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Bone Grace #2
Bone Crier's Dawn
Love is a matter of life and death.
Bone Criers have been ferrying the dead into the afterlife for centuries, a dangerous duty only possible with the powers they gain from sacrificing their amourés the men destined to love them and die. But Bone Criers Ailesse and Sabine—along with Ailesse’s love, Bastien—are working to chart their own course and rewrite the rules of the afterlife. If they don’t break the soul between Ailesse and her amouré, she could die—just as Bastien’s father did.
Sabine struggles to maintain her authority as matrone of her famille—the role always destined for her sister—even as she fights to control the violent jackal power within her.
Bastien is faced with a new dilemma as the spirits of the Underworld threaten the souls of his friends—and his father.
Ailesse attempts to resist her mother’s siren song as she’s drawn into her own version of the Underworld. How will she save her friends once she’s cut off from their world?
This pulse-pounding follow-up to Bone Crier’s Moon is a story of love, sisterhood, and determination as three friends find the courage and power to shatter the boundary between the living and the dead.
Bone Criers have been ferrying the dead into the afterlife for centuries, a dangerous duty only possible with the powers they gain from sacrificing their amourés the men destined to love them and die. But Bone Criers Ailesse and Sabine—along with Ailesse’s love, Bastien—are working to chart their own course and rewrite the rules of the afterlife. If they don’t break the soul between Ailesse and her amouré, she could die—just as Bastien’s father did.
Sabine struggles to maintain her authority as matrone of her famille—the role always destined for her sister—even as she fights to control the violent jackal power within her.
Bastien is faced with a new dilemma as the spirits of the Underworld threaten the souls of his friends—and his father.
Ailesse attempts to resist her mother’s siren song as she’s drawn into her own version of the Underworld. How will she save her friends once she’s cut off from their world?
This pulse-pounding follow-up to Bone Crier’s Moon is a story of love, sisterhood, and determination as three friends find the courage and power to shatter the boundary between the living and the dead.
448 pages, ebook
First published March 30, 2021
409 people are currently reading
27165 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Purdie
11 books1,903 followersKathryn is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the BURNING GLASS series, the BONE CRIER'S MOON duology, and the THE FOREST GRIMM duology. Her love of storytelling began as a young girl when her dad told her about someone named Boo Radley while they listened to the film score of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Kathryn is a trained classical actress who studied at the Oxford School of Drama. She also writes songs on her guitar for each of her stories and shares them on her website. Kathryn lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children.
Instagram: @kathrynpurdie
TikTok: @kathrynpurdie
Instagram: @kathrynpurdie
TikTok: @kathrynpurdie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,181 reviews
April 20, 2021
meh.
the only reason i picked this up was because i found the magic system to be super interesting when i read the first book. i wasnt really a fan of the characters or the plot, but the magic was unique enough to make me willing to read this sequel.
but there is none of that in the first half of the book. oh my goodness. the first half is… not great. its so boring. the characters are running around like chickens with their heads cut off while nothing happens. i think readers who are invested in the characters probably wont mind it, especially if you enjoy love triangles, but i wasnt and i dont. lol.
however, the end is good. theres more magic and i do think this duology is wrapped up in the best way that it could be. the conclusion makes sense and will be satisfying for those who are looking forward to the ending.
overall, i didnt enjoy this as much as the first book, but i do think readers who are bigger fans of the story than me will.
↠ 2.5 stars
the only reason i picked this up was because i found the magic system to be super interesting when i read the first book. i wasnt really a fan of the characters or the plot, but the magic was unique enough to make me willing to read this sequel.
but there is none of that in the first half of the book. oh my goodness. the first half is… not great. its so boring. the characters are running around like chickens with their heads cut off while nothing happens. i think readers who are invested in the characters probably wont mind it, especially if you enjoy love triangles, but i wasnt and i dont. lol.
however, the end is good. theres more magic and i do think this duology is wrapped up in the best way that it could be. the conclusion makes sense and will be satisfying for those who are looking forward to the ending.
overall, i didnt enjoy this as much as the first book, but i do think readers who are bigger fans of the story than me will.
↠ 2.5 stars
March 10, 2022
The first half of this book was one star for me. And the second half was 4 stars. So I'm going for the easy path, an average 3 stars it is.
The first half of this book has been pure torture and not in a good way. Everything is a mess. And honestly...just boring.
I just didn’t care about any of them. And that love triangle between Prince Cas, Ailesse and Bastien was such a painful thing to read. Firstly, I DIDN’T give a shit about Ailesse and Bastien. All the things I felt about them in book one is just gone.
I had so much hope for Prince Cas, unfortunately he let me down in the first half too.
Ailesse was annoying and SO jealous of Sabine it's a wonder nobody slapped her in the face. I wish I could though.
Excuse me? Why can't she be the matrone? When you are refusing to return! Someone had to replace you. It's simple math.
We get it girl! How about you support your sister when she is doing everything to save you and trying to keep it together?
Bastien wasn’t any better either. He is continuously getting too jealous of Prince Cas when he should think straight atleast for ONCE!
Also, we should talk about how dramatic Bastien is. As if the situation isn’t dramatic enough.
Yeah you get the idea.
Like I said, it's a mess. All the characters are just good at being awful and jealous of stupid things instead of thinking with their "head". Sabine wasn’t any better, but she actually developed a lot at the end of the book.
The ending wasn’t satisfying for me either. I don’t know what happened, there was fighting and enough twists. But I guess I wanted a more unpredictable conclusion. It just wasn’t satisfying.
The only thing that saved this book is the chemistry between Sabine and Cas.
These two are so cute and perfect together I can't even..*sobs*
Even though they got few chapters together but hey! I've been shipping them so hard since the first book came out, and i'm just too happy to see my ship sailed finally. I just wished there was more of them. I wouldn’t mind reading a whole series about them truthfully.
I don’t know about everyone, but if you are also reading this book for Sabine (and maybe for Cas?) then I guess you’ll enjoy the second half of the story. I can't say the same about others though.
pre reading thoughts:
I'm already shipping Sabine and Cas with my whole heart, Thank you.
The first half of this book has been pure torture and not in a good way. Everything is a mess. And honestly...just boring.
I just didn’t care about any of them. And that love triangle between Prince Cas, Ailesse and Bastien was such a painful thing to read. Firstly, I DIDN’T give a shit about Ailesse and Bastien. All the things I felt about them in book one is just gone.
I had so much hope for Prince Cas, unfortunately he let me down in the first half too.
Ailesse was annoying and SO jealous of Sabine it's a wonder nobody slapped her in the face. I wish I could though.
Heat scalds my cheeks. I still can’t believe Sabine is matrone when I should be.
Excuse me? Why can't she be the matrone? When you are refusing to return! Someone had to replace you. It's simple math.
Ailesse flinches. “I’m supposed to be matrone.”
