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gtgirl1's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
basicallybisaha's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
missbefore's review
adventurous
emotional
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
missjonesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
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? N/A
3.5
badassladyknight's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Cry of Metal & Bone is the third book in the Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope. Released 11th Aug 2020 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Griffin imprint, it's 496 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Even though it's the third book in the series (there's also a novella in addition), I think it would work reasonably well as a standalone (I've read the previous two books but not the novellas). I had no trouble following the plot or the wonderfully complex and rich world building and magical systems. It's a hybrid high fantasy with some nods to steampunk/technology. The author is quite gifted, especially with her descriptive prose and dialogue. I wasn't yanked out of the story one single time by clunky or unbelievable dialogue.
There is a romance theme, so readers who are only in it for the swords will probably skip the kissing bits. There's also quite a lot of violence. I liked that the books have strong female representation who are practical, resourceful, and intelligent. For readers who prefer their speculative fiction romance-free, this book does include a significant romance subplot. The writing is superlative however, and the included romance element wasn't cringe-worthy or badly written at all. I would classify it as mature YA/NA but I didn't find it juvenile in any way (I would say 'adult' but that conjures a different demographic).
Four stars. This is a gifted author with an intelligent and immersive story to tell.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Cry of Metal & Bone is the third book in the Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope. Released 11th Aug 2020 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Griffin imprint, it's 496 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Even though it's the third book in the series (there's also a novella in addition), I think it would work reasonably well as a standalone (I've read the previous two books but not the novellas). I had no trouble following the plot or the wonderfully complex and rich world building and magical systems. It's a hybrid high fantasy with some nods to steampunk/technology. The author is quite gifted, especially with her descriptive prose and dialogue. I wasn't yanked out of the story one single time by clunky or unbelievable dialogue.
There is a romance theme, so readers who are only in it for the swords will probably skip the kissing bits. There's also quite a lot of violence. I liked that the books have strong female representation who are practical, resourceful, and intelligent. For readers who prefer their speculative fiction romance-free, this book does include a significant romance subplot. The writing is superlative however, and the included romance element wasn't cringe-worthy or badly written at all. I would classify it as mature YA/NA but I didn't find it juvenile in any way (I would say 'adult' but that conjures a different demographic).
Four stars. This is a gifted author with an intelligent and immersive story to tell.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
kimchikin's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
3.75
ninakatzenwuschel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mad_about_books's review
5.0
After reading the first two novels in the series, I expect nothing but excellence from L. Penelope, and she definitely delivers that in CRY OF METAL & BONE. It seems unfair to only give this book five stars when it is definitely a ten star read.
The allegory in this the third novel in the Earthsinger Chronicles is more overt than it was in books one and two, yet it remains excellent escapist fantasy. There is a believable marriage of magic and technology that could put this book into the category of steampunk. Along with this, the often flawed characters complement each other's abilities to form the more perfect whole. This yin and yang sometimes allows the reader to begin to figure out where the action is going, but even the best surmise may turn into a surprise.
There are no cliffhangers. Each book could stand alone but to fully appreciate the epic nature of the story you should begin at the beginning. I definitely recommend that you start with the first book and work your way through them all. In addition to the three novels, there are two novellas that I definitely plan on reading.
The allegory in this the third novel in the Earthsinger Chronicles is more overt than it was in books one and two, yet it remains excellent escapist fantasy. There is a believable marriage of magic and technology that could put this book into the category of steampunk. Along with this, the often flawed characters complement each other's abilities to form the more perfect whole. This yin and yang sometimes allows the reader to begin to figure out where the action is going, but even the best surmise may turn into a surprise.
There are no cliffhangers. Each book could stand alone but to fully appreciate the epic nature of the story you should begin at the beginning. I definitely recommend that you start with the first book and work your way through them all. In addition to the three novels, there are two novellas that I definitely plan on reading.
bookworm_on_the_loose's review
3.5
J'aime la construction du monde et du système de magie, cependant, je trouve que le fait que chaque livre se concentre sur un différent couple un peu mélangeant. Je souhaite en apprendre plus sur les couples des autres livres, pas un nouveau couple.