Let me start by saying this is a wattpad published book that I received an ARC Of. I was really excited about it because the description is really awesome, and it’s a standalone pirate book with a little bit of a heist twist. The characters are absolutely wonderful, and the plot moves at a fantastic pace.


My problem with this book is that it is a standalone, but it wants to pull the emotional intensity of a series. Characters have deep dark secrets, and really emotionally intense conversations that sometimes don’t feel earned. Well the plot pace is excellent, sometimes the characterization can feel like it’s going a little bit too fast. I can imagine reading this on wattpad And being completely starry eyed. It’s just excellent work for being such a short piece of fiction, but if we’re going to treat it as a published work it actually really should’ve been longer, which is some thing I don’t see a lot.

If you like pirate stuff, multi POV, great characters, and bickering romances, I think this book will really hit the spot. The writing is a little bit juvenile but it’s easy to follow and it’s not bad at all. The author draws you into the characters almost immediately and they’re really fun to follow. Again, I probably would’ve finished this book if I was more in the mood and I didn’t have a large backlogged TBR.
4 likes

I didn't really enjoy this story. I was drawn by the description, and the cover. The style of writing just didn't click for me unfortunately.

3.5 stars
I am not normally interested in books involving pirates, but the description of this book enthralled me, and I'm glad to say it was better than I expected. It was really entertaining to read how the three main characters' lives intertwined. I especially loved Csilla's storyline. Regarding the plot, I would say they are several plot twists throughout the book, some of them were a little too predictable. Another two minor complaints are that one of the love stories did not fully develop and I did not love the ending. However, if there is a sequel I would totally read it.

I had the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books.

Solid story with a flair to it. Don’t let the fact it’s YA turn you off. The story is mature and engrossing. This one is for you if you like a bit of fantasy, battles and smart women.

‘Be careful not to cross bones too far or they’re bound to break.’

4 stars!! Thank you so much to Wattpad Books and Netgalley for sending me an advanced readers copy of this book!!

Content warnings for Crossbones include : blood, grief and torture.

After the bone king dies without an heir, five pirate captains must compete in the trials known as Crossbones. The prize being the bone crown and making them the new king or queen of bones. There can only be one winner; but who will emerge victorious and be crowned as the ruler?

This book immediately captured me from the first three chapters, (as those are where we met our three main characters, which I’ll get on to later on in my review,) I knew immediately that this would be one of my top reads of the year. While I do feel the book was a tad predictable in some points I do feel the author ended up doing great things with said twists and ended up taking them in directions I wouldn’t have expected. I loved the overall plot and can’t wait to see how the author plans on expanding it in book 2!! The word building did have me confused at some points but it wasn’t too difficult to pick up on.

The characters:
I could literally write paragraphs and paragraphs just gushing about all of these characters, but I shall contain my excitement for October 5th when I can really truly express my love for them all.

I do also feel that characters can make or break a book; you can have a strong plot with zero plot holes but if your characters are unlikeable then it just ruins the whole book, i was anxious about going into this book as it was a three character pov and I found myself expecting to get bored with certain character/s chapters and have to skim read, this was definitely not the case. I found myself thoroughly reading every line and enjoying every characters chapter equally, each character brought something different to the story and I loved seeing the events unfold through their pov! I also loved how each character dealt with things such as their pasts and current events that are happening to them.

Csilla Abado
I absolutely loved Csilla and I loved reading her povs, I also loved her relationships with not only Kane and Lorelei but with side characters such as Flynn and Nara, she seemed to be a really good leader to the Scarlet Maiden and her relationship with Flynn was literally everything I could ask for in a book. Their relationship dynamic was one of my favourites in the book and I cant wait to see where it goes. I also feel like lots of people will relate to her relationship with Rhoda, her sister, I enjoyed reading about their current relationship as well as events that led to their sibling rivalry.

Kane Blackwater
Kanes first chapter already told me that he would become one of my favourite characters of all time. I loved his whole character arc throughout the book and I loved deep diving in to his past and seeing not only how he feels about his past; but also how his current actions are based off of things in his past. I cannot wait for everyone to finally meet him.

Lorelei Penny
I feel like i relate to Lorelei in a lot of aspects, she cares for her mother deeply and will do anything to get what she wants. Lorelei exceeded my expectations about her and I’m very glad that the author took her character in one direction while I was expecting it to go in the other direction. I loved Lorelei’s relationship with the characters and I enjoyed watching her character develop and I am very excited to see how her character continues to grow and adapt in book 2!!

The relationships
While this book was more plot focused I do feel like it had just enough romance to keep the average romance reader focused. The witty banter between some of the characters had me having to set my phone down and pace around my room, debating wether or not I wanted said characters to kiss each other or kill each other. I absolutely adored the character dynamics and cannot wait to see them develop in book 2!! I also loved the family relationships this book had such as Lorelei and her mother, Csilla and Rhoda, Kane and his father, I feel like they were explored quite well and we understood the impact that they had on the story the way things that happened with our three main characters and their families that made them who they are and helped them with hard decisions they had to make throughout the book.

