The Song That Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
Genres: Fantasy, YA Romance, Young Adult
This sweeping YA fantasy romance full of star-crossed love, complex female friendship, and astrological magic is perfect for fans of Laini Taylor, Alexandra Bracken, and V.E. Schwab. From the acclaimed author of The Beholder.
Best friends Rora and Claudia have never felt more like their lives are spiraling out of control. And when they meet Major and Amir—two boys from one of the secret cities of the spheres, ruled by the magic of the astrological signs—they discover they’re not alone. There is a disruption in the harmony between the spheres, and its chaos is spreading.
To find the source of the disharmony, Rora and Claudia will embark on a whirlwind journey of secrets, romance, and powerful truths—about themselves, each other, and two long-ago explorers named Dante and Beatrice, who were among the first to chart this course toward the stars.
Inspired partly by the classic works of Dante Alighieri, this gorgeous stand-alone contemporary fantasy will captivate readers of Lore and Star Daughter.
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my review
The Song That Moves the Sun offers a truly fascinating and creative magic system rooted in astrology, music, and a Ptolemaic view of the universe. While I didn’t always fully grasp how everything worked, I still found it incredibly intriguing and appreciated the originality behind it. It’s the kind of concept that invites curiosity, even when it feels a little overwhelming.
The writing itself is beautifully done. The descriptions of the various settings—cities, palaces, and even entire planetary spheres—are vivid and poetic. These moments were some of my favorites, as they really brought the world to life and gave the story a dreamy, almost otherworldly feel.
I also really enjoyed the historical flashbacks. Seeing figures like Dante, Beatrice, and Marco Polo woven into the narrative and exploring these “spheres” added an extra layer of interest. Even without prior knowledge of these figures, those scenes felt engaging and added depth to the overall story.
Where the book struggled a bit for me was with the main characters in the present-day storyline. I found Rora difficult to connect with for much of the book, as she often came across as self-centered, even though there is some growth by the end. Claudia was somewhat easier to understand, especially once her motivations became clearer, but her character still felt heavily defined by those around her rather than standing fully on her own.
By the final act, the story becomes quite complex, with a lot happening at once. While the stakes are high and the intentions are clear, I did feel that some of the plot points—especially those tied to the magic system—weren’t fully explained, which left me a bit confused at times.
Overall, this is a beautifully written and imaginative story with a unique concept and stunning world-building. While it didn’t fully come together for me, there’s still a lot here to appreciate, especially for readers who enjoy lyrical writing and ambitious fantasy ideas.
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