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A Song of Ruin and Rage
In the kingdom of Brython, bards are never women--until Tali unlocks a form of poetic magic most believe to be myth.While Tali fights tradition, she sings a prophecy predicting an Unbalancing between the Dustborn realm and its two Otherworlds. As the radical Cult of Undoing—a religious sect that demonises Othereds—begins to rise in power and popularity, Tali sings of three others whose fates, like hers, are tangled up in the Eifian, who investigates the Cult’s activity at the behest of his missing uncle whilst grappling with a newfound, chaotic Serys, who is warned by her Otherworld mother that someone has been forcing shut portals between the Worlds—and that her blood may be able to stop Ffara, the king’s daughter, who fears her status as heir is in jeopardy, as Brython has never been ruled by a woman before—and certainly not by one with Otherworld magic in her veins. Magic her father’s priest is suddenly very interested in suppressing.As the noble houses gather in the kingdom’s capital for the yearly Meet, tensions between Dustborn and Othereds rise, ancient deities stir, and the four soon Tali’s bard-song of ruin and rage is more than fiction.**A Song of Ruin and Rage is Book One in the Welsh fantasy series A Quest for Sleeping Dragons. It is somewhere between romantasy and grimdark.**
- GenresFantasy
434 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2023
12 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Makenzie Marshall
1 book17 followersMakenzie Marshall is the author of the dark Welsh fantasy series A Quest For Sleeping Dragons.
She wrote her first book at ten-years-old and independently published her YA fantasy novel, Forsaken, at age eighteen. She published her short-story Nothing Grows From Pomegranate Seeds with Fairlight Books in 2018.
She holds a BA in Literary Studies from Missouri Southern State University and an MA with Distinction in Welsh & Celtic Studies from Cardiff University. She is a full-time PhD student, and her research around two fifteenth-century Welsh manuscripts is being funded by the South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Programme (AHRC).
Originally from Joplin, Missouri, USA, she now lives with her partner and daughter in Pontypridd, Wales.
She wrote her first book at ten-years-old and independently published her YA fantasy novel, Forsaken, at age eighteen. She published her short-story Nothing Grows From Pomegranate Seeds with Fairlight Books in 2018.
She holds a BA in Literary Studies from Missouri Southern State University and an MA with Distinction in Welsh & Celtic Studies from Cardiff University. She is a full-time PhD student, and her research around two fifteenth-century Welsh manuscripts is being funded by the South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Programme (AHRC).
Originally from Joplin, Missouri, USA, she now lives with her partner and daughter in Pontypridd, Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 15, 2023
What an incredible fantasy steeped in Welsh myth and legend! Full review to come soon! 🪶
(FINAL REVIEW): This was such an incredible fantasy set in a Welsh inspired world bursting with myths and legends from the small country. I loved the world building that Marshall did for this first book. Each place felt unique and vast in a way that I haven’t had for a while with fantasy books. Because of this, I definitely felt immersed in the world and honestly couldn’t get enough of it. 🌄
The magic system was so cool. After reading a lot of Chinese myth inspired books lately, nef makes me feel like it’s Wales’ version of qi/chi and maybe that’s me stretching it a bit, but it’s how I understood it and could visualize it in my head. I’m definitely invested now and can’t wait to see more examples of it in the future! ✨
The cast of characters and POVs, while at first daunting, felt very well fleshed out and real. Tali (who I assumed was the main character, but is really one of four) is a woman trying desperately to be her father’s successor as house bard. I thought her story was the least explored of the bunch simply because I was so interested to see how her journey to bard-hood would go. But her complicated relationship with the mysterious Drysïen is something I did find particularly interesting and can’t wait to see where it goes in the next book! 🪕
Eifian felt the most mysterious of the bunch simply because I feel like he’s unreliable in the first place. His mysterious power adds to his characterization in which I could never really pin down what he was going to do next. But despite this, he is a loyal and honestly very loving man who would do anything for his family and betrothed, and his ending makes me super excited to see what he’ll get up to next! 🪶
Ffara was a fascinating princess character. She’s not the prissy and overly spoiled woman that I sometimes lump royal women to be. Her pragmatism throughout the novel was honestly lovely to see and her ending just makes my heart hurt for her and the way she was literally left for dead by her own father. 🔮
And lastly, my favorite POV of the bunch, Serys. I don’t know if it was her merfolk heritage or her forbidden love subplot, but she was my favorite for some reason. Her interactions were so soft and light (the only way I can honestly describe it) and I just loved how her magic was portrayed. I’m definitely excited to see what the consequences of her decisions at the end of the book will be in the next book! 🧜♀️
All in all, I loved this book. Thank you so much to BookSirens and the author, Makenzie, for letting me be a part of the review team! I can’t wait to read the sequel and will be quietly dying for it in the meantime. 🥹
Pub. Date: December 27!!! 🔥
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW): This was such an incredible fantasy set in a Welsh inspired world bursting with myths and legends from the small country. I loved the world building that Marshall did for this first book. Each place felt unique and vast in a way that I haven’t had for a while with fantasy books. Because of this, I definitely felt immersed in the world and honestly couldn’t get enough of it. 🌄
The magic system was so cool. After reading a lot of Chinese myth inspired books lately, nef makes me feel like it’s Wales’ version of qi/chi and maybe that’s me stretching it a bit, but it’s how I understood it and could visualize it in my head. I’m definitely invested now and can’t wait to see more examples of it in the future! ✨
