✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author J.Ember Hintz And Netgallery for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“In a world where shadows conceal deadly secrets, trust is the rarest magic of all.”

I’ve officially found my new favorite Shadow Daddy in Masquerade of Bones by J. Ember Hintz! From the moment I picked up this book, I was completely hooked—and it managed to surpass every expectation I had and then some. It’s been several days since I finished, and I’m still struggling to find the words to fully capture how much I loved this story.

Set against a rich southern gothic backdrop, this romantasy offers a unique and fascinating magic system centered around relics—the bones of magical creatures that witches use to channel their powers. The worldbuilding is atmospheric and immersive, mixing mystery, danger, and a touch of dark allure that perfectly complements the story’s tone.

The heart of the book, though, lies in its characters. Everly is a secret witch carrying the weight of her past—her parents’ deaths, a broken engagement to a prince, and the burden of mounting gambling debts. She’s relatable, vulnerable, yet fiercely determined to survive and protect her family. Enter Silas Drake, the enigmatic and dangerously alluring Shadow Daddy reaver. He’s the kind of morally gray, swoony hero that’s impossible not to root for. Silas and Everly’s dynamic is electric, charged with sharp enemies-to-lovers banter, mutual suspicion, and a slow-building trust that felt utterly authentic.

Their relationship is a true battle of wills—neither willing to give in easily, each challenging and outwitting the other. It’s rare to find romance that feels this earned, this satisfying. And beyond the romance, the found family vibe brought so much warmth to the narrative, making the stakes feel even higher.

The heist plot is tightly woven with rising tension, and the pacing kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

If you’re a fan of intricate magic systems, southern gothic vibes, enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn characters, Masquerade of Bones should absolutely be next on your TBR. This book stole my heart, and I can’t wait to see where J. Ember Hintz takes us next.

I read this in less than a day, I was that hooked. The plot and world building were interesting, and the tension between the characters made it difficult to put down. I wasn’t expecting the reveal at the end, and am so mad that I have to wait for the next two books. Please, I need more. This book will stay with me for a while.

I was hooked from the first sentence and I stood no chance of escaping. Masquerade of Bones fully starts fast, and the audience gets immersed in a world of Reavers, political strife, magic, and adventure. The pacing was amazing, characters had depth, and worldbuilding was perfect.

I lovedddd Everly. Not only is she badass, but she’s complex, dynamic, and fleshed out. We see glimpses of her in her stages of life, which makes her growth so much more personal and impressive. She’s (thankfully!!) independent instead of a naive, codependent MC. I loved her inner strength and her thought process, as well as her bond with her friends, family, and Silas.

And Silas? Silas <3. This was THE romantasy. I absolutely loved their chemistry and how Silas pushed Everly. It wasn’t quite a slowburn in my opinion, but it was definitely fleshed out, passionate, and tense.

This book excels outside of a romantasy. The explanation of magic, relics, and political intrigue furthers the plot and provides for a quick paced read.

My one gripe was that the end came really fast. Almost too fast. I was left reeling. It felt rushed compared to the rest of the book. But, it sets the scene up well for a potential sequel (which I’m stoked for btw).

I would recommend this book for, well, everyone!!

Long story short, I need the sequel right now. But in the meantime, I need to get another book by J. Hintz to cure my hangover.

* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a nice concept. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. The romance has a kick to it but I do wish there was more yearning. The plot it's self was good, it kept my attention, and I would continue to book 2 just because of where this ended. I swear I'm cursed to forever find books with cliffhangers 😂. I think the writting needed a little more structure but over-all nice introduction.

Thank you the Author and Netagalley for the E-arc! 💜

This book is so good, and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

It’s nice to find a fantasy/Romantasy book out right now that isn’t a copy of another popular one, AND doesn’t have the same themes.

