Early Review: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Wintersong
S. Jae-Jones
Published: Feb. 7, 2017 (Thomas Dunne)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Amy 

Rating (out of 5): 4 stars

Liesl gave up her dreams and desires early on, resigning herself to helping around her family’s inn. Quickly putting aside the magical stories of goblins and their King, The Lord of Mischief, and music, and became a more devoted older sister to her beautiful younger sister Käthe, and her talented violinist brother Josef.

On the day of a huge audition for her brother, Liesl’s sister goes missing. Later learning she’s been taken by the goblins, Liesl travels to their realm to find her. But bringing her sister home will come with a price. A price that will force Liesl to trade her life for Käthe’s. Once enmeshed within this new and sometimes frightening world, Liesl will need the creativity of her music to help her survive.

Wintersong was a book where I had to give myself some time to really think about my thoughts and feelings on what I had just read. This is not a review that’s easily written down. This book and its writing has such a dreamlike quality to it. It’s all at once beautiful, but at the same time, I felt like it was a little difficult to connect with the story because I felt like there was only one character that you actually get to know and understand.

Because it’s Liesl’s journey, her self-discovery, you see her grow immensely throughout. She goes from a girl hidden in the shadows to a woman who you hope (as every indication points to) will embrace her newfound freedoms and wants and desires. Who will no longer settle for just being, but will set herself apart from her highly lauded brother and sister.

I both loved and kind of disliked the mysteriousness that surrounds the Goblin King. I loved every peek we get as to his true nature, and I enjoyed trying to put the puzzle pieces together in regards to his life, to what (or who) came before Liesl. He’s such a dynamic character, but I felt like we only broke the surface. I understand that, being Liesl’s story, all others take second string, but much of his character is so interwoven with hers. I would definitely like to see more of what happens to his character after the events of Wintersong.

However, I felt like the ending had this almost perfect bittersweet taste to it. I was actually blown away by the decisions S. Jae-Jones made in how the book ended and I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s one of those books that leaves you wondering “what if” or, “what now?” Because of the fluidity and dreamy quality of the goblin realm there would be no shortage of stories to be told in this world, but part of me likes the idea of keeping things confined to a single book.

Overall, I’d say you’re in for a pretty unique treat if you decide to pick up Wintersong.

Sexual content: sex