The Gods Will Sing Our Song

by Autumn Krause

In this sweeping WWII historical romance threaded with magic and myth, two star-crossed Japanese American teenagers find a love more powerful than the gods — inspired by the author's true family history of internment and resilience.

A divine favor can change everything.

1942. War rumbles across the world, gods stir in the wind, and two lives are set on a collision course that will change them forever.

Seventeen-year-old Ren Hamada has always been defined by his troubled past, while Violet Aratani has only ever worried about keeping her straight-A grades and helping her parents run their beloved print shop. The two have little in common beyond the old magic that thrums in their worn family relics—and the fact that they’re Japanese American in a country determined to cast them as the enemy.

Forced out of their homes and into ramshackle wooden barracks in the California desert by the US government, Ren and Violet collide. In a barbed wire world where everything they thought they knew is upside-down, the magnetic pull between them is the only thing that makes sense.

But there’s more than just desert dust swirling in the air. A god walks among them, his mortal form tethered to the camp, and only Violet and Ren hold the key to freeing him—an act that would earn them an immeasurable reward. Yet with tensions rising and their lives on the line, is even a divine favor powerful enough to save them?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Young Adult, Fiction, Magic

Audible Audio

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Autumn Krause is a writer in Orange County, California, where she can most often be found wearing a black lace dress and boots.

Reviews

[Erin Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute triumph! The Gods Will Sing Our Songs broke my heart and repaired it again in all the best ways. Each word was written with such love, you could feel it coming off the pages. Timely and tender, this cements Krause as a literary force to be reckoned with.

[elixir.beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gods Will Sing Our Song — 3.5 Stars

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley for the ARC!

I originally came across this book on social media and was immediately intrigued by the premise, and I’m glad to say it ended up being both beautiful and heartbreaking. The story captures not only the horrors of war, but also the ways love, grief, and resilience can shape people during impossible times. Through Ren and Violet’s perspectives, the author explores the emotional weight of fear, loss, and survival while showing how people try to hold onto hope in the darkest moments.

One aspect I especially appreciated was the book’s exploration of how World War II affected Japanese communities and the injustice of the internment camps. I had not previously read much fiction centered on this part of history, so I found it both eye-opening and emotional. The novel highlights how prejudice and fear can devastate innocent lives, and it handles those themes with a strong emotional core.

That said, I did have some issues with the pacing and structure of the story, particularly when it came to balancing the romance and the plot. I’ve noticed in a lot of recent books that relationships tend to develop very quickly, and here I felt the romance moved faster than the emotional connection had time to fully build. Since Ren and Violet had only just met, I would have preferred more gradual development while they navigated the mysteries surrounding the gods, the camp, and the war itself. While the overall plot moved at a slower pace, the romance progressed very quickly in comparison. However, by the second half of the book, their relationship grew on me more, and I became invested in where their journey would lead.

I also really enjoyed the magical elements woven into the wartime setting. The fantasy aspects added a unique atmosphere to the story, though I do wish there had been more of them throughout the novel rather than having them fade into the background so quickly. Akira was another standout character for me — he brought an interesting energy to the story, feeling both comforting and slightly dangerous at the same time, which made every scene with him more engaging.

The villains were written very effectively as well. They were frustrating in exactly the way antagonists should be, making you root for their downfall from beginning to end. I also loved how the author used the riots, shadows, and supernatural imagery to heighten the emotional tension of certain scenes.

Overall, The Gods Will Sing Our Song was an emotional and beautifully written story that blended history, magic, romance, and tragedy together in a compelling way. Despite some pacing issues with the romance, the novel still delivered a moving and memorable reading experience.

[Beth | Bookwyrm.Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook and Delacorte Press for the gifted book!

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
I appreciated that this story was inspired by the author’s own family history, and that she did not shy away from exploring the devastating historical reality of the Japanese American incarceration. Lifting up Young Adult novels that accurately explore aspects of American history that often get downplayed or even entirely overlooked within the American school system is so important. All of this aside, there were unfortunately many structural issues that ultimately took away from my appreciation of this novel.

The largest issue for me was the distinct structural imbalance between the book’s three genres. The first half of the book sets up the historical aspects of the plot, with lengthy setting descriptions and, at times, repetitive scenarios without any meaningful narrative momentum. Once the more magical aspects of the story are introduced, I was sad to find them often sidelined in favor of a highly conventional YA romance.

For a story with such high stakes and rich cultural folklore at its disposal, the fantasy elements felt severely underutilized, serving more as a background aesthetic than a driving force for the plot.

The romance itself felt rushed and out of place, completely downplaying the profound psychological trauma of their circumstances and leaning far too much into insta-love.

Unfortunately this ultimately didn’t work for me, but if you enjoy YA Romance with a tragic, historical backdrop it may work for you. I also recommend this to kids that are closer to the younger side of the suggested age range.

✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
This audiobook was a duel narration featuring Sophie Oda and Major Curda. Major is one of my favorite voice actors, so I knew that his performance would be great. Sure enough, he captured a range of feelings within his performance and brought Ren to life. Sophie is new to me, but I felt that she did a great job in her role as well, especially with the more high energy and playful moments. Excellent, clear audio track as well.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
Opposites Attract
Star-Crossed Lovers
Magical Relics and Tethered Gods
Resilience Amidst Injustice
Hope vs Shared Trauma
Family Duty and Inherited Legacy

✄----------
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Romance
2.5 Stars Rounded Up
✄----------

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[Mai H.]

ANHPI TBR

Valentine's Day TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press

[Anna Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally enthralling. a story of myth and belief, art, war, justice, betrayal. painful at times, always tender and compulsively readable. 10/10 !!!

[Bookishness]

~Pre-Read~ Received an ARC, I have 5 start vibes from the description.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.


The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a truly masterful work of betrayal, injustice, family, love, and hope.  It tells the story of two Japanese American teenagers, Ren Hamada and Violet Aratani, as they navigated their way through the injustice of the internment camps during WWII.  Written in dual perspectives it follows the two teens through their struggles and as they fall in love.  


I loved both Ren and Violet.  Ren had a bit of a bad boy persona and was arrested when he was fourteen, but he was truly a good person with a kind heart.  His love and care for his family and friends was evident from the start.  Violet was his opposite in many ways.  She's a “good girl” with high hopes for her future and an extremely talented artist.  I would love to see one of her drawings.  


One thing that made me a little hesitant to read this one was the supernatural element, but I actually really enjoyed it.  It didn't feel out of place as I feared it would.  The mythology was seamlessly blended into the historical background and I really liked the god Akira.  


I found this book was very well researched.  I have read numerous autobiographies, memoirs, and non fiction books about the internment and was impressed by the level of detail.  Autumn Krause did an amazing job at describing the camps and the treatment of Japanese Americans during that time. 


