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House of the Dead #2
Ghostsmith
In this action-packed finale to the House of the Dead Duology, Wren and her friends put everything they know to the test as they battle the living and the undead to save their world.Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the terrifying power to control the undead. It was Wren’s own mother who created the iron revenants—an army of near unbeatable undead soldiers. When the iron revenants attack, no one in the Dominions will have the strength to stand in their way. Now Wren, Leo, and Julian find themselves once more in the Breach, this time on the run from Wren’s father, who is determined to secure more power for himself and the House of Bone. The three are desperate to stop the upcoming war, but working together is easier said than done with Julian still furious about Wren double-crossing him. And to make matters worse, Wren is plagued by powerful new abilities that force her to reassess everything she knows about being a bonesmith. When Wren’s long-lost twin brother shows up and vows to help her destroy the well of magic that feeds the iron revenants, she must decide if trusting him is worth potentially playing right into their mother’s hands. After all, the dead might be dangerous, but it’s the living who can betray you.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2024
179 people are currently reading
6657 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Pau Preto
11 books1,680 followersNicki Pau Preto is a fantasy author living just outside of Toronto—though her dislike of hockey, snow, and geese makes her the worst Canadian in the country. She studied art and art history in university and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a writer full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 876 reviews
November 26, 2025
"You know, I don't need a bone blade to make me think of you," Julian said. "The truth is, you're hard to shake, Wren Graven. You have a way of..." He frowned, searching for the words.
"Annoying you?" Wren supplied, grinning.
"Getting under my skin," he clarified, though he was smiling too.
"What I'd like to get under is that armor," she shot back.
4.5 stars
Another absolutely 🔥 read. I was so excited for this sequel to come out and it delivered.
This was pretty nonstop from the very beginning, and I love stories like that. Really ensures that you're constantly wanting to pick it back up to see what happens. I also thought the storyline was very manageable. Sometimes the story starts to get to complicated or too grand, and I thought this was really able to stay grounded and there wasn't too much going on at once. Doesn't hurt that all the main characters are likeable but also very different people and they have a great dynamic.
Also loved the relationship between Wren and Julian. Obviously started off rocky because of how the first book ended, and I was actually pretty excited to see how they would interact at the start considering they're both pretty stubborn but I also thought they both had good points so that made their contention very entertaining. They developed really well throughout the whole book and though I would have liked to a little more of the two of them one and one, I still really loved them.
And I was pretty happy with the conclusion too, though I was hoping for a little more information with some characters, but it was all tied into nice, pretty bows. But I think they're really is room for Nicki to expand on this universe and get some more great characters out of it.
But I'm so happy with this conclusion and I couldn't recommend this series more 🔥☠️
Thank you Edelweiss and Simon and Schuster for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
"Annoying you?" Wren supplied, grinning.
"Getting under my skin," he clarified, though he was smiling too.
"What I'd like to get under is that armor," she shot back.
4.5 stars
Another absolutely 🔥 read. I was so excited for this sequel to come out and it delivered.
This was pretty nonstop from the very beginning, and I love stories like that. Really ensures that you're constantly wanting to pick it back up to see what happens. I also thought the storyline was very manageable. Sometimes the story starts to get to complicated or too grand, and I thought this was really able to stay grounded and there wasn't too much going on at once. Doesn't hurt that all the main characters are likeable but also very different people and they have a great dynamic.
Also loved the relationship between Wren and Julian. Obviously started off rocky because of how the first book ended, and I was actually pretty excited to see how they would interact at the start considering they're both pretty stubborn but I also thought they both had good points so that made their contention very entertaining. They developed really well throughout the whole book and though I would have liked to a little more of the two of them one and one, I still really loved them.
And I was pretty happy with the conclusion too, though I was hoping for a little more information with some characters, but it was all tied into nice, pretty bows. But I think they're really is room for Nicki to expand on this universe and get some more great characters out of it.
But I'm so happy with this conclusion and I couldn't recommend this series more 🔥☠️
Thank you Edelweiss and Simon and Schuster for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
September 21, 2024
"This is only the beginning," Wren said, gripping his hand once more. "Only the beginning."
This was a satisfying conclusion to a great YA doulogy, 4 bone-chilling stars! The sequel picks up right where we left off in the first book, with our main characters on the run again. This was a whirlwind of nearly non-stop action and quick pacing, especially from 50% until the end. Some parts even left me gasping and squealing.
I had forgotten how much I loved the lore and unique world-building with the bone and ghostsmiths. The magic system was also pretty cool - controlling bones and ghosts!? 💀👻 So awesome. The aesthetic and vibes were definitely on point for the spooky season.
I enjoyed Leo's funny little quips, Julian's brooding heroism, and Wren/Hawke's budding relationship throughout the story. Wren's character arc from start to finish was satisfying to witness. At the beginning of the first book, she is completely arrogant, selfish, and reckless. But she has grown into a selfless, brave leader with a greater purpose.
My one little critique is that the villains felt very one-dimensional. I know this is a YA book so I don't expect very complex villains but I would like a better motivator than merely power.
⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
All in all, this was a memorable YA doulogy that is not nearly talked about enough. If you want a great YA fantasy series with ghosts, bones, creepy corpses, found family, and a touch of romance then look no further than the House of the Dead Doulogy.
__________________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊
┊ ┊⋆ ┊ .
┊ ┊ ⋆˚
✧. ┊
⋆ ★
𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 °•*⁀➷ 👻⚔️
I have waited almost a year for this sequel, and it's also the finale AHHHH! Spooky autumn books are coming early this year and I'm beyond excited. I devoured the first book so I have high expectations for this. I must brush up on the world and characters again before picking this up.
This was a satisfying conclusion to a great YA doulogy, 4 bone-chilling stars! The sequel picks up right where we left off in the first book, with our main characters on the run again. This was a whirlwind of nearly non-stop action and quick pacing, especially from 50% until the end. Some parts even left me gasping and squealing.
I had forgotten how much I loved the lore and unique world-building with the bone and ghostsmiths. The magic system was also pretty cool - controlling bones and ghosts!? 💀👻 So awesome. The aesthetic and vibes were definitely on point for the spooky season.
I enjoyed Leo's funny little quips, Julian's brooding heroism, and Wren/Hawke's budding relationship throughout the story. Wren's character arc from start to finish was satisfying to witness. At the beginning of the first book, she is completely arrogant, selfish, and reckless. But she has grown into a selfless, brave leader with a greater purpose.
My one little critique is that the villains felt very one-dimensional. I know this is a YA book so I don't expect very complex villains but I would like a better motivator than merely power.
⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
All in all, this was a memorable YA doulogy that is not nearly talked about enough. If you want a great YA fantasy series with ghosts, bones, creepy corpses, found family, and a touch of romance then look no further than the House of the Dead Doulogy.