We get it girl! How about you support your sister when she is doing everything to save you and trying to keep it together?
Bastien wasn’t any better either. He is continuously getting too jealous of Prince Cas when he should think straight atleast for ONCE!
“Why can’t you just admit the prince gets whatever he wants—whoever he wants?” My voice rises. “He thinks he’s entitled to it.”
“Shh, the guard will hear us.”
“Then let him.”
Also, we should talk about how dramatic Bastien is. As if the situation isn’t dramatic enough.
Special guest?I hold back a scoff. Is that what Casimir calls his favorite prisoner? I picture Ailesse seated beside him tonight, a chain binding her ankle to her chair.
Yeah you get the idea.
Like I said, it's a mess. All the characters are just good at being awful and jealous of stupid things instead of thinking with their "head". Sabine wasn’t any better, but she actually developed a lot at the end of the book.
The ending wasn’t satisfying for me either. I don’t know what happened, there was fighting and enough twists. But I guess I wanted a more unpredictable conclusion. It just wasn’t satisfying.
The only thing that saved this book is the chemistry between Sabine and Cas.
These two are so cute and perfect together I can't even..*sobs*
Even though they got few chapters together but hey! I've been shipping them so hard since the first book came out, and i'm just too happy to see my ship sailed finally. I just wished there was more of them. I wouldn’t mind reading a whole series about them truthfully.
I don’t know about everyone, but if you are also reading this book for Sabine (and maybe for Cas?) then I guess you’ll enjoy the second half of the story. I can't say the same about others though.
pre reading thoughts:
I'm already shipping Sabine and Cas with my whole heart, Thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
2021 F.A.B. Bookclub pick # I.❤️. F.A.B.
Second verse, same as the first. 😬
I wish I enjoyed this more.
Ehhhh?! 🤷🏼♀️
I just didn’t love it. But I’m lacking in the imagination department… so please don’t let my review discourage you from reading this series.
Second verse, same as the first. 😬
I wish I enjoyed this more.
Ehhhh?! 🤷🏼♀️
I just didn’t love it. But I’m lacking in the imagination department… so please don’t let my review discourage you from reading this series.
November 4, 2021
"I've come to ask for your help"
Bone Crier’s Dawn was one that I was delighted to have had the opportunity to wait for and venturing to it is passable as it ends the way I wanted it to be. However, I have to say that the book was a bit underwhelming on the first half of it.
Plot
Honestly, it took me a moment to get into the book because the plot just went back and forth on this one. From going to Cas' castle, trying to save Ailesse, back to the hideouts, oh wait, we left Bastien! Back to Cas' castle, run to the hideouts again, and repeat the cycle. And these situations lead the characters into making terrible and questionable choices, I am utterly vexed.
It's only when the plot picked up after half quarter of the book that I finally find myself enjoying it. And the battle was written beautifully, it's cinematic.
Characters
This also brings me to point out that none of the characters are as pleasant as I remembered them to be (except for Jules who has been wonderful from the start). The same goes to Sabine but since I've been in love with her, you can say, I turned blind sided. The rest of the characters imploded, leaving me extremely disappointed. Fortunately, they did progressed better towards the end.
Romance
I've never felt any sense of connection between Ailesse and Bastien from the beginning and that opinion still stand, even for the second book.
But a thing that I was confused about was, Cas and Sabine. Fist up because Plus I expected them to dominate their story on half of the book, and they actually happened towards the end (which was understandable but am hoping for more of them though).
***
Still, all the goods, the rates, the compliments are 90% due to Sabine. She's literally the star of the show, the love of my life and the cherry on top.
Meanwhile Sabine at me:
If you have been contemplating on reading the duology, honestly, just do so because of Sabine and it will be all good. But other than Sabine, the rest was averagely gratifying. I was this close to not finish the book but I made it (because of Sabine).
No one: -
Me: SABINE!!
Meanwhile, the rest of you: The mad Sabine disease ends now!
This book surely has a rocky start but the duology has been satisfactory. And I still love Sabine despite your contrary opinions.
3.5/5
~~~~~
Pre-Reading Review
NO WAY MY GIRLFRIEND SABINE ON THE COVER!!!
Literally me on my way to Sabine:
June 12, 2021
i had such high hopes for this book but it read exactly like the first book, like it had the exact same formula and also i realized the evil queen was evil just for a man? her biggest downfall was because of a man.
April 5, 2021
Star Rating: —> 5 [ ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ] Stars
✨ "She sets her own path, she is her own North, and the lodestar rests on her brow." ✨
I have tears streaming down my face. I am going to miss these characters SO FREAKING MUCH!
What a fantastically written, incredibly addictive YA Fantasy! Kathryn Purdie has truly outdone herself with this sequel to Bone Crier's Moon. 🌙
I am in love. RTC
________________
OMFG THAT COVER! Sabine!!!
✨ "She sets her own path, she is her own North, and the lodestar rests on her brow." ✨
I have tears streaming down my face. I am going to miss these characters SO FREAKING MUCH!
What a fantastically written, incredibly addictive YA Fantasy! Kathryn Purdie has truly outdone herself with this sequel to Bone Crier's Moon. 🌙
I am in love. RTC
________________
OMFG THAT COVER! Sabine!!!
Want to read
October 12, 2020Here’s hoping the next book will have an even more beautiful cover (if that’s even possible) edit: IT IS!!!! OH MY GOSH! Is that my girl SABINE!! I can’t wait until this book comes out! I want to see more of her!
June 29, 2021
2,5☆ rating this is a challenge because I know this isn’t trash and I would’ve liked it a lot more 5 years ago, I am just not the target demographic anymore, so not really enjoying it is kind of my responsibility. With that being said, this duology was easy to read and somewhat enjoyable when you are able to look past its flaws. I guess this one is just on the younger side of ya fiction.
June 17, 2023
Some of the worldbuilding elements started to get convoluted and contradict each other so sadly this one had better potential than execution. Still an ok series overall, but I was less interested in this installment.
October 1, 2024
I really enjoyed the ending and it was wrapped up in a nice little bow but I do think this duo-logy could have just been one book….
The beginning felt very repetitive of the first book but I did love the magic system of it and it very unique so that why I gave 3 stars!!
The beginning felt very repetitive of the first book but I did love the magic system of it and it very unique so that why I gave 3 stars!!
unreleased
October 12, 2020holy fork. and i thought the cover on book 1 was gorgeous.
i didn't even like book 1 that much (it was good but nothing amazing) but this cover? PERFECTION. P E R F E C T I O N.
charlie has outdone herself, and she's also made me want to buy the hardcover copy of this so i can drool over the book and clutch at while cackling 'my prettyyy' (think golem).
G. O. R. G. E. O. U. S.
i didn't even like book 1 that much (it was good but nothing amazing) but this cover? PERFECTION. P E R F E C T I O N.
charlie has outdone herself, and she's also made me want to buy the hardcover copy of this so i can drool over the book and clutch at while cackling 'my prettyyy' (think golem).
