Songs of the Earth by Elspeth Cooper
Sadly, there isn’t always a constant stream of books by big name authors to keep you reading day in day out. I used to consider this the downside of reviewing books, but I recently found that I was wrong. My pile of “books that I’ll get to one day” became must reads.
‘Songs of the Earth’ by Elspeth Cooper was the second book that I picked off that pile, and the second book that I found myself unexpectedly enjoying.
Gair is under a death sentence.
He can hear music - music with power - and in the Holy City that means only one thing: he's a witch, and he's going to be burnt at the stake. Even if he could escape, the Church Knights and their witchfinder would be hot on his heels, whilst his burgeoning power threatens to tear him apart from within.
There is no hope . . .
. . . none but a secretive order, themselves persecuted almost to destruction. If Gair can escape, if he can master his own growing, dangerous abilities, if he can find the Guardians of the Veil, then maybe he will be safe.
Or maybe he'll discover that his fight has only just begun.
Set in a church-state world where magic is abhorred and considered a sin punishable by burning, take a guess who our main character is going to be. Sure, it may not be the most original tale, but a tale told well can sweep away any stereotypicalities.
What I was impressed with was the way in which Cooper wove in perspectives that weren’t our main hero’s. The Church is not the pure centre of light it wants to be, and the head of the Church well knows it. The hidden princess is selfless and sacrificial, while still being emotional and lost.
And what starts out as a book with magic as its fantastical element slowly starts introducing elements that add more to this world; hidden worlds, new dimensions, demons, and a disregard for the humans we’re surrounded with.
I was a little disappointed with the way in which Cooper all but pulled from the Bible and Greek/Roman history to give her world credibility. I found no evidence that this book was situated on a parallel Earth, but there were some things – words, phrases, historical references – that drew me out of the story. It’s a minor complaint in the whole, but a complaint nonetheless. I wanted to be left in the world and to have everything fit and belong there, instead of reminding me of my world.
Also, the last fifty pages or so seemed rushed – as if the author had a word count or deadline that she had to meet – which left me feeling a little let down with the way the story was filled out, or, as the case may be, wasn’t.
Nevertheless, Cooper has written a book that kept me glued to the page hour after hour. I am very much looking forward to the second book in this series, and I would recommend this to most readers.
This Songs of the Earth book review was written by Joshua S Hill
All reviews for: The Wild Hunt

Songs of the Earth
The Wild Hunt: Book 1
Gair is under a death sentence. He can hear music - music with power - and in the Holy City that means only one thing: he's a witch, and he's going to be burnt at t...

Trinity Rising
The Wild Hunt: Book 2
As Gair struggles with grief over the loss of the only home he had known, and his beloved, he is walking into a conflict that's greater and more deadly than he or his m...

The Raven's Shadow
The Wild Hunt: Book 3
Three moons are rising. They are rising over the snowy Archen Mountains, where Teia struggles through the high passes to carry her warning to the Empire: the Nimrothi war b...
Have you read Songs of the Earth?
We've found that while readers like to know what we think of a book they find additional reader reviews a massive help in deciding if it is the right book for them. So if you have a spare moment, please tell us your thoughts by writing a reader's review. Thank you.
Songs of the Earth reader reviews
Pt from USA
I've loved all 3 of the "Songs of the Earth" but am sorely disappointed that either there is no continuation after the 3rd book and if that's the case it's a terrible way to end the series; or if there is a book 4 please let me know where I can purchase it as im having a terrible time locating it....
8.8/10 from 2 reviews
Write a reader review
Thank you for taking the time to write a review on this book, it really makes a difference and helps readers to find their perfect book.
More recommended reading in this genre

Earthsea Saga
Ursula Le Guin
As a young dragonlord, Ged, whose use-name is Sparrowhawk, is sent to the island of Roke to learn the true way of magic. A natural magician, Ged becomes an Archmage and hel...

The Kingkiller Chronicle
Patrick Rothfuss
"I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my l...

Harry Potter
JK Rowling
Harry Potter is an ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's house, which he thinks is normal for someone like him wh...

Year of the Unicorn
Andre Norton
Far from the besieged home of Simon and Jaelithe, in peaceful Norsdale, we meet Gillan, who longs to leave her dull life in a secluded country abbey. But when her wish come...

Shadowfell
Juliet Marillier
Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her...

The Silvered
Tanya Huff
The Empire has declared war on the small, were-ruled kingdom of Aydori, capturing five women of the Mage-Pack, including the wife of the were Pack-leader. With the Pack off...

The Secrets of Drearcliff Grange School
Kim Newman
When her mother finds her sleeping on the ceiling, Amy Thomsett is sent to Drearcliff Grange School in Somerset. Although it looks like a regular 1920s boarding school, Amy...

The Lightbringer Trilogy
Brent Weeks
Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. His strength, wit and charm are all that preserve a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exac...

The Saga of Recluce
LE Modesitt Jr
Young Lerris is dissatisfied with his life and trade, and yearns to find a place in the world better suited to his skills and temperament. But in Recluce a change in circum...
Looking for more suggestions? Try these pages: