Song and Flame

by Stella Dorthwany

On the edges of the Persian Empire lurks a mystery with earth-shattering power …

Sixteen-year-old Peni’s talent for detection has always brought her the wrong kind of attention. When her stepmother tries to fix Peni’s reputation by forcing her into marriage, Peni sends up a desperate prayer for help. And is shocked when a jinni answers.

The jinni offers Peni a bargain: use her talents to find King Solomon’s magic ring, and he will eliminate her fiancé. Dazzled by the handsome jinni’s faith in her, Peni agrees. But as she begins to unravel Solomon’s riddles, she learns that more than her own future is at stake. The ring is no mere trinket—it holds the power to save or destroy nations. Unless she can find it first, Solomon’s ancient enemies will use it to conquer the empire—and burn it to ash.

SONG AND FLAME is a YA historical fantasy that will sweep you away to an ancient world of haunting mystery, bold adventure, and breathtaking romance. Perfect for fans of Renée Ahdieh, Rosamund Hodge, and Alwyn Hamilton.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2020

About the author

STELLA DORTHWANY is the author of the Legenday Magic series. Niece and protegee of Dorthwany Publications’ founder Lucinda Dorthwany, Stella began her career as a writer as a columnist for the Dorthwany Daily, before accepting the position of novelist-in-chief for DP’s new fiction divison. When not writing, Stella fosters orphaned dragon eggs and enjoys inventing new culinary magic.

Reviews

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoah. I've loved everything of Stella's I've read, but this was genuinely a standout!

I mean, the setup was delicious:
- It's a Middle Eastern historical fantasy!!! Jinn, magic rings, hidden palaces, secret passages, ALL THE GOOD STUFF.
- The heroine is Samaritan-Jewish! I have NEVER read a fantasy novel from that viewpoint, people.
- There's a disabled love interest!
- Leila has an AWESOME backstory and SECRETS and I loved her!
- Penninah has Sherlock-Holmes-esque powers of OBSERVATION and LOGIC is totally not above grovelling to save her life and I really enjoyed that? She is such a delightfully pragmatic and cunning heroine, the kind who manipulates social expectations rather than defying them, so I loved her!
- You totally expect the setting to be Biblical fiction with its strong focus on the Jewish people during the Persian empire and discussions of faith? but it isn't? it borrows AWESOMELY from all sorts of Middle Eastern lore and deals in depth with that one really erotic book of the Bible that everyone tries to forget!?!
- THE WHOLE PLOT REVOLVES AROUND THE SONG OF SONGS, FOAKS
- and the heroine is SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE with it I CACKLED

And that was just the fun stuff from the first quarter of the book. The final quarter is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I loved how Dorthwany kept pulling something yet more lovely and poignant out of her story and themes, ascending (much as the Song of Songs itself does) from themes of human to divine love. What she does with the folklore surrounding the tale of Solomon's meeting with the Queen of Sheba is absolutely delightful and one of those things I never knew I wanted.

Just delightful, and already a high point in my reading year.

[Carina Shephard · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC!

[Eli Hinze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never read any of Dorthwany's books before, and I'd happened upon this one by chance, but I'm big into all things ancient Persia so I snagged a copy and read the first bit. Those few pages were enough to hook me.
I can't recommend this book enough. The only reason it took me so long to read is that I was honestly trying to draw it out as long as I could! I'd happily read five more books on these characters, especially my darling Danesh. The plot was pacey, the characters were well-rounded, the world felt lush and real, and Peni's wit impressed me time and time again. Quite honestly, I've read about 40 books this year, and this is in my top 5!
Do yourself a favor and pick up this fantasy-action tale today. You won't be disappointed!

[Kate Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Song of Solomon meets Sherlock Holmes meets Aladdin meets Indiana Jones. That may sound like a bit of a strange mix, but there was a probably a time when people thought salt and caramel didn't mix. Honestly, I already knew I was going to read Stella's book as soon as it came out, and didn't bother to read the jacket blurb first so I had no idea what to expect. I was quite surprised to find an 8th Century female detective heroine, forced to hide her remarkable talents for fear of being stoned as a witch. Stella built a beautiful world here, complete with rich color and detail involving the ancient traditions and lore of multiple religions. We get a close look at the societal and economic inequalities women faced from the perspective of a heroine not taken seriously or allowed to be her full self, forced into an arranged marriage by her father's second wife in a polygamous marriage, as well as discussions of ableism, integrity, and loyalty... plus Jinn! Magic! Treasure hunts across the Persian empire! It had an entirely different feel to her other works, yet I remain a devoted Stella Dorthwany fan.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an imaginative and creative book! I absolutely loved it. Gave me a new appreciation for biblical history, and I loved how the author weaves in fantasy elements as well. Brilliant!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how it is when you've loved a few books by a certain author and they're all in the same series or are generally the same style. And then the author comes out with a new book. It's in a totally different world with new characters and you genuinely don't know what to expect, but you know you want to read it because of who wrote it. That's how I felt when I heard about Song and Flame.

If you've read Stella Dorthwany's Legendary Magic series, you'll know that they're full of adventure and political intrigue and ridiculously attractive people running around doing their best to save the world. Song and Flame has a lot of the same things but the tone is different. This is partly due to the setting — and I don't mean the location because it's a desert, same as much of Legendary Magic, but the historical period. When I started reading I thought it might be historical fiction. Before long fantasy elements came into play, but the fact that there's still a general historical backdrop of the Persian Empire is awesome, even if it isn't meticulously researched or the main focus of the novel. It adds a hint of realness that makes the story all the more intriguing.

Peninnah, the main character, bears some resemblance to Sherlock Holmes. In the first chapter, a crowd at the market accuses her of being a witch and attacks her with murderous intent. She's very perceptive and skilled at observing and analyzing details; consequently, she knows too much and her neighbors blame it on witchcraft. Fortunately a young Persian nobleman named Danesh just happens to be traveling through the area and when he witnesses the disturbance he steps in to put a stop to it. Peninnah survives and then proceeds to meet a jinni, and go undercover, and save the world by decoding love poetry! Fiction is a wonderful thing my friends.

Some books (especially in the fantasy genre) are packed full of awful characters and the hero is only a hero because he or she is slightly less awful then the average individual. Song and Flame provides a welcome contrast with one of the nicest cast of characters I've ever encountered in fantasy. Excepting the villains, the characters are all general kind-hearted, well-meaning people who sometimes make bad choices. It's refreshing to read about characters I'd actually like and admire in real life!

I don't have much to complain about, mainly because the characters are intelligent humans who don't do stupid things as a matter of course. One thing bothered me, namely the love triangle. It wasn't terrible, but I was completely unnecessary to the plot. The relationship would have been more interesting and satisfying for me if it had remained platonic on both sides.

Writing style is important to me and I like Stella Dorthwany's because it's simple and elegant. The prose never overpowers the plot or characterization. It fits the story well.

Anyway, do yourself a favor and pick this up if you enjoy clever main characters, vivid settings, and light historical fantasy. This books is a real gem of indie publishing and it deserves more recognition! So go recognize it. You're welcome.

*I received an ARC from the author. A review, positive or otherwise, was not required.*

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - a fast-paced historical fantasy adventure quest set in the Middle East that was everything a YA novel should be

The first couple chapters do seem to follow the standard YA fantasy plot... Peni is a talented teen girl, at a family dinner she finds that a marriage has been arranged for her with a local lecher, she discovers magic exists and runs away from home to pursue a quest.

Except, Peni is a Samaritan Jew and her talent isn't magic or swordplay, it's her Sherlockian set of observational skills and wits. This talent earns her fear and prejudice rather than accolades in her superstitious community. When a jinn reveals himself to her, she learns about the People of the Air (as they call themselves) and begins on a quest to recover Solomon's ring and prevent the jinn from taking over the earth.

