Whispers of Shadow & Flame
by L. Penelope
Whispers of Shadow and Flame has a unique concept. The Idea that magic is born with the population from the beginning. The meteoric rise of The True Father was at the expense of the population. He stole the power from the Queen who never dies. The Lagrimari people are manipulated by propaganda ideology to give their magic, their song to the True Father. This gives the True Father more power, but also keeps the population under his influence. The idea of rebellion against the True Father is contrary to his intention. The book has a significant impulse to understand how populations are controlled by despot leaders/ Its pages give warning to the world about learning to understand the truth inside the propaganda and the ability to stand up for human rights. I was absorbed in the pages, needing to find the connections between the characters, and the solution of the story. I will happily wait for the next entry in the series to see the solution to the problems outlined in this story beginning. This would be a great book for middle school and high school, not only giving the paranormal interest but also teaching them how to understand and defend themselves against propaganda.

I really wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but I was actually pleasantly surprised and very excited I had the chance to find and read this! I hadn't heard much, or anything really, about this series before, but it's well written and I loved with world-building and characters!

This book two of Song of Blood & Stone is one that you do not have to read book one to read this one. However, I will say that book one was very good and you shouldn't miss it. This one is set with new characters in a parallel timeline to the first. I really loved this one. This one deals with the Eathsingers who are all POCs and I do have to say that unlike a lot of titles this one made no apologies for this and I loved it!! So many titles out there have an all white cast so this was a nice change. Although race and color shouldn't really matter in a story. I liked the distinction that this story gave.

I loved the magical system/powers in this title. They were new and fresh and I would love a story bible that is more in depth with all of the history etc.

Overall, I could not put this one down and I can not wait for another one.




Go Into This One Knowing: POC Cast, Fantasy, Amazing Magical System

This is a talented, creative author. The book has good pacing and kept me engaged. You'll probably get more enjoyment by reading the first in the series, but this works on it's own. Probably best for romance fans.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!

This is the second installment in this series. I enjoyed it almost as much as the first, but perhaps a dash less because I already knew some of the mystery from the first book in the series. With that said, I really think this can be read independently or out of order. The author is so engaging, and the stories stand on their own very well.

In terms of content, I really enjoyed both the books in this series and would read any future ones as well. The world developed by the author is rich and diverse, the characters beautifully flawed and the pace of events at a good speed.

Highly recommend this and the first book in the series.

A great sophomore effort in this series. The premise for this fantasy series remains new and refreshing for a genre that can reuse and repackage tropes. This book had a similar issue for me with the character transitions as the 1st book. The back and forth makes me wonder if the book would be better served if it was split into 2 books. I'll be interested to see where the next book goes.

I was a little hesitant to pick up this book because of the countless bad reviews for the first in this series. No, I haven't tried reading it to give a judgement of my own, but well... the positive star ratings for this one definitely convinced me to read it. And it was worth it.

When I first started, I thought the plot was pretty similar to Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. A tyrant king who is immortal, and so strong nobody dares to oppose. A tyrant king who doesn't care about the well-being of his people, and because of that, a rebel group is born. And there, they work together to fight against the king. But thankfully, that's where the similarities end - which makes it a joy to read because it's so original.

The author certainly created a very interesting form of magic. The Lagrimari, the citizens that the True Father (their king) rules over, can be born with a Song inside them. The more common one is called the Earthsong. Those with that form of magic is able to make use of life force to do many things. The other is Nethersong, the complete opposite of Earthsong. Darvyn is an Earthsinger; Kyara a Nethersinger. That's one of the reasons this book is so cool: we get the best of both worlds. Plus, all the characters, whether they be Singers or no, have substance. And I love that. (Except, I think, the True Father, since he rarely appears.)

The mystery of The Queen Who Sleeps is intriguing, and I'd love to learn more about her. The author also makes sure to add in other forms of delightful fantastical information into the plot, and I felt that really brings out the solidity of the world she has created. This is in contrast to the reviews that I've seen from the first book, and thinking about it now, perhaps it's because that book took place in Elsira, and this one in Lagrimar? Whatever it is, I might just intend to find out for myself. I'm not so sure yet. What I am sure, however, is that I will most definitely pick up the next installment! The story of Darvyn and Kyara cannot end like this... Anyway, just when I thought the surprises ended there, a couple others came in, and I was amazed. My favourite part is when Kyara finally realised the true extent of what her Nethersong can do.

I recommend this book to all fantasy lovers who also adores romance. There is a rather good balance between the two genres, but more so fantasy than romance, just the right proportion for when the fantastical aspect is so darn epic. But due to an explicit scene, this book is only suitable for a more mature audience (the protagonists are in their early twenties).

This review is based on the ARC given to me by the publisher through Netgalley. It is completely okay to read this without reading the first book, but both events are linked in some way, disclosed only at the end of the book.

This series is among one of my favourites. I was just as in love with Kyara and Darvyn as I was with Jack and Jasminda. I think the world building in the Earthsinger chronicles, as a whole, is great. To me the series stands out as a unique read within the fantasy genre. I can't wait to read the next book!

I read Song of Blood and Stone last year and really enjoyed it. This book isn’t a sequel so much as an extension to that world. It runs parallel to the narrative of the first book and deals with a different set of characters – Kyara, who has a rare type of magic that connects her to death and has led to her being used as an assassin, and Darvyn, the mysterious Shadowfox. This book is set the other side of the Margin in Lagrimar, where the population is all black and almost all possess some form of earth magic. There is a disturbing theocracy in place as opposed to Elsren’s monarchy, and the Allfather is one of those villains that hits some vital level of instinctive dread. A love story, a fantasy adventure and a book with a surprisingly literary feel, this instalment is not to be missed. I can’t wait for the third book.