G. O. R. G. E. O. U. S.
June 14, 2021
this was a carbon copy of the first book. i regret reading this duology.
April 22, 2021
This was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it did not disappoint.
We open two weeks after the last book and get thrown right into the high-stakes action. The pace barely slows for most of the book, and our three leads seem to spend half the book careening from one calamity to the next. I loved it when all the different groups came together, and we got to see the ways the different characters played off each other. This established their personalities fairly quickly if, like me, you only remember Ailesse and Sabine from book one. The novel really shines, though, with the characters chapters on their own; grappling with their inner thoughts, desires, and fates in the emotional heart of the novel.
Underneath the YA action, there are some deep themes: Duty vs Desire, Fate Vs Free Will, Tradition vs Faith - all of it a celebration of the bonds of Sisterhood. I'm a little sad it's only a duology.
"The world can be a bitter and cruel place. In the end, each of us must decide who we are and what we will do with the lot we're given"
Points were awarded for: Sabine being badass and adorable, sympathetic romantic antagonists, a deeply satisfying (hopeful) ending, a denouement that made me shed a tear, and a grasp of character and writing so good that I went from ¬_¬ to "I look forward to reading about this character getting stabbed" in one line of dialogue, actually cute romance (YMMV), still one of the most unique magic systems I've read in YA Fantasy
Points were deducted for: the amount of poor-communication resultant disasters (it makes sense in-book and for the characters but Pet Peeve, use of the dreaded coronated. No.
Content Warnings: I'd say it was pretty PG overall. Some description of violence with the action scenes. Some swearing, but it's in French. Details under a spoiler tag
TL;DR - Chaotic teens team up, make mistakes, have anti-soulmate-trope discourse with local Gods, and make me cry. If GR let me give half stars it would be 4.5.
Edit: I'm still thinking about it, 5 stars it is
We open two weeks after the last book and get thrown right into the high-stakes action. The pace barely slows for most of the book, and our three leads seem to spend half the book careening from one calamity to the next. I loved it when all the different groups came together, and we got to see the ways the different characters played off each other. This established their personalities fairly quickly if, like me, you only remember Ailesse and Sabine from book one. The novel really shines, though, with the characters chapters on their own; grappling with their inner thoughts, desires, and fates in the emotional heart of the novel.
Underneath the YA action, there are some deep themes: Duty vs Desire, Fate Vs Free Will, Tradition vs Faith - all of it a celebration of the bonds of Sisterhood. I'm a little sad it's only a duology.
"The world can be a bitter and cruel place. In the end, each of us must decide who we are and what we will do with the lot we're given"
Points were awarded for: Sabine being badass and adorable, sympathetic romantic antagonists, a deeply satisfying (hopeful) ending, a denouement that made me shed a tear, and a grasp of character and writing so good that I went from ¬_¬ to "I look forward to reading about this character getting stabbed" in one line of dialogue, actually cute romance (YMMV), still one of the most unique magic systems I've read in YA Fantasy
Points were deducted for: the amount of poor-communication resultant disasters (it makes sense in-book and for the characters but Pet Peeve, use of the dreaded coronated. No.
Content Warnings: I'd say it was pretty PG overall. Some description of violence with the action scenes. Some swearing, but it's in French. Details under a spoiler tag
TL;DR - Chaotic teens team up, make mistakes, have anti-soulmate-trope discourse with local Gods, and make me cry. If GR let me give half stars it would be 4.5.
Edit: I'm still thinking about it, 5 stars it is
May 3, 2021
EDIT 1: EEEEEKKKKKK, just received my copy and I'm soooo happy, I was quite shocked cos it came 10 days earlier than the publication date, can't wait to read the the finale of The Bone Grace Duology, definiltey gonna wreck me :)
It was quite slow in the beginning but overall it broke me and tore me into pieces and for that I absolutely loved Bone Crier's Dawn, it was so beautiful, the friendships, romances and honestly everything about this book was phenomenal. An amazing ending to an amazing duology.
It was quite slow in the beginning but overall it broke me and tore me into pieces and for that I absolutely loved Bone Crier's Dawn, it was so beautiful, the friendships, romances and honestly everything about this book was phenomenal. An amazing ending to an amazing duology.
April 14, 2021
This book was a little too similar to book one in terms of plot, but the characters were better. In parts of this book, however, some passages read as extremely preachy or moralistic.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
June 23, 2021
I wasn’t expecting much and i’m not disappointed. For the most part of this book, I just couldn’t wait to finish it and be done with it. Surprisingly, I liked the ending but it is sad that the story starts to get interesting 60% into the second book. I loved Sabine in Bone Crier’s Moon but she got on my nerves so muchhhhh in this one. And while i disliked Jules in the first one, I simply adored her in this one (her growth... amazing). Perhaps my favorite character and that’s easy to say because all the others are either stupid or annoying (or both) or uninteresting. I just couldn’t get attached to the characters. I feel like the romance was a little bit better but ughhhh i hate love triangles.
This series was just a disappointment for me : it had everything i liked (mythology, enemies-to-lovers, french background) but it clearly did not meet my expectations. It could have been soooo much better.
- 3 stars
This series was just a disappointment for me : it had everything i liked (mythology, enemies-to-lovers, french background) but it clearly did not meet my expectations. It could have been soooo much better.
- 3 stars
June 8, 2020
Oi can I killed Casimir? Slowly and painfully?
April 1, 2021
oh this literally came out today and i just finished book one. cool.
_____________
2.5 stars rounded up because I am so glad this is a duology.
plot holes plot holes plot holes. hypocrisy. evil queen is evil for no reason. idk man.
SPOILERS because I gotta get some things off my chest.
SERIOUS SPOILERS YOU HAVE BEEN WANRED.
This book was a bloody mess. I got what Purdie was going for - an epic tale of desire vs. duty, loyalty vs. righteousness, sisterly love vs. motherly love. It could have been great if it wasn't so confined to the same 3 settings and crude villain motivations.
The best part of the story was Sabine, who grows into her role as matroné of the Lauress, who must resist the doubts cast on her from her clan and her own grace bones, who must shed her own insecurities of being second to Ailesse in everything including love. The unwavering support between her and Ailesse was refreshing, especially in YA, and especially because for a few chapters, I honestly thought Purdie was setting her up to be a new villain.
Anyway, that's my rant. Read this if you can stand it.
_____________
Tu ne me manques pas. Je ne te manque pas. You’re not missing from me. I’m not missing from you.
The phrase he taught me has been my mantra since I’ve come to Beau Palais. Soon I’ll be with Bastien. I won’t need Old Gallish words to hold his memory or help me visualize his sea-blue eyes and dark tousled hair. He’s alive. He has to be.
2.5 stars rounded up because I am so glad this is a duology.
plot holes plot holes plot holes. hypocrisy. evil queen is evil for no reason. idk man.
