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A review by monetp
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
4.0
4.5 stars
"Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours." ~ [b:A Song of Wraiths and Ruin|49629448|A Song of Wraiths and Ruin (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, #1)|Roseanne A. Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576673547l/49629448._SY75_.jpg|65116439]
I can't thank [a:Roseanne A. Brown|18395190|Roseanne A. Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1536367538p2/18395190.jpg] enough for creating the character of Malik/Adil. I'm practically in tears writing this review. I've never come across a fictional character that more accurately experiences panic attacks and anxiety. Plus, usually characters that experience mental illness in books are white. I happen to be someone who is white and passionate about teaching people about mental illness. It's important to show, through the use of fictional characters, that mental illness affects everyone. Having such anxiety representation in books has been a lifeline for me. Usually, I always relate to the female heroes in stories; it's easy to see myself in them. However, this was the first time I really connected with a male hero. Malik and I are both sensitive, empathetic, loyal to our families, lacking in self-confidence, and anxious all the time. I love how flawed his character is. Like Malik, I never feel that I'm doing anything right. Malik is such an important character because he demonstrates the importance of kindness.
I also loved Karina's role in the story. Her character development is GOALS. Her rise into leadership is so beautifully written that it seems effortless. She's so realistic too; she has confident days and the next day she struggles to get out of bed. Honestly, Karina wanting to sleep through the events of the novel is SO RELATABLE.
As for critiques, the worldbuilding caught me off guard. I loved the complex and intricate storytelling, but there was a lot of it. Near the end of the book, when all the plot lines are being sewn up, I had trouble remembering Karina's family tree, her connection to Idir, etc. I love books with strong mythologies like this one, but I wish it was easier to recall. Maybe it would've helped to have a glossary of the gods' names and lives at the start of the book? Just mentioning the important gods and their abilities more often would've helped me. Specifically, when the challenges were going on, Adil was the only opponent I could keep track of. Tunde was a gem; I love his character so much!!!! I can't say enough good things about him. However, I only remembered his water ability, but none of the other competitors. So far, I don't understand the importance of knowing about the wind, fire, water, etc. competitors.
All in all, I enjoyed this book even more than I expected! It was a perfect quarantine read; I was swept away into a fanciful and compelling land where I was totally engaged in the story being told. I can't wait to read the next book to learn more about the mythology, Karina's future, and Malik's storytelling ability (which I have to say is the coolest power ever!).
Some of my favorite quotes:
- "When he was younger, Malik had just assumed the grim folk were so commonplace that no one spoke of them, the same way no one needed to say that the sky was blue. He had even foolishly considered the creatures his friends, listening to their stories and making up his own to entertain them. But they weren't his friends, because they weren't real."
- "Malik nodded shyly and stared into his bean soup, appalled at how poor his social skills were. At times like these, it felt like every other person in Sonande had been given a guide on how to interact like a normal human being, and his had never arrived."
- "...the village elders had tried to 'fix' him. The same age he'd been when the panic attacks began."
"Do not underestimate the strength it takes to be kind in a world as cruel as ours." ~ [b:A Song of Wraiths and Ruin|49629448|A Song of Wraiths and Ruin (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, #1)|Roseanne A. Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576673547l/49629448._SY75_.jpg|65116439]
I can't thank [a:Roseanne A. Brown|18395190|Roseanne A. Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1536367538p2/18395190.jpg] enough for creating the character of Malik/Adil. I'm practically in tears writing this review. I've never come across a fictional character that more accurately experiences panic attacks and anxiety. Plus, usually characters that experience mental illness in books are white. I happen to be someone who is white and passionate about teaching people about mental illness. It's important to show, through the use of fictional characters, that mental illness affects everyone. Having such anxiety representation in books has been a lifeline for me. Usually, I always relate to the female heroes in stories; it's easy to see myself in them. However, this was the first time I really connected with a male hero. Malik and I are both sensitive, empathetic, loyal to our families, lacking in self-confidence, and anxious all the time. I love how flawed his character is. Like Malik, I never feel that I'm doing anything right. Malik is such an important character because he demonstrates the importance of kindness.
I also loved Karina's role in the story. Her character development is GOALS. Her rise into leadership is so beautifully written that it seems effortless. She's so realistic too; she has confident days and the next day she struggles to get out of bed. Honestly, Karina wanting to sleep through the events of the novel is SO RELATABLE.
As for critiques, the worldbuilding caught me off guard. I loved the complex and intricate storytelling, but there was a lot of it. Near the end of the book, when all the plot lines are being sewn up, I had trouble remembering Karina's family tree, her connection to Idir, etc. I love books with strong mythologies like this one, but I wish it was easier to recall. Maybe it would've helped to have a glossary of the gods' names and lives at the start of the book? Just mentioning the important gods and their abilities more often would've helped me. Specifically, when the challenges were going on, Adil was the only opponent I could keep track of. Tunde was a gem; I love his character so much!!!! I can't say enough good things about him. However, I only remembered his water ability, but none of the other competitors. So far, I don't understand the importance of knowing about the wind, fire, water, etc. competitors.
All in all, I enjoyed this book even more than I expected! It was a perfect quarantine read; I was swept away into a fanciful and compelling land where I was totally engaged in the story being told. I can't wait to read the next book to learn more about the mythology, Karina's future, and Malik's storytelling ability (which I have to say is the coolest power ever!).
Some of my favorite quotes:
- "When he was younger, Malik had just assumed the grim folk were so commonplace that no one spoke of them, the same way no one needed to say that the sky was blue. He had even foolishly considered the creatures his friends, listening to their stories and making up his own to entertain them. But they weren't his friends, because they weren't real."
- "Malik nodded shyly and stared into his bean soup, appalled at how poor his social skills were. At times like these, it felt like every other person in Sonande had been given a guide on how to interact like a normal human being, and his had never arrived."
- "...the village elders had tried to 'fix' him. The same age he'd been when the panic attacks began."