DNF at 37%

A Song of Legends Lost is a fantasy/sci-fi book that is setting up a very wide-ranging scope. However, in the first 37%, or 212 pages, I just never felt much interest in the story that was being told. I think part of that is because I personally didn't have a whole lot to latch onto at this point. In Part 1, we follow 3 characters, and in Part 2, we switch to completely different characters in a different part of the world. None of the characters that we are following are really in the same plot point, which I assume they would all converge later, but so far nothing has been particularly captivating in terms of the character or the story. The character that I felt like I was the most interested in was one of the first 3, but even that was not super strong interest.

I think that this book will definitely have readers, but I am not currently able to push through to continue on to get to a point where things might start to pick up and and come together. I am the type of reader that I will burn out and resent the book if I push through without really feeling like reading it.

I put this book down for a while in the hopes that I would return to it and feel differently, but after reading it slowly over the course of a month and a half, I just don't think that this one is for me right now. Perhaps I might return to it at a later date, but for now, it will be a not for me.

Thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for an early eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

WOW, I am so into this. First, you've got an amazing cover. Second, you've got multi-POV fantasy? Sign me the heck up. This was is a bit of a slow build in my opinion, but as it is book one, I completely understand. You don't want to reveal your hand too soon!

The magic system in this really is unique and for an epic fantasy DEBUT, I think it works really really well. The idea that a commoner could rise up and do what apparently only the rich can do is a timeless trope for a reason. I think the character work in here was incredible and I'm really eager to read book 2. Also eager to see what else M. H. Ayinde writes!

This is an absolutely fantastically crafted debut fantasy (and back door sci-fi) novel. This is a true epic in scale, switching between a war and various battles being played out to a small town girl who salvages techwork in a backwater town. How all the various stories end up overlapping and coming together is really well crafted, and I'm interested to see where this story ends up going. In for the next volume.

3.75 stars

A fresh, inventive take on the epic fantasy genre.

During a century-long war against the Greybloods, a commoner invokes a powerful spirit that changes the trajectory of not just the war, but of everyone in the kingdom.

This book did everything an epic fantasy is supposed to do. It had a vast and expansive world, a unique magic system, a large cast of characters, and epic battle sequences—most of which were executed really well.

The story takes place in a kingdom called the Nine Lands, which was once inhabited by the Scathed people until their Greyblood servants rose up and slaughtered them. I found the world-building to be really well done. We traveled through a lot of this land, and I was never confused about where we were. The lore of this land goes hard, and I loved learning about it. It’s crazy that we’ve seen so much of the land, and yet we still have so much to explore in future books.

I found the magic system fascinating. There’s a strong emphasis on the magic of invoking your ancestors to assist in battle—something only Highbloods can do. Much of this is rooted in and inspired by multiple pre-colonial cultures. On the other hand, there’s also magic derived from harnessing and altering techwork, which are Scathed artifacts also known as forbidden relics. This techwork can serve many purposes, including purifying water. These two styles of magic are like opposite sides of the same coin: one is rooted in folklore, while the other is almost analytical in its construction. The juxtaposition between these two systems really enhanced the plot and the overall story being told.

The story is told from multiple POVs, ranging from commoners to nobility. Each perspective was integral to the plot, but I found myself gravitating toward Jinao and Temi as narrators. At first, the number of characters overwhelmed me, but by the end of the book, I was fully locked in. The way Ayinde brought together characters with different backgrounds and motivations, all in different locations, and interconnected them in such an organic, non-forced way was incredibly impressive. Easily one of my favorite aspects about the book.

While there weren’t a huge number of action sequences (I’m assuming more will come in future books), I was fully engaged whenever they occurred. I was deeply invested in the battles, and I loved how intentionally they were placed throughout the plot. They served to emphasize character growth rather than being included solely for entertainment or shock value—which I really appreciated.

The beginning of the book was a little rough. We're thrown immediately into the plot, and I think more setup was needed; I spent the first 25% VERY confused. It all worked out in the end, but I would have liked more foundation before diving into the deeper plot. Also, I would’ve liked more clarity on techwork and the Greybloods—I’m still unsure about what exactly they are and what they look like. I’m sure we’ll get even more context in future books, but I would have appreciated more in this one.

Overall, this was a refreshing new take on the epic fantasy genre, and I’m very interested to see what’s going to happen next.

Thank you so much to Saga Press for gifting me an ARC of this book ahead of its official release.

A Song of Legends Lost was the epic fantasy debut I’ve been craving. It offers an expansive world, a unique and complex magic system, and no romance.

I usually try to give a brief synopsis, but that’s a challenge with this book. It follows five distinct characters from various backgrounds across a truly vast and detailed world. In this story, those of noble blood can summon their ancestors to fight for them, but it quickly becomes clear there’s more to this magic than meets the eye. The inclusion of mysterious technology added a subtle sci-fi element that I really enjoyed. I was also never entirely sure who the "good guys" were, which made the story even more compelling. I’m looking forward to learning more about these characters in the sequel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut. My only complaint is that it was occasionally difficult to keep track of all the characters. There’s a character list at the beginning, which I would’ve referenced more often if I’d been reading a physical copy.

I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for an epic fantasy filled with battles, monsters, family dynamics, ancestral magic, mysterious tech, and no romance.

A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde is an epic fantasy with an intriguing magic system based on invoking ancestors, a sci-fi element (techwork) that made the world feel distinct, and quite a few thrilling fight sequences. The book gets off to an exciting start as you are introduced to different parts of the world through the eyes of a few different characters (Temi was my favorite to follow), and you’re immediately given a sense of the tension and conflict that drives the rest of the story.

That said, I felt like there was a little too much going on overall. I usually do like multiple POVs, but because several of the characters felt underdeveloped to me, I wish the book had spent more time fleshing select characters out, instead of expanding the scope of the story. However, if you’re more of a plot-driven reader vs. a character-driven reader, this may not be a problem for you - I also think you’d like this book if you enjoy the following:

⚔️ Magic system based on ancestral summoning
💥Multiple POVs
⚔️ Action sequences
💥 Complex family dynamics
⚔️ African inspired worldbuilding

Thank you Saga Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a well done and entertaining debut. M.H, Ayinde really created something special here and really took the time to create her world, the characters and the story as a whole and form it into this really entertaining ride from page one to the very last page. The characters were all well realized, each with their own unique backstories, ambitions, and goals; and their own challenges to overcome. Watching them from the start of the story grow into what they are at the very end was well done and I enjoyed reading each of their character arcs.

The world-building was also a key strength here, the author manages to create a richly imagined world of ancestral magic and history and strife etc without relying on info dumps. All of what we needed to know to flesh out this world is presented nicely in dialogue and other little informative paragraphs as we need to know it, so we learn of the world as our characters are leaning about it to which makes it a lot more interesting; which also ties into the characters journeys, as they learn about this world they live in and the specific hand of cards they’re dealt, it makes everything seem very cohesive and well put together. Altogether this was a very well done debut and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the Invoker’s trilogy. 4.25/5 stars

From the first few chapters, I was all in—like, cancel-my-plans-and-ignore-my-responsibilities in. The world-building? Chef’s kiss. The magic system? Totally fresh and not just a re-skinned version of something you’ve seen a million times before.

Now, there are a lot of POVs—like, Game of Thrones levels of “wait, who is this again?”—but don’t panic. The book splits things up nicely so you’re not head-hopping every five minutes. Each section focuses on a few characters, so your brain doesn’t explode trying to keep track of everyone.

Sure, it’s the first book in a brand-new universe, so there’s a decent amount of lore to soak in. But the writing makes it super digestible—like fantasy on training wheels, but in a good way. You won’t need a PhD in fictional geopolitics to enjoy it.

Really loved how the book started. The cultures and world were unique and intriguing. While I had mixed feelings about the characters, the ending was actually quite intense and exciting.

Full review coming soon.

Nine Lands offers a fresh take on fantasy warfare, blending elements of historical conflict with the supernatural. The setup is intriguing: a kingdom built on the ashes of rebellion, now facing a resurgence of the defeated greybloods. The invoker clans, with their ability to summon ancestors, provide a unique and exciting twist to the battles.

