Song of Blood & Stone is book 1 of L. Penelope's Earthsinger Chronicles and features Jasminda, a half-Elsiran, half-Lagrimari young woman living in Elsira and Jack, an Elsiran soldier she helps escape from a group of Lagrimari soldiers.

So the novel is set mainly in Elsira, a country at war with its neighbour Lagrimar. The two lands are deprecated by what is essentially a magical wall called the Mantle. Occasionally there are breaches of the wall and people cross over. Jack has a magical object called the cornerstone that is meant to help fix the Mantle and wants Jasminda's help since only Earthsinger can use it to fix the wall. Essentially the novel focuses on the wall and the conflict with Lagrimar.

For me, the first half of the book went way too slowly and in contrast the second half felt very rushed. I would class Song of Blood & Stone as romantic fantasy although the romance only really developed in the latter half of the novel. I was slightly confused by the world building as for most of the novel I imagined a traditional high fantasy novel and then there are cars (?!) (Granted there are also pistols but there's also oil lamps)

Most of the action happened once Jasminda and Jack reached the city and because of the drawn out first half I felt that the author rushed the second half (especially the ending) and didn't flesh out certain plotlines. For example, Jasminda's maternal family and Jack's idealism, naivety and the racism displayed by his people could have all been explored in greater depth. I would have also like to have seen a prologue showing how Jack came to be a spy in Lagrimar.

I really liked Jasminda's visions of Oola that showed the origins of Elsira and Lagrimar and definitely think that there could be potential for a prequel novella centered on Oola and showing the True Father's (main antagonist) descent into madness.

Overall I really liked the novel and would happily read book 2 in the series.

Title: Song of Blood & Stone
Author: L. Penelope
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Series: Earthsinger Chronicles Book One
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
Song of Blood & Stone" by L. Penelope

My Thoughts......

This was a well written wonderful magical fantasy read with interesting main characters [Jack & Jasminda], setting[Elsira, which is a land of Silents People], love and oh yes beautiful magic [Earthsong powers] "Song of Blood & Stone" will definitely a enthralling read that will keep your attention turning the pages to see what was coming next. Be ready for 'sex scenes, mentions of rape, racism, mystery, action paced, with humanity, love, romance, history, war violence, political drama, adventure and in the end giving one quite a riveting tale' that will keep you captivated in this fantasy world. It was interesting seeing this unlikely pair Jack & Jasminda who will 'face undue scrutiny due to their different skin colors.' Now to get more of this story you will have to pick up this read to see how well this author brings it all out and in the end giving the reader a wrapped up thought provoking story. I did like at the beginning of each chapter there was a quote from collected folktales which went so well with each chapter.

Song of Blood and Stone kind of surprised me in many ways. I got into this book expecting to read a very action-packed fantasy book and while it has lots of fantasy aspects, it is way more focused on the romance between Jasminda and Jack than I expected it to be. That wasn’t necessarily bad, it just felt at times like the other plot-lines were a bit overshadowed by the love story.

I really liked the world-building, I thought it was very original and I especially adored how we found out the villain’s origin story. I kept looking forward to the flashbacks because I really loved those characters and I wouldn’t mind if we ever got a book on the Queen because she seems very interesting. *your heart will break for her though*

The magic system was explained so well and wow, I adored how things are a bit uncertain at first and then we gradually get glimpses of how the world got to be the way it is – to explain it a bit, the people that have magic are in Lagamiri and the people without it are living in Elsira, those two locations being separated by a Mantle, which is starting to fall, an event that is causing lots of conflicts because those two sides don’t get along very well. It was very well done.

As I mentioned before, the romance was the focus of the book and I’m not really sure how I felt about it, to be honest. There were some very cheesy parts, but I still rooted for the characters to end up together. I also loved their meet-cute because I’m a sucker for the trope where one of them is hurt and the other one has to heal them/take care of them. It’s one of my worst weaknesses. Sorry not sorry.

I feel like it’s worth mentioning that this book includes two sex scenes, they are somewhat graphic, I do feel like this book might be bordering on the New Adult genre (not only because of that, but also because the characters seem more mature than the ones you usually meet in Young Adult literature).

