“… war is not about the killing. It seems to him that it must be about fear more than anything.”

When I heard Samara Naeymi mention this book during a (hilarious) live, I knew it would be right up my alley. I was extremely lucky go get an advance listener copy. I was not prepared to be as emotional over this book as I was. I am an active member of the black heart club so it takes a lot to make me cry. While I didn’t actually shed a tear, this book tugged on all my heart strings.

If you like retellings, pick this up. Jesse Browner knows how to turn a phrase. The writing was stunning. I highly encourage you to do the audio because Sam absolutely nailed this one.

Beautifully written- Hani’s insights, trying to survive after the war while looking for his family… All of it was so sad. Esp for someone his age, my goodness. After nursing an enemy soldier back to health, showing that small bit of humane compassion in a place so bleak & riddled w/ death. I would’ve thought their bond was strong, but I guess you really don’t know somebody even after the fact…
Overall, the story was well written. I also felt like I needed a bit more from it, the emotions were there, but they didn’t stick around neither.

“Maybe peace is just war taking a rest. Maybe war never ends.”
Will the world truly ever know peace…

3 stars ✶

i didn’t really know what to expect going into this book but i was intrigued by the synopsis.

i don’t really have much to say on this book just that it was really well written and atmospheric.

i think it’s a beautiful piece about grief and the after affects of war on humanity and our ability to persist and still have our guard up to strangers but also the beauty of bonding with someone you otherwise would never have met.

Samara Naeymi, our narrator was really good but i did have to speed up the audiobook to 2x and sometimes 2.5x because i felt like it was being spoken too slow.

thank you netgalley & hachette audio for the arc!

Sing to Me is undeniably beautifully written—Browner’s prose is elegant and lyrical, with moments that genuinely moved me. That said, the story itself felt meandering and ultimately aimless. While I appreciated the introspection and atmosphere, I was left wondering what the point of it all was. A lovely read on the surface, but lacking in lasting impact.

I felt the story was a bit meandering and lacked purpose. Stories with a main character as a child are not my favorite as it seems the child is always wise well beyond his years to the point of being unbelievable.
The narrator had a pleasing voice but maybe spoke a bit too slowly.
Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company Publishing, and Hatchett audio for the advance listening experience.
Full review on GoodReads closer to publication date