Title: Crown of Bones

Author: A.K. Wilder

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance

Summary: Raise. Your. Phantom.

For fans of epic fantasies and sweeping adventures, this ensemble cast will immerse you in a world of unique magic, breathtaking action and unforgettable characters.

In a world on the brink of the next Great Dying, no amount of training can prepare us for what is to come …

A young heir will raise the most powerful phantom in all of Baiseen.

A dangerous High Savant will do anything to control the nine realms.

A mysterious and deadly Mar race will steal children into the sea.

And a handsome guide with far too many secrets will make me fall in love.

My name is Ash. A lowly scribe meant to observe and record. And yet I think I’m destined to surprise us all.

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My Review

Crown of Bones is definitely a fantasy book you are not going to want to miss. It’s by far one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. This electrifying read grabbed my attention from the first chapter and refused to let me go until the end. I was enamored with this story and this beautiful world. The characters are so well-developed and swoon worthy (I swooned over ALL the scenes with Kaylin), and constant threats plaque these characters from every corner. Wilder did SO well bringing this world and story to life.

The story idea is beyond brilliant. Savants, like Marcus, are able to raise a beast, a Phantom. Non-Savants cannot raise a Phantom. Marcus, Ash’s best friend, is Savant but consistently struggles to control his Phantom. His struggles, internally and externally, make his storyline truly fascinating. He’s a character who faces so many struggles, but learns (and fights) to overcome these struggles. And though Marcus is a main character, the most interesting main character, in my opinion, is Ash. She’s non-Savant, but something doesn’t quite sit well with her. She’s an enthralling character that I just needed to know more about. Her past contains several secrets that slowly are brought to light, and that only worked to thicken the plot. Ash is easily one of those characters I could not get enough of, and one I could easily relate to.

But if I’m being honest, while I loved Ash, I was giddy for every single chapter that contained the charming and mysterious sailor, Kaylin. He’s so mysterious to the point that not even the reader knows if he harbors evil intent. And even though that stayed a big mystery for the majority of the book, I still rooted for him. Kaylin brings a new perspective to the group that sheds light on certain aspects of this magical world, and that light makes Ash question so many things. He pushes his way in to this close-knit group of friends, but as the reader, I did not mind one bit.

Wilder’s writing is fresh and bright and gripping. Wilder has crafted a book that is brimming with lush prose, captivating world building, and an exquisite magic system. While Wilder has created fabulous and quirky characters, the true strength of this book lies within her storytelling and world building. The world is so vividly captured that I could see every detail of this world in my head. It’s that type of world building I’m always looking for, and Wilder did an absolute excellent job bringing this world to life.

Overall, Crown of Bones is a top fantasy book for me that I will continuously recommend to every reader I can. I am impatiently waiting for the sequel, especially after that deliciously well-executed cliff hanger. Crown of Bones is out now! If you love fantasy books with beautiful characters and a unique storyline, I implore you to read Crown of Bones!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars