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The Song of Thyssia
The Thyssian Archipelago rose from the deep as six treacherous islands. Islands that were forged from stone and sand, with kings and conquerors alike. Long ago, the gods gave each kingdom a relic to protect. In return, their peoples would remain safe from the servants of the Void. Years bled into centuries as their respect rotted into complacency. Thyssia, the mother island, sheltered three kingdoms on its soil as it reached across the sea. In the east, Trejen’s forests neatly encircled the verdant meadows while new trees crept closer each spring. Cerulean river lands carved through the island under the watchful eyes of house Spessia and everyone drank from its meandering depths. All of this was overshadowed by a solitary broken mountain. Their people’s separation from the gods fractured its stony face into a chasm, a wound that released any magic the mountain held within its depths. Their relic was ruined by abomination in the wake of Haydrian’s touch. He was an alchemist who relished in the hope of immortality. As the kingdoms of Thyssia disregarded their duty to the nine, so waned their fear of the Void.
400 pages, Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 13, 2024
3.5-4⭐️
No spice
Received eARC for honest review from the author
—Adult fantasy
—Multiple POV
—Magic/Alchemy
— Political intrigue
—Secrets/ Betrayal
—Soft romance (one horse, enemies to lovers)
If you are a fan of the style of writing in Game of Thrones where you have multiple POVs from characters from different parts of the world simultaneously happening at a time, then you will enjoy the writing in this novel!
We have a full orchestra cast of characters that give us “behind the scenes” information of what’s going on throughout the world, so as the reader we are privy to the intricate web of secrets that are playing out.
While there is no spice on page, we have several romantic interests that we can only anticipate will develop further and play a significant role in the next novel!
Like many adult fantasy novels, the first 100 pages or so consists of a lot of world building and figuring out who is who, but once you get past that point the action does not stop! This book hooked my attention and did not let go. I felt myself trying to rush to the end to find out what was going to happen and how everything was going to play out.
The last 10% of this book was so action packed and we are left on such a cliffhanger that I cannot wait for Book 2!!
No spice
Received eARC for honest review from the author
—Adult fantasy
—Multiple POV
—Magic/Alchemy
— Political intrigue
—Secrets/ Betrayal
—Soft romance (one horse, enemies to lovers)
If you are a fan of the style of writing in Game of Thrones where you have multiple POVs from characters from different parts of the world simultaneously happening at a time, then you will enjoy the writing in this novel!
We have a full orchestra cast of characters that give us “behind the scenes” information of what’s going on throughout the world, so as the reader we are privy to the intricate web of secrets that are playing out.
While there is no spice on page, we have several romantic interests that we can only anticipate will develop further and play a significant role in the next novel!
Like many adult fantasy novels, the first 100 pages or so consists of a lot of world building and figuring out who is who, but once you get past that point the action does not stop! This book hooked my attention and did not let go. I felt myself trying to rush to the end to find out what was going to happen and how everything was going to play out.
The last 10% of this book was so action packed and we are left on such a cliffhanger that I cannot wait for Book 2!!
July 3, 2024
Read for SPFBOX as part of team Fantasy Book Critic
7.5/10
Well, if there was ever a book that deserves to be called “the next Game of Thrones”, it’s The Song of Thyssia. Filled with feuding families, mystical dark magic, intricate politics, rich world building, and ever-increasing tensions, this dark slow-burn fantasy of truly epic proportions is as romantic as it is tragic.
S.J. Stiles transports readers into the Thyssian Archipelago, a richly imagined world made up of six islands that each hold their own history, lore, secrets, and relics of immense power protecting them from the Void. The mother island, Thyssia, knows an especially bloody and complicated history between its three rivalling kingdoms, and when the king-consort of the Mountain kingdom meets his sudden end by invading raiders, any semblance of peace starts to shatter. But with their relic ruined and the threat of the Void growing ever more menacing, all their cutthroat political scheming and a looming war might be the least of their concerns.
Now, if that doesn’t scream epic to you, then I don’t know what does. And honestly, I can’t sit here and pretend that I wasn’t intimidated and overwhelmed when I first started The Song of Thyssia. You see, while I adore this cover, it did not set me up with the right expectations, and it took me about a quarter of the novel to fully adjust to what I was getting here.
Instead of the Sarah J. Maas vibes (which I can love) I was expecting, this book feels much more like a mix between the styles of George R.R. Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Rebecca Ross and Sarah A. Parker; yet somehow, it is also completely its own unique thing and reads like nothing I have ever read before. And honestly, once I did adjust, this book slowly started to grow on me and soon I found myself completely absorbed in this epic tale. A couple of minor punctuation and grammar errors aside, Stiles’ flowery prose is just breathtakingly beautiful, filled with evocative similes and metaphors that sing this lush world and vibrant characters to life.
Through a plethora of diverse POV characters, we are dragged straight into the messy situation that they and their families have found themselves in, which gives an almost frighteningly intimate and nuanced look into their lives. On the one hand, I really liked getting a glimpse into the heads of all these opposing characters, especially in a world where the consequences of mistakes made by past generations are now reverberating through the present and directly impacting the lives of their descendants.
However, I also tend to prefer the more intimate narratives with a slightly smaller scope, and at times I honestly found myself wondering if we really needed all these perspectives for the story to unravel in the most captivating way. Don’t get me wrong though, I think Stiles did an exceptionally fine job of distinguishing between all their individual voices, and I can see different readers resonating with different character’s journeys depending on their own life experiences.
Personally, I found myself quickly gravitating towards the younger generations, and I loved seeing them desperately trying to navigate the dangerous webs that their parents have (unintentionally) trapped them in, all while being torn apart between duty and desire. The yearning, the banter, the friction, the passion, the desperation… ooooh, I was just revelling in all the emotional turmoil!
Honestly, the way that Stiles interweaves the more mystical and magical aspects with all the (inter)personal drama and inner conflict was just so beautifully done, and I loved how things just got progressively darker as the threat of the Void came more to the forefront. I mean, dark alchemical magic, sinister necromantic forces, and disturbing body horror? Why yes, please, consider me morbidly fascinated.
With this being the first instalment in The Thyssian Archipelago duology, the story leaves off on quite the brutal cliffhanger that promises even more deliciously dark drama in the sequel, and I honestly can’t wait for it! If you like the sound of an entrancingly mystical epic fantasy that is even more tragic than anything the ancient Greeks could have conjured up, then I can’t recommend The Song of Thyssia highly enough.
7.5/10
Well, if there was ever a book that deserves to be called “the next Game of Thrones”, it’s The Song of Thyssia. Filled with feuding families, mystical dark magic, intricate politics, rich world building, and ever-increasing tensions, this dark slow-burn fantasy of truly epic proportions is as romantic as it is tragic.
