The Bone Thief Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

The Bone Thief (The Bone Charmer #2)
Author: Breeana Shields 
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Publisher: Page Street Kids

Synopsis:

“I was absolutely swept away by the world of The Bone Charmer.” – Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series

A deft exploration of the weight of grief and cost of revenge, Breeana Shields’s Bone Charmer duology reaches its spine-tingling conclusion in this high-octane fantasy-thriller.

Saskia returns to Ivory Hall to train in bone magic, determined to stop Latham from gaining the power of all three Sights—past, present, and future. But danger lurks within the fortress’s marrow. Trials are underway for the apprentices, and the tasks feel specifically engineered to torment Saskia, which is exactly what Latham wants.

As she grows increasingly more suspicious, her thirst for revenge becomes all-consuming. Together with the friends she can trust and the boy she loved in another lifetime, Saskia traces clues from Latham’s past to determine what he’ll do next. Their search leads them across Kastelia and brings them to a workshop housing a vast collection of horrors, including the bones Latham stole from Gran, and the knowledge that the future isn’t all that’s in jeopardy—but the past as well.

The Bone Thief is the thrilling conclusion to the fantastic young adult fantasy duology that readers are sure to love. I had some issues with the pacing of the first book, but this one didn't have that same problem for me. I was swept back into Saskia's world right from the very beginning and I didn't come back up for air until I had devoured the entire book in a few hours. Once I started reading, it felt like I had never left Saskia and her world and I always had to know what was going to happen next. I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting and loved it. Well, I loved everything except for the fact that it was the last book in the duology. I definitely wish this was going to be a longer series.

I continued to absolutely love Saskia as the main character. We got to see both Saskia as the tutor and Saskia as the bone charmer in the first book. I really loved this writing style - it made the book very unique. I don't think I've ever read another book where the main characters are variations of one person. Having learned so much about her and her variant futures, I felt like I knew Saskia on a whole new level compared to other characters. I loved learning more about the characters, especially Saskia (obviously). The other major characters were well rounded and realistic as well and I liked getting to know them more too. I absolutely loved learning about the different kinds of magic - especially bone magic - along with more history of the people and their world. The plot was exciting with lots of action that kept me on my toes. I don't do spoilers in my reviews so I can't say much more without accidentally giving something away. I thought it was fast paced, thrilling, and very well written. Like I said, I lost myself inside of Saskia's world and I loved it. Definitely recommended for fans of YA, fantasy, thrillers, mystery, and romance.

 

Breeana Shields is an author of fantasy novels for teens including The Bone Charmer, The Bone Thief, Poison’s Kiss, and Poison’s Cage. 

When she’s not writing, Breeana loves reading, traveling, and playing board games with her extremely competitive family. She lives near Washington D.C. with her husband, her three children, and two adorable, but spoiled dogs.

Win a copy of THE BONE THIEF by Breeana Shields (US/CAN Only)

Starts: May 20, 2020

Ends: June 3, 2020

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The Bone Charmer Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

THE BONE CHARMER 

Author: Breeana Shields 

Publication Date: May 21, 2019 

Publisher: Page Street Kids 

Formats: Hardcover, eBook 

Pages: 400

Description:

"I was absolutely swept away by the world of The Bone Charmer." – Kendare Blake, #1 NYT Bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns 

In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother. 

On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence. 

Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

From Chapter Three:

My head swims, and I’m not sure if it’s the nauseating combination of the smoke and incense, or the loss of blood, or the prospect of these particular bones being used against me. My mother’s eyes flutter closed. She breathes deeply and the smoke seems to rush to her, as if it’s ready to do her bidding. Several minutes pass and my eyes grow heavy. My limbs go slack. I forget what I was so worried about.

But then the clatter of an iron lid lowering onto the basin pulls me from my reverie. My eyes snap open just in time to see my mother spill the blackened bones across the white carpet. As she studies them, a crease appears between her brows. Her eyes are shimmering when she lifts her head.

“You’ll be apprenticed at Ivory Hall,” she tells me, her voice flat and emotionless. “You’ll train as a Bone Charmer with the Second Sight.” She swallows and her gaze slides away from me. “Bram will be your mate.”

For a moment I’m too stunned to react. And then rage wells in my chest.

“Why would you do this?”

She doesn’t answer. I can hear my pulse roaring in my ears.

“Which one of Gran’s bones told you to ruin my life?” I ask, scooping a handful of them into my palm.

“Saskia.” Her voice is low and threatening. “Don’t.”

