The Bone Thief (The Bone Charmer, #2) by Breeana Shields

Jan 14, 2020 Sheila Goicea rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-releases, tbr-series-to-complete, color-me-with-this-cover, arc-physical, 2020-top-picks

1) The Bone Charmer: ★★★★

I'm excited to be a part of the THE BONE THIEF blog tour with The Fantastic Flying Book Club from May 20th - May 26th, 2020!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Page Street Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.

description

All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.

Content Warning: Death, Torture, Attempted Murder, Overall morbid tone

It’s both the blessing

1) The Bone Charmer: ★★★★

I'm excited to be a part of the THE BONE THIEF blog tour with The Fantastic Flying Book Club from May 20th - May 26th, 2020!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Page Street Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.

description

All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.

Content Warning: Death, Torture, Attempted Murder, Overall morbid tone

It’s both the blessing and the curse of being a Bone Charmer. Seeing people for who they really are and for who they could have been in a different life. Knowing the potential for good and evil in all of us.

First off, I must say that it’s very difficult to write a review for this book as it will certainly spoil book one, The Bone Charmer for anyone who hasn’t read it. Please, readers, beware reading this review if you haven’t picked up this duology yet!

When I read The Bone Charmer last year, I was blown away by, first of all, it’s uniqueness, and secondly, the plot twists. The Bone Thief in absolutely no way, loses pace in the plot as it picks up shortly after where book one ended. With her mother dead---murdered by Latham for her bones, Saskia is next. Now stuck in a different timeline where most everything is different, Saskia must uncover Latham’s true intent with her family’s bones before it’s too late.

Revenge is a jealous master, Gran used to say. She meant it as a warning---a plea to always seek forgiveness instead of vengeance. But that was before Latham killed her. Before he killed my mother.
Now I've given my entire body---heart and soul---to my plan for revenge. I'm the handmaiden of vengeance.
There's no time for love.

Desperate to retrieve the stolen bones of her Gran and mother after she was murdered to stop him from gaining all three sights, Saskia quickly learns that Latham is onto her scheme to catch him when he sends her a book made from the skin of her mother. With time running out, Saskia must undergo incredible trials at Ivory Hall orchestrated by Latham himself. Purposefully designed to torment her, Saskia’s desire for revenge grows into something dark, hindering her from trusting her friends and putting others’ before her ambitions.

I’ve been making the same mistakes as Latham. His whole life was consumed by a burning desire for revenge. He had something lovely with Avalina, but he let his bitterness become more important than anything else. He was willing to let happiness slip through his fingers in pursuit of making those who had wronged him suffer.

Ultimately about how revenge can cloud one’s judgment, and the process of healing from the grief of losing a loved one, The Bone Thief is an intensely introspective end to the The Bone Charmer duology. Same as my thoughts for book one, I wish there had been much more detail in the characters’ appearance and overall world building. I feel like this is a world my gothic atmosphere-loving self would want to get lost in and just could get a good enough glimpse into.

Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: Minimal - kissing only.
Violence: Moderate.

My Rating: ★★★★

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May 22, 2020 Zoe L. added it

Gah, why do duologies always make me so happy? I always thought I was a series type of person, but for some reason I always find that I REALLY love duologies. The Bone Charmer duology is definitely something that I wish I was seeing more frequently from people! It’s so unique and amazing written, yet I feel as if the books are still relatively undiscovered. So, I’m here today to try and convince you to check this duology out!

Ok, but let’s talk about the magic system. I mean, it’s so unique! Plus ...more

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Mar 20, 2020 Jenny (Bookbookowl) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: may-2020-releases

Thank you so much to Page Street Kids for providing me with a copy of The Bone Thief, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!

Please note this review is for book 2 in the series, and will include spoilers for the first book, The Bone Charmer! If you haven’t started this duology yet, stop here and add The Bone Charmer to your TBR!

The Bone Charmer was one of my most unexpected favourite books last year and I have been waiting patiently (impatiently) for the sequel!

With Saskia’s two life p Thank you so much to Page Street Kids for providing me with a copy of The Bone Thief, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!

Please note this review is for book 2 in the series, and will include spoilers for the first book, The Bone Charmer! If you haven’t started this duology yet, stop here and add The Bone Charmer to your TBR!

The Bone Charmer was one of my most unexpected favourite books last year and I have been waiting patiently (impatiently) for the sequel!

With Saskia’s two life paths becoming one at the end of The Bone Charmer, she has now returned to Ivory Hall to commence training in Bone Magic (hiding the fact that she’s already been trained illegally by her mother and has the tattoo that could expose her secret). Upon learning they will need to participate in ‘The Bone Games’ this year, she teams up with some of the friends she had on her previous path. But in this lifeline, it’s the first time she’s meeting some of them, and Bram has no idea they were matched in Saskia’s other path. With tasks that seem designed to particularly torment Saskia, she’ll need the help of her team to not only get through the games, but to catch Latham and retrieve her mother’s bones.

