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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Overall enjoyed the story and looking forward to the world expanding in book 2! I would have liked a little more explanation around the magic system and different crafts and all they can do but think we might see more of that in the next book
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for this digital ARC of "Broken Souls and Bones" by LJ Andrews, in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was such a great read!
The plot is super creative, with seafaring Scandinavian and Norse mythology flavor, involving magic fueled by blood, soul, and bone; referred to colloquially by the characters as "Craft". This is fresh and interesting, unlike anything else I've seen in the fantasy or science fiction genre. The world building around this was delightful and imaginative, excellently described, and woven into the adventure in an exciting way.
Andrews' writing style was immersive and easy to follow, teasing in enough mystery to keep me hooked...and then providing clear answers at the perfect moments, for maximum payoff.
The MMC Roark was absolutely delicious, with his protective, feral, Viking-level badassery. It was a perfect match to our MFC Lyra's blend of intelligence, vulnerability, and fierce determination. The slow burn between them --starting off as adversaries that had great reasons for totally hating each other's guts-- was tantalizing and worth every moment. Their animosity sizzled, slowly, until they couldn't take it any more and grudgingly had to give in. By that point, we were breathless for it!
There were several side characters here -- the Prince Thane, Emi, Lyra's foster brother Kael -- that had substance and personalities of their own, which is a boon. It was easy to see why each main character had loyalty and affection toward their respective loved ones, and made the stakes of the plot higher than ever.
There were two main villainy forces working against Lyra and Roark, dogging every step and making things more complicated and dire. Their identity reveals totally blindsided me, which almost never happens. I’m usually pretty good at spotting twists, but both of these got me, and I loved every second of it.
The ending was a one-two punch of heartbreak and surprise! The loose ends had all been wrapped up with a thrilling narration, but new unanswered questions blindsided us, and teased at a second book!
My only complaint: the overuse of the word "inglenook" - there are like twenty really good synonyms to use!
I was gleefully frustrated by the cliffhanger ending, and I need the continuation of this story like...yesterday. I’ll be first in line for the sequel!
#netgalley
This was such a great read!
The plot is super creative, with seafaring Scandinavian and Norse mythology flavor, involving magic fueled by blood, soul, and bone; referred to colloquially by the characters as "Craft". This is fresh and interesting, unlike anything else I've seen in the fantasy or science fiction genre. The world building around this was delightful and imaginative, excellently described, and woven into the adventure in an exciting way.
Andrews' writing style was immersive and easy to follow, teasing in enough mystery to keep me hooked...and then providing clear answers at the perfect moments, for maximum payoff.
The MMC Roark was absolutely delicious, with his protective, feral, Viking-level badassery. It was a perfect match to our MFC Lyra's blend of intelligence, vulnerability, and fierce determination. The slow burn between them --starting off as adversaries that had great reasons for totally hating each other's guts-- was tantalizing and worth every moment. Their animosity sizzled, slowly, until they couldn't take it any more and grudgingly had to give in. By that point, we were breathless for it!
There were several side characters here -- the Prince Thane, Emi, Lyra's foster brother Kael -- that had substance and personalities of their own, which is a boon. It was easy to see why each main character had loyalty and affection toward their respective loved ones, and made the stakes of the plot higher than ever.
There were two main villainy forces working against Lyra and Roark, dogging every step and making things more complicated and dire. Their identity reveals totally blindsided me, which almost never happens. I’m usually pretty good at spotting twists, but both of these got me, and I loved every second of it.
The ending was a one-two punch of heartbreak and surprise! The loose ends had all been wrapped up with a thrilling narration, but new unanswered questions blindsided us, and teased at a second book!
My only complaint: the overuse of the word "inglenook" - there are like twenty really good synonyms to use!
I was gleefully frustrated by the cliffhanger ending, and I need the continuation of this story like...yesterday. I’ll be first in line for the sequel!
#netgalley