Four stars for writing, minus one for the inappropriate aspects of the MCs' relationship. ( )

In a world where some are touched by magic, where 2 nations are divided by an impenetrable wall of magic we follow Jasminda and Jack.
Jasminda is an outcast in her own country of Elsira, being of mixed parentage and having the gift of Earthsong. Jack, a prisoner of war being led back to the True Father, the god-king of Lagamiri. When they meet each other, sparks fly and through thick and thin they are resolved to protect their home from war.
The Mantle can be breached, for now only by those who know where the cracks are, but soon the magic that keeps the True Father at bay will fall and Elsira will be unable to withstand the Earthsong the inhabitants can wield.

My take on the book:

I loved it, it had everything you would want from a book. A great story, characters with real flaws, with insecurities and longings just like everyone else. It was a very powerful story full of intrigue, deceit, fear, betrayal, hope, friendship, love, determination, ...

World building was superb, with detailed descriptions the author got our imagination working overtime, dropping us in the middle of nations on the verge of another war. Character building was likewise very good, we got to know Jack and Jasminda on a pretty deep level, why they react certain ways, what they fear and love and what pulls them to each other. But not only the main characters are well fleshed out, our support characters have a feel to them as if you've known them for years.

As already said, the story is great, it's excellently written and I have found little to no errors.
The pacing and flow are good, giving Jasminda and Jack enough time between running to explore their feelings and insecurities.

This book contains sex (if that is important for you).

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will surely read the following books! ( )

First, what a beautiful cover! As far as book presentation, I am impressed. The little folktales before each chapter are fun and not distracting. I even like the size of the hardcover book, the way it fits in my hands, and the slightly and purposely jagged edges.

STORY:

"...They battled forces much more powerful than themselves. She could only hope those forces wouldn't win" (pg 244).

In Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) by L. Penelope (372 pages), Jasminda is half-Lagrimari from her father and half-Elsiran from her mother, who was disowned by her family. Lagramari are treated like dirt with pronounced distaste. Jasminda, living a quiet farm life, manages to avoid most of the country people's scrutiny until a fateful day. After going to the post office, a relatively-dying soldier in the enemy's clothes, Jack, needs her help. This chance meeting sets many events into motion and unveils a powerful past.

Heads up. There's an attempted sexual assault moment around pg 60. It's really unnecessary and serves no purpose but to point out the bad guys. Also, it's never mentioned again and has no long-lasting effects on the character who experienced it.

The story's told through Jasminda and Jack's alternating perspectives, which is cool. In the background, Jasminda can see visions of a past earthsong couple and her songless twin. Of course, the songless twin goes mad for power after a taste. who didn't see that coming? *sarcasm* Unfortunately, I wondered when did the visions become more compelling than the actual story. On a side note, you can notice some real-life parallels fairly easy.

Also, okay, there's a teensy amount of cringe/ultra dramatic-ness in Jasminda and Jack's interactions.

"With great effort, she pulled away from the impossible temptation of his body" (pg 40).

"The intensity in his expression dissolved her creeping sorrow, bringing instead a pang of yearning."

Concerning the romance, I'll admit maybe Jack and Jasminda's attraction happened rather quickly. But they're not proclaiming their undying love, so it's cool, right? They respect each other and think the other is very attractive. Also, some onesided dry- humping ensures until later.

"Molten longing pooled between her legs" (pg 211).

Lose his sanity? devoured his mouth? her scent driving him crazy? his hardness? is this a fanfiction!?!




jk... Okay, I'm just poking harmless fun. I know I can't write love scenes and it stops being cringy after a while. xD If the love scenes were hardcore with all the real names of the reproductive organs, I would be acting like a total shy kid.

CHARACTERS:

"Do what you think you can't" (pg 24).

I understand that Jasminda's been pretty beaten up in life dealing with prejudiced country and city folk, but she's a little bland. It's like she just reacts to her surroundings but doesn't have strong feelings about it. (ex: oh, I have to protect myself? pull out knife. we can't be friends? cries...)

Jack is okay. Just okay.

My favorite characters had to be Yllis and Oola.

You know who was really interesting that I wanted to see more of? Grandad! Vanesse and the other Elsiran family members too. I also want to know more about Jasminda's family, her daddy and the twins.

