Karthia is almost unrecognizable. Change is allowed, people can travel, science can move forward. Valoria, the newly crowned queen, is met with resistance from subjects used to being ruled by a king that forbids any change at all. Odessa, master necromancer with no job anymore with the laws against resurrecting the dead, chooses to leave without a word and travel with her friend Kasmira and Meredy, the girl she has feelings for. She wants to see the world and experience something untouched by her grief and the events that led to Valoria's reign. Unfortunately, now that Karthia is in contact with the world, the world is more aware of Karthia and the weakness of the current reign. Odessa goes back to serve her queen and hopes it isn't too late.
Song of the Dead is the sequel to Reign of the Fallen in which the world has a few different types of magic particular to certain eye colors. This installment expands the world from Karthia and shows how unaware of the rest of the world they were. Other lands ban necromacers altogether while other lands breed dragons and still others travel around, pillaging and stealing along the way. There are marvels and dangers Karthia was completely unaware of, which is creating issues for them now. Different abilities are also shown with people of unique eyecolors than the usual such as power over plants, shapeshifting, and a different type of necromancy. The young adults with these unique powers were forced to hide them due to the shame and mistreatment of those around them. Since they are viewed outside the norm, it feels akin to LGBT or nonbinary or those with different beliefs than their intolerant parents are treated.
The main conflict of the novel comes from people attacking Karthia from the inside, their own subjects resistent to change, and those outside, possibly trying to conquer or take their resources. The internal conflict is populated by very different people, violent and peaceful alike. Although she is constantly in danger from terrorist attacks, Valoria still tries to debate and negoatiate with the group in order to work towards peace. She is a powerhouse ruler who does what's needed sometimes at the expense of herself. The outward conflict is dealt with brilliantly because it shows how rumors and offensive stereotypes can spread and affect how people in far lands can view them. I wish these issues had come up sooner. While I like the romance between Meredy and Odessa, I felt it the conflict and angst around it took up too much time and made the ending feel quite rushed. I did, however, appreciate that Odessa was able to put her romantic troubles aside when more important things need her attention.
The undead are not seen much in this installment, much to my disappointment, but there are new ways for the dead to enter the mortal realm. One specific zombie proves to be much more dangerous than he seems and makes up for the lack of undead everywhere else. This aspect surprised me and came out of nowhere. I hope further installments have more zombies, but not if Valoria still bans the resurrection of the dead. I found these particular zombies fascinating with their urge to eat but never becoming satiated and their transformation to shades if the living see any part of them. Their absence in Karthia leaves a hole in their society that people miss. Many aren't used to not spending time with dead loved ones. There was no need to mourn or miss them. Life went on as usual with generations of relatives around. Now, the living remain with new people holding power in families, another aspect of change that's widely hated.
Song of the Dead is enjoyable and widens the scope of the world, revealing modern marvels and unknown dangers. The pacing is a little off and the relationship between Meredy and Odessa (with their dramatic breakups and makeups) took more precedence in terms of time. I also felt that Meredy's struggles with addiction mirrored Odessa's too much and Odessa's response to some of Meredy's behavior felt off to me. Other than that, the novel is a worthy continuation and has me eager for more (hopefully with more zombies).
My rating: 4/5 fishmuffins
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