Book Review: Orphan's Song by Gillian Bronte Adams
Anyway, Orphan's Song by Gillian Bronte Adams is book one of the Songkeeper Chronicles, and book two is being released soon so you can read this one now and you won't have long at all to wait for book two!
Who Will Keep the Song Alive?
Every generation has a Songkeeper – one chosen to keep the memory of the Song alive. And in every generation, there are those who seek to destroy the chosen one.
When Birdie's song draws the attention of a dangerous Khelari soldier, she is kidnapped and thrust into a world of ancient secrets and betrayals. Rescued by her old friend, traveling peddler Amos McElhenny, Birdie flees the clutches of her enemies in pursuit of the truth behind the Song’s power.
Ky is a street–wise thief and a member of the Underground—a group of orphans banded together to survive . . . and to fight the Khelari. Haunted by a tragic raid, Ky joins Birdie and Amos in hopes of a new life beyond the reach of the soldiers. But the enemy is closing in, and when Amos’ shadowed past threatens to undo them all, Birdie is forced to face the destiny that awaits her as the Songkeeper of Leira.
Not so good: Orphan's Song is a fantasy book and they do a lot of traveling, but there IS NO MAP. Which I count a great fault in any book of this kind. They did a lot of traveling but although I was not confused a map would have improved this book so much.
There were twists and surprises, except I was not surprised by them and I guessed them. I think most were guessable because the book was just a bit cliché. The prologue was very similar to so many other story beginnings or prologues I have read. The rest of the story was a little cliché too but saying that not overly so and not at all borrowed from other books, but just kinda what is expected.
There is no bad content whatsoever unless you count the bit of violence.... but I don't remember it being overly descriptive either.
Good and just totally amazing: Orphan's Song had me turning pages, it never dragged. There was a lot of mystery hanging around the story that was slowly revealed, but I knew just enough to keep me happy, (which I would not have known without the prologue so maybe that was good after all). There was quite a few hints of the interesting history of the world, but no info dumps.
The world building was really well done (except no map.... how is that possible?) Even things like other unusual creatures the book would mention were done well. It would not describe them overly leaving mostly everything to the imagination, but it would tell enough. The magic or Song power or whatever was quite cool too.
And finally the characters! The thief Ky was very well developed and all the underground everything. And the back story of that which we learn parts of during the book is intriguing. As for Amos, I could picture him so well, he is not a character I will forget despite him falling into the grumpy won't tell you anything mentor category. Even the animals, the Griffin and George were rather good and also mysterious.
The very hidden analogy was lovely too, making the book allover special and just such an enjoyable read.
The ending felt right. Although it is a cliff hanger and I had been told by my sister how horrible it was it did not seem to bad. I guess I was expecting something a lot more worse. I know of a lot of other characters that have escaped out of the situation they are stuck in now so although it is a cliffhanger it is good and not all that bad, but I do want the next book.
I highly recommend that you read this book. And then pre-order the next one.
And because book photos........ are photos of books...
As you can see I liked the little owl bookmark, so I had to make one for myself too... and I used it while reading this book!
So don't forget to enter into the bookmark giveaway if you have not already because this is the last day.
About the Author
7 comments
Hey Clare!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a good book! I was wondering though about a few others you had on your bookshelf, mainly "A Time To Die" and the 3 books "Sword" "Gift" "kingdom" what are the names of the authors?
~Susannah~
A Time to die is so good! I highly recommend it! The author is Nadine Brandes, it is a dystopian, Christian fiction, adventure book, there are a few kinda violent bits but the characters and story are so good. There is no bad content, and in the next book there is a bit of romance, but seriously go read this book!
DeleteIt has been ages since I read Bryan M. Litfin's trilogy, it is an adventure, romance and I suppose dystopian in which the world has mostly gone back to medieval times. I found it inspiring for the faith but the characters make bad choices a few times (which are shown as bad) and there are a few uncomfortable scenes in one of the books, resulting from those bad choices. But over all it was a great trilogy. I'd still recommend it but not as much or at least for say 16+, I need to re read them and review them properly... so I can remember...
Ah, the cover is GORGEOUS. I'd probably get it for the cover. But this book seems amazing, I love fantasy books like this. Wonderful review, that bookmark is too cute :D
ReplyDelete~Noor
a little bit of sunshine
It is a gorgeous cover! And the book lives up to it although I don't think the cover was ever a scene in the book, and the griffin isn't there most of the book :( But he is sometimes, I am hoping he will be around a lot more in the next one.
DeleteYour problem is that you think about the books too much. When I read generally speaking, I just read and read...until the end, or I have to stop. But if you think about it and guess what's going to happen, it wouldn't be anywhere near as good.
ReplyDeleteI loved it. And it's really cool to know that it's just sitting there in my bookshelf (waiting to be reread...except I've got too many other books to read at the moment). :P
True, but I think about all books and having read so many makes it easier to guess stuff sometimes, I forgot to mention that the book was just put on my shelf for the photos and it really belongs to you Jane :D
DeleteYeah, I only growled quietly when I saw the photo. Consider yourself forgiven. XD
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