Reviews

The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst

thedisneyreader's review against another edition

I bought this one on Audible a while back when I had a credit available. I really liked the premise and I listened to about 18% of it before I stopped. I don't think there was any real reason I stopped except for wanting to focus on other books. I decided to DNF it but I may decide to pick it up again another time. We'll see.

nonesensed's review against another edition

3.0

 Having defeated a great evil 25 years ago, Kreya now spends her days trying to resurrect her lost love, some times succeeding, but only briefly. Her quest to gain the necessary 'ingredients' for her less than legal necromancy leads her to discover a horrific possibility: the man who murdered her husband and thousands of others might not be as dead as previously believed.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this story. The characters, former heroes reuniting after years apart, having to deal with things left unsaid and how they've all changed, are engaging and likeable! I had fun getting to know them and got invested in their friendships and loves. But then the central plot took off and I sadly found myself over and over needled by a big issue (which is a bit of a spoiler, so): 

Kreya, the supposed brilliant strategic leader who brought down a guy who's talked about like he's Sauron, is... not a very good strategist. Not only does Kreya get outwitted over and over and fails to be strategic (for example: not checking the valley of eternal mist and monsters you yourself used to sneak around in for the undead army you think might be lurking around - why not????), but her achievements from her younger days are also more tell than show. It made the plot a continuous loop of "our heroes fail yet again!" once Eklor re-enters the scene. Frustrating.

Also,the more you learn about the "Bone War" you start to realize it was basically One Guy with a lot of undead against One City State. Not exactly the world ending doom I at first got the impression Eklor was supposed to be. 

Now, this is not me saying this is a bad book! I had a lot of fun reading about the characters, I really like them as people, but I went into this kinda looking for Competence Porn and that's not what I got. Kinda like biting into what look like a strawberry and tasting chocolate - not a bad taste, but not what I was in the mood for, y'know?

Basically, read this for fun characters, but be prepared to be frustrated by their life choices. 

searobin's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

4.0

I accidentally deleted my first review, so point form this time:

• More second book in epic trilogy than pure "the after" vibes imo, and I'd love a prequel 
• Love found family and getting the band back together tropes
• Characters felt like old friends
• Unnecessary use of the clunky and unna ural "he or she" instead of the easier and more inclusive"they", which always bothers me, especially in books that acknowledge queerness exists

jthoms's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.5

marieintheraw's review against another edition

4.0

Overall, if you can get past a somewhat slower start, this is a standalone urban fantasy that I absolutely recommend.

Spoiler-Free Review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/2021/03/08/the-bone-maker-by-sarah-beth-durst/

I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.

lyzaface's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny 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

katyanaish's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. I just finished, and am speechless in the afterglow of a book that was beautiful and stunning and moving. And so different!

I have been reading fantasy since I learned to read, and it has always been a staple to me. I've read countless adventures where the intrepid group of heroes builds their team and goes off to battle with the villain.

I've never read one that starts decades after that.

The world has moved on, the battle was 25 years ago. The surviving heroes are still dealing with the scars, and have had varying success at getting their shit together and living life. How strange it is to hear ballads sung about your heroic battle against evil. To have your life devolve into the only somewhat accurate realm of myth and legend. To try and deal with being a great deal smaller than the image the world has in their head.

I utterly loved this book. I loved these mature characters who aren't sure of much anymore, but they are absolutely sure of each other. I loved the rich emotion in each interaction, and the humor that close friends can find in any situation.

This author is new to me, but I will absolutely be checking out her other stories.

ettuladyblue's review against another edition

4.0

Cool magic system? Check.
Contemplations of love, loss and destiny? Check.
Gratuitous naked men? Check (and thank you Zara!)
Quick read if you like grimdark lite with a happy (enough) ending. Definitely checking out more Sarah Beth Durst.

adenayi's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

kestrael's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5