S.J. Stiles transports readers into the Thyssian Archipelago, a richly imagined world made up of six islands that each hold their own history, lore, secrets, and relics of immense power protecting them from the Void. The mother island, Thyssia, knows an especially bloody and complicated history between its three rivalling kingdoms, and when the king-consort of the Mountain kingdom meets his sudden end by invading raiders, any semblance of peace starts to shatter. But with their relic ruined and the threat of the Void growing ever more menacing, all their cutthroat political scheming and a looming war might be the least of their concerns.
Now, if that doesn’t scream epic to you, then I don’t know what does. And honestly, I can’t sit here and pretend that I wasn’t intimidated and overwhelmed when I first started The Song of Thyssia. You see, while I adore this cover, it did not set me up with the right expectations, and it took me about a quarter of the novel to fully adjust to what I was getting here.
Instead of the Sarah J. Maas vibes (which I can love) I was expecting, this book feels much more like a mix between the styles of George R.R. Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Rebecca Ross and Sarah A. Parker; yet somehow, it is also completely its own unique thing and reads like nothing I have ever read before. And honestly, once I did adjust, this book slowly started to grow on me and soon I found myself completely absorbed in this epic tale. A couple of minor punctuation and grammar errors aside, Stiles’ flowery prose is just breathtakingly beautiful, filled with evocative similes and metaphors that sing this lush world and vibrant characters to life.
Through a plethora of diverse POV characters, we are dragged straight into the messy situation that they and their families have found themselves in, which gives an almost frighteningly intimate and nuanced look into their lives. On the one hand, I really liked getting a glimpse into the heads of all these opposing characters, especially in a world where the consequences of mistakes made by past generations are now reverberating through the present and directly impacting the lives of their descendants.
However, I also tend to prefer the more intimate narratives with a slightly smaller scope, and at times I honestly found myself wondering if we really needed all these perspectives for the story to unravel in the most captivating way. Don’t get me wrong though, I think Stiles did an exceptionally fine job of distinguishing between all their individual voices, and I can see different readers resonating with different character’s journeys depending on their own life experiences.
Personally, I found myself quickly gravitating towards the younger generations, and I loved seeing them desperately trying to navigate the dangerous webs that their parents have (unintentionally) trapped them in, all while being torn apart between duty and desire. The yearning, the banter, the friction, the passion, the desperation… ooooh, I was just revelling in all the emotional turmoil!
Honestly, the way that Stiles interweaves the more mystical and magical aspects with all the (inter)personal drama and inner conflict was just so beautifully done, and I loved how things just got progressively darker as the threat of the Void came more to the forefront. I mean, dark alchemical magic, sinister necromantic forces, and disturbing body horror? Why yes, please, consider me morbidly fascinated.
With this being the first instalment in The Thyssian Archipelago duology, the story leaves off on quite the brutal cliffhanger that promises even more deliciously dark drama in the sequel, and I honestly can’t wait for it! If you like the sound of an entrancingly mystical epic fantasy that is even more tragic than anything the ancient Greeks could have conjured up, then I can’t recommend The Song of Thyssia highly enough.
July 18, 2024
I loved the historial fantasy and political intrigue as kingdoms rose and fell. Kings and Queens vying for power. Kingdoms burn. The deceit, betrayals and alliances are rampant. There was a lot of good action in this world the author created. I was invested in what would happen to the princess and princess of the kingdoms. Who would win the princess’s heart? And what of the alchemist!? If you love high fantasy I recommend this book. The author’s writing style is beautiful. The words flowed from page to page which it made it easy to read. The cliffhanger makes you wonder what will happen next.
March 16, 2024
This is giving A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross or H. M. Long vibes. This book contains a complex landscape mired in secrets, history, and politics. The whispers of romance - and they are limited - are fierce and sudden as if they were part of a legend. Deeply enjoyed this one - full review to come.
Thank you to the author for the copy.
In The Song of Thyssia by S.J. Stiles, readers are transported to the enchanting Thyssian Archipelago, where six islands each hold their own secrets, lore, and relics of immense power. When the king-consort meets his sudden end from roaming raiders, the tentative alliance between the kingdoms begins to shatter. This book weaves a tapestry of intricate politics, deep-rooted histories, and characters burdened by their choices. The mistakes of previous generations cast long shadows, impacting the lives of their descendants and shaping the course of events.
Stiles crafts a world rich in detail and complexity, where the consequences of past actions reverberate through the present. The characters, portrayed through multiple third-person points of view, feel remarkably real, their motivations and decisions shaped by their experiences and desires. Even those deemed 'bad' are given depth and nuance, making them compelling and believable. One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of soft and subtle epic romances intertwined with the larger narrative. The assorted love stories, though absolutely a subplot, feel destined and epic in scale, adding an extra layer of depth to the characters' journeys.
The political intrigue and machinations further enrich the storyline, drawing readers into a world fraught with tension and danger. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the stakes are raised, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
While the cover may suggest a simple romantasy (it's gorgeous but I feel it might confuse some readers), The Song of Thyssia offering a dark and dense narrative that delves into themes of duty, destiny, and the consequences of power. Fans of intricate world-building, epic romances, and complex characters will find much to love in this captivating story. I sure did.
Thank you to the author for the copy.
In The Song of Thyssia by S.J. Stiles, readers are transported to the enchanting Thyssian Archipelago, where six islands each hold their own secrets, lore, and relics of immense power. When the king-consort meets his sudden end from roaming raiders, the tentative alliance between the kingdoms begins to shatter. This book weaves a tapestry of intricate politics, deep-rooted histories, and characters burdened by their choices. The mistakes of previous generations cast long shadows, impacting the lives of their descendants and shaping the course of events.
Stiles crafts a world rich in detail and complexity, where the consequences of past actions reverberate through the present. The characters, portrayed through multiple third-person points of view, feel remarkably real, their motivations and decisions shaped by their experiences and desires. Even those deemed 'bad' are given depth and nuance, making them compelling and believable. One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of soft and subtle epic romances intertwined with the larger narrative. The assorted love stories, though absolutely a subplot, feel destined and epic in scale, adding an extra layer of depth to the characters' journeys.
The political intrigue and machinations further enrich the storyline, drawing readers into a world fraught with tension and danger. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the stakes are raised, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
While the cover may suggest a simple romantasy (it's gorgeous but I feel it might confuse some readers), The Song of Thyssia offering a dark and dense narrative that delves into themes of duty, destiny, and the consequences of power. Fans of intricate world-building, epic romances, and complex characters will find much to love in this captivating story. I sure did.
March 4, 2024
“War is coming, Gailah. It does not care who you love.”
4.25
Oh, man that ending has me on the edge of my seat for book 2!!
If you like the way the storylines in A Song of Ice and Fire are told—separate stories that come together— then you might like The Song of Thyssia as it is told in a similar fashion.
