Chantress (Chantress, #1)

by Amy Butler Greenfield

[Angie]

I received an ARC through Edelweiss.

I love the combination of magical elements and historical setting, so I was very excited to read Chantress! Chantress starts out in 1667 with Lucy stranded on an island, with only Norrie for company. After seven years on the island, on All Hallows Eve, Lucy begins to hear music. She finds this strange because Norrie said singing was not allowed, and they’re the only two people there. So what is Lucy hearing? Of course, the music overtakes hers, she beings to sing, and Lucy and Norrie are magically swept back to London. Turns out Lucy is the only remaining Chantress –a woman who wields magic through song– and the only person who can save everyone from the evil Scargrave and his Shadowgrims.

There is a giant history lesson — aka info-dump– at the very beginning. It’s the typical “I don’t know anything about what I am” followed by “Oh, I do! It all began with….” situation. It’s interesting and sets the stage for the rest of Chantress, but it was a bit much at once, especially since these conversations span a handful of chapters. Although I did appreciate Lucy admitting her ignorance and accepting help rather than thinking she can figure out everything all on her own. There’s nothing I hate more than characters thinking they know it all and refusing assistance, so thumbs up to Lucy!

Romance is missing from Chantress for the most part. Readers who need some type of romance may be disappointed, but haters of insta-love will rejoice! It is fairly obvious that Lucy and Nat will eventually fall for each other, but it doesn’t happen in this book. I loved how their relationship took a more realistic path, since at the beginning they are wary of each other. Nat does not approve of magic, and Lucy definitely notices his reluctance to socialize with her. However, over time (several months) they do become friends and share some meaningful glances. No confessions of undying love!

My only problem with Chantress was that at times it felt kind of young. Lucy often sounds quite a bit younger than 15 years, and her relationship with the adult characters seems more like something you’d read in a middle grade novel. The plot was also quite straight forward without any twists. It’s just the basic teen with a gift fighting evil and saving all of the normal people. I did enjoy it quite a bit, but I guess I was expecting more.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.