"You know, I don't need a bone blade to make me think of you. The truth is, you're hard to shake, Wren Graven. You have a way of..." He frowned, searching for words.
"Annoying you?" Wren supplied, grinning.
"Getting under my skin," he clarified, though he was smiling too.
"What I'd like to get under is that armor," she shot back."
__________________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊
┊ ┊⋆ ┊ .
┊ ┊ ⋆˚
✧. ┊
⋆ ★
𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 °•*⁀➷ 👻⚔️
I have waited almost a year for this sequel, and it's also the finale AHHHH! Spooky autumn books are coming early this year and I'm beyond excited. I devoured the first book so I have high expectations for this. I must brush up on the world and characters again before picking this up.
November 23, 2024
“I am a bonesmith, like my father before me, and the best damn valkyr of my generation. I can’t command your ghost, but I can break your fucking bones.”
3.25 ⭐️
well, this was quite a downer from Bonesmith which i rated a solid four stars and unfortunately Ghostsmith missed its mark. i went into it thinking i’d give it the same rating too but i lost interest around 70% because of various reasons.
THE PLOT
the story had a solid start and i was excited to see where it’d go but after the 50% mark, things went kinda downhill and even though the action was still there, i didn’t like some of the twists because a. they were predictable and b. things felt too easy. if the plot armour in book 1 was bad, this one was worse because pretty much everything turns out in their favour which made this a very very low stakes sequel - not something i usually enjoy in fantasy.
THE CHARACTERS
wren’s character improved and she didn’t annoy me as much in this book. she was brave and determined which were some of the qualities that i liked about her.
julian was bold, daring, and i liked his brooding nature after wren’s betrayal. the angst and mutual pining was good. his dynamic with wren was ship worthy but i wanted to see more animosity between them.
leo was the brains behind the trio. he was busy strategising and we get to see more of his personality through his chapters.
one of the new characters - hawk - annoyed me with his shifting loyalties and i didn’t like that he was unsure who to side with. it felt spineless and unnecessary even though he does eventually make up his mind.
there were some tense, emotional moments between the characters but they were fleeting and didn’t evoke any sentiment in me. i didn’t find myself crying or connecting with them on a deeper level. the characters weren’t awful but they didn’t stand out for me either.
FINAL THOUGHTS
the overall concept is cool and i did appreciate the world building which was by far the best aspect of the duology but other than that, nothing about the story was memorable or remarkable in any way. it’s definitely a whole lot better than your average YA novel and readers who wish to dip their toes into this genre will find much to enjoy. for me however, i’d prefer something darker and less rosy.
January 3, 2026
I've been on a series finishing journey this year, and some of the sequel books I've read weren't as good as their predecessors, but when I opened Ghostsmith I knew I'd come to the right place. As in, Nicki Pau Preto delivered, I kept thinking "wow, this is so good" the whole way through.
But first, I'd like for someone to tell me where the trilogy plans went and why we only have two books in the series...or did I imagine that the author planned a trilogy at the end of the first one?
Either way, it doesn't feel rushed, or crammed, but the pace is fast and there's some kind of action at every turn, which kept me glued to my seat the entire time.
My favourite part by far is all the character development, which didn't suffer in favour of the plot. There was a good balance, and I ended the book loving everyone, and the world even more.
I almost forgot how unique the magic system was, and I felt like a little kid in a candy store, checking out all the different flavours, while reading.
I absolutely loved the ending, and how it was all wrapped up, but I would, of course, be more than open to another book set in the world. I'm just not ready to say goodbye *sniff sniff*.
But first, I'd like for someone to tell me where the trilogy plans went and why we only have two books in the series...or did I imagine that the author planned a trilogy at the end of the first one?
Either way, it doesn't feel rushed, or crammed, but the pace is fast and there's some kind of action at every turn, which kept me glued to my seat the entire time.
My favourite part by far is all the character development, which didn't suffer in favour of the plot. There was a good balance, and I ended the book loving everyone, and the world even more.
I almost forgot how unique the magic system was, and I felt like a little kid in a candy store, checking out all the different flavours, while reading.
I absolutely loved the ending, and how it was all wrapped up, but I would, of course, be more than open to another book set in the world. I'm just not ready to say goodbye *sniff sniff*.
on-hold
July 26, 2024IT CAME 2.5 WEEKS EARLY, I'M PUTTING EVERYTHING ON HOLD FOR THIS
September 17, 2025
4.5 stars
Didn't love this one quite as much as Bonesmith but I did love it nonetheless. I think I was thoroughly surprised by the first one and therefore it got a higher rating. It was so nice to be back with Wren, Julian and Leo and see this story continue. I did read a review that said this probably could have been 2 books making the series a trilogy. And I think I agree, OR an extra 100 pages in this one just to pack it out at little bit. I do feel like the end of the book and wrap up was slightly rushed. For example, we visited the Iron Citadel, and I thought it might have been nice to spend a little more time there. We got about 3 pages there (if that) and it could have been a whole chapter.
But alas, I thought this was great. I loved the characters, as I did in the first one. I forgot how funny Leo is. And I also loved the atmosphere and the necromancy in this too. Definitely recommend trying Gideon the Ninth if you want more necromancers and more of an adult setting. (PSA: You're not supposed to know what's going on in that book, so stick with it even if you're confused.)
Didn't love this one quite as much as Bonesmith but I did love it nonetheless. I think I was thoroughly surprised by the first one and therefore it got a higher rating. It was so nice to be back with Wren, Julian and Leo and see this story continue. I did read a review that said this probably could have been 2 books making the series a trilogy. And I think I agree, OR an extra 100 pages in this one just to pack it out at little bit. I do feel like the end of the book and wrap up was slightly rushed. For example, we visited the Iron Citadel, and I thought it might have been nice to spend a little more time there. We got about 3 pages there (if that) and it could have been a whole chapter.
But alas, I thought this was great. I loved the characters, as I did in the first one. I forgot how funny Leo is. And I also loved the atmosphere and the necromancy in this too. Definitely recommend trying Gideon the Ninth if you want more necromancers and more of an adult setting. (PSA: You're not supposed to know what's going on in that book, so stick with it even if you're confused.)
July 20, 2024
Wren didn't need him to save her. What she needed was someone to help her finish the job.
Phew. This was emotional. All of the characters faced such hardships and heartbreak 😭
This review is short because it’s just one of those books where I loved the vibes, characters, and plot but I don’t have much to say about it 😂 The quotes make it look longer lmao
"I think we're doing pretty well so far"
"I think you've got low standards," Julian scoffed.
Wren smiled. Cocked her head. "I kissed you, didn't I? I guess you're right."
Wren was such an amazing character. She had so much growth from when she was first introduced and I really loved every aspect of her. Julian was still such a tortured soul and I love him. They were amazing and there was still so much perfect tension because of the ending of book 1 and it came through perfectly (Sophie, use another fucking word).