The cast of characters and POVs, while at first daunting, felt very well fleshed out and real. Tali (who I assumed was the main character, but is really one of four) is a woman trying desperately to be her father’s successor as house bard. I thought her story was the least explored of the bunch simply because I was so interested to see how her journey to bard-hood would go. But her complicated relationship with the mysterious Drysïen is something I did find particularly interesting and can’t wait to see where it goes in the next book! 🪕
Eifian felt the most mysterious of the bunch simply because I feel like he’s unreliable in the first place. His mysterious power adds to his characterization in which I could never really pin down what he was going to do next. But despite this, he is a loyal and honestly very loving man who would do anything for his family and betrothed, and his ending makes me super excited to see what he’ll get up to next! 🪶
Ffara was a fascinating princess character. She’s not the prissy and overly spoiled woman that I sometimes lump royal women to be. Her pragmatism throughout the novel was honestly lovely to see and her ending just makes my heart hurt for her and the way she was literally left for dead by her own father. 🔮
And lastly, my favorite POV of the bunch, Serys. I don’t know if it was her merfolk heritage or her forbidden love subplot, but she was my favorite for some reason. Her interactions were so soft and light (the only way I can honestly describe it) and I just loved how her magic was portrayed. I’m definitely excited to see what the consequences of her decisions at the end of the book will be in the next book! 🧜♀️
All in all, I loved this book. Thank you so much to BookSirens and the author, Makenzie, for letting me be a part of the review team! I can’t wait to read the sequel and will be quietly dying for it in the meantime. 🥹
Pub. Date: December 27!!! 🔥
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
January 15, 2024
A series unlike any other I’ve read before! Marshall ties in elements of Welsh lore and legends into this fantastic magical story of fate, duty, and forbidden love. The world building is fantastic.
Not a spoiler, but I loved how the story reads as a countdown to an event we do not yet know the context of called “The Meet”, which builds much anticipation of what’s to come.
Marshall’s writing is wonderfully descriptive - painting beautiful, lyrical pictures of the environment and even emotions of the characters she is portraying. The characters are complex and unique, tied together by fate. I’m so intrigued by Drysïen and I can’t wait to find out more of his story and arc in the books to come!
Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy!
Not a spoiler, but I loved how the story reads as a countdown to an event we do not yet know the context of called “The Meet”, which builds much anticipation of what’s to come.
Marshall’s writing is wonderfully descriptive - painting beautiful, lyrical pictures of the environment and even emotions of the characters she is portraying. The characters are complex and unique, tied together by fate. I’m so intrigued by Drysïen and I can’t wait to find out more of his story and arc in the books to come!
Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy!
July 6, 2024
Reviewing A Song of Ruin and Rage poses a unique challenge for me. The story begins with a heavy focus on world-building, which, while rich and immersive, makes it difficult to immediately connect with the characters. I typically enjoy character-driven stories, but most of the characters here already had pre-existing relationships we weren’t privy to, leading to a lot of telling rather than showing. Tali stood out as a more accessible character, but there were so many POVs and different threads that we didn't get a lot of time with her.
The middle portion of the book is particularly strong, with the plot gaining momentum and the world-building serving as a captivating backdrop. The plot has a slowly mounting tension and I dreaded what was going to happen; the reader knows far ahead of the characters - which is something I enjoyed. Some characters, like Tali and Ffara, were complex and compelling, but others, like the priest’s son, felt inconsistent. One moment he was sniveling and untrustworthy, and the next, he was suave and confident. Maybe it is his dual nature, but it felt abrupt.
In the end, this book is dark—there are references to violence and SA that are deeply uncomfortable, adding to an overall grim tone. The ending felt rushed and left the characters in such dire straits that I felt more drained than eager to read the next. It’s reminiscent of the Red Wedding in terms of emotional impact.
Fans of grimdark fantasy with intricate settings inspired by Welsh folklore may find this book appealing. However, readers should be prepared for a somber and intense journey. I received a review copy from booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The middle portion of the book is particularly strong, with the plot gaining momentum and the world-building serving as a captivating backdrop. The plot has a slowly mounting tension and I dreaded what was going to happen; the reader knows far ahead of the characters - which is something I enjoyed. Some characters, like Tali and Ffara, were complex and compelling, but others, like the priest’s son, felt inconsistent. One moment he was sniveling and untrustworthy, and the next, he was suave and confident. Maybe it is his dual nature, but it felt abrupt.
In the end, this book is dark—there are references to violence and SA that are deeply uncomfortable, adding to an overall grim tone. The ending felt rushed and left the characters in such dire straits that I felt more drained than eager to read the next. It’s reminiscent of the Red Wedding in terms of emotional impact.
Fans of grimdark fantasy with intricate settings inspired by Welsh folklore may find this book appealing. However, readers should be prepared for a somber and intense journey. I received a review copy from booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2024
In the book “A Song of Ruin and Rage”, which is the first instalment of the ‘A Quest for the Sleeping Dragons’ series, author Makenzie Marshall introduces us to a new world of high fantasy, rooted in Welsh myths and legends.
The annual event called ‘Meet’ to be held in the Capital, sets the stage for the intricate story that will involve the different ruling families of the Warden-Realms of the kingdom of Brython. The story of the escalating tensions of the realm is told from the POVs of four characters :
1) Tali, with her newly gained ability to sing prophecies that was believed to have gone extinct from the world.
2) Eifian Alchen, with his wings 😍 and mysterious explosive powers
3) Serys Llŷr with her water-based powers and scales.
