What do you think?
Rate this book
A Long-Forgotten Song #2
The Dragon's Tongue
While hiding with Lord Owen, the Fae, and the human resistance, Aria questions everything she thought she understood. What are the Fae? Who is Aria herself?
More than refuge, Aria needs answers. Despite the appeal of Dr. Bartok's talk of grace, the Empire's darkness threatens to overwhelm Aria as she wrestles with questions of sin, justice, and love.
Colonel Grenidor has his own questions as he makes a new, powerful ally. How much can Edwin really be trusted? And what of the Slavemaster, who Edwin claims is an ally of the vampires opposing the Empire? Colonel Grenidor's research on the vampires has grown increasingly dangerous, with consequences for the Fae, vampires, and the supernatural entities on both sides of the conflict.
Following Things Unseen, this second book in A Long-Forgotten Song is a riveting Christian fantasy that explores the depth of sin and the miracle of redemption.
More than refuge, Aria needs answers. Despite the appeal of Dr. Bartok's talk of grace, the Empire's darkness threatens to overwhelm Aria as she wrestles with questions of sin, justice, and love.
Colonel Grenidor has his own questions as he makes a new, powerful ally. How much can Edwin really be trusted? And what of the Slavemaster, who Edwin claims is an ally of the vampires opposing the Empire? Colonel Grenidor's research on the vampires has grown increasingly dangerous, with consequences for the Fae, vampires, and the supernatural entities on both sides of the conflict.
Following Things Unseen, this second book in A Long-Forgotten Song is a riveting Christian fantasy that explores the depth of sin and the miracle of redemption.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2015
27 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Brightley
28 books254 followersC. J. Brightley lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and their two young children. When she's not busy writing, she teaches karate, bakes too many desserts, and makes jewelry. She loves to connect with readers!
Follow C. J. Brightley at https://www.facebook.com/CJBrightley and https://www.instagram.com/cjbrightley/
Follow C. J. Brightley at https://www.facebook.com/CJBrightley and https://www.instagram.com/cjbrightley/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Read
May 9, 2018This is a tough one. I'm going to use this review section to drop down thoughts, and when I'm done, I'm going to formalize it into a proper review.
If you read my review of book 1, I enjoyed it and was eager to continue the story. But as soon as I started to read this, I was surprised by a bait and switch. One of the minor characters, completely out of the blue, went through a complete recitation of Lutheran theology.
Now, for the record, I'm a Christian myself and I enjoy a bit of theological/philosophical argument inside novels. I'm a big fan of Dostoyevsky, after all.
However, it has to be skillfully woven into the narrative and has to be important to the plot. Here, it's dangerously close to sermonizing. It negatively affected my enjoyment so much that I was leery of continuing reading. But then the plot picked up again, including a very interesting spiritual dilemma woven into the motivations of the Fae.
I'll more into that later. Very curious to see where this is going.
If you read my review of book 1, I enjoyed it and was eager to continue the story. But as soon as I started to read this, I was surprised by a bait and switch. One of the minor characters, completely out of the blue, went through a complete recitation of Lutheran theology.
Now, for the record, I'm a Christian myself and I enjoy a bit of theological/philosophical argument inside novels. I'm a big fan of Dostoyevsky, after all.
However, it has to be skillfully woven into the narrative and has to be important to the plot. Here, it's dangerously close to sermonizing. It negatively affected my enjoyment so much that I was leery of continuing reading. But then the plot picked up again, including a very interesting spiritual dilemma woven into the motivations of the Fae.
I'll more into that later. Very curious to see where this is going.
May 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this over all, and I was completely gobsmacked when the plot (quite naturally) turned to discussions of grace and salvation. It brings the emotional impact of these matters home in a way that abstract discussions of apologetics and theology do not. What is the relationship between love and obedience? It really matters here. Also the visceral anger of one character towards another who has known what grace is and not shared it with him was very striking. I'm looking forward to the next book!
May 16, 2024
This book was a little preachy, but I took it as a sort of Peretti's "This Present Darkness." There is spiritual warfare in this book. A lot of it. So if this topic isn't your thing, I get it.
