Ashlee » libraryinthecountry's Reviews > The ​Crown of Gilded Bones

WELL. If that wasn’t an EPIC ending, I don’t know what is. 🤭😵🔥

If you’re hoping to get a coherent, non-rambling review in which I carefully examine all of the themes and crafty bits of this book ... you’re out of luck. 😂 Instead, you’re going to get me straight up FREAKING OUT because this book has left me IN A STATE ... of awe, of disbelief, of adoration ... I’m feeling all the things, y’all.

"There cannot be equality in power if there is no choice."

This book has more of everything that I loved from the previous books. More plot twists. More Poppy annoying Kieran. More world building. More Kieran begrudgingly answering Poppy’s questions. More mythology. More readings from Miss Willa's books. More hilarious banter. More stabby Poppy. More new characters (and some familiar, but “new” ones). More of Cas on his knees, “bowing” to his Queen. 🤤 And more Casteel/Poppy/Kieran moments. 😉

I fully expected this book to start off with a bang, as AKOFAF leaves us reeling with a major cliffhanger, but this book really does jump right into it! SO MUCH HAPPENS. I’m telling you, some chapters in this book had me *stressed* but I was also happy to endure the pain.

"Common sense. That must be a new thing for you."
"I'm really imagining kicking you in the face now."

Kieran is still bae, and I just love how PRESENT he is in this book. He is still somewhat of a mystery at times, but we get some really great moments between Poppy and Kieran in which he opens up more about himself and they were some of my favorite moments in the book.

"You are the foundation that helps me stand. You are my walls and my roof. My shelter. You are my home."

I also loved the softer Casteel and Poppy moments. It’s important to me that Casteel is so aware of Poppy’s choices and autonomy and can easily go from being this completely badass deadly force to soft and compassionate and caring. Their love for each other is so clear and noticeable in this book, it jumps off the page. Also, bravo to JLA allowing Casteel and Poppy (and others) to be so openly in love and affectionate with each other and not leave it as something that is only behind closed doors.

We also learn sooooo much more about the worlds of Atlantia and Solis. SO MUCH. And we finally see characters that have only been mentioned up til now! There’s a certain plot twist involving a character that has mostly only been mentioned up until now that I really, really loved. It helped the story come full circle and I am excited to see more of them in future books.

There is a bit of a lull in the middle third of this book, in which I felt conversations dragged too much or became repetitive and there wasn’t enough moving about. It’s truly the only flaw I see in this book though and everything that happens before and after that made up for it.

Several of my theories from way back in FBAA even ended up being true, but let me tell you ... the plot twists went beyond anything that I could have expected and the final third of the book is just inundated with them!

If you thought Poppy had moments of badassery before this, you’re not prepared for what she is capable of now. Hats off to Poppy for standing her ground and not letting people’s intimidation tactics control her actions.

Finally, this book has left me so much more excited for A Shadow in the Ember and when you read it, I think you’ll be left feeling the same way. *wink*

Thank you to Blue Box Press and Social Butterfly PR for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!


Original Post, Pre-Release:
More of Cas on his knees, bowing to his Queen, please and thank you.