A world about reading our future in bones? Count me in! But what I didn’t expect is for The Bone Charmer‘s theme of fate and freedom to sweep me away!
Summary
In Saskia’s world, bones are the source of all power. They tell the future, reveal the past, and expose secrets in the present. Each village has a designated seer who performs readings for the townsfolk, and in Midwood, the Bone Charmer is Saskia’s mother.
On the day of her kenning—a special bone reading that determines the apprenticeships of all seventeen-year-olds—Saskia’s worst fears come true. She receives an assignment to train as a Bone Charmer, like her mother, and even worse, a match-making reading that pairs her with Bram—a boy who has suspicious tattoos that hint of violence.
Saskia knows her mother saw multiple paths for her, yet chose one she knew Saskia wouldn’t want. Their argument leads to a fracture in one of the bones. Broken bones are always bad luck, but this particular set of bones have been infused with extra magic, and so the break has devastating consequences—Saskia’s future has split as well. Now she will live her two potential paths simultaneously. Only one future can survive. And Saskia’s life is in danger in both.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Saskia’s journey revolves around her mother’s reading of her future. And through a turn of events, her future path has been split into two – a future she desire for herself and the one her mother chose from her. But what starts off as a book about these two different decisions and paths, turns into a story that becomes almost thriller-like. But what captivated me was how all the characters, Saskia included, relate to both her fate and her agency to influence their future.
Themes
The Bone Charmer asks us how our knowledge of the future will effect both our sense of self and our decisions. In Saskia’s society, you can pursue this knowledge to the ends of the earth, and your wallet, if you want all without bringing you closer to the truth of your future. It’s a careful dance between how this knowledge effects your very actions in this moment. And about whether we have the ability to effect our future, or if it’s written in stone.
Saskia is able to experience both of these pieces of her life, with this simultaneous split POV between Saskia’s life paths. But her journey will allow her to see more than she bargained for as she begins to question what, and who, she wants. As we continue reading, we are asked how much control we have over our future, whether this knowledge is beneficial, and if we can change our future.
Overall,
The Bone Charmer will make you question your choices. What would you do if you were in Saskia’s shoes? All while delivering a story that is entertaining, action packed, with a main character that will go through phenomenal character growth. It’s a story about situations, circumstances, and choice.
Giveaway
Prize: Win a copy of THE BONE CHARMER by Breeana Shields (US/CAN Only)
Starts: May 15th 2019
Ends: May 29th 2019
a Rafflecopter giveawayAbout the Author
Breeana Shields is an author of fantasy novels for teens including THE BONE CHARMER, POISON’S KISS, and POISON’S CAGE. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English.
When she’s not writing, Breeana loves reading, traveling, and playing board games with her extremely competitive family. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, her three children, and two adorable, but spoiled dogs.
