Plus, they're enemies-to-lovers, and there's a gladiatorial element, too.

Likewise, Karina is a princess who feels like she's in a gilded cage, and longs for freedom from her own, different brand of oppression.

I was told that this was inspired by Aladdin and I can sort of see that Malik is soft (in a good way) and cares for his sisters, and he wants freedom from the life that consistently beats him and his family down. There isn't anything objectively wrong with this book but I had a lot of trouble getting into it and when I stalled at page 130, I ended up returning it to the library for the next person. Malik is poor and part of a discriminated-against cultural minority, and he and his sisters end up in a Jareth from Labyrinth-type situation with one of the gods when his younger sister accidentally makes a bargain and the only way to save her is to, you guessed it, assassinate the princess Karina. Karina is a princess whose mother has just been assassinated and whose court is in the midst of political upheaval. so while I wait for my copy to renew again from the library, and since I did read almost a quarter of it, I will post my (rated) review with my thoughts so far, and will update if they change once I try to read it again and give it a second shot.Ī SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN is the first in a fantasy duology with Black characters, 'in a world inspired by West African folklore.' Our hero and heroine are Malik and Karina. I originally wasn't going to rate this book, since it was a debut and I didn't particularly care for the writing style, but people keep coming onto this review and leaving me rude comments saying that apparently you aren't allowed to write (non-rated) reviews for books you haven't read. Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest The first in an fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death? When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated her court threatens mutiny and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal-kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.īut Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran.

A song of wraiths and ruin summary