As one of the biggest fans of Reign of the Fallen, I was so honored to receive an advance copy of Song of the Dead. And it’s everything I ever wanted and more.
Summary
Karthia is nothing like it used to be. The kingdom’s borders are open for the first time in nearly three hundred years, and raising the dead has been outlawed. Odessa is determined to explore the world beyond Karthia’s waters, hoping to heal a heart broken in more ways than she can count. But with Meredy joining the ocean voyage, vanquishing her sorrow will be a difficult task.
Despite the daily reminder of the history they share, Odessa and Meredy are fascinated when their journey takes them to a land where the Dead rule the night and dragons roam the streets. Odessa can’t help being mesmerized by the new magic–and by the girl at her side. But just as she and Meredy are beginning to explore the new world, a terrifying development in Karthia summons them home at once.
Growing political unrest on top of threats from foreign invaders means Odessa and Meredy are thrust back into the lives they tried to leave behind while specters from their past haunt their tenuous relationship. Gathering a force big enough to ward off enemies seems impossible, until one of Queen Valoria’s mages creates a weapon that could make them invincible.
As danger continues to mount inside the palace, Odessa fears that without the Dead, even the greatest invention won’t be enough to save their fates.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
It feels so good to be with my favorites again. I’ve missed my precious necromancers, queens, and healers so much. But they’re not out of the woods. Because what happens after will be a story of rebellion, new countries, dragons, and romance. There’s something for all the pieces of your heart (that you’ll have to pick up once the book is done and the weight of the duology being done hits you). Marsh takes everything you loved about Reign of the Fallen, expands on the world and explores new themes. Get ready.
World, Writing, and Themes
As we were promised, here be dragons. Odessa and Meredy travel to far away lands where there aren’t those who raise the dead, and where are dragons. Yes there are dragons and they are cute. I want one more than ever now. While on these new adventures, we meet new members of the cast that weasel your way into your heart, flaming mouths, talons, and all. Yes I’m referring to a dragon not a human. I can’t get over the dragons okay? It’s like, Lili, combine your love of necromancy and just, I don’t know, add dragons. I’m sold.
But at the same time, there is trouble at home. Plenty of it. What happens when major power shifts occur? People aren’t happy about it. At all. Threats from outside and in ravage Karthia. When your open your borders, it allows all sorts of things, dead and alive. In the face of progress, we are asked if we can make compromises. Afraid of the new and wanting to transition to more science and advancement, what place do our old customs have? Song of the Dead deals with the after effects of the battle. The what-comes-next, the actual daily ruling of the country.
Characters
There’s romance, death, and heart ache. Meredy and Odessa are a strong ship of mine. And you have to wonder if they can float? Haunted by the death of Evan, Meredy and Odessa struggle to navigate their new feelings, while still grieving. Add Meredy’s ex GF spirit, and it’s a whole new sort of party. But what I loved about Song of the Dead is that this time, Meredy struggles with a new sort of challenge. A magical discovery brings forth their darkest thoughts. The ones we torture ourselves with. Can we break free from our own toxic thoughts? Are we strong enough to find the light?
Our favorites go through even more challenges. More hardships, and your heart will be put to the very limit. But nothing can ever really stay the same.
Overall,
And our intrepid explorers make mistakes. They lash out, they run away, they say things they don’t mean. They’re all reeling with the new world, new relationships, and new threats. With all these challenges, can it bring out the best of them? Their friendships, their relationships, and their country surviving to the other side? All the good intentions can get lost when things are executed in the wrong way. In many ways, Song of the Dead answers some important questions about how their country will recover. It isn’t just the evil rulers are deposed, and they lived happily ever after. There is retribution, new bids for power, and consequences to the borders disappearing.
Find Song of the Dead on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.