Also, the cover is so gorgeous and just look at the model. She’s looking so fierce and I adore everything about this cover! It’s a great depiction of Jasminda, speaking of Jasminda – what a great, super strong heroine!!! I loved how she was independent and through the book she maintained her beliefs, there was this time where she could have been very comfortable, choose easy ways out, but she didn’t because that meant she would rely too much on Jack and his position. And I adored it because yes, my girl can get things done!

Plus, she has magic and while she’s somewhat the chosen one, her magic isn’t the strongest, she’s not the most perfect of them all, no, she still relies on her friends to help her, she has flaws, she’s three dimensional. I really liked it.

Jack was a good love interest and I appreciated his back-story very much, I loved to see him deal with being underestimated by everyone, he was quite competent, but due to special circumstances, his talents weren’t really recognized. It was interesting to see him deal with the frustration of this situation.

I feel like many instances of this book mirrored some of our issues, like racism. There was a lot of diversity, besides POC characters, there is a sapphic couple that I’d like to see more of in the next books. I really hope the next books get re-published as well because this series has a lot of potential in my opinion and I’d surely read the next ones. I’m quite intrigued with the way this one ended – quite happily, but with some nods to what might happen in the sequel.

Lovely book, would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy books with a lot of romance in them.
Trigger warning : rape attempt.

When I first found this book, and read the synopsis, I thought it sounded really interesting and unique, and I immediately wanted to give it a try. And I was not disappointed. It was original, the plot was great, if a little slow paced, and the world was really interesting. It was a bit predictable, which lowered my rating a bit, but it was still a very enjoyable read and a definitive recommendation!

I liked the characters. I really liked that the characters – Jasminda and Jack – were so different, they’d grown up in different ways, and even though they were both from the same place, they had very different views of the place. I think it added more depth to the story, and plus, they’re both very likeable characters. They were interesting to read about, and I really enjoyed reading about them.

The plot was good. It was a bit slow at times, but it was interesting and different, and it hooked me from the first page, so it honestly didn’t bother me too much. There were so many question marks in the beginning that I had to find out the answer to, so I just kept reading and reading… and then it was over. Unfortunately, it was a bit predictable, and I figured out most things a while before it happened.

The very best thing, though, was the world. It’s very unique and it was what drew me to the book in the first place. And it didn’t disappoint. The world-building was good, the author told just enough to catch the reader’s attention, but not too much that you felt overwhelmed. It was the perfect amount at the perfect time, leaving the reader interested and needing to know more. It was amazing.

It was a bit more explicit than most Young Adult, though. I was actually very shocked when I went into the book and read some scenes, and I think for a YA book it may not be entirely appropriate, at least not without some warning, so that annoyed me a bit. It also means that I would recommend this book to older youths, because it does have some very mature content.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was very unique and original, and I really liked the characters. The highlight of the book was the world-building, which was absolutely incredible, and it hooked you from the first page. The only minus was that it was more mature than I’d expected from a Young Adult book. But I would definitely recommend it to Fantasy fans!

This is Book 1 in the Earthsinger Chronicles. Jasminda is a Half-breed and has been discriminated against her whole life. She has grown up strong and very independent because of that discrimination. She meets Jack and you can feel the chemistry growing between them. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed it. It has a good storyline to it as it tells about the two worlds trying to go to war against each other. You are caught you in the story from the very beginning and it keeps you riveted until the end. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book that I received from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating - 4 stars

Favorite Quote(s)



"Do what you think you can't."



"Woe unto he who trusts the odds. For he is defeated before he is begun."



