  | We are the song Author: Bakewell, Catherine | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
In Cadenza music is power, and twelve-year-old Elissa is one of twelve singers, voices of the Goddess, who can sing miracles into being and bring healing and hope to the world--but in the war torn kingdoms of the world there are rulers who would like to use her and her song to gain power instead, and Elissa struggles to understand what the Goddess wants her to do, and how to protect herself, her composer, Lucio, and Cadenza itself.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/15/22)
School Library Journal (05/01/22)
Booklist (03/15/22)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/03/22)
The Hornbook (00/07/22)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2022 Gr 3–7—Music has an otherworldly power. What if there was an ethereal place where music is magic and singers and composers were highly revered? What would happen if songs were manipulated for evil? Twelve-year-old Elissa is a rare accomplished singer in fairy-tale–like Cadenza. When the king of Cadenza died without an heir, it sparked a world war. For the past two years, Elissa and her composer Lucio have been traveling performers, gifting small acts of hope and goodwill to the common people with their songs. On their journey, Elissa experiences firsthand how power corrupts. Bakewell's middle grade fantasy novel weaves mythology with Baroque backdrops replete with Christian connotations: Elissa resembles Joan of Arc guided by a goddess named Cae. While music lovers will appreciate all the harmonious vocabulary and sonorous celebration, this title lacks the romance and strong chemistry of friendship that other fantasy novels carry. It also comes off as pontifical at times. Otherwise, it's a sweet fantasy work with an independent female lead. VERDICT An alluring fantasy exploring the influence of music, the importance of listening to one's own voice, and knowing who your friends are.—Laura Dooley-Taylor - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/15/2022 Twelve-year-old Elissa has spent five years at the Cadenza monastery, training as one of the 12 Voices of the Goddess Caé, gifted with the ability to perform miracles. After the king’s death leaves Cadenza without an heir, the neighboring kingdoms of Basso and Acuto war for the right to rule Cadenza. The Voices travel with their Composers, performing miracles to help those affected by the war. Elissa travels with her Composer, Lucio, helping those in need. After the King of Basso discovers how powerful Elissa is, he plans to use her to defeat Acuto. Fleeing in desperation, she discovers that she has been hearing the voice of the Goddess, who guides Elissa and the Voices to end the war. This fast-paced fantasy is full of action and intrigue, taking place in a war-torn world that still holds much beauty and magic. Readers will come to love Elissa, who struggles with doubts as she faces heartbreak, tragedy, and loneliness and tries to fight for what is right. An excellent addition to middle-grade fantasy collections. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