SPOILERS because I gotta get some things off my chest.
SERIOUS SPOILERS YOU HAVE BEEN WANRED.
This book was a bloody mess. I got what Purdie was going for - an epic tale of desire vs. duty, loyalty vs. righteousness, sisterly love vs. motherly love. It could have been great if it wasn't so confined to the same 3 settings and crude villain motivations.
The best part of the story was Sabine, who grows into her role as matroné of the Lauress, who must resist the doubts cast on her from her clan and her own grace bones, who must shed her own insecurities of being second to Ailesse in everything including love. The unwavering support between her and Ailesse was refreshing, especially in YA, and especially because for a few chapters, I honestly thought Purdie was setting her up to be a new villain.
Anyway, that's my rant. Read this if you can stand it.
Want to read
March 14, 2020Holla up. I read the excerpt from the sequel and I smell a villian/protagonist ship i.e if the author goes that way. i would like it very much.
----
What are the chances this will be Sabine's book
----
What are the chances this will be Sabine's book
July 31, 2021
5 STARS
HALP THAT WAS TOO FRICKIN AMAZING SOMEBODY RESTART MY HEART PLEASE AND THANK YOU
rtc!! :)))
HALP THAT WAS TOO FRICKIN AMAZING SOMEBODY RESTART MY HEART PLEASE AND THANK YOU
rtc!! :)))
October 27, 2021
4.5 stars*
This book, in no way or form, is the best YA fantasy you will ever read.
The writing isn't something that you would particularly give an award to for best writing. The writing is very YA, and it's descriptive, yet the writing is pretty juvenile, not hard to read or understand, yet not the most poetic and descriptive writing out there.
The plot was VERY slow in the first half. Nearly nothing was happening throughout the first part, and we were just getting back in the groove of the story in the first part. It was boring, to say the least.
That's why I would have to take off half a star, because while those two things didn't bother me very much, they still weren't positives for me.
But I'm an easy to please girl. If I find a book which I enjoyed, I'll give it five stars. And this is especially true in Bone Crier's Dawn's case, and it's predecessor, Bone Crier's Moon.
Don't read this book if you're looking for a phenomenal book, filled with action, adventure, romance, magic, all that stuff. Yes, this duology has that but it's not particularly the best for those categories. It's pretty average, considering the number of YA books out there with the same type of world and concept, and the execution in those are much better than in Bone Crier's Dawn.
Bone Crier's Dawn, like the first book, is a fast-paced, short and sweet YA fantasy book. Again, it's not something you would give an award for best book ever.
I loved reading this duology merely because it was fun to read. The world was interesting, and I love these characters very much and even relate to some of them. The world and characters are some of the things that made me love this book.
First off, the characters. Sabine, particularly, was one of my favorites. She's relatable and I especially liked her since she reminded me of myself. Sabine really grows into her wings in this book, and I would say that her character arc is one of the best in the entire duology, if not the best.
Casimir, who we were quickly introduced to at the end of the last book, becomes a main character in this book, but I wish we got more of him and his character. Maybe a POV? Cas was a little bit vanilla, and we didn't really see any of his character growth. He was a flat character, but I still really loved him. Don't ask me why.
Ailesse, our main character throughout the duology, got on my nerves in the first half of the book. I wasn't a fan of her character, but the second half redeemed her for me. She's not one of my favorite characters, but she was nice. That's really all I can say.
(Sabine and Ailesse are very pretty names, though. I can see myself naming my future children those names, though definitely not after the characters :)
Bastien was interesting in the first book, but his character really became a simp for Ailesse and a simp only. Everything else about his character disappeared, except that he loved Ailesse. That's the problem with their romance. When you have an enemies to lovers, at least keep SOME enemies in there.
If there's one thing I hate in romance, it's if the enemies to lovers become a lovers arc. It's not fun anymore if they become all sappy and sweet.
Also, I felt like (SPOILERS) Cas and Sabine's romance had no foreground. It confused me how he fell for Sabine immediately after Ailesse left. But, I did love Cas and Sabine together and shipped them all throughout the book the most.
None of the other characters really made enough of an impression on me, but the one of the other major strengths for me in this book was definitely the world-building.
The french-inspired world was beautiful, and I think it was stunningly-written. The Bone Crier's concept was so cool, and I loved learning all about it, especially in this book, where we learn so much more about the world than we ever did in Bone Crier's Dawn. The world-building and world really brought this book to the next level, and the world was beautiful.
I would like to mention that this book and duology had plot holes. There were quite a few, and even though I can't remember most of them a lot of things went unsolved, in my opinion.
This duology probably isn't an all-time favorite, but definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year.
Would I say that Bone Crier's Dawn is better than Bone Crier's Moon? I think that both are pretty much on the same level, because though the things Bone Crier's Dawn excels at that Bone Crier's Moon doesn't do as well, the same can be said vice-versa. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Overall, I would say that it's a strong duology and it's worth giving a try and at least reading once, if only for the world-building and characters. Not very much re-read type, but still enjoyable as a first-time read.
I'm pretty impressed by the author, whom I've never read any books from besides this duology. I'll definitely check out her other trilogy!
4.5 stars!
This book, in no way or form, is the best YA fantasy you will ever read.
The writing isn't something that you would particularly give an award to for best writing. The writing is very YA, and it's descriptive, yet the writing is pretty juvenile, not hard to read or understand, yet not the most poetic and descriptive writing out there.
The plot was VERY slow in the first half. Nearly nothing was happening throughout the first part, and we were just getting back in the groove of the story in the first part. It was boring, to say the least.
That's why I would have to take off half a star, because while those two things didn't bother me very much, they still weren't positives for me.
But I'm an easy to please girl. If I find a book which I enjoyed, I'll give it five stars. And this is especially true in Bone Crier's Dawn's case, and it's predecessor, Bone Crier's Moon.
Don't read this book if you're looking for a phenomenal book, filled with action, adventure, romance, magic, all that stuff. Yes, this duology has that but it's not particularly the best for those categories. It's pretty average, considering the number of YA books out there with the same type of world and concept, and the execution in those are much better than in Bone Crier's Dawn.
Bone Crier's Dawn, like the first book, is a fast-paced, short and sweet YA fantasy book. Again, it's not something you would give an award for best book ever.
I loved reading this duology merely because it was fun to read. The world was interesting, and I love these characters very much and even relate to some of them. The world and characters are some of the things that made me love this book.
First off, the characters. Sabine, particularly, was one of my favorites. She's relatable and I especially liked her since she reminded me of myself. Sabine really grows into her wings in this book, and I would say that her character arc is one of the best in the entire duology, if not the best.
Casimir, who we were quickly introduced to at the end of the last book, becomes a main character in this book, but I wish we got more of him and his character. Maybe a POV? Cas was a little bit vanilla, and we didn't really see any of his character growth. He was a flat character, but I still really loved him. Don't ask me why.
Ailesse, our main character throughout the duology, got on my nerves in the first half of the book. I wasn't a fan of her character, but the second half redeemed her for me. She's not one of my favorite characters, but she was nice. That's really all I can say.
(Sabine and Ailesse are very pretty names, though. I can see myself naming my future children those names, though definitely not after the characters :)
Bastien was interesting in the first book, but his character really became a simp for Ailesse and a simp only. Everything else about his character disappeared, except that he loved Ailesse. That's the problem with their romance. When you have an enemies to lovers, at least keep SOME enemies in there.
If there's one thing I hate in romance, it's if the enemies to lovers become a lovers arc. It's not fun anymore if they become all sappy and sweet.
Also, I felt like (SPOILERS) Cas and Sabine's romance had no foreground. It confused me how he fell for Sabine immediately after Ailesse left. But, I did love Cas and Sabine together and shipped them all throughout the book the most.
None of the other characters really made enough of an impression on me, but the one of the other major strengths for me in this book was definitely the world-building.
The french-inspired world was beautiful, and I think it was stunningly-written. The Bone Crier's concept was so cool, and I loved learning all about it, especially in this book, where we learn so much more about the world than we ever did in Bone Crier's Dawn. The world-building and world really brought this book to the next level, and the world was beautiful.
I would like to mention that this book and duology had plot holes. There were quite a few, and even though I can't remember most of them a lot of things went unsolved, in my opinion.
This duology probably isn't an all-time favorite, but definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year.
Would I say that Bone Crier's Dawn is better than Bone Crier's Moon? I think that both are pretty much on the same level, because though the things Bone Crier's Dawn excels at that Bone Crier's Moon doesn't do as well, the same can be said vice-versa. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Overall, I would say that it's a strong duology and it's worth giving a try and at least reading once, if only for the world-building and characters. Not very much re-read type, but still enjoyable as a first-time read.
I'm pretty impressed by the author, whom I've never read any books from besides this duology. I'll definitely check out her other trilogy!
4.5 stars!
May 8, 2024
3.5⭐️
Good characters and development. I think the best aspect of the books was the characters.
The story got a little chaotic in the middle, but it mostly straightened out. The big things that needed resolution were resolved in satisfying ways. However, there were confusing elements that I didn’t feel like were well explained by the author, and one part of the resolution was a bit too convenient.
CWs: False gods presented as real, love triangle with non-descriptive kissing, first book included blood sacrifices (including human!) that are referred to in this book.
One theme is to live your own life and to not let the gods dictate your life. Since the gods in this book are false, it works. However, application of this to the Christian life clearly doesn’t work.😊
Good characters and development. I think the best aspect of the books was the characters.
The story got a little chaotic in the middle, but it mostly straightened out. The big things that needed resolution were resolved in satisfying ways. However, there were confusing elements that I didn’t feel like were well explained by the author, and one part of the resolution was a bit too convenient.
CWs: False gods presented as real, love triangle with non-descriptive kissing, first book included blood sacrifices (including human!) that are referred to in this book.
One theme is to live your own life and to not let the gods dictate your life. Since the gods in this book are false, it works. However, application of this to the Christian life clearly doesn’t work.😊
April 15, 2021
2.5 - ⭐️⭐️💫
I will keep this review short since it's a sequel and I do not want to spoil anything.
What pushed me to read the sequel is because the first book introduced such a fascinating magic system and I was very intrigued.
Sabine was the only character I felt a connection to and I admired her. However, I lost the connection in this book with her and didn't even form a new connection to the other characters. There's something that just didn't help.
The plot felt like it went in loops and the first half of the book was painfully boring. The second half helped a little and it's the reason why I did not DNF the book.
Well.. I guess this is goodbye!
I will keep this review short since it's a sequel and I do not want to spoil anything.
What pushed me to read the sequel is because the first book introduced such a fascinating magic system and I was very intrigued.
Sabine was the only character I felt a connection to and I admired her. However, I lost the connection in this book with her and didn't even form a new connection to the other characters. There's something that just didn't help.
The plot felt like it went in loops and the first half of the book was painfully boring. The second half helped a little and it's the reason why I did not DNF the book.
Well.. I guess this is goodbye!
April 30, 2021
I have such mixed feelings about this book.
I definitely feel like the first book was much better.
The plot in this book was a bloody mess. It was SO SLOW, and I feel like the first 250 pages could have been summed up into about 100. NOTHING HAPPENED. It was actually so slow that it made me fall into a reading slump. It was more recycled plot: Go to Cas's castle to rescue Ailesse, go back to the hideout, oh wait, we forgot Bastien, let's go back, okay, got Bastien, but we forgot some books, time to go back, oh no there's been a ferrying mistake, the chained are out, no where except underground is safe, people are losing their light, and so on. Um, it was the exact same plot of the first book. Why even make a second. What's the point?????
Okay but what the hell was going on with the villain story? Like why was Ailesse SO NAIVE TO FALL FOR HER MOTHER'S TRICK. DID SHE FORGET THE WHOLE FIRST BOOK. WHAT. THE. HELL. And what was Odiva's motive? First it was be reunited with her lover, but then she wanted to bring Unchained souls into the underworld (don't ask why, she made some deal with Tyrus, but it was supposed to be over, but then, oh, nevermind, it's not?), and then she wanted to rule the whole freaking world? The plot confused me so much, oh, my god. I've never been so lost. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PLOT HOLES.
AND THEN WHY THE HELL DID ODIVA AND HER IDIOT LOVER END UP IN PARADISE. WHAT. THEY'RE BOTH SO HORRIBLE.
The last 100 pages, however, were very entertaining, and I actually started enjoying it a lot more then. I did like the ending, and I just wish there were more Sabine and Cas moments.
READY FOR SOME MORE PLOT HOLES??
Okay so I was appalled when this happened and I'm actually seriously hoping that I misunderstood this. At the beginning of the book, we're told that if the person who opened the bridges to Paradise and Hell leaves the bridges, the gates close. But, in the end, Sabine open the gates, then LEAVES the bridges, but that gates remain open. What? Am I misreading this? I'm so confused.
My favorite characters in the first book were Ailesse and Sabine, but I HATED Ailesse in this book. What the hell was wrong with her? After she's freed, she decides to push Bastien away for some odd reason that isn't explained. It was so dumb as well, since the whole time she was kidnapped, the only thing she thought about was BASTIEN. Oh, my God. Why would she push him away when she could finally be with him?
Ailesse is also just incredibly useless. Maybe it's that, or it's recycled plot. Because she's kidnapped for the majority of the first book, and then kidnapped AGAIN at the end of the first book and for the beginning of the second, and then somehow ends up in the freaking UNDERWORLD for the rest of the story. And while she's either kidnapped or half dead, everyone raves about how STRONG and CAPABLE she is. Excuse me, but am I the only one who's questioning this?