"I'm fine."
"I know you want to do the right thing, but it's not worth dying for."
Wren stopped as she reached the roof's apex, forcing him to do the same. "Says the person who threw themselves under a fucking rockslide"
"I was fine-I am fine."
"So. Am. I," Wren said.
"You're the most stubborn person I've ever met."
"I know what you're doing. You're trying to catch me out, to prove that this plan is stupid and reckless, just like me, and-"
"What I'm trying to do is show you that I care. About you. That's it."
I liked how everything was wrapped up, sometimes endings can feel rushed but I thought this one was done really well.
That’s it. That’s all I have to say 😂
"Stop!" Wren screamed, yanking her arm until the joints in her wrist protested and her skin was scraped raw. "Don't you dare touch him!"
The regent cast an amused look over his shoulder at Wren, then turned his words to Ravenna. “Muzzle your dog."
"Shut your mouth!" Julian snapped, a vein bulging in his neck as he strained against his captors with renewed vigor. "You're the animal here."
I just reread the scene where and started crying cuz it was just such a sad storyline.
"Exactly? Wren said. "What does a ghost get for lighting your way? What does a revenant get for wielding your sword? Nothing. What they get is denied peace."
"But they get to live forever."
"This"-she jabbed a finger at the nearest sconce-"is not living. And existing to serve others is not life."
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Canada and the author for a physical ARC, I shall treasure it forever 🥹
________________
Ahhhh! I just got a physical ARC in the mail today 🥳
Phew. This was emotional. All of the characters faced such hardships and heartbreak 😭
This review is short because it’s just one of those books where I loved the vibes, characters, and plot but I don’t have much to say about it 😂 The quotes make it look longer lmao
"I think we're doing pretty well so far"
"I think you've got low standards," Julian scoffed.
Wren smiled. Cocked her head. "I kissed you, didn't I? I guess you're right."
Wren was such an amazing character. She had so much growth from when she was first introduced and I really loved every aspect of her. Julian was still such a tortured soul and I love him. They were amazing and there was still so much perfect tension because of the ending of book 1 and it came through perfectly (Sophie, use another fucking word).
"I'm fine."
"I know you want to do the right thing, but it's not worth dying for."
Wren stopped as she reached the roof's apex, forcing him to do the same. "Says the person who threw themselves under a fucking rockslide"
"I was fine-I am fine."
"So. Am. I," Wren said.
"You're the most stubborn person I've ever met."
"I know what you're doing. You're trying to catch me out, to prove that this plan is stupid and reckless, just like me, and-"
"What I'm trying to do is show you that I care. About you. That's it."
I liked how everything was wrapped up, sometimes endings can feel rushed but I thought this one was done really well.
That’s it. That’s all I have to say 😂
"Stop!" Wren screamed, yanking her arm until the joints in her wrist protested and her skin was scraped raw. "Don't you dare touch him!"
The regent cast an amused look over his shoulder at Wren, then turned his words to Ravenna. “Muzzle your dog."
"Shut your mouth!" Julian snapped, a vein bulging in his neck as he strained against his captors with renewed vigor. "You're the animal here."
I just reread the scene where and started crying cuz it was just such a sad storyline.
"Exactly? Wren said. "What does a ghost get for lighting your way? What does a revenant get for wielding your sword? Nothing. What they get is denied peace."
"But they get to live forever."
"This"-she jabbed a finger at the nearest sconce-"is not living. And existing to serve others is not life."
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Canada and the author for a physical ARC, I shall treasure it forever 🥹
________________
Ahhhh! I just got a physical ARC in the mail today 🥳
September 3, 2024
I just LOVE this duology!
Ghostsmith wraps up the House of the Dead duology with a pulse-pounding conclusion that delivers on the excitement and intrigue promised by its predecessor. The sequel picks up right where the first book left off, thrusting our characters back into a whirlwind of high-stakes adventure. From the halfway point to the final pages, the action is relentless, leaving readers breathless and glued to the page.
The series' standout feature remains its unique lore and world-building. The concept of bone and ghostsmiths is as fascinating as ever, with the magic system—where characters control bones and ghosts—continuing to impress. The eerie atmosphere and chilling vibes are perfect for fans of the spooky season, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. 💀👻
Character development shines, particularly with Wren. Her transformation from a reckless, arrogant individual to a selfless, courageous leader is both compelling and rewarding. Leo’s witty quips and Julian’s brooding heroism add depth and balance, while the evolving relationship between Wren and Hawke provides a touch of family that complements the story’s darker elements.
However, the villains fall a bit short of the series’ otherwise strong elements. They come across as somewhat one-dimensional, driven primarily by a thirst for power. While this isn’t unusual in YA fantasy, a more nuanced antagonist could have added another layer of complexity to the narrative.
Overall, "Ghostsmith" is a gripping and memorable conclusion to a YA fantasy series that deserves more recognition. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure filled with ghosts, bones, creepy corpses, and a dash of romance, the House of the Dead duology is definitely worth diving into.
Sexual Content: mild
Spice-o-Meter: -1 chili peppers
Language: moderate/heavy
Violence: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: mild/none
LGBTQ: yes
Ghostsmith wraps up the House of the Dead duology with a pulse-pounding conclusion that delivers on the excitement and intrigue promised by its predecessor. The sequel picks up right where the first book left off, thrusting our characters back into a whirlwind of high-stakes adventure. From the halfway point to the final pages, the action is relentless, leaving readers breathless and glued to the page.
The series' standout feature remains its unique lore and world-building. The concept of bone and ghostsmiths is as fascinating as ever, with the magic system—where characters control bones and ghosts—continuing to impress. The eerie atmosphere and chilling vibes are perfect for fans of the spooky season, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. 💀👻
Character development shines, particularly with Wren. Her transformation from a reckless, arrogant individual to a selfless, courageous leader is both compelling and rewarding. Leo’s witty quips and Julian’s brooding heroism add depth and balance, while the evolving relationship between Wren and Hawke provides a touch of family that complements the story’s darker elements.
However, the villains fall a bit short of the series’ otherwise strong elements. They come across as somewhat one-dimensional, driven primarily by a thirst for power. While this isn’t unusual in YA fantasy, a more nuanced antagonist could have added another layer of complexity to the narrative.
Overall, "Ghostsmith" is a gripping and memorable conclusion to a YA fantasy series that deserves more recognition. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure filled with ghosts, bones, creepy corpses, and a dash of romance, the House of the Dead duology is definitely worth diving into.
Sexual Content: mild
Spice-o-Meter: -1 chili peppers
Language: moderate/heavy
Violence: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: mild/none
LGBTQ: yes
September 21, 2024
Super fun Duology, I really enjoy this magic system and the characters were excellent.
