Rebecca Ross

After eight years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been serving in the queen's army. But everything changes when Halcyon is sentenced for a terrible crime, and they cannot meet

Sisters of Sword and Song

Rebecca Ross, acclaimed author of The Queen's Rising duology, delivers a thrilling new fantasy about the lengths two sisters will go for each other. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky In the Deep, and Court of Fives. After eight years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been serving in the queen's army. But when Halcyon unexpectedly appears a day early, Eva knows something is wrong. Halcyon has charged with a heinous crime, and though her life is spared, she is sentenced to 15 years. Suspicious of the charges, brought forth by Halcyon's army commander, as well as the details of the crime, Eva volunteers to take part of her sister's sentence. If there's a way to absolve Halcyon, she'll find it. But as the sisters begin their sentences, they quickly learn that there are fates worse than death.

Julia C

"She felt an echo of Kirkos's anguish, and she wept as she finally understood the cost of his fall."

"There was Beauty and strength in the holding on."

"You are a mystery I want to know, to slowly unravel.."

"You are your own self. No one owns your soul or your body or your fate. No one but you, Evander."

"Sometimes I forget that we have to send it from the god of the wind. A God who broke himself for the love of another."

Christine

im in love
-also goodreads says i read it twice i did not

Honestly??? Meh. I didn’t love it. I like Evadne and Damon, but other than that everything in this book felt super shallow to me. Fantasy isn’t super my think, and this book felt very plot based (not to mention predictable) rather than character based. Would not read again.

I’m so sorry I feel so bad rating a book so lowly!!!!

it’s not this book’s fault I fell into a reading slump bc this book is very very good I loved it a lot, damon my love i am free on friday night if you’re free on friday night when I am free :’) 

fris🐝

Nana 

I like it so so so much. An awesome enemies to lovers slow burn 🔥

Pamela Fitzhugh 

I realize I never said I finished this book 🤦🏻‍♀️ this one was so well written and just different that it was amazing. It was a standalone which is hard to find now a days but this was truly great. Not too long and not too short. I’d love to have a sequel but understand why there isn’t one. Overall I’d recommend this book again to anyone who wants to start fantasy/magic books without having to completely understand a whole new realm.

Megan Lowe

This was an okay book, but I’ve come to think that maybe I don’t like Rebecca Ross’s writing style. It’s not bad, it’s just not for me I think.
To begin with, Eva read young for me, like almost 12/13-ish.
I also didn’t get the strong bond between the sisters. As this was the main thread of the book, the rest of it lacked for me.
Third, things happened too easily, too quickly, especially the end. Perhaps this is supposed to be a very light fantasy, and I’m used to high fantasy and so it fell flat.
If mythology is your jam, I’d say give this a go, but it’s not a favourite for me, sorry!

Shereen Evans

** spoiler alert **
           I really hope that there is going to be a second book to this one. It kept me wanting more. I read this book in 1 day. There wasn't a moment that I wanted to put it down. The relationship between the sisters was captured beautifully from the beginning when Evadne asks to take part of Halcyon's punishment.

I waited so long for Damon and Evadne to kiss and want to be with each other to have it all taken away when Damon uses all his magic and losing his memories. I am glad that he kept account of his memories and made his way back to her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was almost impossible to put down and I couldn't stop thinking about it when I was doing something else. The magic was easy to understand and I enjoyed the mythology. Ross did a great job of showing how much the sisters loved each other without it feeling forced or fake. I also really liked the ark of Eva's relationship with Damon and how the romance wasn't the main focus of the story, but a subplot. The reader knows Halcyon and Eva are strong women not because we are constantly being told that they are, but by repeatedly being shown their courage, perseverance, and steadfastness throughout the chapters from each sister's point of view. 

The writing was a little simple and most plot points were extremely obvious, but I absolutely loved this book and will reread it in the future. I also wish this were a duology instead of a standalone because I feel like she could have stretched the story or even continued from where this one ended. With that being said, this is a great book to read if you're looking for a standalone fantasy/ mythology novel to read on a lazy day.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was almost impossible to put down and I couldn't stop thinking about it when I was doing something else. The magic was easy to understand and I enjoyed the mythology. Ross did a great job of showing how much the sisters loved each other without it feeling forced or fake. I also really liked the ark of Eva's relationship with Damon and how the romance wasn't the main focus of the story, but a subplot. The reader knows Halcyon and Eva are strong women not because we are constantly being told that they are, but by repeatedly being shown their courage, perseverance, and steadfastness throughout the chapters from each sister's point of view. 

The writing was a little simple and most plot points were extremely obvious, but I absolutely loved this book and will reread it in the future. I also wish this were a duology instead of a standalone because I feel like she could have stretched the story or even continued from where this one ended. With that being said, this is a great book to read if you're looking for a standalone fantasy/ mythology novel to read on a lazy day.

Livia

3.5/5

Started with the sibling relationship as the main focus and ended with the romantic relationship as the strongest point.

Never fear, the sibling relationship is still strong and I still adore it. To be honest, the way the antagonist went down is a bit too easy and, in my opinion, should be longer with more tension. But that's okay, this is more of a light, fun, full of adventure story. I love Evadne's growth, she was incredibly naive but she grew out of it.

Rachel VonDoloski 

Exceeded my expectations! I love the world building and magic system of this book!

This author is really good and I am surprised she isn't talked about more! Her duology The Queen's Rising is also really good!

Emily

Hans

such a beautiful story, definitely one of my favorite reads this year

Rachael Johnson

I really didn’t expect this book to be as good as it was. It’s a super quick read with a little romance, couple turns I didn’t expect, and a sweet sisterly love. I plan to revisit this book again down the road when I need something quick & light to read bc it was that good!

Rebecca Ross, acclaimed author of The Queen’s Rising duology, delivers a thrilling new fantasy about the lengths two sisters will go for each other. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky In the Deep, and Court of Fives.

Catherine Fabel

Great character development through exploring different types of love in relationships 

Juliette van Duijn

I did not expect this book to wow me the way it did! 
The relationships in this book are beautifully established. I very much enjoyed seeing the bond between the two sisters, likely because it reminds me a lot of my own sister and I. 
I liked seeing that even though it was a fantasy setting there was still religion. Religion has such a large effect on a world, its history, and how people deal with hardship, that I find it strange that so many YA fantasy books ignore it mostly. 
Most of all I loved that the characters felt so real. The characters make mistakes and are held accountable for them, showing their humanity. This is something many young-adults book lack in my opinion. Seeing the main characters oppose eachother, and not knowing who is right in the situation made everything even more painful.

soph

did i finish the book or did it finish me

Sheila Goicea

Content Warning: Manslaughter, Torture, Death
Sometimes I forget that we have descended from the god of the wind. A god who broke himself for love of another. But every now and then, a generation will remember what it is like to fly, and they will grown their own wings. Such as Halcyon. Such as you, Eva.”
Sisters of Sword and Song is an outstanding standalone. Rebecca Ross has done it again, and even better this time! Inspired by Ancient Greek Mythology, the story alternates between two sisters, Evadne & Halcyon. 
There were nine divines. Well, eight now, since Kirkos was no longer considered a deity with his fall. Magda, mother goddess of the son; Irix, father god of the sky; and their six divine offspring; Ari, goddess of the moon and dreams; Nikomides, god of war; Acantha, goddess of fate and knowledge; Euthymius, god of earth and beasts; Loris, goddess of water and sea; Pyrrhus, god of fire; and Kirkos, god of the wind.
From a family descended from Kirkos, the forgotten god of wind, magic hasn’t resurfaced in their line for some time. 
And so their magic had trickled into mortal blood, and magical children had been born.
But not every child born inherited the magical gift of the gods. It was a fickle thing, skipping a son or a daughter, and then skipping entire generations....But they each left behind a possession, a relic of theirs that was infused with magic. The divines hid them throughout Corisande, hoping the relics would be claimed by common-blooded people, those who were magicless. So the era of the relic hunters had begun.
Evadne, without magic and a bum foot, has worked in the fields and vineyards. Halcyon, on the other hand, was chosen to become an elite member of the hoplite and part of the Queen’s army and has been away training for eighth years. On the night when she is supposed to return home, Evadne finds her sister hidden in her room, fearful and on the run. Without telling why she was running, Evadne knows that something terrible has befallen her sister.

When the Commander arrives, seeking Halcyon, it isn’t long before she is caught nearby, and the family learns about her plight. Charged with the murder of her sparring partner and the son of the Commander, Halcyon is sentenced to fifteen years of imprisonment, hard labor, and indentured servitude to the Commander’s family. Unable to bear her sister’s fate, Evadne offers to take half of her sister’s sentence. 
”But when I watched you crawl out my window the other night, knowing you were in trouble and yet uncertain as to where you were going...I felt it again. The pain of you leaving. I told myself that I would not be left behind this time. That I would follow you, that I would go wherever you went, even if that meant helping you carry a punishment you do not deserve.”
As the sisters are again separated, over the course of their sentence they learn that they are working towards the same goal: uncovering the truth behind the Queen’s declining fair reign over their nation. Evadne is enlisted to become the scribe to the Commander’s gifted son Damon. In their new partnership, Evadne learns about the depth of her sister’s former work and just how important it is for her mission to be accomplished. A power-hungry mage must be stopped before all of the lost relics are confiscated by magic users to possess only.
Indeed, it only made Evadne all the more dangerous, for she had come from the one divine who was not afraid to break.
A tale about the unconditional love between two sisters, Sisters of Sword and Song is intoxicatingly and intricately developed and wonderfully written.

