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The Legacy of the Heavens #1
The Song of All
A former warrior caught between gods and priests must fight for the survival of his family in this dark epic fantasy debut, set in a harsh arctic world inspired by Scandinavian indigenous cultures.
On the forbidding fringes of the tundra, where years are marked by seasons of snow, humans war with immortals in the name of their shared gods. Irjan, a human warrior, is ruthless and lethal, a legend among the Brethren of Hunters. But even legends grow tired and disillusioned.
Scarred and weary of bloodshed, Irjan turns his back on his oath and his calling to hide away and live a peaceful life as a farmer, husband, and father. But his past is not so easily left behind. When an ambitious village priest conspires with the vengeful comrades Irjan has forsaken, the fragile peace in the Northlands of Davvieana is at stake.
His bloody past revealed, Irjan’s present unravels as he faces an ultimatum: return to hunt the immortals or lose his child. But with his son’s life hanging in the balance, as Irjan follows the tracks through the dark and desolate snow-covered forests, it is not death he searches for, but life.
On the forbidding fringes of the tundra, where years are marked by seasons of snow, humans war with immortals in the name of their shared gods. Irjan, a human warrior, is ruthless and lethal, a legend among the Brethren of Hunters. But even legends grow tired and disillusioned.
Scarred and weary of bloodshed, Irjan turns his back on his oath and his calling to hide away and live a peaceful life as a farmer, husband, and father. But his past is not so easily left behind. When an ambitious village priest conspires with the vengeful comrades Irjan has forsaken, the fragile peace in the Northlands of Davvieana is at stake.
His bloody past revealed, Irjan’s present unravels as he faces an ultimatum: return to hunt the immortals or lose his child. But with his son’s life hanging in the balance, as Irjan follows the tracks through the dark and desolate snow-covered forests, it is not death he searches for, but life.
442 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2018
24 people are currently reading
900 people want to read
About the author
Tina LeCount Myers
5 books131 followersTina LeCount Myers is a writer, artist, independent historian, and surfer. Born in Mexico to expat-bohemian parents, she grew up on Southern California tennis courts with a prophecy hanging over her head; her parents hoped she'd one day be an author. The Song of All is her debut novel. To find out more visit www.tinalecountmyers.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 14, 2020
Following along with the audiobook while reading this upped the entertainment tenfold! I don’t think I would have been able to get through it as easily and see it’s hidden gem of a story without it. Not saying that the story was boring, NOT AT ALL but there are many words and phrases in a different language (Saami to be specific) that are used and the writing is so rich that hearing the narrator read it out for me helped and it honestly made me love this.
March 25, 2019
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/03/25/...
The Song of All by Tina LeCount Myers is a book that has been on my radar for a while, and with the release of the sequel, recently my interest has been sparked again, which is why I am so grateful for the team at Wunderkind and Night Shade Books for the opportunity to check out this series!
Imagine a world steeped in myth and ancient legend, where the conflicts of gods and mortals have played out over a harsh, icy landscape for time immemorial. Inspired by Scandinavian culture and folklore, the setting of The Legacy of the Heavens transports readers to the wild fringes of the tundra, where Irjan, a reindeer herder, lives with his young family among his wife’s people.
But Irjan had not always lived such an unassuming, quiet life. Before he became a farmer and settled down, he was known as one of the most ruthless and skilled warriors among the Brethren of Hunters, an order that trains its members to kill Jápmemeahttun—a race of immortals that have been warring with humans for centuries. But killing was never in Irjan’s nature. Eventually, he got tired of the endless bloodshed and turned his back on the Hunters and his oath, retreating to a peaceful village where he got married and had a child. He has kept his past a closely guarded secret ever since, not even confiding in his wife.
But soon, Irjan will find that his past is not so easily left behind. A nosy priest in the village whose ambitions know no bounds has caught wind of what Irjan used to be. In his treachery, the scheming priest destroys everything the former Hunter has worked so hard to build, taking everything he holds dear. Not knowing the truth of what happened, Irjan believes he is being punished by the gods for forsaking his oath and embarks on a journey that will not only determine his own fate, but that of his son as well as the entire world and its peoples.
There’s a lot to unpack here. And in doing so, there might be a danger of becoming mired in the details, but once you get into the meat of the story and the larger picture is revealed, it gets easier to see what it is all about. At the beginning though, it helps to focus on the central character of Irjan, taking in his backstory and the implications of his decision to walk away from the Brethren of Hunters. His former comrades are not the kind to take defection lightly, and a terrible tragedy occurs within the first handful of chapters, one that I did not expect so early on.
However, this event sets the stage for the rest of the novel. What follows next is a clear push to get as much information to the reader as possible, and the result is a strange feeling of being simultaneously hustled through the motions while also being encouraged to slow down to take in other threads explored by the book. One of these threads belongs to Aillun, a Japmea woman whom Irjan comes across in the wilderness. With the introduction of her character, we’re allowed a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the immortals. They are a unique and fascinating people, whose life cycles involve a series of transitional stages and changes, and of course, special mention must also be made to the Song of All, the song which all Jápmemeahttun are tapped into as a form of collective consciousness. Meanwhile, another thread continues to follow through on the machinations of the priest and his acolyte in the village, as well as their dealings with the Hunters. Both these storylines are woven into Irjan’s, and together they form a rich narrative that is the summation of all the characters’ motivations and actions.
With all this going on, admittedly things are bit shaky at first. Once the story finds its footing though, it quickly becomes immensely enjoyable. This is the way epics are created, slowly and gradually, building increasingly complex layers upon a solid foundation, proving that a little patience early on can go a long way. In her author’s note, Tina LeCount Myers also writes that her novel’s world was influenced by the northern cultures of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and extreme northwestern Russia. She draws heavily upon the various Saami languages spoken in these regions, which can be seen in a lot of the terms and names. There are also the occasional verse breaks where the Song of All will feature. All of this might seem a bit jarring initially, but again, they’re part of the unique collection of attributes that make this novel special, and the reading experience gets easier once you gain a handle on the rhythm and style of the writing.
Like a lot of epic sagas, The Song of All is a slow burn, but ultimately builds to an action-packed and suspenseful ending. Fantasy fans will be no stranger to this pattern, though the first half of the book may require a bit of effort to get into, as well as time investment on the reader’s part. The payoff is worth it though, and I look forward to reading the next book especially given all that happens in the final chapters.
The Song of All by Tina LeCount Myers is a book that has been on my radar for a while, and with the release of the sequel, recently my interest has been sparked again, which is why I am so grateful for the team at Wunderkind and Night Shade Books for the opportunity to check out this series!
Imagine a world steeped in myth and ancient legend, where the conflicts of gods and mortals have played out over a harsh, icy landscape for time immemorial. Inspired by Scandinavian culture and folklore, the setting of The Legacy of the Heavens transports readers to the wild fringes of the tundra, where Irjan, a reindeer herder, lives with his young family among his wife’s people.
But Irjan had not always lived such an unassuming, quiet life. Before he became a farmer and settled down, he was known as one of the most ruthless and skilled warriors among the Brethren of Hunters, an order that trains its members to kill Jápmemeahttun—a race of immortals that have been warring with humans for centuries. But killing was never in Irjan’s nature. Eventually, he got tired of the endless bloodshed and turned his back on the Hunters and his oath, retreating to a peaceful village where he got married and had a child. He has kept his past a closely guarded secret ever since, not even confiding in his wife.
But soon, Irjan will find that his past is not so easily left behind. A nosy priest in the village whose ambitions know no bounds has caught wind of what Irjan used to be. In his treachery, the scheming priest destroys everything the former Hunter has worked so hard to build, taking everything he holds dear. Not knowing the truth of what happened, Irjan believes he is being punished by the gods for forsaking his oath and embarks on a journey that will not only determine his own fate, but that of his son as well as the entire world and its peoples.
There’s a lot to unpack here. And in doing so, there might be a danger of becoming mired in the details, but once you get into the meat of the story and the larger picture is revealed, it gets easier to see what it is all about. At the beginning though, it helps to focus on the central character of Irjan, taking in his backstory and the implications of his decision to walk away from the Brethren of Hunters. His former comrades are not the kind to take defection lightly, and a terrible tragedy occurs within the first handful of chapters, one that I did not expect so early on.
However, this event sets the stage for the rest of the novel. What follows next is a clear push to get as much information to the reader as possible, and the result is a strange feeling of being simultaneously hustled through the motions while also being encouraged to slow down to take in other threads explored by the book. One of these threads belongs to Aillun, a Japmea woman whom Irjan comes across in the wilderness. With the introduction of her character, we’re allowed a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the immortals. They are a unique and fascinating people, whose life cycles involve a series of transitional stages and changes, and of course, special mention must also be made to the Song of All, the song which all Jápmemeahttun are tapped into as a form of collective consciousness. Meanwhile, another thread continues to follow through on the machinations of the priest and his acolyte in the village, as well as their dealings with the Hunters. Both these storylines are woven into Irjan’s, and together they form a rich narrative that is the summation of all the characters’ motivations and actions.
With all this going on, admittedly things are bit shaky at first. Once the story finds its footing though, it quickly becomes immensely enjoyable. This is the way epics are created, slowly and gradually, building increasingly complex layers upon a solid foundation, proving that a little patience early on can go a long way. In her author’s note, Tina LeCount Myers also writes that her novel’s world was influenced by the northern cultures of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and extreme northwestern Russia. She draws heavily upon the various Saami languages spoken in these regions, which can be seen in a lot of the terms and names. There are also the occasional verse breaks where the Song of All will feature. All of this might seem a bit jarring initially, but again, they’re part of the unique collection of attributes that make this novel special, and the reading experience gets easier once you gain a handle on the rhythm and style of the writing.
Like a lot of epic sagas, The Song of All is a slow burn, but ultimately builds to an action-packed and suspenseful ending. Fantasy fans will be no stranger to this pattern, though the first half of the book may require a bit of effort to get into, as well as time investment on the reader’s part. The payoff is worth it though, and I look forward to reading the next book especially given all that happens in the final chapters.
