Continuing the hot trend of Asian-inspired fantasy, New York Times bestselling author Judy Lim gives us Song of the Six Realms. The fantasy structure was fairly complex, and in spite of the reference provided at the beginning of the book, it was a challenge to follow. Music and poetry played an important role in this book with even some of the literary structure being referred to as prelude, interludes, verses, and a finale. Music had a role in the magic which also was a nice touch. There was thoughtful characterization of Xue and Jinglang with a slow-burn, sweet romantic attraction developing. The mystery of what was going on at the duke’s estate and with attacks is the hook that keeps the reader engaged.
The overall quality of the writing is high and the first part of the book was narratively strong, but the last part of the book felt like an entirely different story in terms of style and pacing; it felt a bit rushed and disjointed. Perhaps this was intentional on the author’s part, but as a reader it was a little disorienting and confusing–especially coupled with a complex fantasy system. This makes it a little challenging to assign a star rating to this book because it actually felt in many ways like two different books. Overall, though, YA fans of this genre will most likely enjoy this novel.
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 2 religious profanities.
Violence/Gore: Memory of a teacher who would use bamboo stick to discipline students; statement that a character’s family was executed; report of an attack and death; patron intends to have his way with a dancer but is stopped, brief and non-descriptive; attack by a beast with death and injuries, defense by sword, brief and non-descriptive; frightening dreams; character almost strangles another character to death; various separate references to stories and poems that talked about death or violence; injury on hand, mention of blood; character attacked by a beast, killing of beast with sword; character falls unconscious from stress/over-exertion; character constrained and knocked to knees by sword; verbal threat of harm; verbal threat of death; character slaps another across the face, drawing blood; brief statement of what happens to mortals passes through a certain place; report someone is to be executed; characters see memories of an attack in the past by a beast resulting in severe injuries, blood mentioned; characters view the memory of an attack 1-2; individual forcible detained for questioning; report that someone was thrown from a cliff as punishment; character attacks others causing a transformation, sounds of battle are heard; character goes through a series of experiences in which they see brief acts of violence such as a boy killed with a knife, an ax is used to cut an adulterer’s arm and head off, man strangles a woman, a sword is planted in an opponent’s chest, mentions of blood; an explanation of what is happening refers to past killing and someone eating the inner core of others; character sees a desperate battle from a distance; extended battle scene with magic, arrows, sword, etc. and some deaths, mention of blood, a brief decapitation.
Sex/Nudity: Reference to concubine; character says that they are “not that sort of establishment” and tells someone to go to the pleasure houses; female character notices the attractiveness of a male character; male character touches female character’s face and female hopes that he will kiss her; two males have a romantic relationship and refer to each other as “my love”, this is referred to a few times; male and female embrace; character says they were the result of a forbidden tryst between his parents; male character recalls how his betrothed told him that she did not want to be with any man and asked to be released; male and female kiss passionately with verbal expression of affection; male and female characters hold hands; reference to mistress; a woman has a female consort.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death of family members; prejudice (mortals v celestials); references to same-sex romantic relationships.
Alcohol/Drug Use:
Characters drink wine; poison.
