I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This was amazing! From the start, Bonesmith kicks off with betrayal setting the tone for the entire book. This has everything you would want from an epic fantasy, at least in a YA fantasy novel. A daring rescue, fascinating magic system, political intrigue, a headstrong female MC, packed full of action, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and so many twists it'll make your head spin. I devoured Bonesmith.

I will say this felt like an Older YA geared more toward sixteen and up and one of the best YA novels I've read in a while. I'm so mad at myself for not reading this sooner.

Not sure if it’s because I tried read it during the holidays, but this book just didn’t grab as much as I hoped it would. I put it down and picked it up multiple times but I just couldn’t connect with it.

This was such a fantastic and addictive read! I loved everything about this book. The world building and characters were awesome. I also loved the magic system.

Bonesmith follows Wren, who as a Bonesmith has the ability to control bones and can sever ghosts from their earthly remains. Wren has wanted to become a valkyr her entire life. When she fails her trial to finally become one of those fierce warriors, her family exiles her to the Border Wall. There she plans to do whatever it takes to earn her family’s respect and be allowed back in the House of Bone.

When the opportunity arrives to guard a prince from the House of Gold, Wren jumps at the chance. However, things go bad quickly and Prince Leo is kidnapped. While Wren is trying to rescue him she encounters an Ironsmith named Julian. The House of Iron is the sworn enemy of the House of Bone. Things get even weirder when Julian’s crew turn on him and try to kill him. Julian and Wren end up literally entangled and have to form an uneasy alliance. They will have to overcome their differences and try to get along so they can find out what exactly is going on.

If you love hard magic systems, enemies to lovers, and fierce female warriors, then this is the book for you.

One of the most fascinating magic systems I've ever seen! I was so impressed by the creative ways in which the smiths can use their abilities toward their respective material. I also was intrigued by the idea that their abilities can be lost if they lose access to their material.
The story instantly grabbed my attention and I ravenously devoured the story. As the first book in the series, it set up quite a lot in terms of world-building and plot points, while also giving us a good look at what makes our main characters tick. The dynamic between Wren and Julian is tantalizing and created a lovely enemies to lovers dynamic.

First things first: Stop comparing this book to Gideon the Ninth. Aside from the necromancy, this book is absolutely nothing like The Locked Tomb, and using Gideon as a frame of reference does this book a great disservice.

When I see "this book is like/for fans of/etc *other book*," my expectation is that this new book will evoke similar feelings as the one referenced, so I went into Bonesmith expecting complex world building that would lead me to be incredibly confused for the first 85% and then have a jaw-dropping revelation that makes me question my very existence for the next 2-52 business weeks. This is not the type of book that Bonesmith is -- and that's okay, not every single book needs to be an absolutely mind-f*ck.

I actually really, really enjoyed this book once I forced myself to shed the expectation that this book would be reminiscent of The Locked Tomb. So please, if you are a Tamsyn Muir fan, shed any of those expectations before you pick this book up, because it deserves to be appreciated on it's own rather than against a book in an entirely different genre, written for an entirely different audience.

Now that we've talked about everything this book is not, let's talk about everything it is. Bonesmith is a dark, upper-YA novel about a young woman with necromantic powers and an unmatched desire to prove herself. Bonesmith is eerie and suspenseful and exciting, with a side of romance and friendship and heartache of betrayal.

Here is what you can expect from this novel:
- Necromancy + other forms of magic
- A quest
- Tension-filled romance
- Sarcastic FMC
- Multi POV
- Complex family dynamics

Overall, I did really enjoy this book and I think it's worth picking up, but make sure you modify your expectations if you are a Gideon fan.

---- 4.5/5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This was phenomenal. Nicki has a way of creating magic systems that are simultaneously complicated and easy to understand. This magic system's focus on bones and ghosts and iron was super intriguing and made sense, even though it's a completely fabricated idea.

Not only was the magic interesting, but the characters were phenomenally written. I truly cared about all of them, even when they were making less-than-smart decisions.

In this book, you can trust the adults exactly 0%, and I loved that. Our characters faced betrayal on betrayal on betrayal which fortified their bonds but also exemplified the issues in their society.

It was fantastic and I can't wait for book two.

If you ever wanted to read a book similar to the necromantic space opera Gideon the Ninth, but didn't want to loose your mind or turn it to pulp-then Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto is a fantastic option. Bonesmith layers in character and magic system thick with depth and fascinating detail. Find yourself next to Wren and Julian in a haunted forest filled with bones and walking revenants, unreliable companions heightening the tension with every step. Come for the bones, stay for the gore, and walk away with some romance. Perfect!

When I saw Game of Thrones White Walkers in the comps, there’s no way I couldn’t read this book. Even without that, the stunning cover alone would have drawn me in.

