A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a YA novel written by Roseanne A. Brown, part of a fantasy romance duology.
The story goes something like this. Malik, a refugee to the city of Ziran who arrives during the Solstasia festival — where seven contestants compete for a prize — wants to start a new life away from death and war, but when his younger sister is abducted by a mysterious spirit, he has to vow to kill the princess or never see her again. Princess Karina, however, has her own agenda; her mother, the Sultana, has been murdered, and she plans to resurrect her using ancient magic that requires the heart of a king — and she knows just how to get one. Karina offers her hand in marriage to whoever wins the Solstasia competitions, and Malik just happens to have rigged his way into becoming a champion. They seem destined to destroy each other, but as they begin to know each other, new feelings arise that complicate the whole affair.
The second book of the series, ''A Psalm of Storms and Silence", will be released on August 31 2021.
These books provides examples of:
- Always Someone Better: How Karina feels towards her deceased mother and sister, like however she struggles, she can't follow in their footsteps.
- Barrier Maiden: The whole Alahari family for Ziran, as they maintain a magic barrier around the city that keeps dangers out but also doesn't allow anyone of their bloodline to leave the city.
- The Chains of Commanding: The responsibilities of being the ruler of Ziran can be difficult to bear, and what's more is that there seems to be no way out of it — Karina and those before her physically can't leave Ziran.
- Cursed with Awesome: Malik could see spirits and do illusionary magic since he was a child - this caused him to be seen as mad and got him ostrachized which both took a heavy toll on his mental health.
- Dark Horse Sibling: Between Leila and Malik, she is the one who has a better education, always stays calm and provides plans, while Malik is often wrecked by panic attacks and was an outsider in their village due to his visions - yet it is he who becomes a champion at Solstasia and develops strong magical talents.
- Deal with the Devil: Malik is forced to enter one with Idir, after the spirit took Leila's and Malik's younger sister Nadia hostage and demands that they kill Karina for getting Nadia back alive.
- Elemental Magic: For people with magical talents, the sign they were born under determines what sort of magic they can use, with four of the signs being fire, water, air and earth.
- Engagement Challenge: Karina turns Solstasia into one by offering her hand in marriage to the winning champion.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Karina is the foolish sibling, where her older sister Hanane was the responsible one: Hanane took an active role in governing and was an excellent fighter, whereas Karina shies away from responsibilty and prefers to make music as she feels she can't possibly compete with her sister.
- Gilded Cage: Ziran physically serves as this to Karina. It's impossible for her to leave the city.
- Master of Illusion: Once Malik gets in touch with his magic again, he starts using illusion magic to great effect.
- Mystical White Hair: Silver-white hair is the trademark of the royal family Alahari as they are descendants of a spirit, and most of the Alahari are magically gifted.
- Opposites Attract: Karina and Malik are both very different people, yet find themselves drawn to each other regardless.
- Parental Neglect: Karina's mother has become very emotionally distant towards her younger daughter after her husband's and older daughter's death, to the point Karina thinks she hates her.
- Rebellious Princess: Karina does not want to be the crown princess of Ziran and heir to the throne at the beginning of the novel, and she makes that very clear by sneaking out often and being a general headache to her mother.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: Karina is very headstrong and brash as opposed to Malik's more reserved, timid approach; of course, they both have their moments where they defy those roles.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: Karina and Malik are an almost textbook example of this, save that the forces keeping them apart are oftentimes themselves.
- Widowed at the Wedding: Karina's plan ultimatively calls for marrying a champion and then killing him within days or even hours.
