Songbird of the Sorrows Read Along: Week Two Breakdown & Reactions

Week 2 Read Along: Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto

Welcome back to our Songbird of the Sorrows read along by Braidee Otto. It’s week two, and we’re getting into the meat of the story—these characters and what’s truly at stake.

The Trials: Not as Simple as They Seem

First, let’s talk about the trials.

We get through two of them in this section, and that has me curious—just like our FMC. There are only three total trials, and the third is meant to showcase a talent.

It can’t be that simple…right?

Sing, dance, play an instrument? With how dangerous the first two trials were, this feels like it has to be a misdirect. We’ve already been given breadcrumbs that things aren’t what they seem.

I’m seeing you, Otto. And I like it.

Poison, Death, and Missed Instincts

The first two trials were far more deceptive than expected.

One competitor dies in the first, and our princess nearly dies in the second after being poisoned by one of the trio.

I have a bit of a dual reaction here.

First…how did our spy assassin not catch this before she drank it? Even she calls herself out for it, but still—it felt like a stretch.

It reads like a choice to make the trial harder for Aella, who otherwise would’ve handled it easily. Because of that, the labyrinth struggle felt a little anticlimactic for me.

That said…passing out in the prince’s arms?
I’ll allow it. The drama was worth it.

Power, Punishment, and Court Politics

I did enjoy the public execution for the poisoning.

But Helen shouldn’t have been the only one to face consequences—Lydia should’ve been right there with her.

What really has my attention, though, is the prince’s interaction with his parents.

What exactly have they done?

Is he truly a monster—or is his behavior a response to something deeper?

I’m not ready to trust him…but I’m also not ready to write him off.

Raven, Romance, and Slow Burn Tension

Which brings me to Raven.

That kiss. Those soft touches. The tension.

I love the slow burn building here—and the internal conflict tied to Aella’s duty. She’s meant to win the trials and become queen…which should sever whatever is building between them.

Or at least, that’s what we’re being led to believe.

And honestly? I’m hooked on that push and pull.

What Comes Next?

Here’s where I start asking questions.

If the trials are almost over…what are we doing for the second half of this book?

How much more court intrigue are we getting? What bigger conflict is waiting for us?

And what is the prince doing skulking around beneath his own kingdom?

Is he searching for something? The same weapon the others are after?

Because it all keeps circling back to one thing:

What has the king done to create all this tension?

Final Thoughts (Week Two)

So far, this Songbird of the Sorrows read along is building in interesting ways.

We’re getting higher stakes, more tension, and just enough mystery to keep me questioning everything.

👉 If you’re loving dark fantasy reads like this, don’t forget to check out our current book box featuring Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I want to hear your theories.

Next week, we’re reading up to Chapter 29.

Until then, happy reading! ✨