May 15, 2018
3.5 stars. Check this out if you're into idea-driven fantasy! My Video Review
December 9, 2018
Thanks to Wunderkind PR for providing a review copy. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I think there are a lot of interesting ideas here. First the Jápmemeahttun and their life cycles–the various transformations that they go through–is a really neat concept. Also that they return to the place of their origin to give birth, somehow that they just know, some force guides them there–interesting! But as much as I loved learning about the Jápmemeahttun , I want to learn even more because every interesting fact about them and their culture only generated more questions in my mind. Does every Jápmemeahttun transform? Are they all born that way, through the life force of others? If so, then how does their population increase, and if not then I guess that really explains why the population dwindled so quickly (but then how did it get so large to begin with?). So many questions! I’m hoping we get to learn more in the next book.
One of the other things I really liked about this book was the prose. It’s not flowery but it does a great job of evoking the setting of a frozen tundra. I also loved the bits that were part of The Song of All, the great song that all the Jápmemeahttun can hear/feel as part of sort of shared consciousness that they can tap into and use to communicate, transform, etc. The way The Song bits were written felt like little poems within the novel and I loved that.
As far as the characters go, I enjoyed them for the most part, although most of them felt as if they were kept at a distance from the reader. Some of the characters I enjoyed most were, unfortunately, not in the book all that much. I did like the main character, Irjan, and empathized with him quite a bit. At first I misjudged him and this came as a surprise to me later on. He is good man and a man loyal to his family and those he cares about, which are the types of characters I can appreciate.
Overall, I liked this book quite a bit, and I’m looking forward to reading more as I really do want to learn more about the Jápmemeahttun , but I almost felt like much of this story was all a giant prologue for the next book in the series. That’s not really a complaint, just that I am looking forward to the next book more as I think the new characters introduced at the end of this story will be stronger and have more interesting journeys ahead of them.
I think there are a lot of interesting ideas here. First the Jápmemeahttun and their life cycles–the various transformations that they go through–is a really neat concept. Also that they return to the place of their origin to give birth, somehow that they just know, some force guides them there–interesting! But as much as I loved learning about the Jápmemeahttun , I want to learn even more because every interesting fact about them and their culture only generated more questions in my mind. Does every Jápmemeahttun transform? Are they all born that way, through the life force of others? If so, then how does their population increase, and if not then I guess that really explains why the population dwindled so quickly (but then how did it get so large to begin with?). So many questions! I’m hoping we get to learn more in the next book.
One of the other things I really liked about this book was the prose. It’s not flowery but it does a great job of evoking the setting of a frozen tundra. I also loved the bits that were part of The Song of All, the great song that all the Jápmemeahttun can hear/feel as part of sort of shared consciousness that they can tap into and use to communicate, transform, etc. The way The Song bits were written felt like little poems within the novel and I loved that.
As far as the characters go, I enjoyed them for the most part, although most of them felt as if they were kept at a distance from the reader. Some of the characters I enjoyed most were, unfortunately, not in the book all that much. I did like the main character, Irjan, and empathized with him quite a bit. At first I misjudged him and this came as a surprise to me later on. He is good man and a man loyal to his family and those he cares about, which are the types of characters I can appreciate.
Overall, I liked this book quite a bit, and I’m looking forward to reading more as I really do want to learn more about the Jápmemeahttun , but I almost felt like much of this story was all a giant prologue for the next book in the series. That’s not really a complaint, just that I am looking forward to the next book more as I think the new characters introduced at the end of this story will be stronger and have more interesting journeys ahead of them.
July 29, 2018
I had high hopes going into The Song Of All for a number of reasons:
•Scandinavian setting – not your typical Western European one
•Lots of snow (I LOVE snow)
•Music as a subtext to the narrative
•mortals vs. immortals (I like un underdog)
Unfortunately the muses didn’t call out to me on this one which is sad because I REALLY wanted to love it.
Plot
“On the forbidding fringes of the tundra, where years are marked by seasons of snow; humans war with immortals in the name of their shared gods. Irjan, a human warrior, is ruthless and lethal, a legend among the Brethren of Hunters. But even legends grow tired and disillusioned.
Scarred and weary of bloodshed, Irjan turns his back on his oath and his calling to hide away and live a peaceful life as a farmer, husband, and father. But his past is not so easily left behind. When an ambitious village priest conspires with the vengeful comrades Irjan has forsakedn, the fragile peace in the Northlands of Davvieana is at stake.
His bloody past revealed, Irjan’s present unravels as he faces an ultimatum: return to hunt the immortals or lose his child. But with his son’s life hanging in the balance, as Irjan follows the tracks through the dark and desolate snow covered forests, it is not death he searches for, but life.”
One thing I liked about the plot for The Song Of All is that it threw in a twist early on. Based on the blurb above I was expecting it to go in one direction and within the first few chapters all of a sudden the whole plotline seemed to be in question. Some readers might really dislike an early deviation like that, but when the synopsis on jacket covers often give away too much I kinda like it when something like this happens and the rest of the story is free to surprise me. Eventually the narrative came back around to the stated plotline but for a while there as a reader I was in uncharted territory as it were and I liked it.
Where The Song of All went wrong for me in terms of the overall story was after a little over midway through the novel I couldn’t figure out what it wanted to be about and where it was going. Now I know you’re gonna say, “Jason…right above here you said you liked the plot deviation” and yeah I did say that. This however wasn’t a plot twist as much as the overall arc and thrust of the story. Long before the book ends the stated plotline gets resolved (for better or worse)…and then it keeps going. I’ll say more in pacing below, but it kinda felt like more wordcount should have been given to the first half or three quarters of the book and then the rest split off to form the beginning of book two in the series. Now I know I say that without knowing whatsoever what Myers plans for the rest of the series, but it really felt like I got most of a full book one, and part of a book two.
