A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

by Roseanne A. Brown

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Malik is a poor refugee; Karina is a rich princess. Though their lives seem worlds apart, when each of their families is affected by dark magic, both Malik and Karina will do whatever it takes to get them back — even if it means killing each other. Infused with West African folklore and lush world-building, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is an epic debut with an ending that will leave you spellbound.

An instant New York Times bestseller!

The first in a gripping fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction—from debut author Roseanne A. Brown. This New York Times bestseller is perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi, Renée Ahdieh, and Sabaa Tahir.

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts his younger sister, Nadia, as payment to enter the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a heart-pounding course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

"Magic creates a centuries-long divide between peoples in this stunning debut novel inspired by North African and West African folklore. An action-packed tale of injustice, magic, and romance, this novel immerses readers in a thrilling world and narrative reminiscent of Children of Blood and Bone." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")

Don't miss the second book in this epic duology, A Psalm of Storms and Silence!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062891495
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Pages:	480
Sales rank:	444,187
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.70(d)
Lexile:	960L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Roseanne A. Brown is an immigrant from the West African nation of Ghana and a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she completed the Jimenez-Porter Writers’ House program. Her work has been featured by Voice of America, among other outlets. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is her debut novel. You can visit her online at roseanneabrown.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/18/2020

Magic creates a centuries-long divide between peoples in this stunning debut novel inspired by North African and West African folklore. Malik and his sisters, refugees from the Eshra Mountains, have spent the last two months traveling the Odjubai Desert to find work in the city-state of Ziran. When his younger sister is taken by an evil spirit as payment for a magical gift, Malik strikes a deal to kill Princess Karina Alahari, 17, in order to save his sister. Meanwhile, Karina’s mother, the sultana, is assassinated by an unknown man. Missing her mother and not wanting the responsibility of the throne, Karina vows to bring the sultana back from the dead; however, doing so requires a human sacrifice. Malik and Karina’s paths cross during Solstasia, a weeklong Zirani festival celebrating a comet that comes once every 50 years. As they reluctantly fall in love, both wrestle, in a dual narrative, with their individual plans to kill one another. An action-packed tale of injustice, magic, and romance, this novel immerses readers in a thrilling world and narrative tantamount to that of Children of Blood and Bone. Ages 13–up. Agent: Quressa Robinson, Nelson Literary. (June)

Publishers Weekly

A refreshing, immersive debut that should be on every fantasy lover’s shelf, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin introduces a dazzling new talent in Roseanne A. Brown

Kiersten White

This epic story is brimming with trickster spirits, rich culture, and an organically developing romance that make every twist and turn more interesting than the last….Brown’s novel will easily fit on shelves next to other great West African–inspired fantasies like Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and Ifueko’s Raybearer, and the ending makes it apparent that Malik and Karina’s story has (thankfully) only just begun."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

"Set in a world of ancient magic, Brown spins a fantastical tale that is full of heart, adventure, and intrigue. Readers will delight in the lush details of a world and characters so vividly drawn that they leap off the page."

Rena Barron

"A dazzling debut, sparkling with delicious magic, romance, and intrigue. Brown weaves a story that will sink its teeth into you and won't let go, even after the last page."

Swati Teerdhala

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a stunning fantasy featuring characters you will simultaneously root for and against as you try to determine who you want to succeed. Roseanne A. Brown’s debut will grab you by the heart and stab you in the feels.

Rachel Strolle

A refreshing, immersive debut that should be on every fantasy lover’s shelf, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin introduces a dazzling new talent in Roseanne A. Brown” %COMM_CONTRIB%Kiersten White

05/01/2020

Gr 9 Up—An immersive, West African-inspired debut. Malik arrives in Ziran with his two sisters for the Solstasia festival, yearning for a fresh start. A refugee with a sensitive heart, he will do anything to protect his family. When a deal with a magical entity leads to his youngest sister's abduction, he knows that there is only one way forward: He has to broker an awful deal to ensure her safe return. In the meantime, Karina is the crown princess of Ziran with a tragic past and a lot to prove. Plagued by chronic migraines, she wants to live her own life outside of the constraints of her position. When her mother is assassinated, she and Malik are thrown into each other's path; they are both on secret missions to kill the other and salvage what they have lost. A growing mutual attraction complicates their mission, and they learn what is truly worth fighting for. Readers will forgive Brown for occasionally tangled plotting, because the story, characters, and world-building are so skillfully handled. VERDICT A mostly tautly woven tale with a slow build that will leave readers wanting more. The first in a duology, this will appeal to those who love gentle male protagonists, strong female leads, and worlds filled with magic!—India Winslow, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA

School Library Journal

★ 2020-03-29
Two teens, destined to destroy each other, are caught up in romance, palace intrigue, and magic.