And THERE'S MORE. Ailesse was a jealous, deranged moron. When she was kidnapped or whatever and found out Sabine was the matrone she got so upset. Like, what do you want Sabine to do? Let them all die? Give up on ferrying souls? It is legit not her fault that you can't go TWO SECONDS without getting yourself kidnapped, alright? And what happened to their 'supportive' friendship? Sabine supported Ailesse in everything she did, but Ailesse couldn't be bothered to give Sabine her support when she needs it?
This brings us to the friendship. This book is supposed to be about FRIENDSHIP and SISTERHOOD. It's not. Ailesse is too jealous of Sabine and not supportive. They barely have any moments together, and when they do, they're laughing their heads off for no particular reason.
Meanwhile, Sabine is my new favorite. SHE'S SO AWESOME!! I loved her growth in this book, and she was much more relatable than Ailesse. Sabine was scared as hell, but she still got the courage to go do what she had to do. She second guessed herself constantly, and I loved how she grew into a more self-assured person. She also did most of the important stuff in this book while Ailesse was just off in God knows where.
I don't have many feelings about Bastien. He's just an okay character to me. He seemed too fixated on Ailesse, but I did have a moment of respect for him when he spit on the feet of the Bone Crier who banished Sabine. Other than that, I didn't really feel much for him. And the chemistry between him in Ailesse from the first book literally disappeared. I felt nothing between them.
CAS, ON THE OTHER HAND. OH, MY GOD. Okay I loved him and Sabine together much more than I shipped Ailesse and Bastien. Like, what? They were SO ADORABLE TOGETHER OMG. I want more Cas and Sabine!! Bastien, who? Ailesse can freaking go DIE JUST SABINE IS TOO GOOD. AILESSE DOESN'T DESERVE HER FRIENDSHIP. PLEASEEEE GIVE ME MORE CONTENT. I just feel like we didn't get enough of them. However, I would have preferred it if Cas wasn't obsessed with Ailesse for the first half of the book so Sabine and his relationship would seem more developed. BUT I LOVED IT ANYWAY.
I hated Jules in the first book, but she was much better in this one and I actually teared up when she died. THANK GOD she and Bastien didn't end up together because she deserved much, MUCH better.
The ending was pretty satisfying and I'm glad we got closure on all the characters. I'm also so happy that Sabine got to stay matrone of the Bone Crier's. My only complaint with it, is that it was too simplistic. There were no plot twists, and it went in a simple line - from point A to B. It was predictable and I knew how it was going to end after I read the first page.
So I gave this book three stars because I didn't absolutely hate it, but then again, it was SO BORING the first half, and felt indifference towards many of the characters. I decided to go for the middle rating, because the first half of the book was, like, a one of two star, and then the rest was a four. Sabine carried the whole thing, and I found myself looking forward to her chapters. I think some characters deserved more development, but it was a good story overall. I also think I would be much happier if the whole story was just from Sabine's perspective. Like, take out Ailesse and Bastien.
Please.
Honestly, what I'm trying to say is read this book only for Sabine. Everyone else is crap.
Happy Reading!!
I definitely feel like the first book was much better.
The plot in this book was a bloody mess. It was SO SLOW, and I feel like the first 250 pages could have been summed up into about 100. NOTHING HAPPENED. It was actually so slow that it made me fall into a reading slump. It was more recycled plot: Go to Cas's castle to rescue Ailesse, go back to the hideout, oh wait, we forgot Bastien, let's go back, okay, got Bastien, but we forgot some books, time to go back, oh no there's been a ferrying mistake, the chained are out, no where except underground is safe, people are losing their light, and so on. Um, it was the exact same plot of the first book. Why even make a second. What's the point?????
Okay but what the hell was going on with the villain story? Like why was Ailesse SO NAIVE TO FALL FOR HER MOTHER'S TRICK. DID SHE FORGET THE WHOLE FIRST BOOK. WHAT. THE. HELL. And what was Odiva's motive? First it was be reunited with her lover, but then she wanted to bring Unchained souls into the underworld (don't ask why, she made some deal with Tyrus, but it was supposed to be over, but then, oh, nevermind, it's not?), and then she wanted to rule the whole freaking world? The plot confused me so much, oh, my god. I've never been so lost. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PLOT HOLES.
AND THEN WHY THE HELL DID ODIVA AND HER IDIOT LOVER END UP IN PARADISE. WHAT. THEY'RE BOTH SO HORRIBLE.
The last 100 pages, however, were very entertaining, and I actually started enjoying it a lot more then. I did like the ending, and I just wish there were more Sabine and Cas moments.
READY FOR SOME MORE PLOT HOLES??
Okay so I was appalled when this happened and I'm actually seriously hoping that I misunderstood this. At the beginning of the book, we're told that if the person who opened the bridges to Paradise and Hell leaves the bridges, the gates close. But, in the end, Sabine open the gates, then LEAVES the bridges, but that gates remain open. What? Am I misreading this? I'm so confused.
My favorite characters in the first book were Ailesse and Sabine, but I HATED Ailesse in this book. What the hell was wrong with her? After she's freed, she decides to push Bastien away for some odd reason that isn't explained. It was so dumb as well, since the whole time she was kidnapped, the only thing she thought about was BASTIEN. Oh, my God. Why would she push him away when she could finally be with him?
Ailesse is also just incredibly useless. Maybe it's that, or it's recycled plot. Because she's kidnapped for the majority of the first book, and then kidnapped AGAIN at the end of the first book and for the beginning of the second, and then somehow ends up in the freaking UNDERWORLD for the rest of the story. And while she's either kidnapped or half dead, everyone raves about how STRONG and CAPABLE she is. Excuse me, but am I the only one who's questioning this?
And THERE'S MORE. Ailesse was a jealous, deranged moron. When she was kidnapped or whatever and found out Sabine was the matrone she got so upset. Like, what do you want Sabine to do? Let them all die? Give up on ferrying souls? It is legit not her fault that you can't go TWO SECONDS without getting yourself kidnapped, alright? And what happened to their 'supportive' friendship? Sabine supported Ailesse in everything she did, but Ailesse couldn't be bothered to give Sabine her support when she needs it?
This brings us to the friendship. This book is supposed to be about FRIENDSHIP and SISTERHOOD. It's not. Ailesse is too jealous of Sabine and not supportive. They barely have any moments together, and when they do, they're laughing their heads off for no particular reason.
Meanwhile, Sabine is my new favorite. SHE'S SO AWESOME!! I loved her growth in this book, and she was much more relatable than Ailesse. Sabine was scared as hell, but she still got the courage to go do what she had to do. She second guessed herself constantly, and I loved how she grew into a more self-assured person. She also did most of the important stuff in this book while Ailesse was just off in God knows where.
