I also just didn't like the characters at all Malik was waaayy too passive and Karina was waaay too selfish.Whenever I get to a point where I realize that I don't care one bit if I continue reading a book or not, I usually stop. I mean really, just pushing through doesn't really cut it and isn't a healthy way to heal things.

I got sick of hearing about the characters' issues (panic attacks and migraines) and not seeing them taking any action to cope with these issues in a healthy way.

Wait scratch that, at nearly halfway through the book they still hadn’t met (see complaints below on slow pacing).The world building felt thin, the characters were hard to engage with and I didn't find the story intriguing in the least. The two end up meeting through a ritual and some strange sets of circumstances. Malik is a displaced young man trying to find food and shelter for his sisters and Karina is the daughter of the Sultana and heir to the throne. The book switches POV between Malik and Karina. I bought a copy of this book for my Kindle.Thoughts: I DNF’d this about 42% of the way in (page 200) I realized I was just completely ambivalent about reading this book. Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the A Song of Wraiths and Ruin duology. An action-packed tale of injustice, magic, and romance, this novel immerses readers in a thrilling world and narrative reminiscent of Children of Blood and Bone.' ( Publishers Weekly, 'An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List')ĭon't miss the second book in this epic duology, A Psalm of Storms and Silence! Read more 'Magic creates a centuries-long divide between peoples in this stunning debut novel inspired by North African and West African folklore. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death? When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a heart-pounding course to destroy each other. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated her court threatens mutiny and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck.

But when a vengeful spirit abducts his younger sister, Nadia, as payment to enter the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal-kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.īut Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. This New York Times bestseller is perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi, Renée Ahdieh, and Sabaa Tahir.įor Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. The first in a gripping fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction-from debut author Roseanne A.

A song of wraiths and ruin book