Seventeen-year-old, silver-haired, dark brown–skinned Karina is the reluctant crown princess of Ziran. After losing her sister and father to a mysterious fire, then her mother to an assassin, Karina is desperate to resurrect a suitable ruler for Ziran—even if that means taking a dark path into necromancy. Brooding, light brown–skinned Malik is a refugee from the mountain territories of Eshra, where his family is oppressed by Zirani occupation. He travels with his two sisters seeking work during the festival of Solstasia, a celebration that happens every 50 years and ushers in a new age of leadership under one of the patron deities. After tangling with a malevolent spirit, Malik finds himself promising to kill Karina in order to save the life of his little sister. There’s no time for readers to catch their breath as Brown’s complex plot winds and races from beginning to end. Still, the story never feels rushed or underdeveloped, and her exceptionally well-built world is infused with North and West African tricksters, naming conventions, and religious traditions. Matrilineal heritage dictates who rules in Ziran, a place where peripheral queer representation is accepted and celebrated.

Revitalizing and exciting, Brown’s debut breathes life into ancient but still relevant folk stories. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews

An explosive, stunning fantasy debut… Brown’s world building is diverse and brimming with political intrigue, magic, and a burgeoning romance in the best of ways. Notably, Brown uses a lush fantasy backdrop to poignantly discuss real-world issues.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)

“Revitalizing and exciting, Brown’s debut breathes life into ancient but still relevant folk stories.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An action-packed tale of injustice, magic, and romance, this novel immerses readers in a thrilling world and narrative tantamount to that of Children of Blood and Bone.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This epic story is brimming with trickster spirits, rich culture, and an organically developing romance that make every twist and turn more interesting than the last….Brown’s novel will easily fit on shelves next to other great West African–inspired fantasies like Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and Ifueko’s Raybearer, and the ending makes it apparent that Malik and Karina’s story has (thankfully) only just begun."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“A supernatural love story inspired by West African folklore and dripping in political commentary and modern parallels.”  — BookPage (starred review)

“Will leave readers wanting more.... This will appeal to those who love gentle male protagonists, strong female leads, and worlds filled with magic!” — School Library Journal

“Impressive world-building, beautiful writing, and surprising plot twists…. Perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone), Sabaa Tahir (An Ember in the Ashes), and Tochi Onyebuchi (Beasts Made of Night).” — Horn Book Magazine

“A rapturous love story with wickedly delicious magic and bloody stakes, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a heart-racing epic that can’t be missed.” — Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles series 

“A refreshing, immersive debut that should be on every fantasy lover’s shelf, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin introduces a dazzling new talent in Roseanne A. Brown” — Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of And I Darken

“With the heart-pounding action of Children of Blood and Bone, the magic of Spirited Away, and the twisty alluring intrigue of Game of Thrones, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a MASTERPIECE.” — Brittney Morris, author of SLAY

"A dazzling debut, sparkling with delicious magic, romance, and intrigue. Brown weaves a story that will sink its teeth into you and won't let go, even after the last page." — Swati Teerdhala, author of The Tiger at Midnight

"Set in a world of ancient magic, Brown spins a fantastical tale that is full of heart, adventure, and intrigue. Readers will delight in the lush details of a world and characters so vividly drawn that they leap off the page." — Rena Barron, author of Kingdom of Souls

From the Publisher

A rapturous love story with wickedly delicious magic and bloody stakes, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a heart-racing epic that can’t be missed.

Dhonielle Clayton

A supernatural love story inspired by West African folklore and dripping in political commentary and modern parallels.” 

BookPage (starred review)

Impressive world-building, beautiful writing, and surprising plot twists…. Perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone), Sabaa Tahir (An Ember in the Ashes), and Tochi Onyebuchi (Beasts Made of Night).

Horn Book Magazine

With the heart-pounding action of Children of Blood and Bone, the magic of Spirited Away, and the twisty alluring intrigue of Game of Thrones, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a MASTERPIECE.

Brittney Morris

An explosive, stunning fantasy debut… Brown’s world building is diverse and brimming with political intrigue, magic, and a burgeoning romance in the best of ways. Notably, Brown uses a lush fantasy backdrop to poignantly discuss real-world issues.

ALA Booklist (starred review)