A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A Brown Book 1, 466 pages                                                                                                                                                 Summary: For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the West African mythology that was fun to read about. The storyline was good. Listening to the audiobook really helped with all the pronunciations of the places and people. I did like the internal anguishes the two main characters faced and we got to see them face those internally. I can't wait to read the second (last) book of the series. If you enjoy YA Fantasy and worldbuilding, learning about different cultures and folklore, I'd recommend this book.