I read The Bone Houses back in 2021 and immediately knew Emily Lloyd-Jones would be a must-read fantasy author for me! Their cozy yet suspenseful storI read The Bone Houses back in 2021 and immediately knew Emily Lloyd-Jones would be a must-read fantasy author for me! Their cozy yet suspenseful stories with heart and thrill are such a delight.
This was a heist story, a retelling of a Welsh myth so it has fairytale vibes but has some grittiness. The main cast is a water diviner, her ex-spy mentor, a fae-cursed man, the heir to a thief guild, AND A PRECIOUS CORGI WHO SNEEZES WHEN HE SENSES MAGIC.
I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold and that ending crossover into The Bone Houses?! My mind was blown! It made this story so much more impactful for me.
Overall, this was a great read. I would recommend it if you like stories with some adventuring, magic, and some betrayal....more
I've been putting this off for the longest time because I absolutely adore FOTA and I didn't know if I would survive running out of content to read.
AI've been putting this off for the longest time because I absolutely adore FOTA and I didn't know if I would survive running out of content to read.
As expected, this was delightful! It's told like a storybook fairytale and follows Cardan in present day but with anecdotes from his past. The art is SO pretty and basically, I LOVE CARDAN SO MUCH.
I WISH we had a full novel of FOTA in Cardan's POV...but honestly it'd just be: Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude. so like...nvm lol.
The groundwork built in the first book was already exceptional but the continuation in the sequel blew me away. The writing in this is just as atmospheric and lyrical; the overlapping narratives and the struggles and triumphs all in weave together to create a whimsical and satisfying story. I am so fond of all the characters we have grown to love on such an intimate level. Watching them grow as individuals as well witnessing their relationships develop and grow stronger was phenomenal.
Finishing this duology was bittersweet.
If you're looking for a fantasy read full of magic, heart, whimsy, and folklore, I implore you to pick this series up.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Voyager for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
This was a such a lovely, atmospherical read. Whenever I sat down with it, it felt like there was a hush over the air: heavy, not in the oppressive seThis was a such a lovely, atmospherical read. Whenever I sat down with it, it felt like there was a hush over the air: heavy, not in the oppressive sense, but comforting and reminiscent of a dream-like haze.
It was very character centric and there's a good amount of world building attempted, but it didn't read (to me) as fully flushed out and developed as it was likely intended. I couldn't exactly visualize Cadence, the island the story takes place, in its entirety but the imagery becomes very colorful and robust whenever the spirits were called!
I greatly enjoyed this quiet, fairytale-esque story, especially the heart you feel from all the characters, BUT THAT ENDING THOUGH?! WHAT. ...more
This Neverland retelling was a surprising delight!
When I read the first few chapters, I was a bit concerned this would be a smut before story kind of This Neverland retelling was a surprising delight!
When I read the first few chapters, I was a bit concerned this would be a smut before story kind of book since we hit the ground running on that front BUT that was not the case.
What worked for me: -The dynamic between Tink and Hook, so fun and so sweet. Hook insta-loves Tink but that only sets us up for pining internal monologue. -The cheesy nautical/pirate-y pick up lines. I giggled out loud. -The fact that this Neverland retelling doesn't revolve around Peter Pan (he's mentioned but isn't a main character). -The found family! I cried because of how touched I was at a scene in the last 25% of the book. -The quest Tink, Hook, and crew are tasked with, it gave me a little adventure I didn't expect to go on. -The characters' motivations and actions all make sense.
What keeps this book from being 5 stars: -The details felt surface level, there was potential for the book to dive deeper in the characters' backstories and the world they're in. I was so intrigued about the Vale and the magic and wanted a bit more. Hook's crew is loyal to the end, why? Give us some examples. I know Smee and Hook grew up together so the loyalty there is understandable, but I wanted some heroic anecdotes and whatnot. Some parts of the plot felt like they were thrown in for the sake of adding conflict/misunderstanding. -They retrieved the scale too easily. The isles are described as this Bermuda Triangle "we don't go there because we'll die" kind of place but other than the rocky waters and the confusing fog, everything was easy going. -I am yet again saddened to read a book about pirates and no plundering takes place on screen. I would've loved to read about Tink trying to navigate a pirate raid while holding in her puke because she doesn't have sea legs.
Overall, this was a really fun, quick, and unique read! The spice was there, the heart was there, and the enjoyment was definitely there. I'm curious to see if there's a sequel or spin-off in the works for this universe.
PS: The following didn't influence my rating but I could NOT stop picturing animated Captain Hook from Disney whenever Hook is described as this muscled yet lithe hottie, the juxtaposition of my mental image and what the book was trying to sell me was hilarious.
Thank you Netgalley and City Owl Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Jess | jadecanread
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Books:
like-a-fairytale
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