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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for this eARC to one of my most anticipated 2025 releases.
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of LJ Andrews. The Ever Seas and Broken Kingdoms series were fantastic. So I had very high hopes for this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
LJ does Nordic/Viking lore incredibly well. Everytime I have read something she’s written I have no issues following along. She build the world in such a way, that even when you’re confused or not sure of the world building, you get answers. She did that wonderfully in Broken Souls and Bones. The magic especially was fun to read and discover. It was very unique and unlike something I’ve read before.
Don’t go into this book expecting action after action and instant love or spice. The story and romance is a slow burn. But I personally loved the pacing of the book. LJ gives you time with the characters and the plot so you can take it all in. But I know that some people wil struggle with the pacing.
Lyra and Roarke are wonderfully written MCs. It’s not a massive spoiler but don’t want to reveal in the review but Roarke is different from other MMCs. He has a disability which I really admired LJ for writing a main character like this. It’s great to see disability representation in stories.
The cast of side characters and the found family aspect of the story was done so well. Characters are developed and get to shine and you fall in love with those characters.
The ending surprised me and now I’m over here like 😧😧😧 waiting for the next book. I believe LJ stated this is a two book series so hopefully won’t be a super long wait.
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of LJ Andrews. The Ever Seas and Broken Kingdoms series were fantastic. So I had very high hopes for this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
LJ does Nordic/Viking lore incredibly well. Everytime I have read something she’s written I have no issues following along. She build the world in such a way, that even when you’re confused or not sure of the world building, you get answers. She did that wonderfully in Broken Souls and Bones. The magic especially was fun to read and discover. It was very unique and unlike something I’ve read before.
Don’t go into this book expecting action after action and instant love or spice. The story and romance is a slow burn. But I personally loved the pacing of the book. LJ gives you time with the characters and the plot so you can take it all in. But I know that some people wil struggle with the pacing.
Lyra and Roarke are wonderfully written MCs. It’s not a massive spoiler but don’t want to reveal in the review but Roarke is different from other MMCs. He has a disability which I really admired LJ for writing a main character like this. It’s great to see disability representation in stories.
The cast of side characters and the found family aspect of the story was done so well. Characters are developed and get to shine and you fall in love with those characters.
The ending surprised me and now I’m over here like 😧😧😧 waiting for the next book. I believe LJ stated this is a two book series so hopefully won’t be a super long wait.
I worked until 8 PM, have to start again at 8 AM, but you bet your sweet lil ass I stayed up until 1 AM finishing Broken Souls and Bones. @authorljandrews brings it every.freakin.time. Such a unique magic system, loveable characters, hateable characters (iykyk), and an INCREDIBLE twist. I am salivating over this one, kids. I meant it when I said back in February that I’d read her grocery list in every universe. Congrats, LJ! Ya did it again!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
Where do I even begin with a review of Broken Souls & Bones?? I mean, LJ Andrews’ books already had me in a chokehold but this one went above and beyond expectations! The characters, the magic, the stories — all perfection, no notes! And the twists! *chef’s kiss*
Read ASAP, especially if you loved LJ Andrews other books. This very much felt like a mix of The Broken Kingdoms and The Ever Seas but with an attitude and charm all its own!
Read ASAP, especially if you loved LJ Andrews other books. This very much felt like a mix of The Broken Kingdoms and The Ever Seas but with an attitude and charm all its own!
adventurous
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:
N/A
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
This book is like a compliment sandwich. The good parts are the beginning and the end and the middle is not the best. I really liked some of the descriptions and I liked the characters (especially Roark) but I felt like this book meandered a bit too much for me. Since this is the first book in a series, I understand that the author has to take time to set up the plot, characters, world, etc and while I appreciate all of that I felt like this book was just ok. I do plan to continue this series and I like the direction the story is taking and I think there is real room for this to be a great series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes