The Killing Song

by Felix Graves

Romada, a fiercely independent water nymph who captains the pirate vessel the Guardian, is looking forward to retirement. After sailing the seas for over 50 years with her siren girlfriend, Neiara, as well as with her adoptive big brother, Injago, for another five decades prior, she's tired of the high-stakes life. Unfortunately, the high stakes life isn't done with her or her loved ones yet.

When the crown prince of Ostrana is assassinated by a siren, the elven kingdom responds by rounding up every known siren and shipping them off to internment camps. Soon after, Injago and Romada mistakenly lead Neiara into a trap that tears her away from them, and Romada succumbs to a depressive darkness that has threatened her mind since childhood. It's up to Injago to keep the crew and the ship safe and steady on the path to finding and rescuing Neiara.

As time goes on, Romada and Injago realize that no one else is willing to find and liberate these camps. They have a choice to make. They can attempt to free all sirens of their wrongful imprisonment, or abandon these lost souls in reckless pursuit of their stolen family member. Only one thing is certain: this won't have a happy ending.

Genres: Fantasy

Paperback

Published May 2, 2025

About the author

Felix Graves is a queer and disabled AAPI author of dark speculative fiction. Most of his writing involves tragedy, queer romance, and faerie-inspired creatures. His debut novel, Farzana's Spite (2024) is the first story in the Faerth anthology series. Other works set in the Faerth universe include The Killing Song (2025) and Color Unknown (2024). He prides himself on writing stories with a starkly honest ownvoice commentary on mental illness, disability, and queerness. He currently lives in the beautiful PNW with his husband, their two kids, a ferociously adorable pitbull, and possibly a ghost or two.

Reviews

[Brianna Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was full of adventure and twists. I was constantly asking “what is going to happen next.” It kept me on my toes and it is so uniquely different! I was very happy with it !

[Felix Graves]

AUTHOR NOTE:
Please check here for a detailed list of content warnings.

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man this was an absolutely soul wrenching story.

I fell in love with the characters in this world, pretty immediately. The cast is full of beautifully diverse characters, each with their own distinct personalities and unique struggles. I found my heart being pulled from character to character as the chapters evolved, it’s an incredibly beautiful and powerful feeling to be so connected to those words on the page. Kudos Felix, for truly making me feel something!

The story itself is equally complex and compelling. It shifts from light to dark like the rolling storm clouds on a summer day. One moment, you are in the deepest, coldest depths of despair then the next, the clouds break and you feel a bit of warmth. Overall though, this is a pretty rain cloud covered story.

I am incredibly excited for the second book in this duology! Very grateful for the publishers and the team at Booksirens for the ARC opportunity. My heart may not forgive you, but I’m grateful for the experience.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew. Damn. This book hurt. Read those CW that the author provides and do not take them lightly!

My initial review for this book is: If you like pirates, unaliving fascists, and crying, this book is for you.

And while that is definitely true, this book is a lot deeper than that. You can tell that Felix Graves put a lot of personal experiences and current events to create the issues in this world. He does not do this lightly. This book, this world, the pain the characters experience are real and true things happening NOW.

The world building as far as a setting is done beautifully. While the reader isn't forced to go back and forth with a map, trying to remember a million places and names, the experience is still immersive.

I am devastated and excited for the next book in this duology. Mostly terrified. But in the best way!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize how much I would love a pirate story.

This is a book that covers very heavy topics, so please read up on the trigger warnings before you start. However, this was done very well in my opinion. Realizing your own privilege is always a good road to take.

My heart absolutely broke with this story I absolutely hate it (positively). And yes, it did make me angry in the best way possible.

I can't wait to see what the next book brings and I desperately hope for a happy ending... (but life hardly ever gives those)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Serina’s Stories wolfganghollows · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending…OMG! I really enjoyed this book and how RAW and real it is. There was a whole array of representation in all colours of our rainbow family, as well as racism, brutal death, child abuse, heartbreak, depression…it goes on and on. It’s remarkably easy to read as it’s written so smoothly, yet hard to read as you feel all of the emotions our main characters are feeling.

Haunting and beautiful, I look forward to part 2

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story a lot. There are dark elements in this story, but overall, they were handled in a way that worked to further the story and were not just sensational. The story and the world as a whole was fairly easy to get into and didn't require half the book for me to get a handle on things. However, what I loved the most was the wide array of representation among the cast of characters. I look forward to seeing where this story goes in the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Storm In A Teacup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant world building I really understood Faerth very quickly and I was invested in the story immediately, there are some heavy, dark themes in the book but they were done really well, I can't wait to read what comes next.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.