I think this series has been so clever and intriguing. Keeping track of who knew what on each path was actually a lot of fun and Saskia’s anguish over the choices she has had to make was devastating. I’ve really loved the bone magic system throughout the duology. It was so unique and developed so well! I felt like the world building was even better in The Bone Thief than the first book. We got to see some new places, such as the city of Leiden, a place made entirely of glass, and the author’s magical descriptions had me right there, walking those streets. I honestly don’t know what I loved more in this conclusion, the harrowing tasks in the game or the anguish of Saskia’s left over romantic feelings for Bram, from the expired pathway.

This series has been so underrated in my opinion, and I’d love to see more people experience the magic! ...more

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May 23, 2020 JenLovesBooks rated it really liked it

For a sequel, this novel had a feel all its own. Yes, the story continues from where it left of in the first novel, but the setup, and the events that happen, make it all its own. I'm glad though, for that first one, because it gave the reader the chance to go straight into more of the story, since everything else about charming and bone casting were already explained to us.

Plus, it was nice getting to see Saskia meet certain people again and know that some things are always meant to be, no matt ...more

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Sep 29, 2020 E. Noelle rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

This book was alright, but the first one was better. I waited two years to read it, so I was a bit disappointed when it wasn’t as interesting as I’d hoped. It was just slow and kinda dull to the point where I was wading through chapters and the plot wasn’t very impressive. However, I enjoyed the side characters (especially Talon and Tessa) and Breeana Shield’s lovely writing style will always draw me in.

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May 20, 2020 Paige Green rated it liked it

Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Bone Thief

Author: Breeana Shields

Book Series: The Bone Charmer Book 2

Rating: 3.5/5

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, romance)

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Pages: 384

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Saskia returns to Ivory Hall to train in bone magic, determined to stop Latham from gaining the power of all three Sights—past, present, and future. But danger lurks within ...more

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Jun 04, 2020 Nihal rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, duology

-More action and more drama than its predecessor.
-Saskia was even more colddhearted and selfish in this one. She treated her friends very badly. I hate people like her, the type that keep secrets and only unveil when they want help. She took her loved ones for granted. I do not understand why they were ready to lay down their lives for her two seconds after meeting her. She doesn't give a fuck about you, hun. Her friends and literally all secondary characters were made to aid her. They didn't h ...more

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Aug 09, 2020 Nikole Clow rated it it was amazing

At the end of The Bone Charmer, we saw Saskia’s two futures become one. Now, she returns to Ivory Hall to participate in The Bone Games, which is made to help test Saskia (but it turns out to seem like her own personal torture). She teams up with her friends and Bram, the boy she loves, to pass The Bone Games and defeat Lathan once and for all. But Saskia learns that it’s not just her future and her friends that are at stake – it’s also the past. As Latham works to gain the ability of all three At the end of The Bone Charmer, we saw Saskia’s two futures become one. Now, she returns to Ivory Hall to participate in The Bone Games, which is made to help test Saskia (but it turns out to seem like her own personal torture). She teams up with her friends and Bram, the boy she loves, to pass The Bone Games and defeat Lathan once and for all. But Saskia learns that it’s not just her future and her friends that are at stake – it’s also the past. As Latham works to gain the ability of all three Sights, Saskia works to stop him while also struggling with her grief and some of her past choices.

The Bone Thief is a brilliant sequel to The Bone Charmer, one filled with intense emotions and the struggle between what is right and what needs to be done. The characters really helped to enhance these emotions swirling throughout the book - some of the side characters even helped Saskia control said emotions. But the relationships Saskia builds with these characters were beautiful and just what she needed in this time of her life.

Shields did an amazing job of portraying Saskia’s revenge. She wants revenge against Latham for everything he has done to her and her family, and she lets that revenge (and her grief) overpower everything else. She’s devastated at the past and present choices she has had to make. I could feel the emotions Saskia was fighting – her romantic feelings for Bram, her appetite for revenge, and her grief for losing her mother. Her emotions are so powerful and raw in this story, and it’s really what made her character growth so exceptional in this story.

The struggles Saskia faces with the second path she was on in the first book are still relevant in this book. Even though that path no longer exists, the feelings she experienced do, such as her love for Bram, who is a different Bram in her current path. It was interesting to see Saskia's path grow from the first book and watch her make certain decisions that could potentially alter her past and future. She was, ultimately, a brilliant well-developed character.

One of my favorite parts of this duology was the bone magic system. Saskia explores her bone magic further in The Bone Thief during The Bone Games and on her journey to take revenge. I love how Shields further explored the three Sights. She weaved this enchanting magic system into a beautiful and captivating world.

And the world building. I thought the world building in The Bone Charmer was phenomenal, but Shields developed the world further in The Bone Thief in such a brilliant way. The world is so well depicted and beautifully described. Shields brought this dazzling unique world to life; I felt like I was walking the halls with Saskia in Ivory Hall or assisting her on her many dangerous adventures. It was, overall, an enchanting world.

The Bone Thief had one of my favorite endings to a duology. It’s smart and equally fitting, and wonderfully ties up the duology. It’s a story about revenge, grief, love, and finding your true path in life. It’s a well-developed fantasy duology that I believe many fantasy readers will love. ...more

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Aug 05, 2020 Andrea rated it liked it

3.5

I was less impressed with the second book in this series than I was with the first. The appeal of the first novel was seeing two timelines play out, and now that there’s only one timeline, the singular story became a little dull. Watching Saskia go to school took up the majority of the first half of the book, and it felt like we started at the beginning again. I was also frustrated by all the time spent on Saskia pining over Bram and the fact that she wouldn't just come clean to him about eve 3.5

I was less impressed with the second book in this series than I was with the first. The appeal of the first novel was seeing two timelines play out, and now that there’s only one timeline, the singular story became a little dull. Watching Saskia go to school took up the majority of the first half of the book, and it felt like we started at the beginning again. I was also frustrated by all the time spent on Saskia pining over Bram and the fact that she wouldn't just come clean to him about everything that happened between them in her other life. Saskia treated Bram and her other “friends” badly in this installment, and was generally not that considerate of them, unless she was trying to use them for her own benefit. She was constantly asking them to do things that they weren’t comfortable with in an effort to get what she wanted. Saskia repeatedly said things like “I would never ask if it weren’t important” and “I probably shouldn’t ask this of you, but I need it” and “I hate that I’ve put her in this position, and yet I can’t bring myself to reject her offer”.

"Revenge is a jealous master, Gran used to say. She meant it as a warning—a plea to always seek forgiveness instead of vengeance. But that was before Latham killed her. Before he killed my mother. Now I’ve given my entire body—heart and soul—to my plan for revenge. I’m the handmaiden of vengeance. There’s no time for love."

The rule about only being bound to one discipline was something that seemed strange to me when it was first introduced, but ultimately wasn’t something that played a large part in the first novel. Unfortunately, the plot of the second novel revolves heavily around this law, and I got tired of Saskia’s constant dilemma of trying to hide her affinity for more than one magic/sight. There really wasn’t much plot development in the beginning of the novel beyond Saskia going to school (again), meeting the people that she already knew, and constantly being worried she’d be found out for her secrets. It felt like one big regression instead of an exciting continuation of where things were left in the first novel. We were taken through many of the same things over again, and it felt like this was a less interesting version of a story we’d been told before.

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Aug 13, 2020 Destiny Henderson rated it really liked it

Good twists and turns, adventure, and a strong emphasis on friendship! A bit weak on the romance and villain motivation. Saskia was horrible and obsessively focused on her task yet I didn't hate her. I also think some characters were underused like Niklas. Still, the pacing was great.

In the midst of Saskia's quest for revenge, the apprentices have bone games, different trials they must complete for their studies. I enjoyed the first one because it dealt with morality and the law, whereas the sec ...more

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May 29, 2020 Samantha Hastings rated it it was amazing

Everything I wanted it to be and more. I can’t recommend this duology enough!

Saskia is intent on revenge. She’s returned to Ivory Hall (a magic school) but with another version of hers memories. Including, a deep love for a boy who doesn’t love her in this reality. She and a team of friends are a part of the Bone Games. A dangerous competition that will require their wits, strength, and consciences. Leading to a heartfelt, satisfying conclusion without being schmaltzy.

Saskia’s growth as a char ...more

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May 07, 2020 Sammy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, arcs, netgalley

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. You can view my other reviews/posts on my blog ladyandstar.wordpress.com

It has taken me a while to write this review because I wanted to get my thoughts in order. I loved the first book and I loved the second book, but there was ONE thing in this book that makes me not want to rate it 5 stars like I did The Bone Charmer.

For those of us that did read The Bone Charmer, we know that Latham is our bad guy, he's a super b ...more

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Jan 16, 2021 D. Page added it

***Spoilers***

I was highly anticipating the release of the Bone Thief after reading and loving the Bone Charmer last year. However, I was slightly disappointed with this book.

The magic system wasn’t fully fleshed out in the first book, but I forgave it because the magic wasn’t really the driving force of the plot and the story structure was so intriguing enough to keep me engaged in the story. I was excited to explore the magic system more in this book. I was excited to solely follow Saskia’s t ***Spoilers***

I was highly anticipating the release of the Bone Thief after reading and loving the Bone Charmer last year. However, I was slightly disappointed with this book.