After failing her valkyr (ghost-fighting warrior) trial due to sabotage, Wren is banished to the Border Wall set against the Breach where the dead roam free. Her sole focus now is to prove herself and regain the respect of her family. Her father tells her to stay out of trouble and keep her head down – which is nearly impossible for Wren. She’s brash, tends to act before she thinks, and considers rules more as guidelines. When the prince is kidnapped, it’s the perfect opportunity to put Wren back in her father’s good graces. She has every confidence she’ll rescue him. But working with Julian, an unlikely alliance and her House’s sworn enemy? That could be her downfall. Julian’s strategy-loving, strong, silent type is a perfect balance to Wren’s more reckless personality. Together they make a formidable team, and it was fun to see Wren lure him from his shell.

The world-building is detailed and incredible. The history and powers of the different Houses are easily learned without an info dump, and the details of the dead are well-explained. Action scenes, and there are plenty of them, are exciting and dangerous with both the dead and the living. And secrets? How much time do you have? Soooo many secrets.

The characters are well-crafted and complex, but I have to give a shoutout to Prince Leopold (he prefers to be addressed as Leo) who brings humor to the story – just don’t underestimate his intelligence.

I’ve seen fantastic reviews for other books by this author, and I’ve wanted to read her for quite a while. This novel is categorized as YA, but it’s easily a crossover to adult readers. For fans of epic fantasy, magic, and layers upon layers of secrets.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beginning of an intriguing new series!
Wren is competing in the Bonewood Trials where her father instructed her to not just pass, but pass spectacularly to impress her grandmother, the overseer of the trials. When Wren is double crossed, she’s exiled to the Breachfort which is pretty much ignored by everyone because it’s supposedly desolate. She’s doing her guard duty diligently and when the visiting Prince Leo is kidnapped, Wren goes after him to save him. Julian is an ironsmith with the group who kidnapped Prince Leo but when the group tries to assassinate Julian, he and Wren end up falling in a deep crevasse together. The two of them are born enemies but are forced to work together to save themselves, rescue the Prince, and figure out why someone was targeting Julian.
Likes/dislikes: Amazing world building. I enjoyed the character depth, development and growth. I love the characters of Wren, Julian and Prince Leo.
Language: R for 39 swears and 9 f-words.
Mature Content: PG-13 for passionate kissing.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: Wren is fair skinned. Julian has pale skin. Prince Leo has caramel colored hair and light brown skin. Wren’s father has olive skin. Commander has ruddy brown skin.

Bonesmith is about a fighter, Wren, exiled from her already strange family dynamics, trying desperately through any means necessary to win the attention and approval of her father. Along the way, she meets a "throwaway" prince and a boy who should be Wren's greatest enemy but shows himself to be so much more. Wren is brash, mostly on purpose, and a little unbearable in her need to be seen. I think it's important to show characters being human, including being a little insufferable. The magic system really sucks you into the story. I can't wait to read the sequel!

BOOK REPORT for Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

Cover Story: Wren the Ninth
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Talky Talk: Modern-ish Fantasy
Bonus Factors: Magical House System, Epic Names
Relationship Status: Cautiously Optimistic

Cover Story: Wren the Ninth
This cover has major Locked Tomb vibes. Like, if I didn’t read carefully, I’d think this was another novel in that series. (Regardless that it isn’t titled ” … the Ninth.”) That’s not a slight on the cover, though. It’s very atmospheric and eerie and compliments the story within well. It’s just … very similar.

The Deal:
Wren Graven is the granddaughter of the head of the House of Bones, and the greatest bonesmith valkyr of her generation—or so she tesla everyone within earshot. So when she fails the final test to become a full-fledged valkyr and protect the people of the Dominions from being attacked by the spirits that linger after death, and is unceremoniously shipped off to the edge of their territory, Wren isn’t quite sure what to do with herself.

But then a prince from the House of Gold is kidnapped and Wren finds herself partnered with someone who shouldn’t exist, trying to bring the prince back as a way to redeem herself in the eyes of her father and the entire House of Bones. She soon realizes, however, that nothing is what it seems and all that she’s been told about her family’s history is suspect.

BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Wren is the kind of brash, hotheaded, impulsive young woman I wouldn’t have liked much at all had I known her in real life, especially when I was a teen—there would have been a lot of unspoken jealousy over her confidence—but I loved reading about her, being outside and looking in.

Swoonworthy Scale: 6
When Wren meets Julian, a boy who should be her enemy, she isn’t impressed. But as they work together, chemistry and Feelings start to rear their heads. Sadly—and semi-spoilery-y—there’s a “twist” of “I have to betray you for your own good” that happens in Bonesmith, which puts a damper on the blossoming swoon real quick.

(Julian’s an excellent Book Boyfriend. Wren’s a numpty.)