Everly is a disgraced noble. In a world where magic means you’re either conscripted into the army or a reaver (unsanctioned witch) she has managed to hide what she is. Her parents were attacked and killed by reavers which outed them as sympathizers, that caused her to lose her fiancé the prince and disgrace her family name.
Now Everly gets by with painting extinct animals witches use bones from to channel magic for a museum and selling drawings of all the reavers who are hung daily to the newspaper.

She ends up running into a reaver shadow summoner who tricks her into a blood oath to pay off her debts in turn for helping him steal a dragon egg the new princess brings to their kingdom as a dowry.

JUST DAMN! It has every single one of my favourite tropes wrapped in a twisty story with such a unique magic system I absolutely loved it! And the cherry on top? A FRICKIN SHADOW DADDY THAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR SINCR CRYING OVER XADEN. This book had me hooked from the first page and with the tension and the angst I finished it in one sitting! SO GOOD! Excuse me while I now go find other books by this author!

Thank you to Specter Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars
This book was a breath of fresh air for a romantasy it was everything you could want and love! The main standout to me was Silas - he had me grinning from the first page and kicking my feet every time he opened his mouth.

This book felt to me like a mix of Six of Crows but romantasy, there was a great found family, an abundance of heists, a dark and broody leader and then an adventure that had them travelling via boat with training that I thought was really well done.

The side characters were amazing in this, they really helped pull the book together. I did really like Everly - sometimes her character did frustrate me at times, but in the end you understand. The romance between her and Silas was AMAZING, I honestly couldn't put this book down.

I mean the tropes were brilliant - enemies to lovers, villain gets the girl, shadow daddy, heists, forced bonds, found family, fake dating, outlaws, magic, and dragons. It's everything you love in a romantasy.

I think one thing that confused me was the ending felt really abrupt, I'm not too sure if there's going to be another book - but I hope so as would love to see things expanded on more!

Definitely check out this book if you're looking for your next romantasy read to obsess over!

This was easily a 4 star read, practically 4.5, until the end.

This has all of my favourite tropes in that make it a perfect romantasy comfort read: a brooding, morally grey shadow daddy (who is OBSESSED in all the best ways), fated mates, dragons, magic, slow burn and spice to name a few. And I was hooked from the first page!

I loved the magic system, the plot twists and watching the characters develop, loving that angsty build up as well as the great action throughout. As I was getting to around the 90% mark, I was growing increasingly more worried that the story was seemingly nowhere near its conclusion and there was not much left of the book. This led to the anxiety of thinking I was going to have to wait impatiently for the second book where the story would continue, to the point where I was on the author’s socials, looking for any hint that the story would be continuing and looking to see what other books they had already published so that I could try to fill the void that this story would leave. Then, as I got to the final chapter, I quickly realised that this WAS the conclusion of the story. I was not ready for it, because to say that it felt rushed is an understatement! There had already been a few times in the story where I felt the author had some missed opportunities to develop the story further, but I could overlook this because I was still loving the story. The ending was just not the one. It might has well have been…’ and she woke up to find it was all just a dream.’ There was so much still to work through and so much left unanswered that I just felt cheated.

Will I still read other books by this author? Absolutely, but I may have to measure my expectations!

Thank you to J.Ember Hintz, Specter Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Masquerade of Bones is a dark, immersive romantasy full of magic, heists, and complicated characters.

Everly’s voice is strong and emotionally grounded, and I loved how the author built tension between her and Silas.

The southern gothic setting, cursed relics, and morally gray cast created a rich and dangerous atmosphere that kept me reading late into the night.

The book tackles heavy themes with unflinching honesty definitely read the content warnings, but it also delivers strong character development, compelling romance, and high-stakes action.

Highly recommended for fans of villain gets the girl, enemies to lovers, and dark magical worlds with real emotional weight.

A strong start to what feels like a gripping new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher
for the Advance Copy

I loved the idea of this book, and I must commend the strong world building, but one of my pet peeves is when there's a secondary love interest/ex who is just there to provide some angst or jealousy, but is not actually a contender in the fight for the female protagonist's heart. now, I dont love a love triangle either, but my point is what IS the point of having a secondary love interest on the sidelines who has absolutely no chance? I also have issues with the insta-lust between the characters and the instant rudeness from the male love interest.

