Rowan Redwing is a young button box player whose musician parents and sister died by the plague.

Speculating Canada described the novel as "fantastic" and compared the narrative to a "haunting lullaby weaving new and old, one place and another, and diverse people together".

TriState YA Book Review Committee wrote that the "suspense ramps up throughout the novel and the climax is compelling", and described the plot as a "great story of friendship and adversity".

YALSA YA Galley Teen Review wrote of Samik and Rowan as "developed, realistic characters".

Library Media Connection also reported the story as "fast-paced", Samik and Rowan as "well-drawn", and the landscape and side characters as "nicely detailed".