Scan barcode
kayleighr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I really enjoyed the theme of found family in this book but I struggled to read about the violence and abuse. If you like a slow burn I would recommend it, but also highly recommend reviewing the trigger warnings before reading. I think this may not have been the book for me, but I could see other people really enjoying it!
ems_book_shelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was all vibes and no editing. The pacing was super chunky, the world building was almost nonexistent, the characters lacked depth (we literally got more pieces of character back story in the second to last chapter than we did the entire book), the climatic part was very anticlimactic. That being said, I was still hooked on reading it. It’s very dark and atmospheric, and the multi-POV was fun to read. This book definitely won’t be for everyone, but the vibes were there
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
halloitsalex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
tachyondecay's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sometimes love is not forever. Sometimes relationships end. Sometimes you transform your lover into an unholy monster bent on world domination. That’s the gist of The Sins on Their Bones, by Laura R. Samotin. Heavy on tragedy and pathos, this is a book steeped in magic and mysticism yet not always satisfying in terms of pacing or plot. I received a copy in exchange for a review.
Dimitri Alexeyev used to be the Tzar until his magically reanimated husband overthrew him for being a softie. Now in exile from Novo-Svitsevo, he and his court come to the unenviable conclusion that the only way for Dimitri to retake his throne and save his people from Alexey’s depredations is to kill the unkillable thing that Alexey has become. Easier said than done, of course. Meanwhile, hopped up on dark power, Alexey is determined to harness as much of that power as possible to create an army of demons that he can use to take over the entire world.
Do … do we call this a love story? The love between Dimitri and Alexey is central to the plot of this book, yet they are definitely on the enemies side of the lovers-to-enemies equation even at the start. I would have to describe the principal feeling that suffuses this book as ache. Not only does Dimitri ache for Alexey (and, though Alexey would not always admit it, vice versa), but all the supporting characters seem to ache as well. Whether it’s for someone or for something, each character has an ache, a want, a desire unfulfilled. This is a story about the depths of loss.
To that end, I really liked how languid this book is at times. The pacing is really slow (and I do have some criticisms of that to come). Dimitri is so, so broken throughout this book, from start to finish, because of what has become of his husband. This is not a story of heroism, patriotism, or fighting the good fight. It’s a story about the uncomfortable fact that if a loss doesn’t kill you, life goes on. Dimitri didn’t die. (Alexey did, but look what that did for him!) Dimitri has survived to watch the monster he created overrun his country and potentially the world. That must be a kind of living hell, and Samotin does an excellent job exploring what that would be like for someone.
The people who surround Dimitri do their best to bolster him, though they can only do so much. I enjoyed meeting these supporting characters and learning what we do about them. I wish we had learned more. The book focuses extremely tightly on three characters. Samotin sketches out, more or less successfully, distinct personalities for the rest. Nevertheless, the result is that this book feels far more intimate than your standard epic fantasy, much more like a stage play.
My biggest issue with this book, however, is how Samotin eschews showing flashbacks in favour of telling us about what happened in the past. I’m not a show-versus-tell purist. But I can only read so many scenes of characters sitting around telling us about how bad the war was, about how awful Alexey’s heel turn was, etc., when it is entirely possible to simply show us those moments. I understand Samotin starts this story very deliberately from a certain place, basically Dimitri at his nadir. Alas, the constant looking back and wallowing in the past made me wonder at times while I was reading whether the story should have started earlier.
Regardless, I can’t fault Samotin for the premise, for Alexey’s transformation and subsequent machinations. The tragedy that underpins this story is simple: Dimitri feels guilty for being the cause of Alexey’s transformation, yet Alexey left him little choice. Both men are responsible for what happens. I really liked how the story draws out and sustains a kind of narrative revulsion for Alexey’s character: his coldness, his cruelty, his dominating streak. He is a study in inhumanity as much as Vasily is a study in humanity, each man orbiting Dimitri, a study in misery and regret. These apposite characterizations are extremely satisfying.
The Sins on Their Bones is a clever, character-driven novel. I like that Samotin draws upon eastern European and Jewish folklore and history, which are all underrepresented in fantasy. I like the overall setup, the way that Dimitri and Alexey are at odds, and how Samotin unspools each man’s thoughts and feelings. I like the queernorm society. Overall, this is a rich, sympathetic, resonant novel—one that I wish I had connected with more.
Originally posted at Kara.Reviews.
Dimitri Alexeyev used to be the Tzar until his magically reanimated husband overthrew him for being a softie. Now in exile from Novo-Svitsevo, he and his court come to the unenviable conclusion that the only way for Dimitri to retake his throne and save his people from Alexey’s depredations is to kill the unkillable thing that Alexey has become. Easier said than done, of course. Meanwhile, hopped up on dark power, Alexey is determined to harness as much of that power as possible to create an army of demons that he can use to take over the entire world.
Do … do we call this a love story? The love between Dimitri and Alexey is central to the plot of this book, yet they are definitely on the enemies side of the lovers-to-enemies equation even at the start. I would have to describe the principal feeling that suffuses this book as ache. Not only does Dimitri ache for Alexey (and, though Alexey would not always admit it, vice versa), but all the supporting characters seem to ache as well. Whether it’s for someone or for something, each character has an ache, a want, a desire unfulfilled. This is a story about the depths of loss.
To that end, I really liked how languid this book is at times. The pacing is really slow (and I do have some criticisms of that to come). Dimitri is so, so broken throughout this book, from start to finish, because of what has become of his husband. This is not a story of heroism, patriotism, or fighting the good fight. It’s a story about the uncomfortable fact that if a loss doesn’t kill you, life goes on. Dimitri didn’t die. (Alexey did, but look what that did for him!) Dimitri has survived to watch the monster he created overrun his country and potentially the world. That must be a kind of living hell, and Samotin does an excellent job exploring what that would be like for someone.
The people who surround Dimitri do their best to bolster him, though they can only do so much. I enjoyed meeting these supporting characters and learning what we do about them. I wish we had learned more. The book focuses extremely tightly on three characters. Samotin sketches out, more or less successfully, distinct personalities for the rest. Nevertheless, the result is that this book feels far more intimate than your standard epic fantasy, much more like a stage play.
My biggest issue with this book, however, is how Samotin eschews showing flashbacks in favour of telling us about what happened in the past. I’m not a show-versus-tell purist. But I can only read so many scenes of characters sitting around telling us about how bad the war was, about how awful Alexey’s heel turn was, etc., when it is entirely possible to simply show us those moments. I understand Samotin starts this story very deliberately from a certain place, basically Dimitri at his nadir. Alas, the constant looking back and wallowing in the past made me wonder at times while I was reading whether the story should have started earlier.
Regardless, I can’t fault Samotin for the premise, for Alexey’s transformation and subsequent machinations. The tragedy that underpins this story is simple: Dimitri feels guilty for being the cause of Alexey’s transformation, yet Alexey left him little choice. Both men are responsible for what happens. I really liked how the story draws out and sustains a kind of narrative revulsion for Alexey’s character: his coldness, his cruelty, his dominating streak. He is a study in inhumanity as much as Vasily is a study in humanity, each man orbiting Dimitri, a study in misery and regret. These apposite characterizations are extremely satisfying.
The Sins on Their Bones is a clever, character-driven novel. I like that Samotin draws upon eastern European and Jewish folklore and history, which are all underrepresented in fantasy. I like the overall setup, the way that Dimitri and Alexey are at odds, and how Samotin unspools each man’s thoughts and feelings. I like the queernorm society. Overall, this is a rich, sympathetic, resonant novel—one that I wish I had connected with more.
Originally posted at Kara.Reviews.
guadacardetti00's review
3.0
3/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc! I’m always really grateful for the chance to read books before their publication date, but I also always want to share my honest thoughts and feelings in my reviews.
First of all, even though there are some elements of romance in this story, this book is NOT a romantasy. This is a dark fantasy, so please be aware and read the trigger warnings.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the political and cultural aspects of this book, it was like nothing I ever read before. But it was too slow paced for me. I was a little bored for at least half the book, if not more, and the plot lines and the ending felt completely predictable.
I still think it was a really interesting, well written story, but it was not a favorite.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc! I’m always really grateful for the chance to read books before their publication date, but I also always want to share my honest thoughts and feelings in my reviews.
First of all, even though there are some elements of romance in this story, this book is NOT a romantasy. This is a dark fantasy, so please be aware and read the trigger warnings.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the political and cultural aspects of this book, it was like nothing I ever read before. But it was too slow paced for me. I was a little bored for at least half the book, if not more, and the plot lines and the ending felt completely predictable.
I still think it was a really interesting, well written story, but it was not a favorite.
evitaveda's review
4.0
“Who are we but two people who loved each other to the point of destruction?”
Ever since I heard about this book, I’ve been dying for it to be published! I’m happy to say I was not let down. Laura Samotin has absolutely written a wonderfully queer and magical debut inspired by Jewish folklore and 19th century Eastern Europe.
This book definitely gave me “Shadow and Bone but make it adult and more traumatic”-vibes. There were three MCs, Vasily, Dimitri and Alexey, and the book jumped between these POVs for each chapter. Their voices were all distinct, and I think the constant changes in POV showed the characters’ feelings and memories in a way that made me want to keep reading to discover more about them. I also found it interesting seeing parts of the story through the eyes of Alexey (who was a pretty creepy villain).
The Sins on their Bones is a dark fantasy (I wouldn’t call it romantasy), so please check the trigger warnings before going in. This book does not shy away from blood and gore. There was one scene in particular that had me cringing. In addition, The Sins on Their Bones tackles a series of sensitive subjects. It truly dives into partner abuse, trauma, and the long journey towards healing. Not to mention more joyous themes of chosen family, and finding someone who makes you feel safe.
The ending had me curious about the next book and I’ll absolutely be picking it up when it comes out. Overall, a brilliant debut!
Ever since I heard about this book, I’ve been dying for it to be published! I’m happy to say I was not let down. Laura Samotin has absolutely written a wonderfully queer and magical debut inspired by Jewish folklore and 19th century Eastern Europe.
This book definitely gave me “Shadow and Bone but make it adult and more traumatic”-vibes. There were three MCs, Vasily, Dimitri and Alexey, and the book jumped between these POVs for each chapter. Their voices were all distinct, and I think the constant changes in POV showed the characters’ feelings and memories in a way that made me want to keep reading to discover more about them. I also found it interesting seeing parts of the story through the eyes of Alexey (who was a pretty creepy villain).
The Sins on their Bones is a dark fantasy (I wouldn’t call it romantasy), so please check the trigger warnings before going in. This book does not shy away from blood and gore. There was one scene in particular that had me cringing. In addition, The Sins on Their Bones tackles a series of sensitive subjects. It truly dives into partner abuse, trauma, and the long journey towards healing. Not to mention more joyous themes of chosen family, and finding someone who makes you feel safe.
The ending had me curious about the next book and I’ll absolutely be picking it up when it comes out. Overall, a brilliant debut!
madelisereads's review
dark
emotional
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
colleenreads5's review
dark
emotional
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
5.0
steph_aubin's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Gathering thoughts, will hopefully write out full review later.
bookishexpat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75