Dan on Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule
This book was referred to me by a friend who is, in turn, friends with the author. I'm so glad that she did. This is a truly special book and I'm glad to have had the chance to read it.
In the first chapter, we witness a musical performance as observed by a crow. A crow who appears to be trying to sing along?
In the second we meet the main character, Sing da Navelli, who will be attending Dunhammond Conservatory, the setting for the book. We are also introduced to an opera, Angelique, which itself is almost a character in the book.
By the third chapter, we learn that all is not going to be as we expect. We are introduced to the magical feline The Felix, who also plays a part in Angelique, but whom also appears to be extremely real and potentially very deadly.
I don't want to spoil any of the book, because I desperately hope that everyone will read it! Sing, as a character, isn't always likeable --but she feels real. A child of fame and privilege, who isn't comfortable with who she is, will not always be likeable. The story however, is always engaging. I enjoyed every moment of reading it and I expect to return to it again in the future.
I think the strongest draw for me is that if there's something that I love more than reading, it is music. Music has been as much a part of my life as books and reading. This story is an extra joy for me because music is at it's very core.
There's a bit of everything in here: some fantasy and magic, music, romance, first love, the struggles of growing up both in and out of the limelight. I think that any avid reader would well enjoy the time spent reading this book.