4) Ffaraon Brythonfren, the heir of the Kingdom and the descendant of the most powerful Magician family of the Realm.
I loved each of the narrators and found their journeys uniquely captivating.
Marshall's worldbuilding and magic system had hooked me from the very start and I am really not exaggerating when I say that the vibes of the book reminded me of the CLASSICS of high fantasy : Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire. And the gorgeous prose easily makes this novel a standout in the genre. Another aspect that particularly resonated with me is the focus on political intrigues rather than romance, although the latter is also delicately woven into the subplots.
Looking forward to exploring more in this richly detailed world of magic, politics and adventure in the upcoming sequel 😍
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The annual event called ‘Meet’ to be held in the Capital, sets the stage for the intricate story that will involve the different ruling families of the Warden-Realms of the kingdom of Brython. The story of the escalating tensions of the realm is told from the POVs of four characters :
1) Tali, with her newly gained ability to sing prophecies that was believed to have gone extinct from the world.
2) Eifian Alchen, with his wings 😍 and mysterious explosive powers
3) Serys Llŷr with her water-based powers and scales.
4) Ffaraon Brythonfren, the heir of the Kingdom and the descendant of the most powerful Magician family of the Realm.
I loved each of the narrators and found their journeys uniquely captivating.
Marshall's worldbuilding and magic system had hooked me from the very start and I am really not exaggerating when I say that the vibes of the book reminded me of the CLASSICS of high fantasy : Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire. And the gorgeous prose easily makes this novel a standout in the genre. Another aspect that particularly resonated with me is the focus on political intrigues rather than romance, although the latter is also delicately woven into the subplots.
Looking forward to exploring more in this richly detailed world of magic, politics and adventure in the upcoming sequel 😍
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2023
I absolutely loved this book.
In short, a group of different families gather every year with the King for a yearly meet to discuss laws etc. As each family starts arriving they start to feel that something is not quite right this year and we follow members of each family as they begin to discover the real reason they are all being gathered.
The character and world build up was so good. I felt a likeness to each of the characters and from the start was invested in each of their journeys. I like the added details that are included in each of the characters who may not be deemed as a main character. I found myself feeling for people who I should have been mad at!
This book is so well written, I could not put it down. The world that Makenzie Marshall has created is incredible.
I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
In short, a group of different families gather every year with the King for a yearly meet to discuss laws etc. As each family starts arriving they start to feel that something is not quite right this year and we follow members of each family as they begin to discover the real reason they are all being gathered.
The character and world build up was so good. I felt a likeness to each of the characters and from the start was invested in each of their journeys. I like the added details that are included in each of the characters who may not be deemed as a main character. I found myself feeling for people who I should have been mad at!
This book is so well written, I could not put it down. The world that Makenzie Marshall has created is incredible.
I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
December 18, 2023
*This is my unbiased review based on an ARC kindly received with thanks to the author*
This is a beautiful, twisting story based on four different points of view that become intertwined the further in the book we get.
First of all, I adored the links to Welsh mythology, it is definitely the first of its kind that I have seen. The first 3/4 of the book was at a slightly slower pace (needed to introduce the world, and to allow us to become familiar with the characters), the last 1/4 however really packed a punch, and I couldn't put it down for the last 100 or so pages.
My only very small niggle is that so much new terminology is introduced so quickly that I sometimes lost track of what was happening or what words meant - there is an index at the back, but personally I would have preferred footnotes for each time the new words appeared to allow me to become familiar with them.
A brilliant read and I am already looking forward to book 2!
This is a beautiful, twisting story based on four different points of view that become intertwined the further in the book we get.
First of all, I adored the links to Welsh mythology, it is definitely the first of its kind that I have seen. The first 3/4 of the book was at a slightly slower pace (needed to introduce the world, and to allow us to become familiar with the characters), the last 1/4 however really packed a punch, and I couldn't put it down for the last 100 or so pages.
My only very small niggle is that so much new terminology is introduced so quickly that I sometimes lost track of what was happening or what words meant - there is an index at the back, but personally I would have preferred footnotes for each time the new words appeared to allow me to become familiar with them.
A brilliant read and I am already looking forward to book 2!
December 27, 2023
This book is amazing. Makenzie very kindly sent me an ARC of this book, which is the first in her (potentially) six book series called A Quest for Sleeping Dragons, and wow this is a way to start a series.
The world building, the lore, the magic systems, the history about the families and kingdoms is all well-thought out and nuanced and very descriptive, you feel like you're part of Brython and part of its history and culture.
It also has multiple POVs, which I was intimidated by at first, but it really does add to the story having different perspectives. Each character is different, unique and have their own motives and morals so it is very easy to distinguish them. Eifien is my favourite, I like how his feelings around guilt, unreciprocated love and duty are explored and how they affect him.
I'm also so happy that it is influenced by Welsh mythology. Welsh myth is richly full of stories, mythical creatures etc and refreshing to see that Makenzie has combined some of those myths and her fantasy to create this fantastical world. Welsh myth is typically neglected in books but I'm hoping this book will inspire others to also appreciate Welsh mythology 🏴
I recommend this book for fans of fantasy and grimdark, and looking for a new series to get invested in!
The world building, the lore, the magic systems, the history about the families and kingdoms is all well-thought out and nuanced and very descriptive, you feel like you're part of Brython and part of its history and culture.
It also has multiple POVs, which I was intimidated by at first, but it really does add to the story having different perspectives. Each character is different, unique and have their own motives and morals so it is very easy to distinguish them. Eifien is my favourite, I like how his feelings around guilt, unreciprocated love and duty are explored and how they affect him.
I'm also so happy that it is influenced by Welsh mythology. Welsh myth is richly full of stories, mythical creatures etc and refreshing to see that Makenzie has combined some of those myths and her fantasy to create this fantastical world. Welsh myth is typically neglected in books but I'm hoping this book will inspire others to also appreciate Welsh mythology 🏴
I recommend this book for fans of fantasy and grimdark, and looking for a new series to get invested in!
July 29, 2024
WOW! Where to start. This is a fast-paced, page turning, fantasy that will have you wondering what’s next. The world building between realms, lovable characters with unique gifts and chaos is all phenomenal. I cannot wait to read book two. Is anyone else figuring out which lineage they would be tied to along with their gifts?!
December 28, 2023
I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader of this book!
I’m going to start off by saying that this book has reopened my eyes to fantasy.
I got game of thrones, lord of the rings and somewhat of a Merlin feel to it.
I loved it, I read it so slowly to savour the words, the world my mind created and the characters coming to life.
The story is a multi POV, following Tali, Eifian, Serys and Ffara on the build up to the annual meet. However the meet doesn’t feel the same this time, with Tali’s warnings in song and rhyme, Eifian’s ‘newfound, chaotic power’ whilst investigating a cult. Serys finds out she has an ability to open portals and Ffara, the king’s daughter, who has become quite an interest to her father’s priest due to magic in her blood.
‘As the noble houses gather in the kingdom’s capital for the yearly Meet, tensions between Dustborn and Othereds rise, ancient deities stir, and the four soon discover:’
The end of the book definitely leaves it open to a sequel and I myself cannot wait for a book 2.
Thank you Makenzie for making a world that makes the imagination spark and awaken.
I’m going to start off by saying that this book has reopened my eyes to fantasy.
I got game of thrones, lord of the rings and somewhat of a Merlin feel to it.
I loved it, I read it so slowly to savour the words, the world my mind created and the characters coming to life.
The story is a multi POV, following Tali, Eifian, Serys and Ffara on the build up to the annual meet. However the meet doesn’t feel the same this time, with Tali’s warnings in song and rhyme, Eifian’s ‘newfound, chaotic power’ whilst investigating a cult. Serys finds out she has an ability to open portals and Ffara, the king’s daughter, who has become quite an interest to her father’s priest due to magic in her blood.
‘As the noble houses gather in the kingdom’s capital for the yearly Meet, tensions between Dustborn and Othereds rise, ancient deities stir, and the four soon discover:’
The end of the book definitely leaves it open to a sequel and I myself cannot wait for a book 2.
Thank you Makenzie for making a world that makes the imagination spark and awaken.
January 27, 2024
Yet another example of why self published authors are just as talented and just as worthy of appreciation as traditionally published authors.
A Song of Ruin and Rage is a beautiful love letter to Welsh mythology and legends. Wales has a rich and deep history of magic and myth that is unfortunately overlooked by many and it is always such a wonderful feeling to find fiction that embraces that history.
We are dropped immediately into the lore of the world and are carried through the story by four individual protagonists (Tali, Ffara, Serys, and Eifian) who all have their own strengths, weaknesses, pains, and flaws. Each character is beautifully crafted, even those outside of the four focus characters, are magnificent. As we follow each of the four we see how their situations link and how their lives gradually unravel. The characters are diverse, deep, and fantastically developed. It is difficult to do anything other than care about them and their situations. Even the villains are superbly handled, an old fashioned Machiavelian villain causing the tipping of scales.
My personal favourite character is Adain.
Discrimination and prejudice are major themes within the story. People with magical blood are the main focus of the brutal hatred featured within and the real world allegories are brutally realistic but handled with care. The story also deals with real world misogyny in a clear and distinct way. Of the four focus characters all three of the women are victims of misogynistic and patriarchal ideals, though each experience differs depending on their social standing and family connections there is no doubt about the way the world and people around them see them. Each of the three copes with their circumstances in different ways and Marshall has done a fantastic job of displaying these outdated ideologies about gender that unfortunately still plague much of society even today.
Each chapter contains a count down leading up to an event known as "The Meet" which is a simple but wonderfully affective way of building the reader's anticipation.
I would personally have liked to have seen a little more development with certain relationships, maybe some more exploration of characters' histories but the story still flows well without this. Personally the love triangle within the story wasn't quite my cup of tea but that's a personal preference and the three characters involved are wondeful regardless.
There was one scene that was fairly uncomfortable to read but it is handled with a fair amount of care and the situation is more of an implication than anything else. This is a dark novel that delves into some real world horrors in a fantasy setting, a rather important tool in educating people about some of the darkest parts of humanity. Marshall has a great talent for dark fantasy.
Overall, however, I look forward to book two.
A Song of Ruin and Rage is a beautiful love letter to Welsh mythology and legends. Wales has a rich and deep history of magic and myth that is unfortunately overlooked by many and it is always such a wonderful feeling to find fiction that embraces that history.
We are dropped immediately into the lore of the world and are carried through the story by four individual protagonists (Tali, Ffara, Serys, and Eifian) who all have their own strengths, weaknesses, pains, and flaws. Each character is beautifully crafted, even those outside of the four focus characters, are magnificent. As we follow each of the four we see how their situations link and how their lives gradually unravel. The characters are diverse, deep, and fantastically developed. It is difficult to do anything other than care about them and their situations. Even the villains are superbly handled, an old fashioned Machiavelian villain causing the tipping of scales.
