An incredible story! From the first page I was drawn into Toma's world. Toma was a character that you can't help but fall in love with. She's kind, loving, empathetic and strong willed. She chooses to see the good in people. Don't get me wrong the other characters, Vanya & Mikhail were equally amazing. I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book. The found family trope was utter perfection in this story. The magic system was different. I was sad when I finished the book. I would love to see more of these characters and this world in the future. Great plot that drives you forward steadily. Overall, an amazing read!

First off: the world buildings was amazing. I love the Russian empire - but make it dystopian feels of this book.

Secondly: I really loved the plot. This book kept me hooked and even made me yearn for a second book. I really hope Aden continues this series because I want to see what happens ext with this war and everyone!

Finally: Vanya. He deserves his own point because he was my standout character in the whole book. I loved his vulnerability and his humour and just HIM! I want a book just about Vanya!

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

The world of Bone Weaver explicitly pulls from a wide breadth of Slavic folklore and the history of early twentieth-century imperial imperial Russia. Even though this book is not a historical fantasy in the same manner of The City Beautiful, it’s very easy to notice those historical influences on the story. I personally enjoyed this book more—perhaps because fantasy with historical influences is less rigid in the atmosphere you can create and worlds you can build compared to historical fiction with fantasy elements. In that respect, this reminds me of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse books and even The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid.

I loved all three of the characters in the main ensemble, but Toma definitely has my heart. Her commitment to finding and saving her sister, Galina, creates an immediate emotional depth even beyond Toma’s slow unraveling of her past before she found family among upryi. I love her dynamic with Vanya and Mikhail in that feels fully realized. Their interactions feel like three people with entirely different life experiences and perspectives on the world who have stumbled into a quest together. I don’t want to spoil the third act and a certain event, but I love that we get to see how much they care about each other in the wake of everything they’ve gone through together.

I had only one substantial qualm with Bone Weaver that made this go from a five star to a four star rating: I felt like the resolution wrapped up a bit too quickly in regards to the politics. Polydoros set up a very nuanced and complex political landscape for most of the book, not just with the peripheral events the characters pass through but also with the conversational clashes between Vanya and Mikhail on those matters. The conclusion of that arc where Vanya trusts Mikhail to be capable of solving these issues simply because he will not be like his father and that he is a good man falls a bit flat to me. It feels like it’s not fully reckoning with the fact that the problems we saw throughout the book are bigger than the tsar or the Tribunal. That being said, I do appreciate that it’s made clear that there is a staggering amount of work that needs to be done before they could reach a semblance of justice—and that killing Koschei did not solve everything.

Definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy books like the Grishaverse or even historical fantasies set in the nineteenth or early twentieth century!

thanks to Inkyard Press for providing me an arc through netgalley

this was the first book I've read by Aden Polydoros and i really enjoyed it! The writing was atmospheric and everything felt necessary to the story that was being told. just a really lovely read

3.5

Bone Weaver is an ambitious and intriguing book filled with a lot of heavy themes and beautifully described atmosphere.

This is a YA secondary world fantasy that blends aspects of Imperialist Russia and Slavic folklore to highlight the religious and ethnic persecution of minorities. It is a dark and emotional read and definitely sent me down research rabbit holes trying to find out more about the real world inspiration. The world building here is incredible. From what we learn of the history of the Kosa Empire to the magic system to the creatures we meet along the way, I was astounded by the detail. I also really loved the themes surrounding identity and monstrousness and belonging.

Where I think I struggled was the narration. This book is told entirely from Toma's point of view and while I liked her, I found her to be the least interesting of our three protagonists and found myself not really caring about her mysterious backstory/missing memories. I appreciated that her love for her sister being her driving force kept a human quality to the larger political plot, but I think I might have enjoyed the book more if it had been multi POV. Giving Mikhail and Vanya POVs might have also helped to flesh out their characters a little more. That being said, I did love the bits we got of this group dynamic and I am fully convinced that if this had been an adult book it would have ended with a throuple.

Overall, this book was nothing like I expected it to be but I had a good time with it! I'm not sure if this is meant to be a standalone, but the ending seemed to leave it open enough if Polydoros wants to keep writing in this world. Whether or not he does, I will be looking forward to seeing what he writes next!

Toma is the adopted daughter of an undead couple. Yes, an undead couple. In a world of civil war, magic, mythical creatures and yes, what we would call zombies, Bone Weaver weaves its own haunting tale. Toma does not have many memories of her biological family and she was very young when she lost them. She stumbled upon her adopted family and they took her in as their own. She even has an undead adopted sister. Unfortunately, as Toma is amongst the living, she continues to age while her new family continues to decay and she must piece them together.