Other hard-to-deal-with topics were experiments on living beings and Christian persecution. The violence factor was probably a 3/5. Some brutal scenes without it being gratuitous for me.
A lot of this book reads like a theological discussion of forgiveness and grace and free will, but with humanity and fae as the main characters in an epic display of good and evil.
A lot of questions about certain characters remained open. I got some answers, but I think I will have to read further into the series to get the answers I want. I already ordered the third book.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and spent several evenings reading past my bedtime and would recommend this series to other readers of Christian Fiction.
Other hard-to-deal-with topics were experiments on living beings and Christian persecution. The violence factor was probably a 3/5. Some brutal scenes without it being gratuitous for me.
A lot of this book reads like a theological discussion of forgiveness and grace and free will, but with humanity and fae as the main characters in an epic display of good and evil.
A lot of questions about certain characters remained open. I got some answers, but I think I will have to read further into the series to get the answers I want. I already ordered the third book.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and spent several evenings reading past my bedtime and would recommend this series to other readers of Christian Fiction.
February 18, 2025
4.5 stars for my personal rating, .5 star deducted for gore (never my favorite thing).
Oh. My goodness.
The plot seriously thickens in this second book, and it’s terrifying and wonderful and awful and spot-on all at once. It just kept reminding me, not only of The Screwtape Letters, but also of Lewis’s That Hideous Strength. It’s a brilliant depiction of the seeming innocuousness of evil, which masquerades as not really a big deal until you’re in too deep, and then suddenly it’s dark and wicked and uncontrollable, when you’d thought you were in control all along. Wow.
This world is fascinating. It keeps expanding, and I’m completely intrigued by how the author weaves together a biblical worldview with fantastical elements and *manages to keep it theologically solid* while doing so. Really, really kudos. I struggle a LOT sometimes with fantasy stories that have Christian themes, or stories that combine a biblical worldview with other supernatural creatures, because often the theology gets a little funky. But C.J. Brightley has clearly thought out how the fantastical elements mesh with a thoroughly Christian worldview and how to put them together while maintaining a faithful representation of the Gospel and of God’s character. LOTS of theology in this one. I think some of the negative reviews are because they didn’t realize it was a Christian series — but it very much is, and in this book you really see it.
Definitely some heavy gore in this one. Themes of martyrdom, pagan occultism (obviously depicted as wrong, but oh man, the creepy factor is there). Romantic content is very light, sweet, and admirable. I would tend toward mature teen and up because of the heavy themes of temptation, deception, and evil. They’re deeply important, but weighty and sometimes (appropriately) horrific. Again, Space Trilogy vibes abound.
Recommended, if you have the constitution for gory dystopian! 😄
Oh. My goodness.
The plot seriously thickens in this second book, and it’s terrifying and wonderful and awful and spot-on all at once. It just kept reminding me, not only of The Screwtape Letters, but also of Lewis’s That Hideous Strength. It’s a brilliant depiction of the seeming innocuousness of evil, which masquerades as not really a big deal until you’re in too deep, and then suddenly it’s dark and wicked and uncontrollable, when you’d thought you were in control all along. Wow.
This world is fascinating. It keeps expanding, and I’m completely intrigued by how the author weaves together a biblical worldview with fantastical elements and *manages to keep it theologically solid* while doing so. Really, really kudos. I struggle a LOT sometimes with fantasy stories that have Christian themes, or stories that combine a biblical worldview with other supernatural creatures, because often the theology gets a little funky. But C.J. Brightley has clearly thought out how the fantastical elements mesh with a thoroughly Christian worldview and how to put them together while maintaining a faithful representation of the Gospel and of God’s character. LOTS of theology in this one. I think some of the negative reviews are because they didn’t realize it was a Christian series — but it very much is, and in this book you really see it.
Definitely some heavy gore in this one. Themes of martyrdom, pagan occultism (obviously depicted as wrong, but oh man, the creepy factor is there). Romantic content is very light, sweet, and admirable. I would tend toward mature teen and up because of the heavy themes of temptation, deception, and evil. They’re deeply important, but weighty and sometimes (appropriately) horrific. Again, Space Trilogy vibes abound.
Recommended, if you have the constitution for gory dystopian! 😄
August 19, 2015
I didn't get to read this as quickly as i wanted because life happens. This one probably took a week or two longer than it took to read the last one.
The title is really enigmatic to how it intimates to what the story holds, but I think it was really very clever. Just like the second volume from another series from this author, this book switches back and forth between two different POVs every chapter, revolving around two characters and what they're experiencing from both sides of the conflict. I didn't think I was going to like this at first but in the end it was a nice way of portraying the whole story and giving the reader all the information he or she needs. This volume also revolves more heavily on Christianity than the first volume, and there are topics that personally were difficult for me to understand but that didn't deter me. There is also much less action and physical conflict than there was in the volume prior. More rather, this volume focuses more on internal conflict and all that good stuff and I thought that was rather unique. And despite that it still kept me interested (mainly for concern over characters). There was also a lot of character growth and I always think that round and dynamic characters are rad so brownie points for that.
Also, after reading this one, I so want to edit my review of the last book, but I won't. Silly me. You'll find this to be a real good plot twist. I sure did.
This also ended on a cliffhanger and I'm so scared for how the next volume is going to start. I'm way too eager for the third volume.
The title is really enigmatic to how it intimates to what the story holds, but I think it was really very clever. Just like the second volume from another series from this author, this book switches back and forth between two different POVs every chapter, revolving around two characters and what they're experiencing from both sides of the conflict. I didn't think I was going to like this at first but in the end it was a nice way of portraying the whole story and giving the reader all the information he or she needs. This volume also revolves more heavily on Christianity than the first volume, and there are topics that personally were difficult for me to understand but that didn't deter me. There is also much less action and physical conflict than there was in the volume prior. More rather, this volume focuses more on internal conflict and all that good stuff and I thought that was rather unique. And despite that it still kept me interested (mainly for concern over characters). There was also a lot of character growth and I always think that round and dynamic characters are rad so brownie points for that.
Also, after reading this one, I so want to edit my review of the last book, but I won't. Silly me. You'll find this to be a real good plot twist. I sure did.
This also ended on a cliffhanger and I'm so scared for how the next volume is going to start. I'm way too eager for the third volume.
February 7, 2017
This 2nd book shed more light to what is taking place in this story. It provided really good understanding of the backgrounds of those involved, which will no doubt set up book 3.
I believe the author is writing a book 4 in this series so I will wait until published so as not to get crazed waiting. Honestly I am more of a stand alone book type reader, however I saw the reviews of this series and decided to check it out. Really glad I did and looking forward to reading more of her work.
I believe the author is writing a book 4 in this series so I will wait until published so as not to get crazed waiting. Honestly I am more of a stand alone book type reader, however I saw the reviews of this series and decided to check it out. Really glad I did and looking forward to reading more of her work.
Read
January 13, 2023The Dragon’s Tongue is unmistakably far more theological in tone than Things Unseen and unmistakably Christian. But something I really enjoyed about it was where that focus lies and seems to lead. Some of the characters have a very theological bent, and can be quite preachy, but underneath it all there is a strong leading that sings to me.
Owen murmured, “And yet, do we not doubt El’s character by persisting in the belief that he offers grace to humans and not to us?”
(To explain a bit of content, the Fae have a knowledge of what they are and are not allowed or commanded to by El/God, and as long as they obey, they experience fellowship with El and with each other, but if they disobey they instantly lose that sense of communion and become wretched, and they believe there is no way back for them.)
While none of the characters venture to believe this, the implication is strung throughout the story, in many places, that was is wanted is to trust in God’s character, and in his love. That one may not know all things, but trust in God’s character, that he is good – that he loves, is love – is what’s important, and believing in the rules that one has learned define God’s relationship to one can be an impediment to that.
For this is what is forbidden to Fae, not killing in self-defense, or perhaps even in vengeance, but the judgment here:
He [A different Fae] bent to speak into Davis’ face. “I kill you not because of what you have done to me. Not because of the blood you want. Not because you wish to help your people. But because you are evil. And you deserve it.”
There is the strong implication that trusting in God’s love, believing in love, is more important than our ideas about holiness. That the obedience that God requires is to love: to care for the well-being and the happiness of those that are loved.
This is something I so rarely see out of Christian writings, that my heart soars at seeing the implication, at the direction this seems to be leading: that no one and nothing is outside the possibility of God’s mercy, of turning back to him through grace. That even the things that most Christians might teach are barriers, boundaries beyond no repentance is possible, are not barriers to the love that never fails. That there is no creature and no place where hope and grace cannot reach.
Something else that I found very interesting and enjoyable was the depiction of what appear to be supposed to be angelic beings. One of them is definitively interested in the question of human love and what love means, how it is or is not important, as a being who doesn’t understand love at least in the way humans or Fae do, and I very much enjoyed this. It’s a depiction of other beings with interests and personality who can learn and want to learn, but who are very, very, very different from us in so many ways that understanding where they’re coming from or how they see the world is more or less impossible, but who are still persons, capable of growth. I really liked seeing that representation. And there were several things that, combined with the discovery that Fae can be redeemed and the interests of this probably-angelic being that naturally suggest to me that the question: can fallen angels return to God? is something that is being raised for consideration.
To paraphrase the quote from the Fae Owen above, “Do we not doubt God’s character by persisting in the belief that there are creatures to whom no grace, no repentance, no redemption is offered? By persisting in the belief that his grace will not follow us into death and beyond?”
I will not say it suggests universalism: I say this simply to be clear, because I think a lot of people will perceive ‘Repentance may be possible after death, or for creatures other than man’ to be the same as ‘all will be saved’, but whatever you may or may not feel about universalism, it is a separate topic, and the former does not imply the latter.
However, the book did not live up to my fullest expectations in other ways. The characters are relatively flat. They do not act in contradiction to who they’ve been previously established to be, but there isn’t much depth and vibrancy to their personalities. They feel like they’re made in order to make the story and its theological points work out. A little like caricatures. Or like the characters are the setting.
Other issues aren’t approached with the nuance I would have appreciated. I don’t know if I can expect them to be treated in the next book, or forgotten about altogether, as there were some things that were suggested to me as being very cool things to explore in Things Unseen, that are completely ignored here. Something I found a little annoying is the notion that animals are essentially nothings, with no soul. I felt like the setup with certain humans torturing Fae for experiments and justifying that with the belief that Fae are animals could lead to some interesting exploration of certain questions and themes, but that side of things was completely ignored. Among other issues that could, I think, have been explored in a way to add more depth and richness to the main thing – calling it a “plotline” does not seem apt, as The Dragon’s Tongue has rather little plot (to be clear: the lack of a plot is not something that disappointed me; I like books with no plot just fine.)
Read full review here: https://enthralledbylove.com/2023/01/...
Owen murmured, “And yet, do we not doubt El’s character by persisting in the belief that he offers grace to humans and not to us?”
(To explain a bit of content, the Fae have a knowledge of what they are and are not allowed or commanded to by El/God, and as long as they obey, they experience fellowship with El and with each other, but if they disobey they instantly lose that sense of communion and become wretched, and they believe there is no way back for them.)
While none of the characters venture to believe this, the implication is strung throughout the story, in many places, that was is wanted is to trust in God’s character, and in his love. That one may not know all things, but trust in God’s character, that he is good – that he loves, is love – is what’s important, and believing in the rules that one has learned define God’s relationship to one can be an impediment to that.
For this is what is forbidden to Fae, not killing in self-defense, or perhaps even in vengeance, but the judgment here:
He [A different Fae] bent to speak into Davis’ face. “I kill you not because of what you have done to me. Not because of the blood you want. Not because you wish to help your people. But because you are evil. And you deserve it.”
There is the strong implication that trusting in God’s love, believing in love, is more important than our ideas about holiness. That the obedience that God requires is to love: to care for the well-being and the happiness of those that are loved.
This is something I so rarely see out of Christian writings, that my heart soars at seeing the implication, at the direction this seems to be leading: that no one and nothing is outside the possibility of God’s mercy, of turning back to him through grace. That even the things that most Christians might teach are barriers, boundaries beyond no repentance is possible, are not barriers to the love that never fails. That there is no creature and no place where hope and grace cannot reach.
