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4.63 AVERAGE
4.63 AVERAGE
Thank you valentine_pr_ and haileyturnerwrites for including me on this tour!
I love this world! I was very excited to get this book after reading the first. This is an epic fantasy told in multi pov with so many political plots, fights and romances that I can't get enough of.
So many political moves in this book and action.
Loved the cliffhanger. Ugh those clockwork hearts are so scary. You can kind of find them but so many moves. Love this book!
I love this world! I was very excited to get this book after reading the first. This is an epic fantasy told in multi pov with so many political plots, fights and romances that I can't get enough of.
So many political moves in this book and action.
Loved the cliffhanger. Ugh those clockwork hearts are so scary. You can kind of find them but so many moves. Love this book!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Oh my GOD AHSHDJJFJGKGKLHL okay. OKAY. O K A Y. Sorry I’m still processing. Oh my god. WHAT A SEQUEL!!!! If I could give this 10 stars I would.
The Emperor’s Bone Palace by Hailey Turner is the second book in an adult fantasy series that combines magic, revenants, steampunk and political intrigue with a lovely sprinkle of romance.
This series literally has everything—chaos sapphics we love to hate and hate to love, husbands who themselves are deeply in love, and some romances that are heartfelt and yearning, but not quite steady.
There are huge fight scenes and steamy smooches—and of course there is death and betrayal at every turn as our heroes battle through to try and save the people they love, and to do what they believe is right.
Where the first book (one of my favourite reads last year) set the scene and built the political climate and the relationships that would develop, this books sees all of that deepen. We find out more about our beloved (and hated) characters, we see how their plans begin to develop and fail and succeed, and we watch secrets unfurl.
The world that continues to be created within this series is one that is both stunning and deadly, and Hailey Turner has given it such wonderful life.
I put my heart in the authors hands because I have truly fallen for the characters in this book—and Soren continues to be my absolute favourite 🥺 I want good things for him. Every character is unique, they have their own political alliances and plans, and their own personal lives, and it all comes across so well to develop them into three dimensional characters.
The Emperor’s Bone Palace is over 500 pages of well thought out, beautifully planned plot development—usually in a trilogy I find the second book to be the weakest, but I loved this just as much as I did the first one, if not more. And with the way this one ends? Let’s just say I’m even more desperate to read the third book than I was before and that, my friends, is saying something.
To conclude, I am once again here telling you not to sleep on this series. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, political fantasy, queer representation and really cool magic systems this is definitely for you.
Hailey if you’re reading this I NEED BOOK 3 OKAY THIS IS NOT A DRILL 😂😂😂😂
The Emperor’s Bone Palace by Hailey Turner is the second book in an adult fantasy series that combines magic, revenants, steampunk and political intrigue with a lovely sprinkle of romance.
This series literally has everything—chaos sapphics we love to hate and hate to love, husbands who themselves are deeply in love, and some romances that are heartfelt and yearning, but not quite steady.
There are huge fight scenes and steamy smooches—and of course there is death and betrayal at every turn as our heroes battle through to try and save the people they love, and to do what they believe is right.
Where the first book (one of my favourite reads last year) set the scene and built the political climate and the relationships that would develop, this books sees all of that deepen. We find out more about our beloved (and hated) characters, we see how their plans begin to develop and fail and succeed, and we watch secrets unfurl.
The world that continues to be created within this series is one that is both stunning and deadly, and Hailey Turner has given it such wonderful life.
I put my heart in the authors hands because I have truly fallen for the characters in this book—and Soren continues to be my absolute favourite 🥺 I want good things for him. Every character is unique, they have their own political alliances and plans, and their own personal lives, and it all comes across so well to develop them into three dimensional characters.
The Emperor’s Bone Palace is over 500 pages of well thought out, beautifully planned plot development—usually in a trilogy I find the second book to be the weakest, but I loved this just as much as I did the first one, if not more. And with the way this one ends? Let’s just say I’m even more desperate to read the third book than I was before and that, my friends, is saying something.
To conclude, I am once again here telling you not to sleep on this series. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, political fantasy, queer representation and really cool magic systems this is definitely for you.
Hailey if you’re reading this I NEED BOOK 3 OKAY THIS IS NOT A DRILL 😂😂😂😂
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Well, shit.
