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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dnf @ 25%
not a bad book! i just got distracted with Crescent City and ChOG and never picked this back up.
not a bad book! i just got distracted with Crescent City and ChOG and never picked this back up.
Tears: 1/5
Chillis: 0/5
Previous review: 4.5 stars
Chillis: 0/5
Previous review: 4.5 stars
It's a decent read if you don't have high expectations. The cover makes it look way more exciting than it actually is. I was really disappointed by the lack of depth to the mythology. One of the brief reviews on the back cover made it sound like it was complex and well thought-out. I would disagree with this. There really wasn't any rhyme or reason to any of it. Most of the plot hinged on the idea of a soul mate. One, this is a tired idea, two, (spoiler), the characters don't even end up being soul mates at the end. It was never really clear what the purpose behind this was.
Aelin was ok as a character. I liked her spirit, but she did come across as whiny sometimes.
Sabine was a much more dynamic, complex character. I wish the story was entirely about her feeling like an underdog until her best friend is kidnapped.
Some reviews I read said that they didn't enjoy the concept of Aelin having a cold-hearted mother. I disagree and feel that this is the most interesting aspect of the book. Especially since (SPOILER) it is later revealed that Sabine is Aelin's half sister.
All-in-all, I say feck it to the soul mate idea (and therefore Bastien + Co), have the first book be entirely focused on Sabine and Aelin (and their crappy mother). I could perhaps see an alternate plot line happening with Bastien + Co because their dynamic is very entertaining. I would have liked to see a duality of the plot lines in which they don't meet until the very end or in a sequel (Purely because the dynamic between Aeline and the brother was GOLD).
Anyway, sorry if my rambles don't make any sense. Kinda reflects how the book was. Definitely not worth the hype.
Aelin was ok as a character. I liked her spirit, but she did come across as whiny sometimes.
Sabine was a much more dynamic, complex character. I wish the story was entirely about her feeling like an underdog until her best friend is kidnapped.
Some reviews I read said that they didn't enjoy the concept of Aelin having a cold-hearted mother. I disagree and feel that this is the most interesting aspect of the book. Especially since (SPOILER) it is later revealed that Sabine is Aelin's half sister.
All-in-all, I say feck it to the soul mate idea (and therefore Bastien + Co), have the first book be entirely focused on Sabine and Aelin (and their crappy mother). I could perhaps see an alternate plot line happening with Bastien + Co because their dynamic is very entertaining. I would have liked to see a duality of the plot lines in which they don't meet until the very end or in a sequel (Purely because the dynamic between Aeline and the brother was GOLD).
Anyway, sorry if my rambles don't make any sense. Kinda reflects how the book was. Definitely not worth the hype.
[bc:Bone Crier's Moon|46249012|Bone Crier's Moon (Bone Grace, #1)|Kathryn Purdie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560367799l/46249012._SY75_.jpg|56180448]
I really enjoyed this story! Likewise, I think the actual magic system behind the Bone Crier's is very interesting and the three perspectives the characters have on what the responsibilities of the Ferrier's is well done. It ties back to the idea that all of our actions, whether we think they are right or wrong, can be taken differently by another person. The means do not always justify the ends.
Sabine happens to be my favorite of the characters and her relationship with Ailesse is very well done. Many times the bond between girls who are friends is overlooked in favor of love stories, and it was fantastic to see it brought back into focus over and over again when either girl felt like they needed each other. As a girl who has always cherished my relationships with my friends above most other things, it felt very realistic and tangible.
Ailesse and Bastien are both cute, and a little cheesy at times, but I love a good cheesy love, there's nothing wrong with that. The side characters are also lovable and the snark is fantastic dialogue. I think that Bastien was the hardest character for me to relate to, but I still found him enjoyable.
The only thing that for me was a little questionable was the transition between "I hate you and want to kill you" space of Enemies to Lovers, to the "Oh no, I'm in love with you, and I am definitely not supposed to be." I'm a pretty dedicated reader to the Enemies to Lover's trope, so I say that through that perspective. I have since reading this book began reading "Bone Criers Dawn", the sequel to this book, and have actually found that dynamic to have been fixed in some ways, and hope it continues to be worked out.