In The Song of Thyssia, we’re thrown into the middle of a story and pick up bits and pieces along the way until everything is tied together. Because of this, as you read, you begin collecting information that other characters aren’t privy to and get to see situations unfold through that lense. It took a moment for me to get into the story, but once I realized what was happening, I loved it.
Multi-POV
historical fantasy
soft magic through nature
hard magic through alchemy
Impending war
Fractured kingdom relations
Thank you to the author for an ARC!!
4.25
Oh, man that ending has me on the edge of my seat for book 2!!
If you like the way the storylines in A Song of Ice and Fire are told—separate stories that come together— then you might like The Song of Thyssia as it is told in a similar fashion.
In The Song of Thyssia, we’re thrown into the middle of a story and pick up bits and pieces along the way until everything is tied together. Because of this, as you read, you begin collecting information that other characters aren’t privy to and get to see situations unfold through that lense. It took a moment for me to get into the story, but once I realized what was happening, I loved it.
Multi-POV
historical fantasy
soft magic through nature
hard magic through alchemy
Impending war
Fractured kingdom relations
Thank you to the author for an ARC!!
May 12, 2025
If you want a well thought out story with insane stakes and actual substance to your characters, tension filled romance, with yearning no spice, as a sub plot. Then you will love this.
I would do this book a service if I did not speak about the themes and the writing. You can tell from page one that the author put a LOT of time and effort in perfecting her craft and her voice as an author. And it shows. There is a lot of conversation around grief and losing a loved one. Which was so well done. The writing itself is so polished the themes hits so much harder.
The only critique I have is that the pacing is really fast. There is a lot that happens in under 400 pages so you’re always gonna be engaged. But I just wanted more. More of this world, more of the character moments, more beats to process information, more tension, everything I could’ve easily ate up 200 more pages.
Fast paced, High fantasy with multiple romantic subplots. Political intrigue. Erie and atmospheric setting. With well developed characters.
I would do this book a service if I did not speak about the themes and the writing. You can tell from page one that the author put a LOT of time and effort in perfecting her craft and her voice as an author. And it shows. There is a lot of conversation around grief and losing a loved one. Which was so well done. The writing itself is so polished the themes hits so much harder.
The only critique I have is that the pacing is really fast. There is a lot that happens in under 400 pages so you’re always gonna be engaged. But I just wanted more. More of this world, more of the character moments, more beats to process information, more tension, everything I could’ve easily ate up 200 more pages.
Fast paced, High fantasy with multiple romantic subplots. Political intrigue. Erie and atmospheric setting. With well developed characters.
March 25, 2024
Fantasy political novel with light romance.
I received an eARC for my honest review from the author.
I really enjoyed this debut novel from SJ Stiles. It reminded me of Game Thrones and ACOTAR. It’s a multi-point of view novel with court politics and soft romance (so no spice). It also has an interesting magic system that is rooted in nature and there is a give and take balance. I really liked a lot of the characters and really look forward to seeing more development in the next book.
I didn’t always love the multi point of view, mostly because I have a hard time keeping track of everyone (but there are family trees and pronunciation guides!). And it didn’t allow me to get to know all the characters as well as I would have liked. But, it allowed for better plot development.
Overall, it was a fun read with a very thought out world and it was left on an exciting cliffhanger! I can’t wait for book two!
I received an eARC for my honest review from the author.
I really enjoyed this debut novel from SJ Stiles. It reminded me of Game Thrones and ACOTAR. It’s a multi-point of view novel with court politics and soft romance (so no spice). It also has an interesting magic system that is rooted in nature and there is a give and take balance. I really liked a lot of the characters and really look forward to seeing more development in the next book.
I didn’t always love the multi point of view, mostly because I have a hard time keeping track of everyone (but there are family trees and pronunciation guides!). And it didn’t allow me to get to know all the characters as well as I would have liked. But, it allowed for better plot development.
Overall, it was a fun read with a very thought out world and it was left on an exciting cliffhanger! I can’t wait for book two!
March 6, 2024
Alchemy, families fighting for power, and dark history coming to the surface make for a good book! I enjoyed the characters & the villain (Void/End) as well as the romance subplot that was subtle but powerful. The action scenes were exciting and very well-written. It took me a while to understand how characters were related, and what past events motivated their thoughts & actions. But it all comes together and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!
March 1, 2025
1) despite the many many reviewers stating otherwise, this is Young Adult.
2) It is not at all like Game of Thrones. I don’t understand the 10+ reviewers who said this nor do I get where that comparison comes from. I’m guessing this was a stipulation to put in your review for those who received a free ARC in exchange for that review your reading…
3) There are way too many characters with POVs. Sometimes I don’t mind this if the writing is up to standard to support so many personalities. Like the GoT series. However this is a first book by the author and it shows. All it did was give me a headache trying to figure out who were following now especially when it sounded like the same person. Besides that, why is there a man and woman on the cover like it’s about them? Also they look like brother and sister, otherwise there is absolutely no diversity in this world whatsoever.
4) Not sure why this is categorized as “Adult Romance”. It is neither. There was no romance at all, except a mention here or there about love. It’s also not Adult - see point #1 above. This is Young Adult. And the writing supports that. I would very much like to question the author what their idea of “adult” and “romance” is.
If you like a YA Fairy Fantasy with no main couple, but with many many characters going about their dramas, then you may enjoy this. It just wasn’t for me.
2) It is not at all like Game of Thrones. I don’t understand the 10+ reviewers who said this nor do I get where that comparison comes from. I’m guessing this was a stipulation to put in your review for those who received a free ARC in exchange for that review your reading…
3) There are way too many characters with POVs. Sometimes I don’t mind this if the writing is up to standard to support so many personalities. Like the GoT series. However this is a first book by the author and it shows. All it did was give me a headache trying to figure out who were following now especially when it sounded like the same person. Besides that, why is there a man and woman on the cover like it’s about them? Also they look like brother and sister, otherwise there is absolutely no diversity in this world whatsoever.
4) Not sure why this is categorized as “Adult Romance”. It is neither. There was no romance at all, except a mention here or there about love. It’s also not Adult - see point #1 above. This is Young Adult. And the writing supports that. I would very much like to question the author what their idea of “adult” and “romance” is.
If you like a YA Fairy Fantasy with no main couple, but with many many characters going about their dramas, then you may enjoy this. It just wasn’t for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
one of the most beautifully written books i’ve ever read, The Song of Thyssia is fresh and new and exciting. It’s set in a world that is so rich in detail you can’t help but find yourself transported there. All of the characters are so unique and interesting, I found I really enjoyed all of the different POVs. There were so many powerful and emotional moments along with shock twists and revelations that kept me turning the page! The story is so refreshing and I really enjoyed how much thought clearly went into setting up the world. I’m so eager to find out what will happen with all of the characters I grew to love, I can’t wait for the next book!!
March 5, 2024
I received this as an arc for my honest review.
