The Firebird Song

Kingdom of Lyrica #1

by Arnée Flores

The Kingdom of Lyrica was once warm and thriving, kept safe by the Firebird, whose feather and song was a blessing of peace and prosperity. But the Firebird disappeared, and Lyrica is now terrorized by the evil Spectress who wields her powers from within a volcano. All that remains is a mysterious message scrawled on the castle wall in the Queen's own hand: Wind. Woman. Thief.

Young Prewitt has only known time without the Firebird, a life of constant cold, as his village is afraid to tempt the volcano monsters with even the feeblest fire. But he has heard whispers that the kingdom's princess survived the attack . . . and he is certain that if he can find her, together they can save Lyrica.

Princess Calliope has no memories beyond living on her barge on the underground lake. But as she nears her twelfth birthday, she is certain there is more to life than the walls of a cave. When Prewitt finds her, he realizes that she is the missing princess: the only hope for Lyrica. Determined to decipher the meaning of her mother's strange message and find the Firebird, Calliope and Prewitt set off on a quest that puts them in more danger than either of them ever anticipated.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fiction, High Fantasy, Childrens, Magic

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

Arnée Flores is a Vietnamese-American transracial adoptee. She has been a classical pianist, a Montessori preschool teacher, a waitress, and a student. She lives in Seattle with her husband, daughter, and a fluffy white dog called the Professor.

Find her on Instagram or send her a message on her website!

Reviews

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing! Such a dark, magical, dangerous adventure full of friendship, courage, & most of all-hope. This is a unique, vivid story, with AMAZING characters, & incredible underlying messages/themes. The friendship that forms between Prewitt & Cal is so special, & I loved them. They were such a team, & I was rooting for them the whole way.

Such vivid & magical story/world building too. The whole backstory & current adventure were FASCINATING & so INTRIGUING! Absolutely obsessed with this. Plus all the great lessons/messages..like what real hope is, the meaning of hope. Don’t underestimate the power of simply hoping. & when someone says we are “just girls”, we aren’t “just” anything. We are so many amazing things, all unique to each person. Bravery isn’t about who the toughest is either. Bravery is being so scared, yet still giving you’re all. Something can also be a symbol of your fear & your hope-depending on the intentions..incredible. Also, love & compassion go so far. Even if someone is different-who cares. How you treat someone determines the outcome of so many things in this life.

The most beautiful thing defined so well in here, is the true meaning & power of friendship. With hope, true bravery, & friendship these kids could take on the world. Not sure if this is a stand alone, but either way I NEED MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR! Lol So, if you couldn’t guess-HIGHLY recommend! Another STUNNING cover by the AMAZING Vivienne To as well!💜

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.25

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for giving me this opportunity to be the host of this blog tour.

It is a middle-grade fantasy set in the kingdom of Lyrica. Once a warm and colourful kingdom is now history and only can find in books and songs. Books and songs that are not allowed to read and listen to anymore. The only hope for the revival is a firebird and only a fire queen can summon it by singing a song. Prewitt along with others grew up with firebirds stories and considered them fairytales. Until one day he came to know that the last lost princess is alive.

The magic system of the book was perfect for middle-graders. This is that type of book which is based on details for me the details were too much. I was loving the world so I had my expectations high. But the story kept switching from one place to another and from present to past to past present which can be a bit tricky to keep track of and in the process; I felt a few things were missing. Obviously, I am not the right audience for this book but I have read middle-grades that can hook people of every age.

This book is an interesting read for middle-graders as the world-building is so unique and detailed.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that this book was wonderful! (I listened to an audio version of this copy)

This is a book that's middle grade fantasy. It's full of characters brought up so well, a magical world that's still different and unique from the other fantasy books I've read, an aesthetically pleasing cover that I would love to add to my shelf, and includes a powerful theme so wonderfully woven into the heart of this book. The characters were lovely; it provides a truth that people aren't truly who we think they are or think they would appear. Truthfully, it's not about the outer appearance of people, their past, cruel acts that can linger in people painfully, but about the heart. It's realizing that friendship, hope, and love can truly overtake fear, pride, hatred, darkness, etc.

Yay for another lovely read!

[Ksenia]

A truly fast-paced middle grade fantasy (with twists and turns) that, I think, is the right book for right now: the world is cloaked in darkness, unhappiness and people are suffering, and it's up to two kids who have a lot of hope (and are not deterred by the fact that they are just kids), to bring back the light to their world.

[Rajiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

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“The Firebird Song” is a fun middle-grade fantasy novel filled with friendship and adventure and was hard to put down.

I thought the author did a great job with the book, considering it is her debut novel. The characters are charming, and the storyline is impressive that will immediately grab the reader’s attention. Although the book targets middle-graders, I feel a reader of any age would enjoy this fantasy adventure. The author does an excellent job with the storyline where you wonder how the characters will find the Firebird to sing the song.

Prewitt and Calliope hold firm in the lead, and I liked their friendship. I liked Prewitt’s backstory and the complex emotions he faces with his father while coping with the loss of Granny Arila. One of my favorite moments in the story is when they encounter the Wild Woman and go into the memories. Also, I enjoyed all the other supporting characters like Ardal and the Glade Girls. The Bookkeeper and Falconer also sound like fascinating characters, and I wished they had a more substantial presence in the tale.

However, my only minor criticism of the tale is that everything happens so fast. There is so much happening in each chapter that I felt the story was purely plot-driven instead of focusing on characters. For instance, Prewitt starts his quest for Calliope and immediately finds her. It would have been a brilliant idea to spread this story as a trilogy where we got to know the characters better.

Nevertheless, I loved reading “The Firebird Song,” and I look forward to reading many more novels by the author.

[Palatine Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like adventure, mystery, and a tiny bit of scary then this is the book for you!

Prewitt and Calliope are in the middle of an era of darkness and fear. They think the Spectress is behind it and find out so many surprising things on their journey. Prewitt and Calliope are both 12, the Age of Hope, when they set off on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom.

I’d say that this is a really good book, and try it to see if you will like it or not.

--Inde, grade 5

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

The excitement I held for Arnée's first book was incredible - I can't wait to see what else she churns out! I was truly unable to put this one down - hence the four stars - but it didn't hit me hard enough to make it to the favorites shelf.

[Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC for blog tour.

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for my review copy.

[Sara Esa · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a good book 📖 👌

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a slog to finish . It will be someone’s cup of tea but wasn’t for me. Too much going on/ too chaotic

[B Zimp · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids loved this. Averaged the rating. It was VERY long and incredibly convoluted children's story. Recommend as an audiobook

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Firebird Song opens up with a glimpse of the past, and it really propels the reader into the Kingdom of Lyrica and this hopeless world that’s come to be.

We first meet Prewitt, a bargeboy who has just turned 12, and is told of his destiny to find the Lost Princess of Lyrica, amid a tragic death in his life. In this kingdom of hopelessness and fear, Prewitt decides no matter what to try and fulfill his destiny. He battles in his head and heart, with his mother’s sadness, and his father who has made him promise to focus on his duty rather than his destiny. Prewitt doesn’t understand the adults in his life and what drives their lack of action, but sets forth anyways to find the Lost Princess.

Calliope has also just turned 12, and is told by the only person she knows that she is the Lost Princess of Lyrica- but that she must remain hidden because she is “just a girl” and doesn’t understand the world outside of where she’s been hidden away. This just drives Calliope into action, and thus the adventure unfolds!

This book is full of action, and a very fast moving plot. At times it is mostly predictable as to what will happen next, and sometimes things seem to happen too easily for Prewitt and Calliope- but I still enjoyed the adventure regardless.

I loved that this tale focuses on friendship, and overcoming loneliness. I love that the children are the ones who bring hope to a hopeless kingdom. It’s the children in this story who defeat fear and an evil Spectress who has called upon “the demon”. I love that at the end of this story we find redemption and forgiveness, and a land filled with hope!

I would absolutely recommend this book to any 8-14 year old who loves a fairytale-esque story filled with evil henchmen, an evil Spectress, a good versus evil type balance, and an adventure filled quest between friends.

There are moments where evil seems to triumph: a child is thrown into a river and is assumed drowned, an older character is killed at the beginning of the book, Calliopes mother is killed by the Spectress when Calliope is an infant; but overall this is a heartwarming tale of overcoming loneliness, finding friendship, being brave, and choosing hope over fear and anger. There is a great lesson in this tale and I think many are going to love The Firebirds Song!

[Sammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.

Many thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books and TBR and Beyond Tours for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This book cover reminds me so much of all sorts of popular books these days, as well as books I loved myself as a kid. So obviously I was going to need to give this one a try, right?

The Firebird Song is the perfect mix of light and dark. It’s a magical world filled with strong females who refuse to be told they can’t do things, with a prophecy that isn’t quite as it seems and characters in desperate need of a little bit of hope.

Going in, I was a little surprised at how dark this was, but for good reason. I would maybe caution against younger middle grade readers who may not be able to handle the death and darkness, but it isn’t without reason. Underlying that is a beautiful story of hope and change and believing in the future.

My Thoughts:

- The Firebird Song is written in the whimsical way that a dark fairy tale might be, with a lot of the same elements. Readers will recognize tropes like the Chosen One (hint: it’s a girl, though, in this case) and a prophecy that spur the bad guys into action. The tropes themselves aren’t particularly unique, despite being tried and true tropes in middle grade. The delivery, though, makes all the difference. The tropes used in this are recognizable and comfortable for middle mid-grade readers whose favorite books also use them, but they’re more of a scaffolding here to build the rest of the narrative off of. Flores questions whether prophecies are a given, how they are understood, and what makes a Chosen One. Also, do people have to be good in order to be a hero in a prophecy? I enjoyed the way Flores subverted some of the tropes while still remaining true to them. I mean, tropes are popular for a reason, right? Sometimes it’s nice to go a tried and true approach with a sprinkle of spice for something new.

“I have hidden the token in one of these memories. Find it and return. But be wary.” The Wild Woman dropped the flower, and it floated a moment before sinking beyond their sight. “For a moon memory is a dangerous place, full of shadows and light. Step into darkness, and you will be trapped forever in the night of time past.”

- This book is definitely dark and touches on some big themes, so it may not be a good fit for younger middle grade readers. However, Flores tackles these with grace and tact. I mean, the whole point is sort of how awful the world is. The Spectress is attempting to destroy hope, so of course it’s not really going to be a world filled with sunshine and roses, now is it? The darkness is needed to show that hope can grow even in the worst circumstances. That means there are some really big themes in this book, such as death, mistreatment of children, starvation, fear, kidnapping, and mention of killing baby girls. This is very much a hope-conquers-all plot line, which Flores does a fabulous job establishing, but that means the world is a little darker than some middle grade books!

Prewitt knew death. All Lyrican children recognized it as it came sweeping through the night, curving through the streets, twisting an indiscriminate path down from the ever-turbulent sky, unstoppable as the rain.

- Built into the narrative is a testament to the strength and worth of girls. There’s an ongoing theme where Calliope is repeatedly told she’s “just a girl” until she eventually comes to believe it when things get hard. It’s meant as an excuse for why she shouldn’t or can’t do things, but over the course of the story, it becomes flipped. She isn’t just a girl. She’s a girl who’s managed to survive, despite the odds, despite the slaughter of baby girls born that year. So she isn’t just anything and should celebrate the fact that, despite everything, she’s a girl. This isn’t necessary girl power, and it’s not at the detriment of boys. Flores weaves it into a cautious tale not to make assumptions about someone’s worth or capability. She ties it nicely into the idea that people are often more than they seem, which is another major theme of the book.

“Just a girl? What do you mean by that? Tell me, where are the rest of the girls in this world?”

Her gaze was so intense that Calliope couldn’t bring herself to answer.

Ilsbeth nodded. “That’s right. The Spectress didn’t care, did she? No. So don’t you ever say that you’re just a girl again. If you truly think that, then you’ve already lost, and I’m wasting my time helping you.”

- More than just girls in general, the book celebrates sisterhoods and girls supporting each other, even though the rest of the world has betrayed them. I am such a fan of this in middle grade books! Too often, books seem to pit girls against each other for one reason or another. Which makes it all the more special when girls work together. These are girls who were sent away by parents in the hopes that they would survive the slaughter and be taken in. In this way, the story very much resembles Moses’ story of being sent down the river. These girls, however, have each other and have created their own little family, despite everything.