Those were my exact words when I finished this book. Hailey Turner, you evil mastermind, how dare you! *sobs uncontrollably*
Anyway, this second installment was absolutely gorgeous: politically complex, tough and painful and violent, but also stunningly plotted, emotionally charged and packed with heaps and heaps of heart-stopping action, mysteries and betrayals.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially during the last half of the book: that last half was a punch to the gut and my heart literally broke time and time again. It's still breaking, because again: HAILEY TURNER, YOU EVIL GENIUS.
This book could have easily been a full five star rating, if not for the fact that I absolutely loathed every single one of Eimarille, Terylin and Joelle's POVs: I skimmed them all, because while I recognised they were needed, I just despised the fact that I had to spend time with them.
How I wish Eimarille and Terylin were redeemable, but no: I can't wait for the rest of Maricol to absolutely crush them *angry growling*
I adored the rest of the characters though.
Caris grated on my nerves a bit, but she's young and stubborn and in love, so I couldn't fault her too much; I can't wait to see her grow into the Queen she truly is. Her and Nathaniel's relationship broke my heart this time around and I really just want them both to be happy.
Honovi and Blaine, my precious aeronaut husbands, completely annihilated my heart: I love them so, so, so much and I really just want them to be happy. I was also so glad Honovi got more page time this around: that hunk of a man stole my heart and he made me swoon so damn much.
And what about my other precious babies, Soren and Vanya? WELL *sobbing noises*
I don't want to spoil too much, but after that ending I really want someone to whack Vanya on the head with a baseball bat. I love both of them to bits, but Soren deserves the whole wide world and I expect Vanya to do some top tier groveling in the next book. I get he was feeling betrayed after the whole reveal about Soren's identity and abilities, but ugh, he HAD to hide them. Ugh, Vanya, you better redeem yourself because my precious Soren doesn't deserve the way he was treated, especially after he put aside his duties, and risked his safety, time and time again, for both Vanya and Raiah.
“I want you to be my road,” Vanya said low and ragged, the words a prayer there at the altar of the star gods.
😭😭
Soren and Vanya's story is by far my favourite one, although the whole backstabbing, violent setting of their love story gave me severe anxiety: it's bittersweet and emotional and subtly sexy, and I love them so, so much.
Soren, in particular, is my favourite character and I seriously cannot wait to see what will happen with, and to, him after that explosive ending.
Because whew: WHAT AN ENDING.
The whole lead-up to the ending was heart-stopping: thrilling and riveting, moving and emotionally-charged and electrifying. That last half was a fraught rollercoaster ride, and my head is still reeling from everything that has happened.
And the world-building, the writing? If possible, it's even more magical and gripping.
Hailey Turner's become one of my favourite authors in just a short few years, and I seriously cannot wait to devour every single one of her future masterpieces.
"The Emperor's Bone Palace" is even better than its predecessor: the stakes are higher and every single character, every single subplot, every single piece of the puzzle is slowly, but surely, falling into place and I cannot wait to see what will happen. The wait for the final book will be long, but it will also be SO worth it.
Those were my exact words when I finished this book. Hailey Turner, you evil mastermind, how dare you! *sobs uncontrollably*
Anyway, this second installment was absolutely gorgeous: politically complex, tough and painful and violent, but also stunningly plotted, emotionally charged and packed with heaps and heaps of heart-stopping action, mysteries and betrayals.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially during the last half of the book: that last half was a punch to the gut and my heart literally broke time and time again. It's still breaking, because again: HAILEY TURNER, YOU EVIL GENIUS.
This book could have easily been a full five star rating, if not for the fact that I absolutely loathed every single one of Eimarille, Terylin and Joelle's POVs: I skimmed them all, because while I recognised they were needed, I just despised the fact that I had to spend time with them.
How I wish Eimarille and Terylin were redeemable, but no: I can't wait for the rest of Maricol to absolutely crush them *angry growling*
I adored the rest of the characters though.
Caris grated on my nerves a bit, but she's young and stubborn and in love, so I couldn't fault her too much; I can't wait to see her grow into the Queen she truly is. Her and Nathaniel's relationship broke my heart this time around and I really just want them both to be happy.
Honovi and Blaine, my precious aeronaut husbands, completely annihilated my heart: I love them so, so, so much and I really just want them to be happy. I was also so glad Honovi got more page time this around: that hunk of a man stole my heart and he made me swoon so damn much.
