“The River of Golden Bones: Book One of the Golden Court.” by A.K. Mulford. Harper Voyager. 400 pages. December 5th 2023. $28.99.
If you are a fan of fairytale retellings, this is one with a wonderful twist. It’s the tale of Sleeping Beauty if she had a sister… and if they were shifters. Calla and Briar are Twins born of tragic circumstances – they have been hiding from the moment they were born from a powerful sorceress who wants them dead. They’ve also been hiding from humans who have no idea they are wolves… or royals. Briar is engaged to marry the prince of their allies, and Calla is the secret backup plan – a secret twin no one knows exists. Except, Prince Grae, her sister’s betrothed, and their only childhood friend. When the time comes for Balla and Briar to come out of hiding, and for Briar to get married, everything falls apart. The sorceress comes back – putting Briar to sleep with a curse, cutting off the Golden Court. Calla has to journey to their kingdom to save her, but can she face what that means? Can she handle a quest across the realm, discovering a world, and herself, that she has never known?
A.K. Mulford has done it again. From all your favorite tropes, like fated mates, friends to lovers, and found family, Mulford has written a story that can make us all smile. As always, we also have a lot of LGBTQ+ representation, from bisexuality, to non-binary, and more, Mulford is able to create a fantasy world with love of all kinds – and people of all shapes and sizes. The magic/shifter system is one that intrigued me, and I cannot wait to see it play out more in the second book.
The Wolves have created a court system, which I found quite interesting. Instead of just packs with land boundaries, they have defined kingdoms, and court nobles. It is reminiscent of Mulford’s fae books (which you should read), and yet still holds true to so many of the wolf shifter rules we have seen before. The world building was done little by little, and it never felt like a giant info dump, or that we were lost along the way without some vital clue.
It is spicy, with some wonderful scenes written into it. If that is not your jam, I understand. The characters romance works really well, and I enjoyed getting to see them grow as people, and together. Calla discovers a lot about themselves throughout the book, and the character growth was great.
The cast of characters was fun. For not having any friends besides her sister, Calla manages to find her group of people. They are unique, each with different skills, and a magical wagon that can help carry them across the different lands as they play and sing for others. They all also play a vital role in the story, which is something I always love. No one gets abandoned if they are truly a part of the story, or a friend, etc.
A River of Golden Bones is the first in a series. I am greatly looking forward to the next one. It doesn’t matter what A.K. Mulford writes – she is a master of weaving various plots together, and taking us from story to story, in enchanting new worlds. I appreciate more than I can say her inclusive in her representation of characters, and cultures.
A.K. Mulford became a TikTok sensation with the Okrith series, which she originally self-published. She is a bestselling author of fantasy, who gave up rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels (much to Booktok’s delight). She/they writes diverse stories giving representation to many of the LGBTQ+ world, full of fantasy and love. She lives in Australia with her husband and two kids. You can find her on TikTok at @akmulfordauthor and on Instagram at @akmulford. If you love her books, you can also get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com/newsletter by signing up!


When I got it: https://www.tiktok.com/@fallonwilloughby/video/7257988680235748651?q=riverofgoldenbones%20fallonwilloughby&t=1697066125509

What a wild ride this book was, I had so much fun reading it! Based on folk tales and mythology, this queer coming of age novel will bring you on a great journey!

I had high hopes of loving this, but I just could not get into this. I lasted maybe the first chapter or two. I did read several high ranked reviews and I do want to try and read this one again when it debuts in December.

This was alright, not my cup of tea. It just came across very juvenile and shallow. I was not grasped by the story or characters and it was often boring to me.

I freaking loved this book. It was sooo much more than I was anticipating.

This romantasy was a loose Sleeping Beauty retelling with wolf shifters, sorcery, found family, fated mates, and LGBTQIA+ representation. I loved all of the characters - especially Ora who has my heart.

This book had so much action throughout, romance, drama - everything. I can't wait to continue the series! When does the next book come out? I need it now!

Thank goodness for TikTok and Social Media, I love finding authors that we never knew existed. This is no exception. I fell in love with AK Mulford and I can't wait to share her book!

AK Mulford has done it again.

They have delivered us an enchanting fantasy romance, complete with fated mates, found family, angst, a sprinkle of spice and an epic journey of self discovery.

With court politics, evil sorcereresses, and plenty of action I was enthralled. I devoured this book in 4 days, while working full time, attending night classes and raising two small humans (some responsibilities may have been dodged).

My absolute favourite thing about this book, was Calla's journey of self reflection and self discovery and their ultimate ability to love and embrace themself exactly as they are, and their courage to claim it publicly. I wish I was as brave as Calla, and maybe one day I can claim and embrace myself just as beautifully as they did.