The magic system wasn’t fully fleshed out in the first book, but I forgave it because the magic wasn’t really the driving force of the plot and the story structure was so intriguing enough to keep me engaged in the story. I was excited to explore the magic system more in this book. I was excited to solely follow Saskia’s training at Ivory Hall and not split time between her two timelines. I was also hoping to delve deeper into Latham’s motivations and plans. However, I didn’t feel like any of that happened, and this book left me feeling a little confused.

We didn’t get to see Saskia train because the bone games took up most of the plot, and they were one of my least favorite parts of the story. The games did not seem to make much sense and felt like convenient plot devices to put Saskia and her friends in the opportune places they needed to be to discover secrets. I do realize there was a spy in Ivory Hall who was manipulating the games and could have been intentionally putting Saskia in these positions, but the games still fell flat.

Honestly, the games shouldn’t have taken place at all. There is a credible threat against a student’s life, yet they continue with the games sending students out and about and putting them in situations where Latham could easily access Saskia. I couldn't help but see that parallel between the Bone games and the Tri-wizard Tournament in Harry Potter. However, In Harry Potter, Dumbledore had more motivation for letting the games go forward than Norah did. Norah's lack of motivation made the reveal that Norah was the spy in Ivory hall super obvious and disappointing.

n Harry Potter, I firmly believe Dumbledore’s motivation for not canceling the Tournament was rooted in the fact he knew that the timeline that leads to Voldemort’s defeat with the least bloodshed was the timeline in which the Tournament takes place and Cedric Diggory dies. In the Bone Thief, Norah has no such motivation. Leaving the only explanation for the games to proceed being that Norah is working with Latham and trying to give him access to her. It may have not been as obvious if the fact Latham was the one orchestrating Saskia’s tasks in the games wasn’t basically revealed in the synopsis for the book.

The bone games weren’t my only issue. The magic system was never really explained, and I would get confused about how it worked from time to time, especially bone charming. I think this contributed to my confusion surrounding the concluding events of the book. I kept getting lost with what was going on with the magic between Saskia and Latham.

Saskia says her mom and Gran possibly didn’t come back in the remade timeline because their bones were used in the magic, but so was Saskia’s hand. Yet, it was remade. In fact, the whole thing with Saskia’s hand was weird to me. I though Saskia needed to be an intensifier in order to be useful to Latham. So she had to be murdered to be an intensifier. Then all of a sudden Latham only needs her hand to complete the spell? Ritual? Reading? I didn’t entirely know why he needed Saskia’s bones (it also was not entirely clear what Latham was doing). I thought that he was trying to perform a certain spell or type of magic, but he was breaking bones and trying to heal them to pick what path he would take. It just felt like regular bone charming, but with some attitude, nothing special or super unique especially since that was the plot of the first book.

Also, how did he know about the breaking of the bones and changing the future? Did he learn that from the events of the first book? Did his plans change at some point? Did he always know? If it is common knowledge that if a bone breaks it could cause branches in time, why was everyone so surprised in the first book when it happens? It also didn’t feel like this fit in with what I knew of bone charming. It felt like Saskia’s futures split because a bone broke during the keening and Saskia’s future then branched off from that point in time. In Latham’s case, he was changing the past. Was Latham using the bones to do readings of the past and then broke them purposefully? If so, can he see the past? I thought he was a third sight bone charmer, not first sight. Does he have all three like Saskia? And why didn’t he remember what happened like Saskia and her friends did? or did he?

Latham’s motivations were not explained. I couldn’t figure out what he wanted by changing the past. In the first book, it felt like he was more focused on Avalina, but in this book it felt like he was more motivated by power and being on the Grand Council.

In the end, I liked how Saskia didn’t choose revenge but instead chose compassion which lead her to a happy future for everyone. However, I just wish there was more explanation in this story.
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Jan 09, 2021 Lynna rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, romance, fantasy, 21st-century

I had finished The Bone Charmer a year ago and been wanting to read this book ever since then. The first book was one of the best books I read last year and one of my favorite high fantasy novels. I had ended my review of that book with hopes and concerns because the end of the first book signaled a total shift in format to that of a more traditional high fantasy book, which is exactly what happened. Shields's masterful use of parallel universe POVs was what made the first book so gripping. With I had finished The Bone Charmer a year ago and been wanting to read this book ever since then. The first book was one of the best books I read last year and one of my favorite high fantasy novels. I had ended my review of that book with hopes and concerns because the end of the first book signaled a total shift in format to that of a more traditional high fantasy book, which is exactly what happened. Shields's masterful use of parallel universe POVs was what made the first book so gripping. Without it, the book lost what made it special.