And what about my other precious babies, Soren and Vanya? WELL *sobbing noises*
“I want you to be my road,” Vanya said low and ragged, the words a prayer there at the altar of the star gods.
😭😭
Soren and Vanya's story is by far my favourite one, although the whole backstabbing, violent setting of their love story gave me severe anxiety: it's bittersweet and emotional and subtly sexy, and I love them so, so much.
Soren, in particular, is my favourite character and I seriously cannot wait to see what will happen with, and to, him after that explosive ending.
Because whew: WHAT AN ENDING.
The whole lead-up to the ending was heart-stopping: thrilling and riveting, moving and emotionally-charged and electrifying. That last half was a fraught rollercoaster ride, and my head is still reeling from everything that has happened.
And the world-building, the writing? If possible, it's even more magical and gripping.
Hailey Turner's become one of my favourite authors in just a short few years, and I seriously cannot wait to devour every single one of her future masterpieces.
"The Emperor's Bone Palace" is even better than its predecessor: the stakes are higher and every single character, every single subplot, every single piece of the puzzle is slowly, but surely, falling into place and I cannot wait to see what will happen. The wait for the final book will be long, but it will also be SO worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, War
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
book two in turner’s latest steampunk epic fantasy series INFERNAL WAR SAGA hits as hard and fast as book one.
a lot of this book felt like set-up for the finale of the trilogy and the repercussions of the last cliffhangers from the prior book. i felt like the reader knows too much in this book. i would have liked to have been more surprised like i was in the first book. though there were some plot elements i’m glad didn’t get dragged out for the drama and were more immediately revealed and dealt with among the other things going on.
blaine and honovi are still by and far my favorite characters and couple. these two ride-or-die husbands alone give great angst, romance, and plot involvement. star gods better let their roads come into one and then leave them alone to their jarldom and the skies.
while i enjoyed vanya and soren in book one, they were starting to lose me in this one. i feel like we spent a lot of time with the solaria politics. i wish there was more from caris and eimarille.
but, this was still enjoyable overall and i am excited for the next and final book. we’ve ended on another great (or not great) cliffhanger with eimarille’s war on our other protagonists’ doorsteps and can only wait to see the repercussions of reveals, betrayals, and more.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
CWs and CNs in comments
*Minor spoilers for book 1 in the series*
The second action-packed instalment in Hailey Turner’s epic steampunk fantasy, *The Infernal War Saga* is finally out and this chonk of a book had me hooked from start to finish. I’m not going to even attempt to summarize this plot but we pick up almost exactly where the first book left off with Eimarille beginning to wage her war to claim power over Maricol, Caris’s secret now very much not a secret, and Soren and Vanya separated while he is on the run with Raiah.
Typically second books, especially in trilogies, tend to play the role of the filler, picking up the pieces laid down in the first book and preparing for the climactic action in the third. However, Turner’s book does so much more than simply function as a transition and holds its own with the nail-biting action, emotional development of the characters and the overall trajectory of the plot. Now that the world has been introduced and the reader is aware of what roles each character plays, this book allows them to stretch out in exploring a variety of deeply interesting developments and obstacles. From Caris coming into her own amidst a deeply personal crisis involving the man she loves, to Blaine and Honovi’s beautiful display of devotion to each other, to Eimarille’s single-minded agenda to secure power and Vanya and Soren’s passionate and charged love story, the characters leapt off the page with even more dimension in this book. The stakes are *so* much higher and each character is beset with betrayals, heartbreak and hard choices at every turn. My heart was in my throat for most of the story and Tuner keeps the suspense, the drama and the emotional gambles on a razor’s edge the whole time. The story is now so primed for the most epic conclusion and I can’t even imagine how much harder it is going to get before each character’s arc is resolved.
A fantastic sequel, *The Emperor’s Bone Palace* continues the masterful worldbuilding and storytelling and is so worth it. 5 massive and fiery stars for this chonky page-turner!
CW’s: violence and danger as befitting a politically driven fantasy series; nonconsensual body modifications; significant injury and disability; war, murder and blood/gore.
CN’s: This is the second book in a steampunk fantasy series. While it is not a romance, there are several romantic relationships including MM, FF and MF couples. The story is multi-POV including that of the antagonists. The novel is low to medium heat with at least three on-page sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, War