Talky Talk: Modern-ish Fantasy
Some fantasy books feel out of time, from the setting to the language. Others feel like the author’s taken modern, real-world people and just transposed them into a world in which there be dragons. Bonesmith falls somewhere in the middle, feeling both truly fantastical—the dead come back and you have to kill them a second time for them to stay dead—and modern—characters say the F word. For me, this allowed for an easier connection to the story, but kept me from being fully engrossed like I might have been had it been a completely foreign tale.

Bonus Factor: Magical House System
(No, not that kind of magical house system.)

As much as I ascribe to the wildness of the “only one thing has to tie your magical system to the real world” mentality, I have a strange love for a strictly regimented magical system. And in the case of Bonesmith, Pau Preto has created a magical system that divides the populace of the world into various “smithdoms”; Wren is a bonesmith, or someone who’s able to use bones to kill ghosts (essentially), there are also goldsmiths, silversmiths, woodsmiths, etc. If you’re not a bonesmith, you can’t do what Wren does. If you’re not a goldsmith, you can’t manipulate that metal. (You get the drift.) This system follows the rules.

Bonus Factor: Epic Names
Wren’s uncle’s name—Locke Graven—is one of the best fantasy names I’ve ever read. Followed closely by her father’s name, Vance Graven. Are they a little over the top? Sure. But they walk the line between being realistic and Doing Too Much. Pau Preto has a knack for naming. (And I wish I had her number so my husband could text her when he needs a name for a video game character, ’cause giving him names on the spot is one of my least favorite things to do. “Just give me a name from one of your books!” he says. Does he not realize HOW MANY books I’ve read? Joepeter Fergusonsmith is a perfectly decent name for your elven druid, good sir.)

Relationship Status: Cautiously Optimistic
You weren’t the freshest date I’ve ever had, Book, but you were fun nonetheless. I’m willing to give this a chance to blossom. Just keep those ghosts away from me, OK? I’ve still got life left to live.

4/5 stars

Okay this one was really good. The only issues I had were at the beginning, where Wren does give a little “not like other girls” and “I’m late because I’m quirky.”

I really liked the three main characters throughout the book, and - gasp - I enjoyed the romance. I absolutely love that Leo was never a love interest and they’re just vibing. Julian is awesome and I love him. Wren definitely grows throughout the book, and I like that she went from wanting to impress her dad to realizing it’s more important to do what’s right.

Everything connected and came together in the end. While I was initially hesitant because I figured this would be another “your government is lying to you!” book, there were some things I didn’t expect that came along with it.

I loved the world and the author captured the dark spooky ghost vibe very well.

The side characters were great, they had enough to not be faceless but also didn’t steal the spotlight.

Very excited that there’s a sequel.

Bonesmith, by author Nicki Pau Preto, is the first installment in the authors House of the Dead duology. Protagonist Lady-Smith Wren Graven, of House of Bone, has a lot to prove as she prepares the Bonewood Trails to officially become a full fledged valkrys. Bonewood is a forest of dead, soulless bones. Undead, haunted bones. The Bonewood was once a graveyard and training ground where bonesmiths tested their skills and magic and showed their mastery over the undead.

Wren tends break the rules. She's snarky, largely undisciplined and cares for little other than the approval of her father Lord-Smith Vance Graven and grandmother Lady-Smith Svetlana Graven who act as the head of her house. As a bastard-born Heir to her house many, including her own cousin, would prefer to see her fail. Just as Wren is trying to finally play by the rules, and win, she is betrayed, sabotaged, and finishes last. No longer welcome in the Bonelands, Wren is exiled to the Border Wall (Breachfort).

Upon arrival, she finds friendship with House of Gold Prince (Leo). Wren and Leo have so many similarities that they quickly become friends. Until he is kidnapped and taken into the Haunted Territory. The most curious thing happens when she encounters an Ironsmith Knight (Julian) who appears to also betrayed by his own people. Julian belongs to House of Iron, the sworn enemy of the House of Bone. Confused and alone, the two of them form a tentative alliance.

Get Leo back and figure out why everyone's trying to kill them. As they fight their way through ghosts, while discovering that things aren't what Wren was told, they come closer and closer to unraveling a conspiracy for a new war. Entertaining story. Curious world but at least the author tried to get the readers involved in how gray this world really is. I am not going to make any comparisons to Gideon the Ninth since I did not read that book, nor will I any time in the future.

Shockingly, I have also not read or watched Game of Thrones so let's just judge the book on its own merits. Loved Wren even though she is dangerous at times. Curious about Leo and Julian and if the author decides to explore more of a physical relationship between the characters. Oh yes, the book ends on a Cliffhanger!

