Songbird of the Sorrows (Myths of the Empyrieos)

Melissa Nunes

Loved

"I absolutely love when a book exceeds all my expectations! This was so good. I was on my toes the whole time. I still don’t know who the real mmc is meant to be even after I’ve finished and I love that. The hidden identity that isn’t actually a hidden identity was such a great twist. I loved everything about how she was trained and the trials. air did get dark at the end but it added so much to the story. The twist and turns this story took at the end were really nothing I could have anticipated and I am dying to know where this is going. I also listened as I read this one and loved the narrator!! ["

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April 29, 2026 Verified Purchase

Monica Caro

3 solid stars

"This is the first time while reading a book my interest picked up towards the end after being completely bored through about 75% of it. This is a 3-star read for being well written, a quick read with an easy enough to follow plot, some world building, and for choosing a main storyline and seeing it through without losing it to the romance. There is some spice but I have to say it’s not really that satisfying (kind of generic really) mostly because there seems to be so very little chemistry between Raven and Aella. The “romance” felt pretty juvenile and physically based more than anything else, but at least there are real friendships and bonds for Aella and her female friends, which I found refreshing. The last quarter of the story seems to be where most of the pace really picks up and I found myself wanting to know more about our mysterious “weapon” and the obvious link to Aella. ["

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January 29, 2025 Verified Purchase

Eren Valentine

I cannot wait for the next book

"This book had a really interesting premise and I was like alright, I'm sold. I can't believe it took me so long to start. It's a uniquely crafted world with unique magic. I love the idea behind how their magic is used as it creates it's own stakes in their world. The pacing for the story itself was great. It picked up when it needed to and it stayed mellow when it needed to. Now I do wish the intimate moments were a little more or even a fade to black. I'm a smut lover but I also don't care about it being in the book as the story itself is why I'm there. I'm curious to where it goes with the next book though. Aella is an intriguing character. Tossed aside and trained to be an assassin. She was so interesting and such a strong character. From Princess to Assassin/Spy to Princess. Raven's a man that his secrets have secrets and leaves him mysterious throughout the story and also the allure of wanting to know more about him. I can't wait for his secrets and mysteries to start to truly unravel within the (hopefully)second book. We don't even know his name or why he did the things he did. Yet. And I am hoping how him and Aella feel about each other will take a forefront role. Other characters definitely held an allure throughout the story such as Nyssa and a much later point Xan. The ending kept me on my toes and left me needing to know more about a mystery person and what exactly is happening. I'm eager for book 2 for sure. I do also love the fact that they are The Aviary and their ranks are things such as Fledgling, Songbird, Nightwing and their names are all after birds such as Starling, Sparrow and Raven. ["

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February 19, 2026 Verified Purchase

La

Welcome to The Aviary

"Songbird Of The Sorrows has been an amazing book to read. Braidee Otto’s debut is an exceptional piece of work. It had a little bit of everything spies, assassins, thieves, trials, lies and betrayal. And of course a little bit of spice. Aella is intelligent, beautiful, cunning, and strong but the odds are against her. When she’s banished to The Aviary, forced to keep her identity a secret, then sent on a mission to compete to marry a prince and find a weapon to save her kingdom. Aella and her bestie - I loved the relationship between her and Nyssa. It has been my favorite to read about! Now the MC Raven - I am at a loss for words because I LOVE HIM but WHY!! Can’t wait to read more about him and Aella’s steamy, loving, but forbidden relationship. This book ended with a cliffhanger and little bird I am still hanging on for dear life until the second book is ready! ["

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February 5, 2026 Verified Purchase

Brit | TheLiterarySiren

4.5 Star Read

"“They may be serpents in this court. But I am not just a Songbird. I’m a bird of prey” I really enjoyed this book. What a debut novel! It is so hard to but my thoughts of this book into words because Braidee Otto’s writing is beautiful and descriptive with her world building that literally felt like I was transported to the world of SOTS and the characters were so well written that I could clearly visualize them. I loved the whole theme of this book. The Aviary of spies, their cool bird code names, secret missions, dangerous tasks. I loved the unique creative elements, kinda whimsical with dark undertones. Aella aka Starling I loved her. She is so authentic and I was rooting for her right from the start. Everything she goes through I felt I was experiencing all her emotions with her. She is a true fighter. The ride or die friendships that I wish I had. And there are so surprising friendships/allies as well that shocked me. Starling and Sparrow’s friendship remind me of Violet and Rhiannon from Fourth Wing Starling and Myna’s remind me of Violet and Imogen’s from Iron Flame Raven 🥵 I NEED MORE of him in book 2 Braidee Also… that ending?! I want more and I want it now! I honestly don’t know what to do with myself while I wait for book 2. I can’t wait to read what you have in store for us. Thank you Braidee for allowing me the opportunity to read this early. You need to add this to your TBR. Ebook is now available for preorder. As always make sure you read trigger warnings, there are some graphic depictions. ["

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June 19, 2024 Verified Purchase