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fae_sarelfi's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chana_aurora's review against another edition
3.0
3.5✨ Some parts I really liked and others I was rather bored by. Maybe because I listened to the audiobook and the voice choices can impact what I think about the characters. I really loved the dynamic between the 3 main characters. I like how overtime a friendship between them all truly blossomed in a way that felt natural. At times I really liked Toma while at other times I found her whinny. The world building was also solid.
saracat's review against another edition
5.0
Polydoros does it again. I adored The City Beautiful and I adored this book as well. The character and world building is just so wonderfully done. And so many of the questions that are brought up throughout the book are such deep and meaningful questions.
Even though this is a fantasy world, you can feel clearly a lot of the real world influences and inspirations that Polydoros pulled from for this novel. (Well, with what I have learned about history and other cultures it was. Depending on what any given reader has already learned about certain cultures and specific times in history it may not be as obvious.)
The ending to this book is the type that I equally love and hate. I love it for how it ends things but still leaves things for the reader to imagine. But hate it because all I ca think is how I want the author to continue to story further. However, whether or not Polydoros writes a sequel to this or not, I loved this book and hope another book is not too far in the future.
Even though this is a fantasy world, you can feel clearly a lot of the real world influences and inspirations that Polydoros pulled from for this novel. (Well, with what I have learned about history and other cultures it was. Depending on what any given reader has already learned about certain cultures and specific times in history it may not be as obvious.)
The ending to this book is the type that I equally love and hate. I love it for how it ends things but still leaves things for the reader to imagine. But hate it because all I ca think is how I want the author to continue to story further. However, whether or not Polydoros writes a sequel to this or not, I loved this book and hope another book is not too far in the future.
eficca33's review against another edition
4.0
I need to come back after I've processed some thoughts.
leeknow's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly it was 4 1/2 stars i think for me. I don’t know what exactly it was, but for it was lacking something, but not enough to make it anything less than fantastic. Maybe it was that I read the entire book in one sitting, but as much as I love a quick start, I almost felt like there was a rush with every resolution. All that being said, I’m glad I read this. I loved everyone, especially Galina and Mikhail (let both of them find happiness!!!), and I enjoyed seeing everyone’s growth and development. I’ve been struggling to get back into reading and I think this book really helped. I know open endings allow for readers to have their imaginations run wild, but I was so in love with these characters I want to know what’s next for them. Literally even a tweet with their happy endings.
All in all, super enjoyable and I think any “major” faults I had were just because I’m not used to reading an entire book in one sitting anymore.
All in all, super enjoyable and I think any “major” faults I had were just because I’m not used to reading an entire book in one sitting anymore.
littki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
beckskosh77's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
This is an interesting adventure story based in Russian lore. I enjoyed the characters and the magic that was around. The setting is a mix of various time periods with some medieval and others industrial times.
This is an interesting adventure story based in Russian lore. I enjoyed the characters and the magic that was around. The setting is a mix of various time periods with some medieval and others industrial times.
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.0
Bone Weaver is a haunting soviet Russian-inspired YA historical fantasy set in a world where the dead can come back to life. Toma is a young woman disconnected from her past now having found her place with her undead family. Mikhail is the dethroned Tsar fleeing the revolutionary leader that stole his kingdom and magic. Vanya is an accused witch who dreams of a better future for his people. These three lives intersect to form a bond that will change their world.
Aden Polydoros has created a lush world where magic, spirits, and the undead meet guns, dirigibles, and electricity. It is a place full of history and strife on the edge of revolution against tradition, prejudice, and legend. The setting is well established and imaginative.
I liked all three protagonists who each have distinct personalities and story arcs. Toma must learn to remember her past in order to wield the power of her ancestors. Mikhail must learn from the mistakes of his ruling family’s legacy as he struggles with his forbidden desires. Vanya has learned to live in a society that won’t accept him but still fights for what he believes in. Together, they must set aside their differences and work towards a common goal to change the trajectory of their lives. On a side note, there is also a romantic thread between the three of them that suggest they will definitely become a throuple given time, and no one can dissuade me otherwise.
I do think the there was way more potential to be told from this story which felt expedited in this single standalone YA novel. There was room to marinate and to develop more the relationships and conflicts in the story. And this certainly felt incomplete for a standalone with plenty of story threads yet to be tied given its relatively quick and abrupt ending.
Bone Weaver is a lush and haunting historical fantasy with so much more potential than just this standalone novel.
Aden Polydoros has created a lush world where magic, spirits, and the undead meet guns, dirigibles, and electricity. It is a place full of history and strife on the edge of revolution against tradition, prejudice, and legend. The setting is well established and imaginative.
I liked all three protagonists who each have distinct personalities and story arcs. Toma must learn to remember her past in order to wield the power of her ancestors. Mikhail must learn from the mistakes of his ruling family’s legacy as he struggles with his forbidden desires. Vanya has learned to live in a society that won’t accept him but still fights for what he believes in. Together, they must set aside their differences and work towards a common goal to change the trajectory of their lives. On a side note, there is also a romantic thread between the three of them that suggest they will definitely become a throuple given time, and no one can dissuade me otherwise.
I do think the there was way more potential to be told from this story which felt expedited in this single standalone YA novel. There was room to marinate and to develop more the relationships and conflicts in the story. And this certainly felt incomplete for a standalone with plenty of story threads yet to be tied given its relatively quick and abrupt ending.
Bone Weaver is a lush and haunting historical fantasy with so much more potential than just this standalone novel.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved reading this book, loved the world, and it was such a good read!