But what could she possibly do to me that is worse than this? I’ll be sent far from home to be trained to read bones—a fate I couldn’t be less suited for. And she’s paired me with a boy

whose tattoos have made the whole town fear him, a boy who might have been my very last choice—if choice were actually a luxury that belonged to me. I’ll not only live a miserable life, but I’ll live it alone.

“Was it this one?” I ask, holding up a slender bone. When she doesn’t answer, I throw it aside and pick up another. “Or maybe this?”

My mother’s hand shoots out, her fingers roughly brushing mine as they close around the bone. Two bright splotches stain her cheeks and she has fire in her eyes. “Give it to me.” She tugs. But I tug harder.

And the bone snaps in two.

All the blood drains from my mother’s face. She sucks in a sharp breath and snatches the other half from me.

Broken bones are bad luck.

“What have you done?” Her voice is shrill, terrified. But it should be me asking that question. She’s destroyed any chance I have of happiness. And these bones are worthless

now anyway—they can only be used once. I climb to my feet and stalk toward the door.

“The answer to your question is no,” I say. “I don’t trust you.” But she doesn’t respond. And when I cast a final glance in her direction, she’s still staring at the fractured bone, one hand

pressed against her mouth in silent horror.

Breeana Shields is an author of fantasy novels for teens including The Bone Charmer, Poison’s Kiss, and Poison’s Cage. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English. 

When she’s not writing, Breeana loves reading, traveling, and playing board games with her extremely competitive family. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, her three children, and two adorable, but spoiled dogs.  

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

(3) winners will receive a signed finished copy of THE BONE CHARMER, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule: 

Week One:

5/21/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

5/21/2019- Rhythmicbooktrovert- Review

 

5/22/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review

5/22/2019- Jheartlovesbooks- Review

 

5/23/2019- The Pages In-Between- Review

5/23/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt

 

5/24/2019- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt

5/24/2019- Shelfrated- Review                                                                                                                                                                  

Week Two:

5/27/2019- Character Madness and Musings-Spotlight

5/27/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review

 

5/28/2019- Some Books & Ramblings- Review

5/28/2019- Starlight-Reads- Review

 

5/29/2019- Eli to the nth- Review

5/29/2019- Book-Keeping- Review

 

5/30/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

5/30/2019- The Suburban Lifestyle- Review

 

5/31/2019- AURELIA LEO- Excerpt

5/31/2019- Confessions of a YA Reader-Excerpt

 

Week Three:

6/3/2019- Two Points of Interest- Review

6/3/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review

 

The Bone Charmer Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

The Bone Charmer
Author: Breeana Shields  
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Publisher: Page Street Kids
 

Synopsis:

In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.

On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.

Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.

I knew immediately after reading the description for this book that I had to read it. Bone magic? Split realities? Count me in. I didn't quite know what to expect or hope for with this book, but after I finished reading it, I couldn't help but feel a bit let down. There are so many fantastic qualities about the book - the setting was interesting, the writing style was awesome, and the plot was well done (even if it seemed a bit transparent to me). The pace of the book definitely differs. From the beginning until about 2/3 of the way through, it felt like the story was moving so incredibly slow. I honestly didn't know if I could make it through. Finally, the last section of the book is jammed with action and a fast pace. I'm glad I pushed through to make it to the more interesting parts because that's what turned the book around for me. 

I absolutely loved that we have one main character but two perspectives. Saskia's reality (or future) gets broken in two at the beginning of the book and the majority of the rest of the story is told from alternating timelines. We get to see into Saskia as the tutor and Saskia as the bone charmer. I really liked this writing style - it made the book pretty unique. I don't think I've ever read another book where the main characters are variations of one person. The plot was solid with one big twist (for me at least) and the rest was basically what I expected would happen. I was disappointed at how it ended. I mean, it was a good ending that wrapped up the story - but the final parts didn't really have me on the edge of my seat like I thought I would be. The pace, the pretty boring 2/3 of the book, and the predictability definitely didn't give me the reading experience that I'd expected or hoped for in the slightest. This is wholly my own personal opinion and nothing against the book or the author. I know a ton of readers will really love and  enjoy this novel, but for me it turned out to be just a bit above "okay." I do recommend it for fans of YA, fantasy, mystery, and romance.

Breeana Shields is an author of fantasy novels for teens including THE BONE CHARMER, POISON'S KISS, and POISON'S CAGE. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English.

When she’s not writing, Breeana loves reading, traveling, and playing board games with her extremely competitive family. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, her three children, and two adorable, but spoiled dogs.

Win a copy of THE BONE CHARMER by Breeana Shields (US/CAN Only)

Starts: May 15, 2019

Ends: May 29, 2019

  a Rafflecopter giveaway