The Bone Charmer had two concurrent plots that interlaced into one. If it had just been one of the two plots the book would not be as compelling. This was the case with The Bone Thief which followed on with one plot where Saskia conveniently had the memories of the other timeline, and it was not as compelling.

The issues I had with Shields's character writing became even more apparent in this book when it followed just one character. Saskia was infuriating with her very selfish and rash antics that endangered her friends and her entire world while still touting her friendships and having experienced in both her realities her death and the death of others due to her rashness and entitled nature. With all that has happened in the last book, she has not learned from her mistakes and requires people to make them with her. And for as stupid as she is in her recklessness, we are to believe that she's a genius at figuring out Latham’s plan and that her magic is at her young age (even with her special circumstances) would be so advanced. We are to believe that she has the capacity to cultivate such loyal friendships when she asks for so much and gives nothing in return. Even her inner turmoil with her feelings towards Bram and trust seem self-indulgent and self-pitying because of how she keeps going back and forth. What I'm saying is that she has a really bad case of Main Character Syndrom.

Plot-wise, this story requires you to "not think about it too hard." It does this thing that heists movies do a lot where everything is conveniently explained by - this was all apart of his plan. It doesn't matter if character decisions were irrational, that things conveniently happen to allow for certain thematically relevant plot points, or that plot twists came out of left field and thus had no emotional impact. The ending was the most "don't think about" plot points yet. It makes me wonder what the point of both books. It was as if nothing mattered. There were no consequences for anything. It was one of those "and then she woke up and realized it was all a dream" situations. It made me wonder if Shields had a plan for this book when she was writing the first or did she just think this up on the spot.

With all that I disliked about the book, I still read the book super quickly. Most YA fantasies have that engrossing element to them and the quick pace at which the plot unravels helps you not think about it that hard. I just wish this book was good regardless of whether I turned my brain on or off to read. ...more

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Apr 25, 2020 Nannette Demmler rated it really liked it

ARC provided by Page Street Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Bone Charmer last year and was eager to see where this story was going to go next. I was very curious about whether or not this book would include multiple time lines again or stick to the final one that we ended up with at the end of book one. This story although very different in its approach to the story was just as fascinating and compelling as the first.

At the end of the first book, only one of th ARC provided by Page Street Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Bone Charmer last year and was eager to see where this story was going to go next. I was very curious about whether or not this book would include multiple time lines again or stick to the final one that we ended up with at the end of book one. This story although very different in its approach to the story was just as fascinating and compelling as the first.

At the end of the first book, only one of the possible paths that Saskia’s life was taking survived, and it wasn’t my favorite one. But that turned out okay, because the story was better for it. Especially her relationship with Bram. I still really liked Bram in this book, even though he was a bit stand offish with Saskia. I was happy to see that their relationship had to develop on its own all over again. Bram and all of her friends at Ivory Hall were well developed and they were all from the many different bone magic sections.

Saskia’s journey through out the book was amazing. She really struggled with her grief not only for her family, but also the timeline that she sort of remembers but can also now see with her bone magic. Her anger and her need for revenge was also very up there, and you could see her obsessing over Latham and what he was doing and why, almost takes over her life. Her ability to see multiple paths not only in her future, but her past, was very hard at times. The story really highlights how the choices we make change the course of our futures, and one small thing could still totally change an outcome.

We get to see a bit more of the world that Saskia lives in, and we also see more of the magical system. I would have liked a bit more of an explanation of why people were bound to one very specific type of magic in this world, for example healers could only heal diseases or mend broken bones, but not both. I would think that would be hard not to use some of the other disciplines that adjoin yours, as the group that helps Saskia soon finds out.

The plot was really well done, although I did sort of miss the dual narration of two different Saskias from the first book. The story did get a little draggy in the middle and the big reveal of who was working with Latham on the inside wasn’t that big of a surprise, but the ending was amazingly well done. Some of the trials that the group has to go through were quite scary, but intriguing, including the black market. The writing is also very well done and I really loved the detail of everything from clothes, to food and the different bone magics.

This duology has not been getting the attention that it so richly deserves. It is very beautifully written and the characters and magical system are very original. If you are looking for a solid fantasy with a brilliant main character and a great supporting cast of friends then you should pick this series up and give it a try.
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May 24, 2020 gwendalyn _books_ rated it it was amazing

All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. Thank you so much to Page Street Kids for providing me with a print copy of The Bone Thief, in exchange for an honest review!

✿ From The Desk of Gwendalyn Anderson✿

The Bone Thief
Breeana Shields

The Bone Thief by Breeana Shields is the second and final book in The Bone Charmer series. The Bone Charmer left so many loose ends that I have been in agony patiently waiting on pins and needles for this next sequ
All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. Thank you so much to Page Street Kids for providing me with a print copy of The Bone Thief, in exchange for an honest review!