September 21, 2024
Pas évident de me remettre dans l’histoire et l’univers qui sont assez dense car les événements du tome 1 étaient assez flous dans mon esprit, mais quand tout m’est bien revenu… bah j’ai kiffé. C’est vraiment original, bourré d’action, de rebondissements, avec des personnages hyper intéressants… vraiment, une belle duologie !
February 6, 2025
Okay, this has solidified this duology as a new Young Adult fantasy recommendation alongside The Infernal Devices, The Lunar Chronicles, and Little Thieves. High praise.
We have broken characters all seeking approval and attention from crappy parents. We have teenagers dealing with betrayal, emotions, and hormones. We have heroines and heroes banding together in cool action scenes and heart wrenching bravery. They are all crazy stubborn.
Hawke watched the scene with something like confused fascination. She wondered if he’d interacted much with people who weren’t his mother. Normal people. Although, did Leopold Valorian, the Gold Prince and spare’s spare; Julian Knight, the almost-assassinated heir apparent to a fallen house; and Wren “ghostsmith” Graven, failed valkyr, exiled bonesmith, and daughter of a betrayer or a murderer (or both), really count as normal?
We also have ghost familiars and long lost twins.
More world-building and powers revealed. Learning to stand up for yourself and go against the grain.
No, being around Wren was like tossing a blade into the air, end over end, the threat of injury working in tandem with the beauty and grace of the movement, the possibility of going faster, throwing higher, of becoming one with the blade a thrilling, tantalizing possibility—even though at any moment your grip could falter, the blade slicing your skin.
The characters were separated for parts of the book which made me miss their interactions and group dynamic.
This contained slightly more expletives than book one with more f bombs in case this is something you’re conscious about in YA.
A very satisfying duology.
Bookstagram
We have broken characters all seeking approval and attention from crappy parents. We have teenagers dealing with betrayal, emotions, and hormones. We have heroines and heroes banding together in cool action scenes and heart wrenching bravery. They are all crazy stubborn.
Hawke watched the scene with something like confused fascination. She wondered if he’d interacted much with people who weren’t his mother. Normal people. Although, did Leopold Valorian, the Gold Prince and spare’s spare; Julian Knight, the almost-assassinated heir apparent to a fallen house; and Wren “ghostsmith” Graven, failed valkyr, exiled bonesmith, and daughter of a betrayer or a murderer (or both), really count as normal?
We also have ghost familiars and long lost twins.
More world-building and powers revealed. Learning to stand up for yourself and go against the grain.
No, being around Wren was like tossing a blade into the air, end over end, the threat of injury working in tandem with the beauty and grace of the movement, the possibility of going faster, throwing higher, of becoming one with the blade a thrilling, tantalizing possibility—even though at any moment your grip could falter, the blade slicing your skin.
The characters were separated for parts of the book which made me miss their interactions and group dynamic.
This contained slightly more expletives than book one with more f bombs in case this is something you’re conscious about in YA.
A very satisfying duology.
Bookstagram
August 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
What a fantastic duology. If you want an incredibly fun fast-paced summer action blockbuster in book form about necromancers….do yourself a favor and pick up this duology stat. I have a couple minor complaints about how nearly everything wrapped up, but by and large this is one of my favorite series I have completed this year it is so good. If you are one of those who side eye YA books…you should still do yourself a favor and check this series out.
What a fantastic duology. If you want an incredibly fun fast-paced summer action blockbuster in book form about necromancers….do yourself a favor and pick up this duology stat. I have a couple minor complaints about how nearly everything wrapped up, but by and large this is one of my favorite series I have completed this year it is so good. If you are one of those who side eye YA books…you should still do yourself a favor and check this series out.
November 18, 2024
Ghostsmith is the EPIC and incredibly satisfying conclusion to one of my new favorite YA fantasy series.
I urge you if this series has been collection dust on your TBR...don't let it stay unread for too long. With ghostly undead on the rise, evil rebellions, new and old friends, shifting alliances and heartfelt romance...this series has everything you need to have a REALLY good time.
This series truly feels like a unique breath of fresh air...and feels like nothing i've read before.
Let me convince you:
The writing is immersive and incredibly well done.
The setting is absolutely perfectly eerie for spooky season.
The plot always continues at an active pace.
The magic system is creepy and cool and I loved unpacking how it evolved throughout the story.
The characters are so charming and instantly likable that you can't help but beg for more interactions between them.
The soft subplot romance is everything that I love and just hits better than most.
I will be thinking about and recommending this series for years to come and I will definitely be giving this a re-read in the future.
READ IT OK?
***moderate strong language (F words), one beautifully done fade to black scene (vague/emotionally based)
I urge you if this series has been collection dust on your TBR...don't let it stay unread for too long. With ghostly undead on the rise, evil rebellions, new and old friends, shifting alliances and heartfelt romance...this series has everything you need to have a REALLY good time.
This series truly feels like a unique breath of fresh air...and feels like nothing i've read before.
Let me convince you:
The writing is immersive and incredibly well done.
The setting is absolutely perfectly eerie for spooky season.
The plot always continues at an active pace.
The magic system is creepy and cool and I loved unpacking how it evolved throughout the story.
The characters are so charming and instantly likable that you can't help but beg for more interactions between them.
The soft subplot romance is everything that I love and just hits better than most.
I will be thinking about and recommending this series for years to come and I will definitely be giving this a re-read in the future.
READ IT OK?
***moderate strong language (F words), one beautifully done fade to black scene (vague/emotionally based)
August 31, 2024
I received an EARC courtesy of the publisher.
2.75 stars
This one hurt a bit for me. I really liked book 1 a lot and loved how different of a fantasy it was. It was spooky and fantasy at the same time. I was really looking forward to this one but it fell flat for me. The bulk of book 1 is them traveling back and forth between towns. And I was hoping we would branch out a little more with this book. But it was just more traveling. Our FMC and MMC were in a lover's quarrel that never made sense to me. The Prince was never utilized to his full potential. And more than half the book seemed to take place in one location. I still want to read other books by this author, but I feel like this series should have been a standalone instead.
2.75 stars
This one hurt a bit for me. I really liked book 1 a lot and loved how different of a fantasy it was. It was spooky and fantasy at the same time. I was really looking forward to this one but it fell flat for me. The bulk of book 1 is them traveling back and forth between towns. And I was hoping we would branch out a little more with this book. But it was just more traveling. Our FMC and MMC were in a lover's quarrel that never made sense to me. The Prince was never utilized to his full potential. And more than half the book seemed to take place in one location. I still want to read other books by this author, but I feel like this series should have been a standalone instead.
