This book was spectacular and I cannot wait to see where the second book in the series goes!

Malik is a quiet boy, working on handling his anxiety and panic disorder while also trying to find a better life for himself, his two sisters, and their family. They arrive in the city of Ziran on the eve of the Solstasia festival, hoping for jobs and a new life. However, his sister Nadia strikes an unfortunate deal with a spirit and is captured. Malik's only hope to free her is to kill the Princess Karina.

Karina, stricken by grief and struggling with chronic migraines, doesn't ever want to be queen. She would rather travel through the kingdom and have her freedom. A death in her family causes her to dig into dark magic in the hopes of salvaging the kingdom and her freedom. She risks everything to try to change her fate (and is totally awesome in the process)

Inspired by West African folklore, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is a brilliant story with strong protagonists. While the competition that underlies the Solstasia festival feels a bit like the Hunger Games, Brown makes it into something unique to Ziran. The world-building in general was well done, not feeling oppressive but also not feeling too sparse.

I loved the mental illness representation with the main characters, particularly with Malik and his panic attacks. The descriptions of his coping mechanisms and his strength in the face of his mental illness were inspiring. It was great to read two main characters struggling with these conditions who are also being amazing people and saving the day. I also appreciated how Brown easily wove in conversations about refugees and immigrants into the story.

While the initial premise of this book might be cliche (enemies to lovers), the story itself felt unique and much needed in the YA fantasy world. Highly recommended.