4.19 AVERAGE

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Diverse cast of characters: No
medium-paced
adventurous mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

LJ Andrews has officially sucked me into another Viking inspired romantasy 😍
- Enemies to Lovers 
- Dual POV
- Forced Proximity 
- Bodyguard 
- Unique magic system 
I loved the magic in this book. It’s based on bone melding/mending and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it. 
Of course the romance is top notch as well. Thera just so much yearning, tension and passion. Lyra and Roark just make so much sense together ❤️
I do wish that there was more to the plot but it definitely ramped up in the back half. But at this point I know that you half to do a lot of world building at the start of the series. 
I just can’t wait for book 2! The plot twist/cliffhanger left me with so many questions and left so much potential for the next book. 
dark emotional funny 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: Complicated
adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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: Yes
hsayab's profile picture

hsayab's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 39%

Soft dna….honestly I was just bored with it. I kept putting it down, and picking it back up. I was trying to push through to see if it picked up but i was bored. The struggle was really a struggle.
adventurous dark mysterious 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 emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Absolutely loved this book! So excited to see where the story goes in the series! 
smalleststorm's profile picture

smalleststorm's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 71%

Bored of the "fmc is most powerful person hidden and found, mmc is her guardian/captor" trope..  not written well enough to get past it.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this eCopy to review

Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews is a spellbinding journey into a world where magic, danger, and romance intertwine seamlessly. From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the life of Lyra Bien, a young woman who intended to live quietly to avoid the attention of the magic-obsessed king in the fortress of Stonegate. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when Roark Ashwood, the prince’s silent guard and rumoured killer for the crown, invades her village and uncovers the truth behind the silver scars in her eyes.

Lyra's journey is both harrowing and inspiring. To save her best friend from death, she reveals her abilities and is immediately claimed by the crown as the next melder. This role, revered and feared in equal measures, is essentially a slow death sentence. Lyra's determination to free herself and her friends from bondage is palpable and drives the narrative forward with relentless energy.

Roark Ashwood is a complex character, initially appearing as a brooding and dangerous figure. However, as Lyra gets closer to him, she discovers that he is not what he seems. Their evolving relationship is one of the highlights of the book. The tension between them, both romantic and otherwise, adds depth to the story and keeps the reader engaged. The more they work together as allies, the harder it becomes to ignore the growing passion between them.

The world-building in Broken Souls and Bones is exceptional. Andrews creates a vivid and immersive setting that feels both fantastical and grounded. The magic system is intriguing, and the political intrigue adds layers of complexity to the plot. The themes of power, freedom, and destiny are explored in a way that feels fresh and compelling.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its pacing. The story moves at a brisk pace, with each chapter revealing new twists and turns. The stakes are high, and the tension never lets up, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, which adds to the richness of the narrative.

Overall, Broken Souls and Bones is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend to fans of fantasy and romance. It's a beautifully written, emotionally charged story, I cannot wait for book 2!