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steph_weigle's review
5.0
I LOVED this book. It was just a super fun ride from beginning to end.
For those considering this book, I would struggle to classify it? It's like a Goth YA Fantasy Adventure, I think? Very fast paced, but with great characters and an engaging setting. It has great representation as well, which I really enjoyed. It didn't come up until the end, but the main character is asexual which I thought was really cool.
I think this would be a great book for a teenager or young adult or a big old adult who just wants a bit of a fun read. Super recommended to anyone who finds it even a little bit interesting.
For those considering this book, I would struggle to classify it? It's like a Goth YA Fantasy Adventure, I think? Very fast paced, but with great characters and an engaging setting. It has great representation as well, which I really enjoyed. It didn't come up until the end, but the main character is asexual which I thought was really cool.
I think this would be a great book for a teenager or young adult or a big old adult who just wants a bit of a fun read. Super recommended to anyone who finds it even a little bit interesting.
lokenstein's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ahuggingsam's review
4.0
Once again a reminder how effective of a horror writer Corva can be when they want to. Very much enjoyed this unique and fresh blend of fun, cozy, and heartfelt adventure. Really looking forward to reading the sequel!
altruest's review against another edition
5.0
I had a really good time with this! A couple things that I really liked: loved the interactions between Ree and Smyth, I think their relationship really developed well without getting into YA instalove. I complain a lot about books or trilogies that feel like they could be edited down in half, this is a book that I feel is edited really well, it's a nice self-contained story that in worse hands would have been a trilogy, but really tells a complete narrative and is better for it. Loved the magic, love books that really get into magic as study and theory. Definitely recommend this if the blurb grabs you.
I want an Usther sequel.
4/5 stars, rounded up.
I want an Usther sequel.
4/5 stars, rounded up.
queenterribletimy's review against another edition
4.0
Books and Bone was picked by me as one of our SPFBO semi-finalists!
This review was originally posted on the blog RockStarlit BookAsylum, as part of our SPFBO finalist review.
Books and Bone was among the last books I've slush piled for SPFBO. Partly because I was trying to catch up to the others throughout the months so we could keep eliminating our titles, and partly because I had a feeling it'll be good and tried to save it. Unless one other book which I read really early and kept comparing all the other books to it. Ugh, anyway, back to the book at hand.
Ree grew up surrounded by necromancers, magic users and the dead in a necropolis called Tombtown. Pressured by her parents to learn one type of magic - preferably the Craft, the most powerful of all - Ree is determined to go after her own head and choose her own path, regardless of what other people expect from her. Enter Smythe into the picture (spoiler: it's not going to go down well), an upwolder historian with a neverending curiosity and a bubbly personality which is in stark contrast with everything Ree ever knew. Growing up in a cold and competitive environment, she has no idea how to handle friendliness. Not surprising, given that her best friend, Usther, has her picture in the dictionary next to frienemy. I honestly didn't like Usther for a long time, she kind of grew on me, even though I still think she would deserve a good slap. Or two. Or three. Anyway.
Books and Bone has a cool setting. I love the idea of necromancers living in an underground city, surrounded by almost endless suply for their Craft. That they have a bit disfunctional society. Oh, and an awesome library system to boot. I really wish we've spent a bit more time discovering Tombtown itself. The characters inhabiting it are well fleshed out, though I would have liked to have more focus on them in a whole, rather than all the things that happened. Let me explain. There is a lot happening in Books and Bone. Maybe a bit too much. Some things felt rushed, and there wasn't enough time and space to build up to to them. That said, some twists got me by suprise, and I absolutely didn't see some of them coming, which is great. I rarely get genuinly suprised by a twist.
But even so, the ending felt a bit rushed as well and the book ended somehow abruptly. I would have liked to discover more the relationships between the characters and their pasts. That being said, the writing itself was really good, though it could have used another round of proofreading/editing. I found some parts a bit repetitive regarding Ree and her ambitions.
Despite its flaws, Books and Bone was undoubtedly one of my favourites in our group of 30 books. Although its setting not exactly cheery, there is something utterly charming in this book that just won me over. If you are looking for something unique containing magic, death people, queer characters and twists that you never saw coming, then you are in for a treat with Books and Bone. I, for one, can't wait to learn how the story goes and what else Ree can accomplish. Oh, and did I mention the kick-ass libraries?
This review was originally posted on the blog RockStarlit BookAsylum, as part of our SPFBO finalist review.
Books and Bone was among the last books I've slush piled for SPFBO. Partly because I was trying to catch up to the others throughout the months so we could keep eliminating our titles, and partly because I had a feeling it'll be good and tried to save it. Unless one other book which I read really early and kept comparing all the other books to it. Ugh, anyway, back to the book at hand.
Ree grew up surrounded by necromancers, magic users and the dead in a necropolis called Tombtown. Pressured by her parents to learn one type of magic - preferably the Craft, the most powerful of all - Ree is determined to go after her own head and choose her own path, regardless of what other people expect from her. Enter Smythe into the picture (spoiler: it's not going to go down well), an upwolder historian with a neverending curiosity and a bubbly personality which is in stark contrast with everything Ree ever knew. Growing up in a cold and competitive environment, she has no idea how to handle friendliness. Not surprising, given that her best friend, Usther, has her picture in the dictionary next to frienemy. I honestly didn't like Usther for a long time, she kind of grew on me, even though I still think she would deserve a good slap. Or two. Or three. Anyway.
Books and Bone has a cool setting. I love the idea of necromancers living in an underground city, surrounded by almost endless suply for their Craft. That they have a bit disfunctional society. Oh, and an awesome library system to boot. I really wish we've spent a bit more time discovering Tombtown itself. The characters inhabiting it are well fleshed out, though I would have liked to have more focus on them in a whole, rather than all the things that happened. Let me explain. There is a lot happening in Books and Bone. Maybe a bit too much. Some things felt rushed, and there wasn't enough time and space to build up to to them. That said, some twists got me by suprise, and I absolutely didn't see some of them coming, which is great. I rarely get genuinly suprised by a twist.
But even so, the ending felt a bit rushed as well and the book ended somehow abruptly. I would have liked to discover more the relationships between the characters and their pasts. That being said, the writing itself was really good, though it could have used another round of proofreading/editing. I found some parts a bit repetitive regarding Ree and her ambitions.
Despite its flaws, Books and Bone was undoubtedly one of my favourites in our group of 30 books. Although its setting not exactly cheery, there is something utterly charming in this book that just won me over. If you are looking for something unique containing magic, death people, queer characters and twists that you never saw coming, then you are in for a treat with Books and Bone. I, for one, can't wait to learn how the story goes and what else Ree can accomplish. Oh, and did I mention the kick-ass libraries?
ellawhen's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death
storydragon's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just incredibly amazing. I really love the way it is written and it contains very nice plot twists.
grayspots's review against another edition
5.0
Warning - this is the first book in a series! I am kicking myself for reading it now when the next book isn't due out until next year (2021).
A coming of age story that isn't a "heteronormative teenager must save the world and find true love while doing so" story. There was even a plot twist that surprised me.
I'm entranced by the world building and lore. The characters are three dimensional and fit well in their world. I can't wait to see what happens next.
This is a fast read and fairly light fare. It's comfortable and relaxing to read.
A coming of age story that isn't a "heteronormative teenager must save the world and find true love while doing so" story. There was even a plot twist that surprised me.
I'm entranced by the world building and lore. The characters are three dimensional and fit well in their world. I can't wait to see what happens next.
This is a fast read and fairly light fare. It's comfortable and relaxing to read.
azaliz's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Books & Bone is a bit different from any other fantasy books I ever read, it's about necromancers and librarians and friendly zombies and power-hungry friends and ace romance and deadly adventures and… it's so good?? The world V built is amazing, the character are compelling, I want to read more about all this! The story will definitely stay in a snug corner of my heart <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism
librarianmage's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Very enjoyable! Felt a tiny bit like multiple books crammed together into one overflowing story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Body horror
Moderate: Gore