Review: Songstone by Lena Goldfinch

Book Blurb

Kita can meld song into stone. In a world with no written word, storytelling—the ability to meld (or magically impress) song into stone—is greatly honored. The village honors her master as their medicine man, but Kita knows he's secretly a sorcerer who practices black magic using drops of her blood. She fears he’ll use her beautiful gift for a killing spell, so she conceals it from him. Each day, his magic tightens around her neck like a rope. His spells blind the villagers, so they can’t see him for what he really is.

Not that anyone would want to help her. She was found in the forest as a baby and would have died if a village girl hadn't brought her home. But the villagers saw Kita's unusual coloring and decided she belonged to the mysterious tribe who lives in the forests of the volcano, a people feared for their mystical powers. So they fear her too. Now seventeen, she can barely admit her deepest longing: to know who she really is and where she belongs.

Then Pono, a young journeyman, arrives from the other side of the island. He's come to fulfill a pact between their villages: to escort a storyteller back to his village—a storyteller who'll be chosen at the great assembly. Finally, in Pono, Kita sees her one slim chance at freedom and she'll risk her life to take it.

A dark, twisty tale of sorcery, tummy-tingling romance, and adventure, inspired by the folklore of New Zealand's Māori people.

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Author Info

Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.

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My Review

(written and provided by Amber McCallister)

Songstone is an enchanting and touching tale of the never-ending struggle of self-worth, the beauty of overcoming one’s fear, and the transforming wonder of true love. These and many other themes are carefully explored throughout this story, and each of them touched my heart in a profound way. This story is relevant to both young and old, and as a result, I highly recommend it those who are in need of some encouragement and hope.

Viewing the world through the eyes of a girl who is an outsider in her village is something that hit too close to home for me. It was an eye-opening journey and yet a familiar one that made me uncomfortable. My heart went out to her with each struggle and battle that she had to overcome. I felt like I was walking with her on this adventure, and I longed for her world to turn around and brighten with each step she took. This story brought with it a fresh dose of loneliness, the horror of being misunderstood, and the desperate need to be seen and known. 

The fragile strength and tender hope that grew in her heart with the help of others had me cheering her on. I was immediately and completely taken in by her beautiful heart. She kept her heart from hardening too much, so that when the time was right, she was able to transform from her worthless and ugly existence to one of true and honest belonging. She finally found her true home, and in the process found her heart.

 I was easily and completely swept up into this foreign and mysterious world written into existence by Lena Goldfinch. I loved her easy and effortless writing style that flowed so gracefully from the pages of this book and into my heart. I couldn’t get enough of this story and devoured it as quickly as I could. I recommend this book to anyone whose heart is weary with pain and desperate for hope. This is a story that will lighten your spirit and bring a smile to your lips.