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joliebean's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
takarakei's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, and Genocide
peridot_kintsugi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The first 30 percent is pretty boring; this book, among many others in the fantasy genre, is guilty of infodumping the world building a bit. I found the characters likable and the plot interesting enough to keep reading, and it was immensely entertaining after the initial 30 percent. The plot twists were kind of predictable, but in the way that they are plausible and I simply have too much time on my hands for contemplating it.
The stakes are high, and I am very excited for the sequel.
The stakes are high, and I am very excited for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Classism
frand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love Nicki Pau Preto's pencil work. Her narrative style is just good and quiet difficult to find on a fantasy book.
I read this book because I fell in love with "Crown of feathers" trilogy, and it captured on the first chapter.
Even tho the story might be predictable, I love how the author actually moves on from cliché storytelling and character development.
As for the book itself, I don't really know what to say without spoiling it. I loved the inner turmoil of the characters and how they navigate through the story to make amends with themselves and what they believe.
Can't wait for the sequel.
I read this book because I fell in love with "Crown of feathers" trilogy, and it captured on the first chapter.
Even tho the story might be predictable, I love how the author actually moves on from cliché storytelling and character development.
As for the book itself, I don't really know what to say without spoiling it. I loved the inner turmoil of the characters and how they navigate through the story to make amends with themselves and what they believe.
Can't wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Genocide, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
library_of_wonder's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This was really fun and good. I like the world and its magic. I don't usually like impulsive YA FMCs, but I was able to grew to like Wren throughout the story. I like her chemistry with Julian and her friendship with Prince Leo. The ending has a good setup for House of the Dead #2, and I am looking forward to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Death of parent
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
I don’t star rate books but I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not,. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
Pub Date: July 25th
Wren, -a bonesmith who fails her qualifying trial to become a valkyr- gets sent to the Border Wall to serve in disgrace instead.
The forced proximity situation between her and Julian the ironsmith was a lot of fun. I would say this is a bit of enemies-to-lovers situation hehe.
Wren is a bold, risk-taking, fun main character to root for, and the ending plot twist paid off for all of the relentless info dumping and world building.
I will say that for all the exposition, I did find the world really neat. The historical context, all the factions of the "smiths," and more! The vibes are reminiscent of the White Walkers from Game of Thrones.
I'm excited to see how this duology unfolds in the next book!
cw: dead bodies, pregnancy complications, death of a loved one, kidnapping, murder, violence, blood, genocide, gore
cw: dead bodies, pregnancy complications, death of a loved one, kidnapping, murder, violence, blood, genocide, gore
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body horror, Genocide, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
bettysbookishworld's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Bonesmith is a gem among YA epic fantasy novels! I loved it and I just need more of it!
The reason why I enjoyed it so much is that it's a still complex and very well though-out story with wonderfully crafted world and magic system. The story has political intrigues, mysteries and secrets to be revealed. The magic system with different branches of smiths is built and explained in a quite original way, too. The magic brings a lot of complexity to the world and is a crucial part of the story. All of these make an interesting epic fantasy for me. Also, the necromancy and ghosts gave it a sinister atmosphere that I enjoyed. On the other hand, it's written simply but immersively. The plot development is very fast-paced, that's why the book sucked me in immediately and I could stop only when I actually finished reading it.
As it's an YA fantasy, there is romance, too. Even though I usually find any romance annoying and distracting, it isn't the case for Bonesmith. A huge part of it is that I loved the main characters a lot. The tension between them was gradually built and even though it's enemies to lovers, it wasn't toxic at all. Their personalities matched and were my jam. And another reason is the romance is truly only a subplot, and the main focus is the actual story, politics, magic, worldbuilding and character development.
So if you like YA epic fantasy done right, this is a perfect read for you!
Bonesmith is a gem among YA epic fantasy novels! I loved it and I just need more of it!
The reason why I enjoyed it so much is that it's a still complex and very well though-out story with wonderfully crafted world and magic system. The story has political intrigues, mysteries and secrets to be revealed. The magic system with different branches of smiths is built and explained in a quite original way, too. The magic brings a lot of complexity to the world and is a crucial part of the story. All of these make an interesting epic fantasy for me. Also, the necromancy and ghosts gave it a sinister atmosphere that I enjoyed. On the other hand, it's written simply but immersively. The plot development is very fast-paced, that's why the book sucked me in immediately and I could stop only when I actually finished reading it.
As it's an YA fantasy, there is romance, too. Even though I usually find any romance annoying and distracting, it isn't the case for Bonesmith. A huge part of it is that I loved the main characters a lot. The tension between them was gradually built and even though it's enemies to lovers, it wasn't toxic at all. Their personalities matched and were my jam. And another reason is the romance is truly only a subplot, and the main focus is the actual story, politics, magic, worldbuilding and character development.
So if you like YA epic fantasy done right, this is a perfect read for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Genocide
gummifrog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
This book was a veritable hearty meal of spooky fantasy. Nicki Pau Preto does some heavy lifting in regards to worldbuilding for Bonesmith's unique magic system, political situation, and geography, and still manages to work in a compelling, twisty mystery and a delightfully sweet enemies-to-lovers romance. And that's only scratching the surface in regards to what Bonesmith offers.
Each character in this book is a fully realized, three-dimensional being with understandable motivations and complex internal lives. Every setting is beautifully imagined and vividly described. Bonesmith reads like a movie in your mind - there's never a question as to what's happening, even during frantic action sequences. The romance is as slow burn as can be, with both parties realizing they've been spoon-fed propaganda about each other and learning to trust and respect one another over the course of an epic adventure. And even the side characters, such as Prince Leo, are extremely lovable.
The book is chunky, about 450 pages in my ARC, but I think it's really worth the read. If you like unique magic systems, ghosts, and vivid otherworld fantasy, you'll love this one.
Each character in this book is a fully realized, three-dimensional being with understandable motivations and complex internal lives. Every setting is beautifully imagined and vividly described. Bonesmith reads like a movie in your mind - there's never a question as to what's happening, even during frantic action sequences. The romance is as slow burn as can be, with both parties realizing they've been spoon-fed propaganda about each other and learning to trust and respect one another over the course of an epic adventure. And even the side characters, such as Prince Leo, are extremely lovable.
The book is chunky, about 450 pages in my ARC, but I think it's really worth the read. If you like unique magic systems, ghosts, and vivid otherworld fantasy, you'll love this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror and Genocide
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy