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The Singer of Terandria #1
Gravesong
Actor, singer... necromancer?
All the world's a stage... even when you're teleported to a new world. Struggling actress Cara O'Sullivan is walking down the streets of Galway one moment, and the next she's in an ancient tomb in a faraway world. Alone in the dark, with her cellphone as her last tenuous connection to home, Cara sings her favorite song. To her astonishment, her song casts a spell of light into the world... and from the depths, something hears her.
Challenged by a ghostly knight, a tragic necromancer, and hordes of undead, can a young woman who doesn't believe in heroes become one herself?
All the world's a stage... even when you're teleported to a new world. Struggling actress Cara O'Sullivan is walking down the streets of Galway one moment, and the next she's in an ancient tomb in a faraway world. Alone in the dark, with her cellphone as her last tenuous connection to home, Cara sings her favorite song. To her astonishment, her song casts a spell of light into the world... and from the depths, something hears her.
Challenged by a ghostly knight, a tragic necromancer, and hordes of undead, can a young woman who doesn't believe in heroes become one herself?
560 pages, ebook
Published December 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
May 2, 2024
Love the Innverse soooooo much. Even though I missed Erin it was really nice getting to know Cara and Terandria in general. I listened to the audiobook and Andrea Parsneau KILLED the performance. Including singing multiple songs acapela in character voices. AMAZING can’t wait for more.
February 10, 2023
This standalone side-story novel from the world's most prolific web novelist was a really enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the plot, and as a longtime fan of the setting it really landed for me. I absolutely adored the focus of the story. There was even a surprise near the end that made me cry a bit.
I only have two caveats for this book: Firstly, I'm not sure it includes quite enough introductory information and context for people who haven't read "The Wandering Inn." I suspect that some of the novel concepts it introduces are a little underdeveloped in this (relatively narrow) version of the setting. Secondly, the books is currently only available through the Yonder app, which has serialized it into teeny tiny portions and parcels them out once a day.
I only have two caveats for this book: Firstly, I'm not sure it includes quite enough introductory information and context for people who haven't read "The Wandering Inn." I suspect that some of the novel concepts it introduces are a little underdeveloped in this (relatively narrow) version of the setting. Secondly, the books is currently only available through the Yonder app, which has serialized it into teeny tiny portions and parcels them out once a day.
May 15, 2024
Great start, slow middle, awesome finish.
Main character ends up in a good spot by the end, but there were some issues during the middle parts that.
Main character ends up in a good spot by the end, but there were some issues during the middle parts that.
September 11, 2024
The singing just didn't work for me. So many characters in this series are so irrational. The main character in this one was grating.
May 3, 2024
I’m always being told my expectations are too high to be realistic…they paled in comparison to the beauty that is this book! The songs alone!!! 😭❤️
May 30, 2025
RTC - Not as good as the main series (weakest in the whole Wandering Inn from my view), but still containsd some interesting revelations and how it affects the main saga. The second half kicks the book into gear in a very interesting direction. I'm more curious about the future books and the events hinted at in Vol. 6 of the TWI. I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction, but more an extention to the main saga.
August 12, 2024
A standalone in the Wandering Inn world. Worth the listen!!! 👍🙂
December 9, 2024
I really like the way the undead in Noelictus are portrayed, and while the supporting characters are a bit too bland at times, I still care about them. Some of the song choices were a bit odd, but the audiobook narrator (Andrea Parsneau) sang them well. I like Cara (although her name keeps changing at the end of the book, which is a bit frustrating when it happens repeatedly in the same paragraph!). Cara is funny and I like her accent, but she is also very annoying at times. I dislike the way Cara's internal struggles are handled in the story. Especially in later chapters, like chapter 16, when Cara talks to Ser Dalius - the final scene is pretty good, but her speech falls flat, and I can't believe the knight was convinced either. It all feels a bit rushed, and the emotional struggles aren't as relatable as they could have been. But I enjoyed the story anyway.
April 24, 2025
I love this series.
This is really the first book that begins with a conscious person arriving…in an endless tomb, with a hungry or confused guardian. She does make it out of the tomb which is when all the trouble is unleashed. Necromancers, you hate them and yet here comes one.
Cara levels up throughout the book. The magic system is rooted in dnd play. Nothing to hate here except that I have to wait for the second part of the tale.
This is really the first book that begins with a conscious person arriving…in an endless tomb, with a hungry or confused guardian. She does make it out of the tomb which is when all the trouble is unleashed. Necromancers, you hate them and yet here comes one.
Cara levels up throughout the book. The magic system is rooted in dnd play. Nothing to hate here except that I have to wait for the second part of the tale.
September 23, 2025
Looking forward to more!
Darn Pirateaba made me cry at work again near the end. Be prepared!
Darn Pirateaba made me cry at work again near the end. Be prepared!
May 14, 2025
There are some really good parts and pretty bad parts about this book. This is a spinoff series from the Wandering Inn. I have not read it but was told it was fine to read this book without knowing anything about the Wandering Inn. I do agree, the book does a good job giving you enough information about the world and you never feel like you lacked information to make sense of things.
Overall, I think the book is a solid 2.5/5 with good audiobook quality. The singing were impressive and I can not imagine reading this book with all the songs in it.
Let's start with the bad:
The book starts out very slowly. Almost too slow. The MC spends way too much time trap in the tomb making little to no progress. To add to this, the MC is insufferable as a character. The best way to describe her is to compare her to a vegan that makes being a vegan her entire personality and will openly judge and criticize anyone that's not a vegan. I was ready to give up on this book entirely because of how annoying the MC was. The MC complains a lot about unfairness and selfishness but her own selfishness is the reason all the problems in this book happened. The author does try to spin it a little but in reality, its hard to not blame the MC for the entire mess.
