Scan barcode
callistag1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Child death, Physical abuse, and Genocide
manaledi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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? No
3.75
While the names were Arthurian, the book overall wasn't particularly. Also definitely darker than I'd expected. A slow read for me as it's been a busy week. It felt good but not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
h_scharff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Violence
lizzylakes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
scarlett_f's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Murder
mack_readz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Mental illness, Self harm, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
kearstenkeepsreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alexandra Bracken never disappoints! I absolutely love this book! I will admit I did not realize that this was going to be a series so I was fighting for my life in those last few chapters.
Tamsin lark is no stranger to fighting to survive. After her guardian disappeared in search of a mysterious ring form Arthurian legend that is rumored to break curses, her and her brother Cabell were left to their own devices. In order to survive and be able to take care of her brother she had to become a Hollower. Breaking into ancient crypts and and competing with others who had magical talent that she herself did not possess. Ten years later rumors start to swirl that their guardian, Nash actually found the ring and now its a race against time and long standing rivals to find the ring to save her brother from his curse.
Tamsin must wade into a world of dark magic, where a deadly secret lies in wait, biding its time until it can be released on the world. She must put aside old grudges and work with her long time rival, Emrys if she wants to have a chance at saving her brother. Along the way she finds unlikely friendships and is tested in ways she never thought she could survive.
This book is filled with heart pounding adventure, found family, and wonderful twists and turns all with the backdrop of Arthurian legend and dark magic. This book had me raging, crying, laughing and facing some of my own tendencies that align a little to close to Tamsin's. I cannot wait for the next book and will be (im)patiently awaiting its arrival.
Tamsin lark is no stranger to fighting to survive. After her guardian disappeared in search of a mysterious ring form Arthurian legend that is rumored to break curses, her and her brother Cabell were left to their own devices. In order to survive and be able to take care of her brother she had to become a Hollower. Breaking into ancient crypts and and competing with others who had magical talent that she herself did not possess. Ten years later rumors start to swirl that their guardian, Nash actually found the ring and now its a race against time and long standing rivals to find the ring to save her brother from his curse.
Tamsin must wade into a world of dark magic, where a deadly secret lies in wait, biding its time until it can be released on the world. She must put aside old grudges and work with her long time rival, Emrys if she wants to have a chance at saving her brother. Along the way she finds unlikely friendships and is tested in ways she never thought she could survive.
This book is filled with heart pounding adventure, found family, and wonderful twists and turns all with the backdrop of Arthurian legend and dark magic. This book had me raging, crying, laughing and facing some of my own tendencies that align a little to close to Tamsin's. I cannot wait for the next book and will be (im)patiently awaiting its arrival.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
shannonigans322's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was very intimidated by the length of this audiobook, especially given that it's a fantasy. I found it helpful, however, that the novel at least starts grounded in our "real world," before transitioning to Arthurian fantasy. There were multiple surprises throughout this adventure (have I mentioned that I love a treasure hunt?) and the cliffhanger literally had me shrieking in my car during my commute. Take that as whatever kind of endorsement you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Vomit
ramunepocky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
“Showing that you care about something or someone makes you vulnerable, because it gives the world another way to hurt you. But there comes a time when you have to decide if feeling empty is really any better than the risk of being broken.”
this review is not spoiler free
WOW. This book was an absolute rollercoaster. It took some time for me to get into the story and understand what was happening, partially because of having a new world with a particular magic system was one thing, but I always struggle with first person books in general as it takes me some time to get into them. But boy was it worth it when I actually got into this because bruh, it is a rollercoaster and a half, and I felt every single emotion possible. Sadness, happiness, anger, horror, betrayal, joy, devastation. Like seriously. I laughed, I cried, I was horrified. And it is worth it all.
I liked Tamsin a lot, she was very cool and there were so many times when she had me desperately trying not to cry. As the book is from her perspective, I feel like I understand her motives and emotions more than any other character, but it was a good insight to have as it really showed how she went from caring more about her own goals in Avalon to trusting and warming up to the others, how betrayed she felt as her opinion on Emrys shifted and then he did exactly what she had been expecting, and had then believed he wouldn’t do, all along. And ofc at the end when Cabell betrayed them all, I really felt Tamsin’s betrayal as she’d literally made protecting and looking after Cabell her reason in life and he’d essentially told her that it wasn’t enough, even though he’d tried to make a deal with Death to assure that she wouldn’t be hurt and that she could join them, he had clearly underestimated Tamsin’s sense of wrong and right and how she had grown to consider the other girls as family too.
Tamsin was a very strong leading character, like when she poured venom into her eyes to give herself the sight, like talk about reckless and badass bruh???? But she was very human in her emotions and how she tried to smother them and hide them with contempt and sarcasm despite being hurt or wanting to trust or falling in love. I’m also very intrigued to learn more about her “curse” and why she has the visions and dreams that she does. I have a feeling that she is either a descendant of the Lady of the Lake, or that the dead spirit of the Lady of the Lake was the one who put the death mark on her and that is why she has the connection to Avalon and the visions.