This was probably my favorite read so far this year and I’d recommend it to almost anyone.

[Lauren Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’ve held tightly to much. I’ve balled the shame in my heart into the center of my hand. I’ve tried to scrape hope from the world with my bare nails. I’ve turned my hand into a fist to strike my shadows. But then her hand slipped into mine and she stood next to me as we watched old magic made new and desert dust turned to rich soil. And maybe that’s the thing. I can’t hold on to everything. Life’s not like that. Maybe, just maybe, I never needed to grasp and clutch and scavenge and drag myself along the ground till my fingers bled. Maybe I only needed to open my hands.”

I was given an advanced reader copy of The Gods Will Sing Our Song by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel started out slowly, and lagged somewhat in the first 2/3. However, the content is deep for the genre and did take some time to really sink in. I think overall, this slow start helped to build tension.

The historical setting of a Japanese internment camp in California is not a topic I’ve read about in fiction yet, so it was a much needed story to be told. I also learned a lot about Japanese culture and the author did a great job of “showing and not telling” these parts.

While I am not Japanese or Asian, I think the author told this story in a very respectful yet personal manner from the realistic POV’s of the characters. The juxtaposition between the grave injustice of the camp with the patriotism of the characters built such a realistic and complex emotional dynamic! The magical realism element was a very unique and interesting literary device to teach the young characters lessons about staying connected to their ancestral heritage, while also acting as a metaphor for the emotional temperature of the camp. When this all came together, the “aha moments” were really beautiful.

When I requested this book for an ARC, I did not realize it was young adult book. I do not usually read YA, but the historical setting is what got my attention. This is a young adult historical fiction romance with magical realism. I think if this was adult fiction, the characters would need more fleshing out and the book would need to be longer as a result, but for a YA novel, the characterization was ample for the span and pacing of the book.

If you’re a parent wondering if this YA romance book is appropriate for your child, I can tell you that there is kissing in this book, and one (non-explicit) joke about masturbation. There was no sexual content, closed door or otherwise. The teen couple’s “desire” for one another is referenced, but not in explicit terms. A healthy and loving teenaged relationship is modeled in this book, and is in my opinion a wholesome example for young reader’s hearts and minds!

Overall, I enjoyed this insightful, heartwarming novel!

[m y r · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Delacorte Press & NetGalley for the E-ARC!
4.25 ★

The Gods Will Sing Our Song is filled with grief, sorrow, hope, and undying love. It captures the horror of war and the way Japanese communities/families were affected by the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. I haven't read any fiction in the past that followed internment camps, so I love that the author wanted this story to be told (as it's based off her grandparents and family who endured those times). I don't think it's talked about enough regarding how Japanese people were treated during these times, so I'm glad this story exists and I knew I needed to read it ASAP.

We follow the FMC and MMC, Violet and Ren, as they navigate the injustice of internment camps, all while finding magic along the way (Not in a metaphorical way, in a "Omg there's a God in our camp," kind of way). I loved their story, their genuinity and compassion. It reflected widely of who they are while faced with the difficulties of politics, racism, and an unknown future for the Japanese people. Violet and Ren's romance was a breath of fresh air in the midst of the chaos and all that life threw at them. I loved the community and how everybody came together for anything they needed, even with limited resources. Every character felt so flushed out, no matter how big or little of importance they were to the story.

The magic system was so touching, using relics imbued with magic. I wish it had been explored more in depth, and we had gotten more scenes with the God in their camp, because it was such a fascinating part of the story.

If you are into historical fiction/fantasy (or even if you aren't), I recommend this book! It's heartbreaking, yet hopeful all the same.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Delacorte, netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have been anticipating this read for a long time and I am so honored to have been able to read it. The combination of both the historical setting, the developing romance of Ren and Violet, and the magical realism told through Japanese lore, was something that I found intriguing. I knew I wanted to read more and I am so glad that I did. This is a time in our country's history that has not been spoken about enough. I am already planning to buy my physical copy for the tweens in my house to read. I loved Violet's feisty and adventurous spirit and Ren's quiet, yet loyal demeanor. I loved that this story is told through the innocence of young eyes. It just seems so unfair that there is so much injustice for them, and to know that this is based on actual historical events makes their story that much more important to hear. The magical elements of Ren and Violet's story helped bring a sense of hope for them; even in the midst of incredible injustice of they have endured, everything that has been taken from them and all they have lost. The only thing I would have changed is that I would have loved to have dived even deeper into the richness of the Japanese lore.

[Heidi Gorecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were more books about the internment camps in the US during WW2. We all know front and back how the Nazi’s targeted Jews, Polish and other groups of people but we don’t talk about how the US imprisoned Japanese and Germans without cause as well - just because of their ethnicity, not because they actually did anything subversive - and stole their livelihoods in the process. And then had the audacity to draft them without changing their circumstances. If we don’t understand history and expose truth because it’s ugly or shameful, we can’t ensure we change patterns in the future.

I appreciated the perspective of this book coming from an author who actually has family experience, and felt the impact of it. While the book is more YA, following a couple of teenagers in a fantasy-colored version of Manzanar internment camp, it was very well written and immersive. It dealt poignantly with grief, and injustice, but also looked at family and community. I enjoyed Akira and his melodrama also - it added some levity to the heavy topic.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

[Brenda (jadore_2read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. A bit of background.
During WWII (after the bombing on Pearl Harbor), the US government forced over 100,00 people of Japanese descent into camps. About 2/3 were US citizens. Regular everyday people with no criminal background. Children, parents, grandparents and pregnant women were taken from their homes and forced into camps on US soil. Many losing their homes, jobs, businesses and land.

There is a great parallel of racial prejudice in today’s climate. I know this story is personal to the author as it depicts her family’s journey. I appreciate the author keeping the humanity in the story from beginning to end. Hope lives in every page. The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a beautiful and bittersweet homage to the families who were held in the internment camp.
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.

✨Japanese American
✨historical romance
✨YA magical realism fiction
✨teen star-crossed lovers
✨resilience
✨family loss

[Sarah Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes:
🌊Historical setting
🌊Magic realism
🌊Complex family dynamics
🌊Opposites attract
🌊Japanese mythology
🌊A magical character that gives the dramatic vibe of Hades from the 1997 animated classic “Hercules”

This was a unique read for sure. Some YA books surpass their genre and can be written for all ages. I think that’s somewhat true for this book. While the historic and cultural elements were extremely engaging, I do think the romance plot line was written for a high school audience. I really enjoyed the author’s note at the end explaining her family’s history (and the photos were a great addition). Admittedly I do not know about the Japanese internment camps, so this was very insightful. My primary complaint is that the end stretched out too long after our big climax. The last 20% could’ve been shortened.

[Nicole Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn Krause’s novel The Gods Will Sing Our Song has written a beautiful historical fiction novel about WWII Japanese Americans who find love. Krause uses her own family’s past for inspiration for the story.

I heard about this book on social media and was immediately intrigued. I enjoyed the characters and the folklore in the story. Knowing that Krause has a personal connection made the story made the story even more emotional as the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Phi · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an arc through Netgalley*

I felt compelled to sign up for the arc because I saw the author make a video about the premise of the story on Tiktok and wanted to read the book. I was intrigued by a YA love story set during WWII and the unexpected love story of teenagers in an internment camp.

The backstories of Ren and Violet individually was very fascinating but it felt like the story kept dragging on. My main motivation was trying to figure out what happens to them in the internment camp. It was clearly a confusing time as they were forcibly sent to the internment camp. However, I truly struggled to keep track of their magical connection to their relics and it got confusing once magic became a bigger plot line.

All in all, I think the book does a good job of spreading awareness and serving as a launching pad for how traumatic the internment camps were for so many Japanese Americans. However, I think the book was trying to achieve a lot of things at once —telling the stories of Ren and Violet; touching upon the racist treatment Americans had towards Japanese Americans; life in the internment camps; and weaving in magic.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set during WWII in America, the story takes place in a Japanese internment camp and mainly follows two teenagers, Violet and Ren. We follow their families, learn pieces of their history, and ultimately their love story. Elements of Japanese folklore/magic is sprinkled throughout so it's a mixture of historical fiction and fantasy.

I did think that this was a decent story, overall. It was sweet, sad, and hopeful. I love that it was based on the author's grandparents, who also fell in love as teens, and appreciated her author's note and the family history she provided at the end. The internment camps are a shameful part of our history and this story provided a glimpse into the reality of the people who endured them.

I will say that I found the characters and the story itself to be a bit surface-level - many times I wished there were more depth. I also felt that the romance happened extremely quickly, without much build-up - and it felt very juvenile at times. There were many lines that felt a little ridiculous, cliche, or just kind of cringey - one example being "Everything is going to hell in a hand basket tied to a rocket ship". I was expecting more of a higher-level YA story but the book felt, to me, like a very young YA novel, possible even middle-school level.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

[Sisi G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a book that needed to be written and I’m honored to have gotten a chance to read it early.
The story is written in a way that feels light and easy to read, despite the fact that it’s based on real events.
I was so impressed by Autumn’s ability to write such a beautiful love story within the awful setting of a very real chunk of history that is often glossed over and minimized.
Ren and Violet’s respective POVs were written so befitting of their characters that at no point did I question whose thoughts I was reading.
Violet grew up so loved by her parents, which shows in her confidence and her optimism for the future. Ren’s POV broke my heart, he said “shame is my stasis” and it was palpable throughout the story, until it was no longer true. I loved how the characters found peace and safety in each other in a time of uncertainty and grief, because that’s the only way they could get through such a hard time.
The scenery was easy to picture but the parts that stood out to me most were the heartbreaking statements that told us exactly how the characters were feeling without feeding it to us. Some chapters were devastating and I absolutely ate them up. One chapter in particular felt like a fever dream, I could feel the uncomfortable numb silence in the scenes and it was deafening.
So many lines in this book really demonstrate the authenticity in writing a story with a survivor’s personal account as a guide. I had high expectations for this book and I was so pleasantly surprised.

[Sara. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐ rounded up. Thank you NetGalley & Delacorte Press for the ARC.

Author Autumn Krause wanted to tell her family's story of being forced into incarceration camps by the US government during WWII, and this novel is a heartfelt love letter and commemoration to the resilience of her great-grandparents, grandparents, and extended relatives. Aptly so, The Gods Will Sing Our Song's most powerful feature is the raw portrayal of the atrocities that Japanese Americans were subjected to: the humiliating and barebones living conditions of the barracks, the degradation by the administration and non-government civilians who see Japanese people as lesser, and the callous tearing apart of families. Regardless of any gripes I hold about the fictionalised aspects of TGWSOS (such as the central romance and the magical realism/ mythological god part, which I'll elaborate below), the recounting of this historical period made this an overall worthwhile and enlightening read.

Since this is a historical romance, it's inevitable that the love story will impact how much I enjoy this. All in all, I'm mostly neutral about the romance between teenagers Ren & Violet. I don't think it's the weakest part of TGWSOS, but given how this novel is marketed with "a love more powerful than the gods" + being comped with Divine Rivals, my expectations were set high.

It didn't help that Ren & Violet's relationship started off as Infatuation At First Sight, whereby both teens found each other exceptionally physically attractive when they first laid eyes on each other. Then, said crush was really sped up as Ren & Violet fell for each other hard and fast, rather than gradually over the months while getting to truly know each other—their family history, their hopes and dreams, their insecurities. It took one secret date right after their first conversation and suddenly they're all each other could think about. 😭 Yes this all feels true to a puppy love experience, but again, I was expecting an Epic Love Story. Given this was based off Krause's grandparents falling in love as teenagers, I don't know how closely she followed their experience for TGWSOS. I'm sure it's very sweet & touching in real life, but *on page*, this fictional romance made for a lackluster reading experience.

That said, even if it's not the slowburn I would've loved it to be, I wasn't necessarily peeved by it because of how likeable Violet and Ren are as individual characters. The romance IS also stronger in the second half, once I overlook the flimsy foundation. Ren is also the greenest of flags; it would've been so easy to portray him as a ~brash, temperamental Bad Boy~ given his history of juvenile delinquency. But he's always courteous to Violet, his teasing is gentle and never cruel, HE FOLDS ORIGAMI FOR HER, and he's observant enough to deduce Violet's favourite colour. It stems from the fact that he's a very caring boy who looks up to and adores his older sister and even his emotionally neglectful mother.

Violet's altruism also won me over, as seen when she included Ren's sister without hesitation in her plea to secure her father's safety while bargaining with the god Akira, which she technically didn't have to. And when Violet hurts Ren's feelings by lying about their dynamic to her mother, she makes up for it by apologizing for her thoughtlessness, and being upfront about their relationship when her mother forbids her from seeing Ren time and again.

Krause also has such a way with words, because what uplifts this romance for me is just how beautiful and moving her prose is, especially in the second half. It's this prose that's just so fitting for a story covering such an unjust moment in history, as she captures the understandable rage and grief pouring out of multiple characters as they grapple with a country that has betrayed them. And while the romance may not be my favourite, I was so very invested in the struggles and unconditional love within Ren and Violet's respective families. Would especially loved to have had more on Ren's relationship with his pregnant, unwedded older sister Emi, because their dynamic was great every time we got them on page.

