First, thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending over an ARC of this book.

After the cliffhanger from the first book, I was very eager for the second book to come out. When I saw this on NetGalley, I immediately placed a request and had my fingers crossed because I needed to know what happened. So grateful to be given an ARC and it did not disappoint in my opinion. So this actually takes place a year from the first book. Tamsyn has been with the dragon pride for a year and she has been separated from Fell because all that she knows is like Fell is dead. But also Tamsyn being herself she has this lingering feeling that Fell is not dead because of like the X mark and then they were bonded, she hasn’t let go of him. But then you have Vetr who is Fell’s brother, that you find out very early on in the book is the leader of the dragon pride. He low-key has a crush on Tamsyn, and he was the one that last one that saw Fell. He has been trying to integrate Tamsyn into this dragon pride, but Tamsyn grew up as a human and doesn’t really know their rules and all of that. Come to find out the dragon pride is really trying to keep female dragons because they want to grow their population. Tamsyn isn’t really down with that. So she sets out on a mission to find her man Fell obviously, and you know she has run in with witches and other dragons and Stig. I never trusted that little punk even in the first book!! He’s worse in this book. I will say there is a happy ending, but I’m not sure if it’s one of those like open endings or if we’re going to be getting a third book I wouldn’t be upset if we don’t, but also I wouldn’t be upset if we do!!

Sophie Jordan brings the dragons back a few months after A Fire in the Sky, in the second installment, Scar in the Bone where Tamsyn has finally learned a bit about being a dragon. Somewhat integrated in the dragon pride led by Fell’s brother, Tamsyn is by no means settled or content. One might think that having reached her “people,” her troubles would be over but in fact, Fell is dead.

That was sudden, wasn’t it? Fell’s death is taken so matter-of-factly in the beginning of Scar in the Bone, that readers might be a little confused trying to remember the ending of Fire in the Sky. In fact, the first book ended not with Fell’s death but with he and Tamsyn being greeted by his twin brother. However, the second installment continues a few months later with Fell dead and no immediate explanation as to how. It’s a bit jarring.

Another puzzling aspect was Vetr’s (Fell’s brother’s) motives. Vetr led Fell to his doom—why? Was he threatened by a dragon that shared the same power? Was it because he wanted Tamsyn for his own? And Vetr’s romantic interest in Tamsyn—the fact that he’s attracted to her is fine, but the events of the story lead readers to wonder if he actually likes her, if his interest in her might be a form of twin competition, or if he wants her mainly as a strong dragon to breed with. Because so much of this book was Tamsyn’s journey, others’ motives remain unclear. Hopefully they’ll be further explored in the next book, which is set up to go to some dark places…

The last mystifying aspect of this otherwise fantastic read is the exact history of the dragons’ decline. There are two (or more) prides of dragon shifters, but all the full dragons either died or are far deep in the Crags? Did no one stay with or take their children with them? It also seemed like the majority of dragons despised humans by the end and didn’t want shifter children—so why are there so many?

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book, and I’m excited for the next in the series—I just have questions!

I was hesitant to like this book because I made the mistake of reading a few reviews before I got to it but I did really enjoy it. I can see how people might be frustrated with the missing MMC but if you read it for the development of the FMC, it's enjoyable. There is some big tension, too, with a certain brother. The reunion part seemed a little unbelievable - a little rushed. I mean, the man didn't ask a single question, tell a story, or anything before needing to ravish is true love. And the villain was a pretty easy kill - which was actually mildly refreshing. We don't need an entire war book to kill him. So yay. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC copy!

book two in a n epic fantasy series that takes place in a high stakes world

this was good, not great but definitely good. The pacing and plot kept me engaged enough to finish it but I wasn't necessarily excited about reading it.

I wanted more romance, which likely swayed my overall opinion...but it was good overall!

4 Stars!

I really enjoyed how easy this story was to read. I flew through it in two days. I hesitate to consider it a romantasy (for myself) because we spent the 80% of the book without the two love interests. We were just feeling the grief of losing a mate and then adventuring with our girl to find her mate.

