Book Review – Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

I am so happy to be writing another book review because this means that I loved the book and wanted to talk about it to anybody willing to listen!

If I had to describe a true YA Fantasy book that gives you all the feels, mystery, and a badass FMC to root for, I would just tell you to read Silver in the Bones by Alexandra Bracken. It was such a quick read but in the best way because it kept me wanting to learn more about the world, the characters, and their untimely fates.

I loved the touches to Arthurian legend, how it played on a classic tale in a unique way. I loved the backdrop that was the Isles of Avalone. I loved the magic system and how easy it was to follow but still gave me chills each time I learned something new about it.

Overall, Alexandra Bracken continues to be one of my ultimate favs and just has that perfect talent of writing intriguing, wonderful YA Fantasy novels dipped in mythology and growth.

Note: this is a non-spoilery review

Brief Synopsis:

Tamsin Lark didn’t ask to be a Hollower. As a mortal with no magical talent, she was never meant to break into ancient crypts, or compete with sorceresses and Cunningfolk for the treasures inside. But after her thieving foster father disappeared without so much as a goodbye, it was the only way to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive.

Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian vanished with a powerful ring from Arthurian legend. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring.

As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .

Plot:

The pacing was great for the story being told. It felt like it was a great introduction to adventure and where it took us from there was a whirlwind. I enjoyed mostly the mystery element in this book. I just wanted – no NEEDED to know more. It was so well-written that it went beyond needing to know what happens next but also why and how and where and all the questions that kept me at the edge of my seat as the journey took me through every emotion!

The Characters:

Tamsin:

I felt Tamsin’s inner turmoil. Like I felt her anger, her pain, her need to break the curse, her love for her brother. It was so easy to get into her head because her actions felt true. I loved her spunk and focus and self-determination like she was so sure of herself. A true badass FMC for not only looking danger in the face but learning to let go and be as the journey got tougher.

Emrys:

I am bias. I will admit this ten times over. If you read any of my book reviews you will see that I am always falling for the MMC but truly I cannot help it if they are all just broodingly amazing. The intrigue that was Emrys had me flying through the pages. The way he treats Tamsin but his own inner turmoil bubbling to the surface ever so slowly and giving us an insight to who he was…. LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

Cabell:

Cabell was the one character that felt a little flat to me despite being the one with the most inner conflict of all the characters. I think it was mostly because of how he approached a lot of the conflict in the book, he was kind of on the sidelines a lot which didn’t give me a good insight as to who he was or how he played his part in the story. He was great to read when interacting with other characters or at the very least he brought out more of their own personalities, but I am holding out hope that the next book he will have a bigger role.

Neve:

Neve was possibly the most exciting one for me to read because I was learning a lot about the magic system through her. She was just a bright light on the page, funny and witty and unequivocally herself without remorse or holding back. Most of the times I laughed out loud was because of her many one-liners.

Overall Rating:

📜 Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🧙🏼‍♂️ Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❤️ Romance: ⭐⭐⭐

⚔World: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🧕 Diversity: ⭐⭐

Please let me know if you have read this book! What were your thoughts?!