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Song of the Bull Rider
And so went my first lesson in the Kingdom of
I learned to swallow my heart.
The Kingdom of Men and Women have always stood apart, but Kanan, a child from the Kingdom of Between, is not strictly a man or a woman.
Following the capture of their small country, Kanan is presented to the Kingdom of Men's crown prince as a war prize and political hostage. Alone in a strange land they do not belong, Kanan must navigate complicated court politics, strict gender roles, and a brutal civil war to find their freedom.
Their only ally? That very same arrogant, insecure young prince whom they were given to as a gift.
I learned to swallow my heart.
The Kingdom of Men and Women have always stood apart, but Kanan, a child from the Kingdom of Between, is not strictly a man or a woman.
Following the capture of their small country, Kanan is presented to the Kingdom of Men's crown prince as a war prize and political hostage. Alone in a strange land they do not belong, Kanan must navigate complicated court politics, strict gender roles, and a brutal civil war to find their freedom.
Their only ally? That very same arrogant, insecure young prince whom they were given to as a gift.
Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2021
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136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 25, 2023
Though this book was incredibly slow burn, I really liked it! The characters, world building, and conflict were all incredibly engaging and kept me turning pages to find out what came next. Absolutely would love a sequel!
February 26, 2025
Ok, that was pretty good. The kind of good that doesn't become clear until the very end. Let me explain:
When I think back on this novel, it's easy to focus on the extremely slow burn of the romance, or the well-defined and endearing characters - for this is a dual-protagonist story, despite being written from the very narrow viewpoint of only one of them - or the eccentric worldbuilding that relies on some really odd gender roles to function. But I think what's most distinctive about it, actually, is its use of negative space.
The prose exhibits it a lot. The book is written, more or less, like a chronicle or a journal. A lot of details are skipped over, a lot of events are mentioned only in passing as the canvas of warfare upon which our poor tribute of a protagonist's life unfolds. Many times over, what we would think of as essential details (like what was the word on the pink beaded necklace? WHAT WAS IT ALEX??) are intentionally, tantalizingly omitted. The book does this constantly. And the end shows, quite plainly, why that was the whole point.
Throughout the story, we are privy to Kanna's/Kanina's/Kanan's opinions on everyone and everything around them. They are a war prisoner in a hostile land, after all, and the only freedom they have is inside their own head. So they watch, they think, and they judge judge judge. And often they're perfectly adequate in their assessments - smarter, quicker, more clear-headed than those around them. We grow to trust them. They keep saying, with transparently increasing fondness, how bullishly simple and unintelligent, how unsophisticated Prince Parnach is in his sincerity and bluntness. He is the antithesis of the den of snakes that surrounds Kanan.
Which is what makes the final part/"verse" of this book so excellent. It is *wonderful* to hear how much has been going on off-screen, as it were, outside of our and Kanan's limited perspective, and beyond the reach of their judgement. It's a great way to use such an unreliable, subjective narrator, a great way to conclude a love story, and a genuinely elegant way to tie a story's broader arc to the moment-to-moment prose. Alex Singer has *got it*.
I would have liked the book to be a bit plainer with its worldbuilding - at least include a map, or a description of how these lands sit in relation to one another. I would also have liked language to be more carefully used ("heresy" is a type of teaching, "blasphemy" is a sort of remark; both these words are used instead of "sacrilege"). It is oddly modern in its use of expressions at certain points, which undermines the whole pre-Christian/Levantine-punk vibe of the setting. I'd also have liked the conclusion to be more drawn-out, better set-up and less abrupt. I recognize that making it all so sudden exposes how *incorrect* some of the narrator's assumptions have been, but still I think it could have stretched for another chapter or two.
These shortcomings are minor, however. The book is excellent. Five stars!
When I think back on this novel, it's easy to focus on the extremely slow burn of the romance, or the well-defined and endearing characters - for this is a dual-protagonist story, despite being written from the very narrow viewpoint of only one of them - or the eccentric worldbuilding that relies on some really odd gender roles to function. But I think what's most distinctive about it, actually, is its use of negative space.