This story itself is very interesting. Took me a little bit to get into.
The story was great.
My cons.
There are so many points of view, and in 3rd person. I prefer duel pov in 1st person, so this wasn't my favorite writing style. However story good and interesting
This story itself is very interesting. Took me a little bit to get into.
The story was great.
My cons.
There are so many points of view, and in 3rd person. I prefer duel pov in 1st person, so this wasn't my favorite writing style. However story good and interesting
August 16, 2024
The ending took me by surprise! I was expecting romance, but there wasn’t any—not that it really took anything away from the story! I really liked the characters, I thought they were interesting and likable. This story has some of my favorite tropes—revenge, betrayal, the fighting was intense! I really like the world the author has created and I’m looking forward to the sequel!
April 24, 2024
S.J. Stiles has created a beautiful world of adventure, magic, and romance that will capture the mind of any fantasy reader. With its twists and turns, TSOT had me on the edge of my seat with every page! While reading this book, I was clearly able to see her words come to life and step into a world unknown to anyone before. Her love for storytelling is evident and her passion spills across the pages as you are engulfed into the world of Thyssia!
Currently reading
December 9, 2023I'm getting to read a super advance review copy of this book! On chapter 11 - AMAZING!! Love, love, love so far.
March 29, 2024
Thank you to the author for an early read of this book. All thoughts and feelings are my own, I do not accept money for reviews.
This book was a wild ride, which is anyone something since the timeline is maybe a week. There are multiple povs, at least 11, and while I am usually not big brained enough to keep more than 5 straight I didn’t have a hard time following this story. Luckily, the characters are all following the same plot line and we’re not reading 10 different ones. I did have to make a list of characters and who they were because I was getting them confused.
This story is set in a really fascinating world that I feel we only got a small glimpse into. It is very centered on the characters and their journey, not on world building. We only get where the characters are from and minimal information on the relics of each royal house. That being said, it was hard to get into the story. As interested I was in the story I never fell into the story and lost myself in it. I feel like if the povs for each character was a little longer I would’ve gotten into it more, I assume they were kept short for the mystery of it all, but it felt a little too choppy.
I do believe this is a solid fantasy book. It not like one I’ve read in the past, so there’s not really anything to compare it to, but I would recommend it for anyone wanting to check it out!
This book was a wild ride, which is anyone something since the timeline is maybe a week. There are multiple povs, at least 11, and while I am usually not big brained enough to keep more than 5 straight I didn’t have a hard time following this story. Luckily, the characters are all following the same plot line and we’re not reading 10 different ones. I did have to make a list of characters and who they were because I was getting them confused.
This story is set in a really fascinating world that I feel we only got a small glimpse into. It is very centered on the characters and their journey, not on world building. We only get where the characters are from and minimal information on the relics of each royal house. That being said, it was hard to get into the story. As interested I was in the story I never fell into the story and lost myself in it. I feel like if the povs for each character was a little longer I would’ve gotten into it more, I assume they were kept short for the mystery of it all, but it felt a little too choppy.
I do believe this is a solid fantasy book. It not like one I’ve read in the past, so there’s not really anything to compare it to, but I would recommend it for anyone wanting to check it out!
April 15, 2024
I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great intro to a fantasy series from debut author SJ Stiles. I love a political fantasy and this definitely delivered on that. There are a lot of POVs in this, which was a bit confusing for me at first, but once I got to about 20% I was able to keep them all straight. There is a great map, pronunciation guide, and family trees which I found very helpful as well. I enjoyed the glimpses of romance we got that didn’t distract from the bigger storyline. I’m hoping for more information on the magic system in book 2. The ending was excellent, I will definitely be picking up book 2!
This was a great intro to a fantasy series from debut author SJ Stiles. I love a political fantasy and this definitely delivered on that. There are a lot of POVs in this, which was a bit confusing for me at first, but once I got to about 20% I was able to keep them all straight. There is a great map, pronunciation guide, and family trees which I found very helpful as well. I enjoyed the glimpses of romance we got that didn’t distract from the bigger storyline. I’m hoping for more information on the magic system in book 2. The ending was excellent, I will definitely be picking up book 2!
March 15, 2024
✨Song of Thyssia✨
Holy plot twists, Batman! Wow. Song of Thyssia is full of DRAMA. Lies, deceit, betrayal, so many secrets, political intrigue. Goodness, once you got introduced to everyone, the story took off and there was sweet romance, precious heartbreak, hope lost, found family, and a cliffhanger.
We get several POVs here and they are all interconnected as we navigate a past returning to haunt our kings and queens, princesses and princes fighting to escape their parents’ mistakes, and an even greater evil across the sea.
In this wonderful read, you’ll encounter morally grey characters, deep world building, no spice, sweet romance, found family, strong FMC, redemption, and lots of plots twists and political intrigue. You may want a notebook to keep up. I’m super stoked to have gotten to read this gifted ARC from Stiles.Thank you!
Holy plot twists, Batman! Wow. Song of Thyssia is full of DRAMA. Lies, deceit, betrayal, so many secrets, political intrigue. Goodness, once you got introduced to everyone, the story took off and there was sweet romance, precious heartbreak, hope lost, found family, and a cliffhanger.
We get several POVs here and they are all interconnected as we navigate a past returning to haunt our kings and queens, princesses and princes fighting to escape their parents’ mistakes, and an even greater evil across the sea.
In this wonderful read, you’ll encounter morally grey characters, deep world building, no spice, sweet romance, found family, strong FMC, redemption, and lots of plots twists and political intrigue. You may want a notebook to keep up. I’m super stoked to have gotten to read this gifted ARC from Stiles.Thank you!
December 31, 2025
HOLY SMOKES THIS BOOK!! I continue to be blown away by the sheer talent that is found in the indie author community. This book has been on my TBR for a while now and I finally got to it.
Plot. Amazing
Characters. Amazing and I connected with them!
Action. One good thumbs up!
Pacing. Took a second for me to adjust, but about 35% in and it picks up and never lets up!
Overall a fantastic book! Twists and turns! Everyone had a secret and eventually secrets get revealed! I need book two!
Plot. Amazing
Characters. Amazing and I connected with them!
Action. One good thumbs up!
Pacing. Took a second for me to adjust, but about 35% in and it picks up and never lets up!
Overall a fantastic book! Twists and turns! Everyone had a secret and eventually secrets get revealed! I need book two!
Want to read
November 15, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
In an island kingdom at war with itself, a widowed Queen contemplates her dead king’s pyre, the lost lover of her youth, and the bargain she made with the sentient void in this romantic fantasy.
There is great emotion and imagery in this opening. The loss our queen has suffered is palpable, but restrained in its presentation. What has been is as present to her in the moments we share with her as what is now lost.
The prose is expressive, even poetic at times. Our glimpses of the bereaved queens past are snapshots, but they succeed wonderfully in telling a story.