[bc:Bone Crier's Dawn (The Bone Grace Series)|57657081|Bone Crier's Dawn (The Bone Grace Series) (Bone Grace Series, 2)|Kathryn Purdie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617794942l/57657081._SX50_.jpg|66878302]
All around, if you want a story about sisterhood, this book has it, and has it done wonderfully, if you're looking for a 5-star book about enemies to lovers, I'd say don't go into this book looking for it. I know this book has gone pretty viral online and gets put into the Enemies to Lovers trope a lot, but I see it as a much stronger story about two best friends who would do anything for the other. I find it to be a much stronger story in that light.
I really enjoyed this story! Likewise, I think the actual magic system behind the Bone Crier's is very interesting and the three perspectives the characters have on what the responsibilities of the Ferrier's is well done. It ties back to the idea that all of our actions, whether we think they are right or wrong, can be taken differently by another person. The means do not always justify the ends.
Spoiler
Sabine happens to be my favorite of the characters and her relationship with Ailesse is very well done. Many times the bond between girls who are friends is overlooked in favor of love stories, and it was fantastic to see it brought back into focus over and over again when either girl felt like they needed each other. As a girl who has always cherished my relationships with my friends above most other things, it felt very realistic and tangible.
Ailesse and Bastien are both cute, and a little cheesy at times, but I love a good cheesy love, there's nothing wrong with that. The side characters are also lovable and the snark is fantastic dialogue. I think that Bastien was the hardest character for me to relate to, but I still found him enjoyable.
The only thing that for me was a little questionable was the transition between "I hate you and want to kill you" space of Enemies to Lovers, to the "Oh no, I'm in love with you, and I am definitely not supposed to be." I'm a pretty dedicated reader to the Enemies to Lover's trope, so I say that through that perspective. I have since reading this book began reading "Bone Criers Dawn", the sequel to this book, and have actually found that dynamic to have been fixed in some ways, and hope it continues to be worked out.
[bc:Bone Crier's Dawn (The Bone Grace Series)|57657081|Bone Crier's Dawn (The Bone Grace Series) (Bone Grace Series, 2)|Kathryn Purdie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617794942l/57657081._SX50_.jpg|66878302]
All around, if you want a story about sisterhood, this book has it, and has it done wonderfully, if you're looking for a 5-star book about enemies to lovers, I'd say don't go into this book looking for it. I know this book has gone pretty viral online and gets put into the Enemies to Lovers trope a lot, but I see it as a much stronger story about two best friends who would do anything for the other. I find it to be a much stronger story in that light.
3.5 stars
What drew me to this book in the first place (besides one of the most beautiful covers) and helped hook me into the start was the unique bone magic system. I adored that these "bone criers" ferried the dead and reminded me of witches with their reliance on the power that the moon and bones gave them. Once I got into the book, it proved to be very quick paced and action packed. The story was riddled with fights and tension and plot twists and hints of french inspiration.
But despite that, I had trouble getting really invested for some reason. A part of me thinks it might have been a little TOO action packed and quick, and I would have benefited greatly from a few more slowed down scenes just between characters for growth and banter. There are many scenes that take place underground, and I found it hard to imagine most of them as well. And finally, this story is told from three points of view. Ailesse, Bastien and Sabine. While I enjoyed all of these characters, I finished the book feeling like Sabine never accomplished much of anything unfortunately, though I think I relate to her the most.
Overall this story was entertaining to a degree and seemed to have it all on the surface, but I think the execution wasn't exactly for me. I did read an arc so it could be some of this was improved in the finished copies of course, and I'm still interested to see what will happen in the next book!
What drew me to this book in the first place (besides one of the most beautiful covers) and helped hook me into the start was the unique bone magic system. I adored that these "bone criers" ferried the dead and reminded me of witches with their reliance on the power that the moon and bones gave them. Once I got into the book, it proved to be very quick paced and action packed. The story was riddled with fights and tension and plot twists and hints of french inspiration.
But despite that, I had trouble getting really invested for some reason. A part of me thinks it might have been a little TOO action packed and quick, and I would have benefited greatly from a few more slowed down scenes just between characters for growth and banter. There are many scenes that take place underground, and I found it hard to imagine most of them as well. And finally, this story is told from three points of view. Ailesse, Bastien and Sabine. While I enjoyed all of these characters, I finished the book feeling like Sabine never accomplished much of anything unfortunately, though I think I relate to her the most.
Overall this story was entertaining to a degree and seemed to have it all on the surface, but I think the execution wasn't exactly for me. I did read an arc so it could be some of this was improved in the finished copies of course, and I'm still interested to see what will happen in the next book!
This was my April Owlcrate Book. First Owlcrate book I ever got, actually. And at a 3.5 star rating from me, it was a pretty enjoyable first!
Bone Criers as a concept are really cool. They train their entire lives to ferry the dead to the afterlife, so a sort of different take on reapers. Reapers are awesome, taking your own spin on something is awesome, so yeah, they're pretty awesome! They get their powers from different animals by killing (so yes, there are animal killings in this show) them and being imbued by their "grace" after they take one of their bones. Overall, really cool, but with the downside of, well... They have to kill their soulmate before they can become a ferrier (one who ferries the dead to the afterlife).
We don't get much of a look at the actual world, which is original but French based, but we get mentions of the royal system, a war, and the town. Most of the world building is focused on the Bone Crier system and their gods. It almost feels more like an Urban Fantasy set in the past because the rest of the world is so... just accept as there. So even if you're not a fan of high fantasy but prefer historical/modern fantasy (just real world fantasy in general), this is still enjoyable.
Which is perfectly fine since, as I've said, I love the entire Bone Crier system.
As for the characters, they're a very nice balance to play off each other. Ailesse is the perfect Bone Crier to everyone but her mother, who always seems to judge her. Sabine is the farthest from perfect, not really possessing the normal Bone Crier strengths and having an aversion to killing, human or animal. Bastien is a human hurt by Bone Criers, a skilled orphan thief, and intent on killing a Bone Crier.
Bet you can't guess who he chooses to try and kill.
There are a lot of side characters who are enjoyable. My favorite one was one of Bastien's friends.
Although I like the characters, I can say that sometimes there being three PoVs felt... Weird. I felt like Bastien's was underutilized because he was the human who didn't understand the great issues going on for the Bone Crier's. After a certain point, he felt like he was rarely used because all the interesting stuff was being unveiled from Ailesse's or Sabine's PoV. The stuff was really interesting and I always found myself shifting between who I wanted to get back to. So yes, my biggest complain about the three different PoVs is that by the second half of the book, Bastien's felt like it carried too little weight.
Writing was good. nothing special, but I still enjoyed it. Some complain about the random French words, but it gave the sense of culture behind the Bone Crier's for me.
I enjoyed the plot. It was this enjoyable mixture of hidden magical world, rescue mission, unfolding of a secret plot, enemies-to-lovers type plot. Nothing overly original, but it was executed in a very enjoyable way. I always felt like I was getting hints to connect the dots with the grand scheme that connected the entire plot, but I never had the full picture, which made me eager to have it unfold.
Biggest complaint plot wise would be the enemies to lovers aspect. I loved it for the most part, but do you see that -to- between enemies and lovers? That part felt like we just... Time jumped right over it. They were enemies, we got a hint there was a "to", then they were growing feelings for each other.
Would recommend to people, but not vehemently recommend, and would probably never reread.
Bone Criers as a concept are really cool. They train their entire lives to ferry the dead to the afterlife, so a sort of different take on reapers. Reapers are awesome, taking your own spin on something is awesome, so yeah, they're pretty awesome! They get their powers from different animals by killing (so yes, there are animal killings in this show) them and being imbued by their "grace" after they take one of their bones. Overall, really cool, but with the downside of, well... They have to kill their soulmate before they can become a ferrier (one who ferries the dead to the afterlife).
