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antigonish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.25
littlemimus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
alexinspace's review
dark
slow-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
Do you ever finish a novel and sit staring at the pages after, fundamentally altered as a person and unsure of how to proceed? That's me, right now.
The Sins on Their Bones is a dark fantasy novel about the aftermath of a civil war, the complexity of human relationships, and the farthest reaches one must go to save themselves and those they love. It's raw, and heartbreaking, and funny, and I loved every moment. I can recognize that there are some minor flaws - primarily the pacing in the first half - but sometimes a novel wows you so much that you just don't care.
Samotin has a style of writing that feels influenced by Leigh Bardugo, particularly by the Grishaverse, which only adds to my enjoyment. She writes characters that I come to love and villains that I love to hate, she crafts an interesting magic system, and she writes a normatively queer world (something that seems like such a small detail but that I, as a queer reader, find immensely meaningful and greatly appreciate). The portrayals of grief and depression in this novel are particularly hard-hitting, and it's just. so. GOOD.
Read the content warnings before you dive in because this book covers some pretty heavy topics, but it's well worth the read in the end. I promise.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC!
The Sins on Their Bones is a dark fantasy novel about the aftermath of a civil war, the complexity of human relationships, and the farthest reaches one must go to save themselves and those they love. It's raw, and heartbreaking, and funny, and I loved every moment. I can recognize that there are some minor flaws - primarily the pacing in the first half - but sometimes a novel wows you so much that you just don't care.
Samotin has a style of writing that feels influenced by Leigh Bardugo, particularly by the Grishaverse, which only adds to my enjoyment. She writes characters that I come to love and villains that I love to hate, she crafts an interesting magic system, and she writes a normatively queer world (something that seems like such a small detail but that I, as a queer reader, find immensely meaningful and greatly appreciate). The portrayals of grief and depression in this novel are particularly hard-hitting, and it's just. so. GOOD.
Read the content warnings before you dive in because this book covers some pretty heavy topics, but it's well worth the read in the end. I promise.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC!
thewritebooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so much darker than I was expecting and definitely one of those stories where there may be a very impressive detailed plot and a lot of worldbuilding, but really the most important part is the way the relationships and characters are portrayed. There is such a beautiful portrayal of the love between friends, of the way people are prepared to lay down their lives for each other and for causes they believe in, The casual intimacy and care that all of the group show for each other was perfect. On the other hand this book also offers characters who are so vile that just seeing their name on the page send shivers through you, people are wretched and broken and vile, who keep pushing for what they want at the detriment of all else.
One of my absolute favourite things is when a fantasy novel tackles religion. This was beautifully done here, with an examination of power structures, and personal faith, and glory and awe of the divine versus the quiet prayers whispered at night. It just really brought this whole story to life for me in a way that nothing else could've done.
Ultimately, I feel that this was a novel about unhealthy relationships, escaping them, and how we can forge forward to find people who will love us in the ways that we really deserve. My heart broke continually from the first page of this book right until the end!
This book was so much darker than I was expecting and definitely one of those stories where there may be a very impressive detailed plot and a lot of worldbuilding, but really the most important part is the way the relationships and characters are portrayed. There is such a beautiful portrayal of the love between friends, of the way people are prepared to lay down their lives for each other and for causes they believe in, The casual intimacy and care that all of the group show for each other was perfect. On the other hand this book also offers characters who are so vile that just seeing their name on the page send shivers through you, people are wretched and broken and vile, who keep pushing for what they want at the detriment of all else.
One of my absolute favourite things is when a fantasy novel tackles religion. This was beautifully done here, with an examination of power structures, and personal faith, and glory and awe of the divine versus the quiet prayers whispered at night. It just really brought this whole story to life for me in a way that nothing else could've done.
Ultimately, I feel that this was a novel about unhealthy relationships, escaping them, and how we can forge forward to find people who will love us in the ways that we really deserve. My heart broke continually from the first page of this book right until the end!
smallbob's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
justinevandale's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
Confession time…. I only got this book because of the beautiful cover, and then I saw it was LGBTQ+ and grabbed it as a Read Now from Net Galley.
Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I felt bored through that story even though there was a lot happening and magic, murders and deception. The book read fast like I finished it in 3 days but it felt like it drug on forever. I did almost DNF it but decided to just power through.
I didn’t really care about any of the characters. I feel like we weren’t made to like them really or form connection they were just there and there were quite a few of them.
