Book Review | Song of the Six Realms

Xue is an orphan and an apprentice musician at the House of Flowing Water. However, one night, while performing, she catches the eye of a mysterious lord. He whisks her away to his estate where she discovers that he is actually The Duke of Dreams and that her memories may be the key to saving all the realms!

The premise for Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin sounded promising and Meng's estate felt magical and beautifully atmospheric, but the story's execution fell flat to me.

Pacing-wise, I feel like a lot of the first three chapters could have been cut and gradually revealed throughout the story. Either that, or I wish there had been some sort of stakes or conflict—like competition from the other apprentices or Xue struggling with her lessons, or at least something to make things more interesting!

I was also disappointed in Xue's lack of character motivation. Give us a dying promise from her parents that she's trying to fulfill or some sort of goal so readers can to root for her! I think I found Ning from Lin's first series (The Book of Tea) a more compelling character because she was at least fighting to save her sister.

I typically adore C-drama inspired stories with Demons and Celestials, but this book unfortunately lacked heart to me and I found it difficult to care about any of the characters.

Thank you, Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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