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tasharobinson's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up on a whim because Race the Sands was so impressive and surprising to me. And here the author's done it again — an honest-to-gawd standalone fantasy novel that isn't part of a sprawling series, but at the same time, a book that invents an entire world with its own unique form of magic and type of culture, then drops a surprising adventure into the middle of it. This time it's a group of heroes — more or less an epic-level D&D party who've already saved the world at great personal cost — finding out they still have battles to fight, which means reuniting after long years apart and a great deal of emotional damage endured. The magic system in this book is odd — no idea why bones have so much magic, or seem to be the only kind of magic there is — but there's so much flavor to the system that it brings across its own conviction and reality. And I liked these tired, battered ex-heroes who've each come to their own form of retirement and have to get hauled out for One Last Job. Or do they? There's a big central mystery to all of this about whether what they're doing is even necessary, which just adds another thick layer on top of what's already a pretty ambitious plot. There's a lot going on here, and I found it all pretty intriguing.
bookishy's review against another edition
4.0
The Bone Maker is an adult fantasy and it’s a bit slow to read, however on the world building and plot levels it’s absolutely amazing! I couldn’t predict what’s going to happen next in the book and I loved the morally grey characters ❤️ this book was definitely something different and it was a breath of fresh air ❤️
debrakelsey's review against another edition
5.0
“Knowledge isn’t itself evil. It’s how you use it.”
Kreya Odi Altriana is a legendary bone maker who’s been in hiding for over a decade after the loss of her husband in battle. We jumped right into the darkness with this one, but I do love a dark fantasy. This story was morbid and depressing from the start (in the best possible way, if I can make that make sense). I was immediately interested enough to not want to put it down. The talisman / bone-magic system was fascinating! The world building was exceptionally thorough, while still being relatively easy to keep up with. I’d definitely classify this as high fantasy.
Kreya is forced to reunite with her old team that she hasn’t seen or spoken to in 25 years. I enjoyed the extra initial time with her old best friend, Zera. Their banter together was so relatable and enjoyable! I appreciated the mental health and healing journey we got to experience. The multiple POVs for the different characters really rounded out the story. It didn’t leave me feeling like I was missing anything. The writing style made it so that it never felt complicated.
The plot kept me surprised all the way through. It was action-packed and that made it all the more exciting! It was an all-around emotional journey witnessing loss, grief, love, selflessness, and friendships through found-family. I was enthralled from beginning to end. This is an absolute must-read and I recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy!
*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kreya Odi Altriana is a legendary bone maker who’s been in hiding for over a decade after the loss of her husband in battle. We jumped right into the darkness with this one, but I do love a dark fantasy. This story was morbid and depressing from the start (in the best possible way, if I can make that make sense). I was immediately interested enough to not want to put it down. The talisman / bone-magic system was fascinating! The world building was exceptionally thorough, while still being relatively easy to keep up with. I’d definitely classify this as high fantasy.
Kreya is forced to reunite with her old team that she hasn’t seen or spoken to in 25 years. I enjoyed the extra initial time with her old best friend, Zera. Their banter together was so relatable and enjoyable! I appreciated the mental health and healing journey we got to experience. The multiple POVs for the different characters really rounded out the story. It didn’t leave me feeling like I was missing anything. The writing style made it so that it never felt complicated.
The plot kept me surprised all the way through. It was action-packed and that made it all the more exciting! It was an all-around emotional journey witnessing loss, grief, love, selflessness, and friendships through found-family. I was enthralled from beginning to end. This is an absolute must-read and I recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy!
*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
_jared_19_'s review against another edition
1.0
When I read the description of the book I was instantly drawn to it... I knew I had to read it as soon as physically possible.
Alas, it was extremely disappointed.
Before talking about my problems with the book I would like to give credit where credit is due:
1. The magic system of the world the author has built is exceptionally intriguing;
2. The prose is positively GORGEOUS
The concept of this book is so intresting and it had me gripped as soon as I read it but unfortunately, the book rang hollow.
The characters were one dimensional and we don't see them actually grow or change... They remain the type cut outs that they started as.
Secondly, there was absolutely no world building whatsoever. We have no idea how the society in Vis functions: what is it's hierarchy, what is it's outlook towards race, gender, sexuality, religion or anything really that should exist in any layered world. We don't find out much about the country's history or geopolitics.
Thirdly, I went into the book with the expectation that a book that deals with the aftermath of war and genocide would discuss the futility and destruction of war, the trauma that comes for it and maybe even touch upon the capitalist machine that funds it but there just was nothing of the sort.
I think this ties into my next problem with the book: the book was all tell and no show. How do we know that our protagonists have trauma from the war they faught? Why of course the pov character will tell you about it. How do we know that these characters love each other? The characters will say it... Constantly...
But my final criticism for this book is that it just has no consequences. Without going into any spoilers here, I would just like to say that the characters seem to breeze through the conflict without paying any real price for their actions.
Overall, like I said before, I was EXTREMELY disappointed with this book, likely because it just had so much potential, all of which was wasted over a hollow and insincere plot with equally hollow and insincere characters and world building.
Alas, it was extremely disappointed.
Before talking about my problems with the book I would like to give credit where credit is due:
1. The magic system of the world the author has built is exceptionally intriguing;
2. The prose is positively GORGEOUS
The concept of this book is so intresting and it had me gripped as soon as I read it but unfortunately, the book rang hollow.
The characters were one dimensional and we don't see them actually grow or change... They remain the type cut outs that they started as.
Secondly, there was absolutely no world building whatsoever. We have no idea how the society in Vis functions: what is it's hierarchy, what is it's outlook towards race, gender, sexuality, religion or anything really that should exist in any layered world. We don't find out much about the country's history or geopolitics.
Thirdly, I went into the book with the expectation that a book that deals with the aftermath of war and genocide would discuss the futility and destruction of war, the trauma that comes for it and maybe even touch upon the capitalist machine that funds it but there just was nothing of the sort.
I think this ties into my next problem with the book: the book was all tell and no show. How do we know that our protagonists have trauma from the war they faught? Why of course the pov character will tell you about it. How do we know that these characters love each other? The characters will say it... Constantly...
But my final criticism for this book is that it just has no consequences. Without going into any spoilers here, I would just like to say that the characters seem to breeze through the conflict without paying any real price for their actions.
Overall, like I said before, I was EXTREMELY disappointed with this book, likely because it just had so much potential, all of which was wasted over a hollow and insincere plot with equally hollow and insincere characters and world building.
helloimkaley's review against another edition
5.0
This book deserves twenty times the reviews it has! What a refreshing, unique, amazing book with some of the most engaging characters I’ve read about in a long time. Yes, it is a bit darker but there’s so much LIFE and heart and humor too. Please read this!!
zachpostler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
Different
It’s nice to have a book with older heroes in it. The magic system is unique and well - thought out. The characters are all interesting and easy to like. An all around good story and well-constructed world.
It’s nice to have a book with older heroes in it. The magic system is unique and well - thought out. The characters are all interesting and easy to like. An all around good story and well-constructed world.
jgellington's review
adventurous
dark
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