I’m not sure I would recommend this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the review copy.
Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I felt bored through that story even though there was a lot happening and magic, murders and deception. The book read fast like I finished it in 3 days but it felt like it drug on forever. I did almost DNF it but decided to just power through.
I didn’t really care about any of the characters. I feel like we weren’t made to like them really or form connection they were just there and there were quite a few of them.
I’m not sure I would recommend this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the review copy.
clemslibrary's review against another edition
4.25
This was a dark and gory fantasy set in a queer normative 19th-century Eastern Europe and inspired by Jewish folklore full of grief and trauma, but also the characters moving on from it and how family and love impact our lives
this is incredibly dark and gruesome, there are many hard to read moments of SA and body horror/violence, so check TW before reading. by having the narrative told through three pov’s, the world and past history of the characters is slowly learned and we see just how different they all are following a war that tore everyone apart. i really enjoyed having the different characters telling the story as it meant there were different interpretations of the past
jewish folklore and history are present all throughout, and i found myself really enjoying learning about it and how religion plays a part in their lives. the world itself is interesting and i liked the politics that we were introduced to
this is not about romance in the sense that the story is based around it, but rather focuses on the past abusive romance between Dimitri and Alexey, and the growing relationship between Dimitri and Vasily. the two vastly different relationships ships have a large role in who Dimitri is as a person, and the growing romance is one that brings joy and hope to both Dimitri ans the reader in such a bleak and horrifying world. this definitely is not a romantasy and the abusive relationship between the two holds deep scars and wounds over Dimitri, and a large part of the narrative is him learning and growing as a person following the breakdown of the relationship
the found family truly broke my heart, they all love each other so deeply and the bonds between them are so precious. family and identity are some of the main themes within the story, and their progression as a group to the end of the story is so beautiful seeing them finally have the opportunity to be free from their trauma and pain
this is incredibly dark and gruesome, there are many hard to read moments of SA and body horror/violence, so check TW before reading. by having the narrative told through three pov’s, the world and past history of the characters is slowly learned and we see just how different they all are following a war that tore everyone apart. i really enjoyed having the different characters telling the story as it meant there were different interpretations of the past
jewish folklore and history are present all throughout, and i found myself really enjoying learning about it and how religion plays a part in their lives. the world itself is interesting and i liked the politics that we were introduced to
this is not about romance in the sense that the story is based around it, but rather focuses on the past abusive romance between Dimitri and Alexey, and the growing relationship between Dimitri and Vasily. the two vastly different relationships ships have a large role in who Dimitri is as a person, and the growing romance is one that brings joy and hope to both Dimitri ans the reader in such a bleak and horrifying world. this definitely is not a romantasy and the abusive relationship between the two holds deep scars and wounds over Dimitri, and a large part of the narrative is him learning and growing as a person following the breakdown of the relationship
the found family truly broke my heart, they all love each other so deeply and the bonds between them are so precious. family and identity are some of the main themes within the story, and their progression as a group to the end of the story is so beautiful seeing them finally have the opportunity to be free from their trauma and pain
criticalmiss's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Penguin Random house for the arc. Dark, queer, Jewish Russian inspired fantasy full of court politics, a legitimate Tzar in hiding and his husband who went against the natural order and became immortal through mysticism, planning to take the kingdoms by dark forces.
This story kept me riveted, told in 3 third person POVs, deals with mental health, toxic (really toxic) relationships, found family, non binary rep. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5 🌶️
This story kept me riveted, told in 3 third person POVs, deals with mental health, toxic (really toxic) relationships, found family, non binary rep. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5 🌶️
ofateaspoon's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a story of healing from trauma and abuse, healing from loss of loved ones and loss of self, and it’s a story about redemption, and love, and faith in oneself and a higher power. The treble POV made it particularly interesting because though the villain is undoubtedly villainous, you also see his motivations and how very clearly *wrong* he is in his beliefs while not apologizing for him at all. On its face, it’s a dark fantasy novel with an Excellent found family, but at its core, it’s a story of self-forgiveness and resilience.
But all that said, definitely check your content warnings. This one is *dark* and could be very triggering to anyone who can’t (or shouldn’t) read about domestic violence, sexual assault, or body horror, among other things.
But all that said, definitely check your content warnings. This one is *dark* and could be very triggering to anyone who can’t (or shouldn’t) read about domestic violence, sexual assault, or body horror, among other things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Minor: War and Torture