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Story Eater

I just realized who wrote this book and am now angry with myself for not reading it before all of the other books I have on my ARC TBR list. Regardless of publication date.

Let the reading commence. I hope my exceedingly high and fragile expectations will not be dashed. I can't handle that right now.

This book had so many things I love in it!
• Sister relationship
• Ancient Greece fantasy setting
• A pantheon of interesting gods
• Magical artefacts

I really enjoyed it, I only wish we got to learn more about the gods and the artefacts than we did. I realise it's hard to go deep with a YA standalone, but that aspect of the story was super interesting to me. Otherwise the setting felt really atmospheric and I felt like it was easy to envision the places being described.

laura

* I got this book for the publisher*

I simply adored this read. I thought this book was a super strong standalone fantasy novel. I am so intrigued to read more of this author backlists in the future. I really became so invested in both of these characters from page one. I THOUGHT both characters were super compelling and really liked them both. I also the greekish inspired world building and really loved it. I was also super loved the quest elements in this book. I thought the magic system was so well build and easy to follow. I really loved both POV characters. This book did not scream romance but had subtle elements of it. I also loved how this book focused on sisterhood and that relationship the good and the bad, and would def read more by this author in the future.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Sisters of Sword and Song

Author: Rebecca Ross

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Recommended For...: sister bonds, mythology, gods

Publication Date: June 23, 2020

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance, TW “mind sweeping” which can be eluded to rape in a sense, it’s not but it had a lot of similarities)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 432

Synopsis: After eight long years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been proudly serving in the queen’s army. But when Halcyon appears earlier than expected, Eva knows something has gone terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run, hunted by her commander and charged with murder.

Though Halcyon’s life is spared during her trial, the punishment is heavy. And when Eva volunteers to serve part of Halcyon’s sentence, she’s determined to find out exactly what happened. But as Eva begins her sentence, she quickly learns that there are fates much worse than death.

Review: Overall, this was a great book! The book had great character development and I loved seeing Evadne and Halcyon’s relationship grow and strengthen. The sisters had great character arcs, with one rising in power while the other faltered, and they worked well as a power duo. The writing was absolutely fantastic and the world building was absolutely fantastic.

However, while the book did well to grab my attention in the beginning, it faltered in the middle. I think the book pacing was a bit too fast and I think the book would have been better was two books and just elongated. The middle of the book really did feel like the breaking of “act one” and then “act two” began, which I think would have been great for two books separately. 

Verdict: Worth the read!

Narah Quinn

The setting of the story gives me real Greek island vibes, and we are immediately introduced to one of our sisters, Evadne. 

It's been 8 years since her sister Halcyon left to join the Queens Army, but her arrival is not the scheduled visit Evadne and her family have been expecting. Arriving in the dead of night, crawling through her shared bedroom window, dirty, starving and begging that Evadne not tell her parents, it is clear that things are not as they should be. 

We learn that Halcyon has killed her shield mate and is on the run, but it is plainly obvious that there is much more going on and in a world with mages and their scribes (I adore the magic system in this), warriors and relic hunters, and where the people are descended from the Gods and there are divine relics still to be found this is a fast paced story that twists and turns, is filled with terrors and tenderness and gives you all the family feels. 

It's so hard to not give anything away, so all I will leave you with is my own thoughts, that this book is an absolute must for fans of the following! 
-Ancient Greece
-Magic that you are born with but must train for
-Family dynamics (and your place within them)
-Rich Mythology
-Sisterhood, brotherhood, and the people we choose to call family
-All the warm fuzzies :)

Also, if you have not read The Queens Rising and The Queens Resistance, do. They are so very good, and I promise, all 3 of Rebecca Ross' books are wonderful.

Rosie Qua

everlinet

3,7* 

A very lovely read! I wanted to read this especially because I was hoping to get some lovely siblings energy, and I got exactly that. Both sisters were really lovely characters and their love for each other was beautifully described and this beautiful *family* energy and vibe was there, in every bit of this story. I loved how connected their families were, how "cozy" the book felt to read. There was a plot, but it was still more or less about the family and sisters love, and I appreciated it so very much.
I must admit I loved the first half of the book a bit more, it was more interesting and I couldn´t stop reading, while the second part was where my attention started to slip a bit, but I think the storyline was overall wholesome and was really nicely written. I actually read it in one day, so I think that I would maybe love it more if I read it for more than one day.
The mythology/ancient vibe of it was something that really surprised me so nicely. I love stories like this, and they are like a fresh breeze of air in YA.
I thought some parts were a bit worse, some scenes probably too long and some too short, but other than that I have no real complaints. The romance was not too much, it was actually pretty decent and sweet.
So I highly suggest reading this, a very soft, lovely mythology vibes read.

Sisters of Sword and Song

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