Writing
Myers’ writing style was clear and to the point for the most part. I say, “for the most part” that because she does throw a lot of words foreign to the English speaking ear into the text which can be a little confusing at first, but if you’re willing to go with it you’ll find it adds to the storytelling. Fitting in with the Scandinavian influence of the world is a vocabulary used throughout that is Scandinavian in origin. Somewhere I came across what the language is, but now I’ve lost that note. My point however is that yes using a foreign vocabulary over and over can be jarring at first, but if you keep plugging on you’ll discover it adds a depth to the story that didn’t exist before. The way Myers does it is much like learning a modern language in an immersive style. There is no glossary at the end of the book to refer to; instead you learn as you go by seeing words in repeated usage. At first I didn’t like not having a glossary but it grew on me and is one of the aspects of her writing I enjoyed.
Beyond the unfamiliar terminology the rest of Myers writing fit the story. It is told in the third person from alternating points of view but predominantly for Irjan’s perspective.
There were some aspects of Myers’ writing that grated on me however. The thing I hated the most was something that might be trivial for most people but it really got in the way of the story for me. The book is set in a northern clime and there’s snow. This was a positive for me at first. I grew up in Florida where it doesn’t snow and one thing I love about where I live now is we get snow on a regular basis in winter. I love the snow and I’ve learned a few things about it. One is that there are few landscapes as beautiful as a space of ground after a freshly fallen snow before anyone or anything has trampled it. A smooth white blanket upon the ground. Another thing I’ve learned is that once anyone or anything walks across that freshly fallen snow the ONLY way for that pristine smooth surface to return is for more snow to fall…enough that it covers all the foot (or paw) prints on the ground. So, “what’s your point” you ask? Well throughout The Song Of All, Myers has her characters walking through the snow and then attempt to hide their tracks. They do this by dragging branches behind them to clear the footprints. They do this over and over and over and all I could do each time was scream “NO!” First of all that wouldn’t fix the problem of the way a person’s foot sinks deep into the snow creating holes that the branches couldn’t completely fill, but even if it did what you’d see is patches of disturbed snow raked by branches in the middle of that beautiful smooth blanket of snow all around. This drove me nuts! Maybe to a fault.
Pacing
The Song Of All is definitely a slow burn of a novel. Though it does have a few scenes with action overall it takes its time with the story. I’m not one of those readers who dislike slow burns out of hand. Slow pacing can make for an amazing book when done well giving me a sense of suspense and making me hang on every paragraph and sentence for what is coming next. I AM a reader who dislikes slow burns when I’m already struggling with the rest of the book. For me the pacing in The Song Of All just prolonged the struggle I was already having.
Characters
The protagonist in The Song Of All is Irjan, a former warrior turned farmer who gave up his former life of hunting down and killing the Japmea a race of immortals who have been in conflict with humans for generations. Irjan’s motivation is saving his son from death, and from the life he once led.
Other important characters include:
•Aillun, a Japmea who is on an unwanted quest to transform into something else in the lifecycle of the immortals. It is Aillun’s intersection with Irjan that really sets the direction of the rest of the novel once the opening arc of the story is complete.
•Kalek, Aillun’s lover and father of her child. Kalek factors more and more prominently as the story progresses and adds a level of tension with his ties and loyalty to Aillun and his people, and Irjan the strange newcomer to his life…someone who should be an enemy but someone he is compelled to help.
•Rikkar and Siggur, two antagonists (priest and acolyte) within the novel who do much to create the conflict Irjan finds himself drawn back into.
•Darja, Aillun’s daughter who becomes something of a miracle, and adopted daughter of Irjan in a sense. Her storyline is fleshed out more in the latter half of the book and is crucial moving forward in the narrative.
•Marnej, Irjan’s son and his motivation for much of the book.
Ultimately I didn’t become attached to or form a reading bond with any of the characters. They felt flat and I really didn’t care what happened to them. It’s rare that I don’t at least like one character but that’s what happened here. I didn’t even find myself hating one of the villains. They were all just kind of “meh.”
World Building
As I noted at the outset I liked the idea of a Scandinavian setting. It offered something a little different, and I love snow. Beyond that basic setting however I felt the world building was lacking. All we really see of the physical world is the village Irjan is living in at the opening, the village or town the immortals live in, a stronghold for the Brethren (order set up to fight the immortals) and the wilderness in-between. Apart from these locations you’d almost think nothing else existed in this world. I don’t remember any other towns, nations, or locations or people really being mentioned. It’s just these few locals and the humans and the Japmea…and there don’t seem to be many of either one.
Another aspect of the story I liked at first was it reminded me of the Rhapsody novels (The Symphony of Ages series) by Elizabeth Haydon which first appeared in 1999. Its been a long time since I read those books and I don’t remember much about them but I did enjoy the way in which Hayden used music as a in integral part of the world and magic system she created. Myers uses music and “the Song” as part of her magic system though it is a limited magic allowing the Japmea to hide within the song in a way that humans cannot perceive. Music is an integral part of the Japmea’s existence, such that their being is wrapped up in it. After a while though I felt like the Song and they way music was used started to wear thin. It’s hard to put my finger on just why it bothered me though so I feel like I’m being overly harsh here. I want to be able to say why it bothered me in order to be fair…but mostly I can just say it did…that it came to annoy me more than enhance the story.