This is one of those historical fantasies that's more fantastical history novel, because the plot of a deity named Akira being bound in mortal form and our two protags working to free him was REALLY underwhelming. Akira is such an uninteresting character who gets pretty much no development, save for his gratitude to Ren & Violet at the end and delivering on his divine favour ... so the bare minimum, really. For a god who's cursed to walk the earth for an indeterminate amount of time, we don't really get any insight to his relationship with mortals. Yes he's feeling disdainful that nobody worships him, but he also shows no compassion or empathy for the Japanese Americans suffering all around him?? Honestly, Akira feels like a plot device to give Ren & Violet something to do other than just merely surviving in horrendous conditions.

Additionally, we learn there are relics in this world that can be imbued with magic to do ... things that we don't really find out for most of the novel because 1) Ren's is nearly depleted of magic due to years of neglect and 2) Violet can't use hers because she's not its true owner and hasn't properly inherited it from her father. We FINALLY get to see one of these relics at work near the very end (though it's one of the best scenes that made me tear up). Honestly, if this novel was rewritten to be a pure historical fiction without the fantasy, I wouldn't mourn the change.

While this period is no doubt a tragedy that never should've occurred, the novel also had many moments of hope that I loved: Ren's barrack neighbours embracing the "it takes a village to raise a child" mentality by pitching in to help with Emi's baby, Violet helping to set up a library for others, the reunion of the Wozumi family, and of course, that very emotional epilogue. Maybe I didn't love TGWSOS, but in no way do I regret picking this story up.

[Anora · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finish a good book, one which I know will stay with me long after I shut its cover and decide its place on my shelf, I feel it already, nestling itself within my chest. A weight that’s comfort and melancholy at once.

I felt this for most of The Gods Will Sing Our Song. A dull ache of grief, and soft release of relief, at odds and in tandem. Set in an incarceration camp during WW2 and based on author Autumn Krause’s own family’s experiences, TGWSOS is extensively researched, deeply personal, and unwaveringly respectful of the weight of its histories whilst still remaining true to its YA genre. A story oft left untold, Krause pries back layers of propaganda and shame to unveil a soberingly real depiction of the circumstances and conditions endured by the Japanese at the hands of the American government, without the balm of restraint or censorship to comfort the reader. Ren and Violet’s stories, while interwoven with a tale of magic and lost gods, are real ones, which resonates regardless of your prior knowledge or understanding of this dark and recent history.

Without sacrificing the tone expected of a YA novel— or the voice and characterization consistent of teenaged leads— The Gods Will Sing Our Song delivers on an unfiltered and historical look at real-world experiences without being bogged down by a natural and human hopelessness, or, conversely, being undercut by an empty message of optimism. Ren and Violet are buoyed in this tempest by a hope that is earned and fought for, in both internal and external battles. Hope is not inaction, it is resistance, and Krause balances the weight of the various forms that rebellion and resistance can take very tastefully.

This is a book I could see myself having read in grade school as a young reader captivated by historical fiction and fantasies, and one that I absolutely hope to see in library shelves across the world. An enduring story for all ages, and a message of endurance to all generations.

If I were to voice any note, it would be that I did feel there were steps missed in the initial development of Ren and Violet’s romance. The instantaneous infatuation felt somewhat out of place, and I do think there could have been more to the buildup of affection to feel entirely believable. Granted, they’re teenagers, and I myself skipped out on the whole “young love” thing, so perhaps I simply don’t Get It™️. Even still, the latter chapters and beautifully written epilogue did not leave me at all doubting the lasting quality of their love, and so it is, overall, a minor grievance, if it could even be called such a thing.

Beyond the romance, I was thrilled to find such deeply complex depictions of familial and platonic relationships alike, and the impact of intergenerational trauma and systemic racism on individuals and their upbringing. There is a clear, if contrasting, divide between how Ren’s mother and Violet’s mother encourage them both to behave and carry the seemingly inherent judgement of others that shapes them both as people, and showcases how past generations have been made to adapt. It’s a complexity that I believe will resonate with many people of colour and immigrants that still holds true to this day— the varying degrees of resignation behind instructions of “Keep your head down, be polite, don’t draw attention,” and “Don’t bother, they’ll never see past what you are,” that is difficult to portray. The Gods Will Sing Our Song displays several differing reactions to its casts’ circumstances, all of which validated by their own lived experiences, and none of which portrayed as the “wrong” response, which is damn near revolutionary.

The magic system was innate and intimate in a way that did not feel underexplained or lazy, but simply a facet of the world and culture, even if one that the leads had to dig their nails into to hold onto when all else was taken. A subtle yet effective nod to the ways cultural histories and traditions can slip us by if they are not carried and passed along, the “gaps” in the magic system never felt to be such. I loved the portrayal of Akira, and all that he represented to both leads, and the way that plotline came together through an amalgamation of their efforts and love was beautifully done— and I deeply appreciated that the story did not end there, a divine favour wrapped neatly in a magical bow. Their trials existed beyond the supernatural, and were not so easily swept away.

Through The Gods Will Sing Our Song, Krause bares a personal history which remains relevant and resonant to readers of all backgrounds, and uncovers an often overlooked side of American history that commands respect and reverence. Achingly human and hopeful, Ren and Violet’s story— and those which inspired it— is one I will carry for a long time.

Thank you endlessly to Autumn and her Street Team organizer, Lauren, for granting me a copy of The Gods Will Sing Our Song to read and review ahead of its release on September 1st. It’s certainly a 5 star read that I don’t foresee forgetting any time soon, and I’m honoured to have even the smallest part in this story being told. Autumn Krause is a true talent, and I vastly look forward to her next work.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGalley, Autumn Krause, and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC, it was an honor*

I don’t know how Autumn Krause did it, but she took something so painful, so uncomfortable, and so deeply important and turned it into something that was not only accessible, but beautiful… and completely captivating.

If I could give this book ten stars, I would.

It feels like fantasy. It feels like magical realism. It feels like a sweeping story about first love, friendship, family, grief, and hope. But underneath all of that is a chapter of history that is often glossed over. A story about Japanese American internment during World War II and the impossible choices ordinary people were forced to make when the world they knew disappeared overnight.

I’ve been staring at my laptop screen wondering how I’m supposed to write a review that will do this book justice.

I left a piece of my soul between those pages.

The Gods Will Sing Our Song exceeded my already high expectations. Telling a story this heavy is one thing. Telling a story this heavy when it’s your own family’s history is another entirely. Autumn Krause’s family was incarcerated in the very internment camp this novel is inspired by, and she handles that responsibility with incredible care and the confidence of someone who has truly mastered her craft.