Pros



I am the type of person who absolutely loves poetic writing, and parts of this book definitely had it! (ex. "The melody of life and breath and heartbeats and change lay locked in a noiseless hush.")
I really like how the racial issues between the two countries were addressed throughout the book, from beginning to end. A lot of it was very true to today's society.
The folktales at the beginning of each chapter were so unique and I loved so many of the quotes from them! I love the idea of putting them there and it was great how they matched the context of the chapter they started!
I absolutely loved all of the names! They were so unique and a lot of fun to say! (Especially Jack's full name. I love it!)
The flashback chapters were probably some of my favorite scenes. I actually feel like I got attached to those characters faster than the MCs.
Just, Osar. 💗 He is the cutest thing!
The weaponry was really cool! (aka, apple bombs)
Also, love Usher. He's great. 😂
This cover is absolutely gorgeous! 😍



Cons



Though some of the writing was amazingly worded, there were also times when it sounded kind of amateurish.
I was very confused at first as to which country Jasminda was in and which country Jack was running away from. It took a few chapters for it to be clarified.
I honestly would have loved for this book to come with a map. This world sounds so cool and I'm really curious about the geography, but the way it's described makes it difficult to picture.
The love story in this book started out very much like instalove... While I can totally understand being attracted to someone immediately, I'm not a very big fan of suddenly being unable to stop thinking about someone that you've only exchanged a few sentences with, even if they did save your life.
From the synopsis, this book sounds like a YA, but I quickly figured out that it's NA by learning the MCs' ages and reaching some... interesting... scenes between the soldiers and the MCs... (two occurrences of attempted rape within nine chapters)
Unfortunately, I was able to guess some of the plot twists... Though there were also some that I wasn't expecting, so that's a pro!
I wish the book would have explained what "grol" meant. It's obviously an insult, but it never explains what the word means or why it's so offensive.
I really wasn't a fan of the amount of detail put into the love scenes, but I also haven't read many books with those scenes in them, so maybe that's why. I don't mind the love scenes, I would just prefer it to be a bit less detailed. (Though I did like that Jack was at least a gentleman and made sure she was okay with everything.)

(Also, not a pro or a con, just something funny, but the number of times Jack was knocked out in this book was honestly hilarious. 😂😂)



Overall Thoughts



Overall, this book wasn't entirely what I was expecting at first, but it steadily grew on me the further in I got! I actually ended up staying up until 5 AM in order to finish this book because I was so into it. 😂 The characters were amazing and I love how the ending seemed like a lot was wrapped up nicely and then all of a sudden there's a plot twist that changes everything. I am so excited to see where Jack and Jasminda's story (and just the story in general) goes through the rest of the series!

I enjoyed this one, but I couldn't help but feel something was missing. Some spark or chemistry or something to push it from good to great.

Song of Blood & Stone is a fantasy lite read that centers around Jasminda, a bi-racial Earthsinger, and Jack, a military man that is more than what meets the eye. I did like the two of them together and felt their connection. Their romance feels like a slow burn (even though it really happens pretty quickly) and it added a good dynamic and subplot to the story.

This is a story laden with political unrest, mirroring many societies of today. There are the Elsira (light skinned, no powers) and the Lagamiri (dark skinned, wield magic through "song") who have been on opposing sides of an on again, off again war. For the most part they live separated by the Mantle, an impenetrable wall of sorts, that has slowly been cracking. Many Lagamiri seek asylum in Elsira, trying to escape the True Father, but conditions aren't much better for them in Elsira as they are persecuted and largely unwanted there. With the True Father threatening war again, Jack and Jasminda must find a way to prevent it.

I would have liked to see more detail about Earthsong and the magic the Lagamiri possessed. I was often confused or unsure of exactly what it entails. The epilogue ends in a way that it sets up the next book and I am interested in seeing where the story will go as this original conflict (that of the True Father) was resolved in this book.