One day there is a crash and Toma saves the Tsar, Mikahail. Eventually the two will leave together in an attempt to find her sister Galina who was taken by the men who were after Mikahail. An unlikely friendship will be forged and both will discover their own powers.

The world building in this novel is very well done. I was drawn in from the first chapter. It did seem to lose some momentum after that, however. I still enjoyed the story and the odd groups within this world.

Thank you to the publisher, Henry Holt and Co. BYR, and Edelweiss for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Kosa Empire is embroiled in a civil war as the Tsar has been dethroned and has had his magic stolen and a power struggle is ongoing between the magic wielding elite and the commoners. Seventeen year old Toma lives on the edge of the empire with her family of undead, completely unaware of the conflict until one day, it lands right on her doorstep in the form of Mikhail, the tsar in exile. His pursuers are not far behind, and when they end up capturing Toma’s sister to bring back to the revolutionary leader, Toma and Mikhail set out – Toma to get her sister back and Mikhail to regain his empire and magic. On the way, they encounter a commoner, Vanya, who has magical powers, but is labelled a witch by his neighbors and he joins them on their journey as they struggle to make their way across a war torn, dangerous land. But Toma begins to realize she might have magic of her own, and she will need to figure out how to use it before it’s too late.

I read The City Beautiful last year and loved both the concept and the author’s writing style so I was eagerly waiting for their next book. The premise of this book is what made me pick it up, even if necromancy magic isn’t my favorite. It takes the concept of Imperial Russian history and adds a fantasy element with the elite nobility who have magic, the magic-less but very superstitious commoners and anyone else who is found to have magic is persecuted as a witch. On top of this, when people die in this world, they may come back as different forms of undead depending on the manner of death. A lot of Slavic folklore is included and many of the monsters make an appearance. I’ve only come across this folklore in passing before, so I enjoyed learning more about it and was very thankful for the glossary at the end. The world building was amazing and we discover the Kosa Empire through Toma’s eyes as she sees the world outside her isolated home for the first time, both the good, like the many ethnicities and cultures, and the bad, primarily the ongoing civil war that is drawing lines between different groups of society.

One of the main arcs of the story was Toma’s quest to find her sister, but also find her identity and regain her lost memories, and I thought this was very well done. On the downside, the characters largely fell flat for me and I couldn’t connect to them at all – there wasn’t enough emotional depth. The pacing was quite choppy and while it started off strong, it began to drag a lot in the middle. The magic system, particularly the abilities Toma has and the Unclean Force, were not elaborated on nearly enough either.

As for the ending, Toma’s arc was somewhat resolved and it was though a little predictable, it was still good. However, it leaves a lot of things up in the air for Mikhail and Vanya regarding how the war ends and how Vanya figures out his new state of being, so the story felt somewhat incomplete to me in that aspect. Overall, this story had a lot of potential, but the execution wasn’t to my taste and the book didn’t really work for me. However, if the plot appeals to you, I would definitely recommend trying it out, especially for younger YA readers – it would be a great one for Halloween TBRs!

Are you interested in a YA The Witcher? Cause look no further, this is it. Bone Waver is full of enthralling Slavic based monsters, which were beautifully described in such a way that I wish the whole book had been solely about the monsters and less about the civil war conflict. The civil war was ever present, but also not explored to it’s full potential as we are outsiders (literally, Toma has been basically raised in the wilderness) looking into a war we have very little info on. It can get confusing (forever annoyed at the glossary being at the end of the book) as well.

I feel like this being a stand alone takes away from its potential. Now that things might get really hard, now that the main cast of characters have to really work towards answering and fixing the wrongs of their world/government, things end. The exploration of “who is truly evil” only scratched the surface. Who are the monsters? Who in the government’s ranks is a secret enemy? To what ends will Toma go in order to bring this world into the light? Will they ultimately betray who they are versus who they think they can be? We will never know, unless a sequel is written. Bone Weaver was the classic quest towards defeating the self proclaimed “bad guy’ who really thinks he is doing the world a favor. It has be done, and only in a potential sequel will potential originality be reached. The questions were asked, I was left without a clear answer, which can be an answer in itself. We all have a bit of evil, an unclean force, inside of us.

Overall I enjoyed the ride, but would find it hard to pick up another book by the author as I don’t think his story telling vibes with me.

**2.5 STARS**

Content Warning: violence

I got a chance to read this one because it was offered as a read now arc on NetGalley and I thought why not? It sounded interesting but somewhere 30% into the story I was losing interest. By the time I got to 50% I decided to skim the rest of the book. So here’s what did and didn’t work for me:

+ I think the mixture of historical events happening in Imperialist Russia intermingled with fantasy elements is fascinating. The world building of different monsters and people with powers is really cool and different. Especially Toma’s powers of stitching people up and making them come back to life after death.