There was parts of the book where the decision making of characters just seem... off. Quite a lot of these are by the MC. She's a fully grown adult but makes a lot of decisions that felt a lot more like decision making of a spoiled teenager (maybe that's just her personality?).
Now for the good:
The book is saved by all the supporting characters. The side characters all have rich and interesting stories/background. Many of them grow as characters or at least have more of their personality shown through their actions during the story. The author gives them enough character for you to care about the side characters.
I thought the litRPG elements were handled in a very interesting way. The system is designed in a way where traditional "grinding" is not an effective way to level up and so levels are more balanced. So you don't stumble into god killing level characters. Everything still feels like a regular fantasy with levels and skills, sometimes you almost forget it has litRPG elements.
Overall, I think the book is a solid 2.5/5 with good audiobook quality. The singing were impressive and I can not imagine reading this book with all the songs in it.
Let's start with the bad:
The book starts out very slowly. Almost too slow. The MC spends way too much time trap in the tomb making little to no progress. To add to this, the MC is insufferable as a character. The best way to describe her is to compare her to a vegan that makes being a vegan her entire personality and will openly judge and criticize anyone that's not a vegan. I was ready to give up on this book entirely because of how annoying the MC was. The MC complains a lot about unfairness and selfishness but her own selfishness is the reason all the problems in this book happened. The author does try to spin it a little but in reality, its hard to not blame the MC for the entire mess.
There was parts of the book where the decision making of characters just seem... off. Quite a lot of these are by the MC. She's a fully grown adult but makes a lot of decisions that felt a lot more like decision making of a spoiled teenager (maybe that's just her personality?).
Now for the good:
The book is saved by all the supporting characters. The side characters all have rich and interesting stories/background. Many of them grow as characters or at least have more of their personality shown through their actions during the story. The author gives them enough character for you to care about the side characters.
I thought the litRPG elements were handled in a very interesting way. The system is designed in a way where traditional "grinding" is not an effective way to level up and so levels are more balanced. So you don't stumble into god killing level characters. Everything still feels like a regular fantasy with levels and skills, sometimes you almost forget it has litRPG elements.
February 5, 2022
Just finished reading the first version of the book, and it's really interesting to see a story in the Innverse in a more standard novel-ish editing. I will always enjoy the slice of life feeling of the wandering Inn, but it's also good to see the author trying out different styles in the same universe.
Only bad thing is that after 7 volumes of the Wanderinn Inn, I feel now spoiled in regards to the number of pages in a book...
Not sure if the book will change much from this first edited version I've read, but right now it looks really good.
Only bad thing is that after 7 volumes of the Wanderinn Inn, I feel now spoiled in regards to the number of pages in a book...
Not sure if the book will change much from this first edited version I've read, but right now it looks really good.
April 14, 2025
I didn't like that it was mainly told from the perspective of the isekai and yet the author kept withholding information about her. Also I hated the kids and how indulgent she was with them when their brattiness most closely represented the very thing she hated.
The world was cool though, especially the relationship the people had with the dead. And I appreciated that the isekai character kept stumbling on the my culture is superior, oops, I just don't understand what things are like here and now I look dumb problem. Very realistic and under-used in isekai.
The world was cool though, especially the relationship the people had with the dead. And I appreciated that the isekai character kept stumbling on the my culture is superior, oops, I just don't understand what things are like here and now I look dumb problem. Very realistic and under-used in isekai.
June 14, 2024
Well written and great story except the main character is the most annoying character I've ever read about. I stopped reading and read a different book at several points just because I couldn't be bothered with the main character for a while. She's just annoying and stupid.
May 4, 2024
Gravesong is a story about a young woman who falls into another world, meets a ghost knight, kills a cute rabbit, sings magical songs, and survives a horde of murderous undead sent to eradicate every living thing from the face of the world. It’s a fantasy tale of magic and adventure, music and action.
Gravesong is also a tale of trust, of questioning authority, and of how a single person really can make a difference.
Does your worldview stand up to a world where the facts of ours no longer apply?
What happens to notions of fairness and justice when people are not created equal?
How do you handle it when no one else recognises the truths you take for granted?
The book doesn’t try to answer these questions, and really, it’s much more of a fantasy adventure than any kind of ponderous treatise, but the questions are there, and they’re probably what I’ll remember most from the book.
Then again…
The illusory piano that plays real music is pretty cool. Surviving for days in an underground crypt on roots and mice brought by a ghost has got to be a challenge. Songs that conjure rain, fire, and light are things I can only dream of experiencing myself.
Another thing that stands out to me is the importance of music in this book. Music is a big deal to me (I used to be DJ, and finding the right songs for the right moment is still something I greatly enjoy), and it’s fascinating to read a fantasy story that incorporates modern day music in the way Gravesong does.
Cara, the main character, is an aspiring actress and singer, and one of the few things she brings into the new world she’s thrown into is her phone. Her phone is where she keeps her music, and with her passion for performing, she has a lot of instrumentals and karaoke versions to sing over.
I’d heard that the audiobook narrator would be singing some of the vocal bits, and I was concerned it would be a bit cringe, but to my relief it worked out really well. The narration is top notch, and the songs definitely enhance the experience.
Although, I have to admit, I’m a little bit disappointed I’d never heard any of the songs myself before this.
There’s also a song specifically written for the book (I believe) and performed by the narrator available on Spotify, here: https://spotify.link/RiwTIwNWjJb
Readers familiar with the author will perhaps wonder how Gravesong compares to The Wandering Inn. It’s something I wondered about myself. After all, both stories takes place in the same fantasy world and at the same time, and there’s definitely an overlap.
The short of it is that Gravesong is more of the same, and if you enjoy TWI, you’ll enjoy Gravesong as well.
The more nuanced answer is that there are both similarities and differences. The author resists the temptation to name drop important characters from the other book, and there’s really only one name of significance that keeps popping up. At the same time, the world is familiar and recognisable, and anyone who’s read TWI will recognise the names of nations, continents, and political figures.
The mechanics of classes and levels are the same, of course, and there are many other familiar concepts.
The events surrounding Cara’s appearance in Noelictus are only hinted at in TWI, and it’s interesting to see what actually happened there. We even get to know Cara’s real name.
Another major difference compared to TWI is that Gravesong is written as a novel, while The Wandering Inn is published as a web-serial. Gravesong has a clearly defined main plot, with an introduction to the world and its characters, an escalation of complications, and a satisfying climax. It’s supposed to be a series, but the book stands well enough on its own, and it does not end on a cliffhanger.
You don’t need to be familiar with TWI to enjoy Gravesong, and I might even go so far as to say that Gravesong is a better introduction to Innworld than the first book of The Wandering Inn itself.
What I’ll whine about
I mentioned it earlier, and it’s not technically a non-issue, but it really annoyed me that I didn’t recognise any of the songs in the book. It probably says more about me than the story.
Another thing that gets on my nerves, both with Gravesong and The Wandering Inn, is how the main characters just seem to apply their own morals and values to this new world they find themselves in. This is probably perfectly natural and realistic, and I might very well do the same if I ended up in a fantasy world like that, but it still makes me curse them for idiots when I read it.
What I’ll gush about
It’s a new Innworld story of its own. I keep recommending TWI to reader friends, but as soon as they realise the series is in excess of 12 million words and still going strong, they’re a little reluctant to get started.
Cara O’Sullivan is one of the more interesting peripheral characters of TWI, and her story is a great introduction to the world and the adventures taking place there.
The story itself. Obviously, I’m already a fan of TWI, but even then, this is great story in its own right. It’s the kind of easily accessible fantasy action adventure that lets you escape the real world for its entire duration. I listened to it over the last few days and pretty much only emerged for sleep and work.
Yet, despite me saying this is easily accessible, there’s still a certain depth to it. It’s not all just dancing lights, undead cows, and brave yet humorously incompetent knights. The story gets you thinking, or pondering, the kind of idle musings that keeps the mind entertained and distracted long after the story itself has ended.
Final Words
Regardless of whether you’re familiar with The Wandering Inn or not, this is a great introduction to a world of magic and adventure.
Gravesong is also a tale of trust, of questioning authority, and of how a single person really can make a difference.
Does your worldview stand up to a world where the facts of ours no longer apply?
What happens to notions of fairness and justice when people are not created equal?
How do you handle it when no one else recognises the truths you take for granted?
The book doesn’t try to answer these questions, and really, it’s much more of a fantasy adventure than any kind of ponderous treatise, but the questions are there, and they’re probably what I’ll remember most from the book.
Then again…
The illusory piano that plays real music is pretty cool. Surviving for days in an underground crypt on roots and mice brought by a ghost has got to be a challenge. Songs that conjure rain, fire, and light are things I can only dream of experiencing myself.
Another thing that stands out to me is the importance of music in this book. Music is a big deal to me (I used to be DJ, and finding the right songs for the right moment is still something I greatly enjoy), and it’s fascinating to read a fantasy story that incorporates modern day music in the way Gravesong does.
Cara, the main character, is an aspiring actress and singer, and one of the few things she brings into the new world she’s thrown into is her phone. Her phone is where she keeps her music, and with her passion for performing, she has a lot of instrumentals and karaoke versions to sing over.
I’d heard that the audiobook narrator would be singing some of the vocal bits, and I was concerned it would be a bit cringe, but to my relief it worked out really well. The narration is top notch, and the songs definitely enhance the experience.
Although, I have to admit, I’m a little bit disappointed I’d never heard any of the songs myself before this.
There’s also a song specifically written for the book (I believe) and performed by the narrator available on Spotify, here: https://spotify.link/RiwTIwNWjJb
Readers familiar with the author will perhaps wonder how Gravesong compares to The Wandering Inn. It’s something I wondered about myself. After all, both stories takes place in the same fantasy world and at the same time, and there’s definitely an overlap.
The short of it is that Gravesong is more of the same, and if you enjoy TWI, you’ll enjoy Gravesong as well.
The more nuanced answer is that there are both similarities and differences. The author resists the temptation to name drop important characters from the other book, and there’s really only one name of significance that keeps popping up. At the same time, the world is familiar and recognisable, and anyone who’s read TWI will recognise the names of nations, continents, and political figures.
The mechanics of classes and levels are the same, of course, and there are many other familiar concepts.
The events surrounding Cara’s appearance in Noelictus are only hinted at in TWI, and it’s interesting to see what actually happened there. We even get to know Cara’s real name.
Another major difference compared to TWI is that Gravesong is written as a novel, while The Wandering Inn is published as a web-serial. Gravesong has a clearly defined main plot, with an introduction to the world and its characters, an escalation of complications, and a satisfying climax. It’s supposed to be a series, but the book stands well enough on its own, and it does not end on a cliffhanger.
You don’t need to be familiar with TWI to enjoy Gravesong, and I might even go so far as to say that Gravesong is a better introduction to Innworld than the first book of The Wandering Inn itself.
What I’ll whine about
I mentioned it earlier, and it’s not technically a non-issue, but it really annoyed me that I didn’t recognise any of the songs in the book. It probably says more about me than the story.
Another thing that gets on my nerves, both with Gravesong and The Wandering Inn, is how the main characters just seem to apply their own morals and values to this new world they find themselves in. This is probably perfectly natural and realistic, and I might very well do the same if I ended up in a fantasy world like that, but it still makes me curse them for idiots when I read it.