https://wordpress.com/post/wickedcoolflight.net/9210

What a great debut novel. This is the second one in the last couple of months I've gotten to read that I've been amazed by. L. Penelope's work is riveting. She tells a moving, yet imaginative story in a dystonia society that truly makes you long for a little bit of magic.
This one has a Romeo and Juliet style feel to it, but as two adults they handle things differently, not by intending to sacrifice themselves, but to carve their own paths through society. The angst isn't so much their relationship as the war that is about to befall their country. One has a fierce loyalty to his country, rightly so, while the other is just trying to fit into her own skin and find her place in society. His royalty and her magic are the forces that keep them apart and create a hostile situation for both of them.
I love that she didn't give us a cliffhanger instead there is a HEA for the two lovebirds, but I still must read books two and three. Since this is a Young Adult novel, I'll give you the lowdown on what makes this a good read. The main themes are self worth, fighting against prejudice, standing up for what you truly believe no matter what, anti-bullying behaviors, and consequences of decisions. So if those seem good ones for the young adult in your life, you really should pick this one up. If you don't have a young adult, I still recommend this one. I'd love to see this made into a movie or a miniseries. It is that good. For all of these reasons, I give this one 5 of 5 propellers. Happy Reading and Ms. Penelope, please consider the Wickedcoolflight Crew for your next release.

I got an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion. Also another big thank you to St. Martins Press for asking me to be part of the blog tour for this book.

In this world, Elsira and Lagamire are two nations hostile towards each other and separated by a magical border, the Mantle. In Elsira the gift of Earthsong is feared, but in Lagamire, it is taken as a tribute to the dictator that is in power, the True Father.

Jasminda lives alone in Elsira as an outcast because of her Earthsong. Her parents are dead and her house is about to be auctioned away unless she can gather funds. During a storm, a group of threatening soldiers seek shelter in her cabin. With them, they bring an injured spy. Jack is an Elsirian spy sent across the Mantle to infiltrate Lagamire to assess if the Mantle between the two is going to fall. Plans go astray and he is found out and taken captive by the soldiers and is on his way to the True Father. They escape from the soldiers and set off together on a journey to uncover secrets of the Queen Who Sleeps and save the two nations from war and the True Father.

Before reading this I hadn`t looked up any reviews or heard anything about it. I am happy to say that I enjoyed this book and I found it to be very easy to read and fall into the world. I was a bit surprised during some scenes because of graphic content. I thought this was a young adult novel, but after reading it there are some more graphic scenes that wouldn`t be the best for younger audiences.

The beginning of this book is so gripping and captured my attention right away. We learn that nobody in town really likes Jasminda, because her appearance is different from everyone else and she has Earthsong. She lives in an isolated cabin away from the town, but the officials are trying to auction off her house so she will have no choice, but to leave. This book has a historical fantasy vibe to it and it integrates social problems seamlessly. It talks about racism, oppression, immigration, and shows that Jasminda was nervous to have a group of male soldiers in her house for fear of her safety. Her romance with Jack is very insta-lovey and very fairytale like because his character is so good. That being said, the characters were well written. There is so much I liked about this book that I can`t possibly write it all down.

I would recommend this book, it is one that I would buy even though I have already read it. I am looking forward to what happens next.

Song of Blood and Stone was originally an indie publication in 2015 at a much shorter length (around 260 pages). After it was picked up by St. Martin's Press, it was built out into a fuller novel, now around 380 pages) and given a beautiful graphical treatment with a gorgeous cover, a map and chapter header images that match the folklore quotes that begin each chapter. I wish the book had a clearer tone, however. It seeks to balance many elements, and the result didn't resonate with me as a reader.

Set in a fantasy world in which the neighboring regions of Elsira and Lagrimar are separated by a magical mantle over a mountainous region, we find they are separated by more than just magic and mountains. They are separated by skill and by race. In Elsira, dark-skinned people and those with magic (Earthsingers) are regarded with suspicion. In Lagrimar, dark-skinned people are the norm and though the people often had Earthsongs, they are expected to surrender their magic to the True Father, something of a fanatical dictator, in tribute. The world has a Western and steampunkish feel in some ways, there are telephones and airships and radios, but these are early versions of all these. But there is also the fairy-tale palace with a handsome prince garbed in jewels and robes of office.

