ARC Review: We Are the Song | first time reading a middle grade book and it's not that bad.

 

Title: We Are the Song
Author: Cathrine Bakewell
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Holiday House

 Published Date: May 3, 2022
Language: English

SYPNOSIS

A lush and beautiful fantasy set in a world where music is magic and the fate of many thrones lies with one girl.

Twelve-year-old Elissa has been raised in seclusion as a devotee of the Mother Goddess. She is a special child, a blessed child, a child who can sing miracles into being. Her voice can heal wounds, halt landslides, cure hunger--and even end wars.

But there are those who would use her gift for darker things. And when Elissa finds herself the farthest from home she's ever been--along with her vain and jealous music tutor, Lucio--she will have to develop the judgment to decide who wants to use her song to heal... and who wants to use her song to hurt.

REVIEW

Elissa, a twelve-year-old girl, is one of the twelve Voices of the Caé. The goddess that ruled and created the world. Basso and Acuto are in a raging war that affects thousands of people. They want to rule and get the throne of Cadenza. Through their spells and music, Elissa, a singer, and Lucio, the composer, are on a mission to travel the world to make miracles and magic.

But Elissa finds herself questioning the power. And her long-hidden desire to be a composer. She needs to decide who wants her song for the good or for the worst.

We Are the Song is most likely a unique story for me. It's incredible how the song/music can be used as magic and power.The cover hooked me into reading this; it's incredibly stunning!

I like how empathetic and determined Elissa is. She understands when and how to apply her power, as well as to whom. She understands and faces the consequences of her decisions. I also like how Lucio has some complexity in his personality.

The flow of the story was well written, but it lacked angst in the first two movements. It was kind of hard for me to submerge into the story at first. But it picks up halfway through the book, which was great. The prose was amazing! It's poetic and gorgeous. I felt the author's passion for music. I would highly recommend this!

RATE
★★★★☆
I rate We Are the Song with four stars! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.