Wintersong might be one of my first reads of 2021, but I reckon it will be one of my favorite reads of the year. In many ways, the story itself is like Elisabeth’s sonata: solemn, joyful, and not yet finished. Music is used to convey the characters’ emotions, as well as set the mood for a scene. Lastly, I enjoyed the central role of music in this book.
As I read the book, I could easily imagine myself walking through the dark, dirt corridors of the Goblin King’s world. Her detailed descriptions of the Underground bring the realm to life. Constanze’s tales about the Goblin King and Underground sound like something straight out of Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Jae-Jones has also done a phenomenal job of crafting the folklore upon which the story depends. As you read, you cannot help but wonder what path their relationship will take. There is a sensual undercurrent to all of their interactions. Is the Goblin King Elisabeth’s captor and foe or lover and friend – or both? The only thing that is certain is that there is a palpable chemistry between the two of them. Both individuals are multi-faceted and flawed, and their relationship is equally complex. There is a maiden and a Goblin King, but neither is as they seem.
A cross between the 80s movie The Labyrinth and the Hades and Persephone myth, the story reads like a dark fairy tale. The plot, much like the writing, is mesmerizing. This creates a pervasive sense of unease and suspense, which in addition to keeping you turning the pages, adds to the overall eerie feel of the story. Our knowledge is limited to what she knows, so we are as much in the dark as she is with regard to what will happen next. The story is written in the first person from Elisabeth’s point of view, so we experience everything through her eyes. The lack of an omniscient narrator heightens this sense of immersion. When the protagonist, Elisabeth, is falling into confusion and despair, you feel every bit as uncertain and glum as she does. When she writes about a cool breeze, you can feel the chill in the air. Her poetic prose is a sensory experience.
The star of Wintersong is Jae-Jones’ writing. (Trust me, I blew through it in a little over a day.) Once you pick up this book, you will not want to put it down, so read it at your own risk. It is a hauntingly beautiful book with lush, lyrical writing and a dark, captivating story. It’s not often that a book leaves me speechless, but that is precisely what Wintersong has done. TLDR: A dark fairy tale with romance, unforgettable characters, and beautiful, lyrical writing.
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