Today’s post is on Strange
Sweet Song by Adi Rule. It is 324 pages long and is published by Dt. Martin’s
Griffin. It is a standalone novel. The
cover has the main character in the center with her back to the reader running
in the green gray woods. The intended reader is young adult but I think that
some adults would enjoy this book, if you like coming of age stories with opera
as a background. There some strong language, some abuse, talk of sex, and no violence
in this book. The story is told from third person close. There Be Spoilers
Ahead.
From the dust jacket- Outside Dunhammond
Conservatory, there lies a dark forest. And in the forest, they say, lives a
great beast called the Felix. But Sing da Navelli never put much faith in the
rumors and myths surrounding the school, music flows in her blood, and she is
there to sing. This prestigious academy will finally give her the chance to
prove her worth- not as the daughter of world-renowned musicians, but as an
artist and leading lady in her own right.
Yet despite her best efforts, there seems to be something missing from her voice. Her doubts about her own talents increase when she is cast as the understudy in the school’s production of her favorite opera, Angelique. Angelique was written at Dunhammond, and the legend says that the composer was inspired by the forest surrounding the school, a place steeped in history, magic, and danger. But was it all a figment of his imagination, or are the fantastic figures in the opera more than imaginary?
Sing must work with the mysterious apprentice Nathan Daysmoor, as her vocal coach, who is both her harshest critic and staunchest advocate. But Nathan has secrets of his own, secrets that are entwined with the myths and legends surrounding Dunhammond, and the great creature they say lives there.
Yet despite her best efforts, there seems to be something missing from her voice. Her doubts about her own talents increase when she is cast as the understudy in the school’s production of her favorite opera, Angelique. Angelique was written at Dunhammond, and the legend says that the composer was inspired by the forest surrounding the school, a place steeped in history, magic, and danger. But was it all a figment of his imagination, or are the fantastic figures in the opera more than imaginary?
Sing must work with the mysterious apprentice Nathan Daysmoor, as her vocal coach, who is both her harshest critic and staunchest advocate. But Nathan has secrets of his own, secrets that are entwined with the myths and legends surrounding Dunhammond, and the great creature they say lives there.
Review- I was not sold on this book until the ending.
It was very moving. The ending was very beautiful. Sing and the Felix have this
moment of understanding that was touching and artistic. The pacing is very slow
so some people will not like this book as much as it deserves. The pacing is
like watching an opera. Things happen but everything adds up to the ending
aria. Rule tells this story from four different perspectives, Sing, Nathan, the
Felix, and the bad guy George. I really liked hearing from all the sides of
this book. The only problem with that was at the beginning it was hard to tell
who was experiencing when. But at halfway through you get it. The story feels
very out of time. When something happens to make the reader think about when
this is taking place it was very jarring but that does not disturb the flow of
the story for very long. I will be reading Ms. Rule’s next book.
I give this book a Four of out Five stars. I get nothing for
this review and I borrowed this book from my local library.
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