Magpie's Song (IronHeart Chronicles) Review

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review. 4.5 stars!!! Finally, a book that has left me speechless. Although, this hasn't been one of my most anticipated reads for this year, this novel just took me by surprise. Firstly, I absolutely adored the prose. Allison Pang has an exquisite way with words. The world building was so intricate and complex. From the history of the place to the descriptions of the clothes, buildings - everything was explained succinctly with the mention of the finer details. The way it was interwoven into the story prevented the chapters from getting boring and there was no info-dumping. However, I would have liked a map to give a clearer view of the world and to add some richness to the overall storyline. But, this is a minor issue in the whole scheme of things. Secondly, I loved the MC Raggy Maggy or Mags. I liked how she's portrayed as this gritty independent girl who isn't afraid to get her nails dirty. She isn't concerned about beauty but she has a steadfast love for her friends and cares genuinely for those who are close to her. I loved how the author shows us raw emotion. This story is based on character development and every character has been fleshed out properly. Even the minor characters have heart and are likeable. There's also not much of romance in this book which was a relief. I wasn't much in the mood for a cliched soppy love-at-first sight romance with a broody hero to tag. I liked how the author focused more on the meaty parts of the story and that is friendship and the over-arching plot of how the characters are trying to overcome their circumstances in the grim world they live in. There are casual relationships and adult situations, but I saw this as part of the worldbuilding and I found that it a real depth to the story. Thirdly, I really liked the concept of the novel. I'm a huge fan of the steampunk genre but mixed in with a dystopian plot took this novel to a whole new level. Plus, I loved the quirky technology mentioned in the book. The idea of dragons and a place riddled with plague made for a gruesome, dark and atmospheric vibe. I just couldn't get enough of it. I also enjoyed the plot devices of betrayal, political intrigue, murder, mystery and such. The storyline is so multi-layered that it made for a captivating read. Not once did I question the motives of the characters. There weren't any major plot reveals except for some revelations with regards to the characters. However, I didn't find this disappointing as the book is part of a series. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading the sequel. I would recommend this to readers of YA dystopia and fans of steampunk. This one is a pure treat.

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