December 14, 2024
4.5 🌟
mais quel plaisir de retrouver cet univers incroyable et ces personnages absolument attachants, qui n’ont pas leur langue dans leur poche !
l’intrigue reprend exactement là où l’on s’était arrêté à la fin du tome 1. on retrouve notre trio préféré mais aussi de nouveaux personnages que j’ai adoré découvrir et apprécier au fil des pages.
les deux plus grandes forces de cette duologie sont sans contexte l’univers hyper complet et la psychologie des personnages.
l’autrice s’amuse à creuser davantage le monde qu’elle a créé, nous donnant de nombreuses informations au cours du récit. si j’ai adoré en savoir plus sur les coutumes des valkyrs et des forges-fers, j’ai tout de même noté quelques longueurs, autant dans les explications que dans l’action.
concernant les personnages, j’ai aimé la manière dont les sentiments de chacun, au vu des épreuves traversées, sont travaillés et si justes. Wren est une protagoniste certes badass et téméraire, mais elle a aussi sa part de vulnérabilité qui l’a rend touchante, notamment avec un nouveau personnage ; dans ce tome-ci, elle prend en maturité ! tout comme Léo et Julian : si l’un commence à prendre confiance en lui et en ses capacités, l’autre s’autorise enfin à ressentir des émotions tout en utilisant sa colère comme carburant. ce trio fonctionne toujours à merveille, je les aime d’amour.
la romance reste secondaire, mais pfiou, y’a pas à fangirler comme ça, que ce soit lorsqu’ils s’envoient des piques ou lorsque les masques tombent enfin………
une conclusion qui a autant su faire battre mon pauvre petit cœur, que de me faire pouffer de rire par moment ! une duologie dark fantasy parfaite pour l’automne 🤭
mais quel plaisir de retrouver cet univers incroyable et ces personnages absolument attachants, qui n’ont pas leur langue dans leur poche !
l’intrigue reprend exactement là où l’on s’était arrêté à la fin du tome 1. on retrouve notre trio préféré mais aussi de nouveaux personnages que j’ai adoré découvrir et apprécier au fil des pages.
les deux plus grandes forces de cette duologie sont sans contexte l’univers hyper complet et la psychologie des personnages.
l’autrice s’amuse à creuser davantage le monde qu’elle a créé, nous donnant de nombreuses informations au cours du récit. si j’ai adoré en savoir plus sur les coutumes des valkyrs et des forges-fers, j’ai tout de même noté quelques longueurs, autant dans les explications que dans l’action.
concernant les personnages, j’ai aimé la manière dont les sentiments de chacun, au vu des épreuves traversées, sont travaillés et si justes. Wren est une protagoniste certes badass et téméraire, mais elle a aussi sa part de vulnérabilité qui l’a rend touchante, notamment avec un nouveau personnage ; dans ce tome-ci, elle prend en maturité ! tout comme Léo et Julian : si l’un commence à prendre confiance en lui et en ses capacités, l’autre s’autorise enfin à ressentir des émotions tout en utilisant sa colère comme carburant. ce trio fonctionne toujours à merveille, je les aime d’amour.
la romance reste secondaire, mais pfiou, y’a pas à fangirler comme ça, que ce soit lorsqu’ils s’envoient des piques ou lorsque les masques tombent enfin………
une conclusion qui a autant su faire battre mon pauvre petit cœur, que de me faire pouffer de rire par moment ! une duologie dark fantasy parfaite pour l’automne 🤭
November 9, 2024
Ayeeee- It’s #nohypeNovember & I’m so glad to capture this finished duology!
I adore this soul crazy bone/iron/gold filled world.
I would be curious what my avid YA friends think of this series. Do you think this is ‘Six of Crows’ good? Or maybe I just think that this team of underdogs was so easy to love?
You wouldn’t think a Corpses/Ghosts/Bones would invoke tender feelings, but Nicki Pau Preto surprised me.
Now was I hoping to see more crazy world building in the first 30% of this book? 100% - yes! It’s what made book 1 so special, because it was an extremely fun and wild execution.
But the problem with most duologies, is sometimes you just want more. And that definitely the case here.
What’s that? We need petition NPP for a novella? Uh, where do I sign?
3.75/5 (Rounded Up because I think NPP is doing some awesome stuff in this category.)
I adore this soul crazy bone/iron/gold filled world.
I would be curious what my avid YA friends think of this series. Do you think this is ‘Six of Crows’ good? Or maybe I just think that this team of underdogs was so easy to love?
You wouldn’t think a Corpses/Ghosts/Bones would invoke tender feelings, but Nicki Pau Preto surprised me.
Now was I hoping to see more crazy world building in the first 30% of this book? 100% - yes! It’s what made book 1 so special, because it was an extremely fun and wild execution.
But the problem with most duologies, is sometimes you just want more. And that definitely the case here.
What’s that? We need petition NPP for a novella? Uh, where do I sign?
3.75/5 (Rounded Up because I think NPP is doing some awesome stuff in this category.)
August 19, 2024
Thank you Simon Teen for the early copy!
WOW! Bonesmith was a book that I just could NOT stop thinking about after I finished, so this sequel was one of my most anticipated of this year. It did not disappoint!
This finale made me extremely happy! I was a smiling, giggling, crying mess by the end. I finished it in one sitting! These characters are so fun and I absolutely loved how everyone’s journey wrapped up. It never felt slow, and the action kept on coming. I LOVEE when series finales give you a breather at the end, no rushed endings here!
Wren and Julian were incredible again, both their individual and relationship arcs were handled very nicely in this. Their romance actually took a bit of a backseat in this one which if you had told me before, I would’ve been wary about, but I thought the pacing was great! Leo was amazing and I loved seeing Inara get a more featured role, too. But the highlight of this finale was definitely Hawke and Wren. Seeing their bond develop (with some DEFINITE ups and downs) was so endearing and I’m really happy with where they ended up. The bits with the animal familiars were especially touching. TAIL???? I cried.
I think this world and these characters are so much fun. I don’t know if there’s more story to tell from this world but I definitely wouldn’t say no! Will be checking out the author’s previous series after this.
WOW! Bonesmith was a book that I just could NOT stop thinking about after I finished, so this sequel was one of my most anticipated of this year. It did not disappoint!
This finale made me extremely happy! I was a smiling, giggling, crying mess by the end. I finished it in one sitting! These characters are so fun and I absolutely loved how everyone’s journey wrapped up. It never felt slow, and the action kept on coming. I LOVEE when series finales give you a breather at the end, no rushed endings here!
Wren and Julian were incredible again, both their individual and relationship arcs were handled very nicely in this. Their romance actually took a bit of a backseat in this one which if you had told me before, I would’ve been wary about, but I thought the pacing was great! Leo was amazing and I loved seeing Inara get a more featured role, too. But the highlight of this finale was definitely Hawke and Wren. Seeing their bond develop (with some DEFINITE ups and downs) was so endearing and I’m really happy with where they ended up. The bits with the animal familiars were especially touching. TAIL???? I cried.
I think this world and these characters are so much fun. I don’t know if there’s more story to tell from this world but I definitely wouldn’t say no! Will be checking out the author’s previous series after this.