I am very torn on who my favourite character actually is because I adore both Neve and Cait. Neve always makes me laugh and she has the kindest heart, even when people are cruel to her, she never lets it taint her and she continues to follow her heart first. Even when the people of Avalon were mistrusting of her and were condemning her for being a sorceress, she never held it against them, she never let it hold her back and she never let it change her beliefs, she continued trying to help them and defending what she believed of her Sorceress and how they had been trying to save Avalon. I also admire the fact that she taught herself magic and yet she is still pretty strong, especially when she found her own unique outlet for using her magic. I also really love her dynamic with Cait and I absolutely shipped them from their first interaction. They make me laugh the way that they bicker and argue about the Sorceress and the High Priestess’ and how even when Cait is quite snappy with her, Neve never really lets it affect her. I feel like they definitely went from one-sided hatred and mistrust to reluctant friends, especially as Cait saved Neve’s life even when she wasn’t sure if she could trust her yet. And it’s very clear that they care about each other, and I’m really rooting for them, have been since their first interaction, but you can’t convince me that Cait doesn’t like Neve with the way she stopped breathing and her stern expression faded when Neve was lacing her gauntlets.
I also really really love Cait. She has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders and she tries to take care of everyone and everything. She is a badass warrior and she always puts her people first, and it is clear how much of a strain that it has on her. It was absolutely fucking devastating to see her reaction towards the end when everyone else in the tower was brutally murdered, especially poor little Flea. My eyes were leaking. It was heartbreaking. And I know that Cait felt like she had failed them all and that it was her doing, but it wasn’t her fault. There was no way she could protect everyone and she tried her damn hardest.
I also have a massive soft spot for Emrys. Ngl, I always picture him in my head like old Emrys from BBC Merlin even tho I know for a fact that he looks nothing like that, but that is the image that always comes into my head whenever I read his name. I immediately called the fact that his scars were from his father, but it was still heartbreaking to have that confirmed. Even if Tamsin feels like he betrayed her by taking the ring and using the portal, even if he did it specifically to give to the Sorceress and get paid, he is still doing it to escape his father and give his mother a chance to leave too. He is not a bad person. And I feel like Tamsin does know that deep down even if she felt betrayed in that moment. And he had stayed with her when it mattered, he made sure she was alive and okay, and he only took the opportunity to leave later. I also think his magic is just so cool and unconventional for someone of his image.
I have very mixed feelings on Cabell; sometimes I would like him and sometimes, he would really frustrate me. I understand ofc that he’s living with his curse and it weighs negatively on him, but the way he treats, in particular, his sister who feels responsible for him and has essentially dedicated her life to keeping him safe and trying to break his curse, really pisses me off. I know it’s hard to keep getting your hopes up to be disappointed and it’s hard to be unintentionally hurting people and to be made to feel like a monster, but the way that he takes it out on her really pisses me off. She’s doing everything she can to try and help you Cabell and holy hell do you come off as super ungrateful. Like cmon dude. And then he went and betrayed her and got everyone else killed??? That absolutely crossed the line. I had called Bedivere being the bad guy, though I didn’t realise he was actually Lord Death, but hearing that Cabell had played a part in it and had taken his side and then walked away with him knowing everything that he had done just hurt me. That was the betrayal that hurt the most.
I found the worldbuilding in this book particularly interesting. I enjoyed learning about the Hollowers and their abilities and yet their mistrust in Sorceress’, I really enjoyed learning about the history of Avalon and why it was now cursed, I loved learning about the power of the nine and the history of Arthur (ngl I laughed sm when she just flung Arthur’s body to the Children, it shouldn’t have been funny, but it was) and how the Children came to be. They were absolutely horrifying ngl. Like every time they were in it and I was reading at night, I had to put the book down. They really freaked me out, and I can only imagine how horrifying it must have been for our characters to have faced them. No thank you.
In general, the characters in this book were all really well written and I loved learning how they fit into their roles in Avalon or the modern world(?) and the found family element was just *chefs kiss*
So yeah, very good book, very excited (and scared) for book 2!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Grief
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
Based in Arthurian legend, Silver in the Bone is the story of Tamsin, who will do anything to break her brother’s curse, including going on a daring quest in search of a mythical ring.
I went into this one mostly blind, so I had very few expectations, but I can say this exceeded all of them and then some! The story kept me interested, engaged, and emotional throughout (including some sobbing in the final few chapters) and I loved the characters and the world that Bracken created. I read this one as a buddy read with a friend and she predicted a cliffhanger early on…and let me tell you she was correct. I truly cannot WAIT for book two!
My one complaint (and it’s a small one since I gave this 5 stars!) is that I wanted slightly more world building and a fuller explanation of the magic system and related lore. That might be because I have no real background knowledge of Arthurian legend, so it’s possibly a me thing. Either way, a small quibble for what was ultimately a really fun and enjoyable read!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Arthurian fantasy; stories about sisterhood; mythical swords
CW: Blood/gore/violence/death; mentions of child abuse (including physical abuse and abandonment)
Based in Arthurian legend, Silver in the Bone is the story of Tamsin, who will do anything to break her brother’s curse, including going on a daring quest in search of a mythical ring.
I went into this one mostly blind, so I had very few expectations, but I can say this exceeded all of them and then some! The story kept me interested, engaged, and emotional throughout (including some sobbing in the final few chapters) and I loved the characters and the world that Bracken created. I read this one as a buddy read with a friend and she predicted a cliffhanger early on…and let me tell you she was correct. I truly cannot WAIT for book two!
My one complaint (and it’s a small one since I gave this 5 stars!) is that I wanted slightly more world building and a fuller explanation of the magic system and related lore. That might be because I have no real background knowledge of Arthurian legend, so it’s possibly a me thing. Either way, a small quibble for what was ultimately a really fun and enjoyable read!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Arthurian fantasy; stories about sisterhood; mythical swords
CW: Blood/gore/violence/death; mentions of child abuse (including physical abuse and abandonment)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, and Blood