I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman takes on a dangerous journey after discovering the secrets of her origins in author JM Landels’s “Allaigna’s Song: Aria”, the second book in the Allaigna’s Song series.
The Synopsis
The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling fantasy ALLAIGNA’S SONG: OVERTURE!
Allaigna has discovered that her family has lied to about her parentage all her life. Fueled by anger and spurred by her betrothal to a neighbouring lord, Allaigna has packed her saddle bags and stolen away in the night. The perils of the road provide more than a distraction from her fury, and test her ability to sing music into magic to its limit. Unlikely allies, subterfuge, captivity, and assault conspire to change Allaigna’s status from mere runaway to fugitive.
While Allaigna charts her dangerous course, the quieter tales of her mother and grandmother unfold in tender, poignant, and heartbreaking vignettes that underscore the political and family tensions of the richly rendered world of the Ilmar.
The Review
I absolutely loved the world-building that this book held within it. The high fantasy world was so beautifully realized, and the multiple POVs between the three generations of women within this family allowed readers to see not only how they evolved as characters but how the world evolved around them. The politics and family structure that the author explored through these characters really made the setting feel alive and thoughtful in its approach.
To me, the heart of this book was in the blend of music with magic, as well as the strength of these incredible female characters, including the protagonist. The cohesiveness of the musical magic these characters exude, and the way Allaigna’s journey not only explores the depths of her power but the evolution of her outlook thanks to the way the world comes into conflict with her journey time and time again was both emotionally investing and gripping.
The Verdict
Harmonious, enthralling, and memorable, author JM Landels’s “Allaigna’s Song: Aria is a must-read high fantasy novel and a great addition to the Allaigna’s Song series. The detail the author puts into the book with maps and outlines of the world and the history within it was great to see, and the shocking twists and turns in these women’s lives will keep readers eager to read the next entry into the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
JM Landels, writer and illustrator of the Allaigna’s Song trilogy and co-founder of Pulp Literature wears far too many hats. The strange mix of a degree in Mediaeval English Literature, a misspent youth fronting alternative punk bands Mad Seraphim and Stiff Bunnies, and a career as a childbirth educator and doula informs her work. These days, when she isn’t writing, editing or drawing, she can be found heading up the Mounted Combat Program for Academie Duello in Vancouver BC where she swings swords and rides horses for fun and profit.
http://jmlandels.stiffbunnies.com/