Jasminda ul-Sarifor, our heroine, is a kindhearted Earthsinger. Descended from a Lagrimari father and an Elsiran mother, she is dark-skinned like the Lagrimari and has only weak to average Earthsong, unlike her father, now missing, who was a strong Earthsinger. Jasminda's mother died years before and her father and brothers went looking for something in the mountains around their valley and never came home. (Those would be the same mountains separating Elsira and Lagrimar.) The story opens with Jasminda receiving a letter from her maternal grandfather, who is offering her a small fortune to disavow all relationship to his family, including her now-dead mother, because he is running for political office in Elsira and doesn't want the embarrassment of having to explain his beautiful black granddaughter to anyone during the campaign or after. Conveniently, the Elsiran tax bureau had only recently detected that Jasminda's family home, in a small valley ringed by mountains, hasn't been on the tax rolls and they are now demanding a fortune back taxes, 20,000 pieces or the property will be put up for auction. Jasminda, who is eking out a living as a goat farmer and who has no money to her name other than the pittance she makes selling her Earthsong blessed salves and balms, is sorely tempted to take her grandfather's offer of 40,000 pieces. As she struggles with her decision while walking home from the nearest town's post office, she encounters a wounded man on the roadside. He is fleeing Lagrimari troops, who have pursued him into Elsira to return him to Lagrimar. Jack is an Elsiran spy, sung to look dark-skinned when in fact a typical fair-skinned redheaded Elsiran. The magic wore off, he was outed as a spy and injured during his escape. The encounter culminates, after a bit of a wind in the road, with Jasminda holed up in her cabin with six Lagrimari soldiers, and Jack, as they weather a storm. Jasminda is almost raped, she is rescued by Jack, four of six soldiers are wounded or killed and Jack and Jasminda escape. Thus, a romance is born.

The tropes are strong with this one, readers. For Jack is more powerful than he seems to be, thanks to the untimely airship accident that kills his half-brother. He will rescue Jasminda several times, just as she rescued him at the start of the story. Jasminda is called upon to rise above her weak Earthsong. The embattled history of Elsira and Lagrimar is explained to her in visions. A queen rises. Peace is sought and found. All in a pastiche magical world that has a Western feel but elements of Sub-Saharan African folklore in chapter headers and a heroine with a North African sounding name. There are also the issues of the race relations and the interracial relationship, which feel unsophisticated in their handling at times, though a revelation at the end of the book was at least a positive point. A romance and fantasy mixed-genre can always risk predictability, and from the outset of the book you know that Jasminda and Jack will be "together after adversity." What I didn't feel was a depth in this novel. Penelope has pulled together a pastiche of elements any one or two of which might have been enough to build a novel around. But by mixing so many elements together and not building any of them out fully, I felt I was reading disparate things sewn into a crazy quilt. It's warm but it isn't well-turned out. The folklore quotes at the head of each chapter sometimes foretell events in a chapter but many times the allusion to the events is so liminal as to be invisible. I compare similar use in books by say, Nnedi Okorafor, and feel interested that Penelope wanted to give us these quotes and parables but wonder why she didn't develop more with their actual relationship to Jasminda's world and the Elsiran and Lagrimari culture? Honestly, there were times in this book where I felt like I was reading a Disney Princess met Firefly Joss Whedon mashup.

All in all, I'm not sorry I picked up Song of Blood and Earth, and I'd probably make an effort to read the next book in the Earthsinger Chronicles to see where Penelope goes from here. Rewriting a first novel for a mainstream publisher can be a challenge, so it's possible that in a brand new second book, Penelope will have greater freedom in developing the story of Jasminda further. I'll look forward to that.

I gave Song of Blood & Stone a try on a whim and I am so glad that I did! Although the story is fantasy it often felt like a romance with fantasy elements. Jasminda and Jack come from completely different backgrounds, yet quickly find themselves deeply connected in a surprising way which plays into the New Adult romance feel. If you are a romance reader who hasn't read much fantasy, or just new to the genre and would like to give fantasy a try, Song of Blood & Stone would be a good place to start.

What Penelope does really well is show a wide range of consequences of bigotry for not only the people who are being discriminated against, but also the impact on the general community that enables unfair treatment of 'others'. There's plenty of accurate and applicable social commentary threaded into this story. For me, the most interesting parts of Song of Blood & Stone were the sections that dealt with the relationships and tensions among the characters.

