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The Library of Amorlin: Deluxe Limited Edition (The Age of Beasts)
Kalyn Josephson
4.4
Songbird of the Sorrows (Myths of the Empyrieos)
by Braidee Otto
Published Feb 3, 2026
Categories
About this book
Princess Aella is a weapon forged in shadows. Banished from her home as a child, she was raised by the Aviary, an elite network of assassins and spies who demand absolute obedience and the suppression of all emotion. Now a lethal Songbird, Aella is tasked with her most dangerous assignment yet: infiltrating an enemy kingdom to participate in a series of deadly bridal trials.
Her objective is to gather intelligence, but the mission forces her into an agonizing proximity with her former flame, Raven, the commander of her unit. As a Songbird, Aella is forbidden from loving anyone, yet her history with Raven threatens to compromise her composure and her life. When the trials turn from competitive to lethal, the rigid lines between her duty to the Aviary and her own survival begin to blur.
Thrust into a treacherous political game where her true identity as a princess could either be her greatest asset or her death warrant, Aella must choose between the cold, calculated orders of her masters and the dangerous pull of her own heart. In a realm still scarred by ancient divine wars, Aella’s defiance may ignite a conflict that changes the fate of the Empyrieos forever.
Available Formats
Hardcover: $28.89 Hardcover: $20.83
What readers are saying
Melissa NunesLoved
"I absolutely love when a book exceeds all my expectations! This was so good. I was on my toes the whole time. I still don’t know who the real mmc is meant to be even after I’ve finished and I love that. The hidden identity that isn’t actually a hidden identity was such a great twist. I loved everything about how she was trained and the trials. air did get dark at the end but it added so much to the story. The twist and turns this story took at the end were really nothing I could have anticipated and I am dying to know where this is going. I also listened as I read this one and loved the narrator!! ["
April 29, 2026 Verified Purchase
Monica Caro3 solid stars
"This is the first time while reading a book my interest picked up towards the end after being completely bored through about 75% of it. This is a 3-star read for being well written, a quick read with an easy enough to follow plot, some world building, and for choosing a main storyline and seeing it through without losing it to the romance. There is some spice but I have to say it’s not really that satisfying (kind of generic really) mostly because there seems to be so very little chemistry between Raven and Aella. The “romance” felt pretty juvenile and physically based more than anything else, but at least there are real friendships and bonds for Aella and her female friends, which I found refreshing. The last quarter of the story seems to be where most of the pace really picks up and I found myself wanting to know more about our mysterious “weapon” and the obvious link to Aella. ["
January 29, 2025 Verified Purchase
Eren ValentineI cannot wait for the next book
"This book had a really interesting premise and I was like alright, I'm sold. I can't believe it took me so long to start. It's a uniquely crafted world with unique magic. I love the idea behind how their magic is used as it creates it's own stakes in their world. The pacing for the story itself was great. It picked up when it needed to and it stayed mellow when it needed to. Now I do wish the intimate moments were a little more or even a fade to black. I'm a smut lover but I also don't care about it being in the book as the story itself is why I'm there. I'm curious to where it goes with the next book though. Aella is an intriguing character. Tossed aside and trained to be an assassin. She was so interesting and such a strong character. From Princess to Assassin/Spy to Princess. Raven's a man that his secrets have secrets and leaves him mysterious throughout the story and also the allure of wanting to know more about him. I can't wait for his secrets and mysteries to start to truly unravel within the (hopefully)second book. We don't even know his name or why he did the things he did. Yet. And I am hoping how him and Aella feel about each other will take a forefront role. Other characters definitely held an allure throughout the story such as Nyssa and a much later point Xan. The ending kept me on my toes and left me needing to know more about a mystery person and what exactly is happening. I'm eager for book 2 for sure. I do also love the fact that they are The Aviary and their ranks are things such as Fledgling, Songbird, Nightwing and their names are all after birds such as Starling, Sparrow and Raven. ["
February 19, 2026 Verified Purchase
LaWelcome to The Aviary
"Songbird Of The Sorrows has been an amazing book to read. Braidee Otto’s debut is an exceptional piece of work. It had a little bit of everything spies, assassins, thieves, trials, lies and betrayal. And of course a little bit of spice. Aella is intelligent, beautiful, cunning, and strong but the odds are against her. When she’s banished to The Aviary, forced to keep her identity a secret, then sent on a mission to compete to marry a prince and find a weapon to save her kingdom. Aella and her bestie - I loved the relationship between her and Nyssa. It has been my favorite to read about! Now the MC Raven - I am at a loss for words because I LOVE HIM but WHY!! Can’t wait to read more about him and Aella’s steamy, loving, but forbidden relationship. This book ended with a cliffhanger and little bird I am still hanging on for dear life until the second book is ready! ["
February 5, 2026 Verified Purchase