Along the way, she faces a number of challenges including various enemies, the riddles of the quest, and the harsh desert environment, which she solves with her wits and with the help of friends she gains along the way.

One way this book stands out from traditional YA fare is the richly described Middle Eastern setting, including ancient Samaritan and Persian peoples; much detail of the faith of the Jewish people, especially involving Solomon and Song of Songs, but also Abraham, King David, and more; and the fantastical world of the jinn.

The other refreshing characteristic of this book is that Peni does not gain any new magical powers, she has to learn how to use her strengths and work together with her friends to overcome obstacles. All of the characters grow throughout this novel, but Peni most of all, as she grows in understanding of herself, and the truth of the people and world around her. There was some romance in the story, but it was understated and definitely a side plot, not a main focus.

The plot was fast-paced, you jumped in on some action and the pace never slowed for too long throughout the novel. The writing was well-done, with a good balance between action, description, and providing information.

There were some minor quibbles, one being the already mentioned fairly typical YA fantasy plot, but there easily were plenty novel elements to the story that it felt fresh to me. There also were a few places along the way where perhaps things fell into place rather conveniently, but that could just as easily be explained within the story as divine assistance for Peni's quest.

5/5, highly recommend this refreshing, fast-paced YA fantasy adventure

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a fun and interesting read with truly beautiful themes, coming across as well-researched and portraying the several cultures presented in the book in a plausible way. The latter comes across through things ranging from the male lead's Persian cultural values to details like when the narrator's outfit gets dirty and has to be washed, she has to put it on again right away and sit in the sun until it dries--because of course she wasn't traveling with multiple sets of clothing. Following the narrator as she solved the riddles and puzzles presented to her was enjoyable, I was delighted by the premise of puzzle/riddle-solving centering around the Song of Solomon, and I deeply sympathized with Danesh and his struggles of feeling unworthy and less than whole because of his disability (and the circumstances that led to it).

I only have a few nitpicks. One is that some of the puzzles were far too easy for me as a reader to see through--mainly the final riddle at the end (love), which I thought was extremely obvious to anyone either familiar with the Song of Solomon, or who grew up singing "His banner over me is love" in Sunday school, or both. Another nitpick is that despite the overall plausibility of the portrayal of the characters' culture, the narrator did have some moments of absurdly unjustified self confidence ("Here's a seemingly/nearly impossible task that I have to do. But I can definitely do it because I am awesome!") which seems to plague the female leads of almost every self-published book in the romance/fantasy genre.

In the end, though, my lingering impressions of this book are the author's skill in portraying cultures from a time and place very different from the 21st century Western world plausibly, which puts her head and shoulders above the majority of self-published authors, and also that I found this to be one of the most beautiful stories I have read in recent memory. That's not in terms of prose styling, but in the way the story was, in the end, so rich in themes of love (many kinds of love, not just romantic), sacrifice, reconciliation, and healing. Recommended.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful, lavish, and touching book that had me in tears more than once. Strongly recommended, though romantic elements and the key role played by the Song of Solomon likely make it more appropriate for older teens. There is nothing sexually graphic.

In the same way that C.S. Lewis’s Narnia explores the question, “What might happen if God were God and there were such a thing as other worlds?” and his Space Trilogy explores the question, “What might happen if God were God and there were life on other planets in our solar system?”, Dorthwany’s Song and Flame explores the question, “What might happen if God were God and there were other sentient beings, of air and flame, of whom we spent most our lives unaware?” And what if God had entrusted to Israel’s wisest king a tool with which to keep their power in check?

The answer is a gorgeous, sprawling romp across the Persian Empire that reads like a delightful mashup of Sherlock Holmes, Indiana Jones, and Arabian Nights. And along with the adventure, the author weaves in some beautiful themes about the nature of love - romantic, platonic, and self-sacrificial.

