Sofi and the Bone Song

I had read Sweet & Bitter Magic before and I couldn't wait to read another of Adrienne's stories. Sofi and Lara made me feel, cry, hope, and see music through their passionate eyes. Can't wait to recommend this book to everyone I know

Sofi and The Bone Song is an endearing YA fantasy standalone that tugged at my heartstrings. I could not put it down. The world-building was lovely, and I enjoyed the integration of music and magic into this book. It was subtle at the beginning, but grew more and more prominent as the story progressed and I loved every minute of it. The pacing was a bit slower than what I am used to, but it fit the story beautifully. I felt like we spent the perfect amount of time at each plot point. I did figure out some plot-twists before they happened, but not others. It made for a thoroughly entertaining tale. Sofi was extremely relatable. While her musical upbringing was much more strict than mine, I could relate to believing that suffering for your art produced better results. It is so clear to me that the way Sofi was trained is glorified emotional abuse. Seeing her navigate through that at a similar age hit me harder than I thought it would. I'm glad that Lara provided her with the support that she needed to come to terms with these new revelations. While the physical attraction was there, I did find the romance a bit lacking. I felt like it was more one-sided in terms of the emotional connection. While Lara often eludes to her difficult past, I feel like Sofi (and the readers) does not know that much about her. Whereas, Lara knows everything about Sofi. I was a bit annoyed with Lara and her ignorance at the beginning; however, it became clear to me that Sofi was obsessed with trying to fix the hand she was dealt, and could not see what was in front of her. Lara was focused on Sofi, and Sofi was focused on fixing everything. This worked out beautifully plot-wise, so I can't complain too much (give me a good plot over romance any day), and the way the book ended gave me hope for their attraction to blossom into more. Overall, this is a beautiful story that wrapped up perfectly. The reader can be left satisfied, knowing that every question was answered by the end of this novel.

The highlight of this book was definitely the love interest. She was an absolute delight. Every time she was on the page I couldn't help but smiling. She made the book. It was the lesbian love story I needed.

SOFI AND THE BONE SONG is an enthralling YA fantasy that transports the reader to Aell, a land troubled by an endless winter and closed borders. The kingdom used to have witches who would create magical papers that could do just about anything, but when the magic started going badly, the borders were closed and witches were persecuted. Now, without any seasons but winter, they are trying to reopen their borders through music. The guild of Musik produces original and moving songs that elevate their status, with the hopes of traveling beyond the borders. Sofi's father is a Musik with a lute, and Sofi has spent her whole life training to take his place in the guild. However, when auditions happen, something goes terribly wrong, and someone with no training at all manages to take her place. Lara is appealing and yet has destroyed everything Sofi has suffered for her whole life. After her father's death, Lara needs training, as she knows nothing, and Sofi decides to take it on in order to prove why Lara cheated to steal her place as a Musik. On their trip, Sofi will learn hard truths about her own life, Musik, and the lies that have been told to her, resulting in an explosive conclusion that will change everything Aell has ever known. What I loved: This was such an engaging and enthralling read that quickly pulls the reader in to Sofi's passion, suffering, and trials. She has spent her whole life in her father's shadow, eager to become the best in her field. She has done everything her father asked and more. When the competition arises, Sofi is determined to be the best and follows her father's teachings to the letter - but it is ultimately not enough. Her devastation, pain, and loss are also mixed with her grief for her father and complicated emotions around Lara, the girl who intrigues her endlessly but also seems to have cheated to steal away her position. Sofi was a complex character who has struggled amidst the abuse of her childhood to craft the life she desired - only to have it snatched away at the last minute. Her emotions were consuming and the writing really conveyed these to the reader. Lara was an interesting character as well, and she mostly served to aid Sofi on her quest to self-realization. As a romantic interest, she suited Sofi very well, and their romance seemed inevitable. This was a lovely touch on top of Sofi's coming-of-age. The world-building was also very strong in the story, and Aell with its troubles and the power of Musik really came to life in the telling. A land of endless winter with the hopes that music can save it was a really intriguing premise. Themes around self-harm, suffering for art, the truth of love, fear of the unknown, the morality of creating of your own villain, politics, blackmail, and owning your own culpability and truths were really powerful. This was a thought-provoking read with a lot to unpack. This would be a great choice for a book group. What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the end felt like it wrapped up a bit quickly and too smoothly, considering the leading conflicts, but I do appreciate that it is a stand-alone read. Final verdict: Imaginative and evocative, SOFI AND THE BONE SONG is an enthralling YA fantasy about passion, music, and love. Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley SOFI & THE BONE SONG is a standalone fantasy about a young musician whose plan for her future falls apart when another girl wins the title she’s been training her whole life for. It’s got magic, music, taverns, an endless winter, sapphic romance, and an exploration and dismantling of the idea that people should suffer for their art. This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own. Adrienne Tooley’s newest release is a lush and musical YA fantasy Sofi life long dream is to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a Musik. In the Kingdom of Aell, there are only five musicians in the whole country who hold a special license to preform and write original songs. Never ending winter, the Kingdom of Aell, is blanked with snow and ice. Sofi has stringently dedicated her life to music and her goal to finally becoming a Musik like her father is abruptly halted when she is usurped by an unknown beautiful girl named Lara. That dream comes shattering to a halt, and her long countless hours of practicing has not resulted in the outcome she wished for. Struggling with this epic loss and reeling in her father’s passing, she seeks to prove that Lara on the day of competition used illegal magic. Sofi steps up, and offers to accompany Lara on her tour and write her songs. Hoping to catch Laura and prove to herself and everyone else that she is not forthright. Sofi will allow Lara to take the credit in exchange Lara will make her her own apprentice. As the two girls spend more time together a close and budding relationship flourishes. A coming of age emotional journey, readers will be given glimpse of Sofia’s past and see that it was completely taken up by intense training and she had no real childhood to speak of. She will come to turns what her father had been secretly holding from her, along with who her mother was. Adrienne Tooley, has written a beautiful, vivid and established world with fully fleshed out characters, along with a exceptional magical system. A budding sapphic romance that was lovely. The magic and political world system was easy to follow. This book deals with a very realistic ongoing topic, and I found it was depicted in a thoughtful, emotional way. A YA fantasy that has substance, with a clear message, one of self love, and excepting who you are. To forge a new path when the one you thought you wanted is redirected.