4.5 stars
This was so freaking good!
The main character Wren was brash and stubborn and a little too prideful, but also easily lovable. She’s the kind of character that, though flawed and sometimes annoying, you can’t help but root for. She desperately needed some character growth, but instead of being written in a way that was too much and too infuriating to read, she was written in a way that made you want to go on that growing experience with her, and throughout the book (and presumably throughout the series), you do get to watch her grow.
The book starts a bit slow. The first 30% or so is all set up before the plot can get going. It’s exposition heavy and does rely on info-dumping perhaps a bit too often. However, even though the main plot hasn’t started yet, there are interesting things happening. There are moments of high tension and fast-paced action, it just still feels a little slow up until the point where Wren goes past the wall. That is the point of no return, where the plot feels like it’s actually starting, and it is a ways in. Before that point I was interested, but I wasn’t invested, and though I did keep reading, it took me a while to do so because I was not especially eager to pick the book back up when I’d set it down. I never felt like DNFing, but nor did I feel especially compelled to keep reading right then and there. That slowness at the beginning (and the fact that it did last for about 1/3 of the book, and over 100 pages) is the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star read, because everything after that? Phenomenal.
As soon as she’s past the wall, the tension and pacing really pick up. She always had a goal, but it was vague and unattainable—now she has a tangible goal and there are steps she can take to reach it. She’s met Julian, the other major player, and the stakes are rising every chapter. By the time I reached the 40% mark, I could not put the book down. It took me almost a week to read the first 35%, but after that, I finished the book in 12 hours.
The worldbuilding was interesting and relatively unique. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it was well developed and not contrived. Despite the occasional info-dump, I wanted to learn more about the world, magic system, and mythos.
The book is written in third person and told primarily from Wren’s POV, however there are chapter’s narrated by Prince Leo at regular intervals and perhaps 3-5 chapters from Julian’s POV. I really enjoyed the fresh perspective Leo’s narration gave. His experiences were separate from Wren and Julian’s and seeing his narration felt necessary and like it was adding something to the experience. Julian’s POV did not.
I understand why Julian’s POV was added. Most of his chapters revealed an interesting piece of information that pointed to a reveal and added to the tension. However, unlike the reveals in Leo’s chapter, this information was not strictly necessary to the plot. Yes, it added tension, but I felt like there were ways to do so that felt more cohesive to the narration than randomly and unexpectedly flipping to a third narrator. It was jarring to slip into his narration. I think if there had been more of his narration woven throughout, and if that narration felt like it was more vital to the story, I wouldn’t have had an issue with it, but as it was it just felt like it wasn’t executed to the highest level.
In the end, I really enjoyed that book—and also THAT ENDING?!?!?!?!—and I can’t wait for book 2! In the mean time, I hope to check out Nicki Pau Preto’s debut trilogy, because I found that despite a few things, I really enjoyed her writing.

Bonesmith is a fantastic read, nearly as good as I hoped it would be. With themes of identity and belonging, I was immediately drawn into the book and Wren's struggles to not just meet but exceed her father's expectations.

Despite being selfish and arrogant, it was easy to like Wren. Part of her likeability was how she owned up to these traits. Then there was also the vulnerability underneath her self-assuredness that made it hard not to feel for her.

Like many fantasies, the beginning of the book is world-building heavy with a lot on magic and history. Despite the subject at hand, it was also lighter than expected, but this might have been a product of having read a heavier book before it. While some parts of the book moved quickly to me (ahem...the romantic feelings), it was a good read with an interesting twist on necromancing. (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)

I vastly preferred the author's previous series, but this one does have its moments! I loved the eerie worldbuilding, laden with atmosphere and interesting character. The comp titles sort of live up to their promises, but not quite. Some may be disappointed there. Pacing is key for me and that's what decreased my enjoyment, with its biggest issue with exposition thrown at the reader-- something, teens tell me, they are not fond of. (I tend to agree.)

However, I've rated this one three stars, because I think it's a solid work, and I did enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing where the story and world goes next.

Allow yourself to be lured by this stunning cover. Then, prepare for an epic high stakes fantasy ride. Readers who enjoy well developed magic systems, ghost stories, fighting the undead, quest adventures and the banished hero trope will adore this fast paced action fueled fantasy. If you aren't interested in romance as a primary plot point you will enjoy this even more. Pau Preto delivers an enormous amount of world building early and easily crafting a YA novel with broad appeal sure to entice adult readers with this fun, dark, unpredictable read. Can’t wait for the completion of this duology.

When Wren fails her valkyr test and is banished to the Breachfort outpost, she seeks only an opportunity to redeem herself, earn her father’s respect and her rightful place in her family, the nobel House of Bones. But this border to the wasteland Breach spewing the undead hides many secrets and even more dangers as Wren attempts to rescue a kidnapped prince.

Thanks to Netgalley Nicki Pau Preto and Simon Teen for the opportunity to preview this title out today in the US.