She weaves together historical fiction, Japanese folklore and magic, love, politics, soulmates, friendship, family, found family, and grief into a story I genuinely couldn’t put down.

I honestly think everyone should read this book. Yes, everyone. Welcome to the hill I will now die on.

I hope to see this read in schools because it opens the door to conversations that desperately need to happen. It shines a light on the history of Japanese American internment during World War II, a part of U.S. history that so often gets glossed over, while reminding us that good and evil are rarely as simple as we’d like them to be.

It’s a story about humanity, equality, family, ethics, and what happens when fear begins to outweigh compassion. It asks difficult questions without pretending to have easy answers, and it trusts the reader enough to wrestle with them.

This book felt deeply personal and so, so real.

Krause tells this story through the eyes of Japanese American teenagers, Ren and Violet, with incredible honesty while making it accessible to readers who may know very little about this history or culture. She never waters down their experiences or smooths away the uncomfortable parts. Instead, she gives every character room to be fully human, breaking away from the stereotypes that so often shape how Japanese people are portrayed in American media.

Ren especially stood out to me. I loved that Krause didn’t ask us to judge him by the worst choices he’d ever made. She asked us to truly see him. To understand the impossible cards he’d been dealt, the burdens he carried, and the quiet goodness that never left him. I think so many people go through life being put into boxes, labeled by one mistake or one moment, when in reality they aren’t the villain of the story. They’re the silent hero, doing the best they can with what they have.

One line from Mrs. Hata has been living rent-free in my head ever since I finished:

“The government is run by people, and people make mistakes.”

That single sentence captures so much of what this novel is trying to say.

Every character is painfully, beautifully human. No one is perfect. Everyone is trying to figure out how to survive an impossible situation while holding onto who they are. Watching them wrestle with injustice, fear, loyalty, anger, hope, and love felt heartbreakingly real. Reading it in today’s world made it feel even more urgent.

I love the way Krause writes. This book is a work of art. It was so masterfully written that I almost forgot I wasn’t the teenager living this story. The world felt alive. The magic felt like something I could slip into my pocket and carry home with me.

Growing up hapa (Polynesian and other ethnicities) in Hawaiʻi, I felt an immediate connection to the magical realism because so many of the stories passed down to me by my elders echoed Ren and Violet’s experiences with Akira. It’s stories like this that remind me why representation matters. Because what do you mean I can truly relate to this?!

What amazes me most is that this book is incredibly powerful without ever feeling pretentious, preachy, or self-righteous. I genuinely don’t know how Krause pulled that off. She tackles impossible conversations with so much grace that the story never feels like it’s talking at you. It simply invites you in, not only to witness these stories, but to be embraced by them and, if your heart is open, to be changed by them.

This isn’t just one of my favorite books of the year. It’s one of those rare books that reminds you why stories matter in the first place. Why we need stories like this.

The truth is… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do this book justice.

And maybe that’s the point.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a huge appeal to me, considering WWII historical fiction and Asian mythology fantasy are my two favorite genres. So smash them together, along with my enjoyment of Autumn's writing, and I knew it was going to be a good book, and I was right. The setting was so well described. I've never visited any kind of internment camp location or anything like that, but it was easy to picture it and to imagine that I had actually been there, from the way that the buildings were described to the way the weather was portrayed. I felt like I knew exactly what it looked like, and the level of vivid descriptions left me really able to understand what the experience of being in that camp was like. Bringing in the fantastical element, a god who is trapped in a human body in an internment camp, I feel like was just the right kind of levity that needed to be added to the book. While we only saw the story through Violet and Ren's eyes, the god describes well the suffering of the internees by talking about things he wasn't used to, commenting on how he couldn't understand how humans could be so mean, but also couldn't understand how humans dealt with all the things they did. Seeing a divine being trapped there, learning how awful human lives can be, brought in the thought that everyone goes through something. No one's life is easy all the time forever. For me it also brought in an element of hope. This god, who had lived a life of luxury up to this point, who was previously spoiled beyond what any human could ever be, was able to see the harsh reality of a short, mortal life. In the end he helps Violet and Ren, and while he says he doesn't care about them, there are a few obvious signs that he does care. If that god can grow and change and learn to care, than other people can, too. Violet and Ren were such well written characters. The juxtaposition between them was cute; Ren being such this bad boy (when in reality he really wasn't) and Violet being this good girl who's never done anything wrong in her life. I feel like some people may not enjoy the instalove between them, but I think it was so fitting. Something I've found in my reading and research is that love blossoms fast and true in situations like these, and in a lot of cases lasts. You see the worst of people in these places, how they handle stress and sadness, and when life goes back to what people consider normal they see the best of that person and fall in love with them even more. I feel like this is definitely one of those situations, even though we don't really get much of their lives after things calm down and they begin to live a better life (though I wish we did because I love these characters and would love to see their lives continue into adulthood and married life). I think the rate of falling for each other was perfect, especially considering they both had relics. I read that as the gods deigning them be together and leading them to each other. I think Violet and Ren were the perfect choice for who to help the god. They are both so strong, caring, and even in the midst of all this clear headed. My heart broke at Emi's death (it also made me wonder what parts of this story are real and what parts are fiction, other than the obvious), but when Ren confronted the god about it, blaming him for not helping when that was the deal they made, it really made me think about my own life. The god claimed that the deal did go through, he did help, he simply saved one of them. Luck has it, fate saved the baby and not Emi. I've been through a lot of crappy things in my life, and I've definitely had moment where I've cursed fate, wondering why something went one way when it could have gone the other, better, way. The gods explanation made me think about how fickle life can be, and how some things aren't divine intervention, sometimes luck just plays for you or against you. It's always heartbreaking to read stories about children and young people in these situations, people who are exposed to the evils of the world and the horrors of how low humanity can go when they're so young, and some don't understand how anything in the world works to begin with, much less how anything works in these situations. But Violet and Ren are great examples of how life can change so drastically but you can still hold onto who you are, how you can try to be the good in the world. It's people like these young lovers who continue to provide hope too many in a hopeless situation.

[Ekta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two teens imprisoned in an American internment camp during World War II find themselves drawn to one another, even as they discover the presence of a god in the camp. If they can free him, the god says, he’ll grant them their dearest wishes. The teens each have something they wish for as they find themselves drawn to one another in the shadow of racism and war. Author Autumn Krause’s latest novel delves into the complications of growing up Japanese American in wartime while also trying to balance romance and mythology in the somewhat successful novel The Gods Will Sing Our Song.

It doesn’t matter that 17-year-old Ren Hamada is a star baseball player for his neighborhood team in Los Angeles; ever since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, all the government can see is that he’s of the same heritage. Never mind that Ren can’t even understand the language. His family’s ethnicity is enough to put him on the list to board a bus to a newly, hastily built internment camp four hours from the city.

