Sofi and the Bone Song

i enjoyed this book more than sweet and bitter magic but i think this one could’ve done with the dual POV

Here I am back in the world of YA Fantasy, and wow I missed being here. Adrienne Tooley has reminded me of why I absolutely love this space! Sofi and the Bone Song captivated me. It’s my favorite kind of story. One full of magic, beauty and just the right amount of heartache. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started this book, but I’ll tell you right now it definitely did not disappoint.

We meet Sofi, a daughter who lives in the shadow of her father. She longs to become a Musik like her father, and create beautiful pieces of musical art to share with the world. However, underneath all of that, Sofi also longs to simply impress her father. She has spent her whole life training rigorously to take her father’s spot. Suffering for her art, if you will, in ways that someone her age really should not be. Sofi’s life isn’t an easy one, but the potential to live in the light of the music and the magic is what keeps her going. I immediately fell in love with her, which made the fact that I knew she had hardship coming her way all the more difficult for me.

What follows is a story of loss, of grief, and of deep and long healing. It’s tough for me to share too much without spoiling, but essentially there is a beautiful and budding relationship here that is just too good to miss. There’s a deep look at misconceptions, built by fear and competition. There are lovely depictions of learning to trust another person, and really allow them into your soul. Gah, it’s just all so GOOD. This book flew by before I even had time to really register that I’d almost finished. Sofi’s story is one that is easy to find yourself in, and the messages there are ones of love and empathy. I ate it up.

The only reasons I gave this four stars, rather than five, were mainly that the world building is a little less than I hoped for and it does have portions that are a little slow. However the magic system was perfectly rendered, so that I must give kudos for! Sofi and the Bone Song really flies by simply because it’s so easy to fall into and follow along with. The slow pacing also did allow for a really poetic writing style which I absolutely loved. So again, nothing really big! It’s all my own personal opinions.

The point is, that this book is absolutely wonderful. If Sofi and the Bone Song isn’t already on your reading list, please put it there! It’s well worth your time.

-sapphic! -Deep, Involved Fantasy! –music as magic –a RIVALRY that ends in KISSING? -GENERATIONAL TRAUMA? This is many things I enjoy in a book. Four stars.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own. Book: Sofi and the Bone Song Author: Adrienne Tooley Book Series: Standalone Rating: 5/5 Diversity: Lesbian MC, f/f romance Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, musicians, LGBT Publication Date: April 19, 2022 Genre: YA Fantasy Age Relevance: 13+ (child abuse, parental death, grief, religion and prayer, romance) Explanation of Above: There is child abuse mentioned sporadically throughout the novel and some shown. The book shows a parent’s death and the grief that follows it. There is religion and prayer mentioned throughout the book, but it’s not a real life religion. There is also some romance in the book. Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Pages: 416 Synopsis: Music runs in Sofi’s blood. Her father is a Musik, one of only five musicians in the country licensed to compose and perform original songs. In the kingdom of Aell, where winter is endless and magic is accessible to all, there are strict anti-magic laws ensuring music remains the last untouched art. Sofi has spent her entire life training to inherit her father’s title. But on the day of the auditions, she is presented with unexpected competition in the form of Lara, a girl who has never before played the lute. Yet somehow, to Sofi’s horror, Lara puts on a performance that thoroughly enchants the judges. Almost like magic. The same day Lara wins the title of Musik, Sofi’s father dies, and a grieving Sofi sets out to prove Lara is using illegal magic in her performances. But the more time she spends with Lara, the more Sofi begins to doubt everything she knows about her family, her music, and the girl she thought was her enemy. As Sofi works to reclaim her rightful place as a Musik, she is forced to face the dark secrets of her past and the magic she was trained to avoid—all while trying not to fall for the girl who stole her future. Review: I had heard this book was a love song to music and that description of the book is completely accurate. I absolutely loved this story and all of the musical aspects of it. The book is a sweet story about finding your own happiness and path and figuring out who you are. The book did well with the character development and world building. I also felt that the book was well written and it’s easily a new fave of mine. The only issue I had with the book is that I felt that it was a bit fast paced. I wanted it to slow down a bit and further explore Sofi and Lara’s relationship, but it was fine as is. Verdict: Highly recommend! I loved it!

Thank you @tbrbeyondtours for the chance to read and review Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley! Sofi and the Bone Song is a YA, queer, standalone fantasy novel that came out on the 19th of April, 2022. It was published by Margaret K. McElderry Books and all 416 pages go by in the blink of an eye. “To Sofi, effortlessness and magic went hand in hand. There was no hard work associated with spilling a drop of blood to conjure fire-no gathering of wood or sparking of tinder or careful tending to a small flame.” In this world Music might be the last untouched art, but that doesn’t mean its practitioners are above doing what it takes to be the best; after all, there are only a select 5 and their apprentices. I adored the magic system in this book; between the papers, marrow and witches themselves, it was fascinating! I also loved the close relationship the king had with the Musik and their children. All in all, a solid 4 star read that is definitely worth a reread as well! I can’t wait to get my hands on one to add to my bookshelf! https://the-girl-who-reads.com/sofi-and-the-bone-song-by-adrienne-tooley/