Brown stated, “Finding fantasy books centered on Black girls was nearly impossible.

When asked about the idea for A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, in an interview with Frolic, Roseanne A.

What did you think about the alternating dual perspectives of both Malik and Karina throughout the book? Did you feel more invested being able to see both characters’ points of view?.

How did you feel about how the author developed the relationship between Malik and Karina?

Enemies to lovers is a time-honored fan-favorite trope for love stories.

How did you feel about this kind of conflict? What would you do in their shoes?

In this book, both characters are grappling with the idea of killing the person they have growing feelings for or allowing their family members to be killed/left dead.

What did you like or dislike about the relationships each character has with their families? Between Malik’s complicated history with his father and siblings and Karina’s struggle with not measuring up to her mother’s reign, there is plenty to unpack regarding each character and their feelings about their families. What did you think of the story building and the world Brown created in this book? What concepts stuck out to you?įamily, and all its complications, play a large role in this story. The fantasy genre has a wide range of possibilities that can it can explore, and having this book include so many aspects and concepts from a culture not always showcased in the YA book scene is no small thing. The world that this book is set in is based on Western African folklore, something that was extremely important to the author to incorporate.

But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a heart-pounding course to destroy each other. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated her court threatens mutiny and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. But when a vengeful spirit abducts his younger sister, Nadia, as payment to enter the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal-kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.īut Karina has deadly aspirations of her own.

This New York Times bestseller is perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi, Renée Ahdieh, and Sabaa Tahir.įor Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. The first in a gripping fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee find themselves on a collision course to murder each other despite their growing attraction-from debut author Roseanne A.

A song of wraiths and ruin book