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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
3⭐️
This had me at Viking, Magic and enemies to lovers. Unfortunately none of that kept my attention throughout this book.
I immediately was overwhelmed and underwhelmed by the magic system in the first 25% of the book, so much that I almost dnfed it. The magic system is super unique but isn’t clearly explained and a lot is glossed over which makes it hard to comprehend. It felt like almost an afterthought a lot of the times.
The Nordic terminology used was not explained clearly for those who aren’t familiar with that time period. I found myself googling words to understand what the item or action was, taking away from the story.
For being an enemies to lovers story, even that wasn’t very believable. The fmc went from hiding to being almost best friends with the “enemy” in what seemed like the blink of an eye. There was a lot of inferred character relationship building but without any actual action to back it up, it was not very believable. Overall none of the characters really stood out and didn’t really have much of a personality.
This had me at Viking, Magic and enemies to lovers. Unfortunately none of that kept my attention throughout this book.
I immediately was overwhelmed and underwhelmed by the magic system in the first 25% of the book, so much that I almost dnfed it. The magic system is super unique but isn’t clearly explained and a lot is glossed over which makes it hard to comprehend. It felt like almost an afterthought a lot of the times.
The Nordic terminology used was not explained clearly for those who aren’t familiar with that time period. I found myself googling words to understand what the item or action was, taking away from the story.
For being an enemies to lovers story, even that wasn’t very believable. The fmc went from hiding to being almost best friends with the “enemy” in what seemed like the blink of an eye. There was a lot of inferred character relationship building but without any actual action to back it up, it was not very believable. Overall none of the characters really stood out and didn’t really have much of a personality.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Fantasy and romantasy is currently overrun with fae courts, dragons, vampires, and morally ambiguous shadow daddies trying to out-brood each other. And I love it, yet simultaneously, I’ve read enough of them to last me several reincarnations. So when Broken Souls and Bones introduced me to Viking-inspired fantasy romance, I perked up. Then I devoured it.
But Broken Souls and Bones didn’t just win me over with aesthetics. It felt fresh because it gave space for grief, silence, rage and softness, all coexisting without cancelling each other out.
What really stood out to me was Roark, the male lead, who communicates using sign language. It’s clear LJ Andrews put in the work to get it right. The signing is so vividly described, you can almost see his hands moving and feel the weight behind each gesture. As a non-speaking character, Roark isn’t reduced or romanticised. He’s a protector without being possessive, and emotionally present without being sanctified.
Furthermore, FMC, Lyra is anxious, introverted, and emotionally intelligent. Not the kind of FMC who’s “not like other girls,” but one who is like a lot of us. Her social anxiety isn’t framed as a flaw to be cured, it just is, and that’s what I loved.
Meanwhile, everyone has a take on the balance of enemies-to-lovers… whether it’s too insta-lust/love, too slow-burn, too much vitriolic enmity, not enough true enmity. We’re all just Goldilocks out here testing the porridge, hoping for the right temperature.
But perhaps timing isn’t the problem. Substance is. I don’t care if they kiss on page 50 or in book two, if there’s no emotional backbone, I’m out. But Broken Souls and Bones delivered a perfect amount of tension, ideological friction and payoff.
That balance is why I quietly bumped this book’s rating up to five stars when I couldn’t stop thinking about it a week later. LJ Andrews clearly knows how to balance fantasy and romance without flattening either. There’s texture and nuance. I’m surprised this book isn’t more talked about. I feel it’s one of the strongest romantasies I’ve read this year and I’ve read a lot of them.
I just need to give a shout out to the side characters because this book doesn’t waste its supporting cast on filler. Prince Thane is hilarious. Kael is Lyra’s loyal brother-from-another-mother. And there are multiple women — Emi, Yrsa, Hilda — who aren’t written as foils or competition for Lyra. They’re layered, loyal, flawed, and feel like they exist outside the frame. Just women supporting women, surviving brutal systems together.
The worldbuilding and magic system sealed the deal for me. To be honest, the first half is quite intricate and demanding but once you wrap your head around it all, the reward is worth it. The magic system feels really unique. Lyra’s power isn’t pretty, it’s horrifying and crunchy with consequences. I love magic that exacts a price, especially when it forces characters to grapple with power, morality and identity. That’s what made the worldbuilding and plot extra compelling.
Also, and I cannot stress this enough: no cringe nicknames. I was at peace.
And finally, FYI for my fellow animal lovers: no dogs or wolves die, even though there was an opportunity for that to happen earlier in the book. There are plenty of other content warnings though, so be mindful of that.
If you liked A Fate Inked in Blood or any other Viking-inspired romantasy, odds are this will work for you too. But even if Nordic-inspired romantasy isn’t on your radar yet, it should be. This was my first foray into it and I loved it. If you’ve been burned by too many copy-paste romantasies lately, give this one a shot. It surprised me with heart, weight and soul.
My heartfelt thanks to Penguin Random House Australia for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
Loved reading a main character who uses sign language.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While Roark, the prince’s silent guard, is raiding her village, he finds Lyra and her silver scarred eyes. She’s forced to reveal her abilities in order to spare her best friend’s life and is taken for a job that does not allow her to have her freedom. She needs more info but Roark is broody and silent, can she break through to him?
The burn of the entire story was slow but also so worth it. I took my time reading this, it wasn’t a binge book for me personally, but that did not take away from anything and I enjoyed it every time I picked it up. I became so attached to these characters and love how Andrews writes tension. Can’t wait for book two!!
Thank you so much to Ace/Berkely and LJ Andrews for providing this physical ARC. This is my honest review! This published on April 29th.
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
DNF at 62%
I just can't get invested in the characters or the plot. The characters feel flat to me.
This is such a shame because I love the author's other series.
I just can't get invested in the characters or the plot. The characters feel flat to me.
This is such a shame because I love the author's other series.
SCREAMING INTO THE VOID. Ok listen, the first 2/3 of this book were hard- the world building was too rushed and I could not get connected to the characters.
But that last 30%?! BOOM. So many twists and turns and I could not pick my jaw off the floor.
Really bummed it took sooo long to get into it but that ending was…. I mean dang.
But that last 30%?! BOOM. So many twists and turns and I could not pick my jaw off the floor.
Really bummed it took sooo long to get into it but that ending was…. I mean dang.
medium-paced