Bone Crier’s Moon is one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I can’t believe that I finally get to talk about it! As part of the blog tour, I’ll be sharing my review, my dream cast, and my favorite quotes!

[ Related: The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza (Blog Tour) (ARC Review) ]

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Animal Death, Animal Sacrifice, Murder, Kidnapping/Abduction //

Title: The Winter Duke
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Publisher: HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen
Release Date: March 10th 2020
Page Count: 480
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis: 

Bone ​Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.

Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.

Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.

Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | Kobo | Google Books | Indiebound

Read an excerpt from Bone Crier’s Moon here!

Quick Stats

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Bone Crier’s Moon is possibly my favorite book of the year (so far). It’s addictive and fun, with fantastic characters and a fantastic world. I can’t wait for book 2, Bone Crier’s Dawn!

Read more for my review, dream cast, and my favorite quotes!!

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Writing & Setting

After this book, I now need to read Kathyrn Purdie’s other books. Her writing style has that fun fantasy edge but is super easy to enjoy and jump into. She weaves the worldbuilding into the book beautifully– Bone Crier’s Moon takes place in a fantasy world heavily inspired by France, and you can see that inspiration everywhere. However, what makes it stand out is the mythology. The concept of the Bone Criers is fascinating, and I loved seeing the normal humans try to piece together the mythology based on the few stories that they have.

Plot

Listen, that cover and synopsis got me really hyped for this book. Before I started reading, I was worried my expectations would be too high. Well, despite having Brendon Urie-level high hopes, Bone Crier’s Moon amazed me. The main thing I will credit that to- the plot. also the characters but I’ll get to that next. I thought I knew what I was getting into, but oh boy was I wrong. This book definitely surprised me, many times.

But surprises aren’t the only thing that will hook you into this book. The pace is perfect, making it addictive. There’s plenty of action, which will have you on the edge of your seat, but there are also some quieter scenes for major character moments.

Characters

Now time for my favorite part- the characters! Listen, I’m trash for all of these characters.Ailesse is our classic strong female protagonist, eager for her mother’s approval and fully dedicated to the Bone Criers.

Sabine is Ailesse’s best friend, more tender of heart, and while she supports Ailesse’s ambition, she lacks her dedication.

Then there’s Bastien, who watched his father be killed by a Bone Crier and is desperate for revenge. Bastien matches Ailesse in dedication and strength, but his ruthlessness is paired with a little hint of awkwardness that appears very rarely but is so fun to see.

Outside of our three point-of-view characters, we have a full cast of people.
Jules is very similar to Bastien, his best friend, loyal and protective of their little group. She’s okay, but definitely not my favorite character. She made a lot of stupid decisions, but by the end of the book, I was starting to appreciate her a little more.

Marcel is Jules’ younger brother, who loves researching the Bone Criers but doesn’t really care about the whole revenge aspect. He just wants to spend time with his family, and since they’re out for blood, he’ll help. He’s just such a fun character, and I will do anything to protect him.

The relationships between all of the characters are so strong and compelling. Ailesse and Sabine’s sisterly love for each other is adorable, and Ailesse and Bastien are such a fun pair to watch interact.

Also, all of the characters’ development over the course of the book is amazing. Sabine especially. Seeing who she was at the beginning of the book, versus who she is at the end? She’s a queen and I love her.

Conclusion

Pros- Amazing characters, great world-building, constant action, and just so addictive
Cons- Are there any LGBTQ+ Bone Crier’s? I wish we could see more of other sexualities in this world.
Overall- 5/5 stars.
I had very high expectations for this book, and it not only met them but flew beyond them. Bone Crier’s Moon is a must-read novel for any fans of fantasy and star-crossed romance. Please pick it up!

If You Like Bone Crier’s Moon, I’d Recommend:

• Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin – [ Review ]
• The Wrath & the Dawn (The Wrath & the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh- [ Review ]
• We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal – [ Review ]
• The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1) by C. J. Redwine – [ Review ]
• Ruined (Ruined #1) by Amy Tintera – [ Review ]

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“Believe every story you hear.”

“If the Bone Crier wants a soulmate, I’ll give her one. I’ll give her me. Then I’ll break her.”

“This is a new dance between us, one that doesn’t lead to death but clings to the fragile hope of life.”

“I’m not weak. I’m not a coward. I’m tired of everyone believing I am. I’m tired of believing it myself.”

I’d die for Sabine

“The gods have nothing to do with us. We don’t have to play their games.”

“I curse the names of the gods. I desperately pray to them.”

“I’ll do what is necessary.”

“You will die, Bone Crier. Because you are mine.”

relationship goals?

“I am the instrument of your death.”

Kathryn is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the BURNING GLASS series. Her love of storytelling began as a young girl when her dad told her about someone named Boo Radley while they listened to the film score of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Kathryn is a trained classical actress who studied at the Oxford School of Drama. She also writes songs on her guitar for each of her stories and shares them on her website. Kathryn lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children.

Find Kathryn Purdie On:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr

Click Here To See The Bone Crier’s Moon Blog Tour Schedule!

Giveaway!!

Enter to win one (1) of 3 copies of Bone Crier’s Moon, as well as a set of two character bookmarks, and an 11×17 poster of the cover! (US Only)

Starts: March 4th, 2020
Ends: March 18th, 2020

Click Here To Enter!

What’s your favorite book with star-crossed lovers?

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