Ren wants to fight. His sister, Emi, is pregnant with her first child, and rumors about the camps are enough for Ren to know it’s no place for Emi or his mother who is barely holding on to her sobriety after the disappearance of Ren’s father. But no one in his community has the might to push back against the United States government. He does find a little consolation in knowing his childhood best friend, Kai, is also in the camp.

On the same bus is Violet Aratani, also 17 but different from Ren in almost every way. Ren gave up on making something of himself a long time ago. Violet still believes her education will take her places, and she’s determined to continue with it in the camp. Like Ren, her father is also missing but at least Violet knows where he is. Taken by the FBI, Violet’s father has been allowed to write her and her mother letters. She plans to keep up with those in the camp too.

They both spot a strange man on their bus headed to the concentration camp called Manzanar. Everyone else talks as if the man is old and haggard, but Violet and Ren both see a man in the prime of his life. They figure out soon enough that the man is actually a god disguised as a mortal, and he’s trapped in the mortal realm.

As two of the earliest arrivals at camp, Ren and Violet form what starts as a polite friendship but neither of them can deny the sparks that begin almost immediately. They also have something else in common: both were given a family heirloom by their fathers that holds magic. The god, Akira, responds to the magic right away and strikes a deal. If Ren, Violet, or both can figure out how to free him from his human body, he’ll grand them wishes. But as they get to know each other better, it becomes harder to know what to wish for: the end of the war? The safety and security of their families? Or each other?
Author Autumn Krause draws deeply on her own Japanese heritage for this book. She shares in her author’s note at the end that many of the instances in the novel happened to her own family members who were imprisoned in the camp. Many of her family’s surnames, too, make their way into the book, no doubt making it one of Krause’s most personal works yet.

The book, however, has trouble deciding what it wants to be. Part romance, part mythological retelling, the novel wavers between the growing chemistry of its protagonists and the fairy tale-like plight of Akira. The backdrop of the Japanese concentration camp offers a unique perspective, and at times some readers might wish they could have gotten to know the facility and its place in history better. The subplots in the book offer glimpses into the intense hardships of camp prisoners but often dispenses with them quickly in favor of the love story. Sometimes the choice works; sometimes it doesn’t.

Fans of romantasy in general will probably enjoy this one, even if it does feel like some scenes and portions were missed opportunities. A hurried resolution of one part of the book is something of a letdown, but overall it’s a fairly enjoyable read.

[LadyoftheBlade (Britt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of The Gods Will Sing Our Song. This novel was as heartbreaking as it was beautiful. Krause brilliantly weaves together myths, magic, and hope alongside the reality of war, racism, and tragedy. The novel is told in alternative first person POV between Ren and Violet. Both characters have a distinct voice and have their own family troubles and motivations.

Before the war, Violet lived with her mother and father. They operated a printing press that made flyers for the community. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Violet's father is arrested and taken into custody by the FBI to determine whether he is working as a spy for the Japanese Emperor. Before he leaves, he gives Violet a wooden deer pendant to protect her. Shortly after, Violet and her mother are forced to relocate to an internment camp for Japanese Americans and Japanese people (non-citizens) living in the United States. Suddenly, Violet is living in a run down shack with her mother and another family. Far away from her father. It's at this settlement that she meets Ren.

Before the war, Ren lived with his mother and his pregnant sister, Emi. Ren has been waiting his whole life for his father to come home so that they may be a family again. His only memento from his father is a fox pendant that he wears on a cord around his neck. His mother is constantly drinking and smoking, so his relationship with her is poor. His sister Emi is his whole world. While they are on the bus to their internment camp, Ren runs into a mysterious man that everyone on the bus believes is old. However, Ren sees him to be a young and beautiful man. Ren hopes that this man is divine and may be able to help him get his family out of this rough situation.

What happens next, is Ren and Violet meet and are instantly smitten. Their love story is at the heart of this novel and reminded me of teen coming of age movies where the boy and girl are instantly pulled towards each other. First because of looks, then because of what is under the surface. That is the same thing that happens here. Ren is distrustful of Violet because he has a criminal history. Violet immediately wants to know everything there is possible to know about Ren. Together, with their pendants, they make a deal with the god in the guide of a man with the hope of earning a divine favor that will help Violet reunite with her father and Emi safely give birth.

While that sounds like a sweet and lighthearted premise, Krause absolutely does not hold any punches when it comes to what happened in the internment camps. Krause makes sure that the reader knows that this is set during war and that there are actual stakes. There is an allusion to tape, corruption, and abuse. The anger the Japanese youth feel towards their circumstances is so real and raw. The heartbreaking moments hit hard because, while this is fiction...this absolutely could have (and did) happen during World War 2.

This novel has so many complex layers of emotion. There is anger, but there is also grief. There is tragedy which leads to hopelessness. There is hunger and pain. There is fear which circles back to anger. Underneath all of those emotions is hope. And love. And kindness in the face of adversity. These positive moments, at times, are overshadowed by the negative emotions. However, it's a perfect depiction of what life at war is like. I adored the photographs of Krause's family and the blurb about which family members inspired which characters.

Overall, I cannot sing this novel's praises enough.

[Manda Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading The God’s Will Sing Our Song, I was already a fan of Autumn’s work, and follow her on instagram. I was so excited when she announced this book as an ode to her own family’s experience as Japanese Americans in WWII internment Camps. This story is inspired by personal stories that were passed down within her own family, weaving folk-lore and romance into its historical foundation.

History made Relevant
As a Los Angelo myself, I was intrigued to learn more about our Californian history, because this was never brought up in my public school education. I had a general knowledge of these camps existing, but Autumn gave a context for that knowledge - placing Manzanar in my backyard, and within my grandparents lifetimes. Sometimes history feels so ancient, but TGWSOS is a relevant portrayal of how fear and racism affect following generations. It resurfaced memories of the racist hysteria I saw with the Muslim communities after 9/11, or Asian Americans receiving so much hate during the pandemic years, and now the deportation of Mexican immigrants forcibly removed from our sanctuary state. The timing of this novel is so needed, and Autumn’s voice in this story did not feel overtly political, but it provokes the reader to respond.

Emotional Characters
I appreciated that Ren, Violet, and Kai, who are each the same age and having the same experience, face the challenge of being incarcerated differently. Kai harbors anger and resentment, whereas Ren desires peace and justice, and Violet wants restoration - and Autumn justifies all of their feelings, writing characters with deep feelings and big dreams who all have a valid voice.

Light Fantasy
The fantasy element of this story was a lighter than Krause’s previous books. In TGWSOS, the fantasy element is used as a way of teaching the reader Japanese folk-lore, specifically the idea that helping a fallen-diety will earn you a divine favor. The characters are brought together by magical fox and deer figurines that were passed down to them from their parents and grandparents. I loved this element, and think of the fox and the deer as Autumns versions of her families stories tucked inside her pocket.