OVERALL:

I don't know. Everything just wrapped together too nicely. You're telling me everyone's just going to accept Jack and Jasminda together? Not a lot transpired in this book for the longest. The bulk of the story is world-building, Jack and Jasminda, and some visions. Of course, it's understandable being the first book of a trilogy (?).

Yes, insta-love is present. He's her whole heart after a week and two sex sessions. I'm assuming more relationship development happens offscreen since Jack knew about her aunt, and I don't remember that conversation (possibly forgot or skimmed over it). BUT if the next book shows their married life that would be interesting. Many fictional books don't touch on the characters after marriage unless there's going to be problems like infidelity or estrangement. I'm definitely interested in seeing how Jack and Jasminda progress.

The entire earthsong story and power is my absolute favorite part, so I muddled through the star-crossed lovers drama and whatnot. The female deity and folklore are equally interesting parts as well. If you're into fantasy in general, I recommend it. If you're seeking action or slow-burn romance, look elsewhere.

STILL, I'mma rock with it to book 2. Somehow I think since all the expository, world-building writing's out of the way, we can get into the real meat of the story. ^^

2.5 stars out of 5, but let's round it up to 3!

Thanks for reading! ( )

Elsira and Lagrimar lie close together, yet worlds apart. Separated by the Mantle, a magical veil that prevents travel between the two lands, Elsirans and Lagrimari haven’t mingled for generations. But now the True Father, ruler of Lagrimar and the world’s most powerful Earthsinger, has found a way to crack the Mantle and seize sovereignty in both lands.

Jasminda lives outside the local border town on her family’s farm, struggling to pay her tax debt. Local folk shun her because of her brown skin, her mixed Elsiran/Lagrimari blood, and her Earthsong. Jack, an Elsiran spy, bolts into her life while on the run from Lagrimari soldiers. Her Earthsong heals his wounds. His connections can help save her farm. When he flees his captors, she follows.

Every day brings Lagrimar’s attack closer. Jack prepares his own army for the worst. Jasminda’s unique Song may hold the power to awaken the Queen Who Sleeps, the only one powerful enough to stop the True Father. But time is running out. If Jasminda can’t find the answers quickly, she knows Elsira—and Jack—will fall.

In Song of Blood & Stone, Author L. Penelope weaves a believable fantasy world complete with rich tapestries of mythology, authentic border tensions, and inescapable politics. One thing that struck me throughout was the story’s reflection of issues we face in our own world, namely racism and clashes over immigration. Penelope accurately depicts the helplessness felt by those on the receiving end of slights and prejudice against Earthsingers, not just because of their magic but also because of their dark skin. In the Lagrimari refugees, fleeing horrific conditions wrought by the cruel king of their own lands, Penelope shows threats and harassment faced by immigrants in a land filled with those unwilling to share plentiful resources. The fear, hatred, and bigotry—aptly portrayed in the pages of this story—could have been taken from pages of our own history books, or news media. In all, Song is often bleak, and as a reader I lived in the moments of hope held by those in the story.

Penelope’s characters, for the most part, were well fleshed out. Jasminda, part Elsiran and part Lagrimari, is a strong, self-reliant female determined to salvage what she can in a city where she is ostracized and mistrusted. Jack, an honorable soldier with a compassionate heart, is determined to do his duty, no matter how much it disgusts him. Ella, a “Jacqueline-of-all-trades,” is called to complete an almost impossible task with no resources and against overwhelming odds. While there was a bit of stereotyping there, I could empathize with these three, at least, and lose myself in their experiences. By the end of the story, with all three in totally unfamiliar and challenging roles, I found myself rooting for them and interested to see what happens next.

Even as a fantasy romance with many steampunk elements, the story itself is almost a classic good-vs-evil sort. Backstory is slowly sprinkled into the tale through visions revealed to Jasminda’s mind. It wasn’t hard to figure out where it was going—but Penelope threw in an interesting twist I didn’t see coming. With the clarity of hindsight, I could understand many other things in the story.

I must admit that it took me a while to get into the book, in part because romance is not a genre I usually read. There’s a good bit of star-crossed angsting, which detracted from the story for me. In addition, the book includes some pretty steamy sex scenes, which I felt raised the readership from Young Adult to New Adult.

That said, overall I enjoyed this novel, and by the time I reached the last page I was ready to begin the sequel. If you enjoy a good mash-up of fantasy and romance, you’ll enjoy Song of Blood & Stone. ( )

Wow that was good! Just as awesome as the cover (So Fierce!) and really really satisfying. ( )