School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 7–10—After the end of The Bone Charmer, Saskia spent some time in her home village, Midwood. Now it's time to return to the Ivory Hall where she will continue to train. She also wants revenge against Latham, the man who killed her mother. No one knows that she has followed two paths and done forbidden bone readings, or that Saskia has past, present and future sight, when she is only supposed to have one. Along with other apprentices, Saskia must play the bone games in order to keep her apprenticeship; but it turns into a fight for her life. During this action- and adventure-filled sequel, Shields's world-building expands in a consistent manner, while the story probes not only Saskia's path but whether the laws regarding magic in Kastelia are fair. Should a father really be sent to prison for using forbidden magic to save his son's life? As Saskia works to win the bone games, she learns to question her motives and how they affect the well-being of those around her. Shields adds complex layers to the villains, and the camaraderie among teammates feels genuine. The romantic angst between Saskia and Bram may feel tired to seasoned readers, but is redeemed by its sweet tone. VERDICT With stronger character development than its predecessor, this volume is a satisfactory conclusion to the duology; purchase where the first title was popular.—Liz Anderson, DC Public Library

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Even with her two fated lifetimes knit together, Bone Charmer Saskia might find that her quest for vengeance will shatter her life…and her world. Saskia’s life fractured into two parallel timelines when the bone upon which her fate-determining kenning broke. In uniting the two lines, she discovered Latham, an evil Bone Charmer, was out to obtain her bones and lost both her mother and her grandmother at his hands. Now, she is set upon finding Latham, who has her mother’s body and her grandmother’s bones, all the while dealing with memories from two very different lives. Thankfully, at the training center for bone magicians, Ivory Hall, she has friends to help her in her quest for revenge and in the bone games, an arduous series of tests of their bone magic skills. Saskia doesn’t know whom to trust, and she’s having trouble integrating her memories. Can she discern Latham’s plans and bring him to justice before he comes for her bones? Shields’ sequel to The Bone Charmer (2019) offers the satisfying and thrilling conclusion that was lacking in its predecessor. The duology is actually one long tale. Readers who navigate the somewhat confusing first volume will be glad they did, the last 60 pages here are the definition of un-put-down-able. Main characters seem to be white. A twisty plot examining fate and the power of forgiveness in a dark, magical world. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Saskia returns to Ivory Hall, grieving but powered by rage and the desire for revenge against her mother’s killer, Latham. He stole the bones of Saskia’s mother and grandmother, and she must get them back before he succeeds in using them for his own dark magic. In order to figure out his plan, which turns out to be far more sinister than she imagined, Saskia needs to perfect her bone-reading craft at Ivory Hall—before Latham finds her. Shields’ sequel to The Bone Charmer (2019) explores the all-consuming effects of vengeance and grief as the protagonist recovers from the loss of her mother and struggles with a recent betrayal of unrequited love. This fantasy world, where bones are the source of magic, is further fleshed out, making for a deeply intriguing setting, of which this duology only scratches the surface. Although the writing craft of book one doesn’t quite carry over here, the story ends on a pleasantly therapeutic note of healing and trusting fate.