What I’ll gush about
It’s a new Innworld story of its own. I keep recommending TWI to reader friends, but as soon as they realise the series is in excess of 12 million words and still going strong, they’re a little reluctant to get started.
Cara O’Sullivan is one of the more interesting peripheral characters of TWI, and her story is a great introduction to the world and the adventures taking place there.
The story itself. Obviously, I’m already a fan of TWI, but even then, this is great story in its own right. It’s the kind of easily accessible fantasy action adventure that lets you escape the real world for its entire duration. I listened to it over the last few days and pretty much only emerged for sleep and work.
Yet, despite me saying this is easily accessible, there’s still a certain depth to it. It’s not all just dancing lights, undead cows, and brave yet humorously incompetent knights. The story gets you thinking, or pondering, the kind of idle musings that keeps the mind entertained and distracted long after the story itself has ended.
Final Words
Regardless of whether you’re familiar with The Wandering Inn or not, this is a great introduction to a world of magic and adventure.
June 30, 2024
I'm not going to lie... Between the premise and bizarre way it was originally released I didn't have much interest despite The Wandering Inn being my favorite series. I can't even express how glad I am though that I gave it a chance after it's audiobook released.
The story itself really shows how pirateaba has grown as an author since TWI was first released or at least how the difference in release structure affected the pace. It has everything I love so much in TWI but felt much more focused. As a standalone novel I feel it did an excellent job of having a self contained plot while introducing new stuff to enhance the existing lore but also tell a compelling story on its own. Knowing how many people bounce off of the first TWI book I have a feeling this would certainly be a better introduction for some. Pirateaba goes out of their way to include various links to existing characters too which is a nice touch.
In particular the world building was so wonderful and interesting as always but was largely limited to Noelictus and it's rich history and somber culture. I'm biased considering how much it suited my personal tastes but it's without a doubt my favorite part of the world thus far. The prose really brings the scenes to life and I have some vivid memories of many of them I'll recall fondly. Violetta playing her cello as the village tends to the gloomy fields, the impossible expanse of the abyssal Tomb of Afiele lit only by Ser Dalius' pale glow and the lights of music, Sasi and Culin dancing in joy as Cara performs otherworldly music...
There's a wide cast of characters as usual with various POVs. Most are likeable and they're well written, with the main character having a particular depth not normally found. She's not my favorite but she's definitely unique and interesting.
As always Andrea Parsneau brings the entire cast to life like no other, but this time considering the nature of the story her singing really adds a lot.
Overall I can't recommend the book enough. For the story, the world, and everything else. The Wandering Inn was already my favorite series of all time but this really just cements it further as being unparalleled. It's quite different and yet shares all the best elements of its main series. I love this series and I love pirateaba for making it.
The story itself really shows how pirateaba has grown as an author since TWI was first released or at least how the difference in release structure affected the pace. It has everything I love so much in TWI but felt much more focused. As a standalone novel I feel it did an excellent job of having a self contained plot while introducing new stuff to enhance the existing lore but also tell a compelling story on its own. Knowing how many people bounce off of the first TWI book I have a feeling this would certainly be a better introduction for some. Pirateaba goes out of their way to include various links to existing characters too which is a nice touch.
In particular the world building was so wonderful and interesting as always but was largely limited to Noelictus and it's rich history and somber culture. I'm biased considering how much it suited my personal tastes but it's without a doubt my favorite part of the world thus far. The prose really brings the scenes to life and I have some vivid memories of many of them I'll recall fondly. Violetta playing her cello as the village tends to the gloomy fields, the impossible expanse of the abyssal Tomb of Afiele lit only by Ser Dalius' pale glow and the lights of music, Sasi and Culin dancing in joy as Cara performs otherworldly music...
There's a wide cast of characters as usual with various POVs. Most are likeable and they're well written, with the main character having a particular depth not normally found. She's not my favorite but she's definitely unique and interesting.
As always Andrea Parsneau brings the entire cast to life like no other, but this time considering the nature of the story her singing really adds a lot.
Overall I can't recommend the book enough. For the story, the world, and everything else. The Wandering Inn was already my favorite series of all time but this really just cements it further as being unparalleled. It's quite different and yet shares all the best elements of its main series. I love this series and I love pirateaba for making it.
August 8, 2024
Not quite as good as the main Wandering Inn series, but I think that's largely because this was so much shorter that it's hard to get a complex characterization of Cara. I enjoyed it the whole way through, getting a little bit bored in the long battle sequence, but glad some old friends rejoined at the end of the novel. Really glad I read this via audiobook, FANTASTIC narrator, especially with all the singing parts!!
November 6, 2025
This book gave me a lot of nostalgia. It's like reading again the first part of The Wandering Inn series with better writting. Yeah, is a lot different, the slice of life It's nowhere and I like more the final part of the original series but It's still a very good one.
A lot of reviews said that the second one of this spinn-off is the best of the three. I have a lot of hype for It :3
A lot of reviews said that the second one of this spinn-off is the best of the three. I have a lot of hype for It :3
January 5, 2025
The narration was excellent. I felt like the tone wasn't consistent. Gruesome and at times bloody. It missed some emotional beats. But it was entertaining.
November 13, 2025
RTC - a fine entry in the TWI franchise. Not more than that I fear; at least so far. I'm pretty sure that pirate will shine in her primary-discipline which is long-term-storytelling. High hopes for books 2 & 3 in this sub-series since the setup is really really fun!
July 2, 2024
Wow wow wow, silent tears...
January 25, 2025
DR
Set in the same universe as the masterpiece web series "The Wandering Inn" (wanderinginn dot com) , "Gravesong" follows the Singer of Terrandria, Sara, as she arrives in the innworld. Having have found her in an empty crypt that stretches for miles upon miles, protagonist does what she can to survive. Each action has it's own counteraction, reaction, and as more and more unknown at the time reactions from the other people, forces in the Innworld mount up a disaster in the making moves from bad to worse.
For audiobook readers/listeners, "Gravesong" mostly has previously unknown characters and setting, taking place in Terrandria a whole previously little mentioned continent. For web series readers/listeners, that are up to date 10.30, "Gravesong" gives history and depth to fellow characters to who have been introduced to readers for a while now and whose life readers have been following for a while now, mostly through Rabbiteater's adventure. "Gravesong" can be viewed in part as a separate entry to the Innworld, reminding one of the first chapters of "The Wandering Inn", Erin having just arrived on the Floodplains outside the Liscor, Laken and his quiche in Riverfarm, Ryoka stumbling into people's lives.
Cara's personality is quite unlikable. When around "people in power" and receiving "orders" from them Cara acts like a brat, moments later in the book, she gives orders to others and expects them to be obeyed. Her style of discussion when being engaged in such, to prove her stubborn and facetious position is extremely aggressive, confrontational if not outright ad hominem. The premise of democracy is that all people are equal under the law, in the Innworld classes literally make this point null. Cara's lack of knowledge of said fact is understandable, her having just arrived in the Innworld and all, but one can imagine having issues sympathizing with her position, when she takes a stand against meritocracy without providing any sound proof, fact or reason for it. Hard to decide between a brat or a prat.
Conclusion: 3/5. Listened on Audible 1 credit. Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau. If you have not finished "The Wandering Inn" audiobooks and web series, that's where you should start. If you have finished TWI, "Gravesong" is like Cara chapters and Cara is like Ryoka without lusting for immortals (yet), but with all the mental issues and trauma, if different, as Ryoka. Unlikable main protagonist, maybe on purpose, then kudos to the author, and mesmerizing and immersive literary fantasy world. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 3.00 $/hour ( 59.99$ / 19 hrs 58 mins ).
Heads up to new TWI listeners, didn't know this at the time of the purchase for the audiobooks, but original text can be found online (wanderinginn dot com) and the original work is ahead of the available on US Audible audiobook recordings. On an unrelated note, Audify is an excellent read aloud web browser for mobile.
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hou
Set in the same universe as the masterpiece web series "The Wandering Inn" (wanderinginn dot com) , "Gravesong" follows the Singer of Terrandria, Sara, as she arrives in the innworld. Having have found her in an empty crypt that stretches for miles upon miles, protagonist does what she can to survive. Each action has it's own counteraction, reaction, and as more and more unknown at the time reactions from the other people, forces in the Innworld mount up a disaster in the making moves from bad to worse.
For audiobook readers/listeners, "Gravesong" mostly has previously unknown characters and setting, taking place in Terrandria a whole previously little mentioned continent. For web series readers/listeners, that are up to date 10.30, "Gravesong" gives history and depth to fellow characters to who have been introduced to readers for a while now and whose life readers have been following for a while now, mostly through Rabbiteater's adventure. "Gravesong" can be viewed in part as a separate entry to the Innworld, reminding one of the first chapters of "The Wandering Inn", Erin having just arrived on the Floodplains outside the Liscor, Laken and his quiche in Riverfarm, Ryoka stumbling into people's lives.
Cara's personality is quite unlikable. When around "people in power" and receiving "orders" from them Cara acts like a brat, moments later in the book, she gives orders to others and expects them to be obeyed. Her style of discussion when being engaged in such, to prove her stubborn and facetious position is extremely aggressive, confrontational if not outright ad hominem. The premise of democracy is that all people are equal under the law, in the Innworld classes literally make this point null. Cara's lack of knowledge of said fact is understandable, her having just arrived in the Innworld and all, but one can imagine having issues sympathizing with her position, when she takes a stand against meritocracy without providing any sound proof, fact or reason for it. Hard to decide between a brat or a prat.
Conclusion: 3/5. Listened on Audible 1 credit. Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau. If you have not finished "The Wandering Inn" audiobooks and web series, that's where you should start. If you have finished TWI, "Gravesong" is like Cara chapters and Cara is like Ryoka without lusting for immortals (yet), but with all the mental issues and trauma, if different, as Ryoka. Unlikable main protagonist, maybe on purpose, then kudos to the author, and mesmerizing and immersive literary fantasy world. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 3.00 $/hour ( 59.99$ / 19 hrs 58 mins ).
Heads up to new TWI listeners, didn't know this at the time of the purchase for the audiobooks, but original text can be found online (wanderinginn dot com) and the original work is ahead of the available on US Audible audiobook recordings. On an unrelated note, Audify is an excellent read aloud web browser for mobile.
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hou
May 8, 2025
I really wanted to love Gravesong. Pirateaba’s world is vivid and original, and there are moments where the story really shines—especially when it leans into emotional beats or surprising bits of lore. The concept is strong, and I could tell a lot of care went into building this world.
But I also found it a tough read at times. Some sections felt overly long or meandering, like the story kept getting lost in its own thoughts. It’s not that the writing is bad—just that it often says in ten pages what could’ve been said in three. That really slowed things down for me.
I also struggled a bit with the main character. She’s smart and capable, but often comes across as judgmental, especially when dealing with people she doesn’t quite “get.” Instead of trying to understand them, she tends to look down on them, which made it harder for me to root for her.
There’s definitely a good story in Gravesong, and I think it will work better for readers who enjoy slower, introspective fantasy. I just wish it had been a little tighter—and a little kinder.
But I also found it a tough read at times. Some sections felt overly long or meandering, like the story kept getting lost in its own thoughts. It’s not that the writing is bad—just that it often says in ten pages what could’ve been said in three. That really slowed things down for me.
