First thanks to NetGalley and agency press for giving me a chance to read this arc! First thing I love about this book it has a glossary! I also think when world building in a new series things sometimes tend to get lost and having this is a great refresher. Okay now about the book Andar my man you are a dreamy one!!!! This book did such a great job weaving in and out multiple povs and keeping you invested in them all. Now with all of the multiple povs it does get a bit tricky keeping the storylines with each in order, so make sure you aren’t too tired heheheh. This is a book that you should know going into it super heavy on the details and if that bugs you this might be a harder read for you for sure. I think it did a great job keeping you interested in the mystery of the story and I can’t wait to read book two to dive further into that.

This story follows Lark and Andmar, the subjects of a prophecy destined to save their land, and Aurelia, a human girl who has strange dreams of the Faerish land.
I love the characters in this story, Andar, Lark and Aurelia were well developed with solid back stories and I could see why they acted the way they did. The supporting characters were just as enjoyable as the main characters and I found myself eager to continue their stories as well. There were a few good little twists that left me confused about where the story might be heading next.
The plot felt a little draggy at the start, the first half of the book felt like it could have been a bit more condensed as not a lot happened other than setting the scene for future events, and it felt like this could have been done a little more efficiently.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and will be checking out the next instalment once it is released. Thank you to Sera Foxe for providing an ARC for me to read and review.

4.5 ⭐️ I was hooked right from the prologue. The book starts off with an impressively interesting nightmare from one of our main characters, Aurelie. The scene itself had my mind spinning with so many theories and questions. I couldn’t help but dive right in after that.

This book gave me fairytale vibes throughout. We are slowly introduced to the characters which include an immediate back story for most of them before slowly finding out how they’re all connected. As someone who gets a little confused when there are a lot main characters, this was written in such a way that made it very easy to digest. Also thank you for the glossary in the back which was a huge help as well.

I love that Aurelie has a cat who is a kind of a sidekick. Not a main character but still important. There is definitely more to be said regarding Grey that I’m sure we will learn about in a future book.

I feel so lucky to have found this book. I hadn’t heard of it or the author but the cover art and title snagged me as something I might read and enjoy. Thank you for the ARC copy but now I have no one to talk to about this book. Was the last line actually a hint at a plot twist or am I thinking too much into it?

Sera Foxe’s Blood, Iron & Bone is an enthralling fantasy debut that grips readers from the first page and doesn’t let go. As the first book in The Lightbringers series, it delivers a darkly magical world brimming with high stakes, morally complex characters, and spellbinding intrigue.

The story follows Carys, a warrior haunted by a tragic past and tasked with protecting her fractured kingdom. Amidst brewing war and a prophecy that ties her fate to ancient forces, Carys must navigate political machinations, forbidden magic, and uneasy alliances. Her journey is not just one of survival but of self-discovery, and Foxe deftly balances her personal struggles with the epic scale of the narrative.

Foxe’s worldbuilding is extraordinary, immersing readers in a rich tapestry of warring factions, ancient ruins, and magical lore. The prose is lyrical without being overwrought, vividly bringing to life the dangers and beauty of this unforgiving world. The inclusion of elemental magic, tied intricately to the bloodlines of the characters, adds a unique twist that keeps the fantasy fresh and engaging.

What truly sets Blood, Iron & Bone apart, however, is its characters. Carys is a compelling protagonist—flawed, determined, and deeply human. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic mage Alaric and the morally ambiguous rebel leader Kael, add layers of tension and intrigue. The romance, while slow-burn and understated, adds emotional depth without overshadowing the plot.

The only critique I have is that some secondary characters and subplots feel underdeveloped, leaving questions that may be addressed in future instalments. But that also just means I can’t wait for these future instalments!

With its fast-paced action, heartfelt character arcs, and a gripping finale that sets the stage for more, Blood, Iron & Bone is a must-read for fans of gritty, character-driven fantasy. Foxe proves herself a master storyteller, and this series promises to be unforgettable.

It’s an easy 4.5/5 stars for me!

This review will be shared on instagram (@kezzie87 and @kerryreadsbooks_) in late December 2024/early January 2025.

Thank you Netgalley for approving me this e-book! I appreciate being able to receive this arc. This does not come out until March 21st, 2025.