Something else that I found very interesting and enjoyable was the depiction of what appear to be supposed to be angelic beings. One of them is definitively interested in the question of human love and what love means, how it is or is not important, as a being who doesn’t understand love at least in the way humans or Fae do, and I very much enjoyed this. It’s a depiction of other beings with interests and personality who can learn and want to learn, but who are very, very, very different from us in so many ways that understanding where they’re coming from or how they see the world is more or less impossible, but who are still persons, capable of growth. I really liked seeing that representation. And there were several things that, combined with the discovery that Fae can be redeemed and the interests of this probably-angelic being that naturally suggest to me that the question: can fallen angels return to God? is something that is being raised for consideration.
To paraphrase the quote from the Fae Owen above, “Do we not doubt God’s character by persisting in the belief that there are creatures to whom no grace, no repentance, no redemption is offered? By persisting in the belief that his grace will not follow us into death and beyond?”
I will not say it suggests universalism: I say this simply to be clear, because I think a lot of people will perceive ‘Repentance may be possible after death, or for creatures other than man’ to be the same as ‘all will be saved’, but whatever you may or may not feel about universalism, it is a separate topic, and the former does not imply the latter.
However, the book did not live up to my fullest expectations in other ways. The characters are relatively flat. They do not act in contradiction to who they’ve been previously established to be, but there isn’t much depth and vibrancy to their personalities. They feel like they’re made in order to make the story and its theological points work out. A little like caricatures. Or like the characters are the setting.
Other issues aren’t approached with the nuance I would have appreciated. I don’t know if I can expect them to be treated in the next book, or forgotten about altogether, as there were some things that were suggested to me as being very cool things to explore in Things Unseen, that are completely ignored here. Something I found a little annoying is the notion that animals are essentially nothings, with no soul. I felt like the setup with certain humans torturing Fae for experiments and justifying that with the belief that Fae are animals could lead to some interesting exploration of certain questions and themes, but that side of things was completely ignored. Among other issues that could, I think, have been explored in a way to add more depth and richness to the main thing – calling it a “plotline” does not seem apt, as The Dragon’s Tongue has rather little plot (to be clear: the lack of a plot is not something that disappointed me; I like books with no plot just fine.)
Read full review here: https://enthralledbylove.com/2023/01/...
June 12, 2015
I've been waiting anxiously for this since I finished Things Unseen and it doesn't disappoint. Picking up right where book one ends, The Dragon's Tongue is a satisfying continuation of the story of Aria and Owen. It beautifully blends in a strong discussion of God's sovereignty and apologetics with a fast moving plot and deep , relatable characters. Book 3 can't get here soon enough.
September 17, 2023
This book was very different than book one, Things Unseen. In many ways, it was shockingly different. It made book one feel like only introduction to the story--and I thought it was fabulous, so that is by no means a criticism. But book two, The Dragon's Tongue, jumped into the war.
The fae are being hunted, but also, so are the Christians. Something evil is out in the world, and it will stop at nothing to take down anyone and everyone in its way. After Lord Owen rescues a number of the fae, Colonel Grenidor takes matters into his own hands, increasing the level of cruelty toward the few fae still under his control and watching one turn to the dark side. The colonel also wrestles with how far he is willing to go to gain power and eradicate his supposed enemies. But can he trust the being who claims to want to help him?
At the resistance headquarters, the fae are wrestling with issues of faith and forgiveness. Is their god, El, the same as the god of the Christians, and if they are the same god, then can the grace and forgiveness offered to humans in the Bible be offered to the fae as well?
Aria and Owen are less main characters, but still significant as they wrestle with their own issues. Owen isn't healing well and struggles to relinquish guilt over what he did while in captivity. Aria learns secret after secret that threaten to change everything. And Bartok prays. A secondary character in the previous book, he has risen to prominence in this story, as his faith and understanding of the Bible makes him highly sought after by friends and enemies.
This is a strange book for me to review. It had hints of Frank Peretti and Randy Alcorn's spiritual warfare stories and yet remained entirely something of its own--a new fantasy in the best sense. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the saga and finding my own faith and hope challenged to grow as a result.
