Wintersong Review

5 glorious stars!!!! Omgosh! What did I just read? I can't even wrap my head around it or form coherent thoughts. This has got to be one of the best novels I have ever read. It's definitely headed to my favourites shelf. I have been wanting to read this book ever since it came out. What really drew me in at first was the gorgeous cover art but the story itself sounded beautiful. I must say, I wasn't disappointed at all. It was everything that I hoped it would be and then some. Firstly, the worldbuilding is so enchanting. The book is immersive with glorious intricate details. From the magic system to the backstories, the description of the underworld, the creatures - everything was just flawlessly described. But above all, the way music was described was done in a very artistic and passionate way. I applaud the author for taking the time to research and incorporate the conventions of music. It gave the story a richer context. I also especially loved the classic style of writing, it was very lyrical and gave the book an almost nostalgic feel. I really do think all these elements helped to elevate the book further. Secondly, I really loved the characters especially the MC Elisabeth. For once, we are met with a girl who is not obsessed with her looks but has an amazing talent. When I read through her characterization and development, I was acutely aware of her struggles to be noticed for what she loves. She's the girl who is constantly overlooked and she is honestly trying to find her mark in this world. Her interactions with her siblings are questionable at times. But, she still loves them and at the end of isn't that what human nature is. We all have darker parts of ourselves, but it's when you find yourself and embrace who you truly are, you become the person you are meant to be. The story essentially is a journey of self discovery and that's what I loved about Elisabeth. You are a part of her journey - you see her vulnerabilities, her emotions and every aspect of herself. Thirdly, the romance between her and the Goblin King was phenomenally done. Even the intimate scenes were handled in a way that transcended the pages of the novel. I loved how their romance was linked with music, it was passionate and endearing. The book does is hedonistic at times and the darker elements which came across are heady but the author does a brilliant job of reeling in the emotions. The book straddles a fine line between lust, passion, and love. Moreover, his character was fleshed out really well too. We see a man who is struggling with himself and throughout the novel, we see this battle. He is a multi-faceted character shrouded in mystery. Even the minor characters in the story play pivotal roles and I enjoyed reading about them. Fourthly, the heart of this book is all about love. Love for family. Love of self. Love for music and romantic love. The author has managed to capture the essence of love through every page of the book. The book brings up questions of what's truly important and shows how love can overcome many things. Without giving away too many spoilers, this book I would say is multi-layered and complex. The twists and turns that it takes are not necessarily jaw dropping but it's more like a revelation of sorts. It's not your average YA or NA book. You have to really read it to understand what the book is about. I guess some people didn't appreciate the language enough and the technicalities of music threw them off. I don't claim to know much about music but the language of love speaks to everyone. The book is very atmospheric but with a darker edge. However, it's that darkness that pulls you in and its beauty is haunting. Last but not least, the structure of the book wasn't so bad. Maybe it's because I got sucked into the story, reading was a breeze. I'm also a sucker for prose that is classical and poetic. So, I didn't find the book that tedious. I actually reveled in its pages and storyline. I will say that this novel might not appeal to everyone but if you love literary fiction and you are looking for a novel with a deeper meaning, I would highly recommend giving this one a shot. You won't be disappointed. Now on to Shadowsong :)

#SJaeJones #fairytale #darkfantasy #Newadult #romance #retellings #family #music #magic