+ I thought Vanya and Toma were interesting characters. Mikhail is a tsar but he wasn’t my favorite – he was just a little to stiff. Vanya is charming and Toma is always helping people. This trio was interesting. I thought there was something brewing between Mikhail and Vanya but wasn’t sure. And then maybe Vanya and Toma?

~ Story moved a bit too slow for me at times which is why I lost interest.

~ This definitely would be a mood read for me and clearly I wasn’t in the mood. So although the book isn’t for me I think many people who like Russian inspired fantasy would enjoy this story.

~ Open ending?


Why you should read it:
*you like Russian history inspired fantasy
*interesting world building with magic and monsters

Why you might not want to read it:
*it was too slow for me

My Thoughts:

Though I ended up skimming this book because it was not holding my interest, I did think the world-building was interesting. I just think I wasn’t in the right mood or I’m not the right reader for it but I know plenty who will enjoy this book.

Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros is an engaging power struggle story that involves a rather unusual found family. Having lost her family while a young child, Toma is the most sympathetic of the characters. Somehow, despite being abandoned quite literally in the middle of nowhere by her mother after losing her father in an accident, she is not just kind and knowledgeable about hunting and foraging but also street savvy despite having not seen another human being for years. Then there is Vanya, a natural rogue who can't help charm everyone he meets, which Mr. Polydoros ensures includes the reader. As they rush to rescue Toma's sister and Mikhail's throne, it becomes not just a race against time but also an exercise in sociology as our hapless group learns a little more about each other and the society they live.

What makes Bone Weaver different from other stories is Mr. Polydoros' inclusion of magic, but not just any magic. Toma's foster parents happen to be among the benevolent undead, a.k.a. zombies who retain enough of their previous consciousness to be able to overcome their desire for human flesh. In the ultimate definition of unusual relationships, these zombies provide a nurturing environment for Toma and much-needed affection and companionship during her formative years. Then there are the bogatyr, those unique humans born with the ability to manipulate nature. This is magic that does not involve spells, rituals, or herbs. No one knows why some people have these abilities, just as no one knows why someone raises from the dead. Not everyone has these abilities, and it becomes a have versus a have-nots scenario. Adding this aspect to the political intrigues and ongoing civil war makes for a complicated but fast-paced story that is easy and enjoyable to read.

An exciting Slavic-inspired fantasy novel with plenty of real-world parallels for those who want to see them. The build-up at the start of the novel felt a little slow, but once our protagonists all meet, the action picks up. There's a lot of information to take in to understand the magical world Polydoros has built, but it's integrated well into the story, and there's a helpful glossary for any unfamiliar words. This was a very enjoyable read.

YA fantasy with an interesting synopsis but unfortunately I was just not that interested once I started reading. This was a dnf for me so hopefully it finds its correct type of reader.

Living with her adopted family, who are upryi (living dead), Toma has not seen another living human in years. When an airplane crashes, Toma nurses the sole survivor back to health only to discover that they are the recently deposed Tsar Mikhail Vladimirovich of House Morev. Soon thereafter, rebels attempt to take the tsar, but take Toma’s sister, Gallina instead. With the help of Mikhail, Toma races against time to find and rescue her before she is used in an experiment. As they go along, Toma attempts to point out societal changes that Mikhail could make that would make a difference when he regains the throne. Can the duo save Gallina? Will Mikhail regain the throne and make a difference?

The world building take a while, but is well-done. The characters are enchanting and bring the story to life. The story drags at the beginning, but the rich incorporation of cultures and places help bring the story to life. Readers who enjoy slower building fantasy adventures and Russian culture might enjoy reading this book.

3.5 stars

This book was hard to rate. The story was interesting, I liked that it touches on Slavic myths and folklore. I loved Toma, she is caring, adventurous, and brave and her relationship with her found family is great. The story at times was moving a little to slow for me and I found myself skimming paragraphs. The ending of the book left me confused, is this going to be a series or duology? or are we leaving these characters and the country where they are?

If there is a second book I would read it to find out what happens.

This was a good read with great world building, interesting characters and story. Although maybe this could have been marketed as new adult instead of YA. Some subjects were a tad heavy.

Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros is a YA fantasy romance. This is a hard one for me to review because there were aspects I struggled with and some I loved, and it's really hard for me to write reviews for fantasy minus spoilers.

Let's start with what I loved :
- this world where sometimes those who die come back to life Yet the circumstances of their death determines what kind of 'monster' they come back as. Our lead Toma lives with her found family of undead who to her a very much alive and nothing to be afraid of.

