5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) alcoholism, graphic death, xenophobia, child neglect mentions, homophobia, lesbophobia, cisgenderism, cursing, sexual content 

"You are a lioness who's been raised to believe she's a kitten. You could tear the world apart if you wanted."


Songs of Vice by Nicole Bailey is book one The Siren's Call series, coming to a bookshelf near you next month. You guys know how I felt about the Apollo Rising series, and this one doesn't disappoint! It's like a New Adult Six of Crows or The Gilded Wolves mixed with The Folk of the Air. This one is also a bit spicier 🌶️ than the Apollo books too. Just think: magic, fairies, elemental magic, found family, lots of queer characters, and many twists. 

We follow Lira, a siren mostly ignorant about her powers and about the Fae, just wants to get away from her abusive mother and not harm anyone anymore. While trying to make her escape, she becomes embroiled in a magical heist with Fae, specifically the mysterious Sai. We get a great and diverse cast of characters who I immediately loved and would die for. I love Neia and Elisa's relationship, it's so pure. Sai is greyromantic! And there is a nonbinary character, named Luz, who I hope gets a pov chapter next book. 

At first I found Lira's naivete and meekness to be annoying until I realized it was because she reminded me of me. That's what happens to someone when their mother is emotionally abusive and narcissistic. Luz's quote above perfectly sums up Lira, and it was so satisfying to see her finally stand up to her mother and tell her to die mad about. Something I wish I could do. There were also twists! I guessed one of them, but not the others. Now I have to (im)patiently wait for book two. 

Your only job next month is to go buy this book.