egradcliff
Feb 15, 20203 min
Updated: Jul 3, 2020
Fast, energetic. Unyielding, yet agile. There’s an element of deadliness behind the quickness of the rhythm, and power behind everything else. It’s strong. It’s protective and fearless, and beautiful in its graceful intensity.
It begins with a speed that feels like confidence but is almost evasive; it’s sarcastic, all quick wit and edges, dancing and dodging. Then it opens up once it gets comfortable, the defense falling away. When it does, it turns vulnerable. It’s sweet, it admits affection and need. It’s full of feeling--love, yes, but hurt, too, and it holds enough trust to share them both.
Playful and lighthearted, the skill and concentration innate in this piece leave no room for anything but the present; after the opening, the rumbles of dark thunder--and dark thoughts--fade away. It’s fast-paced, to the point where it sometimes feels like falling, but it never does. It’s a dance made for two, around and around, intimate and cathartic in the shared focus it requires.
The essence of mourning lives in this song. It is grief distilled, clear and full of pure, stunning loss. Flames lift the tragedy, and in the choral section, the coldness of grief is turbulent against the despair.
This song is full of moonlight. It’s bittersweet, looking back on time before and remembering what was left behind. There’s sadness for times and people lost, but the lightness of the round, plucked melody moves forward, and the good memories, through the bad, linger.
There is concern in this song, and fundamental care. There’s an element of reassurance; the mirrored structure of the preeminent melody feels like stability, like balance, and it exudes the profound protectiveness that can only be truly given to one’s first priority. And then it picks up. There’s pride, and a willingness to fight--no, to do anything. This song has strength behind it, the sort of unbreakable strength that comes from love, not anger.
Hopefully you can enjoy The Hidden King in a new way, and perhaps you'll discover new music to love, too!
E.G. RADCLIFF IS AN INCURABLE WRITER and lifelong imaginer of worlds. An insatiable reader and researcher with a penchant for all things Celtic and a love of the mysterious and magical, she brings a knowing touch to her Young Adult fiction. She enjoys adventure, reading on the train, and dreams about flying. She is a Chicago native and is based in Illinois.
#writersblock #yareads #youngadultfantasy #yabooks #ireadya #fantasyreads #fantasybooks
This post uses Amazon affiliate links. If you were to make a purchase with these links, I may receive a small commission. This does not affect your purchase price.