Silver in the Bone is an Arthurian fantasy focused on a girl named Tamsin and her brother Cabell as they try to find their father figure who vanished looking for a powerful ring that was lost in the days of King Arthur. Cabell and Nash have magic, Tamsin does not but is a Hollower, none the less and gets dragged around as Nash and Cabell try to find this ring that will possibly help them break a curse.
I received the ARC of this book from Netgalley for review purposes, and my thoughts are my own.

I really liked the premise of this series and was excited to get the ARC. That being said, this book was a slog in the beginning. It took me days to read the first 40 percent. It did pick up a little only to once again lose my interest. It was the last 20 percent or so where I felt like things finally got super interesting and left on such a note that I'm going to read the next one and hope that it's pace is better as well as the characters being fleshed out more with a less clunky plot unfolding.

Unfortunately I have to DNF this one but this book had a great storyline for King Arthur which I love!

I really enjoyed this book, especially the King Arthur story line as well. I used to watch Merlin, so this brings me back.

We meet Tamsin and Cabell who have been abandoned by their guardian, Nash. From a sorceress, Tamsin finds out about the Ring of Dispel, which could potentially break Cabell’s curse and what Nash was looking for when he disappeared. With this knowledge, Tamsin and the others arrive to Avalon and try and help the Nine against Lord Death’s doings.

I wasnt too sure I would enjoy the book, but I was mistaken. I loved the dynamic between Tamsin and Emrys. I also really liked how Tamsin was trying to do everything to save what was last of her family. The second book needs to come out asap!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to the publisher for inviting me to read this book and providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars

I buddy-read this with two other book bloggers and found that it was a great book to read with others as there were lots of theories to share and other elements to discuss. This book got off to a rocky start and despite wishing that the world-building was stronger and the pacing was less erratic, it's still a story that I think is worth sticking with because I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships. Plus, with all the tense action and surprising twists that come at the end, I'm excited to see where the story goes next.

**Before diving into my review I do want to make note that this book was a lot more bloody and brutal than I expected. There was a lot of violence and gore (for YA) and the author doesn't spare details, especially in that final bloodbath. Content/Trigger Warnings: violence, blood and gore, a massacre including child death, parental abandonment, physical abuse (off-page, discussed by characters), death of a guardian**

The plot is pretty straightforward and easy to follow even when plans go awry. I think Bracken set the bleak, hopeless and foreboding atmosphere very well and this also ended up being a lot creepier than I expected. To be fair, I am quite the scaredy and it doesn't take much to creep me out but the author does conjure up some pretty horrific imagery and props to her for being able to do that so well! There's a heaviness and tension that permeates the pages and doesn't let up all the way through to the end; in fact, the author ramps up the tension with a few surprises, heart-pounding twists and turns in the plot and character arcs, and I was kept on my toes trying to anticipate what happens next.

That said, as I mentioned earlier, this had a bit of a rough start as we're thrown straight into the story with no explanation about the world but it felt as if we were expected to already have some kind of knowledge about it (if that makes sense). It took me a while to get my bearings in this world and I still have more questions than I do answers by the end, which is why I think the world-building was the weakest part of this. To be blunt, it's not well executed. There's a fair amount of info dumping and combined with the uneven pacing, some repetition and inconsistencies in the Arthurian lore and magic system, I have to say I was a bit disappointed by it. While I noticed more inconsistencies in the events of the twisted Arthurian lore, it was the magic system that confused me the most because the explanations are vague and poorly explained. I'm still unsure what the difference is between the Cunningfolk, sorceresses, druids, and Hollowers, nor do I really get how the different magical abilities work—is everyone born with an ability and what determines that? It was interesting to read about all these elements but it needed more clarity!

What saved this book for me were the characters and their relationships. The story is told from Tamsin's perspective and she was honestly a little unbearable at the beginning! She's rude, irritable, and full of bitterness and anger, which made her act horribly to everyone she encounters, often with little provocation or good reason. This attitude does continue well into the story but she does experience some decent character growth! Her attitude change felt a little abrupt at first but she doesn't miraculously become this good kind person overnight; she struggles to control her fatalistic/pessimistic outlook and bitterness but that made me appreciate the sincerity of her growth more. Besides Tamsin, we have a fairly large retinue of side characters and most of them aren't very well fleshed out but I do think there's room for more to happen in the sequels! I hope it does because I want to know more about Emrys, Caitriona, Olwen, Neve, and even Cabell. While their interactions weren't always smooth as a group, especially when they first meet, I loved how they ended up forming a tight bond that I hope will only get stronger in the second book. The bad-ass girl-power vibes at the end of the book were so good and I'm sensing the strong potential for the found family trope in the future, and I'm totally here for that!