In fact, I would say they succeed better than the present narrative. They are succinct, and because we expect them to be snapshots, they fulfill our expectations in their extreme focus and limited detail.
The context of the present narrative of this opening, however, is something I’m less certain of. While the images are strong, the exposition is not.
I am certainly less confused than I could be! But, as with any fantasy story, I know nothing about this world, and by the time I reach the end of the first chapter, I don’t feel there’s much I can say for certain about our setting.
There are details scattered throughout this opening, but somehow they lack clarity, especially in the prologue which was much too short to be very informative.
I think this may be a case of a beginning in too much of a rush, and yet there is a story here! And there are most certainly compellingly human characters who carry a mountain of responsibility on their shoulders.
Though in my estimation this just begins to tease its most engaging story/plot details instead of clearly establishing them (which I think would have been much more engaging), as I glance ahead, this seems to become more present and grounded in scene.
I expect this will go a long way towards also grounding the reader in the setting, and thus the local context for the story we’re enjoying. Make no mistake, what I do understand, I’m definitely enjoying.
Our queen has three grown children. She had a real love affair with her dead husband whom she only married because he won the tournament she devised to allow her to marry her young lover, only that man ran out on her to claim the crown of his own kingdom. Great stuff.
I’m eager to see where this one goes. When the characters start talking, the dialogue works well. The islands setting feels unique to me. The story seems high stakes, and yet grounded in characters with deep and real feelings. I’m in!
In an island kingdom at war with itself, a widowed Queen contemplates her dead king’s pyre, the lost lover of her youth, and the bargain she made with the sentient void in this romantic fantasy.
There is great emotion and imagery in this opening. The loss our queen has suffered is palpable, but restrained in its presentation. What has been is as present to her in the moments we share with her as what is now lost.
The prose is expressive, even poetic at times. Our glimpses of the bereaved queens past are snapshots, but they succeed wonderfully in telling a story.
In fact, I would say they succeed better than the present narrative. They are succinct, and because we expect them to be snapshots, they fulfill our expectations in their extreme focus and limited detail.
The context of the present narrative of this opening, however, is something I’m less certain of. While the images are strong, the exposition is not.
I am certainly less confused than I could be! But, as with any fantasy story, I know nothing about this world, and by the time I reach the end of the first chapter, I don’t feel there’s much I can say for certain about our setting.
There are details scattered throughout this opening, but somehow they lack clarity, especially in the prologue which was much too short to be very informative.
I think this may be a case of a beginning in too much of a rush, and yet there is a story here! And there are most certainly compellingly human characters who carry a mountain of responsibility on their shoulders.
Though in my estimation this just begins to tease its most engaging story/plot details instead of clearly establishing them (which I think would have been much more engaging), as I glance ahead, this seems to become more present and grounded in scene.
I expect this will go a long way towards also grounding the reader in the setting, and thus the local context for the story we’re enjoying. Make no mistake, what I do understand, I’m definitely enjoying.
Our queen has three grown children. She had a real love affair with her dead husband whom she only married because he won the tournament she devised to allow her to marry her young lover, only that man ran out on her to claim the crown of his own kingdom. Great stuff.
I’m eager to see where this one goes. When the characters start talking, the dialogue works well. The islands setting feels unique to me. The story seems high stakes, and yet grounded in characters with deep and real feelings. I’m in!
January 10, 2026
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🚫🌶️ (Clean)
5 Audio 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Wow. I’m not even sure where to start but I want to say, I woke up at 11am today because I was up until 2am reading this book. I could not put it down, it had me on the edge of my seat.
PLOT: If I could describe this book in one sentence it would be, multi-POV action packed clean version of Game of Thrones with more romance. The author did not hold back when it came to the action. I’m pretty sure in every chapter someone’s life was on the line. And if there’s one thing I love, it’s political intrigue. This book delivers on that. With all the rivalries between houses and so many characters with secrets and ulterior motives, it was the perfect recipe for it.
I will say one thing, the first few chapters are hard to follow simply because of the scope of characters and places and houses. I would highly recommend looking at the family tree and even the map as references, at least in the beginning.
WRITING: The prose and writing is on another level. I was taken aback by how beautiful everything was described. And the dialogue was my favorite. I can’t stand when fantasy books have overly modern language and dialogue (which is becoming a norm now). And this book didn’t fall into that pit, which made it even more enjoyable. On top of that it was witty and fit the tone, never coming off as corny.
CHARACTERS: all the characters were well developed and I don’t think any of them fell into a stereotype. The characters, I thought I would hate I ended up sympathizing with once we went into their POV. They all had a backstory and a reason why they act a certain way, and make certain choices. I think there were four or five romances in this book. And while I have a favorite, they were all good. I wish there was a little more but that’s just because I love love haha.
AUDIOBOOK: amazing. No, seriously, spot on with the narrators. You could truly feel that emotions from the characters because of the voice acting. Extremely EXTREMELY talented.
CRITIQUE: the one thing that kept me from giving this book a five star, was that I wish I connected more with the characters. Like I mentioned, this was very action packed and with such a large cast, but I feel like I needed some time to just breathe. This book would have benefited for more genuine conversations between characters (when they’re not fighting for their lives).
All in all if you wanna pick up a fantasy this is the one for you. If you’re looking for a romantasy, or a heavy romance drive fantasy you might have a hard time with this.
For me that cliffhanger was BRUTAL and I am going to be requesting an ARC of the next book ASAP.
Spice 🚫🌶️ (Clean)
5 Audio 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Wow. I’m not even sure where to start but I want to say, I woke up at 11am today because I was up until 2am reading this book. I could not put it down, it had me on the edge of my seat.
PLOT: If I could describe this book in one sentence it would be, multi-POV action packed clean version of Game of Thrones with more romance. The author did not hold back when it came to the action. I’m pretty sure in every chapter someone’s life was on the line. And if there’s one thing I love, it’s political intrigue. This book delivers on that. With all the rivalries between houses and so many characters with secrets and ulterior motives, it was the perfect recipe for it.
I will say one thing, the first few chapters are hard to follow simply because of the scope of characters and places and houses. I would highly recommend looking at the family tree and even the map as references, at least in the beginning.
WRITING: The prose and writing is on another level. I was taken aback by how beautiful everything was described. And the dialogue was my favorite. I can’t stand when fantasy books have overly modern language and dialogue (which is becoming a norm now). And this book didn’t fall into that pit, which made it even more enjoyable. On top of that it was witty and fit the tone, never coming off as corny.
CHARACTERS: all the characters were well developed and I don’t think any of them fell into a stereotype. The characters, I thought I would hate I ended up sympathizing with once we went into their POV. They all had a backstory and a reason why they act a certain way, and make certain choices. I think there were four or five romances in this book. And while I have a favorite, they were all good. I wish there was a little more but that’s just because I love love haha.
