Reviews tagging 'Death'

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

19 reviews

camiandkitread's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

“Bonesmith” has a brilliant magic system and a spooky fantasy setting, but holy info-dumping, Batman!

Most fantasy books you do have to push through the first 100 pages or so and this is no exception. Once you get past it though, there’s constant info-dumping from characters talking to each other. Props to Nicki Pau Preto for not having her main characters constantly ask and receive the info though. 

If you put your head down and muscle through the info-dumping, “Bonesmith” is the start of a very interesting  duology. It features some of the classic fantasy tropes and has some good twists. Info-dumping aside, it’s also well written and pretty evenly paced. 
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joliebean's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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bkwrm1317's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Gifted a copy by the lovely Kaci, I didn’t quite know what to expect here but will be eagerly anticipating book 2 in this duology and likely reading more by Pau Preto. 

Solid writing, character development, dialogue feels real, and emotions/motivations of the characters did as well. Yay! Thanks Kaci! 
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madamenovelist's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Very fun book spooky read. Even if you guess a bunch of twists a mile off, the payoff and the scrappy band of friends are well worth it. My only quibble: it is so obviously what if we made a straight, mostly white version of Gideon the Ninth? I spent half the book just marveling how the author could be inspired by a gayass POC necromancer book and carry over….only the necromancy bits.
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takarakei's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I had no idea what to expect going into this book, but I had a blast! A great job is done immediately investing the reader in Wren's story by having her exiled (and treated horribly by her family, seriously someone come get them!). Wren is a flawed MC, but also snarky and fun to read.
The lore/world building is cool and unique enough to be interesting to read about. There's a ton of secrecy and things definitely not seeming as they are. Plus a little political intrigue too! I liked the inclusion of multiple povs and that really helped round out the character building. I feel like I'm not doing it justice, but seriously if you read the synopsis and it sounds interesting give it a go!
I'm super excited to read the sequel when it comes out! and happy it's a planned duology!
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louisepea's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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culturenator's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Adored this book! The magical system/ abilities felt really original and I loved the character development and slow burn, realised about 2/3s in that it was a series, cannot wait for the next instalment. 
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avacadosocks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.75

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kirstenf's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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scrubsandbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When I saw it comped with Gideon the Ninth, I thought that meant lesbian necromancers. That's not the case. There's one side character who is implied to be bi/pan and that's it. However, bone related powers and magic are my jam so I enjoyed this even with the lack of lesbians! The Game of Thrones comp is far more accurate with the political conflict, twists, and betrayals that are unearthed throughout the story. Also a good enemies to lovers stories with an actual pair of enemies!

I am, however, tired of the trope of grandparent disliking granddaughter for no actual reason except for the circumstances of her deaths and therefore, I had to cut down a star because it made me eye-roll. However, I will still be giving the sequel a chance.
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