Title: The Bone Charmer (The Bone Charmer #1)

Author: Breeana Shields

Pub. Date: May 21, 2019

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.

On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.

Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.

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This will be a spoiler free review.

UM, why didn’t y’all tell me about this book sooner? Why’d you let me sleep on it for so long?

Say hi to my second 2020 FIVE STAR READ.

Yep.

You heard me…well, read me.

Second 5 STAR READ of 2020.

I wasn’t expecting it. Hell, I figured I needed to give the book a fair shot if I was going to be moderating a signing that Brigid and Breeana would be at. I wanted to be prepared, or at least attempt preparedness.

I devoured this book in a handful of hours. I stopped when life got in the way – i.e. dinner, chores, basic needs and the act of finally printing out a picture of my dog to go in his urn (sorry, sad, I know, but it needed to finally get done). But I think I read this book in probably 4 hours total? I never wanted to put it down and fell easily back into the story each time. I was freaking hooked. Now I’m sad I finished. What am I supposed to read now?

I’ll be honest, my expectations weren’t high – mainly because I basically knew nothing and hadn’t heard much about it. I’m so glad that they were exceeded. I loved this book, the characters, the world. There were moments I dreaded and some that made me laugh, and others that shocked me. All signs of a great read.

I was about half way through and I thought I was reading the plot very well, and knew how it was going to play out.

Nope.

I was wrong.

So, so wrong.

But, like, in the best way possible.

Because what actually happens is so much better and exciting and kind of rage-y than what I anticipated. In fact, what I thought was going to happen, would have been really boring, and now I’m questing myself as a writer…just kidding…sort of.

I loved Saskia as a character, and I loved the dual realities that happen in the book. I really enjoy how events mirror themselves in both. I also liked Saskia’s character growth and how she’s basically the “Chose One” without being overly glorified. She struggles just like everyone else and using her magic does not come easy for her.

After reading a few books where once the “Chosen One” has their awakening and everting comes super easy, and they’re basically prodigies with everything, this was refreshing. I liked watching her start to grow into her powers and stopped shying away from them because of what her mother wanted.

The magic system * chef’s kiss * I loved it (do I sound like a parrot yet?) and had no trouble following it. It wasn’t overly complicated, but not so simple it felt lacking.  I thought maybe I’d be a bit put off by *bones* but as it turns out, not a problem. I thought it was really interesting how there were three different levels in being a Bone Charmer, but many levels of using the magic in bones. I also really loved the idea of the tattoos appearing – like how cool would that be?

Side note was never a fan of Declan…he was a little too, childish.

Bram on the other hand…I guess I have a thing for brooding, silent, outcasts. He needs some hugs. Lots of hugs.

I really enjoyed the growing connection between the two of them and how it started out as this child fear and trauma and then started to grow into something more and then [REDACTED] happened.

I could list out all the individual things that I enjoyed immensely about this book, but those would be spoilers, and this is spoiler free. But overall, the book just gave me this feeling of pure enjoyment and even that’s not most accurate world. I just look at the book and I have no words, but tingles build in my chest and – I’m literally tossing my hands in the air, because I either don’t have a word, or can’t think of one – but fine, enjoyment. I loved this book, the world, its characters, every little, shock, funny remark, tension filled moment. I’m already in desperate need for book 2 – I’ve already wished for it on Netgalley and I’m so glad I decided to pick this up and give it a chance.

You should too.

For sure.

Read it.

Ps. I seriously need book 2. I need to know what happens next.