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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
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
I dragged my feet so much on picking this up.
'The Mirror of Beasts' is the second book in the Silver in the Bone series by Alexandra Bracken. After merging Avalon, what was left of it with the modern world Tamsin is feeling more off kilter than her friends who don't understand cars, electricity and phones. The only thing more important to her than defeating Lord Death is getting Cabell back. But as she continues to push and push for his rehabilitation the more she feels as though everyone has given up on him. The more the Wild Hunt does the more she begins to see what they do. She can't dwell on Cabell and his descent in darkness, she needs to track down what legends call the Mirror or Beasts. If the legends are correct she and her allies hope to trap Lord Death in it, for what else can they do, you cant kill the already dead.
spoilers
This was a thick one, im using that as my excuse as to why for some reason I was always able to to come up with an excuse as to why I should read something else before this one. I fell in love with Tamsin in book one but the girl we got to know wasnt present her, her dark thoughts and not sunny disposition are clearly missing as shes in full on survival mode. All she thinks about is the next step and then surprise surprise she spends more than half the book with very optimistic lies to herself that Cabell isn't acting of his own volition and that she can get him back, that things can be forgiven. She even spends time thinking that maybe Nash is back. She's very different from before she went to Avalon. Though she was the same in that she seems to hyper focus, in book one it was on Cabell needing to be fixed, that she can find his cure and make him better. I guess she just traded that for needing to reach out to him and help him see his better side until she saw him kill Librarian.
In 'Silver in the Bone' it felt like there was a lot of attention on her relationship with a slew of male characters, her father figure, her brother, her love hate with Emyrs. In this one I loved to see the sister bond for the four of them. Promising to be there for one another, the heartache they felt when getting split up. Even though Neve and Cait has this budding romance it didnt overshadow that the four of them were all they really had and that they would do anything to protect one another, even when they had to trust when the other was gone. So many scenes had them glancing and checking with one another. Silently communicating, which wouldn't have been possible with who they were in book one.
The worse part about this book, by far was the descriptions of destruction. Bracken just lists off random priceless wonders, mythological artifacts and then describes how they were all smashed and stolen, wrecked and torn to shreds. She doesnt give background info on many as she details all what's ruined but names stand out or she gives a tidbit and then it seems horrible that everything is destroyed.
I've read at least one other novel by Bracken, maybe two more other than this duology and I can definitely see myself reading others of hers.
'The Mirror of Beasts' is the second book in the Silver in the Bone series by Alexandra Bracken. After merging Avalon, what was left of it with the modern world Tamsin is feeling more off kilter than her friends who don't understand cars, electricity and phones. The only thing more important to her than defeating Lord Death is getting Cabell back. But as she continues to push and push for his rehabilitation the more she feels as though everyone has given up on him. The more the Wild Hunt does the more she begins to see what they do. She can't dwell on Cabell and his descent in darkness, she needs to track down what legends call the Mirror or Beasts. If the legends are correct she and her allies hope to trap Lord Death in it, for what else can they do, you cant kill the already dead.
spoilers
This was a thick one, im using that as my excuse as to why for some reason I was always able to to come up with an excuse as to why I should read something else before this one. I fell in love with Tamsin in book one but the girl we got to know wasnt present her, her dark thoughts and not sunny disposition are clearly missing as shes in full on survival mode. All she thinks about is the next step and then surprise surprise she spends more than half the book with very optimistic lies to herself that Cabell isn't acting of his own volition and that she can get him back, that things can be forgiven. She even spends time thinking that maybe Nash is back. She's very different from before she went to Avalon. Though she was the same in that she seems to hyper focus, in book one it was on Cabell needing to be fixed, that she can find his cure and make him better. I guess she just traded that for needing to reach out to him and help him see his better side until she saw him kill Librarian.
In 'Silver in the Bone' it felt like there was a lot of attention on her relationship with a slew of male characters, her father figure, her brother, her love hate with Emyrs. In this one I loved to see the sister bond for the four of them. Promising to be there for one another, the heartache they felt when getting split up. Even though Neve and Cait has this budding romance it didnt overshadow that the four of them were all they really had and that they would do anything to protect one another, even when they had to trust when the other was gone. So many scenes had them glancing and checking with one another. Silently communicating, which wouldn't have been possible with who they were in book one.
The worse part about this book, by far was the descriptions of destruction. Bracken just lists off random priceless wonders, mythological artifacts and then describes how they were all smashed and stolen, wrecked and torn to shreds. She doesnt give background info on many as she details all what's ruined but names stand out or she gives a tidbit and then it seems horrible that everything is destroyed.
I've read at least one other novel by Bracken, maybe two more other than this duology and I can definitely see myself reading others of hers.
It's not often the sequel is as good as the first book. In this case, the sequel was even better.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this sequel and thought it did a great job at wrapping up the duology. The plot is full of adventure and intrigue, with plenty of twists and revelations that kept me hooked. I felt invested in the mysteries and loved learning more about the world Bracken has created in this Arthurian retelling.
The characters are all so compelling, and I adored the ensemble we got to follow. Emrys and Tamsin remain highlights—their dynamic is as engaging as ever, and I loved every interaction between them. The romance added an extra layer of tension and emotion that worked well within the larger story without overshadowing the plot itself.
That said, I do think I would’ve enjoyed the book more if I’d re-read the first one beforehand. At times, I found myself a little lost, especially when it came to the deeper lore and some of the magical rules. A refresher would’ve helped me appreciate certain details even more.
Overall, a satisfying and exciting conclusion to a duology packed with magic, mystery, and memorable characters!
The characters are all so compelling, and I adored the ensemble we got to follow. Emrys and Tamsin remain highlights—their dynamic is as engaging as ever, and I loved every interaction between them. The romance added an extra layer of tension and emotion that worked well within the larger story without overshadowing the plot itself.
That said, I do think I would’ve enjoyed the book more if I’d re-read the first one beforehand. At times, I found myself a little lost, especially when it came to the deeper lore and some of the magical rules. A refresher would’ve helped me appreciate certain details even more.
Overall, a satisfying and exciting conclusion to a duology packed with magic, mystery, and memorable characters!
This duology was fantastic. It is YA but the story and adventure makes up for the lack of spice. The found family is amazing. There was never a dull moment. I may or may not have shed a handful of tears..
adventurous
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated