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jlo12's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you kindly to Katherine Tegan Books for my review copy.
Bone Crier’s have a sacred duty to ferry the dead to the afterlife; into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld. But this duty comes at a cost – the Gods demand a sacrifice to prove the devotion of the Bone Crier, and that sacrifice is their true love; their amouré. The Bone Crier’s are a group of mysterious siren-like women who use the strength they harness from animal bones to ferry the dead and Ailesse has been preparing her whole life to become their matriarch, but first she must sacrifice her amouré. As it turns out, her amouré is a young man whose father was killed by a Bone Crier, and he’s sworn vengeance. But the ritual has already begun, and their fates are intertwined – in life and in death.
The first half of Bone Crier’s Moon started off incredibly strong and I was drawn into the mythology of the Bone Crier’s (or Leuress’ as they’re also known as); their rituals and the concept of amouré’s, the strength they drew from the bones of animals they sacrificed, and the ferrying of souls, both chained and unchained. It was a unique concept. Unfortunately, it started to feel bogged down the fighting and “action” scenes that seemed to drag on needlessly which I felt really detracted from the plot.
One of the main tropes in Bone Crier’s Moon is star-crossed lovers — two people who are, ultimately, meant to be together but circumstances surrounding the Leuress’ amouré means they are doomed. I will admit, I enjoyed their relationship: Bastien’s unwillingness to accept they are ‘soul mates’ (with a bit of enemies-to-lovers vibe) and Ailesse’s disappointment that her amouré wants to, you know, kill her. But ultimately, we lack a certain character depth that makes you care about them beyond their romantic entanglements. Outside of each other, who are they really?
We have three POV’s here — Bastien’s, Ailesse’s, and her best friend Sabine. Now, some other reviewers have said they didn’t quite like Sabine, but I rather enjoyed her chapters. She was probably the one character who had a bit more depth to her. Her unwillingness to harm animals and complete her rite of passage, but her drive to save her friend creates an inner conflict. Sabine finding some independence was rather nice considering how co-dependent she was on Ailesse. I did enjoy their friendship, despite how little I felt we saw of it.
We have two other side character, Jules, and her brother whose name I forgot (he’s not exactly memorable). Jules is motivated by the death of her father at the hands of a Bone Crier and also her love of Bastien, and as a result makes some bad decisions that makes a bad situation even worse, but essentially a lack of communication makes the dynamic between Jules, Bastien, and Ailesse almost unbearable.
Nonetheless, it’s a solid fantasy with an interesting and unique mythology. But it failed in certain areas that leaves a lot to be desired.
Bone Crier’s have a sacred duty to ferry the dead to the afterlife; into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld. But this duty comes at a cost – the Gods demand a sacrifice to prove the devotion of the Bone Crier, and that sacrifice is their true love; their amouré. The Bone Crier’s are a group of mysterious siren-like women who use the strength they harness from animal bones to ferry the dead and Ailesse has been preparing her whole life to become their matriarch, but first she must sacrifice her amouré. As it turns out, her amouré is a young man whose father was killed by a Bone Crier, and he’s sworn vengeance. But the ritual has already begun, and their fates are intertwined – in life and in death.
The first half of Bone Crier’s Moon started off incredibly strong and I was drawn into the mythology of the Bone Crier’s (or Leuress’ as they’re also known as); their rituals and the concept of amouré’s, the strength they drew from the bones of animals they sacrificed, and the ferrying of souls, both chained and unchained. It was a unique concept. Unfortunately, it started to feel bogged down the fighting and “action” scenes that seemed to drag on needlessly which I felt really detracted from the plot.
“The women in white were said to stalk these parts of Galle. Bastien’s father wasn’t a superstitious man – he never avoided bridges during a full moon – but he should have, for here he was, enchanted like all doomed men in the tales.”
One of the main tropes in Bone Crier’s Moon is star-crossed lovers — two people who are, ultimately, meant to be together but circumstances surrounding the Leuress’ amouré means they are doomed. I will admit, I enjoyed their relationship: Bastien’s unwillingness to accept they are ‘soul mates’ (with a bit of enemies-to-lovers vibe) and Ailesse’s disappointment that her amouré wants to, you know, kill her. But ultimately, we lack a certain character depth that makes you care about them beyond their romantic entanglements. Outside of each other, who are they really?
We have three POV’s here — Bastien’s, Ailesse’s, and her best friend Sabine. Now, some other reviewers have said they didn’t quite like Sabine, but I rather enjoyed her chapters. She was probably the one character who had a bit more depth to her. Her unwillingness to harm animals and complete her rite of passage, but her drive to save her friend creates an inner conflict. Sabine finding some independence was rather nice considering how co-dependent she was on Ailesse. I did enjoy their friendship, despite how little I felt we saw of it.
We have two other side character, Jules, and her brother whose name I forgot (he’s not exactly memorable). Jules is motivated by the death of her father at the hands of a Bone Crier and also her love of Bastien, and as a result makes some bad decisions that makes a bad situation even worse, but essentially a lack of communication makes the dynamic between Jules, Bastien, and Ailesse almost unbearable.
Nonetheless, it’s a solid fantasy with an interesting and unique mythology. But it failed in certain areas that leaves a lot to be desired.
catholicmama13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hallht98's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
thisbookishbee's review against another edition
5.0
This book resonated with my soul. I didn't even realise I'd reached the end of the book until I turned the page to the acknowledgements. I need the second book in my life right now.
coffeestarsbooks's review against another edition
I couldn't deal with the lack of character development and the instalove. The plot was okay, but the lack of character development harmed it, and while it was mildly interesting it wasn't enough to keep me wanting to read, especially because I have seem similar arcs before.
sophierosemaria's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Enjoyable and fun read. The story development and world building felt a bit rushed at times, but all in all great YA.