We don't get much of a look at the actual world, which is original but French based, but we get mentions of the royal system, a war, and the town. Most of the world building is focused on the Bone Crier system and their gods. It almost feels more like an Urban Fantasy set in the past because the rest of the world is so... just accept as there. So even if you're not a fan of high fantasy but prefer historical/modern fantasy (just real world fantasy in general), this is still enjoyable.
Which is perfectly fine since, as I've said, I love the entire Bone Crier system.
As for the characters, they're a very nice balance to play off each other. Ailesse is the perfect Bone Crier to everyone but her mother, who always seems to judge her. Sabine is the farthest from perfect, not really possessing the normal Bone Crier strengths and having an aversion to killing, human or animal. Bastien is a human hurt by Bone Criers, a skilled orphan thief, and intent on killing a Bone Crier.
Bet you can't guess who he chooses to try and kill.
There are a lot of side characters who are enjoyable. My favorite one was one of Bastien's friends.
Although I like the characters, I can say that sometimes there being three PoVs felt... Weird. I felt like Bastien's was underutilized because he was the human who didn't understand the great issues going on for the Bone Crier's. After a certain point, he felt like he was rarely used because all the interesting stuff was being unveiled from Ailesse's or Sabine's PoV. The stuff was really interesting and I always found myself shifting between who I wanted to get back to. So yes, my biggest complain about the three different PoVs is that by the second half of the book, Bastien's felt like it carried too little weight.
Writing was good. nothing special, but I still enjoyed it. Some complain about the random French words, but it gave the sense of culture behind the Bone Crier's for me.
I enjoyed the plot. It was this enjoyable mixture of hidden magical world, rescue mission, unfolding of a secret plot, enemies-to-lovers type plot. Nothing overly original, but it was executed in a very enjoyable way. I always felt like I was getting hints to connect the dots with the grand scheme that connected the entire plot, but I never had the full picture, which made me eager to have it unfold.
Biggest complaint plot wise would be the enemies to lovers aspect. I loved it for the most part, but do you see that -to- between enemies and lovers? That part felt like we just... Time jumped right over it. They were enemies, we got a hint there was a "to", then they were growing feelings for each other.
Would recommend to people, but not vehemently recommend, and would probably never reread.
adventurous
reflective
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
I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
5 stars. I cannot help loving this book that much.
I was apprehensive at first due to there being 3 POV’s to follow, and historically.. me and multiple POV’s do not mesh. HOWEVER, this book was a lovely surprise.
I know there is a sort of instalove aspect but doyouknowwhat? I kinda dig it. I dont know why but I really loved Ailesse and Bastien’s development.
There were definitely some page turning and shocking moments which I did not see coming at all (imo). I think at one point I was reading till about 2/3am, I just couldn't put it down.
I think if you would like something nicely paced and multiple POVs which work really well with each other and the story, it would be something to look into. Especially since I feel like this story is super unique and I haven’t read anything really like it!
5 stars. I cannot help loving this book that much.
I was apprehensive at first due to there being 3 POV’s to follow, and historically.. me and multiple POV’s do not mesh. HOWEVER, this book was a lovely surprise.
I know there is a sort of instalove aspect but doyouknowwhat? I kinda dig it. I dont know why but I really loved Ailesse and Bastien’s development.
There were definitely some page turning and shocking moments which I did not see coming at all (imo). I think at one point I was reading till about 2/3am, I just couldn't put it down.
I think if you would like something nicely paced and multiple POVs which work really well with each other and the story, it would be something to look into. Especially since I feel like this story is super unique and I haven’t read anything really like it!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is hard to rate because I found the world and story compelling, but the romance was not my cup of tea. It felt too quick for my tastes (I prefer slow burn).
I didn't really like Bastian in general, though this could be because I didn't like his audiobook narrerator. The female narrations are much better.
Overall I think this has some unique and creative things about it and still recommend it if you prefer these types of romance tropes.
I didn't really like Bastian in general, though this could be because I didn't like his audiobook narrerator. The female narrations are much better.
Overall I think this has some unique and creative things about it and still recommend it if you prefer these types of romance tropes.