AUDIOBOOK: amazing. No, seriously, spot on with the narrators. You could truly feel that emotions from the characters because of the voice acting. Extremely EXTREMELY talented.
CRITIQUE: the one thing that kept me from giving this book a five star, was that I wish I connected more with the characters. Like I mentioned, this was very action packed and with such a large cast, but I feel like I needed some time to just breathe. This book would have benefited for more genuine conversations between characters (when they’re not fighting for their lives).
All in all if you wanna pick up a fantasy this is the one for you. If you’re looking for a romantasy, or a heavy romance drive fantasy you might have a hard time with this.
For me that cliffhanger was BRUTAL and I am going to be requesting an ARC of the next book ASAP.
May 5, 2024
The song of Thyssia.
Quotes out of 200+
S.J.’s words turn to gold in an alchemical display over a mastery of romantic fantasy.
The story takes places on the Island of Thyssia, a world with a Greek mythological aesthetic. There's a rich history here and some easy to follow politics.
The primary conflict is a princess needing to be married off for political gain who wants to marry for love. Classic, and, normally not my story because it's been done. But it's done SO well here, that I couldn't help myself grinning and rooting for the characters. There is some phenomenal foreshadowing, some actually outstanding plot twists, just outstanding prose, genuinely some of the best I've read IMO. I took notes on the character descriptions because they're short but so rich in how they paint just enough of an image for you.
I genuinely could talk about this book for 3 10 minute videos. It made me feel every emotion a book needs to. It used classic tropes but it uses them SO well. The ending literally had me shoot up in my bed and almost wake my wife up.
It has a whole ballroom style scene the feels like a cross between a game of thrones wedding and a pride and prejudice dance, the tension is LAYERED.
It's got a lot of POVs, it's a great read for someone who either doesn't usually read romance but likes fantasy, or is burnt out on tropes. It's a romantic fantasy for sure, but it's also epic. The characters and their motivations are familiar, but all very rich in the way they're written.
And it has a Lich. This villain is outstanding. Operating in a well thought out and unique alchemy based magic system.
Any qualms I had were too minor to remember in the torrential downpour of phenomenal writing on display here.
I consider it not only an honor, but a privilege to be considered a peer by S.J Stiles. I will be following her career and future books with much interest.
Quotes out of 200+
S.J.’s words turn to gold in an alchemical display over a mastery of romantic fantasy.
The story takes places on the Island of Thyssia, a world with a Greek mythological aesthetic. There's a rich history here and some easy to follow politics.
The primary conflict is a princess needing to be married off for political gain who wants to marry for love. Classic, and, normally not my story because it's been done. But it's done SO well here, that I couldn't help myself grinning and rooting for the characters. There is some phenomenal foreshadowing, some actually outstanding plot twists, just outstanding prose, genuinely some of the best I've read IMO. I took notes on the character descriptions because they're short but so rich in how they paint just enough of an image for you.
I genuinely could talk about this book for 3 10 minute videos. It made me feel every emotion a book needs to. It used classic tropes but it uses them SO well. The ending literally had me shoot up in my bed and almost wake my wife up.
It has a whole ballroom style scene the feels like a cross between a game of thrones wedding and a pride and prejudice dance, the tension is LAYERED.
It's got a lot of POVs, it's a great read for someone who either doesn't usually read romance but likes fantasy, or is burnt out on tropes. It's a romantic fantasy for sure, but it's also epic. The characters and their motivations are familiar, but all very rich in the way they're written.
And it has a Lich. This villain is outstanding. Operating in a well thought out and unique alchemy based magic system.
Any qualms I had were too minor to remember in the torrential downpour of phenomenal writing on display here.
I consider it not only an honor, but a privilege to be considered a peer by S.J Stiles. I will be following her career and future books with much interest.
February 19, 2024
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review! :)
Y'all. I just finished this book three minutes ago, and I already cannot wait to see what happens next. (And the sneak peak for the sequel title at the end--Ahhhh 2025 can't come soon enough!)
If you like intricate, detailed prose and even more intricate, detailed worldbuilding, this book is for you. As someone who gravitates toward faster-paced reads, even with the deep characterization and descriptions of the world, I was still hooked from the beginning. I mean, I haven't been able to finish any books this month, and I finished this one in about four days!
High fantasy can be confusing at times for me, so it did take me a few chapters to really understand the worldbuilding, but that's more than likely my fault. The maps and family trees at the beginning were super helpful (I know they'll change in the finished copy, but I assume they'll still be beneficial for readers like me). I was so hooked on this story that I went back and reread the prologue and first chapter once I finished it...I highly recommend doing this, because there are hints to the ending sprinkled in from the very start!
As stated above, this book has really intricate prose. For some readers, it might feel dense, but that's my vibe, so I really enjoyed it. There are LOTS of POVs (10+ if I remember correctly), but I was locked in on all of them. There are about four POVs I would categorize as the "main" POVs that appear most often, and then the others are sprinkled in between. They are also labeled clearly, so I was never confused.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of The Witcher, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones.
(And don't get me started on the romance--ugh!!! I loved it! So subtle and yet so powerful!)
Y'all. I just finished this book three minutes ago, and I already cannot wait to see what happens next. (And the sneak peak for the sequel title at the end--Ahhhh 2025 can't come soon enough!)
If you like intricate, detailed prose and even more intricate, detailed worldbuilding, this book is for you. As someone who gravitates toward faster-paced reads, even with the deep characterization and descriptions of the world, I was still hooked from the beginning. I mean, I haven't been able to finish any books this month, and I finished this one in about four days!
High fantasy can be confusing at times for me, so it did take me a few chapters to really understand the worldbuilding, but that's more than likely my fault. The maps and family trees at the beginning were super helpful (I know they'll change in the finished copy, but I assume they'll still be beneficial for readers like me). I was so hooked on this story that I went back and reread the prologue and first chapter once I finished it...I highly recommend doing this, because there are hints to the ending sprinkled in from the very start!
As stated above, this book has really intricate prose. For some readers, it might feel dense, but that's my vibe, so I really enjoyed it. There are LOTS of POVs (10+ if I remember correctly), but I was locked in on all of them. There are about four POVs I would categorize as the "main" POVs that appear most often, and then the others are sprinkled in between. They are also labeled clearly, so I was never confused.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of The Witcher, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones.
(And don't get me started on the romance--ugh!!! I loved it! So subtle and yet so powerful!)
September 20, 2025
The Song of Thyssia by S.J. Stiles is an ambitious work of fantasy that plunges readers into a vast, intricately built world. The novel embraces the epic tradition with numerous point-of-view characters, all written in third person, and a story that spans continents, cultures, and looming threats.
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its world-building. The author layers politics, relics, gods, and mysterious forces like magic to create a world that feels lived-in and full of history. Readers who enjoy piecing together new societies and understanding their inner workings will find much to admire here.
The cast is wide and diverse, including both male and female main characters, each carrying their own burdens and perspectives. This multi-POV structure makes the story richer, though it also requires patience from the reader as the narrative shifts and threads gradually converge.
The book has zero spice and focuses on power struggles, destiny, and the choices individuals must make when caught between duty and survival. This gives it a slightly different tone than many recent fantasy releases, appealing to readers who prefer stories driven by politics, magic, and lore rather than relationships.
The prose is descriptive and immersive, though at times the pacing can feel uneven, especially as the author balances so many perspectives. Still, the payoff comes in the last act, where tension mounts and the story barrels toward a conclusion that ends on a cliffhanger, setting up future installments in the series.
Overall, The Song of Thyssia is a rewarding read for dedicated fantasy fans who enjoy multi-POV epics in the vein of George R.R. Martin or Brandon Sanderson. Readers who want romance or a smaller, more intimate cast may find it less suited to their tastes, but for those who thrive on sprawling worlds, shifting alliances, and slow-burn storytelling, this book delivers.
One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its world-building. The author layers politics, relics, gods, and mysterious forces like magic to create a world that feels lived-in and full of history. Readers who enjoy piecing together new societies and understanding their inner workings will find much to admire here.
The cast is wide and diverse, including both male and female main characters, each carrying their own burdens and perspectives. This multi-POV structure makes the story richer, though it also requires patience from the reader as the narrative shifts and threads gradually converge.
The book has zero spice and focuses on power struggles, destiny, and the choices individuals must make when caught between duty and survival. This gives it a slightly different tone than many recent fantasy releases, appealing to readers who prefer stories driven by politics, magic, and lore rather than relationships.
The prose is descriptive and immersive, though at times the pacing can feel uneven, especially as the author balances so many perspectives. Still, the payoff comes in the last act, where tension mounts and the story barrels toward a conclusion that ends on a cliffhanger, setting up future installments in the series.
Overall, The Song of Thyssia is a rewarding read for dedicated fantasy fans who enjoy multi-POV epics in the vein of George R.R. Martin or Brandon Sanderson. Readers who want romance or a smaller, more intimate cast may find it less suited to their tastes, but for those who thrive on sprawling worlds, shifting alliances, and slow-burn storytelling, this book delivers.
March 8, 2024
If you like stories heavy on world building, stage setting and steady pacing then this story is for you! You can tell this story is beloved by the author and that they poured into each sentence. It is so beautifully written.
Some forewarning here:
1) this is fantasy so expect a lot of character introductions and world building. A lot of the first 100 pages are meant to set the stage. If you’re expecting to launch into answers you won’t get that here but trust me that if you read to the end you WILL be rewarded. The last 50 pages are just wild with revelations!
2) there are multiple povs, I want to say about 6/7 of them and while the first few chapters it can be confusing it does start to make sense and you’ll find that the multiple povs are vital to the story. Without giving too much away there are specific important parts of the story that need to be told through various lens as multiple characters are doing different important things at the same time.
3) this isn’t romance heavy but it is most definitely developing into the next book. It’s a really nice break from stories that deviant from the plot just to get lost in the romance. I’m all for romance but sometimes I prefer when stories, especially fantasy stories, prioritize the plot.
Some tropes you’ll find in this book:
Feuding families
Foe to friend AND friend to foe
Slow burn romance (again, it’s building towards the next book)
Family members with dark pasts
Unlikely heroes
Alchemy and Magic
I really really enjoyed this story and am excited for the next installment!
Some forewarning here:
1) this is fantasy so expect a lot of character introductions and world building. A lot of the first 100 pages are meant to set the stage. If you’re expecting to launch into answers you won’t get that here but trust me that if you read to the end you WILL be rewarded. The last 50 pages are just wild with revelations!
2) there are multiple povs, I want to say about 6/7 of them and while the first few chapters it can be confusing it does start to make sense and you’ll find that the multiple povs are vital to the story. Without giving too much away there are specific important parts of the story that need to be told through various lens as multiple characters are doing different important things at the same time.
3) this isn’t romance heavy but it is most definitely developing into the next book. It’s a really nice break from stories that deviant from the plot just to get lost in the romance. I’m all for romance but sometimes I prefer when stories, especially fantasy stories, prioritize the plot.
Some tropes you’ll find in this book:
Feuding families
Foe to friend AND friend to foe
Slow burn romance (again, it’s building towards the next book)
Family members with dark pasts
Unlikely heroes
Alchemy and Magic
I really really enjoyed this story and am excited for the next installment!
March 17, 2024
3.5/5 ⭐️
I’m rating this 3.5 for now. I kind of want to revisit this book again sometime in the future. I think I might’ve been in the wrong head space to read it. I just wasn’t clicking with the story. I should’ve, it has a lot of things I liked, however, I just didn’t. On this read through, I just struggled with the many POVs, and it felt like I wasn’t grounded fully in the story. Like in Game of Thrones, in all tense and purposes, it opens with all the narrating characters in one of two settings, following mostly two story lines, with personal goals following the same track. I think I kind of needed that. I needed the story to open with an active, present moment with most of the characters there like how most of the characters start at Winterfell. Also to steadily drop in the backstory like breadcrumbs instead of in bursts of info dumps. However, I fully recognize that this is my personal opinion, and this opinion could change if I attempt to reread this book. My opinion change about Of Blood and Fire/House of the Dragon when I revisited that story a few years later.
Thank you to author for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.
I’m rating this 3.5 for now. I kind of want to revisit this book again sometime in the future. I think I might’ve been in the wrong head space to read it. I just wasn’t clicking with the story. I should’ve, it has a lot of things I liked, however, I just didn’t. On this read through, I just struggled with the many POVs, and it felt like I wasn’t grounded fully in the story. Like in Game of Thrones, in all tense and purposes, it opens with all the narrating characters in one of two settings, following mostly two story lines, with personal goals following the same track. I think I kind of needed that. I needed the story to open with an active, present moment with most of the characters there like how most of the characters start at Winterfell. Also to steadily drop in the backstory like breadcrumbs instead of in bursts of info dumps. However, I fully recognize that this is my personal opinion, and this opinion could change if I attempt to reread this book. My opinion change about Of Blood and Fire/House of the Dragon when I revisited that story a few years later.
Thank you to author for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.
March 27, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
No Spice - slow burn romance
“If you choose to stay, then you must know they will kill me, and they will take you. Your Highness, please, I am here because no one else is…”
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
⚔️ One Horse
⚔️ Romatic Tension
⚔️ High Fantasy
⚔️ Slow Burn
⚔️ Blonde MMC
⚔️ Multi POV
⚔️ Arranged Marriage
⚔️ Betrayal
⚔️ Court Politics
⚔️ Magic & Alchemy
The last time I read something that gave me this high fantasy, slow burn, angsty romantic tension was from Briar Boleyn's Court of Roses.
