Reviews with content warning for Animal cruelty - Bone Crier's Moon

I give this 3.75 stars because I was surprised and actually did enjoy this
book.
I have extreeeeeemly mixed feelings about this book. I
think I've found why but I still can't 100% place it.
I *mostly* loved the characters- I thought they were
interesting to read and had good character development.
Concept & plot execution was actually probably the best
part of the whole book. I really enjoyed the fantasy world
the author came up with. I thought it was unique but it
also kinda fit into a
"stereotypical" kind of fantasy book
feel, which was actually nice to read and didn't hinder my
experience. I thought the magic system and the rituals
were so carefully thought out and it shows.
Overall I enjoyed this but I do think this should've been
one book and not two... (just my thoughts)

I have to talk about Bastien and Ailesse's relationship because it was seriously captive to lovers. It could be classified enemies to lovers, but let's be real with ourselves. Ailesse tried to kill Bastien first, then he came super close to killing her, and took her hostage for a long time and drained her of her health and allowed Jules to lash out at her. I mean, yeah I know they were after 'revenge' but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be a decent person to your hostage. Bastien even notes later on how she looks so nutrient deprived and how it was probably his fault. I just hated this aspect. And then suddenly they're in love? Like actual “love". I don't get it. It's been AT MOST A MONTH BUT I'M PRETTY SURE LESS THAN A MONTH.

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literaryrecap's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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sunsetcity's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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thecourtofreading's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

"you're not missing from me. i'm not missing from you."

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gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

2020 Star Rating: 4
2022 Star Rating 3.5
Upon rereading this book I found myself giving it a lower rating to when I original read it for the first time in 2020. Chances are though the 2020 rating is actually 3.5 stars but bumped up as GoodReads doesn't do half or quarter star ratings.

This book could have been a 4 star read maybe even a 4.25 if it wasn't for the character Jules. I don't know if she was written to be hated but she really infuriated me whenever she was on the page. Her actions make little to no sense, and the excuse that she likes Bastien is just not good enough for some of her actions. She really does provide little to the story and is only there to cause conflict. A waste of a character without her could have cut the book down a bit.
Jules aside, I did enjoy reading the other characters even with their lack of character development and fleshed personalities. I will admit that Sabine is my favourite and I don't think it is a coincidence that she got the most character development and some of the best chapters in the book. I cannot wait to see more of her in the sequel.

This book is not for those who read for characters. It is an easy and fast paced book that is really read for the plot. It is not a complicated one and can be predictable at times, but it is one that you can sit down and read quick because of it. It's not bad and is actually entertaining, which is what most of us want in a book. It is not without it's flaws though. It is one of those reads to you can grab if you feel a reading slump coming on.

All in all this book is not a bad read and it quick enjoyable. It will not give you anything to take away from or have you in shocked moments, but I also don't think it is trying to do that. It was written to be entertaining and honestly it succeeds well at it. It is a good book if you are look for that in between of Middle Grade and Young Adult, or want something entertaining that isn't going to take weeks to read or a lot of concentration to get through.

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