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ravensandlace's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.0
Title: Bone Weaver
Author: Aden Polydoros
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Format: my own hardback book
Series: NA
Star Rating: 4 stars
tw: injury, blood, execution, death, assault, implied sexual assault, strangulation
A few years ago, Aden reached out to me. This was after I had read his Project Pandora series thanks to Entangled Teen publishing. We had been friends on Twitter for a while and talked about books every so often. Usually, it was just me fangirling over his books. He asked if I was interested in beta-reading a part of this book he was working on. It happened to be this book. I remember because I was pretty deep into Russian books at the time. I think it was called something else at the time. I read it and fell in love. Well, I fell out of the book scene for a while. When I came back, I discovered that Aden was publishing this book. I was so excited and decided to order it immediately. It was just as amazing as it was when I beta-read it.
This book was incredibly impressive. It was even better than when I had beta-read part of it. Granted, I had only read a chapter or so. Aden put a lot of heart and soul into this book and I felt it. It’s a journey book but it’s so much more than that. Sure, there is a quest that the main characters, Toma, Mikhail, and Vanya, try and achieve but the characters themselves go on a self-change journey. Each character grows and finds themselves. Toma especially goes through a change that is truly impressive. Y’all know I am an absolute sucker for character growth in books.
One thing to know about this book is that it is very Russian. It is set in Russia with what I’m pretty sure is Russian folklore. Luckily, Aden has included a glossary of all the terms used in the book. It was super handy to have and refer back to. But there were a few times that I was confused about what was what but once I referenced back to the glossary a few times, I was able to keep things straight. I do wish that there was a pronunciation guide. I like being able to pronounce what I read correctly.
Overall, this book was another excellent one from Aden. I probably sound like such a fangirl but it’s been a while since I have come across an author where every book I’ve read by them is a hit. And the fact that they aren’t problematic is a huge plus. Do yourselves a favor and check out this book and Aden’s other work today. I highly recommend the Project Pandora series along with this book.
maeflowerreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
teagoh's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The beginning of the book started out very strong, but soon fell into some pretty basic fantasy tropes. It also has some good queer rep, although it's pretty clear that some characters are more cared for/fleshed out than others. I was a bit disappointed, but it gets more points for doing the bare minimum of research about slavic culture and folklore! (Looking at you, THE GREG.)
dainybernstein's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: War
kabrahams's review against another edition
Too much gore and body horror for me--I'm in a cozy fantasy mood
hobbithopeful's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Note: I am updating this written review after having in essence an intervention, different text will be in bold
This is a story about war, and a girl trying to get her sister back while keeping her magic a secret. Toma has lived a relatively uneventful life, if you count the fact her family is undead and yet can still walk and talk thanks to her magic. Her peaceful life is soon completely upended when her sister is kidnapped. She will have to venture across a country ravaged by civil war to get her sister back, meeting unlikely companions along the way.
I almost expected it to end with the 3 main characters as a throuple because the book touts itself as being LGBT. I wouldn't label this as an LGBT book even though the authors says that Vanya(male character) is bisexual and Mikhail (male character) is gay It really reads as more of an after thought or as an attempt to diversify the cast of characters. Even the main romance is between one of the Vanya(male character) and Toma(the female lead) . I guess to me a book isn't LGBT just because one or two characters is, unless it is a major plot point or romance, or even point of discussion in this book it was used as the equivalent of her hair is such and such color. The main focus of the story remains on Toma and her discovering her identity and who she is.
There were parts of it that I liked, and some parts I didn't. The world building and lore is truly excellent. (We all know I love world building!) And I am so grateful that there was a glossary, so many books don't have that and need it! But some of the characters I just wanted *more* from. After some author revelations, it's hard not to look at this book differently. The way Toma has to hide her magic and not reveal who she really is for fear of ostracization or worse. I can't imagine, and would never be able to imagine what is like to have to hide who you are for years and years and years, for fears of being hurt or bullied, or worse. I think because my experience with this book was up and down, I will read another book by the author and see what I think. While being a consistent author is great, being an author that improves with each book is even better, there is no limit to how great they will become.
This is a story about war, and a girl trying to get her sister back while keeping her magic a secret. Toma has lived a relatively uneventful life, if you count the fact her family is undead and yet can still walk and talk thanks to her magic. Her peaceful life is soon completely upended when her sister is kidnapped. She will have to venture across a country ravaged by civil war to get her sister back, meeting unlikely companions along the way.
I almost expected it to end with the 3 main characters as a throuple because the book touts itself as being LGBT. I wouldn't label this as an LGBT book even though the authors says that
There were parts of it that I liked, and some parts I didn't. The world building and lore is truly excellent. (We all know I love world building!) And I am so grateful that there was a glossary, so many books don't have that and need it! But some of the characters I just wanted *more* from. After some author revelations, it's hard not to look at this book differently. The way Toma has to hide her magic and not reveal who she really is for fear of ostracization or worse. I can't imagine, and would never be able to imagine what is like to have to hide who you are for years and years and years, for fears of being hurt or bullied, or worse. I think because my experience with this book was up and down, I will read another book by the author and see what I think. While being a consistent author is great, being an author that improves with each book is even better, there is no limit to how great they will become.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, War, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
If there was a way to give this book between a 3.75 and a 4 I would.neighborhoodkat's review
4.0
thanks to Inkyard Press for providing me an arc through netgalley
this was the first book I've read by Aden Polydoros and i really enjoyed it! The writing was atmospheric and everything felt necessary to the story that was being told. just a really lovely read
this was the first book I've read by Aden Polydoros and i really enjoyed it! The writing was atmospheric and everything felt necessary to the story that was being told. just a really lovely read
annarella's review
4.0
I fell in love with the gorgeous cover and then I fell in love with the well plotted and fascinating story.
It's set in a simil Russian world and there's a lot of work in developing the world and the plot.
Toma is a character that grew on me as I read about her and how she changed. The storytelling is good even if some parts are a bit slow.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's set in a simil Russian world and there's a lot of work in developing the world and the plot.
Toma is a character that grew on me as I read about her and how she changed. The storytelling is good even if some parts are a bit slow.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
oncemorewithreading's review
4.0
The second I read the synopsis for Bone Weaver I knew I needed to read it. This book has such a unique premise that it had me hooked from the very beginning. It is impossible not to love these characters, especially Toma.
The world building in this book was one of my favourite things. The amount of detail in this book is incredible and it was so easy to visualise everything, including the different creatures. I also really loved that there was a glossary at the end of this book and I felt myself learning so much.
Whilst this book does contain some trigger warnings, the dark themes of this book helped create so much depth and development.
This is such an amazing book and I honestly cannot believe this is the first book by Aden Polydoros that I've picked up! I will definitely be picking up more books by this author in the future!
The world building in this book was one of my favourite things. The amount of detail in this book is incredible and it was so easy to visualise everything, including the different creatures. I also really loved that there was a glossary at the end of this book and I felt myself learning so much.
Whilst this book does contain some trigger warnings, the dark themes of this book helped create so much depth and development.
This is such an amazing book and I honestly cannot believe this is the first book by Aden Polydoros that I've picked up! I will definitely be picking up more books by this author in the future!