Overall I feel as if Vale really created something special when writing Crossbones, I genuinely cannot wait for you all to see if and to get enchanted by this wonderful world and these wonderful characters she has created!

First off, this cover is incredible, it’s so beautiful. Now onto the book, this book exceeded my expectations to a level that I rarely get to experience. The characters were so amazingly portrayed and I was so, so attached. I need literal time to recover, this book was so good. You are not living life to the fullest if you haven't preordered/ picked this up.

Thank you so much for my copy of Crossbones! This book was such an adventure and was filled with great characters! I would love a continuation to see what happens next with each of them. If you enjoy pirate reads then look no further! I can't wait to see what is next from Kimberly Vale!

I really liked the concept of this book; the idea behind it.

The execution was not on point for me. While the characters felt real, they didn't have enough separation from each other. They all felt like captains but a mash up. Taking on the same qualities, now this could have been intentional as they are all pirates. Not quite sold on it.

I was very confused how all the captain, minus one (I'm still unsure of Rove's age) were very young and the same age? A coincidence that the captains before them all died/passed on the reign at the same time? Too many factors being conveniently laid out.

The world building wasn't as in depth as I'd hope, the lack of information in regards to certain parts of the plot was frustrating.

*****5 Stars!


“𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳--𝘸𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵.”


First I would like to thank Wattpad Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review.

Crossbones is a story following three young pirates; Csilla Abado, who yearns to prove her strength to those who balked at her youth and to her older sister who felt she should have won the title of captain. Kane Blackwater, a young man haunted by the shadows of his wrong doings and desperate to prove himself worthy of his father’s ship, the Iron Jewel. Lorelei Penny, a young farm girl who longs to avenge her mother’s death and is willing to do whatever it takes to get closer to the killer. As the Blood Bell tolls to mark the death of the pirate king, the trails for the Bone Crown begin. Only one can claim the throne, yet rumors of a secret heir to the throne are rising and threatening all those who wish to claim the throne for themselves.

This book was a very thrilling adventure for all those with a love of pirates, not only did this story hook me at the very start and left me wanting more, the pacing was very well done and all the characters were very easy to love and root for. As I read through this book I found myself very involved with each and every character; they were all so complex in their own way and had such endearing qualities about them that you just couldn’t help but love. I enjoyed watching their relationships grow throughout the course of this story, it all felt so natural and familiar at the same time.

Kane was a favorite character of mine throughout the story, not only was he fascinating and at times unpredictable, I also enjoyed being able to get in his head and learn why he is the way that he is. I loved the author’s ability to paint the picture of this character’s past, which allowed the reader to understand his ambitions and inner traumas and how they shaped not only him as a person but the way he’s able to form relationships with those around him. Csilla was another interesting character, the tension between her and her older sister was obvious from the start and I found it fascinating to understand the strife and competition between them. I felt I was able to understand both character’s reasons and points of the argument, but it was also very clear to see who was the most deserving of the title of Captain and how that affected their relationship. Lorelei was a character you couldn’t help but love from the start, not only did she have a sweet and innocent demeanor but she also had a fire inside of her and the strength to move forward despite the hardships she endured. I felt the tone of the book revolved around inner strength, the bonds of love and acceptance of oneself and all these characters truly showed it well.

Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the worldbuilding; I loved how the pirates had their own way of doing things and their own ruler to see it through. It made the story all the more interesting to read and gave this world the author created a very authentic feel to it. It is most definitely a world I would have loved to pay a visit to.

As a lover of any and all things pirate related, this book was an absolute delight to read! I’ve been searching for a well written and engaging pirate book for quite some time and this story completely fits the bill! This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun and adventurous story to lose themselves in!

CROSSBONES felt like being thrown into the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie, which I loved! The opening scene felt like something pulled straight from the script, which is always a great thing for a swashbuckling pirate book! The characters were likeable enough, and the relationships between them were complex. Seeing from Kane, Csilla, and Lorelai's switching POVs were well balanced and kept me interested in the characters, while also letting me breath and process each one. I loved Csilla and Rhoda's tension, as well as the action in the story. There was just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, but not enough to make your brain tired. I liked the fast pace, it felt appropriate for the characters and plot. At times, the writing felt a little less than polished, with a few instances of repeating words and the like, but as this was an early copy, it's often the case. Overall, I though it was a solid read, and I can't wait to see what Vale does next! Thank you so much NetGalley for the early copy!

#Crossbones
The book kept my attention and the characters are easy to root for in the story. I really think tweens and teens will enjoy the dark aspects of the novel.

