“This one is a new favorite for sure and I am so glad I already have book two waiting for me on my shelves!”

Review by Erin Phillips

Bone ​Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.

Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.

Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.

This one is a new favorite for sure and I am so glad I already have book two waiting for me on my shelves!

This story was masterfully written, somehow being very fast paced so that 100 pages would pass and I barely noticed while also having some great depth and intimacy with the characters and moments. It was filled with action, romance, and some great twists! I love how it kept me on the edge of my seat and I read it in basically two sittings.

“I’m not leaving you. You’re worth the risk, do you hear me? You’re always going to be worth the risk.”

I really enjoyed the three POVs, as it was a great way of not only telling the story but balancing the tension. Sabine’s character arc was INSANE and I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next for her! Plus, it was so fun to have both Bastien and Ailese’s POVs, to see their journey from enemies to lovers played out with a lot of warmth and nuance. And the romance was top notch!

And on top of all that, the worldbuilding and magic system was so great! I love how it was complex and 3D, but simple enough that I got the basics rather quickly. The author did an excellent job of explaining things in a way that felt natural and intriguing, rather than info-dumping. And it was cool to see the little influences of her faith, especially in the talk of the value of human life–“made in the image of the gods”.

Definitely a book I would recommend!

Content Ratings:

5. Action present (frequent and mildly detailed battle sequences/fights). 

3. Moderate content (heavier kissing, but no grabby hands).

1. Infrequent substitute cursing (less than 10 "craps" etc. and/or book-specific curse words).

Other Trigger Warnings:

N/A

Our Reviews of Other Books by this author:

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