Teen Book Review: Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier

In SONG OF THE ABYSS, the second installment of Makiia Lucier’s TOWER OF WINDS series, 17-year-old orphan and apprentice mapmaker Reyna’s ship is raided by mysterious, revenant-like soldiers. Reyna must abandon ship and flee toward safety, leaving every single crew member behind and taking only the ship’s most valuable maps with her as she swims toward foreign shores in search of help–and an explanation. So begins a great adventure that will thrust Reyna into the paths of sovereigns and princes (and worse) as she travels the high seas and explores foreign kingdoms never before seen by the wider world, all while trying to solve the mystery of the strange soldiers and the truth about what happened to her shipmates.

SONG OF THE ABYSS may be the second book in the series, but it’s a stand-alone story most readers can enjoy without having read book one, ISLE OF BLOOD AND STONE (though there are maybe a few details only returning readers will be able to appreciate). Readers who enjoyed book one will find the same lively cast of characters plus a few new faces, though Reyna’s narrative definitely takes the spotlight–her desire to become a master of the Tower of Winds, her journey to save her friends, as well as her romance with Prince Levi of Lunes take center stage. It features the same accessible prose and the same deft descriptions of lovely landscapes that made IOBAS so enjoyable. In my humble opinion, Reyna’s story was even *more* engaging than Lord Elias and Mercedes’s (which I liked) . . . though I have hopes (and SUSPICIONS!) about book three.

Fantasy Cultures + Swashbuckling Adventure + Mystery + Dash of Romance = A Winning Combination on which Lucier now has a signature stamp, in good company with Susan Dennard (Witchlands) and V.E. Schwab (Shades of Magic).

If you loved IOBAS, chances are good that you’ll love this one, too. And if you *haven’t* read IOBAS, don’t let that stop you from picking this one up (unless you plan to read book one and want to avoid the spoilers . . . there are one or two big ones). Any reader should be able to jump right in without confusion–for the most part, this book based on an entirely new adventure and events or existing relationships that require explanation are given it. Anyone who loves seafaring adventure tales of exploration, and discovery should definitely give it a try.

Available August 27th 2019 from HMH Books for Young Readers

**I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine.**