My personal favourite character is Adain.
Discrimination and prejudice are major themes within the story. People with magical blood are the main focus of the brutal hatred featured within and the real world allegories are brutally realistic but handled with care. The story also deals with real world misogyny in a clear and distinct way. Of the four focus characters all three of the women are victims of misogynistic and patriarchal ideals, though each experience differs depending on their social standing and family connections there is no doubt about the way the world and people around them see them. Each of the three copes with their circumstances in different ways and Marshall has done a fantastic job of displaying these outdated ideologies about gender that unfortunately still plague much of society even today.
Each chapter contains a count down leading up to an event known as "The Meet" which is a simple but wonderfully affective way of building the reader's anticipation.
I would personally have liked to have seen a little more development with certain relationships, maybe some more exploration of characters' histories but the story still flows well without this. Personally the love triangle within the story wasn't quite my cup of tea but that's a personal preference and the three characters involved are wondeful regardless.
There was one scene that was fairly uncomfortable to read but it is handled with a fair amount of care and the situation is more of an implication than anything else. This is a dark novel that delves into some real world horrors in a fantasy setting, a rather important tool in educating people about some of the darkest parts of humanity. Marshall has a great talent for dark fantasy.
Overall, however, I look forward to book two.
December 25, 2023
Obviously, goodreads doesn’t include decimal ratings, but my rating is around 3.8 stars!
Compared to the other reviews, mine might seem harsh, but let me assure everyone that this rating doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I genuinely did, I enjoyed it, it was nice. Books steeped in Celtic folklore/mythology are always something I am interested in, especially since they’re not as entirely common anymore.
A Song of Ruin & Rage is a slightly darker-than-usual fantasy that, as I said, is centred around Welsh culture. The book follows four POV’s: Tali, a female bard who discovers her ability to sing ominous prophetic songs; Eifian, a young man with a strange, destructive power festering inside him and a determination to unravel the mystery of his missing uncle; Serys, a young woman who has water-based abilities and closely resembles a mermaid, and blood that can open portals; and Ffara, a fire-wielding princess—or ‘Edling’—who discovers an enemy in her father’s new priest.
The blurb of the story and the prose is very well done, and it instantly drew me in. And while I did enjoy reading the actual story, there were parts that—simply in my perspective—fell flat, or, more accurately, parts that hiccuped.
The major one would be that I felt the story’s climax towards the end was a little sudden. There was build-up, yes, but it still seemed to me that it came out of nowhere and was almost startling, and it knocked me a bit off-course. This isn’t to say that the entire plot was flimsy, because it wasn’t, and there were multiple times throughout the story where I was fairly invested.
As a lesbian, I do hope we get some sapphic content in the next book, as I heard from the author that there is a sapphic relationship between two pretty major characters. I was a little underwhelmed as I had been expecting, at the very least, a bit of it. Connected with this, when one of the lesbian characters brought up how she wasn’t interested in men, she did mention she’d still get slightly involved with one for the ‘good of her kingdom’. And while I do understand this—the story is set in quite a misogynistic world, after all—I felt extra disappointed. Through my eyes, it almost felt like the tiniest bit of erasure. All of this is why I just really do hope that there will be more insight into the sapphic relationship(s) within this world, as lesbians and overall sapphic couples are quite underrepresented in media.
Overall, this story does have a few flaws, but it was for the most part an enjoyable ride and I’m excited to see what the next book will bring!
*Thank you to the author and BookSirens for sending me an ARC of this story, in exchange for an honest review!*
Compared to the other reviews, mine might seem harsh, but let me assure everyone that this rating doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I genuinely did, I enjoyed it, it was nice. Books steeped in Celtic folklore/mythology are always something I am interested in, especially since they’re not as entirely common anymore.
A Song of Ruin & Rage is a slightly darker-than-usual fantasy that, as I said, is centred around Welsh culture. The book follows four POV’s: Tali, a female bard who discovers her ability to sing ominous prophetic songs; Eifian, a young man with a strange, destructive power festering inside him and a determination to unravel the mystery of his missing uncle; Serys, a young woman who has water-based abilities and closely resembles a mermaid, and blood that can open portals; and Ffara, a fire-wielding princess—or ‘Edling’—who discovers an enemy in her father’s new priest.
The blurb of the story and the prose is very well done, and it instantly drew me in. And while I did enjoy reading the actual story, there were parts that—simply in my perspective—fell flat, or, more accurately, parts that hiccuped.
The major one would be that I felt the story’s climax towards the end was a little sudden. There was build-up, yes, but it still seemed to me that it came out of nowhere and was almost startling, and it knocked me a bit off-course. This isn’t to say that the entire plot was flimsy, because it wasn’t, and there were multiple times throughout the story where I was fairly invested.
As a lesbian, I do hope we get some sapphic content in the next book, as I heard from the author that there is a sapphic relationship between two pretty major characters. I was a little underwhelmed as I had been expecting, at the very least, a bit of it. Connected with this, when one of the lesbian characters brought up how she wasn’t interested in men, she did mention she’d still get slightly involved with one for the ‘good of her kingdom’. And while I do understand this—the story is set in quite a misogynistic world, after all—I felt extra disappointed. Through my eyes, it almost felt like the tiniest bit of erasure. All of this is why I just really do hope that there will be more insight into the sapphic relationship(s) within this world, as lesbians and overall sapphic couples are quite underrepresented in media.