I don't have many feelings about Bastien. He's just an okay character to me. He seemed too fixated on Ailesse, but I did have a moment of respect for him when he spit on the feet of the Bone Crier who banished Sabine. Other than that, I didn't really feel much for him. And the chemistry between him in Ailesse from the first book literally disappeared. I felt nothing between them.
CAS, ON THE OTHER HAND. OH, MY GOD. Okay I loved him and Sabine together much more than I shipped Ailesse and Bastien. Like, what? They were SO ADORABLE TOGETHER OMG. I want more Cas and Sabine!! Bastien, who? Ailesse can freaking go DIE JUST SABINE IS TOO GOOD. AILESSE DOESN'T DESERVE HER FRIENDSHIP. PLEASEEEE GIVE ME MORE CONTENT. I just feel like we didn't get enough of them. However, I would have preferred it if Cas wasn't obsessed with Ailesse for the first half of the book so Sabine and his relationship would seem more developed. BUT I LOVED IT ANYWAY.
I hated Jules in the first book, but she was much better in this one and I actually teared up when she died. THANK GOD she and Bastien didn't end up together because she deserved much, MUCH better.
The ending was pretty satisfying and I'm glad we got closure on all the characters. I'm also so happy that Sabine got to stay matrone of the Bone Crier's. My only complaint with it, is that it was too simplistic. There were no plot twists, and it went in a simple line - from point A to B. It was predictable and I knew how it was going to end after I read the first page.
So I gave this book three stars because I didn't absolutely hate it, but then again, it was SO BORING the first half, and felt indifference towards many of the characters. I decided to go for the middle rating, because the first half of the book was, like, a one of two star, and then the rest was a four. Sabine carried the whole thing, and I found myself looking forward to her chapters. I think some characters deserved more development, but it was a good story overall. I also think I would be much happier if the whole story was just from Sabine's perspective. Like, take out Ailesse and Bastien.
Please.
Honestly, what I'm trying to say is read this book only for Sabine. Everyone else is crap.
Happy Reading!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
August 11, 2021I tried. I really, really tried to finish this book but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It wasn't that it was horrible, it just that it didn't keep my attention and I didn't care enough about the characters to get through it. Bone Crier's Dawn was basically a carbon copy of the first book without the intense romance dynamic that made Bone Crier's Moon interesting. Character development went backwards, and I didn't enjoy any of the PoV's. In fact, I found myself actively avoiding reading because I was so bored.
I loved the Sabine/Ailesse dynamic of book one, but hated it in this novel. The romance(s) felt unnecessary, and though I really shipped Jules with Sabine, nothing happened on that front. I'm not going to rate this book because there is asmall chance it gets better after page 300, which is where I stopped. Though I thought this would be an amazing sequel, it fell VERY flat. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to reread the ACOTAR series in hopes that it will magically get me out of this reading slump.
I loved the Sabine/Ailesse dynamic of book one, but hated it in this novel. The romance(s) felt unnecessary, and though I really shipped Jules with Sabine, nothing happened on that front. I'm not going to rate this book because there is a
April 21, 2022
Dnf at 30%, just not into it anymore. Maybe I’ll pick it back up in the future
July 29, 2024
Amanhecer da Feiticeira de Ossos
Segundo livro da duologia das feiticeiras de ossos e confesso que achei esse mais fraco que o primeiro eu gostei dos casais definitivos que ficaram no final e de toda a trajetória deles mas em relação a construção de mundos e dos plots e dos mistérios achei que ficou devendo um pouco principalmente na hora de resolver as coisas porque a impressão que ficou pra mim foi que foram apresentadas muitas coisas com pouco tempo pra resolver acho que se tivesse mais um livro poderia ter tido uma resolução melhor e eu esperava um final mais emocionante mas se digo que se você leu o primeiro e gostou acho que vale a pena ler esse segundo pra ver o film mesmo mais fraco ainda teve momentos bons e eu ainda recomendo essa duologia pra quem gosta de fantasia com romance.
Segundo livro da duologia das feiticeiras de ossos e confesso que achei esse mais fraco que o primeiro eu gostei dos casais definitivos que ficaram no final e de toda a trajetória deles mas em relação a construção de mundos e dos plots e dos mistérios achei que ficou devendo um pouco principalmente na hora de resolver as coisas porque a impressão que ficou pra mim foi que foram apresentadas muitas coisas com pouco tempo pra resolver acho que se tivesse mais um livro poderia ter tido uma resolução melhor e eu esperava um final mais emocionante mas se digo que se você leu o primeiro e gostou acho que vale a pena ler esse segundo pra ver o film mesmo mais fraco ainda teve momentos bons e eu ainda recomendo essa duologia pra quem gosta de fantasia com romance.
March 30, 2023
This duology was so amazing! Book two was an wonderful and satisfying sequel (and several of my hopes were realized which is the best feeling in the world!) I read these books back to back within a week, which I rarely do, so that should speak for itself.
Great twists, magic, characters, and themes!
Great twists, magic, characters, and themes!
November 21, 2021
3.5/5 stars, finding mercy is always one of my favorite themes
This is one of the only moments I am wishing that I did .25 ratings, but I know that if I did that I would be even more indecisive about rating books. I rated the first book in this series 3.5 stars as well, but I have to say I enjoyed this one's ending a bit more, I might end up giving it 4 stars. Despite a bit of disappointment in the stories themselves, the covers on these books are absolutely gorgeous. As this book is a sequel I am not going to give a synopsis, as it will have lots of spoilers for the first one!
I went into this book with lower expectations because of the last one, and I do think that generally helped my enjoyment. It's hard because I enjoyed this ending and some parts much more than the last book, but I don't know if I want to rate it 4 stars. The plot in this book was really slow from the beginning, there were exciting revelations but a big problem. The same sort of plot points and major moments seemed very similar or the same. It was frankly very boring and I dragged myself through the first half. However, the ending was really amazing and I loved every moment of the ending.
I have to say I wish we went more places in this novel, I understand why this story is centered around their town but I feel as though it could have benefited from some exploration. It seems that there is a stunning world out there, according to the map and legends passed around in the story. It's just a bit unfortunate that we never see it.
Ailesse was in a "damsel in distress" situation going into this one, and I had hoped that the second book would rectify this. Unfortunately, that wasn't really the case and Aileese constantly went between situation and situation where she had no control over what was happening. People constantly had to help her, and while asking for help is not a weakness at all, the magnification of the situations felt that way. She barely had a role to play in her fate and that was just not exciting. I think she had such potential to be such a powerful woman through the entire series but unfortunately, that is now how it ended up.
Sabine was my favorite character going into this book, but she was a bit all over the place. She was certainly different from the first book but had a lot of character growth. She struggled with her insecurities throughout this entire book and was rooting for her from the first moment. However, that seemed to be her only plot in this book and it felt just too simple and got boring after a while.
While the first book left something missing for me with Bastien, I really liked him and felt he had improved from the first book. He went through a lot in this novel, especially concerning his family. His story at times felt rushed, but I appreciate how much character growth he has gone through. He truly has opened his heart to the bone criers and the people around him.
