May 15

May 15 A Psalm of Storms and Silence (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, #2)

Author: Roseanne A. Brown
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Goodreads | The StoryGraph

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Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the full review.

Cover Description

***Description is a spoiler for A Song of Wraiths and Ruin***

Karina lost everything after a violent coup left her without her kingdom or her throne. Now the most wanted person in Sonande, her only hope of reclaiming what is rightfully hers lies in a divine power hidden in the long-lost city of her ancestors.

Meanwhile, the resurrection of Karina’s sister has spiraled the world into chaos, with disaster after disaster threatening the hard-won peace Malik has found as Farid’s apprentice. When they discover that Karina herself is the key to restoring balance, Malik must use his magic to lure her back to their side. But how do you regain the trust of someone you once tried to kill?

As the fabric holding Sonande together begins to tear, Malik and Karina once again find themselves torn between their duties and their desires. And when the fate of everything hangs on a single, horrifying choice, they each must decide what they value most—a power that could transform the world, or a love that could transform their lives.

The highly-anticipated second—and final—book in the immersive fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore that began with the New York Times bestselling A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, from author Roseanne A. Brown.

TL;DR Review

A Psalm of Storms and Silence is a great sequel/conclusion. If you liked the first, I think you’ll like the second; Brown’s excellent characters and worldbuilding continue.

For you if: You already read A Song of Wraiths and Ruin.

Full Review

I read A Song of Wraiths and Ruin back when it first came out, and afterward I knew I’d be reading the sequel. I’m happy to report that Psalm is a great duology conclusion! It’s a bit slower paced than the first one (at least for the first half or so), but that’s in service of deeper character work that I ultimately appreciated. The end, though, had me flipping pages like mad — and what a strong, compassionate ending it was.

There’s so much to love here. Imaginative worldbuilding, a compelling plot, and characters I’d probably take a bullet for. But to me, the most noteworthy thing about this duology is Roseanne Brown’s exploration of mental illness through the lens of a fantasy story. Anxiety, panic attacks, and asserting control over your own mind are all presented in both conventional and metaphorical ways. This second book also includes a heartbreaking but deeply empathetic portrayal of emotional abuse.

I’m so glad I read these books! If you’re looking for a quick escape into a compelling fantasy duology, definitely pick them up.