I also struggled a bit with the main character. She’s smart and capable, but often comes across as judgmental, especially when dealing with people she doesn’t quite “get.” Instead of trying to understand them, she tends to look down on them, which made it harder for me to root for her.
There’s definitely a good story in Gravesong, and I think it will work better for readers who enjoy slower, introspective fantasy. I just wish it had been a little tighter—and a little kinder.
February 18, 2025
Solid little side story to TWI, nothing crazy to rave about or complain about. Cara is a solid character, she’s got some trauma that guides her moral viewpoints on the upper class and people in power, which I’m sure justifies it but it can be annoying to read sometimes (think Ryoka from early TWI, but not quite that level). I like her dynamic with the world, the references to characters from the main story were cool, and I’m excited to see how she gets to the famed “Queen of Pop” level from the main story. Will keep reading, hopefully get a bit more detail and some more compelling plot lines in the next volume.
July 27, 2024
My first foray into the Innverse of Pirateaba. Some of the best world building in a fantasy book I have ever encountered with some great character work. The audiobook performance by Andrea Parsneau was phenomenal. I will he starting the Wandering Inn series very soon after being so impressed by this book.
April 17, 2026
The good:
▪️The beginning 10% of the story is interesting in concept.
The bad:
▪️She doesn’t understand how she ends up in this new world, but she almost never speculates on it or seems to even think about trying to go home. Or even who she left behind in the real world.
▪️I’m pretty much exclusively an audiobook listener but this one was awful. The singing is a hard listen.
▪️The main character is nonsensically insufferable. She protests calling a knight sir which is maybe understandable considering her anti classism stance, but then later “stumbles over the formal title” of MISTER.
▪️She clings to her phone, her attachment to it as the battery runs out is actually a part I like! It’s her connection to “her” world! But when it runs out of power, it’s literally never mentioned again. It’s strange to have it be a core tenet of her character and for it to just disappear from existence.
▪️The leveling system feels poorly thought out, random, and too passive to be interesting. It just happens to her. Maybe she gets a new skill to make her less boring or maybe she doesn’t. There’s no way to know. Or influence. Or choose.
▪️Why does Idelt tell Violetta to (essentially) shut up everytime she’s curious about this newcomer? It’s incessant. There’s a lot of repetition in this book like that that I don’t really understand. Including the number of times the main character is called by name, “Miss Cara!” “Miss Cara?” “Why, Miss Cara!”
▪️She immediately dislikes the hero (Lord Lantal) upon meeting him and immediately likes the villain (Feremont) upon meeting him. I don’t know if that was the author chuckling to themself about how funny that would be if her judgement is so bad, but it made me dislike an already difficult to like character.
▪️ Another moment that felt like the author laughing at their own joke was imagining medieval fantasy people being terrified of emojis. The idea is kind of chuckle-worthy, but then Idelt punches through it and breaks his hand and needs to get healed, the doctor sees it, the children and guards see it and have to react…even a drawn smiley face makes them uneasy. It’s-again-repetitive and needlessly drawn out.
▪️(True spoilers here) Her finally being useful in an attack she’s partially to blame for, then having a panic attack/meltdown about how no one should have that much power and how she’s just a singer and blah blah blah was so frustrating. It reminds me of when in fantasy novels (one in particular comes to mind) the character will be like, “but I’m so weak and not special! I just don’t understand how multiples boys could be obsessed with me and sacrifice everything for me and also I guess I’m also the first woman ever to do this even though I’m weak and tiny but also strong and so important. 👉🏻👈🏻” By this point in the story I deeply, deeply hated Cara so it’s possible I’m being overly critical of this moment in the plot.
▪️The argument scene in the bar about how there shouldn’t be a ruling class and how knights are enabled by privilege to get to their position etc was THIRTY FIVE MINUTES LONG. That’s a long time to talk about anything, but we’ve already established her feelings, feelings that are reiterated AGAIN right after this when she talks to the necromancer for the first time.
▪️The final battle felt lame, drawn out, and had what felt like needless casualties. By this part, to be fair, I’m half listening at 2X speed because I’m so checked out of caring about any of these people. So maybe there was something really cool or emotional or impactful that I missed, but based off the rest of the book, I’d guess not.
I rarely read bad books and I leave bad reviews even less often. But this is just awful in my opinion. I wish I hadn’t read it at all.
▪️The beginning 10% of the story is interesting in concept.
The bad:
▪️She doesn’t understand how she ends up in this new world, but she almost never speculates on it or seems to even think about trying to go home. Or even who she left behind in the real world.
▪️I’m pretty much exclusively an audiobook listener but this one was awful. The singing is a hard listen.
▪️The main character is nonsensically insufferable. She protests calling a knight sir which is maybe understandable considering her anti classism stance, but then later “stumbles over the formal title” of MISTER.
▪️She clings to her phone, her attachment to it as the battery runs out is actually a part I like! It’s her connection to “her” world! But when it runs out of power, it’s literally never mentioned again. It’s strange to have it be a core tenet of her character and for it to just disappear from existence.
▪️The leveling system feels poorly thought out, random, and too passive to be interesting. It just happens to her. Maybe she gets a new skill to make her less boring or maybe she doesn’t. There’s no way to know. Or influence. Or choose.
▪️Why does Idelt tell Violetta to (essentially) shut up everytime she’s curious about this newcomer? It’s incessant. There’s a lot of repetition in this book like that that I don’t really understand. Including the number of times the main character is called by name, “Miss Cara!” “Miss Cara?” “Why, Miss Cara!”
▪️She immediately dislikes the hero (Lord Lantal) upon meeting him and immediately likes the villain (Feremont) upon meeting him. I don’t know if that was the author chuckling to themself about how funny that would be if her judgement is so bad, but it made me dislike an already difficult to like character.
▪️ Another moment that felt like the author laughing at their own joke was imagining medieval fantasy people being terrified of emojis. The idea is kind of chuckle-worthy, but then Idelt punches through it and breaks his hand and needs to get healed, the doctor sees it, the children and guards see it and have to react…even a drawn smiley face makes them uneasy. It’s-again-repetitive and needlessly drawn out.
▪️(True spoilers here) Her finally being useful in an attack she’s partially to blame for, then having a panic attack/meltdown about how no one should have that much power and how she’s just a singer and blah blah blah was so frustrating. It reminds me of when in fantasy novels (one in particular comes to mind) the character will be like, “but I’m so weak and not special! I just don’t understand how multiples boys could be obsessed with me and sacrifice everything for me and also I guess I’m also the first woman ever to do this even though I’m weak and tiny but also strong and so important. 👉🏻👈🏻” By this point in the story I deeply, deeply hated Cara so it’s possible I’m being overly critical of this moment in the plot.
▪️The argument scene in the bar about how there shouldn’t be a ruling class and how knights are enabled by privilege to get to their position etc was THIRTY FIVE MINUTES LONG. That’s a long time to talk about anything, but we’ve already established her feelings, feelings that are reiterated AGAIN right after this when she talks to the necromancer for the first time.
▪️The final battle felt lame, drawn out, and had what felt like needless casualties. By this part, to be fair, I’m half listening at 2X speed because I’m so checked out of caring about any of these people. So maybe there was something really cool or emotional or impactful that I missed, but based off the rest of the book, I’d guess not.
I rarely read bad books and I leave bad reviews even less often. But this is just awful in my opinion. I wish I hadn’t read it at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
I have waited to finish up the last published book in the Wandering Inn series until the next is released in a couple of months. But I was itching for more in this world. I had previously seen Gravesong and thought it was a totally separate series until I noticed "Singer of Terandria" and made the connection (listening on Audible means I missed the obvious visual text). While I was immediately taken the way I was with TWI, this was still a lot of fun and stands on its own whether you are a TWI fan or new to the author's works.
I have been racking my brain trying to determine whether I had any recall on the geographic area or any of the characters. I could not find any. There are at least two people with close connections to two central characters in the main TWI series, however. And based on what these characters stated it is clear that we are in or around the same time as when the main series started.
While I understand aspects of what went into the decision, I am still uncertain why Pirateaba chose to make this a standalone series. With its genesis being a web-serial, and with tens of thousands of pages as a guide, Pireataba frequently pens more or less standalone stories from all the numerous characters in the world. Many of those side characters also share similar page count as this story, so I am not sure the ultimate reason. Suffice to say, while this is a really fun book, for those familiar with TWI, it is probably best to think of this as a culmination of all the pages from the King of Destruction, or Last Light, etc...
As with all of Pirateaba's works, the story here is simple (reasonably) yet the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our main character, Cara, harbors a dark secret. I have my suspicions of what it entails, but it has jaded her view of the world to the point that it holds her back from ever really trusting again or even accepting that she has power herself. After a long while in a limited environment, the story opens up and in usual fashion we quickly become invested in the people. This story's focus, due to the geography and the magics in the land, is on the undead. With a title like "Gravesong", that may have already been obvious. But there is so much humanity in these pages if one opens themselves up to the message, both the good and the bad.
As mentioned above, I can't say that this swept me away, but I don't think that would have been possible anymore. I was interested the whole time and devoured the pages. The next is already queued up and ready to go.
If you are a fan of TWI, I would still consider this a 'must read'. At worst, think of your least favorite story-line in TWI, and that may be how you feel here. Again, that is worst case scenario. At best, you may just find this tale as endearing as the main story.
I have been racking my brain trying to determine whether I had any recall on the geographic area or any of the characters. I could not find any. There are at least two people with close connections to two central characters in the main TWI series, however. And based on what these characters stated it is clear that we are in or around the same time as when the main series started.
While I understand aspects of what went into the decision, I am still uncertain why Pirateaba chose to make this a standalone series. With its genesis being a web-serial, and with tens of thousands of pages as a guide, Pireataba frequently pens more or less standalone stories from all the numerous characters in the world. Many of those side characters also share similar page count as this story, so I am not sure the ultimate reason. Suffice to say, while this is a really fun book, for those familiar with TWI, it is probably best to think of this as a culmination of all the pages from the King of Destruction, or Last Light, etc...
As with all of Pirateaba's works, the story here is simple (reasonably) yet the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our main character, Cara, harbors a dark secret. I have my suspicions of what it entails, but it has jaded her view of the world to the point that it holds her back from ever really trusting again or even accepting that she has power herself. After a long while in a limited environment, the story opens up and in usual fashion we quickly become invested in the people. This story's focus, due to the geography and the magics in the land, is on the undead. With a title like "Gravesong", that may have already been obvious. But there is so much humanity in these pages if one opens themselves up to the message, both the good and the bad.
As mentioned above, I can't say that this swept me away, but I don't think that would have been possible anymore. I was interested the whole time and devoured the pages. The next is already queued up and ready to go.
If you are a fan of TWI, I would still consider this a 'must read'. At worst, think of your least favorite story-line in TWI, and that may be how you feel here. Again, that is worst case scenario. At best, you may just find this tale as endearing as the main story.
September 28, 2025
DNF at 15%
I don’t remember who recommended this to me but I know it was called an epic fantasy. It probably is, especially if you read farther but I cannot stand the style of the prose. “The singer from Ireland” was so grating and repetitive. It’s very reminiscent of poorly written fanfic (I love fanfic) where they say “the redhead” instead of just using the characters’s name.
