A Captivating Continuation of the Blood of the Fae Saga!
The second book in the Blood of the Fae series, Ruins of Bone, is another captivating story by Sarah Chislon. I was completely captivated by the detailed world-building, well-rounded characters, and the fluid progression of the main plot as a dedicated fantasy book reader.
Ruins of Bone by Sarah ChislonSeries: Blood of the Fae #2
Published: 25. October 2023 by Wings of the Wind Press
Format: ARC, Kindle Edition, 703 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
ASIN: B0BSG27XL9
Language: English
Audience: Adult
Shelve: Read 2023
Link to Goodreads
Rating:
Admirers, antiquities, and . . . ancient curses?
A curse taints the ruins of Kilmere—or so the locals say—which makes it an unchancy inheritance for herbalist Jessa Caldwell. Worse still, a cruel fae lord in the guise of a gentleman seeks to wrest the crumbling cliffside fortress from her and use its powers for his own ends.
But Jessa isn’t one to surrender easily. She’s determined to resist the lord’s machinations and protect the legacy left by her mentor, even if that means involving the fae arbiter Riven, an act that could see her permanently locked away—all while evading her family’s expectation that she make a match from their list of favored suitors.
Yet she’s not prepared for the depths of fae deceit and cruelty she discovers—nor the reality behind the curse. When the nearby townsfolk begin to succumb to it, suffering slow, excruciating deaths, the authorities seek a mortal poisoner, refusing to consider that these murders could have an Otherworldly origin.
To uncover the true killer, Jessa must make forbidden alliances and explore the extent of her own fae-influenced nature. If she fails, countless innocents will die, including those closest to her . . . but if she succeeds, it may cost her everything.
In book two of the Blood of the Fae gaslamp fantasy series, Jessa faces her greatest challenge yet—threats concealed within long-abandoned ruins, where secrets about the precarious balance between the Otherworld and her own lay buried. Will she unearth the truth before it’s too late?
Buy the Book at: Amazon*
Ruins of Bone ♦ Sarah Chislon
Opinion
The author skillfully draws readers into the magical worlds she has created with her lyrical and vivid words. Ruins of Bone’s rich descriptions, with their unsettling beauty and lurking dangers, created a picture so real that I could just feel the age-old magic pulsing through the pages.
One of the strengths of Chislon’s writing lies in her ability to breathe life into her characters. There’s no denying the character’s development, and the supporting cast gives the story more nuance. The motivations and challenges of each character are skillfully explored, giving the impression that they are real people living in this surreal universe.
The book moves along at a good clip, alternating between fast-paced action scenes and slower, more reflective passages. Plot twists are skillfully written to keep readers on the edge of their seats and wanting more. The complex network of pacts, betrayals, and old predictions gives the narrative a complexity that is thought-provoking and captivating.
Ruins of Bone stands out for its ability to combine classic fantasy elements with novel, creative concepts. Chislon skillfully weaves mythology and folklore into the story to create a magical and intriguing whole. Beyond ordinary fantasy material, the series is elevated by its philosophical depth as it explores issues like power, fate, and the consequences of actions.
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Conclusion
While Ruins of Bone is undeniably a worthy successor to the first book in the series, it also manages to stand on its own, offering a unique and compelling narrative that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. For fans of fantasy who crave a captivating journey into a world of magic, mystery, and mythical creatures, Ruins of Bone is a must-read. Sarah Chislon continues to prove herself as a master storyteller in the fantasy genre, and I eagerly await the next chapter in the Blood of the Fae series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blood of the Fae – The Series
| Whispers in the Waters (#0.5) | Tattoo of Crimson (#1) |
| Ruins of Blood (#2) | Binding of Silver (#3) – coming 2024 |
About Sarah Chislon
Sarah Chislon lives in Virginia with her husband and three daughters. When she’s not writing, she’s homeschooling her children and running a web development business with her husband. As an avid reader and a lifelong story-weaver, she delights in creating fantastic worlds and exploring them alongside her characters.
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