- One of my favorite themes in this is children having to fix the mistakes of their ancestors. Because queens don’t rule in a vacuum, and the princess inherits more than just genes from her foremothers. This is always a touchy subject, isn’t it? I’d hate for my mistakes to become my daughter’s mistakes, and yet … in a magical world where beings are old enough to have seen many generations of humans? That’s definitely the case. I loved this narrative, because it raised some really big questions about whether one human should be judged on others’ mistakes. From a human perspective, you’d like to say no, right? What if you’re an ancient being who has been betrayed and wronged by generations of humans, not just one of them, and still bears the pain from that? Can one human make a difference among all that? I absolutely loved all the questions this book raised! It really makes the reader think about some big issues.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover caught my eye on this one, and after reading the blurb, I couldn't wait to dive into the adventure. And it is a well-done, exciting read.

Prewitt is the Bargeboy and should inherit the position after an apprenticeship with his father, but nothing's been the same in the kingdom, since the evil Spectress took everything over and the Firebird disappeared. All girls his age were long hunted down and taken away, and those in the village, who have not been put to death by the Spectress's followers, live in constant fear. So, when his grandmother tells him that it's his destiny to find the supposedly long-dead princess and help her bring back the Firebird, he's not sure what to think. But when his grandmother is killed and his parents refuse to do anything about it, he's ready to fulfill her last wish and take it all on...even if it means he'll end up dead in the process.

Fantasy fans should really enjoy this one. There's magic, dark moments, action, demons, monsters, fight scenes, secrets, an evil queen, a princess, other worlds, and so much more. Adventure flows from every page, while a hero and a heroine go against all odds to achieve what the adults were unwilling face themselves. The barge boy and princess make an unexpected pair but yet, form the everlasting bond of friendship, which is needed to make it through. So, yes, there's tons of fantasy goodness in these pages.

More importantly, the story flows well. The characters have enough depth to draw in and both carry distinct personalities.. They are spunky, make mistakes, and despite moments of doubt, do what they need to do. The entire time they stay true to their age and come across naturally. The plot moves along quickly, never offering a dull moment, and there are details to bring the world to life. It was easy to venture the town's streets with Prewitt or go across the water on the barge and even discover the new lands. The only thing missing was a tad bit more backstory. At times, it did feel as if information from the past had been missed. Plus, the Spectress's evil side was mentioned and shown in the town through the bad circumstances, and yet, the extent of this didn't really come through all the time. The monsters did and many scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. But I really didn't know what to think of the Spectress for much of the read as she was only mentioned in their conversations until the later chapters.

Still, this is an engaging fantasy, which middle graders are sure to enjoy. And I can recommend it.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I apologize for the delay. I finished the book a long time ago, (like May 31) but just hadn't gotten a chance to write a whole actual review for it.

Second, this book is a literal 3.5. I liked it, but it wasn't something I would rate as 4 really. But I would still have to do either 3 or 4 stars, so after much debate, I went with 4 because I did like it anyways.

Anyways, here's the real review:

Lyrica was once a bright, happy world. It's queens were blessed with a Firebird's feather for generations, which was to bring good luck. But one day, the feather disappeared, and that allowed an evil enchantress to take over the kingdom. The only way to remove her was if the young princess lived to be of the Age of Hope, find the feather, and sing the "Firebird Song".

Thing is, the princess was an infant when the events occurred, so she barely knows anything at all. And the world doesn't even know if she is still alive. It's a dismal, hopeless world, filled with darkness. Yet somehow, a young Bargeboy, Prewitt, manages to find hope after witnessing a terrible event and being racked with guilt about it. He decides to find the princess and bring hope and joy back to Lyrica once more, but it's not easy when there are spies and no help at every turn.

I found this story to be beautiful. Hope is a beautiful, fragile thing and the book covers it extensively. Furthermore, the friendship was just awww worthy! The main characters may not have realized it, but like the other characters, the reader knows they're destined for something more. It does have a Shannon Hale vibe (and I consider Hale to be a 5 star author), so I'm not entirely sure of why I'd say this book was 3.5. I think perhaps because of the initial dismal setting? (I don't do well with dark settings, hence why I never liked dystopias, nor dark fantasies I suppose) But the ending/climax was pretty cool and a bit intense (in the MG way), so I would definitely recommend it for fans of Shannon Hale, Gail Carson Levine, Happily Ever Afters, Disney, etc.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Firebird Song

Author: Arnee Flores

Book Series: Standalone for now

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: MG readers, fantasy lovers

Publication Date: May 18, 2021

Genre: MG Fantasy

Recommended Age: 10+ (slight violence, some scary moments)

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Pages: 304

Synopsis: The Kingdom of Lyrica was once warm and thriving, kept safe by the Firebird, whose feather and song was a blessing of peace and prosperity. But the Firebird disappeared, and Lyrica is now terrorized by the evil Spectress who wields her powers from within a volcano. All that remains is a mysterious message scrawled on the castle wall in the Queen's own hand: Wind. Woman. Thief.

Young Prewitt has only known time without the Firebird, a life of constant cold, as his village is afraid to tempt the volcano monsters with even the feeblest fire. But he has heard whispers that the kingdom's princess survived the attack . . . and he is certain that if he can find her, together they can save Lyrica.

Princess Calliope has no memories beyond living on her barge on the underground lake. But as she nears her twelfth birthday, she is certain there is more to life than the walls of a cave. When Prewitt finds her, he realizes that she is the missing princess: the only hope for Lyrica. Determined to decipher the meaning of her mother's strange message and find the Firebird, Calliope and Prewitt set off on a quest that puts them in more danger than either of them ever anticipated.

Review: I really liked this one! The book has a fairybook feel to it but it never really felt stale at any point. The pacing was great, the world building was amazing, and the characters were well developed. I also liked the episodic feel to the read.

The only issue I had with the book is that the plot was a bit too predictable for me.

Verdict: Recommend!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: Solid Book

This book was a very sweet Middle Grade fantasy set in the kingdom of Lyrica that has been plunged into a time of fear and darkness. The Firebird has disappeared, leaving the Demon free to terrorize the people of the kingdom through his champion, the Spectress. However, the lost princess, Calliope, reaches the Age of Hope (12) at the same time as the Bargeboy, Prewitt, and together they go on a quest to restore the Firebird Feather and summon the Firebird once more.

I think that this book is a good fairy tale type book that would be well-suited for young readers of Middle Grade. It has a lot of classic fairy tale tropes and themes. Reading it as an adult, I personally did not enjoy it as much as other Middle Grade. It felt a bit heavy handed at times, clearly articulating the themes it wanted to convey to readers rather than showing them through the action and character interaction. It honestly reminded me a bit of the Barbie movies, which I actually love, and I feel like the story may have been better suited to television or film rather than the page.

While it was not my favorite book that I've read, I think that it would be enjoyable for young readers of the Middle Grade age range, and I can see it being a good bedtime story for kiddos at night. I think that the author accomplished what she set out to do, and it is a fun adventure for kids. I don't rate less because of my enjoyment levels when I read so far outside my age range, as long as, it is a good story for that age range. Because it is, I go with solid book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for providing me with an early eARC of The Firebird Song! This will be released in the US on June 8, 2021!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a city called Lyrica which was a happy and beautiful place to live in. One night the Spectress and the Demon of Fear filled the city into darkness. They would kill the Queen and everyone in the castle leaving the city into a cold land. They caused the citizens to lose all hope. Now a young boy, Prewitt is turning twelve which is the Age of Hope. He has gone to see Granny Arila. Granny has decided to tell the dark history of Lyrica satisfying Prewitt’s curiosity. Granny tells him that the “lost” princess is not dead and that a prophecy has him and the princess’s destiny tied together. Prewitt decides he must find the lost princess. When he does, he discovers that she is a princess which she didn’t know. Princess Calliope has been living underground with only one person visiting her. Who is he? The must find the firebird’s feather and song to save Lyrica. Princess Calliope doesn’t know the song besides the feather that will call the firebird to come. Will they find the feather and song? What if they don’t.

In this fantastical adventure, the author has written an excellent story showing how two children and secondary characters don’t give up. The story shows the the importance of hope, friendship and bravery that lies throughout the story. It’s a wonderful novel!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Dina E · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars
I thought that this book was a really fun middle-grade read! I loved the relationships between Prewitt and Calliope- it was really nice to read a book that focused on platonic relationships rather than romantic ones. The author does a really good job with world building and I really liked her writing. The book also seemed to flow very well and I loved the characters in the novel. The book did cover some darker themes, which I enjoyed because it gave the book more depth.

