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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
No
Almost a 5 star read for me. LJ did it again with this one! She has a way of pulling you into the world she builds. You can always count on amazing found family too. I loved this book. The concept of this story is very reminiscent of Valen and Elise. Cursed MMC, secret identity, and the FMC is the one to break the curse. But it’s still completely unique and stands on its own. If Valen and Elise are your favs from TBK you’ll love this!
I really liked how this series really takes on a Viking world in comparison to TBK and TES where it’s loosely inspired. I also liked that this series isn’t going the fae route. You can still have a fantasy world with a robust magic system without needing characters to be fae and it was done well here.
I liked the slow burn. You could feel the tension and the pull of these two and their reluctance to give in. Little by little they broke down those walls for each other and they exploded when they did!
The reason this did not get 5 stars is because it was very info dumpy at the end. I don’t know if it could have been avoided because I don’t know where the knowledge would fit in the plot any earlier, but there was such a long build up of mystery and very little of figuring anything out until it was all told to the FMC in the last 15%. I think I would have preferred our FMC to figure some of it out on her own rather than it all he laid out for her by one of the characters.
I will say one of the reveals at the end I did not see coming. The other big reveal I had figured out much earlier in the book. And I think because one was so easy to put together I think it’s plausible for the FMC to put pieces together on her own if pushed in the right direction via plot device.
These are small critiques and still overall a fantastically written book and I can’t wait to see what’s happens next.
I really liked how this series really takes on a Viking world in comparison to TBK and TES where it’s loosely inspired. I also liked that this series isn’t going the fae route. You can still have a fantasy world with a robust magic system without needing characters to be fae and it was done well here.
I liked the slow burn. You could feel the tension and the pull of these two and their reluctance to give in. Little by little they broke down those walls for each other and they exploded when they did!
The reason this did not get 5 stars is because it was very info dumpy at the end. I don’t know if it could have been avoided because I don’t know where the knowledge would fit in the plot any earlier, but there was such a long build up of mystery and very little of figuring anything out until it was all told to the FMC in the last 15%. I think I would have preferred our FMC to figure some of it out on her own rather than it all he laid out for her by one of the characters.
I will say one of the reveals at the end I did not see coming. The other big reveal I had figured out much earlier in the book. And I think because one was so easy to put together I think it’s plausible for the FMC to put pieces together on her own if pushed in the right direction via plot device.
These are small critiques and still overall a fantastically written book and I can’t wait to see what’s happens next.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Thanks to PRHaudio for the free copy. All options are my own.
Was I underwhelmed or whelmed? Hard to say. I can absolutely see why people are and will love this book. Roark is by far the best thing about this book. And Will Thorne’s narration of his chapters was WHEW 🔥🥵
If you’re a fan of Fate Inked in Blood, or another Norse inspired romantasy books, I think you’ll enjoy this one too. There’s some nice found family along with the bodyguard romance, and there are several great characters. There’s also lots of action.
But I found the world-building and magic pretty confusing. I absolutely guessed the twist early on (though the mechanics of it still confuse me). I found myself easily distracted and bored at times too. So unfortunately it was a mid experience for me.
But I think it will find tons of fans.
Was I underwhelmed or whelmed? Hard to say. I can absolutely see why people are and will love this book. Roark is by far the best thing about this book. And Will Thorne’s narration of his chapters was WHEW 🔥🥵
If you’re a fan of Fate Inked in Blood, or another Norse inspired romantasy books, I think you’ll enjoy this one too. There’s some nice found family along with the bodyguard romance, and there are several great characters. There’s also lots of action.
But I found the world-building and magic pretty confusing. I absolutely guessed the twist early on (though the mechanics of it still confuse me). I found myself easily distracted and bored at times too. So unfortunately it was a mid experience for me.
But I think it will find tons of fans.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
LJ Andrews consistently delivers original romantasies full of detailed world building, magic systems, and flawed characters that are well developed and whom you can’t help but fall in love with.
With a strong and reluctant FMC who would much rather hide her craft for fear of the danger it brings, and a silent but deadly MMC she can’t help but be drawn too, Broken Souls and Bones sets the bar high for romantasies to obsess over for 2025.
Lyra and Roark both find themselves pawns in a kingdom that covets them only for the strength and power they can add due to their crafts. Both are distrustful of each other but an otherworldly connection soon turns them into reluctant allies and maybe more.
This was a strong start to a new series and I’m excited to see where their journey takes us. Knowing LJ Andrews, readers are guaranteed an emotional ride that will stay with us long after the series end.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
I think this author’s work is just not for me. I really didn’t like the Ever King, and I think this story is executed better, but overall, I was bored, and it felt too similar to other books I have read and did not like.
I keep saying over and over that Romantasy just doesn’t seem to work for me. This story is heavier on the fantasy (at least for the 50% I read) then it is the romance. If that is your preference in Romantasy then you will probably enjoy this. I really want more romance than fantasy in my Romantasy reads, so this wasn’t working for me.
