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kenzbrandes 's review for:
The BoneKeeper's Daughter
by Elise Fry
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The BoneKeeper, Wren, is tasked with Guiding souls to rest and sharing their memories long after their passing. The bones begin to stir when drastic changes are made by the Councilors in the village. Wren must decide whether she should shrink in to submission to their ways or stand against the rulers who the bones are wary. As tides are changing, Wren must determine who she can trust and which path she must follow.
The concept of this book was extremely unique and overall so fascinating to me. The folklore and world building was intense at times, but helped paint a picture of how the world came to be. Occasionally, Wren would slip from the present into the past and there were a few times I couldn’t track what was happening as it was a bit unclear. I felt like many of the stories told as folklore could have been interesting short stories.
This book is marketed as a slow burn why choose, but to me this feels a bit misleading. There are men that come into Wren’s life at various points that she is clearly attracted to and seems to be drawn to. But there are very short bursts of romantic elements, and to me it felt as though she finally found someone to just take her loneliness away as she does not have friends. I’m not sold on this being a “romance”.
About 3/4 of the way into to the book, the plot changes a bit and I was confused as to what entirely is happening. There is a massive plot twist that unveils the BoneKeeper may be more than she lets on, which is a constant theme in this story. However, the general plotting and ending didn’t quite make sense to me because even though it ends on a plot twist it felt harshly abrupt. I also am very uncertain about what’s going to happen next because it seems very muddy and unclear. I’m a bit disappointed in that because I’m beyond intrigued with this world and think there is so much potential.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Elise Fry for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The concept of this book was extremely unique and overall so fascinating to me. The folklore and world building was intense at times, but helped paint a picture of how the world came to be. Occasionally, Wren would slip from the present into the past and there were a few times I couldn’t track what was happening as it was a bit unclear. I felt like many of the stories told as folklore could have been interesting short stories.
This book is marketed as a slow burn why choose, but to me this feels a bit misleading. There are men that come into Wren’s life at various points that she is clearly attracted to and seems to be drawn to. But there are very short bursts of romantic elements, and to me it felt as though she finally found someone to just take her loneliness away as she does not have friends. I’m not sold on this being a “romance”.
About 3/4 of the way into to the book, the plot changes a bit and I was confused as to what entirely is happening. There is a massive plot twist that unveils the BoneKeeper may be more than she lets on, which is a constant theme in this story. However, the general plotting and ending didn’t quite make sense to me because even though it ends on a plot twist it felt harshly abrupt. I also am very uncertain about what’s going to happen next because it seems very muddy and unclear. I’m a bit disappointed in that because I’m beyond intrigued with this world and think there is so much potential.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Elise Fry for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!