Song of Blood & Stone

Starred review from March 15, 2018

Jasminda is trying to survive after the death of her parents, but as an outcast in her land of Elsira--marked by her dark skin and Earthsong powers--she is poised to lose her home. When soldiers commandeer her cabin and she meets the injured spy they hold captive, she's on the verge of losing her heart. Healed by Jasminda's song, Jack knows that his mission has been an unfortunate success; he's found evidence that the Mantle between the nations of Elsira and Lagrimar is failing and that ancient evil wants to conquer both lands. Escaping from the soldiers, Jasminda must unlock the truth about her Earthsong power and rely on Jack to protect her, even as secrets threaten their growing bond. She and Jack must both face the truths about themselves, their beliefs, and their love so they can mend both nations and their hearts. VERDICT This debut, which won the Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Publishing Award, shines a bright light into epic fantasy. Battle-scarred lands and peoples, ancient powers at war, star-crossed love, and hints of racial and refugee themes give this a solid place on library shelves. [See Prepub Alert, 11/11/17; "Editors' Spring Picks," LJ 2/1/18.]--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2018
Born with her father's Lagrimari skin and magical Earthsong, Jasminda endures prejudice in her mother's homeland, pale Elsira, not knowing where she truly belongs. However, after she heals Jack, an Elsiran soldier, she joins his cause: to prevent an Elsiran-Lagrimari war, they must reinforce the Mantle that divides the two lands. During this quest, Jasminda learns more about her magic, people, and religion while falling for Jack, who struggles to adjust to his new role as an Elsiran leader. Penelope (Angelborn, 2015) parallels our own world, exploring a refugee crisis and race relations with emotion and nuance. She vividly describes Earthsong in lush, grounded prose?be it Jasminda's healing powers while knitting flesh over a wound or her ability to sense the sickly doom of blood magic. Readers who enjoy romance mixed with fantasy will find a bold power couple to root for as Jasminda and Jack overcome both personal and political obstacles. Fresh, suspenseful, and perceptive, Penelope's first in a new series will appeal to historical-fantasy readers, especially fans of N. K. Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)