For my Kindle First book I decided to pick up Song of Edmon by Adam Burch. Song of Edmon* is set in the fictional future on another planet called Tao. After many wars, genocides and destruction, the human race still lives with prejudice, violence and savagery. Then comes Edmon Leontes, a gentle boy of mixed race who resents his cruel father and the ways of the Nightsiders. Edmon must learn to fight to survive against his better judgment and his love of music.
I was in such a book slump and it took me way too long to read Song of Edmon. So I do question whether it was me or the book? But then, if it was a great book maybe it would’ve pulled me out of the slump. Either way, Song of Edmon isn’t terrible, but it’s also not fantastic either. It’s a mere average kind of book.
One of the best things about the book was how many topics that are within it which can be discussed. There’s politics, racism, sexism and many more. The problem was that these topics were not discussed within the book. I thought the Nightsiders Vs Daysiders racism would come into play with the political undertones of the story. But I was disappointed and it was really a underhanded way to make Edmon the underdog.
Another thing I disliked was that Edmon goes from being weak and the underdog to being way too overpowered. Plus, in this time, I don’t even think he developed that much as a character. Through childhood to adulthood, as he grows and learns to be a fighter, I never really routed for him. I was much more interested in other characters like Lavinia and Phaestion.
Plotwise I really enjoyed the premise. Although I do think there was too much filler getting to the end of the book. Basically, there’s a Combat similar to the Hunger Games, and we spend the whole book training for the Combat. And then when we reach the conclusion, there’s not enough book left.
I liked the brief history that we got throughout the book. Song of Edmon is set in a future where humans have left Earth and colonized different areas of the universe. Burch seemed to enjoy using a lot of myth and legends within the history and it worked well to build the worlds up.
Although the ending sets up for the next book, I can honestly say I’m not intrigued enough to get it. Song of Edmon just wasn’t a book for me, and I just couldn’t get into it as much as some other people have.
