The same infectious desire I had, to spend more time with the Silvers, only increased in this sequel, Song of the Orphans, which I ended up loving even more!
Summary
The Silver survivors had a long and hard journey on their way as fugitives from San Diego to New York, which has involved confronting challenges they never dreamed of, and ethical questions. However, all is certainly not well, even in New York. Facing the end of this world, having just witnessed the end of theirs, their neighbors once believed that their deaths were the only things that could stop a second Cataclysm. Now with loyalties tense, and alliances broken, the Silvers are going to realize they have a lot more on their plate: not only the Pelletiers, but also themselves.
Review
My absolute first thought, and I know this because I take notes while reading, was: I am even more obsessed than before. If you thought you were in love with them before, this book takes you deeper into the characters, their histories, and their future. As one of the main pieces of the novel that results in this glowing review, the characters in this novel go through more emotional events and a truly staggering betrayal that will leave everyone, including you, reeling. Additional characters merely increase the complexity of their relationships, causing you to form attachments, and empathize with the morally gray.
The Plot
Because of the amazingly intricate plot, Price takes us on an adventure where we are obsessed with finding out answers. Who are the Pelletiers? What is this prophecy people are talking about? Where’s Evan? They never end, only some of these are answered, and even those fragments of answers aren’t enough. The plot thickens. Sides change and rebellions grow.
The Song of the Orphans is even twistier and emotional. One of my favorite parts of this novel is the way that music is integrated into their journey. That’s all I can say without spoiling it, but wow, everything related to music in here touches my heart (but I definitely don’t spoil anyone because with a title like that, you’ve gotta know that music is going to be important).
Additionally, from an idea perspective, I am enthralled by their situation in regards to the future. Let me be more clear, unlike the Pelletiers. Where they can see the multiple futures, prophecies, and even aim a gun, there is also no denial of their ability to change this future. This balance is amazing to watch as it unfolds and complicates the question of fate versus self-determination. Even when we begin to think our fate is written in the stars, it is our human nature to rage against the eventual sunset. And sometimes we even succeed.
Overall,
I am both overjoyed I got to read the second book immediately after finishing the first, but am also heartbroken I must wait so long to read the next! I would like a temporal portal please, even if I get singed in the process. At the heart of these characters and this plot is forgiveness, choosing our family, and finding our inner strength. Mixed in are absolutely loveable, and flawed characters, a cunning plot that leaves you confused, and real discussions about the future.
You can pre-order Song of the Orphans from Amazon(US), it comes out tomorrow, and add it to Goodreads.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from First to Read.
Discussion
What would your first thought be if you landed in a parallel universe?
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Oh no there is more than one of me!
haha 🙂