The narrative shines when exploring the moral ambiguities of the conflict. The clear-cut history the Nine Lands believes in is thrown into question as Temi's accidental invocation reveals darker, more complex truths about the ancestral realm. This plot point adds depth to the story, challenging the reader to consider the true cost of war and the dangers of blindly following tradition.

However, the book occasionally suffers from pacing issues. The initial world-building is dense, which can be overwhelming, and some character arcs feel underdeveloped amidst the grand scope of the war. Despite these flaws, Nine Lands is a compelling read with its innovative magic system and thought-provoking themes, making it a worthwhile addition to the fantasy genre.

A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde is a stunningly crafted epic that blends lyrical prose with rich world building, and unforgettable characters - into a tale that feels both timeless and relevant. From the very first page, Ayinde commands the reader’s attention with a voice that is at once poetic and powerful, weaving a story that honors tradition ( ancestors especially ) whilst also breaking new ground in fantasy literature.

Set in a world inspired by African myth and history, this book pulses with heart, culture, and magic. The story builds upon itself with the cadence of an ancient song - deeply resonant, alive almost and emotionally complex. Ayinde's characters are very human, which means flawed but also brave, and the journey they undertake is one of self-discovery, resistance, and reclaiming stories long forgotten.

What sets this book apart is its heart. Ayinde doesn’t just build a new world, but gives life to something .. something that has been overlooked, but is so vibrant, one may wonder how we " lost the legends" of our song. Every nuance and detail, from the politics to the magic, feels alive and poignant. The prose is lush and evocative, often stopping you mid-sentence just to savor a turn of phrase or a piercing insight ( or have you craving plantain at 3 AM..).

A Song of Legends Lost is a remarkable debut and a gift to the genre ( and an ode to our ancestors alike), a book that feels destined to become a classic.

THANK YOU TO M. H. AYINDE for giving me NoCat to adore! Also, thank you for giving us several characters to explore and "see". I cannot wait to see where the beat of the drums take us from here. Thank you also to the Team at Saga Press and Netgalley. This epic start to Invoker Trilogy is and will be a true classic!

3.5⭐

I had an overall mixed time with this book. It definitely feels like a strong example of a epic fantasy book, and has a lot of the elements you'd find in a classic epic fantasy: there is a interesting and well developed world and magic system, you get a lot of characters with multiple, divergent storylines, war and battles and political intrigue. And very impressive in scope for a debut novel.

The world and characters have the feel of more modern fantasy books in that it is not set in a vaguely western European/Middle earth inspired world, and there's a lot of diversity. I love that there were fat people just existing in this world who weren't just the villain or being mocked or only allowed to be bakers and innkeepers. I was initially intrigued by the vague hints of sci fi in this world, I'm a big fan of science fantasy, and the sense that there is something bigger going on in the world that most of the characters don't understand. But by the end of the book I still felt like we hadn't actually developed these hints very much, and after over 600 pages I was disappointed that there wasn't more revealed.

I really enjoyed some of the POVs, although I didn't love the choice to have one of the POVs who felt like they were going to be very central to the story disappear for half the book. At the same time, other POVs I wasn't as interested in and didn't connect much to both those POV characters or almost any of the many many side characters who came in and out of the story.

The plot I felt had similar issues to the worldbuilding in that I was expecting these stories to build up to something bigger and was disappointed. It certainly isn't the case that nothing happened in the book, but it almost felt like the whole book was prologue and maybe that bodes well for the next book but also makes it hard to get through. I also got the sense for a lot of the book that things were happening to all the characters as opposed to the characters actively progressing the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the arc!

This was so good! Immediately making sure all of my book friends read this when available. Loved how the storylines came together.

DNF @ 13%. I may come back to this story, as I didn't get far enough to rate this book just what I've read, but the writing was good and the plot has potential, but the first 10% just didn't grip me or compel me to continue.

I liked the elders, the community and family connections, and the queer representation.

