Songbird of the Sorrows by Bradiee Otto

This early review copy was gifted to me by author Braidee Otto and Book of Matches Media. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Songbird of the Sorrows

Series: Myths of the Empyrieos

Author: Braidee Otto

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Romantasy

Source: digital, Book of Matches Media

Pages: 377

Synopsis

Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all…Love no one.

Born without breath, Aella’s life began with a solemn promise etched in fate. Ousted from the Palace of Sorrows and gifted to the Aviary at a young age, she was shaped to fit the mold they made for her.

Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.

After Aella completes her training and passes the Naming ceremony, she is assigned to the prestigious Alpha Flight, led by none other than her former flame. Everything about Raven calls to her. He is brave, loyal, and lethal. But love is forbidden within the Aviary.

When Alpha Flight is tasked with infiltrating the eastern kingdom’s royal trials to seek a weapon hidden deep within its court, Aella struggles with the expectations placed on her.

As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, she must decide whether to follow orders or defy them.

Songbird of the Sorrows is the first book in Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine, her struggles through high stakes trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue and kingdom politics, and a journey of self-discovery, true love, and redemption. This book will appeal to fans of character-driven, plot-heavy romantasy such as The Bridge Kingdom, Throne of Glass, Trial of the Sun Queen, and Spark of the Everflame.

Thoughts

"Songbird of the Sorrows" by Braidee Otto was a rollercoaster ride of unexpected plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The world-building was nothing short of fantastic. Otto had a knack for painting a vivid picture with words, filling the book with a plethora of colorful details that engaged all of my senses.

I was particularly impressed with the character design. Each character was brilliantly crafted, complete with their own unique set of flaws. It felt as if the characters were real people, each with their own purpose and meaning to the story. This made the narrative feel more engaging and the characters more relatable.

One of my favorite characters was Aella. Not only was she a total badass, but her character was complex and well-rounded, making her a pleasure to read about.

One of the best aspects of the book was the unpredictability of the plot. I had absolutely no idea which direction the story was going to take next. This unpredictability made the book thoroughly entertaining, gripping, and exciting.

It was clear to me that Otto was using this book to set up the world, characters, and background for the rest of the series. The book ends on a massive cliffhanger, which left me incredibly intrigued and eager to find out what happens next.

I also absolutely loved the creative touch of using different bird breeds as code names. This added a unique and interesting layer to the story that further pulled me into the world Otto had created.

In conclusion, "Songbird of the Sorrows" was an engaging and thrilling read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good plot-heavy romantasy, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.