One of the stranger issues with this book is its maturity level. “Harebrained” as in rash, nonsensical and completely out of nowhere. After Perilous and gang say this, they’re off on a harebrained adventure.

It’s a bit like Gandalf saying that the only way to destroy the One Ring is in the fires of Mount Doom with ultimate confidence, but no prior mention of where this information came from. It seems to just be a “oh, duh, of course that’s what we’ll do”. Because the first time Perilous and gang bring it up is without any coaxing, investigation, or seeing/hearing of it before. But the first time I saw it in the text, I squinted and cocked my head. Even if they capture the songs, Nola’s time might be coming to an end. But a storm is brewing and the Haint of All Haints is awake. There are also some terrible parents, some nonchalant zombies, and a whole bunch of haints. They’ll need some help-but fortunately their friend (and Perry’s crush) Peaches, is equal to the task. Unexpectedly, Perry and his sister, Brendy, are tasked with saving the city.

Nine songs of power have escaped from the magical piano that maintains the city’s beat and without them, Nola will fail. To failed magician, Perilous Graves, it’s simply home. To those from Far Away, Nola might seem strange. A place of sky trolleys and dead cabs, where haints dance the night away and Wise Women keep the order, and where songs walk, talk and keep the spirit of the city alive. In a fantastical version of New Orleans where music is magic, a battle for the city’s soul brews between two young mages, a vengeful wraith, and one powerful song in this vibrant and imaginative debut. I’ve copied and pasted the official blurb for this (did add a bit to it) the reason will become very clear upon perusing my review.

Many thanks to Orbit for the lovely physical ARC! All opinions are my own. I was kindly granted an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The ballad of perilous graves reviews