Finally a book advertised as an epic fantasy that's actually an epic fantasy, though there's definitely elements of Scifi in here as well. This was a sweeping tale, and while I definitely enjoyed some POVs more than others, they all felt very necessary to advance the plot. I especially enjoyed Elari and Juneo. The world building was incredibly rich, and I could tell that we barely scratched the surface of it.

A Song of Legends Lost takes you to a world tormented by greybloods, monstrous creatures encroaching on humanity. Noble families summon their ancestors to aid in glorious battle, while the vast majority of lowbloods are just trying to keep their heads down and stay alive. But not every spirit that whispers to be heard is family, and not all of them are helpful.

This is a wonderfully unique story. I found the prose to be such a strength of this book, and I was always looking forward to how Ayinde described magic. There are what feels like dozens of mysteries and threads you follow as you hop between PoV chapters, and there’s a good balance between giving the reader enough to stand a chance playing detective with just enough held out of reach between some shocking twists and turns.

The sheer volume of characters is a strength and a bit of a weakness. Never in my life have I flipped back and forth to the dramatis personae as much as I did with this book. That is part of the realism of this book, and Ayinde has a very strong command of the cast she’s working with. I think all of the PoV characters are chosen excellently. Even if I would have been happy to just follow Temi the whole time, she’s a delight.

This is a promising start fantasy series for anyone who wants to get invested in a wide cast of characters in a fresh, gripping word.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette for the eARC.

This book is a wonderful debut that thrusts readers straight into an epic fantasy world that is full of magic and wonderfully fleshed out characters where there is sure to be something for everyone.

Following many characters and giving their perspectives is always a wonderful way to give readers multiple viewpoints and allows us to really get into the shoes of characters we will come to love.

The magic system is wonderful and new, providing a breath of fresh air to the genre, especially when it comes to epic fantasy.

Overall this is a wonderful debut for this epic fantasy world.

I wait until I've read about 25-30% of a book before I decide to DNF it. I was intrigued by the prologue as it reminded me a little of reading a Brandon Sanderson book. I was prepared for world-building including but not limited to a new religion/culture/origin story and I usually like dual POVs. But in this particular book, the dual POVs presented such complex information as well as tons of characters in each that it was hard to keep track of everything and stay interested in the story. I know the storylines would have eventually combined and there would be the payoff between the back and forth, but with the overload of information regarding the invokers with Jinao and then the background of Temi's people who made the votives along with the mysterious entity who she heard, it was too much.

I think perhaps for me the pacing was too slow and the information dumps too complex for the first book in a series. HOWEVER, if you're used to reads like that, I believe this will be a great fantasy. Personally, I just need a little bit more action and plot progression to stay hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and SagaPress for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A Song of Legends Lost was such a great debut epic fantasy. It had everything I would want - intertwined POVs that are not obvious until the end, a strong and unique magic system, and a diverse set of characters. I also appreciated that this story had zero romance, as it is certainly not needed.

The 5 POVs were all well done and I never felt irritated or lost when storylines were switched. I can see where others will not enjoy that, but I thought it worked here. I also thought the world building was awesome. The world that Ayinde created was very lush and fresh. The idea of ancestral magic is what interested me and it delivered! This is definitely one that makes you pay attention and is not a "quick and easy" read.

The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars is because there was a few instances I had to go back and re-read something to fully catch what was happening. However, that is probably a me problem. There's a lot happening here!

I think those who like epic fantasy will certainly enjoy this one! I'm really excited to continue on in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Fans of intricate world building and multiple story lines are going to lose their minds over A Song of Legends Lost. With multiple twists and unforeseen connections, M. H. Ayinde has created an engaging story full of mystery and intrigue.

Ayinde does a phenomenal job of weaving elements of ancient worlds, people, and cultures with seemingly modern or futuristic technology that is rooted in mythology and fantasy. These elements allow Ayinde to explore complex topics such as caste systems, corruption, and our own inner power and resilience in a way that is accessible and relatable to readers.

A Song of Legends Lost is an epic read for fans of The Will of the Many and Red Rising.