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gaugedgage's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
it was good. i honestly think it would’ve been better if like any of the luresses were queer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief
thewillowwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This book was interesting enough to get me through to the end, but it was not really my cup of tea. It adheres much too strongly to the expected YA tropes with not much deviation, and doesn’t do it in a sufficiently interesting way in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Violence, Grief, and Murder
literarypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
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
As a Bone Crier, their duty is to the dead. They must go through a rite of passage to become Ferriers, a sort of grim reaper whose job is to take the dead either to Paradise or the Underworld. To complete this rite they must kill the man they love in a months time or face death alongside that man. When Ailesse is destined for her rite of passage she summons the man that she is suppose to love and lose but the man she loves Bastien is on a quest for revenge against the Bone Crier's after one murdered his father. When their fates are intertwined they must figure out to save both of their souls before it is too late.
The lore of this book is the biggest draw for me, the magic system and world building was exceptional! I loved how the Bone Crier's used animal bones to give them their magical abilities. Each animal gave them a different skill from night vision to agility, it was interesting to see the different skills each animal offered. I loved how they incorporated a hunt and killing an animal honorably in order to gain their graces, very cool detail.
My favorite character was Sabine, I loved reading her parts in the book! Watching her evolve from a squeamish timid girl to a determined strong young woman was such a joy to see! Her devotion to her best friend Ailesse and determination to save her no matter what is admirable to see that kind of love between best friends like that.
I felt like Bastien's character was a bit underdeveloped to me. All we really learned about him was that he planned revenge on the Bone Crier's for the death of his father and that he was a thief. Nothing else is really learned about him and I wish we would have gotten more backstory for him.
Ailesse and Bastien's romance was a little fast and insta lovey to me but it was sweet and seeing them put aside their differences to understand each other and fall in love.
I enjoyed the plot and story even the small twist was well executed. I do look forward to reading the second book to see how this story will end and where these characters end up in the end.
The lore of this book is the biggest draw for me, the magic system and world building was exceptional! I loved how the Bone Crier's used animal bones to give them their magical abilities. Each animal gave them a different skill from night vision to agility, it was interesting to see the different skills each animal offered. I loved how they incorporated a hunt and killing an animal honorably in order to gain their graces, very cool detail.
My favorite character was Sabine, I loved reading her parts in the book! Watching her evolve from a squeamish timid girl to a determined strong young woman was such a joy to see! Her devotion to her best friend Ailesse and determination to save her no matter what is admirable to see that kind of love between best friends like that.
I felt like Bastien's character was a bit underdeveloped to me. All we really learned about him was that he planned revenge on the Bone Crier's for the death of his father and that he was a thief. Nothing else is really learned about him and I wish we would have gotten more backstory for him.
Ailesse and Bastien's romance was a little fast and insta lovey to me but it was sweet and seeing them put aside their differences to understand each other and fall in love.
I enjoyed the plot and story even the small twist was well executed. I do look forward to reading the second book to see how this story will end and where these characters end up in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Gore
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Eh, I feel indifferent if not slightly negatively towards this book. I just… didn’t like it. And I can’t even put my finger on why?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Violence, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Animal death, Blood, and Confinement
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Kidnapping, and Animal death
reads_with_lauren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
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.
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)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
k100dra's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Animal death
literaryrecap's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
brookey8888's review against another edition
adventurous
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
I really liked this! I really enjoyed the friendship even though we didn’t get to see them together. I did not enjoy the insta love but whatever, it was kind of excused. I do wish Sabrine had some kind of romance. She was my favorite and I wish we got more of her to be honest. The guy was fine he wasn’t anything special. I thought the bone crier magic was interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
sunsetcity's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence