This is a fun and exciting book. On a world similar to ours tribes of people wander the plains of the Tapestry. These people bare much in common with the Mongolian societies of our world. The leader here has decided that all peoples must give up their way of life and come into his grand city and help in his war and building effort. Fighting against his edicts is a small group of raiders who strike fear into the villages they rob. They aren't good guys and don't pretend to be, but they have found a way to escape the social codes that would trap them by becoming raiders. Desperate to find a way to protect themselves from the king of the land. Sayana , after a terrifying encounter, comes up with a crazy idea. Why not tame the monstrous giant lizards and use them as mounts. this leads down a rabbit hole of danger, love and betrayal all in the hopes of keeping the Rakada free. A well written and fun book, I look forward to the next.

The Bone Raiders is a relentlessly cheeky, ofttimes unserious, and undisputedly rip-roaring bit of fantasy that can only be written by Jackson Ford. Badass female protagonists, found family, and giant lizards - what more do you need? Add this one to your TBR. I fully guarantee you'll be entertained.

I'll be honest, The Bone Raiders is not something I would typically request or read, but I am so glad I did! This was absolutely fantastic, and hooked me with the story's amazing and complex characters and fast paced pacing and plot,

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.75 (rounded up for Goodreads)

I will admit to having a bit of trepidation when beginning this, as I was dreading the novel turning out to be a “women-written-by-men” situation. However, I am thrilled to say that the author subverted my every expectation in the most refreshing and entertaining way possible.

Told from multiple POVs, all of the characters are women who are complex, funny, flawed, courageous, and wonderful. Another positive point in the author’s favor–their physicality is hardly described, giving way to the far more important emphasis of their thoughts and motivations. None of this, “she breasted down the stairs, boobily” nonsense that is all too common with female characters in worlds built by male authors. The author has clearly taken great care and love with every character in this book.

The pacing was excellent, breaking up exposition with action, and tension with humor in perfect balance. The humor was sarcastic and dry and never felt out of place, but served to relieve the tension of the high stakes. The sub-plot romances in the book were poignant and sensitively written, rather than described for titillation. Again, the emotions and conflicts of the characters came first in every instance.

If you read this book, you can expect adventure, humor, heartbreak, warriors and–everyone’s favorite–dragons. I couldn’t put this down from the first few pages and I cannot wait to revisit this world and these characters to see what happens next. This book is a must read for your fall TBR, do not miss!

This was a no hold bar brutal story! I thought it was fantastic! Amazing characters, fantastic world and I was engaged from start to finish! So we'll don't! Definitely worth reading! So good!!

A Fiery, and Emotionally Gripping Start to an Epic New Series!

The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford is a searing introduction to what promises to be an unforgettable fantasy saga. From the very first page, Ford plunges readers into a brutal, vibrant world teetering on the edge of war, ruled by fear, (perceived) loyalty, and betrayal -all anchored by a cast of remarkably distinct and deeply human characters.

Each of the protagonists stands vividly apart, from the stoic yet burdened leader whose past sins weigh heavily on her decisions, to the sharp tongued rogue whose defiance masks a battered heart, and the quiet cook whose courage blossoms into heartbreak and mending. The character development is a key! Each arc is meticulously woven, allowing growth, doubt, resilience and love to prosper in the most harrowing of circumstances. They are people you ache for, scream with, and ultimately cheer on as they defy impossible odds.

And those odds? They include a colossal fire spitting lizard that terrorizes and scorches its way into the most intense scenes of the novel. Ford created a beast and gave it a presence as symbolic as it is thrilling, mirroring the uncontrollable violence that the Bone Raiders themselves struggle against/with both externally and within.

At the heart of the story lies a chilling truth: the real danger often comes from those closest to us. Ford handles betrayal with great precision, showing how trust, once fractured, can redefine destinies. These emotional gut punches will burn themselves into your mind.

One of the most powerful themes running through The Bone Raiders (this one impacted me the most) is the struggle to find and protect one’s own voice, even when doing so means disrupting the status quo. Ford crafts a poignant message about "the cost of keeping peace at the expense of truth", and the courage it takes to speak up in a world that demands silence and subjugation.

The pacing of the novel is high, straight out of the gate. Around the 30% mark, there's a slight dip..more of a breath than a flaw..but once the 50% threshold is crossed, the narrative becomes relentless. Each chapter builds on the last with explosive momentum, drawing us (the readers) into a fire storm of battle, sacrifice, and revelation.

The ending is satisfying, a sort of full circle moment that ties up key threads while leaving just enough unresolved to make waiting for the sequel an exquisite kind of torture.. wetting the tongue and igniting anticipation for what comes next.

Jackson Ford’s The Bone Raiders is an emotional and exhilarating triumph. A must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy with teeth, heart, and fire.

Thank you to Jackson Ford for this adventure, I am totally looking at the little lizards in front of my house in a different light.. Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for making it happen!

This is a great intro to an awesome series. Te Bone Raiders reminded me a lot of the video game Arc Survival. Different clans of people, constantly at war use dinosaurs and other beasts for their own means. Plenty of action, a fast paced plot and very deep and interesting characters. This is ther first book I've read from this author but after enjoying this so much I can definitely say I'll be checking out more of his work. Fantasy fans READ THIS NOW!

Ford did it again! He delivered a book that was funny, adventurous and interesting. The Bone Raiders is about this group of (gorgeous and amazing) women who are just trying to live in peace, but are always bothered by the Khan and his minions. It’s a story about friendship, love, loyalty, justice and family, because even if they aren’t related by blood, they still are family.

I love the different personalities of the Rakada members, how we can all easily identify to them. The world building was top tier, the plots were amazing. After having read the frost files a few years ago, I’m still in love with Ford’s writing. I’ll be waiting (im)patiently for the next one, that’s for sure!!

SPOILERS AHEADDDDD



Let me just say that Khun is the funniest character ever. Her origin story is devastating, but that girl is hilarious.
Also, this impossible love story between Sayana and Tuya?!?!?! I aint fan of romance, but DAMN GAWD!!!!
And the deaf representation with Erhi?!?! The way they all acknowledge that what Tuya did was a big no?! Here I though I couldn’t be more a fan of you Jackson!!
That treason, let me tell you, I was NOT expecting that!!! You got me fooled there. AND THE BABIES?!?!

Just brilliant and a whole lot of fun. Highly recommended and I can't wait for more from this author. I enjoyed the world building and characters the most.

Okay so I'll be the first to admit I had no expectations for this one. The synopsis caught my eye not because it sounded like something I would especially love, but because the tone of it was so unusual. I wanted to know how that same irreverent and jarring tone would translate to a full novel. And I'm so glad I did.

Because The Bone Raiders had me hooked. I started out skeptical, but by the time I'd made a dent in the page count, I couldn't put this down. I loved the different perspectives we had as they helped to round out the story. Even Yesuntei, who I was originally skeptical of, became a perspective I looked forward to. And don't even get me started on Hogelun. Her development was everything to me.

Now, I tend to avoid fantasy series. Not because I don't enjoy them, but because with college, I never get back to finishing them. But this one, I want to finish. The end of this book, while not a cliffhanger, leaves enough for the next book that I want more. And there's so much left to discover! The budding romance (real slowburn in a fantasy, what is this?!), the araatans, the side characters we just met, I'm so excited for more. Here's to a year-long wait!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!