3.5 stars? Maybe?

Masquerade of Bones follows Everly Thorn, a witch cursed with the ability to hear the whispers of the bones of dead dragons and other magical beasts. She's keeping her powers hidden, reeling from her parents' murder and a broken engagement to the crown prince, while drowning in gambling debts. When infamous outlaw Silas Drake discovers her secret, he blackmails her into helping him steal a powerful relic—and Everly is forced to choose between protecting her brother and striking back at those who want to control her.

This book left me feeling... very conflicted. There were things I really enjoyed and others that drove me a bit up the wall.

Let's start with the tropes: we've got your typical brooding, dark-haired, shadow-wielding love interest (Silas) who's rude at first but of course devastatingly attractive. We've got the strong, angry, badass main female character (Everly) who's flawed in ways that sometimes made her hard to follow. And of course, the blonde ex who's a prince (Gideon) as a sort-of-but-not-really second love interest who's basically just there to be jealous. The romance leans heavily on instant attraction. Even when Silas literally chokes her, Everly can't stop thinking about his tattoos and muscles. Girl, I get it, but maybe... be mad about that first?

The magic system is one of the coolest parts! The use of relics with specific limitations and rules adds depth, and the lore surrounding witches and their sickness is genuinely fascinating. I just wish it had been explained more. Some aspects are mentioned without much context or explanation. It felt like the foundations were there but not fully explored.

Character-wise, I struggled. I couldn't really tell who was supposed to be "good" or "bad," and Everly's loyalties shifted so often it felt inconsistent rather than complex. Her impulsiveness makes sense for her character, but it got frustrating. Silas, on the other hand, is mostly just hot, flirty, and a jerk. He spends a lot of time thinking he's a monster, but I couldn't figure out what he actually wants or why he acts the way he does. Buuut around the 60% mark, their chemistry finally clicked for me, and surprisingly, I ended up liking them together by the end!

The second love interest, though, was a nonstarter. He barely appears and when he does, he’s just another jealous guy. Honestly, almost every major male character treated Everly poorly... except for one minor male character who was an absolute sweetheart (more of him, please!). On the bright side, I did like most of the female characters.

The beginning was decent (good setup, solid writing), but the plot dragged a bit, especially since some early plot points were abandoned later. The middle slowed down, and the whole direction of the story shifted very suddenly. But once I adjusted, I got pretty invested. And the ending? Genuinely surprising! I couldn't put it down by that point, even if the writing felt a bit rushed and I wish we got more closure on some plot threads.

Overall, I feel torn. There were a lot of rough edges (uneven pacing, underdeveloped characters, clunky dialogue), but there’s also real potential here! The world is intriguing, the ending was strong, and I’m honestly curious to see what happens next.

This is a great romantasy book! While there are some more romance-y elements at the end, it's definitely a slow burn - very little spice until >80% of the way through. It's book 1 in a series, though, so I'd imagine there's more spice to come.

The FMC is refreshing - fierce, smart, and not willing to take any crap from anyone. You get the sense that there might be more to her, maybe more than even she knows, but you don't learn too much about any surprises in this book. Her interaction with both her ex-betrothed (the prince) and the dark and mysterious man she is bound to is fun to watch - at times it feels like it might become a "why choose" since they both have chemistry with her, but there are also some secrets to her mystery man that we don't learn much about here, so it will be interesting to see how that unfolds in the coming book.

I loved the fantasy parts of the plot too - I felt like I was right in the action, and the story didn't get bogged down with excessive detail like some fantasy books do. I could vividly imagine the characters and what was happening without needing the 1000-year history of some obscure species of elf or something - much, much appreciated.

Overall a great read, and I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Magic and dragons and vengeance OH MY! Love this standalone. A bit of spice and violence to feed your romantasy soul. And a little twist on the basic fae realm we are all kind of used to reading by now. Very enjoyable!!