Sweet Romance
The romance between Ren and Violet is so sweet (and knowing it was inspired by Autumn’s grandparents made it even sweeter). Fate brings them to notice each other, but a common goal and experience brings them to fall in love. Their relationship is supportive, encouraging, and resilient. (Instances of kissing and embracing, but nothing sexually explicit)

Final Thoughts
Overall, I felt like this book was a triumph. Autumn has shown that she can bend genres successfully, and I am thrilled that this book is taking off for her! It was digestible enough for a young teen to read, and relatable for a seasoned adult. I think everyone will take something away from this book.

There were a few details that I did not enjoy - Ren’s voice sounded like an old man… which makes sense as his character is inspired by the author’ grandpa, but it felt a little weird to read “slugger” so many times. I also thought Violets obsession with the ocean was not explored enough, or could have been left out of the story. But that is me being VERY nit-picky lol. Giving this a 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

Thank you to Autumn Krause, NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of The God’s Will Sing Our Song. This was a pleasure to read! (All thoughts are my own)

[Kasey Szamatulski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Random House and Edelweiss for giving the chance to read this ARC!

Ren Hanamura grows up in a broken home, scraping to get by. Violet Aratanti lives in comfort, helping out at her parents' store and dreaming of art school. The only thing they share are old magical relics, passed down from generations and being Japanese-American. Until President Wilson's order sends them both to Manzanar interment camp. There they meet each other, being attracted despite being so different. There they also meet a god, trapped in the mortal realm, walking among them. With their magic relics, they hope they can improve their situation, yet will his magic be enough? Or perhaps his presence will lead to more tragedy...

This is such a great story-all of the characters feel so real. The two main characters feel so strong and well developed. You can tell they are different, but both care so strongly about their families and doing their best in the situation.
I found it both heart-warming and heart-breaking how people at the camp find ways to make a home. They make furniture, using their crafts to make their cabins more like home, even hold festivals. It's a beautiful the strength of their spirit, but also hard to see them be forced into leaving practically everything they own behind and being caged up because of their heritage. Ren points out the whole ridiculousness of the situation by noting how orphans and children are at the camp with, "Several nuns carry babies. If there's any proof this whole evacuation thing is a farce, it's here. Almost all of the kids are American-born, and there's no convincing anyone that orphaned infants are spies for Hirohito." This is a part of American history that needs to be discussed more. I really appreciated and enjoyed the author sharing her own family's history at Manzanar.

The god in question was very realistic, very vain, and very enjoyable to read and the interactions with the main characters are great too. Ren says "Hunky-dory" once and that just becomes the god's catchphrase.

I did feel at times the relationship between the two main characters was a bit rushed-like sneaking around one time and they are sharing so much with each other. I get there's an innate attraction between the two but that felt a bit fast. Yet I still enjoyed the relationship after that. Also I didn't quite understand why Violet's mom had such a problem with Ren. She keeps telling Violet to stay away from Ren and I do understand that he doesn't have the best family-but at the camp, he's just doing what he can to help, keeping his head down. There are teens all angry and disrupting meetings, yet Violet's mom can't stand the boy who's just supporting his sister and mother. She does voice her reasons later on, but it felt a bit late for me. Like she was doing it to create drama for the characters.

Overall, a beautiful story about finding joy and connection even in the cruelest of times.

Favorite quote: "DO WITH SPELL WHAT YOU WILL. I AM MUCH TOO BUSY BEING GLORIOUS AND HUNKY-DORY TO CARE."

[Mylee J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A divine favor can change everything.

1942. War rumbles across the world, gods stir in the wind, and two lives are set on a collision course that will change them forever.

Seventeen-year-old Ren Hamada has always been defined by his troubled past, while Violet Aratani has only ever worried about keeping her straight-A grades and helping her parents run their beloved print shop. The two have little in common beyond the old magic that thrums in their worn family relics—and the fact that they’re Japanese American in a country determined to cast them as the enemy.

Forced out of their homes and into ramshackle wooden barracks in the California desert by the US government, Ren and Violet collide. In a barbed wire world where everything they thought they knew is upside-down, the magnetic pull between them is the only thing that makes sense.

But there’s more than just desert dust swirling in the air. A god walks among them, his mortal form tethered to the camp, and only Violet and Ren hold the key to freeing him—an act that would earn them an immeasurable reward. Yet with tensions rising and their lives on the line, is even a divine favor powerful enough to save them?

I was strongly recommended Autumn Krause's work by my good friend Samantha Crouch, who has been in conversation with Krause previously, and I must say - Samantha's recommendations have yet to disappoint me! Not only that, but Krause's work was phenomenal. I love historical fantasy. Unbeknownst to some, it's one of my all-time favorite genres to read. Hand me a historical fantasy novel as a gift? You have a happy Mylee. Hand me a historical fantasy written like the novel like The Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn Krause? You have an ecstatic Mylee.

This novel was fantastic in numerous ways: it was punchy, it was prose-packed, it was intense, it was action-filled, it was pacey, and it held my attention throughout. A strong social and political commentary throughline permeated the narrative, making it all the more meaningful, especially with the historical backdrop of the impending War. The romance within the pages of this narrative was tangible and entrancing, and I absolutely loved how both authentically and teeth-clenching-ly honest Krause was in writing the events that transpired in this story.

It's difficult, I feel, to write a novel set in a historical setting for various reasons outside of research, and one of the less noted reasons for that difficulty is because of how hard it is to be authentic to the time period in terms of the ruthless brutality of the things that transpired. It was a dread-filled, passionate story with a thoughtful hand on its pen, and I couldn't have had a more amazing introduction to Krause's work. Absolutely phenomenal!

[Brice Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House for the ARC!

Autumn Krause’s The Gods Will Sing Our Song is a focused, fantastical romance that reckons with the mundane horrors of an internment camp.

Every so often, a novel will have such a singular authorial vision that it immediately knocks me off balance and demands I read it in a single sitting.

The Gods Will Sing Our Song is one of those rare books. Krause has such a particular alchemy at play here as she explores racism, politics, and love through the lens of myth. We follow Ren and Violet as they meet against the backdrop of internment, gradually seeing in each other what the camp desperately tries to tamp down—that they are creative, lovable, and linked through their respective family relics. Along the way, they find that one of their fellow detainees is a trickster god whose volatile personality reflects the climate of the camp. By working with him, they think, they will be able to secure safety for the people they love.