This book was everything!!! I couldn't put it down once I started it. The cover is gorgeous and I can't wait to have it on my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad books for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Crossbones has been an anticipated read of mine ever since I saw the cover reveal at the beginning of March. I had been looking for my next amazing pirate read and Crossbones was that book!

My favorite part of the story was the the relationships between the characters, and not just the romance scenes. Bonds like the one between the Abado sisters and the one between Kane and his father were very well written and helped the reader understand why each character acted the way they did. The only thing I wish I saw more of was sea battles, although I did love the one that was included. Hopefully the next book, which I will definitely be reading, will include more pirate ship fights and a closer look at the magic system the author created! All in all Crossbones was a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves dagger based love confessions, snarky pirates, and a great cast of characters.

“I love you, even if you hate me because that’s what love does, Csilla. It endures through every dark night, through every passing shadow. Go ahead, let your fear and despair devour you whole, but I’ll still love you through it all”

What a thrilling read! Vale has done something amazing with her very first novel. I love stories regarding pirates but a competition between them? Fantastic. And having a whole crew of misfits makes it even better. Cannot wait for more to come out from this author.

The Blood Bell tolls, marking the death of the pirate king and the start of the Trials—a heart-stopping competition where the reward is the Bone Crown. Only one contender can claim the coveted island throne; each will gamble life and limb to win.

This ya fantasy romance had me hooked from the start! The plot is so unique and interesting, a pirate trial and competition to win the throne, as well as a well built fantasy world and well developed characters. Csilla, Kane and Lorelai made me love the story even more.

I am a huge fan of books that contain trials or competitions so I was so super excited to have gotten this book on netgalley. However, it was disappointing. It didn’t really hold my interest, and I felt like things were a tad bit scattered.

I wanted to love this book, but it was just not for me. I found myself frustrated with the writing (this book straddles middle grade fantasy and YA fantasy romance) and the meandering plot. I DNF’d at 30 percent, but will try again at some point.

One thing I will say is that the cover art is incredible. That alone will give this two stars for me.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This book was just not it for me. I was intrigued for the first 25% of it but I quickly lost interest once I realized that I basically knew how it ended without reading it. It has a lot of potential. The concept of a pirate trial to win the throne is an intriguing start but it fell flat. As I said, it got predictable so early on that I didn't really want to finish it. I did finish it, though, and was right about most things, so much so that I probably could have gotten away without finishing it at all and been satisfied.

Same with the characters. I thought Csilla and Kane were characters I wanted to keep reading about especially but they were two-dimensional. Lorelai wasn't someone I connected to at all and I just skimmed her chapters. And I find it hard to believe that out of a total of 4 pirate captains, 3 are young kids. I know this is a fantasy world but that simply isn't realistic. I suppose Csilla getting it from her grandmother makes more sense because of bloodlines and all but she was SIXTEEN! That just doesn't work for me. Not all teenage characters need to be leaders or heroes or whatnot. Eventually, it gets to a point where it's just not realistic.

All that being said, it's not bad. Pirate tales are always fun so I gave it two stars for that. Like many other reviewers have commented on, it had potential but the execution fell flat.

Crossbones is a is a wonderful and incredibly rich fantasy novel, so well built and fast paced that I wasn't able to put it down till I reached the end. I was absolutely captivated by the atmosphere, and the characters.

This novel submerges the reader in a landscape so imaginative and detailed that the information of the world building/plot never feels forced, and is never difficult to understand or picture in one's mind. I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day! I enjoyed every page and thought that the plot/story was very unique. Would recommend to anyone!

Six of Crows meets pirates in this incredible debut novel by Kimberly Vale.

When the Blood Bell tolls marks the death of the pirate king, the Trials begin. Desperate to prove herself to her older sister and those who look down on her youth, Captain Csilla Abado will give anything to have the Bone Crown on her head. Captain Kane Blackwater, desperate not to be the black spot his father marked him as, knows the whispers of a secret heir his chance at the throne. Lorelei Penny, willing to do anything to avenge her mother’s death. Will the fate of the kingdom in jeopardy, how much will they gamble to save all of Cerulia?

Can one go wrong with pirates and found family? Crossbones proves you cannot. Kimberly Vale wove a masterpiece with this book. For a standalone, the world building was top notch. Unique mythology, a whole language. Even the aspects not fully explored were covered enough to grasp. Even the plot felt unique. Pirates hunting for treasure isn’t original, but pirates hunting for a crown to rule a kingdom. Amazing. Simple plot executed really well. And love that there is room left for a sequel without there needing to be one.

The characters were well developed. Csilla was an amazing lead heroine and you really see her grow as the book goes on. Lorelei & Kane felt slightly flatter at their introduction but including backstories for them helped to really flesh them out. Even side characters (Flynn, Nara, Rove, etc.) were all unique and well written.

This book was the ideal balance of character and plot driven. Quick, enjoyable, cannot wait to read again. (But also THAT COVER.)

Thanks to Wattpad Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for an honest review.