Immersive worldbuilding was a hallmark of Polk's first book, Beneath the Shadow Dark, and I was excited to see wheMore solid fantasy from Melissa Polk
Immersive worldbuilding was a hallmark of Polk's first book, Beneath the Shadow Dark, and I was excited to see where we'd go for Bones of the Gods.
I loved this take on shifter magic and magical bonds, and stayed up well past my bedtime while jetlagged devouring this book. Looking forward to part two.
Merged review:
More solid fantasy from Melissa Polk
Immersive worldbuilding was a hallmark of Polk's first book, Beneath the Shadow Dark, and I was excited to see where we'd go for Bones of the Gods.
I loved this take on shifter magic and magical bonds, and stayed up well past my bedtime while jetlagged devouring this book. Looking forward to part two....more
Right from the start, it was clear this would be a good read. Aside from the elegant prose, the worldbuilding is phenomenal. The Solid fantasy romance
Right from the start, it was clear this would be a good read. Aside from the elegant prose, the worldbuilding is phenomenal. The world Polk has built pulls you in and hangs on tight, with enough detail to make you feel like you're there but without slowing the story down. I was rooting for the love story early on and enjoyed watching it unfold and evolve. Definitely recommend this book!
Merged review:
Solid fantasy romance
Right from the start, it was clear this would be a good read. Aside from the elegant prose, the worldbuilding is phenomenal. The world Polk has built pulls you in and hangs on tight, with enough detail to make you feel like you're there but without slowing the story down. I was rooting for the love story early on and enjoyed watching it unfold and evolve. Definitely recommend this book!...more
I loved how these two characters, who could have been enemies under different circumstances, came togeA fun and satisfying conclusion to this duology.
I loved how these two characters, who could have been enemies under different circumstances, came together in a delightfully sexy way to achieve a common goal. The tension and desire are so palpable throughout, jumping off the page and twisting into my heart.
I've been a fan of Polk's romantic fantasy both for the intensity of the emotional connections and for the easy immersion of the fantasy worldbuildingI've been a fan of Polk's romantic fantasy both for the intensity of the emotional connections and for the easy immersion of the fantasy worldbuilding. This book does not disappoint.
One thing I hugely enjoyed was that both main characters are morally grey at best, if not outright amoral, and yet both are artfully written. They both know who and what they are. It's not excused, but it's dealt with in a way that allows the reader to connect and simply enjoy this dark fantasy tale of love and revenge. Also well-captured is that feeling of spiraling out of control when someone you just can't seem to forget crosses your path. Lastly, I enjoyed the heist elements woven through the plot, which add a fun and digestible complexity without burdening the pace.
Another solid story from Polk. I look forward to the next one.
I received an advance copy for the purpose of writing an honest review....more
I love seeing books with Black girls and women wielding magic on the cover. This is exactly what I would have picked up as a teenager hoping to see moI love seeing books with Black girls and women wielding magic on the cover. This is exactly what I would have picked up as a teenager hoping to see more stories about Black Girl Magic, and I love that more stories like this are available to young adult readers now.
This book definitely delivers on its promise. It's what fantasy could (and in a lot of ways should) be more of. By that I mean, more varied in the range of experiences, abilities, and myths, rather than retreading the same old ground. It was especially refreshing to read perspectives that were new to me and, in my opinion, are underrepresented in genre and fantasy fiction. It was also cool to read the different styles and approaches. This is a good sampler for discovering new (to you) diverse authors.
There's something in this anthology for everyone: shifters, dragons, magical academies, family and found family, and more. A few stories stood out in particular; I most enjoyed "Grace and Ghosts" by KRS McEntire, "Chasing Waves" by Kendra Merritt, and "Sight" by Tamika Brown.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
I usually skim nonfiction or skip to interesting bits, but this book kept me engaged throughout. It's both approachable and the impactful read I anticI usually skim nonfiction or skip to interesting bits, but this book kept me engaged throughout. It's both approachable and the impactful read I anticipated.
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