Blood Metal Bone is an epic fantasy sci-fi that takes place in a short period of time for such a big book. It was suspenseful, had lot of action, several plot twists, some really amazing shockers I didn't see coming, and strong characters. There are lots of characters, locations, and time periods to keep track of. I was confused initially, but once I got engrossed into the novel, it all made sense. There is a reference list in the front of the book to explain characters and locations. I actually did not need to refer to it surprisingly. Character building was done very well for the troupe of main characters. I got a great sense of who they are. This book has amazing world building on the most grandiose scale. Breath taking and imaginative. And the names of everything is interesting. Carcass Coast, Crooked Cove, Deadlands, Gunshot Bluff. Very creative.

The unique magic was interesting. I like how each character employed something different. The sci-fi elements integrated well with the fantasy. And it was funny how the planet people described the human elements that they didn't have knowledge or names of. A bit of comic relief. The found family trope and family bonds was executed well. Although, I didn't understand why the main characters kept allying with someone that they know deceives all the time. IRL eventually that person would be cut off, family or no family. Also, one pivotal character disappeared in the midst of action and was never talked about again until the end. And I am still reeling from the beginning scene of Sonara's death events and what happened to Soahm. Utterly shocking. Can't stop thinking about it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Definitely recommend.

This book was interesting, and unlike anything I have read before. Put fantasy and sci-fi into a blender and what do you get? Blood, metal and bone apparently!

I went into Blood, Metal, Bone expecting a YA fantasy. But this book is a unique blend of both fantasy and sci-fi. I am a fan of both genres, but I just don't think the combination worked for me. My brain was a bit confused at first. There's magic, swords, dragons, kingdoms, and other fantastical creatures, but then there is also spaceships, abductions, space travel and smugglers.

The story is viewed from two point of views, and two different stories. There's Sonara's adventures in the Deadlands, which is the fantasy part, and there's Karr, the smuggler on the spaceship Starfall.
This made the book a bit disjointed to me because I felt like I was reading two different books, and it just seemed like there was too much going on for my brain to handle. The characters were written okay, but I didn't feel emotionally invested in any of them.

This blend on genres may be a fun take for others, and I have seen reviews from others who have loved it. I think it's creative, for sure, but for me personally it was a bit too much. I found it hard to follow along and that there was just too much going on in the book.

Although this is listed as fantasy, I would say this was more of a combination of fantasy/sci-fi. It starts with a prologue that reads like a medieval fantasy but then chapter one reads like sci-fi. It was a little jarring because there wasn’t any mention of the possibility of sci-fi. It made me wonder a couple of things: Where is this going? Am I reading the right book?

With that said, the book was quite enjoyable. There were times when the two genres didn’t meld well together, and sometimes it worked. However, I enjoyed the characters, and the plot was interesting. I think what helps this book is the lack of romance. It would have just been too much.

I’m not sure if this is meant to be a series, but I was left with some unanswered questions. However, if this is intended to be a series, I’m excited because there’s so much potential. Cummings is a new to me author, and while I think this book tried to be too many things, I enjoyed it, and I look forward to reading more of her work.

3.5 Stars Rounded up to 4

I really enjoyed this book I loved the world building and the plot was good if a little
Complicated at some points. It’s written from two main perspectives and a couple of other characters perspectives too.
At some points I did feel that it was a lot of information to take in and had to read back a couple times to make sure I understood what was going on.

It’s listed as fantasy but I’d say it would fit better into the Sci-Fi / Fantasy genre better.
I enjoyed that this book was a standalone and felt that the book did wrap up nicely in the end and all the questions I had were answered.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and publishers for this eARC I received.

Blood Metal Bone is a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy. Think Battle Star Galáctica meets Avatar.

This was dull. The characters were replicas of characters replicated too many times to even stay in my head. I am not impressed by this author. The cover is stunning though.

This took me forever to get into and forever to finish. I didn’t love or hate this book. It had a very interesting storyline, but nothing super outstanding. I normally enjoy fantasy/science-fiction books, but this didn’t really pull me into the story. I did like the writing style. It wasn’t too difficult to understand.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. These opinions are my own.

I loved this book was super excited to read it and it did not disappoint its full of action and honestly could not put it down and the characters were amazing.

Blood Metal Bone, written by Lindsay Cummings, follows some adventurers through space as they race to find their freedom, and take some revenge.

I loved the writing in this novel. This kept pushing me through, and honestly, I think this was one of the more fun reads I've had lately. There is an adventure, there is heartbreak, there is redemption, and I think this book does a great job of melding science fiction and fantasy.

