Etched in Bone

Haven Chronicles #2

by Atlas Jones

Knox is an exemplary Templar of the Order, righteous and by the book, but when an amateur witch soulbinds him to the demon he's hunting things get complicated. The secret that he's been hiding his entire life–that he’s a nephilim–is suddenly the thing that's killing him. His angelic blood is rejecting his demonic connection and, unless he finds a way to sever their soulbind, it's going to tear him apart.

Dimitri has survived as long as he has in the mortal realm by keeping a low profile, but all of that ends the moment he's soulbound to a Templar. Suddenly there's someone in his head, a gods damned angel of all things, and he can't separate what he's feeling from what Knox is feeling. And when what he's feeling turns to desire, burning so deep he can't tell who it's coming from, he knows he's in trouble.

Etched in Bone is a m/m enemies-to-lovers urban fantasy romance between an angelic Templar and a demon. It features forced proximity, a soulbond, hurt/comfort and a happy ending.

Etched in Bone is book two of the Haven Chronicles series and does not have to be read in order.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2026

Reviews

[Dísir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose this came down to a classic case of expectations that weren't met. And that's a shame, because it's Atlas Jones's brilliant writing that makes it all work for me, as well as this equally mysterious urban fantasy setting that is so wonderful immersive.

Knox had seemed like an interesting one in the first book of this series, and I was itching for his story. But to have him forcibly paired with a thousand-year-old demon wasn't ultimately what I could get behind. Being on diametrically opposing sides as well didn't bode well; in fact, this seemed too far of a gap to bridge even with the extreme enemies-to-lovers trope. In here, Knox is too kind and good and Dimitri too cruel and cutting for me, despite the Nephilim's somewhat fallen nature and that bad-arsery that's talked so much about--if you're going by that reasoning.

Still, 'Etched in Bone' focuses so much on the present and getting rid of that pesky bond to delve into much else, such as the fantastic world of Haven and its gloriously diversified people/spirit beings. It just feels like an opportunity missed somehow.

[isthisakink · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5. Again, it desperately needs editing and proofing. I loved the story, the characters were fantastic, and it had a very sweet ending. There were more holes in this one than the first installment, though, and a lot of things that it didn’t make sense to let be missing. It just felt less than the first one; I don’t know how to explain it. That same was depth missing because it seemed to laser-focus on the one point and brush off literally anything else that should’ve come with it. You mean to tell me it’s totally cool that he went WEEKS without the Order getting in his business, and only seeing his partner once in passing, then only once more by design? It’s cool that’s he’s just suddenly had this massive change to his autonomy and self, one that will shake his position and future, and nobody has fuck-all to say about it? No, sir, I do not believe these are important aspects that need to be ignored, and I have way more questions than answers, and I’d love everything to be addressed for my own peace of mind, thanks.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this and it was my first book from this author. I liked Knox and Dimitri as characters, the general atmosphere of the story and the way things were described. I really enjoy it when books don't over explain and have 20 pages just for world building. Here you get thrown right into it and it doesn't make you feel like you're missing anything.

Two of my main issues, which had me give it 4 instead of 5 stars, was the lack of dialogue. I really, really loved it when they were talking. There was sass, there was adoration, there was spunk. It made me happy, and also a little sad for what little dialogue there actually was.

My second issue was the repetition of certain phrases, or the phrasing of certain processes. We get it, it's a reverb chamber that amplifies back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth .

[Arta C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best mm fantasy books so far this year. Atlas' writing is improving with every new book they write and I'm all here for it.
MCs are well written and likeable, each in their own way, and the storyline is well structured and satisfyingly paced.
Exactly right amount of spicy for my taste and does not turn into simple smut. The story is interesting enough to make you want to read the book in one sitting.
Full 5/5 for me

[LavReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book! It’s wonderfully written and the connection between dimitri and knox develops so beautifully it’s amazing to see it unfold. Finished in one sitting - so lovely.

Honestly hope the next book is about newt (he seems like a precious bean)

Tw: fighting and violence