Reviews

Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros

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rhiannonreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

cemb's review

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4.0

Honestly it was 4 1/2 stars i think for me. I don’t know what exactly it was, but for it was lacking something, but not enough to make it anything less than fantastic. Maybe it was that I read the entire book in one sitting, but as much as I love a quick start, I almost felt like there was a rush with every resolution. All that being said, I’m glad I read this. I loved everyone, especially Galina and Mikhail (let both of them find happiness!!!), and I enjoyed seeing everyone’s growth and development. I’ve been struggling to get back into reading and I think this book really helped. I know open endings allow for readers to have their imaginations run wild, but I was so in love with these characters I want to know what’s next for them. Literally even a tweet with their happy endings.

All in all, super enjoyable and I think any “major” faults I had were just because I’m not used to reading an entire book in one sitting anymore.

thegothiclibrary's review

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

See my full review: https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/review-of-bone-weaver-imperial-russia-inspired-fantasy/

cezanj's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

apologiesforeverything's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

whatsheread's review against another edition

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4.0

Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros is an engaging power struggle story that involves a rather unusual found family. Having lost her family while a young child, Toma is the most sympathetic of the characters. Somehow, despite being abandoned quite literally in the middle of nowhere by her mother after losing her father in an accident, she is not just kind and knowledgeable about hunting and foraging but also street savvy despite having not seen another human being for years. Then there is Vanya, a natural rogue who can’t help charm everyone he meets, which Mr. Polydoros ensures includes the reader. As they rush to rescue Toma’s sister and Mikhail’s throne, it becomes not just a race against time but also an exercise in sociology as our hapless group learns a little more about each other and the society they live.

What makes Bone Weaver different from other stories is Mr. Polydoros’ inclusion of magic, but not just any magic. Toma’s foster parents happen to be among the benevolent undead, a.k.a. zombies who retain enough of their previous consciousness to be able to overcome their desire for human flesh. In the ultimate definition of unusual relationships, these zombies provide a nurturing environment for Toma and much-needed affection and companionship during her formative years. Then there are the bogatyr, those unique humans born with the ability to manipulate nature. This is magic that does not involve spells, rituals, or herbs. No one knows why some people have these abilities, just as no one knows why someone raises from the dead. Not everyone has these abilities, and it becomes a have versus a have-nots scenario. Adding this aspect to the political intrigues and ongoing civil war makes for a complicated but fast-paced story that is easy and enjoyable to read.

kellioneill's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.5

This book was such a delightful surprise for me! I went in knowing absolutely nothing about it. It was featured on my cloudlibrary homepage and the description sounded enticing--I love eastern European culture and myth! Yet I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, given the circumstances of how I came across it. It might be one of my new favorites. The folklore is unique and descriptive, as is the world building (the existence of monsters and airships was worked in seamlessly), brought to life by Polydoros' intricate writing. I really liked the main trio of characters too; they had great chemistry. I read this as an audiobook and the narrator's performance was also top-of-the-line--one of the most passionate readings I've heard, with the narrator taking on a distinct voice for every character! I will say, I might have found the story a bit slow if I hadn't been listening to it, but on audio, that made it extra delightful and cozy. I highly recommend it and hope we get a sequel!

bookishcat's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

insipidurbanism's review

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

booksthatburn's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

5.0

THE BONE WEAVER explores grief, otherness, and reconnection in a second-world fantasy. Toma was raised by undead but is forced to find connections with the living when her sister is stolen by soldiers as a curious specimen. She travels with Mikhail, the displaced Tsar, and Vanya, a commoner with magic.

Because Toma was raised by undead for a large portion of her life, there are a lot of things where her reasoning gets her to a workable solution by a very strange route. Her traveling companions don’t usually try to correct her, as her worldview is so fundamentally different from theirs they might not even know where to begin. In matters of the undead, she eventually gets them more comfortable. In matters of society, war, and prejudice, the tsar and the commoner tend to vehemently disagree while Toma listens to them both and makes up her own mind. Vanya is part of a persecuted minority, his situation made more precarious because he has magic. This would be fine if he were noble, but commoners with magic are thought of as unclean or cursed, somehow fundamentally different than nobles with the same powers.

I enjoyed the array of undead types who appear late in the book. The timing means that the worldbuilding as far as human society and the current conflict are well established before the differences between types of undead begin to matter in the story.

Toma and Mikhail travel for a while before meeting Vanya, which helps with balancing the interactions between them. Toma and Mikhail establish a rapport, then Vanya finds his place in their trio. Toma is the only point-of-view character, but in at least one instance she overhears a discussion between Vanya and Mikhail which makes it clear they have built a friendship separate from and in parallel with their friendships with her. It never feels like an infodump because the three main characters have legitimate reasons to explain things to each other. For each of them it might be some very fundamental aspect, but their experiences have been so disparate as to feel like a different world.

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