This also has a romance that I ADORED—the nemesis-to-lovers/hate-to-love vibes were strong in this one and if you love that trope, you'll definitely enjoy the dynamic between Emrys and Tamsin! Emrys was a pretty interesting side character and love interest who was essentially the "sunshine" to her "grump" but I'm not quite sure how to feel about him or whether he's really trustworthy. There's so much mystery surrounding his backstory and though what we learned about him hurt my heart a little bit, I'm curious to see what his real motive is! That said, this plant boi had some fantastic chemistry with Tamsin and their biting banter was so good! I found myself laughing at their interactions even at the most inopportune moments and it brought some delightful levity to an otherwise dark story. I really can't wait to see what happens with this relationship in the next book!

Overall, despite a rough start, I think this was worth having patience with and sticking it through to the end. I do wish the pacing had been better and the world-building stronger but after all of that action in the last 30% I feel like I need to get my hands on the next book ASAP, please!

With a strong premise and strong writing, Bracken takes the reader into the intriguing world of the Hollowers. This magical society hunts through crypts, finding lost relics for sorceresses. Tamsin wants the Ring of Dispel to end her brother's curse.


[NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, my NetGalley feedback is not a blurb or endorsement. If a publisher wishes to use any part of my comments for promotional purposes, please contact me or my agent via email. I would prefer not to include star ratings but NetGalley won't let me post without one, so all will be 5 stars.]

I LOVED this one and cannot wait for the sequel. Tamsin has experienced so much but she is a survivor who continues to grow. The connections to King Arthur's legend intrigued me - and the connections were well done in the book. This title is definitely worth reading.

Thank you so much for the eARC! Although I enjoyed some of this, I think I preferred Lore. I just wanted the might in this to be stronger and more present!

This was my first Alexandra Bracken book and it did not disappoint!

If you’re a fan of Arthurian legend and mythology, then this is the book for you! The story follows Tamsin, a normal girl who works with her brother, Cabell, to recover magical items and relics for sorceresses who are tucked away in our world. The search for a relic believed to be in Avalon leads Tamsin and a semi-dysfunctional group on a journey where they find more than what treasure they seek.

This story pulled me in and left me wondering what would happen next. It was immersive and had lots of twists and turns. As I was getting to the end of the book, I realized that not everything would be resolved before it was over. I sure hope there will be a second book, because I need to know what happens next!!

This book is released April 4, 2023, and if you love YA fantasy and stories revolving around Arthurian legend, you must add this one to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC copy of this book!

Bracken has done it again! A great series opener with deep lore, found family, and a heroine with a chip on her shoulder. Some readers may need time to warm to Tamsin, but others will see themselves in her right away. The themes of love, loss, and finding yourself will resonate with fans of YA, but this story has crossover potential with adult audiences. Great for fans of Bracken's previous works, Arthurian legends, the Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider franchises, and other fantasy adventures. Very much looking forward to the sequel!

The next Arthurian Retelling to hit shelves!

Plot: 3/5
I think the myth could have been much more prevalent in this story, it was more "inspired by" the story of Arthur rather than a retelling. Each time I put this book down, I wasn't motivated to pick it back up. I think this is the fault of the pacing of the plot and I just really could not engage with it.

Characters: 4/5
Tamsin has so so much character growth. She's really abrasive at the beginning and borderline unlikable but as the book goes on you see she's all rough edges and is actually really relatable.
Emrys was a good match for Tamsin and I really enjoyed their enemies to lovers plot line.

Writing: 3/5
I don't typically prefer 1st person perspective in fantasy books and this book reminds me why. It felt a lot like Tamsin was just reporting back on her actions, it lacked a lot of feeling.

Overall: 3/5

Thank you to Random House, Knopf, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the author of Lore had a new book out, I knew that I needed to read it right away! Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken is a YA fantasy inspired by the legends of King Arthur. The story revolves around Tamsin, a mortal girl without any magic powers. She lives with her brother Cabell, who is under a dangerous curse. One day, she embarks on a quest for a ring from Arthurian legend that could break Cabell's curse. Will Tamsin succeed in finding the ring and saving her brother?

Here is an entrancing excerpt from Chapter 1:

"No matter what they say, or how much they lie to themselves, people don’t want the truth.
They want the story already living inside them, buried deep as marrow in the bone. The hope written across their faces in a subtle language few know how to read.
Luckily for me, I did.
The trick, of course, was to make them feel like I hadn’t seen anything at all. That I couldn’t guess who was heartsick for a lost love, or desperate for a windfall of money, or who wanted to break free from an illness they’d never escape. It was simple desire, as predictable as it was achingly human: to hear their wish spoken by someone outside themselves—as if that somehow had the power to make it all come true.
Magic.'"

Overall, Silver in the Bone is a high fantasy adventure that will appeal to fans of Forging Silver into Stars and Lord of the Rings. One highlight of this book is the great cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the sequel to find out what happens next. I did take off 1 star because of the lack of world-building compared to Lore. This might not be fair of me, but because I enjoyed Lore so much, I can't help comparing the two. Nevertheless, if you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in April!