Penelope does lay the foundation for describing and showing the magic system and how it works, however I do hope that book two gives more world building detail. I'm still not quite sure how technologically advanced the world is. The first part of the story had more of an old world feel that included magic, but as the story progressed it began to feel like a mash up of old world and modern technology, which made it harder to know what the world looks like and how it works.

Song of Blood & Stone is a well written and enjoyable story that ends in a way that makes me look forward to continue on with this series because the story is definitely far from over!

An enjoyable read.
This book is a fantasy novel with warring countries trying to break through/defend a magical barrier between the lands. It has basic technology like electricity and radios which is unusual in books that seem more high fantasy. Unusual in a good way as I enjoyed the update.
This is the story of Jack and Jasminda trying to save their world from a vicious magical All Father who drains people's magic to add to his own. It has fights, a romance subplot, sibling rivalry, bad soldiers, good soldiers, confused Sisters, and a magical Queen stuck in a sleep spell. My only complaint would be the quotes at the start of the chapter didn't always make sense or seem to fit the situation.
I would recommend this book. I've already recommended it to someone.
I received a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. It has an expiration date so I consider it no different than if I had borrowed it from the library.
A good book, the start of a new series--I believe book 2 comes out this fall--that would be a good addition to any fantasy, urban or paranormal fantasy collection.

There are some fantasy novels that sweep you off your feet, because how breathtaking the world is, and how enthralling the story turns out to be. Song of Blood and Stone is such a book. I didn't start the book with high expectations, except a fervent wish that such a diverse fantasy - with a POC on the cover for that matter - should be a good read. I didn't have to worry at all, because Jasminda's story is one of a kind, and it's a book that should be read by everyone.

Jasminda is an orphan and an outsider. Living in a predominantly white Elsira, the biracial girl is shunned for her dark skin and her mighty Earthsong that isn't revered but feared. Set in a parallel 1920, yet so close to our own political climate nowadays, the Song of Blood and Stone traces the story of a girl who is torn between the country she calls her own, and the land of her ancestors, while her beautiful romance with the Elsiran solider Jack complicates things further.

Symbolic fantasies are a tricky business. Either they end up being powerful, or they end up like The Continent. But the author of this book clearly knew what she was doing. While the story had its fantasy elements and a romance that is just magical, the underlining factor of the whole book is Jasminda's inner struggle with her identity and loyalty. As a black girl who's discriminated by the white society she lives among in, it could've been easy for her to turn her back to Elsira, the country that has never treated her well, but it's also the only country she has ever known. Her conflict is portrayed so well, and handled so sensitively that you feel what she's feeling and understand her plight.

I have once read a poem called A Far Cry from Africa. ( It's worth a read, definitely check it out ) It's a moving poem which is based on the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya by Derek Walcott, a man with both African and European roots, and who was torn between his identities. There is a line that has always stayed with me, "where shall I turn, divided to the vein?" This book reminded me of that poem instantly, and resonates the same sentiment in a way that will definitely make you think.

The fantasy elements of the book was backed up by the author's gorgeous writing. Penelope's prose is stunning and lush, and her blend of history and her own imagination was seamless. There's a war between two powerful rulers and two persistent group of people, that acts as the root of the story, and it's intense, and captivating. The book has a steady pace that will keep you turning the pages.

Jasminda is a girl with a steel of spine. Her dignity and morals made me admire her, while I wanted to hug her tight for all the injustice and pain she faced. Jack is a pure soul. I don't think I have read such an unproblematic cinnamon roll of a love interest before him. He's a gentleman, understanding and is sometimes too good to be true, but I am not complaining.

The romance is interracial - Jack is a white soldier - and with that comes the usual complications, but my favourite part was how it changes the already perfect Jack as a better person. I loved the way he handled his white privilege to stand up for the right things. Plus Jack is a bit older - to be honest, the book borders on NA - so the romance has a perfect blend of mature and cheesy.

Overall, Song of Blood and Stone is a book that needs to be talked about more, and a must read. With a magical romance, vivid writing, strong characters and poignant racial undertones and powerful symbolism, this fantasy is spectacular and important.

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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