The fae are being hunted, but also, so are the Christians. Something evil is out in the world, and it will stop at nothing to take down anyone and everyone in its way. After Lord Owen rescues a number of the fae, Colonel Grenidor takes matters into his own hands, increasing the level of cruelty toward the few fae still under his control and watching one turn to the dark side. The colonel also wrestles with how far he is willing to go to gain power and eradicate his supposed enemies. But can he trust the being who claims to want to help him?
At the resistance headquarters, the fae are wrestling with issues of faith and forgiveness. Is their god, El, the same as the god of the Christians, and if they are the same god, then can the grace and forgiveness offered to humans in the Bible be offered to the fae as well?
Aria and Owen are less main characters, but still significant as they wrestle with their own issues. Owen isn't healing well and struggles to relinquish guilt over what he did while in captivity. Aria learns secret after secret that threaten to change everything. And Bartok prays. A secondary character in the previous book, he has risen to prominence in this story, as his faith and understanding of the Bible makes him highly sought after by friends and enemies.
This is a strange book for me to review. It had hints of Frank Peretti and Randy Alcorn's spiritual warfare stories and yet remained entirely something of its own--a new fantasy in the best sense. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the saga and finding my own faith and hope challenged to grow as a result.
February 27, 2018
I was very excited to start this book because I really wanted to know what was going to happen to Owen and Aria. After reading book 1, I was captivated by these two characters and wanted to see where things were going. This book turned out so different from what I was expecting, not that it was a bad thing. In fact, it made for a very interesting read. I did not expect many of the things that happened and I can see a lot of parallels that surprised me. I will not tell you any more because it could become a spoiler very quickly and I don't like spoilers. I completely enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
May 4, 2019
What a disappointment! If I wanted to listen to a sermon, I'd go to church. Or be religious for that matter. How does a gritty, dark urban fantasy turn into a book of preaching and internal spiritual battles I really don't know. Perhaps the writer got saved sometime between the first book and the sequel? Either way, absolutely nothing happens in the book and it is nothing like the first one. If you're expecting action, character and story development, don't bother. If you're in for a bit of Bible bashing, go right ahead.
February 16, 2017
Such a goof read
I enjoyed this book as much as the first one. Its a lot more theology based but that's not a bad thing. Interesting take on the fae and post apocalyptic stories. I look forward to the next book.
I enjoyed this book as much as the first one. Its a lot more theology based but that's not a bad thing. Interesting take on the fae and post apocalyptic stories. I look forward to the next book.
August 12, 2018
Absolutely captivating read!
I have waited entirely too long before reading book 2. I shall not wait that long to read the final instalment. And Incredibly fantastic story taking the truth of God's mercy and blending in a fantasy Story line. I could hardly put it down.
I have waited entirely too long before reading book 2. I shall not wait that long to read the final instalment. And Incredibly fantastic story taking the truth of God's mercy and blending in a fantasy Story line. I could hardly put it down.
September 17, 2018
What is good versus what is evil?
This book is about faith. God’s love can save us all even when we faltered.
My belief is that the fae are angels and the vampire is a fallen angel in this book. This is a powerful message and I absolutely loved this book and series so far.
This book is about faith. God’s love can save us all even when we faltered.
My belief is that the fae are angels and the vampire is a fallen angel in this book. This is a powerful message and I absolutely loved this book and series so far.
October 22, 2016
Nicely done
A very strong second book in the series. I really enjoyed the premise of the Fae and vampires. I really enjoy the plot line and it moves at a good pace. I will be buying the next one, I really need to see how things play out
A very strong second book in the series. I really enjoyed the premise of the Fae and vampires. I really enjoy the plot line and it moves at a good pace. I will be buying the next one, I really need to see how things play out
May 10, 2017
First an elf fighting an awful man-made creature hunting him. All within a mysterious missing history of the country. Now this? What a tale! I'm on to the third book!!!
July 5, 2019
An AMAZING second book to an AMAZING series! I like how the story was no onger just focused on Aria, but on the colonel as well!
April 1, 2017
The Dragon's Tongue
I love this series so far. I love the Christian reference but hate the way the Empire treats the fae. I'm ready for book III.
I love this series so far. I love the Christian reference but hate the way the Empire treats the fae. I'm ready for book III.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews