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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
🌶️yes
This is a Viking inspired fantasy with a very unique magic system. It takes a sort of twist on necromancy magic, but adds in that Viking Valhalla soul flare to. It was really fun to read because it was so unique and fresh.
Our main character has been hiding her whole life and has never touched her magic as to not awaken it, but is soon found out and is brought to the king and is forced to be his mender to save her family. But all is not as it seems as she uncovers the truth about what king wishes to do and the cost of magic like hers.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book seeing as I had DNFd this author softly once before, not because I didn’t like the authors writing or anything like that it was just a few factors outside of the book itself that made me put it down.
The foreshadowing and the puzzle in the story took me by surprise, and it was such a delight that I had to get my pen out back through the pages make a little bit of notes as theories kept formulating in my mind.
One of my favorite things to read is foreshadowing done well and I think this book really did it.
Non spoilers tropes
- Viking inspo/ world
- bodyguard romance
- Necromancer FMC
- Non verbal MMC
- Fresh unique magic system
- Twists
This was sent to me by the pub but all thoughts and feelings are my own
This is a Viking inspired fantasy with a very unique magic system. It takes a sort of twist on necromancy magic, but adds in that Viking Valhalla soul flare to. It was really fun to read because it was so unique and fresh.
Our main character has been hiding her whole life and has never touched her magic as to not awaken it, but is soon found out and is brought to the king and is forced to be his mender to save her family. But all is not as it seems as she uncovers the truth about what king wishes to do and the cost of magic like hers.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book seeing as I had DNFd this author softly once before, not because I didn’t like the authors writing or anything like that it was just a few factors outside of the book itself that made me put it down.
The foreshadowing and the puzzle in the story took me by surprise, and it was such a delight that I had to get my pen out back through the pages make a little bit of notes as theories kept formulating in my mind.
One of my favorite things to read is foreshadowing done well and I think this book really did it.
Non spoilers tropes
- Viking inspo/ world
- bodyguard romance
- Necromancer FMC
- Non verbal MMC
- Fresh unique magic system
- Twists
This was sent to me by the pub but all thoughts and feelings are my own
I don’t even know where to start with this review. Broken Souls and Bones was simply amazing, yet there is nothing simple about this story. The world building and Norse inspiration were fantastic, but the magic system is what wowed me. It’s incredibly unique and the bone magic absolutely fascinating to me.
On top of that her characters are compelling and stand out from other stories. LJ Andrew’s has a way of crafting characters you can’t help but love, from the FMC/MMC down to the smallest side characters. I loved how Roark communicates with hand speech. Who knew something as simple as three taps could make me giddy.
This could very well be one of my top reads for the year, and it is definitely my favorite from LJ Andrew’s so far!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Lyra and Roark meet as enemies, with Roark assigned to watch over her while she serves the crown. What follows is a slow-burn, enemies-to-allies-to-lovers romance set in a richly imagined world crafted by LJ Andrews.
The worldbuilding is compelling, featuring warring factions and kingdoms divided by their beliefs in magic and how it should be used. The magic system itself feels refreshingly original—I’ve read a lot of romantasy, but this one stands out. Lyra, one of the last of her magical kind, struggles to understand and control her power while grappling with the fear of misusing it.
One of the most intriguing elements is the shadow realm Lyra enters when using her magic. There, she encounters a mysterious figure—a shadowed man who forms a strange yet meaningful bond with her. Like Roark, he’s determined to protect her, creating an emotional tension that adds depth to the story.
The book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you eager (but not tortured) for book two. It’s a satisfying blend of romance, magic, and intrigue that’s perfect for fans of character-driven fantasy with a strong emotional core.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews absolutely blew me away. I finished the book on Sunday and I am STILL thinking about it.
From the very first page, I was pulled into this Nordic-inspired world full of secrets, shadows, and soul magic. The writing is sharp, the pacing is perfect, and the last 80%?!?!?! I was shook. I audibly gasped, set the book down, and whispered “WHAT?!” more than once. Nothing is as it seems and I loved every twisty, tension-filled moment.
Lyra is such a strong, layered FMC, and I loved how deeply loyal she was to Kael. Their chosen sibling bond was beautifully written. Roark, though… swoon. A morally gray mute warrior with sign language rep, deep emotional ties to his friends, and so much slow-burn angst with Lyra…I was obsessed. Their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥. It’s enemies-to-lovers done right.
LJ Andrews doesn’t just build a world, she builds trust with the reader. Every time I had a question, the answer unfolded naturally in the narrative. The side characters are just as lovable as our main characters, and the found family moments gave me all the feels.
Also, the moral grayness surrounding the conflict was so well done. You never quite know who to trust, and that ambiguity made everything more compelling. I truly can’t wait for book two because after thatending, I need answers. Immediately!!!!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
No
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I usually like her characters more than this, they all just fell kinda flat. Eric Bloodsinger was way more villain than this mmc (I can’t even remember his name) but fun Vikings.
Okay I'm not gonna lie at first i struggled a bit mostly because of lige getting in yhe way and generally not having much mood tonread so it wasn't my first choice when I did actually had time to read. Abd the reason behind it is the intricate but amazing world building. It has a lot of details that need attention.
Once I really got into it I was hooked. I oove Viking history and kythology so this ticked that. Enemies to lovers, check. Dark romantasy YES. I don't like slow burn but I know a lot of do so if you're one of them then there's slow burn as well.
And don't think that this is just romance with an amazing world building because you're absolutely wrong. We have mysteries and political conspiracies that just nake this worod even more great.
And the ending just let you want more NOW.
Thank you to PRHI for providing me with an ARC.
Once I really got into it I was hooked. I oove Viking history and kythology so this ticked that. Enemies to lovers, check. Dark romantasy YES. I don't like slow burn but I know a lot of do so if you're one of them then there's slow burn as well.
And don't think that this is just romance with an amazing world building because you're absolutely wrong. We have mysteries and political conspiracies that just nake this worod even more great.
And the ending just let you want more NOW.
Thank you to PRHI for providing me with an ARC.