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Justice sings in strange waters. In Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton, a siren hides behind royal walls, her voice a weapon and her past a curse. This YA fantasy blends court intrigue, vengeance, and the ache of belonging into a melody sharp enough to draw blood. Today on Growls & Grimm, we’re diving beneath the surface to see whether Burton’s debut delivers a haunting worth humming long after the last page.
Sing Me to Sleep
YA Dark Fantasy | Mermaid Mythology | Assassin Fantasy
Tropes: Siren Assassin · Secret Identities · Forbidden Love · Political Intrigue
“But sometimes, being loved isn’t enough. Sometimes, you need to be understood.”
The Hook
A siren in hiding, who’s also an assassin, a soldier, and a sister trying to protect her own, should be chaos. But somehow, Sing Me to Sleep makes it sing. When Saoirse is chosen to guard the Crown Prince of a kingdom she doesn’t even believe in, every secret she’s buried starts to surface. The twists come sharp and steady, and every lie feels heavier than the last.
Story Setup
Saoirse will do anything to protect her adopted sister, Rain — and “anything” includes murder. After graduating at the top of her class in the military academy, she takes on an assassin’s life in the shadows. But when the Prince she’s sworn to protect tasks her with finding a killer… who also happens to be her, things get beautifully complicated. Trust and deception blur as a slow, fragile bond forms between them.
Atmosphere & Vibes
A world wrapped in a shimmering barrier — said to keep danger out, but really meant to trap the people within. Underneath the political shimmer lies a darker truth about control, power, and what it means to be free.
Characters & Dynamics
- Saoirse (FMC): A siren forced to hide her identity in a world that would kill her for it.
- Prince Hayes (MMC): A prince burdened by his crown and conflicted loyalties.
- Rain: Saoirse’s adopted sister, the heart of her world, and her reason for every sin.
Romance Factor
This is YA, so the heat stays low, but the emotion simmers. What builds between Saoirse and Hayes is trust wrapped in tension, and affection stitched with lies.
Final Thoughts
Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton is as much about self-discovery as it is about survival. The story flows smoothly, the characters are layered, and while the twists are predictable, they’re comforting, like hearing a song you already love.
For me, the standout wasn’t the romance or even the intrigue, but the representation. It was refreshing to see a dark YA fantasy world where the heroine actually looked like me — fierce, complex, and flawed in all the right ways.
Verdict:If you love The Little Mermaid rewritten by an assassin with trust issues, this Sing Me to Sleep book review belongs on your shelf.
If you would love your own copy of Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton you can find it – Here – at Books-A-Million or you can find it – Here – on Amazon
Want more stories to haunt your shelves? Visit Books & Bookish for curated reads worth a candlelit night. Or visit the Library for more books I’ve read.
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