I keep saying over and over that Romantasy just doesn’t seem to work for me. This story is heavier on the fantasy (at least for the 50% I read) then it is the romance. If that is your preference in Romantasy then you will probably enjoy this. I really want more romance than fantasy in my Romantasy reads, so this wasn’t working for me.
Yeah I’m a little irritated by this. Literally the same plot twist as another of her books.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
LJ Andrews has done it again with her first traditionally published book because — What in the Jekyll and Hyde did I just read and love?!
Lyra Bien is basically the Avatar (but for a Viking inspired magical world), and controls three abilities. The silver scars in her eyes mark her as both a prize to be coveted and a threat to all kingdoms. When she is found out and sent to Stonegate, King Damir’s fortress, as a Melder to be used for strengthening Damir’s perfect army - she ends up under the watchful eye of Roark Ashwood, the silent Sentry labeled as the Death Bringer. Under his watch she learns how to use her craft, what it means to be the King’s Melder, and more truths about her own past.
Tropes (for those who care)
- Bodyguard
- Hidden Powers
- Hidden Identities
- Mystery
- Viking-based/Nordic-based world
- Yearning, Tension, Banter
- Found Family (twice over)
- Dual POV 1st Person
- Fated Mates/Soul Bonds
- Necromancy-type magic
- Morally Grey-ish Characters
Moments that made me feral:
- Roark sits backwards on a chair.
- Roark is mute due to an injury from the raids prior. BUT the man has a way with words.
- Emi, Kael, Yrsa, and Thane all gained my heart.
- Action on action on action
- Perfect blend of plot, romance, magic, and mystery
Hesitations:
- If you aren’t in love with this within the first fifty pages, the middle is not going to entice you. If I didn’t love the world and characters as much as I did from the beginning, it definitely wouldn’t have been as enticing as I felt it was.
Lyra Bien is basically the Avatar (but for a Viking inspired magical world), and controls three abilities. The silver scars in her eyes mark her as both a prize to be coveted and a threat to all kingdoms. When she is found out and sent to Stonegate, King Damir’s fortress, as a Melder to be used for strengthening Damir’s perfect army - she ends up under the watchful eye of Roark Ashwood, the silent Sentry labeled as the Death Bringer. Under his watch she learns how to use her craft, what it means to be the King’s Melder, and more truths about her own past.
Tropes (for those who care)
- Bodyguard
- Hidden Powers
- Hidden Identities
- Mystery
- Viking-based/Nordic-based world
- Yearning, Tension, Banter
- Found Family (twice over)
- Dual POV 1st Person
- Fated Mates/Soul Bonds
- Necromancy-type magic
- Morally Grey-ish Characters
Moments that made me feral:
- Roark sits backwards on a chair.
- Roark is mute due to an injury from the raids prior. BUT the man has a way with words.
- Emi, Kael, Yrsa, and Thane all gained my heart.
- Action on action on action
- Perfect blend of plot, romance, magic, and mystery
Hesitations:
- If you aren’t in love with this within the first fifty pages, the middle is not going to entice you. If I didn’t love the world and characters as much as I did from the beginning, it definitely wouldn’t have been as enticing as I felt it was.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review: Broken Souls and Bones by L.J. Andrews
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Broken Souls and Bones was my first L.J. Andrews read, and I’m so glad it was my introduction to her work—I can confidently say it won’t be my last. This story pulled me in with its Viking-inspired worldbuilding and a truly original magic system centered around “craft,” which is divided into bone, blood, and soul. It took a bit of time (and a chapter re-read or two!) to fully wrap my head around the mechanics, but once I did, I was completely hooked. It’s not often I come across a magic system that feels this fresh and inventive.
Andrews’ writing is immersive and well-balanced. The descriptions painted vivid imagery without slowing the pacing. I felt fully transported but never bogged down—exactly how I like my fantasy reads.
Now, let’s talk about Lyra. She’s a protagonist who stuck with me—haunted by a hidden past, terrified of discovery, and yet so strong in her vulnerability. Forced into servitude as a melder (a wielder of all three crafts), Lyra finds herself under the protection of Roark, and oh my gods, Roark. He’s mysterious, fiercely protective, and communicates through his own sign language—which added depth to his character and brought a beautiful layer of quiet strength to the story. He’s now on my ever-growing list of favorite MMCs.
The romance? A slow burn that almost drove me mad—in the best possible way. Normally I’m not a fan of slow burns (or maybe I am, judging by how strongly I react every time!), but Andrews had me fully invested in their tension and emotional connection.
No spoilers, but be warned: this book ends on a cliffhanger—and I’m already counting the days until the next book drops. If you’re a fan of atmospheric fantasy, compelling characters, and just the right amount of emotional torture (looking at you, Roark), Broken Souls and Bones needs to be on your radar.