"Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve...
...Better by far that you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad."
from Remember by Christina Rossetti
Shadowsong is the sequel and conclusion to the Wintersong story.
It follows Elizabeth as she begins to rebuild her life in poverty, after her return from the Underworld and when a rich patron offers to sponsor her career as a composer, it seems as if all her dreams have come true. Vienna awaits, along with a life of riches and recognition, yet Elizabeth is consumed with yearning for her Goblin King and wants only to see his face again. Her music is the last link she has with him and as she plays she feels his presence, drawing her back to the Underworld, where everything has changed, for an even darker force has been unleashed.
This is a satisfying sequel and bears all the hallmarks of a classic Gothic novel, dealing with themes of incarceration, madness, melancholy, addiction, corruption, self-harm, trickery and betrayal. It is moody and atmospheric; a chiaroscuro world where the Wild Hunt bolts free, leaving icy death and devastation in its wake; where scarlet poppies, the flowers of the dead, whisper secrets and name the deceased; where magic mirrors and lakes become corridors into the nebulous realms of the Old Ways, where a sacrifice is demanded for every boon of life and turn of season.
It's difficult to review books like this without giving too much away. Like Wintersong before it, Shadowsong will draw you into another world, a dark fairytale realm of pagan horned gods and ancient beliefs. It is a novel about facing your inner demons, where greater self-awareness and self-compassion bring victory and freedom. There are fewer musical references in this novel though, and the music seems to take a back seat to the story-line. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series. Darkly enchanting, Shadowsong will sweep you away into a Gothic dream of love, loss and redemption. Enjoy!
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