Great read, about a witch trying to save herself and her brother, who makes deal with a man, or is he just a man.
If you like the supernatural this is for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

Masquerade of Bones is a darkly enchanting fantasy that dives headfirst into a world of forbidden magic, dangerous secrets, and a protagonist fighting tooth and nail for her independence. Everly is a wonderfully complex character. Burdened by grief, debt, and a cursed ability, she's far from a damsel in distress. Her cynicism is earned, her resourcefulness sharp, and her determination to forge her own path resonates deeply.
Silas Drake is the perfect foil to Everly's cautious nature. A notorious outlaw with a shadowed past, he embodies danger and intrigue. While the "bad boy" trope might feel familiar, Hintz gives Silas enough depth and vulnerability to make him more than just a caricature. His motivations are complex, and his interactions with Everly are charged with tension, creating a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Hintz crafts a compelling world, rich with captivating lore and intriguing magical systems. The Menagerie of Extinct Magical Creatures provides a macabre and fascinating backdrop, hinting at a history filled with wonder and destruction.
Overall, I highly recommend for anyone seeking a dark and enchanting escape into a world where magic comes at a cost, and survival depends on embracing the shadows.

While I greatly appreciate the review copy I received, this book ultimately wasn't for me. I find that the "heist" trope can be hard to pull off in a fantasy novel, and this just didn't hit home for me.

I do think it is worth the read though for anyone who is interested in that type of plot!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Everly, our FMC, is a an ex-princess to be with a deadly secret. She's a witch.. but not just any witch, she is a witch that can hear the whispers of relics. In this world, being a witch is punishable by death if you are found to have hidden it, or, punishable by mandatory military recruitment if it is reported when its found. Everly's parents chose to hide her. And when they died, she lost everything.. her prince.. her status.. her home. Enter in our MMC, Silas. Silas is planning a heist and he needs Everly's skills. Tying Everly into the blood oath of her life, they set out to achieve this heist. But beware, not everything is as it seems.

This book was slow burn, but the good kind of slow burn. The kind of slow burn where she hates him and its going to take a lot for him to get anywhere with her. I was all here for the banter. And the process of the creation of found family was just mmmf! This is not a story where the FMC is a pushover. Its not a story where our FMC will roll over. Our FMC is smart.. educated.. witty.. but not a Mary Sue.

The book was well written, with little to no errors. The characters are well fleshed out. The emotional rollercoaster of the story, isn't too intense and neither is it boring. Overall, I couldn't put this book down and read it all in one sitting. I am, however, a liiiiittle mad that this didn't end with a triad/why choose. It had that potential.. it still has that potential.. *looks at author*. But I do understand why it wasn't.. at this point anyway.. We will see how I feel after I devour book 2... There is going to be a book 2 right *stares at author*

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

I liked the concept of this book. The heist was very fun and well written. I also really liked the ballroom scenes, felt slightly YA, but I don't think that is a bad thing.

MASQUERADE OF BONES
J.Ember Hintz
4⭐️
3🌶️

✔️Slow burn
✔️ Witches
✔️ Possessive MMC
✔️ Dangerous quests


Wait till booktok gets their hands on this outstanding novel!!

A blood oath. A botched heist. A dangerous deal with the enemy.

This book had me gripped from the beginning. The chemistry between Everly and Silas was phenomenal! I appreciated that this was a slow burn and my god did it explode like fireworks 🧨
I loved Everly from the start - we see her passion her fears and her strength throughout the book. I would do anything to have Silas call me a “good girl” 🥵 he’s was so possessive, secretive and undeniably loyal!

The world building was remarkable! You are thrown into this world and it’s like you’re right there - proper fly on the wall moment! I found everyone exciting and was drawn into them wanting to find out more about their own stories.

The ending was excellent, I didn’t see the reveal at all. Well done J. Ember Hintz! I can’t wait for book 2!

✨crying now while I’m waiting ✨

A must read in 2025!

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