Book Review: A Song of Legends Lost

I’m always on the lookout for new voices in fantasy, but as soon as I heard that the author of A Song of Legends Lost was a fan of Final Fantasy, I knew I had to grab a copy. Then I saw the cover and went weak at the knees.

That magnificent image of an intimidating, flame-like figure holding two swords behind a smaller human with the same stance made me think there might be summoning involved (a massive part of the Final Fantasy magic system).

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As someone who spent hundreds of hours playing Final Fantasy as a child (and reading epic fantasy alongside it), I suspected this book would be right up my street. And while I ended up with the special edition cover of the book by Illumicrate as my hard cover copy, it didn’t change the fact that I was absolutely right — the book was a masterpiece.

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About

The story takes place in the Nine Lands, where powerful tech and magic are reserved for the highborn. Only those of certain bloodlines can invoke the might of their ancestors, using it to fight in a centuries-long war against the terrifying greybloods.

But when a mysterious ship washes ashore carrying an ominous presence, and far away, a lowborn girl named Temi finds herself cursed and haunted by a voice insisting that things can be different, it becomes clear that everything is about to be turned upside down.

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What I Loved Most About A Song of Legends Lost

This book shot straight to number one on my 2025 reading list and into my all-time top three, right alongside Jade City and Black Sun (both amazing trilogies—go read them!). Here were my favourite elements:

• Rebellion and uprising themes
• Morally grey characters
• Betrayal and revenge
• Family and heritage themes
• Strong main characters of various ages
• Large, diverse cast
• Low romance
• High stakes
• Queer-normative world
• Non-Western setting

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Characters

While Temi is introduced as the main character, there are several protagonists, each with unique backgrounds and arcs. Some get more page time than others—Jinao, for example, has the most physical space in the book, and it feels justified because he has the most growth to do.

Each of the five central characters—Temi, Boleo, Jinao, Elari, and Runt—has a compelling and distinct journey, as did many significant secondary characters and clans who made the story so rich. I did make solid use of the cast list at the front of the book to keep track initially, but it was worth it.

It’s worth noting that while we spend a lot of time with Temi early on, she disappears for much of the middle section. We know what she’s off doing, but I was thrilled when she returned. Her arc was my favourite, and Runt was easily my favourite character, but I found each storyline engrossing in their own ways.

I especially appreciated that Boleo and Elari, both older characters, were just as significant, strong, and emotionally rich as their younger counterparts. Their experiences shaped not just their own paths but also revealed deeper truths about others’. Boleo’s craftiness and Elari’s determination were admirable. I loved Jinao’s longsuffering resilience too. There were some notable side characters and then there was the Bairneater… He was awesome even though he also gave me nightmares!

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Worldbuilding

The world of A Song of Legends Lost is vast, beautifully detailed, and utterly immersive. I was lucky enough to both read the hardback and listen to the audiobook, and the dual experience was phenomenal.

There’s a map (always a plus in epic fantasy), but I barely needed it — the descriptions are lush, and the landscapes feel alive. As the characters travel across the Nine Lands, meeting different people and clans, Ayinde weaves in sharp social commentary on class, power, and heritage.

I recognised the West African influences immediately, but this world is truly diverse. Fans of myth and folklore will appreciate how skillfully the author draws parallels between different belief systems, showing how these societies mirror our own. Ayinde’s range and flexibility as a writer are remarkable, and I’m sure I’ll uncover even more layers on my second read.

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Magic System

The magic system is one of the book’s greatest strengths — complex, consistent, and full of depth. The highborn can invoke the giant, fearsome spirits of their ancestors to fight for them, but doing so comes at a cost, so they must be strong and they must be chosen. The energy drain, the risk, and the ethical questions surrounding power as our understanding of the magic system develops are all explored with nuance.

What I loved most was that the author doesn’t just explain how the magic works—she makes you think about how it should be used. Summoning from the spiritual realm is dangerous business, and not every spirit is benevolent. It’s a delight seeing how the author used the magic system to explore ideas around ancestors and how we honour and are empowered by them.

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Structure and Storytelling

I’m a big fan of multiple POV narratives, and while I know they can divide readers, I adored it here. Each storyline was compelling on its own, and I loved seeing how they wove together toward the end.

I’ll admit there was a moment when I had to flip back and remind myself where Temi was, but once she returned, my jaw was on the floor until the final page. The twists, the betrayals, the revelations — it was everything I love about epic fantasy.

Despite being the first in a series, this book offers a satisfying ending. The major questions are answered, and the next direction feels both earned and exciting.

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Writing Style and Accessibility

The prose strikes a perfect balance between descriptive and accessible, making this 592-page (or 23-hour audiobook) epic approachable even for readers new to the genre. It’s richly descriptive but never overwrought which is an impressive feat, especially as a debut.

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Final Thoughts

A Song of Legends Lost by Ayinde is not just one of the best fantasy debuts of 2025—it’s one of the best I’ve read in years. It’s an epic in every sense: powerful worldbuilding, morally complex characters, layered magic, and emotional depth.

I’m already eager for the next instalment in this glorious series. And with other promising titles like Firstborn of the Sun by Marvellous Michael Anson still on my TBR, 2025 might just be one of the strongest years yet for Black British fantasy.

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Join the Conversation

Have you read A Song of Legends Lost yet?
Or have you discovered another book or author that you were excited about this year?
Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Want more Black British book recommendations?

A Song of Legends Lost is featured in my Black British Booklist — a free resource available from The Abundant Word. It includes a mix of genres, from middle grade to adult fiction.
Discover your next favourite read here!

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Format: Hardback and audiobook

Pages: 592

Listening Time: 23 hours 22 minutes

Category: Fantasy

Published: 8 April 2025

About:

A SONG OF REBELLION. A SONG OF WAR. A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST.

In the Nine Lands, only those of noble blood can summon the spirits of their ancestors to fight in battle. But when Temi, a commoner from the slums, accidentally invokes a powerful spirit, she finds it could hold the key to ending a centuries-long war.

But not everything that can be invoked is an ancestor. And some of the spirits that can be drawn from the ancestral realm are more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

A relentlessly gripping tale of revenge and rebellion, A Song of Legends Lost is an unmissable debut from a major new voice in epic fantasy, perfect for fans of John Gwynne, Anthony Ryan and Evan Winter

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