Overall, this story does have a few flaws, but it was for the most part an enjoyable ride and I’m excited to see what the next book will bring!
*Thank you to the author and BookSirens for sending me an ARC of this story, in exchange for an honest review!*
December 21, 2023
'A Song of Ruin and Rage' is the first book in Makenzie Marshall's 'A Quest for Sleeping Dragons' series. It tells the story of a bard's prophecy of an Unbalancing between worlds and the five people who will challenge fate.
The prologue is a really powerful start to the story - it's very descriptive and gets straight into the action. The prologue introduces Tali's prophetic skill of Inspired Song, and from then on the perspective changes between the other main characters of book one - Eifian the powerful Othered lord, Ffaraon the King's daughter and heir, and Serys, the Morwoman fiance of Eifian. Although the blurb mentions Tali's prophecy that links all of these characters together, this prophecy doesn't actually happen until about 70% of the way through the book. After a powerful prologue, the action slows down a bit while the characters are all introduced, but then it starts coming all together at around 30% of way through.
The chapters are all told between the four POVs, but all of them are linked by a header that counts down to the Meet. I thought this was a really simple but effective way of creating tension because it signalled that the Meet was going to be really significant for all of the characters. It also helped provide a clear timeline of events, and connect all of the characters, even before their stories started to intersect.
Now that all of the pieces are in place, and the world has been built, I can't wait to see where the plot goes in book two. It's such an interesting world that has been created based on Welsh myths and legends and I really enjoyed the fresh environment. My favourite ever series is Juliet Marillier's 'Sevenwaters' series, which is influenced by Irish myths and legends so I loved that I was similarly getting to see Welsh influences combined with original ideas. With the different types of Othereds explained, and the plot now firmly in motion, I hope that book two picks up at the pace that book one ends at, because that last third of 'A Song of Ruin and Rage' was where everything came together.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from BookSirens, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
The prologue is a really powerful start to the story - it's very descriptive and gets straight into the action. The prologue introduces Tali's prophetic skill of Inspired Song, and from then on the perspective changes between the other main characters of book one - Eifian the powerful Othered lord, Ffaraon the King's daughter and heir, and Serys, the Morwoman fiance of Eifian. Although the blurb mentions Tali's prophecy that links all of these characters together, this prophecy doesn't actually happen until about 70% of the way through the book. After a powerful prologue, the action slows down a bit while the characters are all introduced, but then it starts coming all together at around 30% of way through.
The chapters are all told between the four POVs, but all of them are linked by a header that counts down to the Meet. I thought this was a really simple but effective way of creating tension because it signalled that the Meet was going to be really significant for all of the characters. It also helped provide a clear timeline of events, and connect all of the characters, even before their stories started to intersect.
Now that all of the pieces are in place, and the world has been built, I can't wait to see where the plot goes in book two. It's such an interesting world that has been created based on Welsh myths and legends and I really enjoyed the fresh environment. My favourite ever series is Juliet Marillier's 'Sevenwaters' series, which is influenced by Irish myths and legends so I loved that I was similarly getting to see Welsh influences combined with original ideas. With the different types of Othereds explained, and the plot now firmly in motion, I hope that book two picks up at the pace that book one ends at, because that last third of 'A Song of Ruin and Rage' was where everything came together.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from BookSirens, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 18, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the magnitude of the world building that went into this new series. I can easily picture the sweeping landscapes and settings described by the author.
The characters are easy to relate to, despite being so different from each other. Ranging the the common dustborn bards daughter, to the heir to the kingdom and the possibly possessed priests son. It's very easy to feel for every wellrounded character as they deal with the events they are all living through, in very different ways.
They experience love, lust, hate, fear, anxiety and more as their story begins to unfold. With each event I find myself feeling their anxiety and questions along with them, What is really going on?
I look forward to hopefully reading the next book in the series soon.
Thank you for sharing this with me, and congratulations on what's sure to be an amazing writing career.
I really enjoyed the magnitude of the world building that went into this new series. I can easily picture the sweeping landscapes and settings described by the author.
The characters are easy to relate to, despite being so different from each other. Ranging the the common dustborn bards daughter, to the heir to the kingdom and the possibly possessed priests son. It's very easy to feel for every wellrounded character as they deal with the events they are all living through, in very different ways.
They experience love, lust, hate, fear, anxiety and more as their story begins to unfold. With each event I find myself feeling their anxiety and questions along with them, What is really going on?
I look forward to hopefully reading the next book in the series soon.
Thank you for sharing this with me, and congratulations on what's sure to be an amazing writing career.
December 19, 2023
In the beginning it was a little hard to get into all the world building (which is done artfully) and the multiple POV's (I am like a duckling, I cling to the first person I get introduced to), but as soon as the people and stories are weaved together you get sucked into the world and the story and I found myself fitting from chapter to chapter to see where we would go next.
This thorough introduction to a new world and the very descriptive writing made me believe I was walking the same roads as the MC's.
The magic system, nef, is fresh and fun in the different twists it takes with different people. And the idea of Insprired Songs set my mind to dreaming about creativity and inspiration (I wanted to be a bard in a previous life).
Ultimately I finished this book in three days an I'm already looking forward to where we go next and with whom.
This thorough introduction to a new world and the very descriptive writing made me believe I was walking the same roads as the MC's.
The magic system, nef, is fresh and fun in the different twists it takes with different people. And the idea of Insprired Songs set my mind to dreaming about creativity and inspiration (I wanted to be a bard in a previous life).
Ultimately I finished this book in three days an I'm already looking forward to where we go next and with whom.
December 14, 2023
Loved reading this book!
At first jumping from one character to another kinda threw me off but as I got to know each character it made keeping up with who I was reading much easier as each character had their own unique character growth within the story.
The world created in this story was magical and realistic as the story progressed. Making you feel and fall in love with each of the characters. Even characters that you wanted to hate but in the end came to like.
Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
-Read thanks to BookSirens-
At first jumping from one character to another kinda threw me off but as I got to know each character it made keeping up with who I was reading much easier as each character had their own unique character growth within the story.
The world created in this story was magical and realistic as the story progressed. Making you feel and fall in love with each of the characters. Even characters that you wanted to hate but in the end came to like.
Can't wait to read the rest of this series!
-Read thanks to BookSirens-
December 29, 2023
Wow what a read!!
I absolutely adored A Song of Ruin and Rage and I am so thankful to Makenzie Marshall for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC🫶🏼
This was my first high fantasy/grim dark read and I loved every second of it. I would highly recommended this book to anyone who wants to jump into this genre🥰
The characters, the world building, the plot, the magic systems. All of it was amazing!
That ending! I need answers right now.
I can’t wait for book 2 and the rest of this series to come out 🔥🏰🖤
I absolutely adored A Song of Ruin and Rage and I am so thankful to Makenzie Marshall for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC🫶🏼
This was my first high fantasy/grim dark read and I loved every second of it. I would highly recommended this book to anyone who wants to jump into this genre🥰
The characters, the world building, the plot, the magic systems. All of it was amazing!
That ending! I need answers right now.
I can’t wait for book 2 and the rest of this series to come out 🔥🏰🖤
April 8, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Actual rating 4.5.
A brilliant fantasy steeped in the folklore, legends and myths of Wales.
Multiple povs were great and the characters well fleshed out.
The world building is amazing as someone who lives in Wales I could almost imagine parts of the story in places I know. Great magic system too.
I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series!
Actual rating 4.5.
A brilliant fantasy steeped in the folklore, legends and myths of Wales.
Multiple povs were great and the characters well fleshed out.
The world building is amazing as someone who lives in Wales I could almost imagine parts of the story in places I know. Great magic system too.
I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series!
April 8, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ this was a very interesting debut from Marshall, with a world/storyline that I have not read before in fantasy. I liked the backstory and connection between characters and how the story counted down in days until we reached “The Meet.” It kept me intrigued as we inched closer to that chapter, knowing that it must be the culmination of the darkness the characters’ had been sensing. Would definitely recommend if you like fantasy with an original plot and a little romance!
December 2, 2023
OMG I loved this book couldn’t put it down. The characters are so well written and it is easy to like most of them. I loved the fact that the chapters each focussed on a character really let you get to know them and what their skills were. Not going to give away any spoilers but yes this is a must read can’t wait to read more from this author
December 9, 2023
I loved this book. The characters were so well-written and real; I was sympathizing and worrying right alongside them.
My only critique is that the blurb led me to believe Tali would have a bigger role than she ultimately did - early on, I was wondering when we'd see her again. That said, her role in later chapters makes up for it.
*Thanks to BookSirens and the author for my review copy.*
My only critique is that the blurb led me to believe Tali would have a bigger role than she ultimately did - early on, I was wondering when we'd see her again. That said, her role in later chapters makes up for it.
*Thanks to BookSirens and the author for my review copy.*
December 19, 2023
This one was like I was watching a movie or a TV series!!! Sooo good !! I am thankful that Makenzie sent me this ARC, but even if I had bought it after being published my review would be the same. It is a story that leaves you super invested and the writing style also helps a lot. I like that the characters evolve and their actions almost feel as if they are real pepole. There's also a lot of diversity in genders, skintypes, races, orientation, it truly felt like a breath of fresh air. Also the setting and the scenic of this book is really good, a reminder that it has welsh mythology. I think that my favourite character is Eifian, he's just perfect, really mature with great sense of responsability, funny, smart, also understanding (iykyk). Although I wished that in this book Eifian and Tali would have interacted, I'm waiting for the second book and see how it goes. I simply love it.
December 26, 2023
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one. This book is so beautifully written and excels in character development and world-building. The magic system is so easy to follow and couldn't put the book down. This is a must-read.
December 31, 2023
Great story and true to the roots. Love the references to typical folklore throughout the book and the story had me unable to put it down.
The only reason for the 4 stars is that the flow of the book seemed clunky in places but not enough to detract from the story.
The only reason for the 4 stars is that the flow of the book seemed clunky in places but not enough to detract from the story.
February 27, 2024
Welsh legends and lore are tied in beautifully in this book. It is entertaining and captivating. The world building is good and characters are good. Overall this is a great weekend read and is entertaining enough to keep your attention.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 16, 2024
“Through the pulse of song, she screamed.”
Firstly, thank you very much to the author who very kindly sent me an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.
If Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time had a baby steeped in Welsh legends & mythology, A Song of Ruin and Rage would be it.
This is absolutely the way to start a series. Fabulous worldbuilding, incredible three-dimensional characters with their rich and varied familial histories all mixed together with an interesting magic system.
Chapters are told between four POVs and all characters are linked together in various ways, some more subtle than others. Each chapter is linked by a header which counts down to The Meet (where all the families will meet, an annual tradition). I thought this was a great way of creating tension and making the reader know that The Meet is integral to the story and characters. I find multiple POV chapters can be quite difficult but the way that A Song of Ruin and Rage is written I felt like they all blended together beautifully and I really got a sense of what was about to build up to something very significant.
I'm very excited to read the next instalment now that everything has been set up and we're teetering on the edge of more magical plot, story and character development after that cliffhanger!
Firstly, thank you very much to the author who very kindly sent me an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.
If Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time had a baby steeped in Welsh legends & mythology, A Song of Ruin and Rage would be it.
This is absolutely the way to start a series. Fabulous worldbuilding, incredible three-dimensional characters with their rich and varied familial histories all mixed together with an interesting magic system.
Chapters are told between four POVs and all characters are linked together in various ways, some more subtle than others. Each chapter is linked by a header which counts down to The Meet (where all the families will meet, an annual tradition). I thought this was a great way of creating tension and making the reader know that The Meet is integral to the story and characters. I find multiple POV chapters can be quite difficult but the way that A Song of Ruin and Rage is written I felt like they all blended together beautifully and I really got a sense of what was about to build up to something very significant.
I'm very excited to read the next instalment now that everything has been set up and we're teetering on the edge of more magical plot, story and character development after that cliffhanger!
December 28, 2023
Reading books is fun, but reading a new book from an indie author, that’s so unique is utterly refreshing and feels like I’ve discovered a hidden gem! This did not disappoint!
The chapters are told via four 3rd person POVs, who initially seem unconnected, but as the story progresses connections between the characters are revealed, with each chapter leading us closer and closer to a pivotal event in the storyline. I thought I would find this jarring but actually this helped to ease me into the storyline and gave me a better sense of the timeline and overall plot.
There is some initial world building in the beginning and the rest is dotted throughout the book, during relevant parts of the storyline which makes it very easy to ‘digest’. Each of the locations was written in such a way I could easily visualise the settings in my mind.
The magic system is very easy to comprehend - only those with Otherworld blood in their lineage possess some level of magical abilities or skills, which manifests as ‘nef’. There is a very handy guide at the end, which came in useful a few times when trying to remember the different realms and the history of their origin!
I like that the pace changes throughout the book - we are given just enough to pique our interest in the prologue and then the story develops at just the right speed. As the 4 POVs converge together at around the 30% mark, the pace suddenly increases for a plot twist which made for a particularly tense few chapters which had me on the edge of my seat!
There is a tiny bit of romance but not enough to put this in the romantasy category - this is more of a dark fantasy novel. And, BEWARE this one ends of a cliff hanger!
As with most fantasy novels, there are a few topics in this book that might be upsetting to readers so make sure you check the TW/CWs!
The chapters are told via four 3rd person POVs, who initially seem unconnected, but as the story progresses connections between the characters are revealed, with each chapter leading us closer and closer to a pivotal event in the storyline. I thought I would find this jarring but actually this helped to ease me into the storyline and gave me a better sense of the timeline and overall plot.
There is some initial world building in the beginning and the rest is dotted throughout the book, during relevant parts of the storyline which makes it very easy to ‘digest’. Each of the locations was written in such a way I could easily visualise the settings in my mind.
The magic system is very easy to comprehend - only those with Otherworld blood in their lineage possess some level of magical abilities or skills, which manifests as ‘nef’. There is a very handy guide at the end, which came in useful a few times when trying to remember the different realms and the history of their origin!
I like that the pace changes throughout the book - we are given just enough to pique our interest in the prologue and then the story develops at just the right speed. As the 4 POVs converge together at around the 30% mark, the pace suddenly increases for a plot twist which made for a particularly tense few chapters which had me on the edge of my seat!
There is a tiny bit of romance but not enough to put this in the romantasy category - this is more of a dark fantasy novel. And, BEWARE this one ends of a cliff hanger!
As with most fantasy novels, there are a few topics in this book that might be upsetting to readers so make sure you check the TW/CWs!
December 31, 2023
In this epic coming-of-age novel, you're drawn into a layered universe where four central characters navigate a complex world of distinct bloodlines and unique abilities. It's a tale that gradually unfolds, delving into themes of love, sacrifice, and the harrowing specter of death. Here, characters grapple with feelings of despair and isolation, some trapped in inescapable predicaments, while others harbor depths yet to be revealed. Embark on a journey filled with emotional highs and lows, where hatred and desperation are as palpable as love and loss. As the narrative begins, anticipation builds around which paths these characters will choose in their quest for justice and fulfillment.
February 7, 2024
Well holy shit.
The beginning was difficult for me only because I know so little about Welsh mythology, but once I was hooked I was HOOKED. I loved everything about this book. It is RICH in mythology and fantasy. Very well written and I was SHOCKED towards the end.
The beginning was difficult for me only because I know so little about Welsh mythology, but once I was hooked I was HOOKED. I loved everything about this book. It is RICH in mythology and fantasy. Very well written and I was SHOCKED towards the end.
December 31, 2023
The way the beginning had me on the edge . How melody flows .later seem to get lost.
Plot okay
Twist on point
Its was dnf for me
Plot okay
Twist on point
Its was dnf for me
dnf
March 6, 2024there's way too many descriptions, way too many names, it wasn't hooking me in, to be honest. i hope to retake it in the future, but for now, it's a dnf for me.
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