Review 'A Song of Wraiths and Ruin' by Roseanne A. Brown

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a story of heartbreak and grief. Of losing yourself so completely, only to realize you had the strength to get up again within you all along.

I didn't expect this book to leave such a significant impact on me, but it did. I've been thoroughly wrecked in every way possible. From the very first page, this story oozed with pain. Each page strung together by centuries-old loss and denigration and the desire to belong.

To be equal.

I couldn't have read this book at a better time when the world is once again crying out for the unfair treatment of black people. This book told the same story that people of color still have to suffer through every day. To say that it broke my heart while simultaneously making want to scream up at the sky for all this unfairness is an understatement. Brown couldn't have worded the issue of race any better. I highlighted so many parts, so many quotes that touched race issues and prejudices in a society that still bears the scars of slavery centuries ago.

There were so many outstanding things about this book that I can't not address, so this review might be on the long side.

First and foremost, the mythology, lore, and world-building. It was clear from the very beginning that this book would be filled to the brim with fantastical stories and myths. And it did not disappoint. Inspired by West African culture, these folklores woven between the words have taught me new things and gave me a lot more insights into the Wes-African culture. Brown has a talent of intertwining the right words that made this world-wholly new and unknown to me-slowly open and unravel before my eyes in the most vivid way possible. I was tugged into the book and placed in the center of this world, surrounded by explosions of colors, spices, and music that brought tears to my eyes. I had never read a book inspired by West-African culture before, so I was initially a bit scared that it would be hard to understand the culture and visualize it all. But Brown described it all so beautifully that I had no trouble at all. I got lost in a world of pharaohs and tribes, festivals and comets, gods and wraiths. I loved the unique magic system and the role it played throughout history. I loved the stories about the great wars and the pharaohs of old. And I loved the stories about warrior queens and freedom of the people from centuries of slavery.

The plot was intriguing from the moment I read the synopsis; A princess set on killing the man who will become her king and a refugee set on killing the princess to save his sister. Two characters, bound by destiny and hatred and desperation. And a competition. Who doesn't love to read about a competition where the stakes are life or death? Who doesn't love to read an excellent deep-rooted enemies-to-lovers romance? Both apart are fantastic, but both combined are explosive. You will undoubtedly get lost in the political schemes and court intrigue, the assassins and the legendary storytellings, and the dazzling festival that brings both heartbreak and hope. But as heartbreaking as this story was at times, It didn't lack in heart-racing moments either. The ending was a spiral of betrayals and heartbreak. You don't know who to trust, and even when you think you do, you'll end up betrayed again. It's a whirlwind of plot twists that take your breath away.

The plot was terrific, no doubt about that. There was never a dull moment, never a time where I found my mind wandering to other things. But if I have to decide whether this was a character- or plot-driven book, I choose character-drive.

Both the main characters, Karina and Malik, were portrayed beautifully and wrung their way into my heart from the very first page.

The princess, Karina, is grief-stricken, drowning more and more every day. She is so lost within herself and the world that it is impossible not to feel for her. Those feelings of mourning were described in such a particular way that I could feel the agony pierce my body. It is because of that, that her journey into healing and growing was such a heartwarming one. To read about those decade-old scars finally starting to heal was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Karina started out as a lost girl who never thought she was good enough but grew into a powerful woman who discovered her strengths, picked herself back up, and fought for her kingdom. Karina is a remarkable heroine that I know many people will be able to relate to and look up to. Karina was a heroine that needed to be born. Malik was a complexity of relatable character traits that knocked me to the ground. Malik is the purest soul ever and I will protect him with my life. As a refugee, Malik and his sisters have also known their fair share of grief. They have no home, their family is broken and shattered, and they have to hide their true selves for fear of racist retaliation. Malik's story was very akin to the racial struggle that has been an issue for millennia. It was incredibly insightful and educational. There are so many powerful quotes about race that I highlighted and feel like I must share. But to avoid possible spoilers, I will post them at the bottom of this review for those interested. But as much as I loved the incorporation of racism in this story, the thing I loved most about Malik was his struggle with anxiety. As someone who suffers from anxiety as well, I love finding characters that I can relate to. And once again, Brown had done an incredible job of portraying this mental illness. Both his panic attacks and his messy, rambling thoughts were described vividly. The biggest struggles for people with anxiety often lies in the little things that people on the outside don't always notice. But Brown did not elude these from her character. I found myself clinging to these little detailed descriptions of Malik's struggle through anxiety. I was nodding along, eyes filled with tears, my mind whispering over and over again, 'I feel you. I am here.'

I had so many thoughts while reading this book. One of them was how underrated it was. It deserves more recognition. I couldn't help but think of how I could spread my excitement about this story so more people would read it. But I'll begin with this; if you're a fan of Stephanie Garber, S. A. Chakraborty, Tomi Adeyemi, if you like Aladdin, West African mythology, and legendary stories, if you're looking for a book with POC main characters, a book that addresses serious issues like race and mental health, then please, please, pick up this book. This is a story that is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. A story that needs to be heard.

***Quotes about race***

"It was the feeling of watching Zirani soldiers raid his house and leave his grandmother sobbing on the floor. It was the feeling of begging people for aid and receiving nothing but ridicule and threats. It was the feeling of existing in a world that hated him simply for existing."

"[His] family believes that the only true Zirani are those who can trace their lineage back to the time of Bahia Alahari, like theirs. In was born and raised in Ziran, but because my parents immigrated from the Eastwater savanna, as far as [he] is concerned, someone of my background doesn't belong here."

"Do you know what it's like to be surrounded by the reminders of those who detest your very existence?"

"There were, and still are, a lot of problems with Ziran. Nothing good can come of a place that refuses to see the pain of the people on whose backs it was built."

I am posting this review today on the release day of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin in light of the horrific events that are currently happening and to support the #blacklivesmatter movement.