✿ From The Desk of Gwendalyn Anderson✿

The Bone Thief
Breeana Shields

The Bone Thief by Breeana Shields is the second and final book in The Bone Charmer series. The Bone Charmer left so many loose ends that I have been in agony patiently waiting on pins and needles for this next sequel. I was definitely not disappointed.

An addictive fantastic duology that will suck you in, with masterful executed writing. Absorbing fantasy fiction, with a stunning intricate magic system, that was completely easy to follow. A book to leave you breathless, as perfectly paced storyline unfolds.

Shields takes the reader alongside our protagonist, Saskia's. In her emotional struggles of despair and longing for her loved ones that spurn her toward her quest for revenge. At the ending of the first book Bone Charmer, Saskia’s two life paths became one. She arrives back at the Ivory Hall to continue her training in Bone Magic, all the while cleverly hiding the fact that her mother had illegally trained her. She keeps her tattoo hidden that could expose her secret. Saskia’s stuck in a life path that is different than the one her mind remembers. Sorrow and rage drive her in an all consuming quest to catch Latham. Her course is set on retrieving her mother’s and grandmothers bones, and bring Latham to justice before she becomes another one of his casualties. As her training excels, There is an announcement that of The Bone Games, and all must participate. Teams are formed and partnerships and friendship are strengthened. Saskia’s will need the help and the alliance not only in The Bone Games, but also with the havoc that Latham is casting over her life. This was a nonstop read from the moment I opened the book. I was captivated by the books characters and felt fully immersed into Saskia’s overwhelming desire for vengeance and her loss for her mother. I thought the romance was perfect. The drama and world building was excellent, but what I really appreciated was the message that was underlying element within these stunning magical atmospheric pages.

The story tales a hard look at the ultimate effect of revenge and bitterness that clouds our judgement and stints our growth, when what really is needed is forgiveness. This allows you to move forward in the healing process of recovery from death and grief.

A wonderful completely thrilling satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable fantasy duology. ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Staci Campbell rated it it was amazing

Synopsis:

A deft exploration of the weight of grief and cost of revenge, Breeana Shields’s Bone Charmer duology reaches its spine-tingling conclusion in this high-octane fantasy-thriller.

Saskia returns to Ivory Hall to train in bone magic, determined to stop Latham from gaining the power of all three Sights—past, present, and future. But danger lurks within the fortress’s marrow. Trials are underway for the apprentices, and the tasks feel specifically engineered to torment Saskia, which is exact Synopsis:

A deft exploration of the weight of grief and cost of revenge, Breeana Shields’s Bone Charmer duology reaches its spine-tingling conclusion in this high-octane fantasy-thriller.

Saskia returns to Ivory Hall to train in bone magic, determined to stop Latham from gaining the power of all three Sights—past, present, and future. But danger lurks within the fortress’s marrow. Trials are underway for the apprentices, and the tasks feel specifically engineered to torment Saskia, which is exactly what Latham wants.

As she grows increasingly more suspicious, her thirst for revenge becomes all-consuming. Together with the friends she can trust and the boy she loved in another lifetime, Saskia traces clues from Latham’s past to determine what he’ll do next. Their search leads them across Kastelia and brings them to a workshop housing a vast collection of horrors, including the bones Latham stole from Gran, and the knowledge that the future isn’t all that’s in jeopardy—but the past as well.

My Thoughts

Thank you so much Page Street publications for my copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This series has been amazing so far!! Dark, and twisted, yet romantic and touching. There are social themes like friendships, and love as well as hardships like grief and the weight it has on Saskia.
The character development was amazing and light hearted. They are all relatable in some ways, and certainly all lovable. The MC is perfect, she isn't a queen or princess, no major standing so watching her build herself up to an amazing person was even more thrilling!!
The magical system is complex but not hard to understand or follow. I love the sight theme!! It puts into question everything you thought you know about psychics and the magic they use!!!
The council delivers a small but necessary dose of political intrigue also. I love the numerous factors of this book that your reading!!
It was a fast read because it was so easy to get sucked into the plot, the magic, the friendships and vengance and betrayal. ...more

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May 21, 2020 Stephanie Ward rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-review, owned, print-arc, will-trade

4.5 Stars

'The Bone Thief' is the thrilling conclusion to the fantastic young adult fantasy duology that readers are sure to love. I had some issues with the pacing of the first book, but this one didn't have that same problem for me. I was swept back into Saskia's world right from the very beginning and I didn't come back up for air until I had devoured the entire book in a few hours. Once I started reading, it felt like I had never left Saskia and her world and I always had to know what was goi ...more

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Aug 16, 2020 Chelsies Reading Escape rated it liked it

Shelves: 2020-releases, review-books, completed-series

The main character Saskia has lost so much and where many people would lose hope she keeps on fighting. Saskia is set on the path of revenge where she realizes she has more in common with the villain then shes comfortable with. It really frustrates me when miscommunication is used to cause tension, especially in a romance. I dont find it very believable that Saskia would avoid hearing Bram out. Human nature doesnt typically work that way. I preferred the romance between Saskia and Bram in the fi The main character Saskia has lost so much and where many people would lose hope she keeps on fighting. Saskia is set on the path of revenge where she realizes she has more in common with the villain then shes comfortable with. It really frustrates me when miscommunication is used to cause tension, especially in a romance. I dont find it very believable that Saskia would avoid hearing Bram out. Human nature doesnt typically work that way. I preferred the romance between Saskia and Bram in the first book, but I still enjoyed seeing them reconnect in this sequel. Now that the two different paths have become one I'm glad Saskia had her memories from the other path.

A couple of the characters made me suspicious and it turns out I was right not to trust them. I just wish Saskia would have seen it sooner. She should have been asking herself why the council didnt question the villains past lover and why they were assigning her team such terrible assignments. I did really love her team and how they all became super close friends who had each others backs no matter how hard the villain tried to cause distrust between them. Saskia friendship with her roommate Tessa was probably my favorite. I could tell it was in her nature to be a healer. She's so kind and caring I couldn't help but love her.

This sequel still had the amazing bone and tattoo magic that's incorporated in every aspect of their world. Theres many different types of bone magic like healing, divination, and battle. As for the tattoos, they appear on peoples skin whenever a big life changing moment happens. I really enjoyed the school setting and visiting the stunning glass city. We also get to experience an escape room type setting where Saskias team has to solve a puzzle to get out. The black market was another fantastic setting. I was having some trouble remembering what happened in each time line in the first book but once I got further into this sequel there was enough information for me to piece it together.

I think I preferred the first book because of the dual time line where Saskia lives two alternate paths at once. Besides that I loved how the plot featured a competitive elements with the bone games trials all the second year students take part in. They were intense and a lot of fun. I'm still not sure what the purpose of giving Saskia a spell book bound with the flesh of someone she cared about but I liked how twisted it was. There was always this undercurrent of danger with Saskia knowing the villain wants her dead. I think plot holes can be difficult to avoid when dealing with time travel but I think the author did a great job answering all my questions at the end.

*received for review ...more

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Sep 06, 2020 Kerri rated it it was ok

Shelves: did-not-like-at-all, romance, won-t-read-again, ya-fiction, fantasy

This book is a train wreck. I didn’t think the second in the series could be worse than the first, but oh was I wrong. I don’t even like rating things this low, but I haven’t felt like I’ve read a series with such wasted potential in a very long time.

Saskia is an incredibly unlikable protagonist. I can’t even call her a heroine because she just ISN’T. She repeatedly puts those who’ve helped her in danger, and compromised their future in order to get what she wants. She’s angry at Bram for not be This book is a train wreck. I didn’t think the second in the series could be worse than the first, but oh was I wrong. I don’t even like rating things this low, but I haven’t felt like I’ve read a series with such wasted potential in a very long time.

Saskia is an incredibly unlikable protagonist. I can’t even call her a heroine because she just ISN’T. She repeatedly puts those who’ve helped her in danger, and compromised their future in order to get what she wants. She’s angry at Bram for not being the same person in this reality as the last. She keeps making stupid choices, saying “What other choice do I have?” Uh... so many. So. Many. Other. Choices. She says some version of “Latham will suffer so much for what he’s done to me”, but almost always gets foiled by him shortly thereafter. She comes across as impotent, selfish, and pathetic. Bram is barely beyond one dimensional, as are all the rest of their team. Latham barely appears, despite being the main villain, and the “traitor” is incredibly obvious, because there could literally be no one else. Shields spent no time offering up other candidates, so by the time it was revealed it was shockingly underwhelming.

Another thing that made me have a heart attack and die of not surprise? Latham being behind the challenges. What really surprised me is that every other adult seemed too oblivious to pick up on it. This girl has literally had her mother and grandmother murdered, the killer is still at large, and it doesn’t throw up any red flags that her team’s challenges are far more severe than anyone else’s?!

And here’s a ~~plot hole~~ head scratcher for you? Why was Latham able to use the bone flute made from Saskia’s mother’s bone on her if she was wearing a defensive amulet? I thought bone magic couldn’t work on you if you were wearing one... 🤨

Add in all the unnecessary gross stuff (looking at you spell book made of skin!), and the ridiculously too-neat ending, and this book lost all credibility for me. ...more

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Jul 09, 2020 Kasey Giard added it

I have lots of feelings about this book. First, I loved the characters. Saskia and her friends are all great, and I loved following their stories. The choices that Saskia has to make were heartbreaking and I felt myself holding my breath so many times as she wrestled with which path to take and what the right thing truly was.