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!

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley is a delightful YA fantasy about a kingdom that cherishes its music to the point of hoarding. The story revolves around Sofi, whose father is a Musik, one of only a few musicians who is allowed to perform original songs. Sofi has been training to become the next Musik, but all of her plans grind to her halt when she's bested in a competition by a rival, Lara, and Lara becomes the next Musik instead of her. Can Sofi prove that Lara is using illegal magic? Or is she completely wrong about her? Here is an enchanting excerpt from Chapter 1: "Sofi's father was not known for his kindness, but then, kindness and talent were not one and the same. What Frederik Ollenholt lacked in niceties he made up for in his command of the Muse, in the intricate, complex music that poured from his fingers to his lute. As one of the five members of the Guild of Musiks and the only lutenist licensed to cross the border of their Kingdom of Aell into the wider world, her father didn't need to be kind. He needed talent. So if Sofi ever wanted to become her father's Apprentice - which she despertely, gut-wrenchingly did - she needed to ensure the Muse was on her side. Sofi fumbled in the darkness for the dress nearest to her, tugging it from its hanger and pulling it tightly around her shoulders like a blanket. "Pray for me, O Muse, for without you I am empty."" Overall, Sofi and the Bone Song is a YA fantasy featuring LGBT characters that will appeal to fans of The Midnight Girls or Malice. One highlight of this book is the original magic system. I love how the country rations its music and tries to keep it untainted from magic. Another highlight of this book is the relatioship between the main characters, Sofi and Lara. I found it easy to root for Sofi, and their journey as Sofi goes from hating Lara to trying to help her. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in April!

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.” Thank you @tbrandbeyondtours 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 that comes 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. It's a YA standalone, and between that and the blurb and the sapphic romance part you can kinda piece together what’ll happen. You’ll really want to read this book because of all the details that make it magical. Music might be the last untouched art, but that doesn’t mean it’s practitioners are above doing what it takes to be the best; after all, there are only a select 5 and their apprentices. While the book is about Sofi, and her learning that music is a bit more than repenting and prayer and license, the book is also about her father and how his selfishness almost ruined all of them. As Tooley slowly lets Sofi piece things together, you feel really very sorry for how she suffered; even if she thought it was all for music. I loved how for the longest time you’re so confused, wondering if what Lara is doing is really magic or if music just comes naturally to her. "I mean this with the utmost politeness, Sofi," Lara huffed as they made their way up the deceptively steep road, "but it's called being friendly. Just because you don't understand something doesn't make it magic." 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. It was also just a very different world to get used to; I feel like we do take music for granted a little bit; it has to exist. In this book when all performance is so strictly regulated, we can see that it’s been years since some people were able to hear music! 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!