SONGS OF BROKEN BELLS by LILLY LOCKWOOD: A Review (No Spoilers)

Songs of Broken Bells was a book I'd been anticipating well before its release. Queer Fantasy and a unique world, all wrapped up in a beautiful cover?

Yes, please!

The book's primary focus is Líadan, a girl with a dangerous power she must repress. We follow along as she and her friends seek a means to conquer the dark entity that controls her power and threatens to bring destruction to those around her.

The journey is sort of Frozen meets The Lord of the Rings. Líadan is fearful of the power within her and wants to be able to control it (and then ultimately be rid of it). It is a reverse Golden Fleece. She starts out with her friend Vasil to help her. They meet up with Vasil's old friend Minno, and from there they all meet Aila, a girl with powers not unlike Líadan. They follow a satisfying path as they gain new information, Líadan attempts to train her sense of control, and they meet new friends and helpers along the way.

Lockwood has done an impressive job of building an extensive world for their characters. The story is full of rich descriptions and is clearly crafted with love. Supplemental information is given to the reader through "inserted" documents and annotations, which is a fun way to get additional context.

I liked the grit of the characters' experience. The descriptions of Líadan fighting against her power, against the flames rising in her, felt sincere and urgent. I also appreciated the stakes of the story, with multiple injuries which were not graphic but did feel sobering and grounding.

One thing I'll note is that there are quite heavy themes of anxiety and depression—the author made sure to mention this up front, which is excellent and appreciated. Just something one should consider for themselves before diving in.

There were multiple themes to take away from SoBB, including navigating these mental health issues, dealing with religious faith and expectations, desiring freedom, and found family. Truly, this is a "friends we made along the way" kind of story, which I'm a fan of!

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Sage T. Green, Author