Broken Souls and Bones, L.J. Andrews (Review by Caitlin Winkler)
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Well…I did it again! I got SO excited to read a brand-new novel set in a fantastic and unique sounding new world with new characters to fall in love with and then, after racing through the pages, realized it means I have to WAIT for the next book in this brand-new series. Why do I do this to myself! Maybe because I, like millions it seems now, completely devour romantasy novels and cannot get enough! Broken Souls and Bones by L.J. Andrews, an already proflic writer, was an outstanding beginning to what I hope will be one of my favorite series-when they are all eventually written and released of course!
Lyra has a secret. One she never intended to get out. Hidden away and living the life of an unknown servant girl, Lyra finds her careful world shattered when Roark Ashwood, the King’s guard, and rumored ruthless killer, comes to her village and reveals the silver scars that she has worked so hard to hide in her eyes, marking her as melder. When Kael, her best friend’s, life is threatened Lyra agrees to follow Roark back to Stonegate to be the King’s melder, an unspoken prisoner, for the rest of her days. With Roark as her bodyguard, Lyra finds herself drawn to him in ways she cannot explain but Roark is not immune to this either. As they find themselves getting closer outside threats, including Skul Drek, threaten to tear them apart.
I really enjoyed this novel and, while it did take me a little bit in the beginning to learn the new world-as is the case for most new fiction worlds that I read-I found myself completely sucked in early on and wanting more. Right of the bat, L.J. Andrews did something many romantasy authors don’t do, and that I personally love, which is to have dual perspectives. I LOVED that we got to hear from Roark as well as Lyra as I felt it really added to the overall plot and was such an excellent addition to the cliffhanger ending! Overall, I highly recommend this novel and welcome others to join me in the torturous wait for book 2!
