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hmerwin13's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The overlapping of the perspectives got a little old by the end and the end felt rushed! Enjoyed the beginning and the middle quite a bit and the characters were fun!
raoulherbert's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
green_amaryllis's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I won this book in a Storygraph giveaway, I probably would never have read it otherwise, especially the editions with AI generated covers (I didn't look at it as closely as I should have when entering the giveaway).
The story was mostly just okay. The big fight at the end seemed a bit boring and a bit too easy, I was never really invested in the outcome, or worried anything bad would happen. The characters are all dressed like sexy anime pirates for most of the book.
I probably woukd have given this a two star rating, but I took a star off the rating for the AI generated cover because it was the author's choice to use AI rather than hiring an artist. I don't believe it's ethical to use a machine trained on art from thousands of artists who have not granted permission for their art to be used in this way, especially when those artists will also lose out on work when AI is used instead of a real artist.
The story was mostly just okay. The big fight at the end seemed a bit boring and a bit too easy, I was never really invested in the outcome, or worried anything bad would happen. The characters are all dressed like sexy anime pirates for most of the book.
I probably woukd have given this a two star rating, but I took a star off the rating for the AI generated cover because it was the author's choice to use AI rather than hiring an artist. I don't believe it's ethical to use a machine trained on art from thousands of artists who have not granted permission for their art to be used in this way, especially when those artists will also lose out on work when AI is used instead of a real artist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Death of parent
lydiaann's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Storygraph Giveaway
sapphiremarie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
<<giveaway>>
Unfortunately this just wasn't for me.
I didn't click with the writing style and the characters were unapologetically (honestly rather inappropriately at times and very distractingly) horny what felt like the whole time.
The world is interesting, the magic rather intriguing as well, but the previous factors were just too much for me to rate this highly.
Unfortunately this just wasn't for me.
I didn't click with the writing style and the characters were unapologetically (honestly rather inappropriately at times and very distractingly) horny what felt like the whole time.
The world is interesting, the magic rather intriguing as well, but the previous factors were just too much for me to rate this highly.
crisprtheghost's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
The constant sexual innuendo in the first half of the book, and I mean constant it was every other page, was not to my personal taste but once I got through that it was more enjoyable. The plot also felt a bit rushed and though the stakes were supposed to be high, Especially for Degan, it really didnt feel like he or anyone else was ever in any real danger. I was never concerned for anyone's survival.
I like the world of this universe, especially the environment of Achten Tan and the different types of magic, but I don't think I'll be reading the other books in this universe or the upcoming one
I like the world of this universe, especially the environment of Achten Tan and the different types of magic, but I don't think I'll be reading the other books in this universe or the upcoming one
justgeekingby's review
3.0
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
There is an ongoing theme of betrayal throughout the book.
In the wake of the events of the previous book, the residents of Achten Tan are trying to return to their lives. That’s not so easy for Kaii Hakku, son of the chief, whose life was turned upside down when gnomes Mila and Geb came to town. His father, the chief of Achten Tan, tried to kill him, and Kaii found out that he’s inherited the same powerful and dangerous magic as his father. His father is now a prisoner of the town he once ruled, and the weight of what to do with him is weighing heavy on Kaii’s mind. Kaii’s sore heart almost seems the least of his worries, so when a pretty pirate walks into town Kaii is happy for a night of distraction. What he doesn’t realise is that it’s not the type of distraction he imagined; Tara and her crew are in town to loot his father’s now unguarded treasure.
When the pirates kidnap Valla, Kaii’s friend, he ends up teaming with scholar Sozi, Tara’s long-lost brother who had been hiding out in Achten Tan for years, Dagen, and Dagen’s girlfriend Kiva. An unlikely group with history causing tension between them, things get even worse when they find one of the pirates trying to steal from them. It seems that Tara has left her younger cousin Ruby behind. Striking a deal with her for her help in catching up with Tara, they agree to work together and when they catch up to the pirates they’ll exchange Ruby for Valla.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy and along the way all manner of things go wrong for both groups.
In the previous book Kaii was the mischievous bisexual rogue about town, and I was looking forward to a book focusing on him. Sadly, the magical balance that Iancu-Haddad wove in the first book didn’t quite make it across to this one. It wasn’t the character development that let the side down, rather it was the overall tone of The Bone Master that disappointed me. I felt as though the author was trying for a more adult-themed tone and for me, it just didn’t work. I like romance in books as it’s a part of life, however, at times it felt like the characters of The Bone Master were more interested in hooking up with each other than saving their comrades.
That’s not to say that The Bone Master is not without its merits. Once again Iancu-Haddad has written a fun-filled fantasy adventure this time taking readers beyond the bone enclosed desert town of Achten Tan. It was interesting reading about the lands and creatures beyond the desert, especially from the perspective of the Achten Tanians who had only ever known life in the desert. Such a way of life is completely different to those of their pirate companions and Iancu-Haddad did a great job writing this into the story.
Overall, The Bone Master felt a bit rushed and less edited which made for a more disappointing read. The massive cliffhanger at the end combined with interesting characters and their development throughout the book has continued to hold my interest in the series.
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Content warnings:
Spoiler
This book contains scenes of kidnapping, blood, violence and death (on and off page). There are several scenes with misogynistic comments, and a female hostage is leered at by a male kidnapper. The same man later attackers her and while it’s heavily implied that this is a rape attempt, nothing happens on page as she is able to escape.There is an ongoing theme of betrayal throughout the book.
In the wake of the events of the previous book, the residents of Achten Tan are trying to return to their lives. That’s not so easy for Kaii Hakku, son of the chief, whose life was turned upside down when gnomes Mila and Geb came to town. His father, the chief of Achten Tan, tried to kill him, and Kaii found out that he’s inherited the same powerful and dangerous magic as his father. His father is now a prisoner of the town he once ruled, and the weight of what to do with him is weighing heavy on Kaii’s mind. Kaii’s sore heart almost seems the least of his worries, so when a pretty pirate walks into town Kaii is happy for a night of distraction. What he doesn’t realise is that it’s not the type of distraction he imagined; Tara and her crew are in town to loot his father’s now unguarded treasure.
When the pirates kidnap Valla, Kaii’s friend, he ends up teaming with scholar Sozi, Tara’s long-lost brother who had been hiding out in Achten Tan for years, Dagen, and Dagen’s girlfriend Kiva. An unlikely group with history causing tension between them, things get even worse when they find one of the pirates trying to steal from them. It seems that Tara has left her younger cousin Ruby behind. Striking a deal with her for her help in catching up with Tara, they agree to work together and when they catch up to the pirates they’ll exchange Ruby for Valla.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy and along the way all manner of things go wrong for both groups.
In the previous book Kaii was the mischievous bisexual rogue about town, and I was looking forward to a book focusing on him. Sadly, the magical balance that Iancu-Haddad wove in the first book didn’t quite make it across to this one. It wasn’t the character development that let the side down, rather it was the overall tone of The Bone Master that disappointed me. I felt as though the author was trying for a more adult-themed tone and for me, it just didn’t work. I like romance in books as it’s a part of life, however, at times it felt like the characters of The Bone Master were more interested in hooking up with each other than saving their comrades.
That’s not to say that The Bone Master is not without its merits. Once again Iancu-Haddad has written a fun-filled fantasy adventure this time taking readers beyond the bone enclosed desert town of Achten Tan. It was interesting reading about the lands and creatures beyond the desert, especially from the perspective of the Achten Tanians who had only ever known life in the desert. Such a way of life is completely different to those of their pirate companions and Iancu-Haddad did a great job writing this into the story.
Overall, The Bone Master felt a bit rushed and less edited which made for a more disappointing read. The massive cliffhanger at the end combined with interesting characters and their development throughout the book has continued to hold my interest in the series.
rissreviews_xx's review
4.0
A few months ago I had the pleasure of reading the first novel and now I am excited to review the second! The Bone Master follows Kaii and his journey to save his best friend from the dreaded pirates. With help along the way, Kaii discovers something worthwhile and his character develops nicely.
While reading the novel, I found myself caught up in Kaii’s world and could not put the book down! Kaii’s bone magic is such an interesting part of this story.
All of the characters in this are fleshed out nicely and the story is just as exciting as the first! The author's writing is intriguing and gives the reader a deep understanding of the adventure Kai embarks on. I think this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy and are ready for a new adventure!
While reading the novel, I found myself caught up in Kaii’s world and could not put the book down! Kaii’s bone magic is such an interesting part of this story.
All of the characters in this are fleshed out nicely and the story is just as exciting as the first! The author's writing is intriguing and gives the reader a deep understanding of the adventure Kai embarks on. I think this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy and are ready for a new adventure!
neta's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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
3.5
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