Hello from your favorite Deaf sensitivity reader!
I received a free advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I am so excited to have been chosen for the arc team! I’ve been waiting (not patiently) for this book, preordered two copies. and have been forcing all my friends to support Nicki Runge who is a local Colorado Deaf Author. “The Songless War” is her debut novel. Let me tell you, this is just the book I needed to get out of my reading slump. What’s better than a Deaf main character and magic? A magic system based on ASL! It is no wonder that I devoured this book in just a few days.
So let’s get into this. Spoilers ahead.
That’s right, you read that correctly, ASL is the magic system. Early on we meet the Dark Man. A man as old as time. A mysterious figure who uses Sign Language as he manipulates, time, space, and memories. The shadowy being that has to many joints in his fingers, which is basically every Deaf person’s dream to have. (More signing opportunities! Prove me wrong). What is he real plan? I have a feeling that maybe he isn’t all that evil, but maybe more misunderstood.
Mary is a Deaf character who later gets supernatural hearing. While I was a bit disappointed in the supernatural hearing ability, I just know the author will not let us (the Deaf community) down. Nicki has mentioned more books to this series. I am excited to find out what comes from this, and how Mary finds her Deafhood again.
If you love Deaf people (as you should???) and magic this book is definitely for you. Mary has the coolest plant magic any plant lover will be jealous of. Her garden is delicious and makes me envious that I am not her neighbor. Nicki does a wonderful job playing with the idea of time, and space. How magic can hold an ancient tone, but still be answered by the powers of a bloodline. How worlds can look different, and be perceived with different folds of memory, and space.
During Mary’s trip down memory lane, trying to remember what is real and what is fabricated. We meet some lovely characters on her journey. While we DON’T love a manipulating jerk of a man, Lee is very much a delicious man candy. Though while we linger on Lee’s words, and what is true or false. We should be looking at our possible love interest, Nico. What isn’t he saying?
I am so excited to see this author grow, and to see where she leads us in her story. I expect I will be talking more about her. Stay tuned!
P.s. yes I have a crush on the Dark man. No I do not feel guilty about it.