- Toma whose brave, kind-hearted, and devoted to her family. She can see to the heart of the 'monsters' that those around her fear. She believes that they still hold onto parts of their humanity and therefore treats them with respect.

-The supporting character Vanya. He is cheeky and brings a lightness to the story. The way he handles Toma's scars and insecurities is sweet. Argh I want to say more about his story arc and its outcome but #nospoilers. Let's just say I was very invested in it at every moment!


Things I struggled with :
-The supporting character Mikhail , the dethroned Tsar. I didn't form any kind of bond to him, and I didn't feel his bond to Vanya or Toma. I felt like he was just there being a grumpy, stubborn presence who thought too highly of himself.

- The odd group dynamic happening between Toma, Mikhail and Vanya. We can't really label Toma, but Mikhail is gay, and Vanya is bisexual. At times, you feel like there might be feelings of more between Mikhail and Vanya while there is a definite connection between Toma and Vanya. It was all a bit convoluted for me.

- the complex names of the different fractions, magic users, and 'monsters' themselves. I will never understand why fantasy always has to have hard to pronounce names.

-The unsatisfying ending. Is this the start of a series, because not much was resolved at the end.

A solid adventure that draws heavily on Eastern European folk lore, really delightful. I loved all the different fairy tale denizens we met!

2022 Just keeps surprising me with such amazing novels! Bone Weaver was truly such a delight to read. It was a new take on magic, the chosen one trope, and the magical undead. There were creatures that seemed familiar, and yet as I read, they were refreshing: Aden Polydoros reintroduces us to sirens, zombies, vampires, selkies, and all manners of fairytale creatures but with the twist of Imperial Russian-lore.

I devoured the novel —choosing to forgo sleep two nights in a row so I could read as much as possible. I was invested in the characters and the story line immediately. This novel gripped me with the use of mythical creatures and legends that I haven't really heard of before. The characters were likable and unpredictable at times. While I felt the romance/relationship part was a bit forced in some scenes, it was not the main focus of the story. Toma is unyielding in her quest to save her sister, but there is a revolution taking place right before her eyes and she may just have to submerge herself in the cause. She also may have hidden talents tucked deep inside her, she just has to unlock some of her past to access it. The story-telling was rich, the culture bleeding right off the pages, and there are twists inside these pages that have your heart breaking and becoming whole again, over and over. Highly recommend, and I hope Toma's adventure doesn't stop here.

4.5
Thank you to Inkyard Press for sending me a copy of this book to read and review. I thought this was such an interesting concept and I was immediately intrigued. I thought the folklore was incorporated really well and I found all of the characters to be full of depth and complexities. It was a really intense story without being too heavy to continue. I thought the representation of queer characters was done well and it also highlighted the idea of persecution and being an outsider, especially based in the setting of Imperial Russia. While set in Russia, I thought Polydoros did an incredible job of building this story's world to the next level. It felt so unique and I think it was what captivated me the most. Toma was such a fiercely independent FMC and I loved her boldness and determination throughout the book. Overall this was a magnificent book and I loved it!

Boundlessly intriguing, intensely menacing, and frequently breathtaking, Bone Weaver is a stunning tour de force of storytelling. The breadth of imagination and depths to which this novel delves into the folklore that drives the story is nothing short of impressive.

Narrating in the first person, Toma, a seventeen-year-old whose family is unconventional, to say the least, leads readers on a journey through monster-infested forests and rivers to attempt to rescue her sister, Galina, an upyr who has been kidnapped by the sinister villain who has usurped the young tsar, Mikhail, and stolen his powers. Along the way, Toma and Mikhail meet Vanya, and the three of them join forces to find Galina, and in the process, attempt to take down the man whose absolute power has corrupted absolutely. As a trio, they fight, they suffer, they meet unimaginable challenges and face them with determination, and, in the end, they not only learn some things about themselves and who they wish to be—this is truly Toma’s journey of self-discovery—but also develop a bond that strengthened through hardship, adversity, and heartbreak as well.

Aden Polydoros has once again penned a Teen novel that reaches beyond its intended audience and bewitches readers who love fantasy, horror, monster fiction and folklore, and he effortlessly weaves these things into a real time in history, in a real world that indulges the fictitious. This is a story that seeks to examine what makes a “monster,” and who and what is truly monstrous, and it succeeds in doing so through characters who are intriguing, fully realized, sympathetic, tenacious, courageous, and appropriately sinister when the story demands it of them. This is a book I savored for its rich suspense and fascinating conspiracies, but those things would have been nothing without Toma’s adept narration.