A Song of Wraiths and Ruin transcends the YA Fantasy genre

Enemies to lovers. The trope has become somewhat overdone. Enter Roseanne A. Brown with her fantasy story, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, which revolts against predictability. Inspired by West African folklore, the story follows two protagonists who are hell-bent on taking each other out: Malik, a refugee who makes a deal with a vengeful spirit, and Princess Karina, who needs a human heart after she becomes wrapped up in necromancy. All this happens against the backdrop of the Solstasia festival, which occurs every 50 years to determine which god will oversee the next era in Zuran.

Roseanne's worldbuilding is remarkable, but the standout element of the novel is the characters. Their experiences while in a fantasy setting feel very relatable and thought-provoking, especially considering struggles with mental health and the way their behaviour challenges traditional gender norms. Karina is especially well-written, and you can't help but root for her candid, stubborn nature. Despite being shut down for her ideas and plans by those who think they know better, it does not halt her fight to prove her worth. This grants the reader a sense of purpose, as though you're battling alongside her. 

The plot is also highly unpredictable, from vengeance and betrayals running rampant throughout the story to the intense interactions between the protagonists. Never have plot twists taken me by surprise to such an extent, and for the majority of the book, it looks as though it is heading in a very obvious direction. The inventive and dark turn of events, however, threw me so completely that it's hard not to develop trust issues.

This dramatic and embattled fantasy has truly shaken up the YA genre with a unique magical series that is incomparable.