Solomon’s Song of Songs is woven throughout the story, both as Scripture and as clues to the quest, in really a masterful and intriguing way. I think this book brought that part of Scripture to life for me as I’ve never thought of it before.

Some violence and a little gore, particularly in one scene early on, but nothing too graphic. Lots of true principles here illuminated in powerful ways. Just a gem of a book! Fun and beautiful.

Thank you to PhoenixCrate for including this in one of my boxes!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written historical fantasy with a slow burn romance that snared me and wouldn't let me go. There are a lot of puzzle pieces to juggle here, multiple well-developed characters, a mystery to be solved, riddles, trips to other worlds, deceptions, confessions, not to mention opposites falling for each other. Oh yeah and eunuchs, of all things. But in spite of the seeming disparity of some of these pieces, Dorthwany skillfully weaves them together much like someone living at the time of her indomitable main character Peni, would craft a beautifully woven rug.

The historical elements are just well-researched enough that you find yourself never questioning authenticity, but are not overly described. The imagery in this book, and in fact, the writing itself is gorgeous. The metaphors recall the best language of the Bible and take great inspiration from the Good Book as well. At the same time, you won't find ham-handed preachiness here, although lessons are learned and characters grow.

I will say, there were times I wished this was longer or part of a series, in particular because I felt Leah could have used more time in the spotlight. There was a part when I got mad at her exclusion, but without giving anything away, that was rectified pretty swiftly and believably. And major bonus points for having not only two main female characters with names who talk to each other about things other than men (hooray, Bechdel test), but having them form a solid friendship as well.

All in all, an excellent story and full of magic that would rival any djinn.

[E.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Indiana Jones were a woman living in the Persian Empire whose mind worked like Sherlock Holmes ... you know what, this comparison is getting too complicated. Magic, history, puzzles, poetry, adventure, courage, friendship, faith, and romance, this story has it all. As with Dorthwany's other books, I love her characters and the relationships they form with each other, and the world-building is impressive as always. Dorthwany is one of those authors who is an automatic-buy for me, and her stories never disappoint.

[Naticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I loved this story. A quest with puzzles to solve, full of noblebright characters who try to do the right thing, but still make mistakes and learn from them - and what a setting! I think it helped that I am currently reading The Histories, which meant I had additional context for this book, which is set in Israel during the Persian Empire.

Overall, a delightful story that I will hold on to for a re-read.

[Sherri Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 2 or 3 days. Great heroine! I loved that she used her mind to problem solve. I enjoyed the references from Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon! And throw in good vs evil jinn, a quest and true love. Whew! I am looking forward to reading more from this author

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song and Flame was such an enjoyable read! The historical aspects are engaging and well-researched, and the fantastical elements are thrilling. The characters are robust and relatable. I especially appreciated the overarching themes of love and sacrifice, which are beautifully woven and perfected throughout. I look forward to reading more from this author!

[Jolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, action packed tale

The characters were well written and interesting and there was plenty of action. I did not like the fantastical elements where they departed from the Biblical account however.

[Calee Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

This was a very enjoyable book! Well written, good pacing and characterization. It was a pick for our book club and I’m glad I had the chance to check it out.

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is unlike ANYTHING that I've ever read before and I'm certainly not going to be forgetting it anytime soon.

[Catherine Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mix of Arabic magic and Jewish belief, with a dash of Indiana Jones thrown in. Penninah, Danesh and Fadi are all trying to find Solomon's hidden treasure in a race before others find it, with the fate of humanity lying in the balance.

[Constance Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story seeped in poetry and sizzling jinni magic and wisdom

The things I liked: the slow burn romance. The descriptions. The characters, the world, the clever use of the poetry and riddles. Peninnah being like Sherlock Holmes was pretty great.

The way the stories wove into this story(the moments when the stories did feel fully relevant to the plot) were really cool.