There isn’t much else to say about the world building because well…there wasn’t much world building.
Themes
The key themes I found in the book swirl around identity; Identity as people groups and as individuals and how we get along within those groups and between groups different from us. These are at the heart of the conflict in The Song Of All and form the foundation of most conflicts between large groups today so they make for a good basis from which to create tension in a novel.
Conclusion
I read The Song Of All back in February when it came out. It’s taken me this long to review it for a couple of reasons; one because I got behind on my reviews because of work and family commitments; and two because I didn’t like it and I wasn’t sure how to approach it in my review. I didn’t want this to be a post of nothing but negative, but I just didn’t find much to like about this book. This was almost a DNF for me but I pushed through because I’d agreed to provide a review when the book was sent to me. I have seen a couple authors I resect say positive things about The Song Of All so I know it struck a chord with some. I had high hopes for this book and really wanted to like it, but it just fell flat for me because the plot wandered off, the pacing was too slow with no payoff, and I didn’t connect with any of the characters.
2 Of 5 Stars
May 25, 2024
I really wanted to like The Song of All (The Legacy of the Heavens #1) by Tina LeCount Myers, but it just wasn't for me. I definitely preferred the idea of it more than anything. It had everything about it that I thought would make it right up my alley. The pacing is too slow for me and the world-building is pretty light outside of the most direct setting. However, I wouldn't be against trying something else from the author if she decided to write something outside of this series.
February 20, 2018
I’m gonna give this novel like a 3-star/3.25 star rating because the beginning is so so slow I wanted to die, like legit can I stop reading yet 2 stars.
Part of the problem is that there are so many long-ass multi-syllable words “drawn from various Saami languages” (as stated in the Author’s Note) in just the first chapter alone that I kept going what. What. Who. What. Which is weird because I read (and write) a lot of fantasy with long-ass multi-syllable fantasy terms (I.e. not real words) that I’m okay with. So maybe it was just a little too much a little too soon. Ok, I’m thinking it’s also because the words are initially italicised, so my head interprets it as a foreign language and gets caught up in what the heck is that word and I get stuck. If they weren’t italicised, I’d just be like ooo new fantasy word that I’ll figure out on the way and read on until I get it.
It also switches POV every few paragraphs which takes a little getting used to. It’s just not a book that will capture casual readers. Or readers from the get-go. It’s for the slow-build type of readers who are going to just wait and linger and plod their way through.
BUT it’s beautiful. Of course it’s beautiful. When you get to the middle (or well, at least somewhere in Part 2) it turns very omg this plot why because everything is related to everything else and if you pull one thread out, everything unravels. And the further you get, the more you feel like omg what why no yes, at probably 4.5 to 5 stars. It’s just that you gotta push through until you get there.
And then there’s also the damnit there is definitely a second book to this because why does it end there no don’t end there gah.
Yeah, and I’m too lazy to write my review in proper words right now.
Note: I received a review copy via Edelweiss.
Part of the problem is that there are so many long-ass multi-syllable words “drawn from various Saami languages” (as stated in the Author’s Note) in just the first chapter alone that I kept going what. What. Who. What. Which is weird because I read (and write) a lot of fantasy with long-ass multi-syllable fantasy terms (I.e. not real words) that I’m okay with. So maybe it was just a little too much a little too soon. Ok, I’m thinking it’s also because the words are initially italicised, so my head interprets it as a foreign language and gets caught up in what the heck is that word and I get stuck. If they weren’t italicised, I’d just be like ooo new fantasy word that I’ll figure out on the way and read on until I get it.
It also switches POV every few paragraphs which takes a little getting used to. It’s just not a book that will capture casual readers. Or readers from the get-go. It’s for the slow-build type of readers who are going to just wait and linger and plod their way through.
BUT it’s beautiful. Of course it’s beautiful. When you get to the middle (or well, at least somewhere in Part 2) it turns very omg this plot why because everything is related to everything else and if you pull one thread out, everything unravels. And the further you get, the more you feel like omg what why no yes, at probably 4.5 to 5 stars. It’s just that you gotta push through until you get there.
And then there’s also the damnit there is definitely a second book to this because why does it end there no don’t end there gah.
Yeah, and I’m too lazy to write my review in proper words right now.
Note: I received a review copy via Edelweiss.
February 20, 2018
I know the usual refrain about a book involves words like FAST, SNAPPY, HOOKED.
However, some days my brain feels so pummeled by social media, it's nice to pick up a book that takes its time moving into the story. That's one of the things I loved about Myers' THE SONG OF ALL. Myers drew me into the story, giving me time to acclimate myself to both her characters and her world.
That doesn't mean it was boring, not by a long shot. Irjan's journey moves like the cold settling into your bones and becomes a persuasive force that cannot be ignored. It's the story of two very different worlds, separated by songs and the love of a parent for a child.
A violent world rendered in sharp white strokes, THE SONG OF ALL is a new take on an old theme, and one that I think you'll find worth your time.
However, some days my brain feels so pummeled by social media, it's nice to pick up a book that takes its time moving into the story. That's one of the things I loved about Myers' THE SONG OF ALL. Myers drew me into the story, giving me time to acclimate myself to both her characters and her world.
That doesn't mean it was boring, not by a long shot. Irjan's journey moves like the cold settling into your bones and becomes a persuasive force that cannot be ignored. It's the story of two very different worlds, separated by songs and the love of a parent for a child.
A violent world rendered in sharp white strokes, THE SONG OF ALL is a new take on an old theme, and one that I think you'll find worth your time.
March 9, 2018
When I have a chance I’ll leave a better review. Gonna do a podcast episode on this one.
5* writing but it was a hell of an emotional rollercoaster. 10% in I might have stopped it was so emotional for me. I had to take several days off before I restarted.
5* writing but it was a hell of an emotional rollercoaster. 10% in I might have stopped it was so emotional for me. I had to take several days off before I restarted.
December 30, 2017
Irjan, a hunter/warrior, tries to become a farmer, husband and father in a society with rigid social barriers. His wife and son are sent out of their group to die, the son surviving. As Irjan tries to save the son, he meets a woman from the immortals tribe who has given birth. He ends up with both children trying to survive in a position between the living and the immortals. This is a first novel and a very good one. The story is interesting and well developed. I enjoyed reading it very much and look forward to book two. The author has lived in other countries and is a historian so has insight into many cultures. The story is based on the indigenous people’s of Scandinavia and their belief systems. The names of people and ethnic groups are confusing at times but after plowing through it at first, I got used to it and was able to get a sense of who was who and where was where. Bravo fo this fascinating novel!
September 18, 2018
This tale is beautifully written, delicately complex, astonishingly brutal, and absolutely fascinating. Well done, Tina LeCount Myers. Looking forward to more.
November 3, 2018
I requested a copy of this book because it sounded like a Nordic-inspired fantasy and that’s a subgenre I don’t read enough of. The atmosphere, character names and language influence delivered on that vibe. But what sets this story apart from others of its kind is the fluidity of the Immortals.
Irjan is a human, raised by Brethren of Hunters and trained to kill Jápmemeahttun, or Immortals. The Immortals are a somewhat gender fluid race. I’ll admit, there are a lot of tough to tackle terms in this book – Myers notes she draws influence from languages spoken in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia – and I did not fully understand them all. But here’s what I gathered throughout the book:
Essentially, all babies are females. They’re raised by someone other than their birth mother, because after a female gives birth, she undergoes a transformation to male. From there, they may take on the role of caretaker for another child, or perhaps another job in the community like healer or warrior. Then, when they’ve grown old, a warrior will accompany a pregnant woman as she makes her journey and the warrior’s life force is given to create the life of the newborn. It’s all very cyclical and very much in the vein of reincarnation. I’ve never encountered anything like it!
That being said, it was hard to follow, as I mentioned. I really would have appreciated a glossary of terms, as the Immortals have various names for someone’s role within the community and those seem to be tied to their current stage of life. As none of the words Myers used (or created) were familiar to me, I struggled to grasp what the characters were explaining. Having a glossary would have helped a lot. A pronunciation guide wouldn’t have hurt either. I like to feel like I’m mentally saying a word correctly and I struggled through so many of the terms and names in this book because it was too distracting to try to puzzle out how I should pronounce them. Eventually, I just glossed over any of the words that were unfamiliar.
Speaking of glossing over – while I appreciate the unique spin Myers put on her story, the only chunk of the story that really grabbed me was the middle. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and there’s also a musical element that plays heavily into the book, which I didn’t enjoy. In hindsight, it makes sense, but I didn’t know the title would play so literally into the book. If you enjoy reading songs in your books, you’ll probably really like this bit – it’s a large part of the story. For me, it just doesn’t work; I even skip the songs in The Hobbit, which is one of my favorite books!
I wasn’t sure I was going to finish the book, but I pushed on because I was intrigued by the concept and I wanted to know more about this changing race of Immortals. The middle picked up and had some action. The end had a fair bit of action, but I checked out by then. I lost interest in the characters and the plot. It ended on a cliffhanger, but I won’t be continuing on with the series.
While I was interested in the overall plot and world-building, nothing in the book really hooked me. It was a very slow burn and the main character didn’t elicit any empathy or even distaste from me. I appreciate what Myers accomplished, but it didn’t end up being my cup of tea.
However, if you’re interested in a Nordic-inspired fantasy with a heavy dose of music and gender fluid characters, I would recommend you check this out.
Thank you to Night Shade Books for providing me with a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Irjan is a human, raised by Brethren of Hunters and trained to kill Jápmemeahttun, or Immortals. The Immortals are a somewhat gender fluid race. I’ll admit, there are a lot of tough to tackle terms in this book – Myers notes she draws influence from languages spoken in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia – and I did not fully understand them all. But here’s what I gathered throughout the book:
Essentially, all babies are females. They’re raised by someone other than their birth mother, because after a female gives birth, she undergoes a transformation to male. From there, they may take on the role of caretaker for another child, or perhaps another job in the community like healer or warrior. Then, when they’ve grown old, a warrior will accompany a pregnant woman as she makes her journey and the warrior’s life force is given to create the life of the newborn. It’s all very cyclical and very much in the vein of reincarnation. I’ve never encountered anything like it!
That being said, it was hard to follow, as I mentioned. I really would have appreciated a glossary of terms, as the Immortals have various names for someone’s role within the community and those seem to be tied to their current stage of life. As none of the words Myers used (or created) were familiar to me, I struggled to grasp what the characters were explaining. Having a glossary would have helped a lot. A pronunciation guide wouldn’t have hurt either. I like to feel like I’m mentally saying a word correctly and I struggled through so many of the terms and names in this book because it was too distracting to try to puzzle out how I should pronounce them. Eventually, I just glossed over any of the words that were unfamiliar.
Speaking of glossing over – while I appreciate the unique spin Myers put on her story, the only chunk of the story that really grabbed me was the middle. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and there’s also a musical element that plays heavily into the book, which I didn’t enjoy. In hindsight, it makes sense, but I didn’t know the title would play so literally into the book. If you enjoy reading songs in your books, you’ll probably really like this bit – it’s a large part of the story. For me, it just doesn’t work; I even skip the songs in The Hobbit, which is one of my favorite books!
I wasn’t sure I was going to finish the book, but I pushed on because I was intrigued by the concept and I wanted to know more about this changing race of Immortals. The middle picked up and had some action. The end had a fair bit of action, but I checked out by then. I lost interest in the characters and the plot. It ended on a cliffhanger, but I won’t be continuing on with the series.
While I was interested in the overall plot and world-building, nothing in the book really hooked me. It was a very slow burn and the main character didn’t elicit any empathy or even distaste from me. I appreciate what Myers accomplished, but it didn’t end up being my cup of tea.
However, if you’re interested in a Nordic-inspired fantasy with a heavy dose of music and gender fluid characters, I would recommend you check this out.
Thank you to Night Shade Books for providing me with a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 27, 2020
Technically this was a DNF, but I was maybe 30 pages from the end so I still made it through the bulk of the story.
I didn't have a problem with the non-english terms or the songs as several other people have mentioned; they're less obtrusive than Tolkien in many cases and the non-English terms are easy enough to acclimate to in context. Also I didn't have a problem with the pacing of the story; epic fantasy means a lot of walking & talking, not a lot of action, so I wasn't caught off guard by the slow progression that a lot of other people complained about. I liked Irjan as a main character. His motivations were uncomplicated and he had a very straightforward manner, but he isn't an idiot and he accurately knows his strengths and weaknesses and that bears out in the story (I know it seems simple, but I like the fact that a bunch of people say he's a frighteningly capable fighter and then he actually *is* a capable fighter. I've read too many books where a character is supposed to be the "best ever" at something and then there are 15 other people better than them).
My problems come with motivations of other characters. First of all, to me, there are too many people who want to go to war for the sake of going to war. This always bothers me, and perhaps I'm missing some perspective, but I have a hard time believing characters who just want to start a war because they like going to war. If there was even a hint of another motivation; increasing territory, distracting from unrest, purging undesirables, something, that would work. There is species vs species tension present in the story, but too many of the characters seem to just want to go to war regardless - the fact that it's against an ancient enemy is incidental.
The other problem I had is spoilery.
I can't say the book ever grabbed my interest. It was a good enough read to keep pushing through, but for me the issues just kept piling up until the breaking point near the end. Needless to say, I will not be continuing with the series.
I didn't have a problem with the non-english terms or the songs as several other people have mentioned; they're less obtrusive than Tolkien in many cases and the non-English terms are easy enough to acclimate to in context. Also I didn't have a problem with the pacing of the story; epic fantasy means a lot of walking & talking, not a lot of action, so I wasn't caught off guard by the slow progression that a lot of other people complained about. I liked Irjan as a main character. His motivations were uncomplicated and he had a very straightforward manner, but he isn't an idiot and he accurately knows his strengths and weaknesses and that bears out in the story (I know it seems simple, but I like the fact that a bunch of people say he's a frighteningly capable fighter and then he actually *is* a capable fighter. I've read too many books where a character is supposed to be the "best ever" at something and then there are 15 other people better than them).
My problems come with motivations of other characters. First of all, to me, there are too many people who want to go to war for the sake of going to war. This always bothers me, and perhaps I'm missing some perspective, but I have a hard time believing characters who just want to start a war because they like going to war. If there was even a hint of another motivation; increasing territory, distracting from unrest, purging undesirables, something, that would work. There is species vs species tension present in the story, but too many of the characters seem to just want to go to war regardless - the fact that it's against an ancient enemy is incidental.
The other problem I had is spoilery.
I can't say the book ever grabbed my interest. It was a good enough read to keep pushing through, but for me the issues just kept piling up until the breaking point near the end. Needless to say, I will not be continuing with the series.
April 27, 2018
I don't know how accurate this review will be since this book was mostly read during my 10 minute breaks at work or if I got to class early, but I really enjoyed it. I liked Irjan as a character and was emotionally connected enough to him and his wife for the turning point to hit me, which is rare for me that early on. I loved the ideas Myers brings up and the differing point of view. There were times I was surprised and I was honestly left wondering where exactly the story was going based off of how far in I was and what had already transpired.
My only thing is that **possible spoiler alert** towards the end with maybe 1/4 of the book left, though it felt like closer to 1/8, there was a major time hop that threw me off and left me not quite as invested in the characters. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite thing and left me wanting in quite a few ways. With that being said, I will definitely be looking out for book 2 to see where else this story takes us.
My only thing is that **possible spoiler alert** towards the end with maybe 1/4 of the book left, though it felt like closer to 1/8, there was a major time hop that threw me off and left me not quite as invested in the characters. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite thing and left me wanting in quite a few ways. With that being said, I will definitely be looking out for book 2 to see where else this story takes us.
October 14, 2023
Never have I ever read a book that was so well written and so poorly executed. The writing itself its utterly fabulous. If you like immersive worlds THIS is the book for you. You will be snatched up by it and forced to turn the page. The story is interesting and unique and would have had a MUCH higher rating if it wasn't also the most infuriating book I have ever read. Originally, I was going to give a spoiler review but I will just say that there is something that happens near the end that is pretty huge to the plot and you don't get to see it...at all...like to the point where I was so confused as to what even happened I legitimately went back to see if I'd missed it because my pages were stuck together or something. Personally, that was a huge oversite on the part of editors and beta readers and it almost ruined the entire book for me. That being said I still would definitely recommend a read if you like hyper immersive worlds.
April 2, 2018
Wow, was this beautiful! This is the kind of book I loved reading when I was younger, and which you hardly ever see anymore. It’s a slow burn, slow building affair, taking its time to really get to know the characters and the world. This was such a great tonic to the rush-rush-rush, movie-style pacing of most modern novels. Reading it felt like slipping into a cool bath on a hot day. It’s exactly the sort of storytelling I wish there were more of, and the kind I wish I could write as well as Myers can.
Yes, this is a book that asks for some effort on the part of the reader. But just remember: when The Song of All goes big, your friends are going to realize how smart you are, because you read it early.
Yes, this is a book that asks for some effort on the part of the reader. But just remember: when The Song of All goes big, your friends are going to realize how smart you are, because you read it early.
May 30, 2020
This had a lot of potential to be amazing, but it fell incredibly flat for me. Maybe it was because I was listening to the audiobook, but I found myself constantly confused about who was who and what was going on and why. I felt like too many people were introduced, and I couldn't keep everything straight. I didn't feel connected to the characters, and even when there were emotionally charged scenes, I didn't feel very gripped by what was going on. Some things felt too rushed while other things felt too slow, and I was honestly bored throughout the whole book. I really wanted to love this, but it unfortunately missed the mark for me and I don't have any intentions of picking up the sequel.
May 16, 2020
The Song of All provides a rich world with characters to compel. Irjan’s daring quest, where he battles with his past and struggles against his future, kept me gripped throughout. The raw simplicity contained within this world puts Myers in a genre all her own, one where political intrigue & advancement take a comparative backseat to life-threatening stakes & bloody engagement. I have no doubt that this series as a whole will echo through the fantasy genre as something that can be absorbed quickly, yet cherished forever
April 9, 2019
I loved the concept of a people that inhabited a dimension created from songs. Because of a condition, I had spent nearly three years previously listening to music 24/7 to shield from tinnitus, so the concept rung close to home. I was disappointed to find that the story was rather slow moving, mostly traipsing about in the snow, while characters were chasing after each other and occasionally finding each other.
April 17, 2021
A different fantasy tale of the mortal humans and the immortal elves, going by different names here. I liked it well enough to continue reading, but it skips ahead a bit fast sometimes for me, and could dwell a little more on things, or build them up. This is not to say it's all about the action, because there's only a moderate amount of action, which feels well balanced to me.
I like the world system, though I hope I get to know it more in the forthcoming books.
I like the world system, though I hope I get to know it more in the forthcoming books.
June 19, 2018
I’ve held onto this book ever since it was published, waiting for a stress-free time to enjoy it. Now that school is out, I rewarded myself with this journey, and it exceeded my expectations. I am so lucky to know the author, so in following her, I know this is a trilogy, and I can’t wait to dive into the next in the series. I feel like crying that this part is finished for now!
April 26, 2019
In addition to interesting plot turns and engaging characters, I really enjoyed the vision this book offered of families with multiple participants. The enterprise of child rearing and knowledge transfer is not fully tied to gender here, and this felt both revolutionary and oddly familiar. I loved following all the ways this book breaks the stereotypical patterns.
December 4, 2019
Wanted to try something new, and this sci fi was recommended to me. I related to the premise of a father wanting to protect his son, but lacked a connection to the story or characters. It was easy to follow for the most part and a great concept, just lost me a bit on the execution. I do recognize Myers is a strong writer it is just a matter of personal preference.
February 23, 2020
Overall this boom puts an interesting spin on more traditional fantasy settings. However, it does struggle a bit with finding a voice and relies on limited exposition when more is necessary at times.
did-not-finish
June 7, 2021I can certaintly see the appeal of book! The setting is beautiful, premise intriguing but for some reason I just didn't connect with the characters. I think this will be a good fantasy for those who love character stories!
July 2, 2018
Wonderful Story with a suspenseful ending!
May 6, 2019
Loved getting lost in this beautifully crafted world.
Read
July 18, 2020Wife is fridged in the first 50 pages, and that is not where I am right now.
December 7, 2020
This book really wasn't my cup of tea but it's fine. The first part was painfully dull though.
Read
January 4, 2024DNF 7% Audiobook
23.12.23-04.01.23
23.12.23-04.01.23
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