Cas was a newer character, we were introduced to him in the previous story but only for a little bit. He was at first very stuck-up and not an amazing character for me. But as the story went on he opened his heart a little more, just like Bastien did, and he became a great character. He didn't have a giant part to play in the story but I really liked his connection to the sisters.
Jules and Marcel were demoted to side characters, like severely, in this book. While I didn't like Jules in the last book, she really proved herself in this one. She truly used her love for Bastien to do the right things, despite her injuries both mentally and physically. Marcel was only on a few pages, which was a crime to me. He is the most interesting and most funny character in this duology, and I wish he had been given some more screen time in this book.
Overall, not a horrible story, the ending was very fast-paced and fun but the rest of the plot was not. I do think that I will try Kathryn Purdie's other books but this one was just alright for me. There was a lot of potential for the characters and they almost lived up to it. I adored the magic as a whole, and really hope that books in the future from this author improve a bit on worldbuilding.
[TW: animal sacrifice, death of a loved one, death of a parent, attempted murder, heavy blood, violence, animal death, injuries]
This is one of the only moments I am wishing that I did .25 ratings, but I know that if I did that I would be even more indecisive about rating books. I rated the first book in this series 3.5 stars as well, but I have to say I enjoyed this one's ending a bit more, I might end up giving it 4 stars. Despite a bit of disappointment in the stories themselves, the covers on these books are absolutely gorgeous. As this book is a sequel I am not going to give a synopsis, as it will have lots of spoilers for the first one!
I went into this book with lower expectations because of the last one, and I do think that generally helped my enjoyment. It's hard because I enjoyed this ending and some parts much more than the last book, but I don't know if I want to rate it 4 stars. The plot in this book was really slow from the beginning, there were exciting revelations but a big problem. The same sort of plot points and major moments seemed very similar or the same. It was frankly very boring and I dragged myself through the first half. However, the ending was really amazing and I loved every moment of the ending.
I have to say I wish we went more places in this novel, I understand why this story is centered around their town but I feel as though it could have benefited from some exploration. It seems that there is a stunning world out there, according to the map and legends passed around in the story. It's just a bit unfortunate that we never see it.
Ailesse was in a "damsel in distress" situation going into this one, and I had hoped that the second book would rectify this. Unfortunately, that wasn't really the case and Aileese constantly went between situation and situation where she had no control over what was happening. People constantly had to help her, and while asking for help is not a weakness at all, the magnification of the situations felt that way. She barely had a role to play in her fate and that was just not exciting. I think she had such potential to be such a powerful woman through the entire series but unfortunately, that is now how it ended up.
Sabine was my favorite character going into this book, but she was a bit all over the place. She was certainly different from the first book but had a lot of character growth. She struggled with her insecurities throughout this entire book and was rooting for her from the first moment. However, that seemed to be her only plot in this book and it felt just too simple and got boring after a while.
While the first book left something missing for me with Bastien, I really liked him and felt he had improved from the first book. He went through a lot in this novel, especially concerning his family. His story at times felt rushed, but I appreciate how much character growth he has gone through. He truly has opened his heart to the bone criers and the people around him.
Cas was a newer character, we were introduced to him in the previous story but only for a little bit. He was at first very stuck-up and not an amazing character for me. But as the story went on he opened his heart a little more, just like Bastien did, and he became a great character. He didn't have a giant part to play in the story but I really liked his connection to the sisters.
Jules and Marcel were demoted to side characters, like severely, in this book. While I didn't like Jules in the last book, she really proved herself in this one. She truly used her love for Bastien to do the right things, despite her injuries both mentally and physically. Marcel was only on a few pages, which was a crime to me. He is the most interesting and most funny character in this duology, and I wish he had been given some more screen time in this book.
Overall, not a horrible story, the ending was very fast-paced and fun but the rest of the plot was not. I do think that I will try Kathryn Purdie's other books but this one was just alright for me. There was a lot of potential for the characters and they almost lived up to it. I adored the magic as a whole, and really hope that books in the future from this author improve a bit on worldbuilding.
[TW: animal sacrifice, death of a loved one, death of a parent, attempted murder, heavy blood, violence, animal death, injuries]
April 8, 2021
“Love is a matter of life and death.”
The conclusion to the Bone Grace series isn’t all what I expected. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t as spectacular as some readers would have hoped for. To be frank, I thought it was boring and I struggled to read it. But, the ending was pretty emotional and I guess the book redeemed itself by one more star.
Spoilers Ahead:
The plot was literally identical to the first book. Same thing but with a “deeper” meaning. Honestly, it was just straight up boring. Finding a way to sever the bond between two destined souls, ferrying the dead, mommy issues to the extreme and you get the idea. One thing I was super annoyed about is that Ailesses’ mother was ready to kill her own daughter for a man that was resurrected from the dead. Please, her down fall was because of a man- gross. I’m just joking! Maybe.
All feeling for the characters in the first book disappeared. Everyone became bland and I honestly couldn’t care less about any of them. Furthermore, I hated the stupid love triangles between Cas, Ailesse and Bastien. It was so bleak and barley there but clearly put a pitchfork in the romance. Also, how cliche is it that Aliases’ former amouré ends up with her sister, Sabine... Kind of weird if you ask me. Everyone was jealous of everyone. Everyone hates each other and by some miracle 100 pages later they’re besties- please save me honestly. Overall, all the characters were pretty basic and awful to read about. Although, Jules was the only character that was actually decent.
But to be fair, all the characters got an ending that they deserved.
The conclusion to the Bone Grace series isn’t all what I expected. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t as spectacular as some readers would have hoped for. To be frank, I thought it was boring and I struggled to read it. But, the ending was pretty emotional and I guess the book redeemed itself by one more star.
Spoilers Ahead:
The plot was literally identical to the first book. Same thing but with a “deeper” meaning. Honestly, it was just straight up boring. Finding a way to sever the bond between two destined souls, ferrying the dead, mommy issues to the extreme and you get the idea. One thing I was super annoyed about is that Ailesses’ mother was ready to kill her own daughter for a man that was resurrected from the dead. Please, her down fall was because of a man- gross. I’m just joking! Maybe.
All feeling for the characters in the first book disappeared. Everyone became bland and I honestly couldn’t care less about any of them. Furthermore, I hated the stupid love triangles between Cas, Ailesse and Bastien. It was so bleak and barley there but clearly put a pitchfork in the romance. Also, how cliche is it that Aliases’ former amouré ends up with her sister, Sabine... Kind of weird if you ask me. Everyone was jealous of everyone. Everyone hates each other and by some miracle 100 pages later they’re besties- please save me honestly. Overall, all the characters were pretty basic and awful to read about. Although, Jules was the only character that was actually decent.
But to be fair, all the characters got an ending that they deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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