This was definitely different! I gave this book a ⭐️4 Star ⭐️ only because I found the world building interesting and dramatic which kept me going on reading this 😅

I see a lot of potential here with this author and her writing style is different which I can see why others could struggle most throughout the book. It’s very slow paced and I couldn’t get into it until like 75% of the book.

This story is in 3 person that is introduced with multiple characters early in the beginning. Not going to lie I had a hard time with the beginning of this book as it was hard to keep up figuring who was who and their stories and it just kept jumping back and forth past/present which through me off because I felt like we kept missing the plot.

The world building is nice and I enjoyed the fated mates aspect. Aurelia was my favorite I did enjoy her story as I felt like we got more action from her POV. I wish we had more of that from the other characters and I think I would have enjoyed the story a bit more. I think this book (series) can do well with an audio to help understand the story more and characters? I just felt like too much was happening in the beginning like a roller coaster and got me distracted.

If the author plans for an audio for this book I would consider reading this again. This is a series of 3 books fyi and I would read book 2. I see a lot of potential here and I think it could go through some editing before it gets published in March!

Tropes:
✨Fated Mates
✨Fae Lore
✨Slow burn
✨Magic system
✨Human & Fae
✨Secrets

An EPIC fantasy tale that delves into parallel realms, family secrets, romance, deception & hard truths.

This book was everything to me. I truly felt myself trudging through the raw emotion of each character throughout the whole story.

I absolutely loved the touches of old fae lore.

There are so many things I could touch on.

I cried reading the heartache felt by Pan’s tragic end & Greymalkin’s hayloft beginning.

My heart was pounding through this story. Would Aurelia & Andar connect with one another? Would Nova secure safety after saving “Lark’s” life? Was the prophecy altered or was it exactly how it was remembered?

My heart ached for Lark. Suffering and biding her time locked in her tower with one goal in sight. And now that it’s falling apart, she has to figure out what her purpose actually is. Everything she worked for, just gone.

My ode to Aife. The character I went from absolutely despising to loving. As a a magically powerful fae, everything about her actions screamed “I’m bored so let’s have some fun.” I hope to read more about her in the coming books!

Aurelia, Andar, Cillian, Nova, Maw, Lark, Alasdair, Aife, Octo, Padraig, Ciorraithe, I hope this isn’t the end.

I truly don’t know what I’m going to do with myself while waiting for the next book. Ugh so good!!!


Thank you Sera Foxe for allowing me to read this advanced copy. Thank you Netgalley for connecting me with these amazing authors.

I’m happy I requested to read this and even more grateful to be approved.

Aurelia, Lark and Andar are our core characters, but which I think is interesting is that we get 2 side character POVs along the way. We get a full picture of each character path, where they intertwine and also, many questions answered.

Aurelia is actually my favourite, shes openhearted and funny with a brash directness. I was a little worried at first how she would slot into the story, but it was pretty seamless even though the circumstances are chaotic.

I really enjoyed Lark’s willingness to be openminded and put sense before her own insecurities. I am eager to see what happens with Lark going forward.

This book wonderfully incorporates fantasy and romance with politics, fated mates and prophecies. I’m going to be not so patiently waiting on the next book.

Great world building, very intriguing characters and interesting plot so far. I really liked this one and can’t wait for the rest!

3.25 ⭐️

I had to use almost every brain cell I have to decipher this mystery box of fae fun!

There's a curse shrouding the fae world in constant cloud cover, and a prophecy of fated mates to bring back the light. BUT, that clock is almost out, which is where this story begins.

A spiderweb of sticky bits and pieces.

Hats off to the author for weaving 6....yes 6....character arcs into 1 storyline...via third person, omniscient narrator, I might add. Good luck keeping up because I sure couldn't until about the 50%-60% mark. If you want instant gratification, you won't find it here. This is a challenging read, but (for the most part) well built.

Loved all the different characters and their storylines. One of my favorite characters is Aife, but we don't get to see inside her head, even though she's giving major main character energy. Her powers are mind-blowing.

The multiple POVs did give me a bit of whiplash. Shifting between six character arcs, each with their own storylines, felt abrupt at times, disorienting me from the plot and unhooking me from the characters I was TRYING to get to know...it felt like I was following a group chat where everyone’s talking at once, and you can’t tell who’s typing or whose drama we’re focusing on anymore.

The book’s pacing was deliberate, leaning heavily into exposition and description, which gave it a storytelling feel (I could picture someone reading this to me...maybe this would be a good audio book?) but slowed the narrative momentum. It was prose-heavy, and seemed to prioritize detail and introspection over action. It's immersive, but lacked the energy of more action-driven storytelling.

The romance was...there. This is a story of Fated Mates, but I was so focused on keeping up with all the different characters and story points, frankly it just bled into everything else.

The world building was intricate and interesting. I was really impressed with this element. I plan to read book 2, but more to keep solving bits of this mystery rather than seeing where the romance goes.

Worth a read, just prepare to really FOCUS!

✔️ Fae + Humans
✔️ Multi POV (6)
✔️ Curses & Prophecies
✔️ Magic & Powers
✔️ Fated Mates
✔️ Intricate & Unique World Building
✔️ Explicit Content but Sparse (so, I'd say this is...steamy?)

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC 💌

This book had grand sweeping world building - both in parallel worlds, family dynamics and a class hierarchy in the magical world. The start of the book did a great job of moving the story along but still kept the various threads separate, so the reader keeps trying to guess how things are going to come together. The middle got a bit slow - as things came together but seemed to drag with a bit of repetition until the big action packed finale at the end. I feel like the main story wrapped up, but there were so many of the other characters that fell away after they played a part in the main plot line - I wanted to know so much more about Nova and Cillian's fate and what happened to them, even if it was a partial epilogue.. hopefully we'll catch up with their adventure in the next book.

⭐⭐.25 | 2.25 stars rounded down

Thanks to NetGalley and Agency Press for the chance to read this book.

While this story has fantastic potential, it unfortunately wasn't for me. All the characters felt completely 2D, and I really struggled to feel anything but indifference toward any of them. The pacing was very inconsistent, and the book is written almost from all characters' POVs at once - both of which made it extremely difficult to follow.

The writing style is also not for me. I would have loved to see more "show" and less "tell."

Blood Iron & Bone is the first in the Lightbringer series, with book 1 releasing March 21st 2025.
This follows our fmc Aurelia who is living in the mortal realms and has never quite felt like she’s belonged. Our other fmc is Lark, a duty bound fae princess living in a world full of magic. Then there’s Andar, the mmc who is betrothed to Lark, but has always felt like there’s something odd about their connection. We follow these 3 along with plenty more characters, as they try to navigate a murder, an impending marriage and a prophecy that doesn’t seem quite right.
This was fun! The world building did take quite a while, but I’d say by the 30% mark the story started to take off. Initially I was thrown by the writing style, simply because I hadn’t read anything with this much pov jumping before, but once I was used to it I actually really enjoyed it. This felt like a really refreshing take on Fae - I really appreciated the different physical traits they were given.
Thanks to NetGalley, Agency Press, and Sera Foxe for allowing me this arc opportunity!

Book Review: Blood, Iron, and Bone by Sera Foxe

Blood, Iron, and Bone is the first book in Sera Foxe’s The Lightbringers series, set to release on March 21, 2025. This fantasy romance blends rich world-building, mythology, and a gripping storyline.

The story follows Aurelia, a mortal drawn into Áithrim, a dark and magical Fae kingdom. She meets Lark, a Fae princess who looks just like her, and together they are tied to a prophecy about fated mates destined to save their world from darkness.

The book shines with its imaginative world inspired by Celtic mythology and its complex, engaging characters. Themes of found family and destined love add emotional depth. While the beginning may feel slow due to detailed world-building, the fast-paced plot and romantic tension keep readers hooked.

Blood, Iron, and Bone is perfect for fans of Holly Black and Sarah J. Maas, offering an exciting mix of fantasy and romance.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Recommended For: Readers who love epic fantasy with prophecy, fated mates, and richly developed worlds.

I devoured this book. I got hooked from the start and the more I turned the pages the more fascinated I got with this incredible world!

It's the storytelling, the worldbuilding and the characters! Blood Iron and Bone is written in 3rd person and I feel like that made it even more enchanting.

There were many moments that tugged at my heart and left me emotional for the characters and what they were going through. Those last chapters were everything!

I read this book within a few days and loved every minute of it! It's an extensive story that takes you through the full range of emotions as it entwines its riveting tale.

I can not wait to read the next book!

I received an ARC through net galley for which I am SO grateful for! Firstly, I must say that one particular thing that stood out to me was the character building. Every character was introduced so well with so much back story. It felt like I knew every character in so much detail, even if they weren’t a main character.

Secondly, the plot is so unique and something i’ve never really read before. A story of fated mates and found family but in a different sort of way!

I throughly enjoyed reading this book, and can’t wait for others to be able to get the chance to read it also!

I want to be completely honest and preface by saying I did DNF this book about 20% through, however I am positive that there will be a loyal audience for this series! Unfortunately, it was not me.

I believe majority of the reason I DNF is one, that my reading genere has changed, I believe I have moved on from enjoying fae romantasy and two, I struggled with the multiple character POVS.

I really tried to keep up and enjoy this as I was so incredibly excited however, my brain could not focus on the multiple character POVS and I found it hard to connect with the story, as much as I would of liked to.

I have decided to give this book 2 stars, despite not finishing it, I can see this series blossoming into something wonderful and i am very appreciative of the opportunity to read this ARC and I want to thank NetGalley & Sera Foxe for that opportunity.

3.5 stars
Blood Iron and Bone is the first book in a fantasy trilogy and introduces The Prophecy of Light, where a fated match between two fae is predicted to prevent permanent darkness over Aithrim.

The betrothed, Andar and Lark, are approaching their 21st birthday on which their wedding is foretold as part of this Prophecy. Lark has doubts that their union is the solution to bringing back the light. Meanwhile, Aurelia is a living in the human world with a cat companion, some unloving parents, and no friends.

The beginning of the book has lots of world building, little action and a lot of flashbacks and dream sequences. There is a lot of back and forth in the inner monologues of Lark and Andar (there is a reason behind it), but I found it hard to like them and become invested in their story.

As the story catches up to the current events, my favorite characters are introduced. Nova, Lark’s maid who was stolen from the human world as a baby, and Cillian, a young fae soldier with the ability to read people with a touch, are involved in the arrival of Aurelia into their realm. I hope we see more of Nova and Cillian’s relationship later in the series.

So much action occurs in the last part of the story. There are reveals, betrayals, and not all the questions are answered. It hooked me enough to look forward to the next installment.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

The premise of the book was good and from the beginning you are captured by the fighting dream. The love between the main characters developed as the story developed and it was a romantic part of the story around a war in the world. The world building needed a bit of work, but all in all an enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I honestly have mixed feelings about this one. In the beginning I was enjoying it, then I wasn’t, then I was… and on and on. I felt like this book could have been much shorter, and the conclusion could have been reached without the unnecessary fluff much faster. This book got pretty wordy at times, multiple versions of the same word used to describe something.

In all, I did enjoy the plot, and I am interested in seeing what this series has to offer next… I would love to see where Aurelia and Andar go next, if Lark finds her destiny like she wants to, and what comes of Nova and Cillian. I’m also super curious if the mysterious brother can be found, and the fate of Padraig.

Again, thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

blood iron and bone by sera foxe was a book i was excited to dive into- i’ve always loved stories set in the fae world 🧝🏼‍♀️ the premise seemed promising, with fate, prophecy, and a cursed sky drawing both fae and humans together in a kingdom on the brink of collapse - unfortunately, while the concept intrigued me, the execution left me wanting more

the biggest struggle for me was the writing itself. it felt surface-level and lacked the depth and complexity that would have really brought this story to life. everything moved too quickly, and considering the entire book takes place over just a few days, i found myself struggling to stay engaged with the pacing and timeline

on a more positive note, the world-building was one of the stronger aspects of the story. there’s a lot of background provided on the realm, and i appreciated the ties to celtic/irish lore - it added a unique touch. however, as someone who grew up in ireland, i found the use of irish phrases and lore somewhat confusing and underexplored. i felt like these elements could have been developed more to make them feel truly significant and impactful

overall, while the concept was solid, the writing and timeline didn’t work for me as much as i’d hoped. it’s a decent read with some good ideas, but ultimately, it didn’t fully deliver