The only critique I have is that everything seemed so fast-paced and I feel that some character development was lost because of it. I think that the book is extremely plot-driven, which for some people, that’s a good thing, but for me, I tend to be drawn to books that focus more on the characters. I also thought that the book was a little heavy-handed in the messages the author was trying to portray in the novel, but for The Firebird Song to be the author’s debut novel, it’s really good.

Other than that though, it was a good book and I think that it is perfect for middle-grade (and older of course!) readers who are looking for a fun, fast-paced fantasy novel!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my thoughts. This in no way impacted my review which is unbiased and has my honest thoughts and impressions of this book.

[Alena Bruzas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is so lovely and sweet. It follows a fairytale journey structure and feels classic without getting stale at any point. The two main characters play really well off each other and the author does a good job of showing the reader what each of their interior journeys are.

The story is really well paced and is episodic enough to keep your average 12 year old totally engrossed. My absolute favorite moments are when the two MCs are with the totally badass and amazing Glade Girls who's group I totally want to join.

The world is exquisitely built. Reading it, I could feel the history of the society, with small details and allusions to in-world-myths and fairytales. I enjoyed the descriptions of the tiered city and the bookstore and the barge the most.

Most of all the two MCs are both interesting, well written, fleshed out characters who both strive to do their best and be good to their friends and family without feeling bland or "too perfect." Their struggles feel real, and yet the reader can still look up to them. I really enjoyed this world and I hope there are many more books set in it.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes of hope and friendship surrounded by a mythical firebird, a beautiful castle, a demon, and a spectress. Fantasy for MG and YA readers, absolutely. Debut author Arne Flores weaves a story full of beautiful figurative language describing the formerly blessed country of Lyrica and it’s current decrepit state and the attempt of Prewitt and Calliope to return their land back into its former glory. Readers will be enthralled with the tale as it winds through unique regions filled with fighting girls, ash golems, bookkeepers and falconers. The plot contains a plethora of characters, all with their own back stories, which translates into great excitement, but also means complexities that may confuse some. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy in grades 6-8 and highly motivated, strong readers in younger grades. There are a few gruesome descriptions of some who are cursed as well as a number of deaths as the main characters struggle to defeat the demon and his minions. No profanity or sexual content. Thanks for the ARC, Bloomsbury and Amazon Vine.

[Justice Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours and author Arnée Flores for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This fast paced middle grade fantasy work had me hooked from the very beginning. Our MCs are two kids that live in a world that is filled with unhappiness and darkness, little do they know that they are the key to filling the world with light and hope again. For a middle grade novel the details of the plot and magic system were amazing. It was very easy to follow and I felt that I truly understood the depth of the magic system and the world that Flores has created. Prewitt and Calliope’s personalities were also perfectly matched. I enjoyed the journey that they made together and their dialogue they exchanged. Also, the evil villain in this story has a presence in every act. You can really see how the villain affected the people in this world and it made me root for our protagonists even more. I truly feel this would be a perfect read for Middle Grade fantasy readers, especially the ones that are in middle grade themselves 🙂 .

[Marilu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover caught my eye and I was curious to hear about the perspective of the Firebird from Slavic mythology.

There is so much to enjoy about this book. Including:

- The relationship between the two main characters, who have this wholesome friendship that is so strong. (I personally hope it stays platonic rather than romantically toned).
- The book does definitely focus on dark themes but it is rather warm and full of light too - hopeful.
- Theme of aspiring to overcome any obstacles and familial mistakes.

I do wish there was a bit more rendering of the Firebird from mythology but all good. It's just my personal wish as I'm a huge folklore nerd / aspiring folklorist.

Saying this, I find the debut to be a fun, enjoyable, and inspiring read for children who love fairytales (Shannon Hale feel) and wish to create their own!
My true scoring is a 3.5!

TWs include death, mistreatment of children, starvation, fear, kidnapping, and mention of killing baby girls.

[Kasey Giard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much!

It has so many amazing things in it. Two fierce, courageous twelve-year-olds who won't accept that they're "just children". A team of warrior girls on a hidden island. A quest for the power to summon a Firebird and liberate everyone. And the most poignant reminders about the power of hope and how it can change the whole world.

This will absolutely be one of those books that I champion and talk about forever and ask everyone to read. I'm already calculating which Christmas stockings I can slip it into, if I can wait that long. It's a perfect summer read, the perfect book for anyone who is discouraged, and especially, the perfect book for fans of Stephanie Burgis or Catherine Doyle.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this fun middle-grade fantasy!

The Firebird Song is a lovely middle-grade fantasy novel about the importance of hope and being brave even when you feel scared. It features some familiar tropes - a lost princess, a dark force that can be overcome by hope, and a quest to find a magical item that will save the world - but it has enough unique elements to make it enjoyable. The two main characters, Prewitt and Calliope, are endearing, and I enjoyed getting to know them as they embarked on their quest to free their world from the darkness of a mysterious figure called the Spectress. There was a nice twist at the end that I didn't see coming, and the entire plot was fast-paced and fun.

I would recommend this to any fan of middle-grade fantasy!

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.

I read this book aloud to my kids and it worked well as a read aloud although is has a pretty elevated vocabulary (which could be a pro or a con depending on what you're looking for) and my kids did have to ask what a lot of words meant. Some elements of the world building were a bit confusing at times, but other aspects of it we really loved.

I really liked how hope is such a big theme and how it shows the strength of children and girls especially.

It has been pitched as a great choice for fans of Shannon Hale which I can see, although it personally reminded me a little more of The Girl Who Drank the Moon in style and feel. It definitely has a fairy tale/folk tale type vibe which we really enjoyed.

[Tracey Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw The Firebird Song was going to get a TBR and Beyond Tour I got very excited as this was already in my Amazon Wishlist ready to purchase so I knew that I really really wanted a place on this tour. The Firebird Song is I believe to be Arnee's debut which really surprised me and I was so glad that she had chosen Middle Grade. I can't wait to see what else Arnee writes next as I will be auto buying her books. This book is an incredible debut and Arnee not only creates a world which is very dark and unlike what I have seen in any other Middle Grade Books but she also has very strong characters even if they are playing a small role in the story Our main protagonists are Prewitt the son of the Barge Master and Calliope who is the Missing Princess and heir to the Lyrica Kingdom who both are set to be reach their twelfth birthday which is the age of hope. Unfortunately Lyrica is full of Darkness and there is no hope or light to be had. I found the story action packed and even though it was a Dark Middle Grade there was also so many light hearted scenes and it also was able to show the readers the importance of friendship and that there was always consequences to one's actions. But for me the overall message was that no matter how things get dark there is always hope and the symbol of hope is the Firebird. I truly believe both adults and children would enjoy this book . I know I will be getting my own Physical Copy when it releases in the UK and tell everyone just how darn good this book is. So I am giving this book 5 massive stars

[v i v i n · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave 4.5⭐ for this book.

“Suffering of the heart is far worse than suffering of the flesh.”—Chapter 29
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First of all, I love the book cover. It's a stunning cover that makes me interested and want to read it.
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The story written with fast pace, full of adventure, and making me can't stop reading.
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I like how the author puts some riddles into story. Also you can find unexpected twist in this standalone book.
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Although so many povs in this book, I still enjoy the story. I thought it will be a simple adventure of young people who want to save the kingdom but I was wrong. I find so many lessons in it. You can learn about hope, friendship and trust.
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If you looking forward to read a standalone fantasy middle grade book that full adventure, you can try read 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑬𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑫 𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑮. 😍

[Kathreadsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this middle grade novel from debut author Arnee Flores!

The Firebird Song is a magical fantasy story featuring Prewitt and the lost Princess Calliope. There was so much action! It definitely got started quickly and kept moving, which I enjoyed and made it hard to put down, but the pacing left little room for character development.

Still, I enjoyed the friendship that formed between Prewitt and Calliope, and the magic system was set up well and a joy to discover- YAY for Firebirds!!! Such a fun fantasy creature and I loved how it was described. However, the book didn't really surprise me, so it might be best for middle graders, versus all ages.

Middle grade readers will enjoy this magical fantasy adventure!

[Zai M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dream world now in ashes, The Firebird Song is a fantastical and dark adventure to prove that friendship and hope can defeat fear and hatred. Fast pace and plot driven, it still deals with big emotions and re-working very recognizable tropes. Our main character Prewitt deals with complex feelings as he comes to odds with his father who wants to keep his family safe in a very dark world, while Prewitt is ready to brave the danger to find the lost princess. As he journeys with the lost princess, Calliope, they question the very nature of prophecies and chosen ones, all while the story builds up the worth of girls and sisterhood rather than pit girls against each other or diminish their value.