This book is highly bingeable and ends on a cliffhanger. Some reviews are saying that this is only for people who love high fantasy, but I disagree. I believe this is for anyone who loves a good adventure based fantasy with a slow burning romance.
"Gailah had captured every part of him and he would fight for the rest of his days to prove that his heart was worthy of her."
Recommended for fans of Briar Boleyn, Carissa Broadbent, Charissa Weaks, Lisette Marshall, Sarah J Maas, Alex Aster, and Lexi Ryan.
No Spice - slow burn romance
“If you choose to stay, then you must know they will kill me, and they will take you. Your Highness, please, I am here because no one else is…”
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
⚔️ One Horse
⚔️ Romatic Tension
⚔️ High Fantasy
⚔️ Slow Burn
⚔️ Blonde MMC
⚔️ Multi POV
⚔️ Arranged Marriage
⚔️ Betrayal
⚔️ Court Politics
⚔️ Magic & Alchemy
The last time I read something that gave me this high fantasy, slow burn, angsty romantic tension was from Briar Boleyn's Court of Roses.
This book is highly bingeable and ends on a cliffhanger. Some reviews are saying that this is only for people who love high fantasy, but I disagree. I believe this is for anyone who loves a good adventure based fantasy with a slow burning romance.
"Gailah had captured every part of him and he would fight for the rest of his days to prove that his heart was worthy of her."
Recommended for fans of Briar Boleyn, Carissa Broadbent, Charissa Weaks, Lisette Marshall, Sarah J Maas, Alex Aster, and Lexi Ryan.
September 25, 2024
4.5⭐️
I am so thankful we read this one as a group in the indie book nook because epic fantasies tend to confuse my brain sometimes to it. It was really nice to chat, and we all put the pieces together.
The Song of Thyssia is a multi person pov of that is just so beautifully written. SJ's descriptions are very lyrical and have this elegance about it in the way she describes things in this book.
My favorite character probably is Bjorn. I really enjoyed the connection he seems to have with Senna and his personality. I want to see all the good things happen to him.
Now Katha, don't even get me started on her. If Thanos existed in this world, I would beg for her to get the finger snap. I personally find her awful and has this tendency of making others pay for her own actions. Like girl, c'mon.
The ending of the book did not come as a shock when it was revealed BECAUSE OF COURSE THATS WHY THINGS ARE HAPPENING.
I really enjoyed the story and I swear I think I highlighted half of this book. 😂
I am so thankful we read this one as a group in the indie book nook because epic fantasies tend to confuse my brain sometimes to it. It was really nice to chat, and we all put the pieces together.
The Song of Thyssia is a multi person pov of that is just so beautifully written. SJ's descriptions are very lyrical and have this elegance about it in the way she describes things in this book.
My favorite character probably is Bjorn. I really enjoyed the connection he seems to have with Senna and his personality. I want to see all the good things happen to him.
Now Katha, don't even get me started on her. If Thanos existed in this world, I would beg for her to get the finger snap. I personally find her awful and has this tendency of making others pay for her own actions. Like girl, c'mon.
The ending of the book did not come as a shock when it was revealed BECAUSE OF COURSE THATS WHY THINGS ARE HAPPENING.
I really enjoyed the story and I swear I think I highlighted half of this book. 😂
September 1, 2025
This one has been on my TBR for a while now — "The Song of Thyssia" by S.J. Stiles. It was worth the wait!
An epic fantasy, "The Song of Thyssia" follows the three kingdoms of Thyssia, the mother island of the Thyssian Archipelago. When the mountain princess, Gailah, is unwillingly betrothed to the heir of the Ghobasi Empire, her world is shaken to its core. Her mother's past sins come roaring back, threatening alliances, family bonds, and Gailah's life.
This debut novel combines court politics, magic, and romance to create a sweeping, immersive story world. Stiles weaves together a varied cast of characters to build a plot that is both intricate and compelling. I was worried, enraged, and heartbroken for the characters throughout the story.
If you enjoy high fantasy, you'll enjoy this book! It reminded me a bit of Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series, especially the later books when we see multiple POVs, but it's a clean romance.
Looking forward to book 2 coming in 2026!
An epic fantasy, "The Song of Thyssia" follows the three kingdoms of Thyssia, the mother island of the Thyssian Archipelago. When the mountain princess, Gailah, is unwillingly betrothed to the heir of the Ghobasi Empire, her world is shaken to its core. Her mother's past sins come roaring back, threatening alliances, family bonds, and Gailah's life.
This debut novel combines court politics, magic, and romance to create a sweeping, immersive story world. Stiles weaves together a varied cast of characters to build a plot that is both intricate and compelling. I was worried, enraged, and heartbroken for the characters throughout the story.
If you enjoy high fantasy, you'll enjoy this book! It reminded me a bit of Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series, especially the later books when we see multiple POVs, but it's a clean romance.
Looking forward to book 2 coming in 2026!
February 11, 2024
I was very thankful to read an arc of this book. It took me quite a bit to get into and my rating is really 3.5. There are multiple (I mean multiple) pov’s for this story as there are a lot of characters and plots separate and wrapped. My only critique is I felt like I joined in the middle of the story and it’s 3rd person POV, which I prefer 1st. After that the story is very interesting. The magic is through alchemy and the heirs to the throne seem to all be paying a price for the parents/family before them. You get bits and pieces of their mistakes but it’s not really until the end that it starts to come together. I enjoyed the different personalities each character has along with the defiance and bravery shown. I’m
Super interested to see where this story goes and can honestly say I’ve not read anything like it. I look forward to book 2!
Super interested to see where this story goes and can honestly say I’ve not read anything like it. I look forward to book 2!
September 5, 2024
This was a solid epic fantasy. It’s got multiple POV, alchemy, political intrigue, and lots of betrayal. The storyline was interesting, but I spent a lot of the book confused, and it took me too long to find my footing. I also would have liked a better explanation of the Alchemists and the Void. It just kind of felt like a nebulous evil that wasn’t fully fleshed out. If you like Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, you’d probably love this book.
🗡️
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 0 🌶️
🗡️
Read if you like:
▫️epic fantasy
▫️multiple POV
▫️alchemy and magic
▫️political intrigue
▫️betrayal, lies, and secrets
🗡️
Thank you to S.J. stiles for the gifted copy. I received it for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗡️
Connect With Me
https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?i...
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves
🗡️
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 0 🌶️
🗡️
Read if you like:
▫️epic fantasy
▫️multiple POV
▫️alchemy and magic
▫️political intrigue
▫️betrayal, lies, and secrets
🗡️
Thank you to S.J. stiles for the gifted copy. I received it for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗡️
Connect With Me
https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?i...
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews