REVIEW: Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

ISBN: 0062798774

Release Date: 3rd March 2020

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
B&N, Book Depository

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.

Review:

*I received a copy of this book from Indigo Books & Music Inc.
in exchange for an honest review*

Bone Crier's Moon had been on my tbr ever since the cover popped up on my twitter feed. Isn't such a beautiful cover? After talking about it at Frenzy Presents and finding out what the book was about I knew I would be picking this book up.

This book follows three characters, Sabine, Ailesse and Bastien. Sabine and Ailesse are sacred Bone Crier's, whose job it is to protect the living from the dead. Bastien's father was killed by a Bone Crier during one of their rituals and has sworn revenge ever since.

The story starts with a flashback to a young Bastien witnessing the death of his father at the hands of a Bone Crier. This chapter really sets the tone for the rest of the book and what drives Bastien into seeking his revenge. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He was a young child and witnessed his father being charmed into a ritual that led to his death. Bastien throughout the book changes a lot as he learns more about what a Bone Crier truly does. All he knows are the small stories and folktales, but the truth of what their true job is nothing like he perhaps expected.

There are three points of view in this book, Sabine's, Ailesse's, and Bastien's. Having all of these different point of views was a lot to take in, but I felt that it really helped to develop the characters and I loved getting to read about the struggles and successes each character had. 

I loved the relationship between Sabine and Ailesse. They relied on one another and went to each for help and strength. Both of these characters were vastly different from each other and yet were still the best of friends. Sabine didn't have much of a stomach and wasn't fond of the acts they had to carry out to be a full Bone Crier, yet when it comes to protecting Ailesse she will stop at nothing to protect her. Sabine was probably my favourite characters in the book. I really loved the growth she went through as a character and how well she handled the situations she was finding herself in.

Ailesse was a strong, determined and vicious character. She didn't back down from a challenge and willingly carried out her duties as a Bone Crier. Yet, she had a kind and caring side to her. She may make threats, but in her heart she knows she won't always act upon them. The challenges she faces during her rite of passage are tough and she never expected it to turn out the way it did. Ailesse may put on a tough act, but deep inside she feels scared and confused about what is happening.

Other than the three main characters there were also a handful of others that I really enjoyed. Jules and Marcel also played a big part of the story. They were both well written characters with tragic pasts that put them on the same path as Bastien, seeking revenge on the Bone Criers. There was also Ailesse’s mother, Odiva, who is the matriarch of the Bone Crier’s. Odiva herself was an interesting character. I don’t want to say too much but she wasn’t who I was expecting her to be. Despite having so many characters, I found all of them fantastically written and well developed. I loved each and every one of them.

The storyline was also fantastic. The magical aspects were unique and not something I have personally come across before. There were many twists, especially towards the end of the book, that I had no idea were coming. At times I did find three points of view a little annoying, but I do feel they really helped to develop characters and different plots/conflicts.

Kathryn Purdie is a fantastic writer and I am extremely excited to pick up the sequel when it eventually comes out.

** All thoughts and opinions are my own **