Book Review: Strange Sweet Song

Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule
♦publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
♦release date: March 11, 201
♦hardcover, 336 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦intended audience: Young adult

An enchanting, lyrical, gothic read, filled with mysticism and music

Review: In the beginning, there was singing and an open window which let in a crow. A crow that was almost humanlike in its yearning, possessing a deep sadness within its eyes. Listening to the aria sung, as if wishing he could sing as beautiful.

Sing da Navelli has been brought up shrouded from the outside world, within the world of opera. Born with expectations of her famous conductor father, to sing and carry on the world renowned name of her opera singing mother. With music in her blood, enrolling in the Dunhammond Conservatory was the perfect place to prove herself separate from others expectations, and just sing.

So when Dunhammond Conservatory announces that its Autumn Festival Opera will be Angelique, Sing’s dreams come true, knowing she can land the lead role. Quickly, the pressure and expectations of greatness are too much for Sing and she instantly begins to doubt her voice. Ultimately, leaving her to be cast as the lead’s understudy. Knowing her voice is “broken,” the cynical and rejected apprentice, Nathan Daysmoor, is instructed to help prepare Sing for the role and fix her voice.  

Falling within his own storyline, Nathan hides a deeper secret than that of who he is, but of his ancient connection with the Maestro of the Conservatory, adding to the building mystery of the academy.

 Through some whim of fate, Sing quickly becomes intertwined with the legend that haunts the forest beyond the campus walls. Legend has it that a great and terrible beast protects the forest, a cat like creature called a Felix which is known to rip out the throats of any forest creature it passes.

Magic or madness, the legend of the Felix consumes the Academy, casting its foreboding gothic shadow over all of Dunhammond Conservatory. Leaving the forbidden forest that lies beyond the walls to surround it like a magical blanket.

Where secrets lay buried in a shallow grave ready to be unearthed, suddenly nothing is as it seems. Leaving Sing to discover for herself, the still small greatness within her own voice. Deciding if she will let the opera define her or destroy her.

Strange Sweet Song, is a work held together by beautiful music. Laden with secrets and truths all of its own. Where each character has its own purpose and agenda, leaving you to decide who Sing should trust and who she run from. Merging the love of musical and operatic gifts with the fantasy and mystery of ancient legends.

Adi Rule, composes her book as if it was written in musical score. Where the beautiful music practically lifts off the pages as you read. Highlighting the gifts and tragedies behind human longing and desire.