Review: Witch Song by Amber Argyle

Book: Witch Song by Amber Argyle
Series:  Witch Song #1
Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult
Buy A Copy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Available Formats: Ebook / Paperback
Publication Date: September 1st, 2011
How Did I Get This Book: From Publisher, For Review.
First Sentence: "Brusenna's straw-colored hair felt as hot as a sun-baked rock."
Description: The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons--but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

Witch Song is part coming-of-age, part fantasy and part adventure. The idea behind it is rather unique to me – these witches don’t chant and they don’t use wands; they sing. 

I had a real hard time liking Brusenna as a character – especially in the beginning. She just was very difficult to connect with and sometimes her actions did not make sense to me. Mainly, I could not understand why she pushed help away. I would think that a young girl who is practically all alone in the world would jump at the chance of having some help and having a friend. Then, the reader is never really given much insight on her. I feel like the only things we really learn about her are that she was picked on by the idiot villagers and she missed her mother sometimes. Brusenna felt like a character, when as readers, we want her to feel like a friend.  As the story progressed, she grew on me a bit, but I still wish I could have liked her more.

I thought Brusenna’s companion Joshen was much more likable. The scenes they shared made me warm up to her a bit. There is one in particular in which they are making sleeping arrangements that I thought was adorable.  

Unfortunately, the action just did not pull me in. in fact, I found the big ending to be rather anti-climatic. I do not want to give anything away, but the way in which they battle just does not do it for me. I kept thinking that the fight would continue and they would somehow switch tactics.  

For me, Witch Song did not have the “it” factor. On paper it sounds like a great idea, but I never was able to get wrapped up in the story. Not once, did I find myself wondering about the characters or wishing I could read more of the story. I certainly did not dislike it, but it did not “wow” me either.  I enjoyed it enough, but you won’t find me eagerly anticipating the follow up.

Favorite Quotes:

"She shivered as the wind's fingers painted her skin silver with moonlight."

"As though pulled by some unnatural force, she rolled over and her gaze met Joshen's. She swam in the sea of his gray-blue eyes."

"They stared at each other a long time. He wanted to pull her into his arms. He wanted to push her overboard. But like a fool, he stood frozen with indecision."

"Reaching down, he clasped her hand in his. Senna studied their intertwined fingers - his flesh melding with hers."

"He loves you. As much or more than any man has ever loved a woman."