October 25, 2024
⋆｡°✩
4.5 rounded down
⋆｡°✩
»»------► Though this book was phenomenal, I was disappointed. See why:
⋆✶✦★ World + Magic ★���✶⋆
Everything I said about the first book still holds true. Though the concept of controlling the dead or similar is a common trope, these books still managed to look at it in a new way (see the first book’s review for more details)
The more the main characters explore the world, the more interesting it becomes. This book significantly opens up the world and brings in more areas (and people from areas) which were previously just hinted to–and it only improves the book.
⋆✶✦★ Plot ★✦✶⋆
This book sucked me in.
The plot held up to the standards of the previous book by remaining creative, engaging, and well thought out. Like the first book, the story was well thought out with all of the pieces nicely working in harmony (it’s especially difficult with 3 perspectives; kudos to the author!)
I’m not sure how to explain that the writing was really good. It was overall such a great story with a well-built fantasy world and creative solutions to various problems that I can’t pin down what I liked specifically; I liked pretty much everything.
The conclusion was satisfying!
⋆✶✦★ Characters ★✦✶⋆
This is where the book lost some points. Firstly, I’ll talk about what I disliked, so I can end on a high note:
I felt cheated out of further development of Julian and Wren’s relationship. I understand the fact that he’s pulling away because of the massive betrayal (and I like the tension!) but I don’t like how the book gave us nothing. I’m not AT ALL saying that it needed smut or heavier romance, I just wanted at least what the previous book gave us: deep conversations and cute love. The final scenes seemed like a last ditch attempt to give us that, but it wasn’t woven into the story well.
I don’t know if I’ve ever asked for more romance in a book, and I don’t think I would’ve with this one if the first book didn’t already set a bar. What we got from Wren and Julian in this book is not at all comparable to what we got in the first book.
Okay, okay. What I liked:
Leo. All of the development that didn’t go toward Wren and Julian’s relationship went into Leo. We get to see more into his character and I appreciate it. (Teehee also his cutesy relationship)
Wren’s individual character development. She is NOT the same person at the beginning of Bonesmith and the trail of what pushed her to become who she is now is quite clear.
INARA’S CHARACTER AND HOW WE GET TO SEE SOME SCENES FROM HER PERSPECTIVE!
⋆✶✦★ More Thoughts ★✦✶⋆
I’m honestly just so sad about the Wren-Julian thing because they’re so cute together I just want to seem them together more 😭
>> If y'all saw the OG review, this has the same information (most was copy-pasted lmao) just in a (hopefully) more reader-friendly format <<
»»------► Though this book was phenomenal, I was disappointed. See why:
⋆✶✦★ World + Magic ★���✶⋆
Everything I said about the first book still holds true. Though the concept of controlling the dead or similar is a common trope, these books still managed to look at it in a new way (see the first book’s review for more details)
The more the main characters explore the world, the more interesting it becomes. This book significantly opens up the world and brings in more areas (and people from areas) which were previously just hinted to–and it only improves the book.
⋆✶✦★ Plot ★✦✶⋆
This book sucked me in.
The plot held up to the standards of the previous book by remaining creative, engaging, and well thought out. Like the first book, the story was well thought out with all of the pieces nicely working in harmony (it’s especially difficult with 3 perspectives; kudos to the author!)
I’m not sure how to explain that the writing was really good. It was overall such a great story with a well-built fantasy world and creative solutions to various problems that I can’t pin down what I liked specifically; I liked pretty much everything.
The conclusion was satisfying!
⋆✶✦★ Characters ★✦✶⋆
This is where the book lost some points. Firstly, I’ll talk about what I disliked, so I can end on a high note:
I felt cheated out of further development of Julian and Wren’s relationship. I understand the fact that he’s pulling away because of the massive betrayal (and I like the tension!) but I don’t like how the book gave us nothing. I’m not AT ALL saying that it needed smut or heavier romance, I just wanted at least what the previous book gave us: deep conversations and cute love. The final scenes seemed like a last ditch attempt to give us that, but it wasn’t woven into the story well.
I don’t know if I’ve ever asked for more romance in a book, and I don’t think I would’ve with this one if the first book didn’t already set a bar. What we got from Wren and Julian in this book is not at all comparable to what we got in the first book.
Okay, okay. What I liked:
Leo. All of the development that didn’t go toward Wren and Julian’s relationship went into Leo. We get to see more into his character and I appreciate it. (Teehee also his cutesy relationship)
Wren’s individual character development. She is NOT the same person at the beginning of Bonesmith and the trail of what pushed her to become who she is now is quite clear.
INARA’S CHARACTER AND HOW WE GET TO SEE SOME SCENES FROM HER PERSPECTIVE!
⋆✶✦★ More Thoughts ★✦✶⋆
I’m honestly just so sad about the Wren-Julian thing because they’re so cute together I just want to seem them together more 😭
>> If y'all saw the OG review, this has the same information (most was copy-pasted lmao) just in a (hopefully) more reader-friendly format <<
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 24, 2024
I ADORED Bonesmith, but Ghostsmith was just kinda meh. It was good but I'm in a weird book mood.
September 17, 2024
"𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘩, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘺𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴."
Welcome, my new favorite duology! The House of the Dead was such an incredibly little series that I’ve been obsessing over since I read Bonesmith last summer. It concludes here in Ghostsmith with an action packed book full of family drama, friendship tension and of course a whole lot of bone slicing.
This one felt a little more straightforward in terms of plot. Our group had a one track mindset to go and stop the corpse queen and avoid the dangers back at home. I still think Nicki does a great job of balancing character story with plot story. I think sometimes people tend to lean more one way or the other, but it all meshes so well. We get the addition of Hawk, Wren’s brother, to the party. (Yup they’re both named after birds.) one of my favorite moments was him teaching her about familiars. That little bit of bonding and Wren learning different aspects of her nature was a really great character moment.
I don’t want to go into too much plot detail because spoilers, but suffice it to say I was hooked. I love this horror laden world where the dead walking around is so common. It really comes to a head here. And of course my BOYS. Leo is my favorite kind of snarky princeling type still, and yet we really see him grow and become more of a strategist of the group. Julian, my love, always so broody.
In the end, this was a really fun YA series and I was happy to fall into the world again. I’d love to see some spinoffs or novellas someday. Or just more stories set in this universe because I’m not ready to release my death grip on it. 🦴💀
Thank you thank you thank you Simon Teen for sending me a beautiful finished copy to review!
Welcome, my new favorite duology! The House of the Dead was such an incredibly little series that I’ve been obsessing over since I read Bonesmith last summer. It concludes here in Ghostsmith with an action packed book full of family drama, friendship tension and of course a whole lot of bone slicing.