I enjoyed the conflict between Tamsyn and Vetr. I had a feeling about him in the previous book and I was totally right. The author didn't take it too far, but she took it just far enough. I really liked that plot point.

I'm hopeful for more of Kerstin and Nayden. I wanted more of Kerstin in this book but I can't wait to see what sort of animosity gets cooked up in the next with Nayden.

I loved the Stig interactions. He was just perfectly evil. Though I do wish we'd been able to see what occured with the royal family post whipping scene. Oh to be a fly on that wall (or tent?).

I'm ready for the next book!

At times this felt like two different stories. The beginning is so vague- we’re just supposed to accept that Fell is dead and a year has passed with zero information??

Then a lot happens while at the same time nothing does.. Idk this one was very skimmable. And the ending was anticlimactic. We just agree to disagree and move on?

This book was lacking a little bit of something and I am not sure what it was. Obviously dragons were what kept me going but the storyline fell off a little and the time jump was very confusing to me. Wanted to love this

3.5! A Scar in the Bone picks up a year after the ending of A Fire in the Sky. Fell is gone and Tamsyn is an outsider living in the Crags amongst her new dragon pride. Every day she is reminded she doesn't belong and that her mate has been taken from her. Vetr, Fell's twin brother, makes matters worse for Tamsyn and continuously tells her Fell is dead and that she must adapt to life in the pride. Female dragons are needed to build back the dragon population and Tamsyn is encouraged to bond to a new dragon.

My heart hurt that Fell took such a back seat in this book! I loved Fell and Tamsyn's reunion, but I so enjoyed Fell's POV in book 1 and I wanted more from him! I was also confused at times if this is meant to be a trilogy (my understanding was that it's a duology?). There is certainly room to continue the story, and I would love to see Fell and Tamsyn rule The Borderlands in the next book. I also didn't LOVE the hint of romance with Vetr. I am a Fell-stan for life! Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion (GOODBYE STIG!!!).

Where to begin. I really wanted to love this because I really liked the first one and while I was reading it I was into it but I had a hard time finding the want to pick it back up. I love dragons and I loved the characters in book one, but the time jump and the predictability of the plot line made this lose some pints for me. Still worth a read, just not exactly what I wanted.

As with other reviews, I found myself torn between enjoying the reading experience of A Scar in the Bone and struggling to pick it back up once I put it down.

I love romantasy and stories about dragons, but this one fell a little flat in places, pacing being the main issue. That being said, there were some interesting points to the novel, and the concept itself is intriguing. I just had higher hopes, I guess.

I do wish to read more of Sophie Jordan’s work in the future. Maybe this one just wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed the book but it was very predictable.
I knew what to expect from the beginning... I was hoping for something different. I wanted chaos, but it was all very laid out.
It also because very boring to constantly be reminded of Tamsyn feeling like she didn't belong. She kept bring it up and I kept wanting to scream "WE KNOW!"
I will say I enjoyed the dragons being humans and learning more about their magic.
But again, it lacked depth and the characters were all predictable. And it needed more world building.

The storyline of A Scar in the Bone is genuinely compelling and an intriguing world filled with dragons, danger, and secrets. The concept itself is what initially pulled me in. it had all the ingredients of a fantasy hit. Unfortunately, while the idea is strong, the execution left more to be desired.

I’m still not entirely sure if it was the jarring one-year time gap between events or simply Sophie Jordan’s writing style that didn’t click with me, but something about the pacing and emotional depth just felt off. Characters didn’t grow in a way that stuck with me, and despite some solid plot points, the story never quite hit the highs I was hoping for.

That said, it’s definitely not a bad read. it’s entertaining enough and worth checking out, especially if you’re already a fan of Jordan’s work. But for me, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to recommend to friends. The book also leans on the tamer side when it comes to spice. I’d rate it around a 2. so if you’re looking for high heat, this one might fall short.

Still, if dragons are your thing and you enjoy Sophie Jordan’s writing, definitely give this series a try. you might find the magic I was missing.

