give it an NC17 rating for sexual content. There is a pretty intense attempted rape and some pretty explicit sexual content. That said it was still a good story that I would recommend to adults that like fantasy romance books.

I do have some mixed feelings about this book. I liked the characters and the overall plot, but I spent a lot of time somewhat confused about some things. About a quarter of the way through I did consider not finishing it. But I always feel guilty about doing that when it is an ARC, so I pushed through and I am glad I did, because it got better. I thought that I would list what I liked and what I didn’t about this book.

What I liked:
Both Jack and Jasminda were wonderful characters. They both realize what a messed up world they live in, that the prejudice people feel about the Lagrimarese is wrong, but as individuals they feel that they have little power to change things. That said they are still very strong willed and try their hardest to be together. Their romance was very sweet and I really liked them together.
Once I got into the story, I really liked it. It was a little slow moving at times, but the overall themes of prejudice and good versus evil were nicely done.
Most fantasies tend to be set in a world that feels more like medieval times. This world has a mixture of magic and technology. But not modern, more like mid 20th century. So there are cars and phones and such, but no computers.
I liked the little snippets of folktales at the start of each chapter.
What I didn’t like:
The magical system is not well explained. It is interesting, but I really didn’t get it. Possibly because Jasminda’s earthsong was weak and untrained, so she didn’t get it either at times. Some of the things we learn at the end of the book about the magical system and how this world was set up would have been more helpful at the start of the story.
This book really needs a map! I was so confused about where they were at the start of this book and where they were traveling to. And why if they were already in Elsira they had to travel through caves to get to Elsira with the refugees they met from Lagrimar. Even when I reread that part, thinking I had missed something, it didn’t help. A map might of helped this confusion.
There were some secondary plots that seemed unnecessary or were not explained well, to the overall plot. They also didn’t go anywhere in the end.
Jasminda has these visions that helped explain the backstory of this world, and I liked them, but I almost felt that this backstory needed to be a whole prequel to this book, which maybe would have helped my confusion about some of the plot points in this story.
Overall, I liked the story even with it’s flaws and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good romance with their fantasy.

I enjoyed Song of Blood Stone. Its was a little bit of everything from Magic, Love and War. The Author was able to convey the story in such way it feels as it you were living it. There were times i find myself trying to send my energy to hep in one way or another. I would recommend this book.