There were so many times when Calla was exploring their identity, that I swore they stole the thoughts directly from my head, because I've felt the same, or thought the same or wondered the same. Calla's story made me feel like I wasn't alone, in my thoughts and feelings, in the world, and that was the most comfort I've felt in a long time.

We all deserve to be loved and accepted like Calla. We all deserve a Grae in our life. We all deserve a leader like Calla, who will fight, protect and provide, for everyone.

The villain had me cackling because they were so sure of themselves but so...wrong. They were so selfish, and contradictory, and just...such a believable villian. I'm also a little smug that I figured out the plot twist early on.

The story has everything I look for in a fantasy romance, and definitely reminded me of The High Mountain Court. The idea of warring courts, claiming thrones, rebuilding what was lost, creating a better world, selfless sacrifice, had me smiling and wanting to reread it. And I love those elements in the stories I read.

For years I've been telling myself that werewolves are overrated and they're not my jam. Then came TJ Klune and his werewolves of Green Creek. "It's just a fluke," I told myself. "Werewolves are still overrated." Enter A. K. Mulford and her band of merry wolves. My friends, I am not too big of a person to admit when I'm wrong. It turns out, werewolves are indeed my jam.

A River of Golden Bones follows the story of Calla and her twin Briar, daughters to the notorious Sleeping Beauty and the last remaining heirs of the Golden Court. After a powerful sorceress murders their parents, the twins are saved by their mother's dying wish to a fairy, Vellia. "Protect my daughter until her wedding day". No one knows of Calla's existence except for her childhood best friend and sister's fiancé, Prince Grae.

Briar has been raised to be queen while Calla has been raised to protect her. On the eve of Briar's wedding, the sorceress returns and casts a sleeping curse on Briar. Calla must step out of the shadow of Briar to save her sister and her kingdom.

A. K. Mulford spins a story filled with love, betrayal, bravery, and the journey to finding oneself. The dynamic of Calla and Grae was a bit obnoxious at times but not so much that it took away from the story (Although, the number of times I had to read about a "burning kiss" created a new cringe). That said, I flew through this book, immediately pre-ordered it, and am anxious to continue reading the series.

4.5!! This is a new to me subgenre and a new to me author, and I really loved it a whole lot!! You all know I’m a huge romantasy gal, so I was excited when NetGalley approved me for this early copy. It’s such an imaginative take on sleeping beauty, with twins Calla and Briar always having their place and expectations put upon them by the strict Wolf pack rules. They’re lost princesses about to come back and claim their place. When Briar is cursed, Calla teams up with with her childhood best friend Grae and the most wonderful cast of characters to rescue her.

Not going to lie, at first I had a hard time getting a handle on Calla’s character. She has huge emotional swings that gave me whiplash. It makes sense though as you go on, because Calla doesn’t even know who she is or what she feels or what she wants. She’s always only ever been the silent, forgotten twin, and Briar’s shadow. Her character arc is truly beautiful, and I love the way she find her own “pack” with the musicians and her small band of wolves. I ADORE Ora. The LGBTQ rep in this book is incredible. Grae has his own demons he’s had to deal with, but you know from early on that he and Calla have been in love since they were kids. Now they can see it through because they’re mates. If anything, I wanted more of their romance. More depth, more dimension, more conversation. This is a series though, so hopefully we’ll get to see a lot more of their love. The ending had me breathless.

This is such a great start to a series I am really looking forward to reading!! Many, many thanks to the author, @netgalley, and @harpervoyagerus for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Sleeping beauty-inspired, werewolf (basically) fantasy romance. LGBTQIA+. Fated mates. Found family.

Calla is the secret twin to Briar who is fated to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom. When Briar and Calla were born, a sorceress took over their kingdom and now they have to fight to get it back. The marriage between Briar and the prince, Grae, is supposed to help reclaim their lost kingdom……. but of course it’s not that easy and maybe they’re fated to end up with different people??? Who knows.

In this world, Wolves rule and are above humans in basically every way. But Calla dreams of a better world where humans and wolves can live and fight together.
This has wonderful found family of humans and wolves alike. With one special character in particular, Ora, who helps Calla find themselves and who they want to be as a person.

This is a journey of finding your true self and fighting for what you believe in, even if sometimes you’re the only one fighting.


***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC***

This book is good in a way that sneaks up on you. It felt familiar as soon as I started reading it because of its "Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty"-ish references. In the same way that ACOTAR's first book has a SLIGHT B&TB Vibe. This only adds to your immediate investment/understanding of the vibe around our MC. If the sister is like "Aurora" in the way that she lives in a magical fairy cottage i the woods, then the MC is as self described in the book her "shadow". Always there. Always right behind serving as a way to make their sister look brighter and even more elegant in comparison. I don't want to give too much away but this book definitely has a great found family & fated mates plot with a good representation of NonBinary characters & growing self awareness. It is definitely worth the read!

Now that it is fall, I am craving all the fantasy romance books. I received an ARC of this book and figured it was a good time to pick it up. The author does an amazing job of world building and developing the characters. I felt connected to them and was rooting for them throughout the book. Once I hit the 50% mark in the book, I could not put it down and finished it way past my bedtime. It is a very loose Sleeping Beauty retelling which I'm usually not a fan of but I enjoyed it in this book. A few buzz words for this book are fated mates/wolves/humans/dark magic/found family/take back the throne. If those intrigue you, I would recommend this book to you.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advanced Review Copy. All opinions are my own.**

A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford is an exquisitely crafted fairytale fantasy, woven from the remnants of a wickedly imaginative world and infused with tantalizing allure. Prepare to immerse yourself in this captivating tale of wolves and indulge in its irresistible charm.

A River of Golden Bones is the first in a new trilogy from A.K Mulford. I am a huge fan of this author’s High Mountain Court series so I was super excited and thankful to receive an ARC for this!

I think this book was a fun read and a great start to the series! I love a good fated mates trope and this did not disappoint! Calla is an excellent character and their journey of self discovery was engaging. Hoping we get to spend more time with some of the other characters as the series continue.

I did feel that some of the story dragged a little bit in the middle so that is the only reason I’m not rating this a full 5 stars.

I would definitely recommend this if you like fantasy!

I really enjoyed A River of Golden Bones, once I picked this up it was hard to put down. I read at the airport, a resort, a local pool, in the pick up line at school (in park- before the kids were let out.) it was brought everywhere. I very much enjoyed the variety of representation in this book. The plot was solid. The characters and setting building were fantastic. I am guessing there will be a second book and I greatly look forward to it. If you like fantasy & / or romance this book would be an excellent choice.


Thank you so much for the ARC.

Ok so there’s a lot in this one and much to love!

We have: a sleeping beauty retelling for not one but TWO generations, a troupe of traveling bards turned warriors that will steal your hearts, and one non-binary badass leader who has a friends to lovers arc that will burn you right up.

Did I mention the healthy dose of fated mates?

So much fun!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to review.

A River of Golden Bones is a beautiful story about a badass gender fluid warrior who is on a mission, she needs to save her sister and save her kingdom. Calla has been hidden her whole life, to the current ruler of her kingdom she doesn’t even exist. This has filled her life with conflicting feelings. On the one hand this has given her an advantage in her fight for her kingdom but on the other hand it has left her all alone despite always having the love and support of her sister. Now she’s left without her sister who has been put under a sleeping spell by the sorcerous ruling her kingdom. Along with her mate, Calla sets off to right the wrongs set forth in her kingdom and to save the only person who has always been by her side. I highly recommend A River of Golden Bones. You will be sucked in to the story from the beginning. You will laugh, you will cry, you will a tad mad at Calla’s mate but it’s okay. They make up for it in the end!

The hidden twin to a princess promised to a prince in a rival wolf pack is forced to reveal herself when the same sorceress who killed their parents and forced them into hiding at birth disrupts the wedding that was supposed to free them. To save her cursed sister, Calla, the prince and those loyal to them create a found family that grows along the way and is full of fast paced adventure and a friendship that evolves into a fated love.

This book explores gender in a really unique way that I felt was really well done.

I recommend this book to those who love paranormal romance, found family, friends to lovers and fated mates.

I received an ARC for this book through Netgalley. all opinions are my own.

A fun and innovative new adult series. The first book is a retelling of the beloved fairytale Sleeping Beauty but with a refreshing twist. Instead of the expected prince charming, we have Calla, the twin sister of Briar, who is on a quest to save her sister from an internal sleep and reclaim their lost kingdom from an evil sorceress. Along her path of self-discovery and retribution, she finds love and acceptance that will last a lifetime. I'm eagerly anticipating what twists and turns this series will deliver next.

I really enjoyed this story! It is not something I typically would’ve picked up on my own so I am super thankful that HarperVoyager sent me this book!! I am incredibly grateful that I did let this one fly over my head!

The story was so rich and the tropes were delicious. Werewolf shifters?? Secret twin?? FATED MATES? AK Mulford hit the ball out of the park with this book! I loved the queer love and representation in this book, the strong family bond, and the plot of this epic romantasy.

The first installment of this book was so promising and I am already waiting for the second book [which is driving me insane since book one has not even officially released yet]!!