The novel might best be described as a story about the importance of stories. Literature and folktales and mythology swirl in the background, offering structure and sense to the chaos of unjust imprisonment. Characters are just as likely to mention Anna Karenina as they are to complain about the disgusting bathrooms, and it’s a testament to Krause’s skill that we always feel the camp as an interruption to Ren and Violet’s lives, rather than a defining event. Trauma is a violation, but it’s not the foundation of the novel's central bond. Furthermore, because each chapter alternates narrators between the two leads, there's real depth to the characters, and the result is a story that feels distinctly hope-filled.

The prose here is fantastic, as is the narrative itself. Krause manages numerous interwoven plots thoughtfully, always making sure that they shade each other with nuance rather than distract from the core romance. We meet a prison guard who resents our leads while fetishizing their culture. We see a white family trying to take a baby born in the camp. We observe the tension of different factions advocating for and against draft eligibility. Each situation highlights the crassness of racism. It’s worse than hate. It’s self-serving inconsistency, a tool for people to get what they want.

I could continue to heap praise on The Gods Will Sing Our Song, but to prevent unnecessary spoilers, I’ll leave it at this: for readers in 2026, this novel is achingly timely, and Autumn Krause leaves us with a reminder that history will silence story if we let it.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

I wanted to read this book after reading that the author based this on her own family history involving the Japanese internment camps during World War II. Though I’ve heard of the Japanese internment camps, I wanted to know more. I find that fiction allows for the story to be told and felt in a way that sometimes it cannot be through nonfiction, so I was eager to read this story, and it did not disappoint. Another intriguing aspect of this novel is its magical component, embodied by the character of Akira. The mystery of Akira is an intriguing plot point that helps to propel the book forward as much as the story between Violet Aratani and Ren Hamada.

Immediately, I was invested in both the characters of Violet and Ren. I knew they were going to be the love interests that are shown on the book's cover, and both were interesting characters from the start. Despite Ren being labeled a bad boy or delinquent, I could tell immediately that he had a good heart. In a sense, I felt like Violet towards him. She could see his genuine, sincere nature, even though he initially felt she could only see what others in his past had seen.

I was surprised by how fast things progressed to the internment camps, but I suspect this was intentional because it really made me understand how quickly something like this could happen. Being with the characters in the camp, we saw how they tried to maintain a sense of normality in the midst of complete chaos and ill-will from those who had put them there. We saw how the characters sought assistance not only from those around them, but also through the supernatural. Religion and cultural traditions were woven in well. We saw how tensions arose between people within the camp, thinking that each knew the better way to approach the situation they were in. It was truly eye-opening to see how similar groups of people are when faced with oppression and how factions rise up, even despite the best of intentions on all sides.

I thought this book was especially relevant for the times we are living in, and I was happy that the author spoke of other injustices that have occurred to Natives and African-Americans at the hands of the American government.

This book, like many others I’ve read lately, focuses on hope and resilience, and it is one that is meant to help us to reflect on ourselves as much as educate us about these horrible injustices committed by our government. This book would be great for fans of historical fiction and magical realism; however, it should be noted that this covers heavier themes.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my God, Autumn Krause wrecked me in the best way with this story. I'd had the eARC for months before I even picked it up to read because I was so scared of the emotional devastation. (Other ARC readers' reactions only bolstered this fear.) Even when I did start reading it, I had to put it down periodically because I wasn't ready for the weight of the story, mentally or emotionally.

But when I really was able to pick it up and commit to it . . . my God. I could barely put it down.

If you don't know (and if you follow Krause on socials, you should know this), this story was inspired by Krause's family, many of whom were forced into incarceration camps during WWII, and particularly her grandparents. They, like so many others forced into these camps, were American-born citizens who loved their country and whose only crime was being Japanese. Krause takes these stories and weaves them into a magical realism story set in an incarceration camp. It's focused on two first-generation Japanese-American teenagers whose world is crumbling around them, but who, despite everything, find each other and find hope and love.

I honestly can't say enough about Krause's storytelling in this book. This was a passion project of hers and it absolutely comes through in the words she's written and the characters she's created. The god didn't play quite as big a role as I was expecting in the story, but it worked so well. The story ultimately wasn't about him. It was about the humanity of the characters, whose stories have gone untold and unrecognized. Ren and Violet felt so real--every emotion, every fear, every hope, every defense mechanism they experienced, I experienced with them. When they formed bonds, not just with each other, but with their neighbors in the camp, I felt them. Krause created a community, not just in her story, but with her readers as well, and I loved and feared for everyone in that community.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this book made me cry and surprisingly, it wasn't where I thought I would cry. Instead, there was something that happened that I had actually been expecting, but when I did read it, it hit me so much harder than I expected.

This is a beautiful book with grief and loss, but also with so much love and hope. It's a reminder of who we can be in the worst of times, in the worst of situations, when faced with the most difficult challenges we could imagine. It's timely in a lot of ways and I'm so grateful to Krause for telling this story.

[Samantha Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely stunning in every way. I truly don't think it missed a mark anywhere. I've been a fan of Autumn's work for a long time and always love her books, but this one felt different in the best way. It's poetic and heartbreaking while also cherishing the beauty of hope in dark places. I couldn't put it down and could feel the heart and passion with which Autumn wrote this book in every word. The details of the camp and these historical events were ripe with authenticity, making it even more clear how deeply connected Autumn is to the subject. I'm horrified I never learned about this topic in school and am extremely grateful for the education Autumn provided entrenched in magic, love, complex familial bonds, and the persistence of hope.

Akira was one of my favorite characters. His theatrics and vainness drew me in with amusement, but I stayed for his desire to be known that leads him to befriending Violet and Ren in a meaningful way. I loved his departure from the story, and it touched me deeply.

Violet is such a strong, charismatic protagonist and a great foil to Ren, also a strong character but more pessimistic and beat down by the world he's experienced most of his life. Their love felt very pure and innocent among the dark backdrop they're forced to endure, and I absolutely adored Violet's unwavering dedication and feelings for Ren who believed he was hard to love. Their love story was so beautiful and felt very much like a perfect whirlwind teen romance but with deep, meaningful roots in a shared culture and love for family/friends.

The side characters were also developed so thoughtfully. Emi's death hit me so hard, but I loved how present she remained throughout the story, even after her passing. Otosan was another incredibly strong character who 'haunts' the narrative without being physically presence for majority of the book. Violet's reverence and love for him and the purity with which we experience him through her eyes made him almost a divine being himself, as magical and strong as Akira.

I'm usually a high fantasy reader who enjoys action-packed plots, but this book exceeded all my expectations (which were already high to begin with based on what I've heard from other readers and what I've read of Autumn's before) and kept me hooked the entire time. It was thoughtful, character-driven, and so dark yet whimsical. I think this is my favorite Autumn book now, and I can't wait for everyone else to experience its beauty on release day!