I listened to the audiobook and the constant singing was…unfortunate. I don’t know how much it cost to license all these songs but I know it’s not cheap, and it was a waste of money. We had Avicii and Disney in just the first 15%? Listen I know songs hold a lot of personal meaning and I’m not knocking that but if your book relies on the character singing a song for their development perhaps it’s not a good book. Once again, this is reminiscent of “songfic” in the fanfic world.
The world is blandddddd as far as I got and it didn’t seem to be getting better. A pitch black crypt with only mice? Gravemarkers with only names and levels?
I guess this is part of a larger fantasy series called The Wandering Inn but this is presented as a book you can read without knowing the context of the series. At this point I should not be so confused and bored. If I need to be in the dark as the reader (pun intended) then I should at least be intrigued.
I also found Cara to be eyeroll inducing. Her little rant on the phone as the opening introduction set a tone that she was going to be a pain in the ass. I’m as leftist as they come but when you’re an actor, especially a new one you don’t get to be selective like that, and I’d expect a mature character pursing an acting career to know that.
With how long this book is and how repetitive the writing was it became clear to me that I was going to hate this book, so I’m choosing not to finish it. 2 stars for the benefit of the doubt that the story gets better if you can tolerate the prose.
I don’t remember who recommended this to me but I know it was called an epic fantasy. It probably is, especially if you read farther but I cannot stand the style of the prose. “The singer from Ireland” was so grating and repetitive. It’s very reminiscent of poorly written fanfic (I love fanfic) where they say “the redhead” instead of just using the characters’s name.
I listened to the audiobook and the constant singing was…unfortunate. I don’t know how much it cost to license all these songs but I know it’s not cheap, and it was a waste of money. We had Avicii and Disney in just the first 15%? Listen I know songs hold a lot of personal meaning and I’m not knocking that but if your book relies on the character singing a song for their development perhaps it’s not a good book. Once again, this is reminiscent of “songfic” in the fanfic world.
The world is blandddddd as far as I got and it didn’t seem to be getting better. A pitch black crypt with only mice? Gravemarkers with only names and levels?
I guess this is part of a larger fantasy series called The Wandering Inn but this is presented as a book you can read without knowing the context of the series. At this point I should not be so confused and bored. If I need to be in the dark as the reader (pun intended) then I should at least be intrigued.
I also found Cara to be eyeroll inducing. Her little rant on the phone as the opening introduction set a tone that she was going to be a pain in the ass. I’m as leftist as they come but when you’re an actor, especially a new one you don’t get to be selective like that, and I’d expect a mature character pursing an acting career to know that.
With how long this book is and how repetitive the writing was it became clear to me that I was going to hate this book, so I’m choosing not to finish it. 2 stars for the benefit of the doubt that the story gets better if you can tolerate the prose.
April 14, 2026
Behind the Legend: The Rise of the Singer of Terandria
Cara O’Sullivan wakes up in the pitch-black darkness of Terandria’s ancient crypts. With nothing but her courage and her voice, this young Irish woman, thrust into the Innworld, must learn to survive on a continent governed by strict knightly codes and ancestral royal lineages. Far from the global pop star we encounter later in the main series, we meet a vulnerable Cara here, forced to turn her songs into magical conduits to carve a path through a world of undead, dwarves, and warring kingdoms.
Discovering Cara’s origins after following her meteoric rise in the main series provides fascinating insight into Pirateaba’s global lore. It’s a treat to see how the "Singer" progressively built her influence, using music not just as entertainment, but as a genuine magical weapon.
The narrative fits seamlessly into the overarching story, to the point where it feels like a substantial side quest that could have been part of the main volumes. It retains the author’s signature pacing, taking the time to establish a thick atmosphere. Terandria, the continent of knights, offers a solid setting, though it feels somewhat more conventional than the wild lands of Izril or the horrors of Rhir. This "classic fantasy" vibe, centered on humans, dwarves, and warring crowns, can feel a bit more predictable compared to the author’s usual groundbreaking creativity.
In terms of depth and engagement, the story sits alongside the arcs of Flos or Niers: it’s rich, well-written, and essential for grasping the nuances of this universe, even if the pure intensity stays a step below Liscor’s most legendary moments. An excellent spin-off that perfectly fulfills its purpose, driven by prose that remains as evocative as ever when blending survival with raw emotion.
Cara O’Sullivan wakes up in the pitch-black darkness of Terandria’s ancient crypts. With nothing but her courage and her voice, this young Irish woman, thrust into the Innworld, must learn to survive on a continent governed by strict knightly codes and ancestral royal lineages. Far from the global pop star we encounter later in the main series, we meet a vulnerable Cara here, forced to turn her songs into magical conduits to carve a path through a world of undead, dwarves, and warring kingdoms.
Discovering Cara’s origins after following her meteoric rise in the main series provides fascinating insight into Pirateaba’s global lore. It’s a treat to see how the "Singer" progressively built her influence, using music not just as entertainment, but as a genuine magical weapon.
The narrative fits seamlessly into the overarching story, to the point where it feels like a substantial side quest that could have been part of the main volumes. It retains the author’s signature pacing, taking the time to establish a thick atmosphere. Terandria, the continent of knights, offers a solid setting, though it feels somewhat more conventional than the wild lands of Izril or the horrors of Rhir. This "classic fantasy" vibe, centered on humans, dwarves, and warring crowns, can feel a bit more predictable compared to the author’s usual groundbreaking creativity.
In terms of depth and engagement, the story sits alongside the arcs of Flos or Niers: it’s rich, well-written, and essential for grasping the nuances of this universe, even if the pure intensity stays a step below Liscor’s most legendary moments. An excellent spin-off that perfectly fulfills its purpose, driven by prose that remains as evocative as ever when blending survival with raw emotion.
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