There are a lot of characters and plots going on in this book, to the point that I don't want to risk mentioning any of them and ruining something for the reader. But, if you are alright with books written from multiple perspectives and are up for a science fiction adventure novel, I think this is a fantastic choice. Cummings has created a universe that is captivating, and I am so sad that this is a standalone novel.

When a book claims to remind people of Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” and/or SJM’s “Throne of Glass”, I hear a kind of claxon go off inside my head. You know, it kind of sounds like that noise whenever stuff is about to get serious in “Kill Bill”? I’m pretty sure you know that sound. It’s the sound that says to me in Admiral Ackbar’s voice, “It’s a trap!”

There’s only so many times a scifi/fantasy novel can claim they’re like Bardugo or SJM before a reader just starts to become weary and wary of the claim. This is why I have trust issues (this will be my epitaph, I swear).

While nowhere near being like SJM in terms of, well, anything, “Blood Metal Bone” does have a a little bit of a Bardugo vibe. But it’s only a touch. Other than that, it’s its own animal, and I actually think Cummings and Harper 360 should be proud of that fact. About 1/3 SciFi and ⅔ fantasy, it’s the first honest SciFi/Fantasy blend I’ve read in a long time. Usually it’s either/or, but this book is largely a fantasy with a sprinkling of scifi thrown in that’s largely justified by a fascinating technological divide between alien civilizations. This disparatation, along with the usual themes of colonialism and imperialism that come with one alien civilization with more resources believing they are superior to another and therefore have the right to pillage and plunder, make up one portion of the overall story arc. The other portion of the plot of the book is taken up by themes of second chances at life, found family, resurrection, and of saving your planet from being torn apart by those who wish to strip its resources.

While the writing of this book is pretty standard for the genre, it’s the characters and world-building that stand out. The main characters have the vibe of being kind of like a D&D party, but they’re all morally gray. They might save your life, they might steal your knife. Their rough and tumble camaraderie is full of trust issues and strife, but they keep together just the same because all they have is each other. There is no one else like them. They’re outlaws, and they like it that way. They’re full of wounds both internal and external, but their wounds fuel their power. We’re all molded by our experiences, and the extreme trauma these characters went through shaped them into who they have become as well.

I also love that it’s a standalone novel. I still think there should be more of them. I will gladly sit through a more than 500 page standalone novel than read 2 or 3 novels that could’ve been trimmed down and streamlined to craft a much tighter and deft story.

All in all, I recommend it. It’s not knock-your-socks-off fantastic-to-the-max, but it’s a solid hybrid read in the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper 360, and HQ Young Adult for granting me access to this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishing house for allowing me to read this e-arc in exchange for honest feedback.
5 stars
Holy cow was this good. This was just a spare of the moment pick and I'm so glad i read it for the month of May. I will be surprised if this isnt on my favorites of 2022.

Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Blood Metal Bone by Lindsay Cummings is an interesting blend of fantasy and sci-fi. The story revolves around Sonara, who has been sentenced to execution for her brother's murder. Instead, she becomes a Shadowblood, a being with magical powers, banished from society. Sonara becomes a thief known as the Devil of the Deadlands. Will Sonara be able to survive in the perilous society?

Here is an enchanting excerpt from the opening chapter:

"Soahm came as he always did: unannounced and disguised in a cerulean hooded cloak that did little to conceal his true identity.
Everyone knew the Crown Prince of Soreia.
He stood a few paces away, a pale mare nuzzling at his pocket, trying to uncover the hidden wintermints he’d purchased on his latest journey to the neighboring kingdom of the Deadlands. Soahm’s azure hair and eyes, deep as the sea, were the mark of Soreian purity; a trait that had passed down from generation to generation, marking the worthy from the not.
“If I were you,” Soahm said as he stroked the mare’s nose with a bejeweled hand, “I’d consider it a blessing that mother doesn’t look upon you at all. Some days I swear the goddesses are punishing me beneath her wretched stare.”"

Overall, Blood Metal Bone is an amazing sci-fi adventure that will appeal to fans of Jupiter Ascending.. One highlight of this book was the nonstop action. I was also a fan of the reveal at the end, which I wasn't expecting at all. I did take off 1 star, because there were points in the middle where I wasn't sure where the plot was going, which didn't really keep my interest. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of fantasy or sci-fi, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Lindsay Cummings for this free ARC. I am completing this review entirely of my own free will.

Let us start this by saying that this is listed under Fantasy, however I would list it under Sci-Fi\Fantasy.

Whenever you start dealing with Aliens, Spaceships, that's Sci-Fi. At least in my Fantasy mindset it its.

OK! So, we have an interesting Fantasy novel about Sonara who is blamed for her brother’s death.

Problem is she did not kill her brother, he was taken.

Sonara is sentenced to death with her horse Duran by the Leaping

Instead of dying Sonara becomes a Shadowblood, here we will see Sonara have a sense of family

Since she does not have one prior to this.

There are many revelations in this book (such as who the Cpt is, what happened to Soahm)

Cummings interactions with the Aliens and the Dohrsar and their motivation for the things behind what they do, were spot on.

What was great about this book was the lack of romance.

Every book does not need romance to make it work, and Cummings proved that perfectly.

The book was not my preferred choice of Fantasy novels, however I’m sure a lot of people will Love it.

At the time I'm writing the review, the average is 3.37 stars, which I would not normally pick up. However, I'm really glad I did read this one because it's a super interesting fusion of genres. Medieval fantasy x western x sci-fi outlaws. It was a nice, fun read for an afternoon, but in the days since finishing, I've lost a lot of the content, with just some interesting vibes left behind.

My thanks to Harper 360, Lindsay Cummings and Netgalley.
It's the strangest thing, but I quit this book around the 80% mark. I didn't just quit it. I freaking deleted it. But, I couldn't stop thinking about it so I downloaded it again.
Good call!
I loved the start of this book. It was sort of a medieval western. Then, it became a mash-up of fantasy and sci-fi. I'm fairly sure that I don't like fantasy and "space rangers."
except for the fact that I was kind of hooked!
Unfortunately, somewhere around that 80%mark...when I quit. I found the writing to be somehow, lame.
Maybe it was a mood I was in, or what. Who knows? I'm getting old and grumpy!
I ended up really liking this book. And, truth be told, I'd love to read more about these people.
The Devil is strong, but she's also a softie! I would love to see where they go from here, and I'd love to see the big bad dealt with.
More please!

This book had a ton of great ideas but the storyline felt too complex and became quite tedious to get through. It’s a mash up of dystopian meets new age with some magical thrown in. I really thought the story had some potential but the author struggled to make it easy to understand. Three stars.

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left this opinion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Blood Metal Bone by Lindsay Cummings. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC.

I'll start with what I enjoyed about Blood Metal Bone and go from there. First, Sonara was a really well-developed heroine, and I found her journey interesting. I was surprised by the combination of space and a developing country that still uses swords and arrows as weapons. I don't think I realized that this book was going to be as sci-fi as it was. It was a nice surprise and gave the world building aspect of the novel a lot of depth.

Now the negatives. While I thought the writing was interesting and well done, I felt the story arcs jumped a bit too much. Because of the jumping story arcs, I didn't connect with the character's quests. Their interactions with each other never felt fleshed out, and it kept me from enjoying the story as much as I was hoping to. However, Blood Metal Bone was still a solid book and I rate it 3/5.

While a cool concept (SF meets fantasy, interesting magic systems, world and universe), this book just didn't do it for me - I couldn't get into the characters, the pace felt off and I never felt like the consequences of a characters actions fit the setting. Just wasn't my cup of tea.

The premise of the story sounded intriguing. However, I could not get into it. I found the plot to be very slow and tender to drag. The world-building was very confusing, and I could not connect with the characters. Still, I recommend this fans of Mercedes Lackey.

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and Ms. Cummings for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
There are quite a few reviews decrying the mix of sci fi and fantasy. I actually LOVE well-executed sci fi. And I LOOOOOOVE a good fantasy.

That being said, my difficulty with this book wasn't the mashup of sci fi and fantasy and western AND medieval AND dystopian, it was more that none of the plots felt fully realized. I think right from the beginning, when I was totally hooked on Sonara's introduction in the prologue, and then the narrative abruptly switched to a different character, different time period, different planet, different style, I was thrown off-balance and never quite got back onto that proverbial horse. I think either Sonara's or Karr's story should have been the focus and that going for both was just a little too ambitious. The story had promise and good bones but there was just too much going on for my taste.

Sonara, the Devil of the Shadowlands, had an outsized nickname but never really came across as more than one of many outlaws. Her gift had some inconsistencies too. I have to be completely honest, I never felt all that invested in her character or any other.

This book was a struggle for me to get through. I just never felt any particular drive to pick it up and read it. I feel bad saying so. I will say this: the book blurb that promises that fans of Six of Crows, Throne of Glass, and the Mandalorian will love the book, and I think that MAY have raised my expectations (and hopes) a little too high.