I’m a latecomer to this duology– I haven’t read the first book. I do this fairly often, and I don’t mind it. Occasionally the story is such that you really need to read the ...more

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May 25, 2020 Holly rated it really liked it

Shelves: given-for-review, 1-i-was-part-of-blog-tour, cover-love, may, series, 2020-omg, duology, 1-blogtour-ffbc, page-street-kids

As I said at the end of my review for the first book in this duology, The Bone Charmer, I was hoping that there would be a follow-up so I could dive back in to the world of the awesome bone magic Ms. Shields created and see what was going to happen to Saskia and Bram. I was thrilled to have the chance to take part in this tour and jump back in! I re-read The Bone Charmer before starting The Bone Thief, and I felt all of the emotions I felt the first time I read it. Going in to The Bone Thief, th ...more

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Jan 02, 2021 J.L. Slipak rated it liked it

“I was absolutely swept away by the world of The Bone Charmer.” – Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series

A deft exploration of the weight of grief and cost of revenge, Breeana Shields’s Bone Charmer duology reaches its spine-tingling conclusion in this high-octane fantasy-thriller.

Saskia returns to Ivory Hall to train in bone magic, determined to stop Latham from gaining the power of all three Sights—past, present, and future. But danger lurks within t ...more

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May 13, 2020 Erica B (ricci.reads) rated it liked it

Shelves: received-for-review

~ ARC received in exchange for an honest review ~

'The Bone Thief' is the second book in the Bone Charmer series written by YA fantasy author Breeana Shields.

Overall this book felt much more fleshed out than the previous and Saskia, the main character, is also much easier to warm to. As a result of the events in 'The Bone Charmer' she is much more mature in how she interacts with other people and isn't as judgemental. Her motives are clearer, the plot is generally decent and pacing is good. It' ...more

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Jul 31, 2020 Megan Jackson rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, fantasy, romance

I love these books. I know they won't be everyone's cup of tea, and at times the plot gets a little convoluted, but I'm usually pretty content to just hang on for the ride if I'm enjoying myself. And I really enjoyed myself! The world building was delightfully strange and unique and a little sparse (which I like), and we get just enough time with the side characters that I love them and want to take care of them.

Readers who get bored with a lot of inner dialogue about romantic feelings and year ...more

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Sep 16, 2020 Megan Oneail rated it it was amazing

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

A GREAT sequel for a super underappreciated duology! I feel like this book (and its predecesor) dont get nearly the hype they deserve. Saskia is such a great MC and I really love how this story has played out. In book 1 we saw her life timeline split and then rejoin (sort of...), and now we see the result of that. We see Saskia try and reconcile the events that happened in her current timeline with the things she remembers fr ...more

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May 26, 2020 Cindy Kilbourne marked it as to-read

Thank you to Page Street Publishing for a free copy of The Bone Thief in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed book one in this series, so I've been looking forward to this book for a while!

The Bone Thief is a relatively quick read, the pacing was good and the story kept me engaged.. I feel like the character development was much better than in The Bone Charmer, and I liked Saskia more. The world building improved as well. The plot is intriguing, and while I enjoyed it, I feel like it could've ...more

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Feb 25, 2021 Angie Taylor rated it really liked it

This book was so fun to get sucked into! The magic was do dang interesting. The Ivory-Hall setting and Saskia’s individual journey to vanquish her mortal enemy reminded me so much of Harry Potter. And I don’t say that lightly. The similarities had more to do with the feeling of camaraderie among friends, a unified goal to overcome challenges, a fascinating magic system, and incredibly enjoyable characters and twists and turns that kept me reading when I should have been sleeping. Such a perfect ...more

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May 26, 2020 Perla The IB Teen Book Blogger rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020

Saskia's story concludes in The Bone Thief! In this book you will find her return to Ivory Hall to commence her Bone Magic training. Readers join Saskia in the labyrinthine web of what timeline you are in and what relationships are from which. She has to partner Bram- who now has no connection to her- in the Bone Games. It's an exciting sprint to the finish. You'll definitely want to restart the series once you've turned that last page. ...more

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Jun 11, 2020 Jennifer Jackson rated it it was amazing

Breanna has a magical way of being able to tell multiple stories at once all while not loosing us in the process. Honestly, it's enchanting to be able to follow along through this strange world of bone magic. Usually I find books that have a back and forth on a time line either confusing or lacking but not with this. The excitement and depth are exhilarating while on the quest of merging the past, present and future. ...more

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