This one felt a little more straightforward in terms of plot. Our group had a one track mindset to go and stop the corpse queen and avoid the dangers back at home. I still think Nicki does a great job of balancing character story with plot story. I think sometimes people tend to lean more one way or the other, but it all meshes so well. We get the addition of Hawk, Wren’s brother, to the party. (Yup they’re both named after birds.) one of my favorite moments was him teaching her about familiars. That little bit of bonding and Wren learning different aspects of her nature was a really great character moment.
I don’t want to go into too much plot detail because spoilers, but suffice it to say I was hooked. I love this horror laden world where the dead walking around is so common. It really comes to a head here. And of course my BOYS. Leo is my favorite kind of snarky princeling type still, and yet we really see him grow and become more of a strategist of the group. Julian, my love, always so broody.
In the end, this was a really fun YA series and I was happy to fall into the world again. I’d love to see some spinoffs or novellas someday. Or just more stories set in this universe because I’m not ready to release my death grip on it. 🦴💀
Thank you thank you thank you Simon Teen for sending me a beautiful finished copy to review!
![Profile Image for julia ☆ [owls reads].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1636739475i%2F5520447._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 21, 2024
Don't you just love when sequels do not disappoint? :D
Ghostsmith was pretty much everything I had expected it to be! And I had very high expectations for this book after Bonesmith. It was a pleasure to be back into this world with its rich details and complex (and spooky!) world-building that continued to develop and expand.
Nicki Pau Preto created not only a fascinating world here, but also such interesting characters. I still very much enjoyed Wren's perspective and was thoroughly engrossed in Julian, Leo, and Inara's voices. There was so much to learn through their eyes and it was great that each passing chapter helped further the plot.
And speaking of plot! The first half of the story was a little slower than I'd like. The second half amped up the tension and danger and stakes, however, and I found myself drawn to it and unable to put the book down. There were some incredibly satisfying twists and turns and I loved that we got to see so much of the aftermath after the main characters reached and accomplished their goals.
My one complaint was that the Corpse Queen subplot was too neatly wrapped up. It was a bit underwhelming considering all of the build up and tension surrounding her arc. I wish it had more of a... bang?
Even so! Amazing duology that I recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about ghosts with complex and refreshing world-building and lots of family betrayal :D
Ghostsmith was pretty much everything I had expected it to be! And I had very high expectations for this book after Bonesmith. It was a pleasure to be back into this world with its rich details and complex (and spooky!) world-building that continued to develop and expand.
Nicki Pau Preto created not only a fascinating world here, but also such interesting characters. I still very much enjoyed Wren's perspective and was thoroughly engrossed in Julian, Leo, and Inara's voices. There was so much to learn through their eyes and it was great that each passing chapter helped further the plot.
And speaking of plot! The first half of the story was a little slower than I'd like. The second half amped up the tension and danger and stakes, however, and I found myself drawn to it and unable to put the book down. There were some incredibly satisfying twists and turns and I loved that we got to see so much of the aftermath after the main characters reached and accomplished their goals.
My one complaint was that the Corpse Queen subplot was too neatly wrapped up. It was a bit underwhelming considering all of the build up and tension surrounding her arc. I wish it had more of a... bang?
Even so! Amazing duology that I recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about ghosts with complex and refreshing world-building and lots of family betrayal :D
December 3, 2024
4.5 stars
Ghostsmith, my oh my.
Going on this journey with Wren, Leo and Julian was amazing!! I enjoyed the twisted storytelling, the betrayals, the losses and the wins. Seeing these characters come full circle, Wren and Hawk learning each other and their full truth. The allyship between the different houses... *sigh*, I am soooo anxious to see what comes next, for the siblings, the houses and all of the changes that need to happen for everyone to live safely within the different dominions.
I don't want to spill too much, but this series has been great so far.
Ghostsmith, my oh my.
Going on this journey with Wren, Leo and Julian was amazing!! I enjoyed the twisted storytelling, the betrayals, the losses and the wins. Seeing these characters come full circle, Wren and Hawk learning each other and their full truth. The allyship between the different houses... *sigh*, I am soooo anxious to see what comes next, for the siblings, the houses and all of the changes that need to happen for everyone to live safely within the different dominions.
I don't want to spill too much, but this series has been great so far.
October 10, 2024
so sad i’m saying goodbye to these characters 🥲
October 1, 2024
Entre secrets et spectres
Après avoir dévoré le premier tome qui m’avait vraiment plu, j’étais impatiente de retrouver l’univers sombre et macabre de cette duologie. Le récit reprend exactement là où nous l’avions laissé, avec Wren, Julian et Leo en plein cœur des ennuis.
Une fois encore, j’ai adoré l’univers riche et foisonnant imaginé par l’autrice. Cette dark fantasy se distingue par son originalité, où les métaux (et même les os) peuvent être manipulés, structurant les différents clans. L’intrigue politique, tout aussi passionnante, est marquée par les cicatrices d’une ancienne guerre, un soulèvement, des maisons déchues et une multitude de secrets et complots à démêler.
Cependant, j’aurais aimé que l’intrigue prenne davantage en compte certains autres clans afin d’approfondir encore plus le worldbuilding. J’ai eu l’impression que l’accent était surtout mis sur trois d’entre eux, au détriment du reste de cet univers pourtant prometteur.
Ce deuxième tome est bien rythmé par de nombreuses scènes d’action, mais aussi... par beaucoup de marche. À certains moments, j’avais l’impression d’être en pleine randonnée 😂 Comme dans le premier tome, notre trio préféré se retrouve à voyager d’un point A à un point B, tout en évitant les spectres, ce qui a parfois rendu le récit un peu longuet et a provoqué quelques baisses de rythme. Malgré cela, l’envie de connaître le dénouement m’a tenu en haleine jusqu’à la fin.
Côté personnages, leur évolution est bien menée, en particulier Wren, qui gagne en maturité sans pour autant perdre son caractère impulsif. Les relations entre les protagonistes sont tout aussi bien construites, apportant une belle dimension émotionnelle à l’histoire.
En résumé, une duologie qui mérite d’être découverte !
Après avoir dévoré le premier tome qui m’avait vraiment plu, j’étais impatiente de retrouver l’univers sombre et macabre de cette duologie. Le récit reprend exactement là où nous l’avions laissé, avec Wren, Julian et Leo en plein cœur des ennuis.
Une fois encore, j’ai adoré l’univers riche et foisonnant imaginé par l’autrice. Cette dark fantasy se distingue par son originalité, où les métaux (et même les os) peuvent être manipulés, structurant les différents clans. L’intrigue politique, tout aussi passionnante, est marquée par les cicatrices d’une ancienne guerre, un soulèvement, des maisons déchues et une multitude de secrets et complots à démêler.
Cependant, j’aurais aimé que l’intrigue prenne davantage en compte certains autres clans afin d’approfondir encore plus le worldbuilding. J’ai eu l’impression que l’accent était surtout mis sur trois d’entre eux, au détriment du reste de cet univers pourtant prometteur.
Ce deuxième tome est bien rythmé par de nombreuses scènes d’action, mais aussi... par beaucoup de marche. À certains moments, j’avais l’impression d’être en pleine randonnée 😂 Comme dans le premier tome, notre trio préféré se retrouve à voyager d’un point A à un point B, tout en évitant les spectres, ce qui a parfois rendu le récit un peu longuet et a provoqué quelques baisses de rythme. Malgré cela, l’envie de connaître le dénouement m’a tenu en haleine jusqu’à la fin.
Côté personnages, leur évolution est bien menée, en particulier Wren, qui gagne en maturité sans pour autant perdre son caractère impulsif. Les relations entre les protagonistes sont tout aussi bien construites, apportant une belle dimension émotionnelle à l’histoire.
En résumé, une duologie qui mérite d’être découverte !
April 11, 2025
The over-tropeification of recent YA releases have sort of made me forget just how fun they can be, but the House of the Dead duology was a fabulous reminder.
Bonesmith was phenomenal. It had a spunky protagonist, compelling side characters, a cool-as-hell world, and some high-stakes shenanigans. And ghosts! Lots and lots of ghosts. I was completely taken with Wren's adventure and tore through the book in, like, two days. (Side note - the audiobook is incredible! I highly recommend for the delightful accents alone.)
Ghostsmith wastes no time at all, picking up right where the previous book left off, and oh my goodness what a good time. The plot was tight and the pacing was perfect. Part of me wishes this duology was instead an adult epic fantasy, just so I could live in it for a bit longer, but honestly this story is perfectly suited to its category as-is. Watching Wren come into her own with her powers and her maturity was really satisfying, and it's one of the best YA stories I've read in a while.
Brb going to go read Nicki Pau Preto's entire backlist.
Bonesmith was phenomenal. It had a spunky protagonist, compelling side characters, a cool-as-hell world, and some high-stakes shenanigans. And ghosts! Lots and lots of ghosts. I was completely taken with Wren's adventure and tore through the book in, like, two days. (Side note - the audiobook is incredible! I highly recommend for the delightful accents alone.)
Ghostsmith wastes no time at all, picking up right where the previous book left off, and oh my goodness what a good time. The plot was tight and the pacing was perfect. Part of me wishes this duology was instead an adult epic fantasy, just so I could live in it for a bit longer, but honestly this story is perfectly suited to its category as-is. Watching Wren come into her own with her powers and her maturity was really satisfying, and it's one of the best YA stories I've read in a while.
Brb going to go read Nicki Pau Preto's entire backlist.
October 9, 2024
Tohle byla vyborna duologie.
November 23, 2024
A fairly solid conclusion to this little ya fantasy duology that I think should have been a trilogy.
Ghostsmith picks up exactly where the first leaves off, which I always enjoy in an installment. I enjoyed the return to the group banter and characters, which I enjoyed so much in the first book. Unfortunately, the beginning of this book is a little bogged down by the dread fantasy travel bug.
I get it's hard to move characters around, add interesting events, and keep the plot moving. No one wants their characters to teleport around the map, but sometimes just being with characters as they travel can also be a slog, especially with the amount of time in this book spent on it. Then, so much happens at the end, which could have maybe used some of these pages stolen by traveling. I just think all of this could have been better served, perhaps by making this book a trilogy.
I also wanted more Inara. I loved her character addition and the thing she was doing. I think more time could have been spent on her pov.
Everything at the end... got a little too YA cheese for me. Not that I expected characters to die, but everything just felt so... easy. There were too few pages left for me to really feel danger and threat because I knew we had to wrap this up shortly. All the plans were working, the big danger was easily handled, and it just felt... too easy. But I understand I'm an adult judging ya fantasy, and a fair amount of ease is to be expected.
Overall, i really enjoyed this YA duology. The world and ideas were fresh, new, and fun. The characters maybe aren't my favorite, but I enjoyed Wren's character development. I could have used a little more personality from Julian, and I do think Leo stole the show. There's enough action and adventure to keep the show interesting, and if the twists aren't always the most unpredictable, I think there's enough lore and world building to keep things entertaining and suitably complex.
Ghostsmith picks up exactly where the first leaves off, which I always enjoy in an installment. I enjoyed the return to the group banter and characters, which I enjoyed so much in the first book. Unfortunately, the beginning of this book is a little bogged down by the dread fantasy travel bug.
I get it's hard to move characters around, add interesting events, and keep the plot moving. No one wants their characters to teleport around the map, but sometimes just being with characters as they travel can also be a slog, especially with the amount of time in this book spent on it. Then, so much happens at the end, which could have maybe used some of these pages stolen by traveling. I just think all of this could have been better served, perhaps by making this book a trilogy.
I also wanted more Inara. I loved her character addition and the thing she was doing. I think more time could have been spent on her pov.
Everything at the end... got a little too YA cheese for me. Not that I expected characters to die, but everything just felt so... easy. There were too few pages left for me to really feel danger and threat because I knew we had to wrap this up shortly. All the plans were working, the big danger was easily handled, and it just felt... too easy. But I understand I'm an adult judging ya fantasy, and a fair amount of ease is to be expected.
Overall, i really enjoyed this YA duology. The world and ideas were fresh, new, and fun. The characters maybe aren't my favorite, but I enjoyed Wren's character development. I could have used a little more personality from Julian, and I do think Leo stole the show. There's enough action and adventure to keep the show interesting, and if the twists aren't always the most unpredictable, I think there's enough lore and world building to keep things entertaining and suitably complex.
November 20, 2024
While I still loved this, nothing could possibly beat the first book.
June 2, 2025
I really liked ”Bonesmith”, but while this book is the finale of the duology, it still felt like it suffered from middle-book syndrome. We explore animal companions, part of the ghost smith’s power that didn’t feel all that necessary to the plot, but added to character development. Much of the book is spent travelling and trying to escape all the things chasing them.
The villains all felt a bit flat and are all motivated by the same typical stereotypes, which felt unimaginative.
A criticism I had of the first book were that POV were suddenly switched without it being clear which person the reader was now following. This continued in this book, and I also listened to audio for parts of the book and had a really hard time following the story. I had to reread all the parts I listened to in a physical copy, which really dimmed my enjoyment.
We do however get all the answers and it has a satisfying ending, but it didn’t manage to deliver the same level as the first book.
The villains all felt a bit flat and are all motivated by the same typical stereotypes, which felt unimaginative.
A criticism I had of the first book were that POV were suddenly switched without it being clear which person the reader was now following. This continued in this book, and I also listened to audio for parts of the book and had a really hard time following the story. I had to reread all the parts I listened to in a physical copy, which really dimmed my enjoyment.
We do however get all the answers and it has a satisfying ending, but it didn’t manage to deliver the same level as the first book.
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