Unfortunately this was a huge miss for me. I'm really sad about it because I enjoyed book 1 a lot (I think I rated it 4 stars) and thought I'd love this one just as much, if not more. Possible spoilers ahead, so please skip if you intend to read this. I don't understand the decision behind Fell not entering the story before 70% in. Not only that, but a huge chunk of what happens in the first half of the book just seemed like filler. Also, the fact that Fell's twin brother wanted Tamsyn to be a breeder, along with many other moments that involved him really turned me off from the story. I will give some credit to the author though because Stig is a great villain and there's also decent character development with Tamsyn as well. I just don't get the point of some things that happened, nor do I have any idea what will happen next? If there will be a 3rd book, I'm not sure that I'll read it. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I loved getting to visit Penterra again, especially Tamsyn and Fell, characters that I fell in love with in the first book. I wanted to love this book like I did the first one, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t really get into the story, it didn’t pull me in like I was expecting. The storyline just wasn’t at the same amazing level as the first book. Not as much happened and because of that it felt like some of it was dragged out for too long.

Need more!!! I loved how the mfc Tamsyn grew into and found herself in this story. She is dragon she is human and she is free. No longer the whipping girl and her mate lost she struggles to find a place to call home in the pride as she comes to terms with what it means to be dragon while she gains feelings for her mates brother. But one decision leads her down a path where she discovers what it means to truly be free and have a choice in the life she wants to live.

I'm left with some really big unhappy feelings upon finishing this book. I don't understand the point of it? It felt like nothing really happened? Like maybe the first book could have been a little longer instead of dragging it out for another book and adding the drama of another male love interest? I was expecting a continuation of Tamsyn and Fell's love story as they tackle the chaos of this world together and was dreadfully disappointed. I'm so confused because I LOVED A Fire in the Sky, but the majority of this book felt like the purpose was for her to develop feelings for Fell's brother which gave me the ick. I don't mind the time jump in the beginning, but I figured we'd eventually see a first-hand flashback of what happened, and we just didn't get it. I wanted more on Fell's disappearance - and just more Fell in general. The most interesting part about this book was the epilogue, which left enough of a mystery for additional books in the future. A little heartbroken over this one, but still grateful, nonetheless, for the opportunity to read and review this book. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for this arc.

This is a sequel so I don’t want to say too much so I don’t give any spoilers away! I will say Sophie created an amazing cast of characters and an amazing world!

i love sophie jordannnnn!! she writes dragons so well, and i am so so so so thankful i had the opportunity to read this early!!! i cannot wait for more of this series

3.5 stars

I was so excited for this sequel because the first book was one of my favorite reads of 2024. While I enjoyed being back in the world, I think it just fell flat to me. The writing felt so different from her other books. There was a lot of repetition of ideas within a couple paragraphs.

The storyline was also not my favorite. It was basically the cheating trope with a romantasy twist. There was a lot of build up for a conclusion that took about 15 pages to clear up at the end which felt super anticlimactic.

I felt like this book was lacking. The potential was there, right within grasp. The story arc’ed but it was slow and then blazing fast and felt so unfulfilling.

Tamsyn never really explored or opened our perspective of the dragon pride life. We were all in the dark about the world. Was it a lack of knowledge on her part or a lack of exploration/explanation by the author?

My really bothersome part was the whole relationship/non relationship between Tamsyn, Fell and his brother Vetr. The betrayal of Vetr wasn’t that shocking. He was pushing really hard from the beginning for Tamsyn to forget Fell. Also Tamsyn was quick to accept his “death”? Like girl, if you love this man and you still feel the bond, why would you just accept someone’s word for it? You don’t even know his brother! The manipulation and AUDACITY of Vetr swooping in on his brother’s girl and using their identical looks to lure her in!!!

The ending felt so rushed. I felt like the day that Fell and Tamsyn reunited lasted 5 minutes and the next thing I know they’re storming back to the human world and Stig is dead. I just felt like it wasn’t meaningful or heartfelt. It was a let down. It definitely could have been delivered better.

I won’t say that I hated the book because I didn’t have to force myself to finish it. I actually liked it. I just wish it would have given me the same feels as the first one.