Release Day: February 6, 2018
Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her.
When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?
Shadowsong is the sequel to Wintersong, and picks up shortly after the first book. A little time has passed, Liesl's brother Josef having risen to semi-stardom under the tutelage of his musical master in Vienna. Trying to outrun her small town, suffocating family, and heartbreak concerning the Goblin King, Liesl and her sister Kathe travel to him after the untimely and suspicious death of his master's death.
I enjoyed reading about the Underground and the wild magic infiltrating more civilized, urban life. The way that Liesl and Kathe function in a different world, with nobility and outside of their contained, rugged inn, is interesting and reveals more about the characters. I also enjoyed Josef and Francois and the relationship they have in the time period and society in which the story takes place. Liesl's conflict between wanting to do what's best for siblings and trying to ignore her own impulses to follow her heart is dark and grinding and pained. This isn't your normal fairytale, in the way that Wintersong wasn't your traditional fairytale.
There are moments, especially in the beginning, where I felt the plot lagged a little. So much of the struggles are internal, and while I appreciate that aspect of the story (for it is an integral part), I felt that it sometimes caused what is already a fairly slow moving plot stagnate a little. It wasn't until Leisl and Kathe were in Vienna, which doesn't happen until around 100 pages in. I was also annoyed with Josef, for he never really seems to understand everything Liesl has done to try and give him the best life, even at the cost of her own success and happiness.
Shadowsong is the story of what happens when what you thought you wanted is no longer an option and you do your best with what is left. It's hard but it's also beautiful and shows not only Liesl's but Kathe's and Josef's perseverance as well. While the writing style and the content might not be everyone's cup of tea, those who are looking for a twisty, complex, dark fairytale with a strong female character will like this book.
** I received a copy of this book from Netgally in exchange for an honest review. **
Find out more about the author and her books here: http://sjaejones.com
Happy Reading!
Jasmine
