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A review by _isabel_
The Emperor's Bone Palace by Hailey Turner
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Well, shit.
Those were my exact words when I finished this book. Hailey Turner, you evil mastermind, how dare you! *sobs uncontrollably*
Anyway, this second installment was absolutely gorgeous: politically complex, tough and painful and violent, but also stunningly plotted, emotionally charged and packed with heaps and heaps of heart-stopping action, mysteries and betrayals.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially during the last half of the book: that last half was a punch to the gut and my heart literally broke time and time again. It's still breaking, because again: HAILEY TURNER, YOU EVIL GENIUS.
This book could have easily been a full five star rating, if not for the fact that I absolutely loathed every single one of Eimarille, Terylin and Joelle's POVs: I skimmed them all, because while I recognised they were needed, I just despised the fact that I had to spend time with them.
How I wish Eimarille and Terylin were redeemable, but no: I can't wait for the rest of Maricol to absolutely crush them *angry growling*
I adored the rest of the characters though.
Caris grated on my nerves a bit, but she's young and stubborn and in love, so I couldn't fault her too much; I can't wait to see her grow into the Queen she truly is. Her and Nathaniel's relationship broke my heart this time around and I really just want them both to be happy.
Honovi and Blaine, my precious aeronaut husbands, completely annihilated my heart: I love them so, so, so much and I really just want them to be happy. I was also so glad Honovi got more page time this around: that hunk of a man stole my heart and he made me swoon so damn much.
And what about my other precious babies, Soren and Vanya? WELL *sobbing noises*
I don't want to spoil too much, but after that ending I really want someone to whack Vanya on the head with a baseball bat. I love both of them to bits, but Soren deserves the whole wide world and I expect Vanya to do some top tier groveling in the next book. I get he was feeling betrayed after the whole reveal about Soren's identity and abilities, but ugh, he HAD to hide them. Ugh, Vanya, you better redeem yourself because my precious Soren doesn't deserve the way he was treated, especially after he put aside his duties, and risked his safety, time and time again, for both Vanya and Raiah.
“I want you to be my road,” Vanya said low and ragged, the words a prayer there at the altar of the star gods.
😭😭
Soren and Vanya's story is by far my favourite one, although the whole backstabbing, violent setting of their love story gave me severe anxiety: it's bittersweet and emotional and subtly sexy, and I love them so, so much.
Soren, in particular, is my favourite character and I seriously cannot wait to see what will happen with, and to, him after that explosive ending.
Because whew: WHAT AN ENDING.
The whole lead-up to the ending was heart-stopping: thrilling and riveting, moving and emotionally-charged and electrifying. That last half was a fraught rollercoaster ride, and my head is still reeling from everything that has happened.
And the world-building, the writing? If possible, it's even more magical and gripping.
Hailey Turner's become one of my favourite authors in just a short few years, and I seriously cannot wait to devour every single one of her future masterpieces.
"The Emperor's Bone Palace" is even better than its predecessor: the stakes are higher and every single character, every single subplot, every single piece of the puzzle is slowly, but surely, falling into place and I cannot wait to see what will happen. The wait for the final book will be long, but it will also be SO worth it.
Those were my exact words when I finished this book. Hailey Turner, you evil mastermind, how dare you! *sobs uncontrollably*
Anyway, this second installment was absolutely gorgeous: politically complex, tough and painful and violent, but also stunningly plotted, emotionally charged and packed with heaps and heaps of heart-stopping action, mysteries and betrayals.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially during the last half of the book: that last half was a punch to the gut and my heart literally broke time and time again. It's still breaking, because again: HAILEY TURNER, YOU EVIL GENIUS.
This book could have easily been a full five star rating, if not for the fact that I absolutely loathed every single one of Eimarille, Terylin and Joelle's POVs: I skimmed them all, because while I recognised they were needed, I just despised the fact that I had to spend time with them.
How I wish Eimarille and Terylin were redeemable, but no: I can't wait for the rest of Maricol to absolutely crush them *angry growling*
I adored the rest of the characters though.
Caris grated on my nerves a bit, but she's young and stubborn and in love, so I couldn't fault her too much; I can't wait to see her grow into the Queen she truly is. Her and Nathaniel's relationship broke my heart this time around and I really just want them both to be happy.
Honovi and Blaine, my precious aeronaut husbands, completely annihilated my heart: I love them so, so, so much and I really just want them to be happy. I was also so glad Honovi got more page time this around: that hunk of a man stole my heart and he made me swoon so damn much.
And what about my other precious babies, Soren and Vanya? WELL *sobbing noises*
“I want you to be my road,” Vanya said low and ragged, the words a prayer there at the altar of the star gods.
😭😭
Soren and Vanya's story is by far my favourite one, although the whole backstabbing, violent setting of their love story gave me severe anxiety: it's bittersweet and emotional and subtly sexy, and I love them so, so much.
Soren, in particular, is my favourite character and I seriously cannot wait to see what will happen with, and to, him after that explosive ending.
Because whew: WHAT AN ENDING.
The whole lead-up to the ending was heart-stopping: thrilling and riveting, moving and emotionally-charged and electrifying. That last half was a fraught rollercoaster ride, and my head is still reeling from everything that has happened.
And the world-building, the writing? If possible, it's even more magical and gripping.
Hailey Turner's become one of my favourite authors in just a short few years, and I seriously cannot wait to devour every single one of her future masterpieces.
"The Emperor's Bone Palace" is even better than its predecessor: the stakes are higher and every single character, every single subplot, every single piece of the puzzle is slowly, but surely, falling into place and I cannot wait to see what will happen. The wait for the final book will be long, but it will also be SO worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, War