The prose exhibits it a lot. The book is written, more or less, like a chronicle or a journal. A lot of details are skipped over, a lot of events are mentioned only in passing as the canvas of warfare upon which our poor tribute of a protagonist's life unfolds. Many times over, what we would think of as essential details (like what was the word on the pink beaded necklace? WHAT WAS IT ALEX??) are intentionally, tantalizingly omitted. The book does this constantly. And the end shows, quite plainly, why that was the whole point.
Throughout the story, we are privy to Kanna's/Kanina's/Kanan's opinions on everyone and everything around them. They are a war prisoner in a hostile land, after all, and the only freedom they have is inside their own head. So they watch, they think, and they judge judge judge. And often they're perfectly adequate in their assessments - smarter, quicker, more clear-headed than those around them. We grow to trust them. They keep saying, with transparently increasing fondness, how bullishly simple and unintelligent, how unsophisticated Prince Parnach is in his sincerity and bluntness. He is the antithesis of the den of snakes that surrounds Kanan.
Which is what makes the final part/"verse" of this book so excellent. It is *wonderful* to hear how much has been going on off-screen, as it were, outside of our and Kanan's limited perspective, and beyond the reach of their judgement. It's a great way to use such an unreliable, subjective narrator, a great way to conclude a love story, and a genuinely elegant way to tie a story's broader arc to the moment-to-moment prose. Alex Singer has *got it*.
I would have liked the book to be a bit plainer with its worldbuilding - at least include a map, or a description of how these lands sit in relation to one another. I would also have liked language to be more carefully used ("heresy" is a type of teaching, "blasphemy" is a sort of remark; both these words are used instead of "sacrilege"). It is oddly modern in its use of expressions at certain points, which undermines the whole pre-Christian/Levantine-punk vibe of the setting. I'd also have liked the conclusion to be more drawn-out, better set-up and less abrupt. I recognize that making it all so sudden exposes how *incorrect* some of the narrator's assumptions have been, but still I think it could have stretched for another chapter or two.
These shortcomings are minor, however. The book is excellent. Five stars!
July 13, 2021
"You're pretty enough to fool an army."
"What?"
"What?"
I instantly grabbed this book the moment I read the promo on Twitter, and I love it so, so much! The Song of the Bull Rider explores the nature and relationship with one's gender through its compelling world-building, highlighted from the main character's POV, Kanan. I empathize with Kanan's struggles and I found their view on gender especially relatable . I also find the concept of proxy wives very interesting, especially with how different characters from the story offers different perspectives to it.
Not only that, the relationship between Kanan and Parnach is filled with such slow-burn and chemistry, but it's truly satisfying to read. Parnach transforms from the brattish prince into someone who can truly appreciate Kanan for who they are. The progression is so subtle and logical that I'm just awed with the smoothness of the storytelling! How do people word, honestly!! Not only Kanan and Parnach, every character in this novel seems very rich despite not having as much screentime as both of them. From Amaziah to Ezekiel to even Prince Daniyel. I have to admit that Makeda, Sarai, and Raguel are very dear to me, though! Dearest, cleverest Makeda!
As I'm a huge sucker for political plots, I find myself also enjoying the action and warfare brought here. I find the part about Hashmal very chilling; Amaziah's actions in that particular section feels terribly biblical (I mean in the prophetic kind of way)? Which I think represents a pivotal point where he just... starts going on a path with no return. I just find his character so interesting HAHAHAH
All in all, the way The Song of the Bull Rider ends is just... amazing [chefs kiss] . Thank you Muun for the beautiful story and Chira for the equally beautiful artworks that add to atmosphere of the story. I will keep this novel very close to my heart.
"What?"
"What?"
I instantly grabbed this book the moment I read the promo on Twitter, and I love it so, so much! The Song of the Bull Rider explores the nature and relationship with one's gender through its compelling world-building, highlighted from the main character's POV, Kanan. I empathize with Kanan's struggles and I found their view on gender especially relatable . I also find the concept of proxy wives very interesting, especially with how different characters from the story offers different perspectives to it.
Not only that, the relationship between Kanan and Parnach is filled with such slow-burn and chemistry, but it's truly satisfying to read. Parnach transforms from the brattish prince into someone who can truly appreciate Kanan for who they are. The progression is so subtle and logical that I'm just awed with the smoothness of the storytelling! How do people word, honestly!! Not only Kanan and Parnach, every character in this novel seems very rich despite not having as much screentime as both of them. From Amaziah to Ezekiel to even Prince Daniyel. I have to admit that Makeda, Sarai, and Raguel are very dear to me, though! Dearest, cleverest Makeda!
As I'm a huge sucker for political plots, I find myself also enjoying the action and warfare brought here. I find the part about Hashmal very chilling; Amaziah's actions in that particular section feels terribly biblical (I mean in the prophetic kind of way)? Which I think represents a pivotal point where he just... starts going on a path with no return. I just find his character so interesting HAHAHAH
All in all, the way The Song of the Bull Rider ends is just... amazing [chefs kiss] . Thank you Muun for the beautiful story and Chira for the equally beautiful artworks that add to atmosphere of the story. I will keep this novel very close to my heart.
December 16, 2025
Holy mother of underrated gems!
Song of the Bull Rider deserves to exist in a trifecta of queer recommendations with Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles and Mary Renault's The Persian Boy, with a side-serving of fantasy world-building that simultaneously feels classic and modern.
In a world where three kingdoms exist—The Kingdom of Men, The Kingdom of Women, and the Between Kingdom—our lead hails from the last of those and starts the book as tribute bride to the conquering king of the Kingdom of Men; but the king does not what this "malformed boy" and gives him to his unloved first son. There's a slowburn childhood frenemies-to-lovers with a touch-them-and-die dynamic, a nuanced villain, and some fascinating queernormative world-building that avoids applying modern queer politics & idealogies to a distinctly non-modern fantasy cultural.
And my heavens! The author actually trusts the reader make connections & inferences, and to remember what has already occurred or been established. Though less than 300 pages, that's not for lack of depth or events; there's so much to chew on here, told in beautifully economical prose (and accompanied by beautiful art!).
Get the paperback from the author's website if you can—the print quality is great for an indie title—or grab the ebook if that means you'll read it right hecking now.
Song of the Bull Rider deserves to exist in a trifecta of queer recommendations with Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles and Mary Renault's The Persian Boy, with a side-serving of fantasy world-building that simultaneously feels classic and modern.
In a world where three kingdoms exist—The Kingdom of Men, The Kingdom of Women, and the Between Kingdom—our lead hails from the last of those and starts the book as tribute bride to the conquering king of the Kingdom of Men; but the king does not what this "malformed boy" and gives him to his unloved first son. There's a slowburn childhood frenemies-to-lovers with a touch-them-and-die dynamic, a nuanced villain, and some fascinating queernormative world-building that avoids applying modern queer politics & idealogies to a distinctly non-modern fantasy cultural.
And my heavens! The author actually trusts the reader make connections & inferences, and to remember what has already occurred or been established. Though less than 300 pages, that's not for lack of depth or events; there's so much to chew on here, told in beautifully economical prose (and accompanied by beautiful art!).
Get the paperback from the author's website if you can—the print quality is great for an indie title—or grab the ebook if that means you'll read it right hecking now.
May 22, 2021
Characters are written well and the romance is well paced. The romance has a very strong chemistry and the slow burn was very good.
As an NB person this story hit close to my heart and I am so glad it exists. I love way the world is constructed in a way that delivers a nuanced and complex exploration of the various ways people relate to gender and sex. It's also relatable to experience the world through Kanan, who sometimes sees the setting's complex customs around gender roles as absurd, rigid, and confusing.
I really appreciated how there were so many characters with different relationships to their gender and how they present themselves. For example,
When I finished this book I couldn't stop thinking about it, and kept going back to reread scenes again and again. I think this story will linger with me for a long time.
As an NB person this story hit close to my heart and I am so glad it exists. I love way the world is constructed in a way that delivers a nuanced and complex exploration of the various ways people relate to gender and sex. It's also relatable to experience the world through Kanan, who sometimes sees the setting's complex customs around gender roles as absurd, rigid, and confusing.
I really appreciated how there were so many characters with different relationships to their gender and how they present themselves. For example,
When I finished this book I couldn't stop thinking about it, and kept going back to reread scenes again and again. I think this story will linger with me for a long time.
November 29, 2021
Leaning more towards a high 3/low 4 for a rating.
This was a fun read! I'll admit, I was left wanting at the worldbuilding. There's war, and there are families, and wives and kings (or, *A* king), and things just sort of seemed to be "this is the way things are," rather than being explained. That felt a bit lackluster. I feel like the sexual/romantic relationship between the the love interests in this could have been fleshed out more-- it sort of just ...happens? However! I will say that the way their relationship is treated and fleshed out seems believable enough. They have *a* relationship, but it seemed to skip a few steps in terms of them becoming lovers?
I did enjoy it, and I am over the moon at the fact that the protag is nb like me, it's so wonderful to read stories with nb main characters and it just does something to my heart.
This was a fun read! I'll admit, I was left wanting at the worldbuilding. There's war, and there are families, and wives and kings (or, *A* king), and things just sort of seemed to be "this is the way things are," rather than being explained. That felt a bit lackluster. I feel like the sexual/romantic relationship between the the love interests in this could have been fleshed out more-- it sort of just ...happens? However! I will say that the way their relationship is treated and fleshed out seems believable enough. They have *a* relationship, but it seemed to skip a few steps in terms of them becoming lovers?
I did enjoy it, and I am over the moon at the fact that the protag is nb like me, it's so wonderful to read stories with nb main characters and it just does something to my heart.
April 23, 2024
Now this was unexpected. For such a short fantasy, I was completely immersed in the world and story of Song of the Bullrider. The worldbuilding we got was concise and yet presented in a way that was neither overwhelming nor lacking; the concept of the different kingdoms was intriguing, especially the politics behind them (although I found myself craving more of the Kingdom of Between, especially Kanan's memories of their childhood there); and I enjoyed Kanan's voice as the narrator and how they struggled with maintaining an identity while being a hostage in the Kingdom of Men. The time jumps had me iffy at first, but Singer somehow managed to convey character growth—both individually and within relationships—without telling pretty much anything, instead utilizing the show-don't-tell rule. Would 100% read more from this author/artist duo!
March 26, 2024
Such a fun read!
The world lore is impressive to say the least and though they weren't kidding when they said that it was going to be a serious slow burn, I still very much enjoyed following the various events. The characters are also so interesting to analyse and as a nb person myself I was very happy to see how the writer had fleshed out Kanan.
I found this book through the cover artist (@artofchira) and I have to say the spectacular illustrations included in the work only heightened the overall reading experience. It was also a very relaxing break from the last long novel series I read so I would definitely recommend it!
The world lore is impressive to say the least and though they weren't kidding when they said that it was going to be a serious slow burn, I still very much enjoyed following the various events. The characters are also so interesting to analyse and as a nb person myself I was very happy to see how the writer had fleshed out Kanan.
I found this book through the cover artist (@artofchira) and I have to say the spectacular illustrations included in the work only heightened the overall reading experience. It was also a very relaxing break from the last long novel series I read so I would definitely recommend it!
September 11, 2023
an interesting take on more traditional gender based fantasy settings. I did like the story but I was a little bit disappointed that the gender free main character was concretely stated to be physically 'in between male and female' I liked the take in river of teeth where the a gender main character was never pinned down this way. I felt like it sort of undermined the story a little. Other than that I enjoy following the story and the intrigue.
August 9, 2021
To say this was a really great read would be an understatement. Lushly creative worldbuilding, an incredibly unique exploration of gender, and an epic scale of storytelling packed into 240-some pages. Characters, world, and plot never feel overwhelmed by each other. Left me sitting in a parking lot feeling all sorts of ways.
August 24, 2021
Read in two sittings. Had many gender feelings, many of them good, some of them complicated. This book explores a deeply gendered universe and trans, non-binary, intersex identities with care and thoughtfulness. a rare first-person point of view that had me hooked. read in two sittings on the same day. This book deserves a longer review but i'm not good at that, haha
January 4, 2024
The book was lovely and filled with a compelling arrangement of politics, gender roles and introspection that was fun to see evolve through the eyes of Kanan. I had a fun time with this book and have always had a great love for the stories told by Little Foolery.
November 20, 2021
THIS WAS SO GOOD HOLY SHIT!! I LITERALLY BINGED IT IN ONE SITTING I AM OBSESSED. Seriously. I am at a loss for words. It’s wonderful. So good. Epic in every sense of the word.
February 27, 2025
This is an expertly crafted book. It has one of those endings that just sort of sits with you afterwards. You should absolutely read it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews