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Genre: ✨Cozy Fantasy Adventure with Clean Romance | Age: 👩🏽 New Adult (16+) | Buy: Bookshop.org | ⭐See star rating

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Marieke, after graduating from the Academy of Song, leaves on a trip with others from Oleand to discover why the neighboring Aeltas has flourishing farms while the Oleand land seems to be dying. She encounters people she was never supposed to see, including the strange farmer Zev.

🏞 The Land as a Character

The title of this book is very relevant as the land is as much of a character as the actual people. There is a large canyon that separates the two countries from each other—and the only way across is a precarious bridge without railings.

Marieke is a singer who uses the power of the land to produce her magic. She is adventurous, always up for a challenge, and never stops asking questions. Her goal is always to learn and discover. I loved her character.

Marieke wants to uncover the truth, not just accept something because an authority figure told her. This, in addition to providing us with some exciting moments, gets her into trouble with her superiors more than a couple of times.

I have a desire for truth like these types of characters, but I do not possess the thick skin that they do, so I love living vicariously through their bold actions.

💕 Super Slow-Burn

Zev is a farmer with a mysterious past. He is not overly fond of singers as generations before his found themselves at odds with singers ruling the land.

We uncover much of this mystery as we follow Zev and Marieke on an uncommon adventure through both of their lands.

Zev, however, needs to talk more. He does have to be secretive for…reasons…but he could banter a little more. Or at least share with Marieke that he can’t share anything with her.

I am used to White’s romances wrapping up with a pretty bow by the end of the book, so I was a little shocked to realize that this romance will take the span of the trilogy to (hopefully) have its happy ending.

I am here for it, though. I have said before that White writes emotionally healthy characters. Marieke is already there (and I love it), and Zev will be there once he goes through his growth arc. I’m excited to continue the series!

✨ Trilogy Update

I just wanted to let you know that since writing this review I’ve finished the trilogy, and I loved the whole series. I highly recommend all three books.

🦉Who Would Like This Book

You will probably like this book if you like:

• slow-burn romance
• cozy but adventurous fantasy
• musical magic system
• emotionally healthy characters
• powerful descriptions of the settings
• a positive, truth-seeking main female character.

I hope you enjoy this one!

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🤖 Written and edited without the use of AI.

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