This was a very entertaining take on the King Arthur legend! It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. The characters were interesting and compelling and the world building was very well done. I am looking forward to the next installment!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I love Alexandra Bracken's previous work, so I was estatic to be able to get to read her new a book based on the lore of Arthurian legends. It did not disappoint. It did take me a couple of pages to get invested, but once I was here, I was here to stay. I loved the pacing, the characters and the overall world building that Alexandra gave us. I'm very excited to purchase a physical copy to add to my bookshelf! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

This book was loosely based on Arthurian legend and I was ecstatic to read about it. Unfortunately this wasn't for me. I tried to push through but I couldn't connect with the characters one bit. Tamsin was grating on my nerves because of her standoffish demeanor. Cabell was interesting but I couldn't connect with him either. Emrys was okay, he was exactly like every other male love interest in a ya/ fantasy novel. So none of the characters made an impression on me.

The plot was baffling and a bit slow. I feel it had potential since the world was interesting and new but it was boring so I couldn't feel interested.
Nothing in this book captivated me although I don't deny the potential I just think it was told in a really boring way so I had to dnf it.

Thankyou for this opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book

Actual rating 4.5 stars. I am already a fan of Alexandra Bracken. I loved both her Passenger duology as well as Lore. I am also a fan of anything regarding Arthurian Legend, so needless to say, I had really high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint. It did take me a little bit to get into, but once I did, I was completely hooked.

The book follows Tamsin, who was brought into the world of Hollowers, who search for magical artifacts, by her step-father, who has abandoned her as well as her foster brother, Cabel, who is constantly grappling with a curse that he's had his entire life. They are just trying to make do when a job falls upon them to uncover the very last artifact that their step-father went after before he disappeared. They end up pairing up with Tamsin's rival to find it, as well as a sorcerous. The four unlikely allies find themselves on quite an unexpected journey that spirals into something that none of them were expecting.

I instantly fell in love with the characters in this book and the world building and magic system was really unique. I am still reeling from the ending and don't know how I am supposed to wait for the next book when this one hasn't even come out yet.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing with an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review. I'd like the arc of the next one now, thanks.

If you pick up Silver in the Bone, be prepared for a Fantasy thriller of sorts. By the back half of the book, I was fairly convinced I knew how the story would resolve. Boy, was I wrong. There were so many twists and turns in this book! I am actually sitting here in shock having just finished it.

Things I loved:
1. The female MC, Tamsin- She is smart, brave and feels authentic.
2. Female characters supporting each other
3. The magic system of the Hollowers- I am hoping for more of this in the future.

Things that confused me:
1. The plot felt overcomplicated at points. I am hoping that pays off later in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children for the E arc!
I was so excited to see that this author had written a new book, as the darkest minds was a very popular series when I was younger. The magic in the action was captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book. I was also thoroughly excited for the Arthurian legend and lore that this book has. If you want a very exciting and interesting fantasy book, look no further, this should be your next read.

"Silver in the Bone" by Alexandra Bracken follows Tamsin, our main character as she sets out on an ill-advised quest to retrieve an artifact that she thinks will break the curse on her brother, Cabell. Along the way she is forced to team up with a pompous guild rival, Emrys, and a self-taught sorceress, Neve, and confront the abandonment she and Cabell experienced by their adopted guardian.

There was a lot I liked about "Silver in the Bone" and a lot that made me scratch my head. I am new to Arthurian stories, and I found the lore fascinating. The pacing kept me gripped, I devoured the book in a few sittings. The ending was maddening, absolutely unhinged. And it really sets up the next book quite nicely, I don't know how Alexandra Bracken will bring any resolution to the mess she created.

The book had a surprising amount of gore, especially for something that is under the Teen & YA category. I would check the trigger warnings before embarking especially if you are sensitive to descriptions of violence and physical trauma.

Current trends in YA fantasy: mythology retellings, enemies to lovers, surly traumatized women, portal fantasy. The venn diagram between what's popular now and what Silver in the Bone contains is a circle. Therefore, I greatly enjoyed it. The ending, although kind of cliffhangery, was particularly good.

There are four main characters, all of whom I love.
Tamsin: the POV character, angry, willing to go to extreme lengths to protect her brother (and avoid being alone)
Cabell: cursed, angry, not particularly well-developed but I want so much more of him
Emrys: hot and privileged but with a ~dark past~. excellent 10/10
Neve: witch girl. also angry but cheerful and lovely.

CWs: abuse, blood and gore, child abandonment

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc of this book to review.
Tamsin didn't ask for the life she was given. She is brought into a magical line of work by her guardian, Nash, who vanishes leaving her and her brother completely alone. That is until she takes a job seeking out the one item Nash seemingly went to his death attempting to find. She finds herself in a new world working with a group of people that she wouldn't have predicted. The story twists and turns in ways I couldn't have predicted that were well written, thrilling, and at times heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the second one after that ending!