A review by fae_princess_in_space
Of Blood, Bones, and Truth by T.M. Ledvina

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

This book was a really cool read; an urban/high-fantasy murder mystery set in a world with elves,seraphs, halflings, shifters, demons and more. The world building was very detailed as was the background that has left different races in different levels of society. If you are someone who likes their fantasy political, magical and full of warring factions, this one is absolutely for you! 

This story follows two indentured servants/assassins who end up getting tangled together to try and solve the murders that are occurring around the city. Kellen is a fallen seraph - a humanoid race with angelic wings that they can materialise at will; identical to seraphs, except the fallen are indentured to one of the military factions in the city. He is sent on an assignment to kill a prominent scientist when he meets fellow assassin, elven-born Cassian. Cassian was sold into servitude as a child and carries out crimes on the orders of his contract-holder, a known crime lord. 

The two end up tangled in a conspiracy where medical experiments are being carried out on citizens of the city and their bodies being dumped. Cassian is instructed to kill one of the main leads in the case, and after speaking with Kellen, who has been asked with solving the murders, both agree the best action is to get close to the man and his sister to see what they know. 

This book was twisty and I enjoyed many elements of it. I liked both Cassian and Kellen as well as the supporting cast of characters. As I have said the worldbuilding was really detailed and thorough. This is a REAL slow-burn (the most Cassian and Kellen do is kiss in the last 20% of the book) so I’m really hoping that their relationship develops in the sequel(s). The book ends on a pretty significant cliffhanger which I’m sure will be picked up on in the next book! 

The reason this book loses a star from me is simply because I really didn’t understand Cassian and Kellen’s motivations in parts. Cassian is meant to be this hardened killer who is told to kill one of the side characters… but he doesn’t do it, for no other reason that ‘he wants to see what happens’? And in fact he deliberately goes out of this way to keep the character alive? Also with Kellen, he is instructed to keep the murders on the down-low and yet shares literally everything with a guy he met a few days ago? For two people who have been successful trained killers for years, they sure made some odd decisions!! 

Anyhow, overall it was a great read for anyone who likes detailed magical fantasy!