A review by thebiasedbibliophile
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Tricia Levenseller’s review of this book says, “Best YA book I’ve read in a long time,” and I couldn’t have said it better than the queen myself! Truth be told, I requested Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto on NetGalley after I heard it might be in one of the subscription boxes I have. I was not overly intrigued by the synopsis, but I figured I’d give it a shot (I had my doubts considering the author doesn’t like hockey! Haha!). And WOW, I am so glad I requested it! It is my favorite book so far this year, and that is saying a lot because I’ve read some stunning novels this year!

Right out of the gate this book pulls you in. Pau Preto has an unparalleled ability to create instant empathy between the reader and the protagonist, Wren. At the start of the novel, Wren must complete a test to become a Valkyr (ghost-fighting warrior), but her nemesis, Inara, is determined to make the feat as difficult as possible for her. The tension between the two characters is palpable, and even though I normally identify with the “good” character more than anyone else, I was rooting for Wren, devious nature and all. Most authors spend their lives trying to elicit strong emotion from their readers, but Pau Preto successfully dragged me into the story in less than five minutes. 

Furthermore, there is a lot of mystery woven throughout the story. I enjoyed the way the mysterious elements were tied into the world-building. The ending also left just the right amount of intrigue and resolution. We receive some answers to the mysteries, but there is a lot that I am looking forward to in the sequel as well.

Additionally, Wren’s relationships with other characters were versatile and dynamic, which added a lot to the story. On top of her feud with Inara, she has a tense relationship with her grandmother and father, the ruler and heir to the House of Bone respectively. She also finds a mentor in a fellow bonesmith, Odile, which added a sense of belonging in a story that might have felt a little lonely prior to their mentorship. And, of course, the romance is spot on! I thought it was balanced nicely with the plot, and I love that it was very complicated, to say the least.

Finally, the world-building in the novel was top-notch. Honestly, the book would have been amazing if Pau Preto had simply developed the bonesmiths, but she went even further and created multiple houses, all with unique cultures, beliefs, and histories. I found myself enamored with the bonesmiths specifically. Everything from their magical abilities to their use of black face paint was well-thought-out and added depth to the world.

As a whole, I feel like I don’t even need to say it at this point, but I obviously can’t wait for the sequel, and I definitely recommend this book!