I just want to take a quick second and thank NetGalley for an eArc for this book. Castles in Their Bones is a story about three very different triplets. On their birthday they are sent to three different parts of their neighboring countries to be married. Princesses Daphne, Sophronia, and Beatriz will marry and be separated from each other for the first time in their lives. With all three of them being different in so many aspects I came to love them individually in their own rights. I really enjoyed seeing the many perspectives of these three girls. They each had to face a different task on their own.
This book was full of adventure and kind of emotional . It was a good mix between being more plot or character driven. The character development was very cool to see to and having lovable characters is such a plus when it comes to a good story. I love that you can really hear the different voices with each Character. I think Laura Sebastian did a great job diversifying their characters. I can't wait for the next book.
P.S I'm so sorry this is late. I was just now able to get on NetGalley and post my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Underlined for providing this eARC.

I found Castles in Their Bones quite a compelling story. It's told in 3 different POV's following each of our princesses, Beatriz, Sophronia, and Daphne, as they head to foreign kingdoms to marry princes they've never met. Each of the princesses are interesting in their own way. They could all be called morally gray and they make decisions that you don't always agree with, but their journeys and their growth is so fun to read about. For me Sophronia ended up being my favorite and her journey with finding strength in herself was so great to see.

The relationship between the sisters is so strong and a real through line in the book, even though they're all sent to different kingdoms. I always enjoy stories that have a sibling bond at the center and the bond between the sisters is easily one of the most important in this story.

The relationships between each of the princesses and the princes they are sent to marry are also great to see unfold. They're not all necessarily love at first sight but they all end up forming some pretty deep bonds, even if they don't initially intend to. The princes are pretty interesting characters as well and I really enjoyed each of the different relationships. I suppose one could be classified as somewhat enemies to lovers, one is more of a friends to lovers/love at first sight relationship, and the other ends up being a deep platonic relationship but each great in their own way.

The plot of the story is full of royal intrigue, plot twists, morally gray characters, and of course a bit of romance. The story is fast paced enough to keep you interested without being so fast paced that you're hopelessly lost or confused. I will admit that it did take me a minute to fully understand each of the different kingdoms and keep them straight but once I got a little ways into the book it all fell into place.

This book also definitely keeps you on your toes. You never know who you can trust or what the characters are going to do next. And the ending! I can definitely say I'm looking forward to the next book and reading more about this world and the characters.

when I started this I worried it would be too similar to Bridge Kingdom and Shadow in the Ember. it felt totally different. Sebstian really managed to take a common premise and make it entirely her own. I loved seeing the different dynamics of each kingdom and the different personalities of each princess, lovable, admirable, and brave in their own ways. this book also makes important commentary on income inequality, the patriarchy, and homophobia. I absolutely loved this and I need book 2 asap!!! highly recommend.

I loved this book, it reminded me of a few of my favourite books in one. If you’re a fan of Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns then you won’t want to miss this one! I couldn’t put it down. Three sisters all sent to different kingdoms to marry Princes they’ve never met leads to a very interesting and fun read! Absolutely loved it. I also got The Selection vibes from it. Triz was definitely my favourite character.

This was a fast paced fantasy with amazing twists. I loved that it was told in 3 POV and seeing the growth of the sisters through out. I’m looking forward to next book.

Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian.

A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown.

Sounds pretty amazing. And it totally was! I was surprised how much I enjoyed this YA fantasy book. It was fast paced, the characters were interesting and it was full of twists. Everything I love in a book! Three sisters who are trained, pretty much from birth, to take over kingdoms. But of course, things don't always go as planned. This is the first book I have read by Laura Sebastian but it definitely won't be my last.

Well. I must confess. This was... a stunning book. I can't quite believe that it's over. Though this generally isn't my type of thing, I did really like it, and I think there are 3 important reasons we could discuss:

1. The characters: All three of our main characters were realistic and not-at-all cliche. Sophronia is our kind-hearted princess, her mother's disappointment, and excellent at codes (to assign her a stereotype, we could consider her as the bookworm, but she's definitely more fleshed-out than a simple cliche). Beatriz is our beautiful seductress, flighty, and brilliant with disgusises (in stereotypes, seductresses normally aren't as flightly. Then again, I suppose they are feisty, but Beatriz wrestles far more bigger and complex issues than that. She tries to be fierce but underneath, she's just so young). And Daphne was definitely the most complex; emotionally reserved and her mother's favorite for obvious reasons, she does have one flaw: despite her looks, she simply isn't attractive to the other gender. Despite her talents in poison and lockpicking, we find out later on that she is incredibly athletically talented, thus making her "unattractive" (and thus allowing us to determine she most closely resembles the "tomboy" stereotype; of course, however, since none of the princesses exactly fit their stereotypes, we cannot hold her to it). And because of Daphne's complex personality, it makes her the most dangerous of the trio.

2. The world-building: Admittedly, the countries that Sophronia and Beatriz go to (Temarin and Cellaria, respectively) were confusing at first. Later on, we realize that they had a shared family history, though it certainly doesn't help the readers intially, so for the benefits of future readers, here's the descriptions (and I think the book would greatly benefit if added):
- Temarin: this is Sophronia's, and they don't have an issue with magic. They do, however, have a horrible economy, and have fashions that resemble more of desserts.
- Cellaria: this is Beatriz's, and magic is forbidden. They have a restrictive religion of sorts, and their taste in fashion is sultry.
- Friv: this is Daphne's and despite her initial hatred of the country, I feel like the country was perfectly fitting for her. It is cold, even during the summer, thus causing the fashion to be the simpler and warmer, the better.

3. The plot: plot is practically the biggest part of a book. There were so many twists! Some of which could be quite stunning actually. The author does an incredible job of keeping you on your toes, and the ending! Oh my goodness, the ending was just... wow. It's so atypical.

I really enjoyed this book! It was fast paced and had some surprising twists! I enjoyed each girl’s point of view and how the girls grew throughout the book. They started off as their mother’s puppets and turned into true queens and princesses! After that ending, I can’t wait to see what will happen next with the girls!

Thank you to NetGalley for the free eArc in exchange for a honest review!

This read was somewhere between a 3 and 4 star for me. There were parts that were great and then the rest felt somewhat shallow. It was more focused on political intrigue, which I get bored with those type of plot lines. I do wish the relationships and plot line was a little more developed. I felt the jumping from 3 POVs makes it hard to feel connected. Aside from that, the world building was great and I loved the aesthetic/ vibe of the book. I’d say overall it was a 3.5 star read!

I throughly enjoyed this YA fantasy. I loved the concept of triplets trained since birth to destroy neighboring territories through marriage. Each sister has their own story and they each come into their own and develop nicely as the story unfolds.
There are a lot of characters in the story, but they are introduced well and it's not confusing. I loved Soph & Bea the most with Daphne my least favorite. I would say while the world building is there, this is more of a character driven fantasy with Leopold & Bairre growing the most. As is typical of the first book in a series, the ending is crazy and leaves you ready for
book two!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved it!! I loved the plot! I loved the story building! I loved the politics involved! This book was fantastic!! It ends on a cliff hanger so.....grrrrrr!!!

This book is about triplet sisters who were born to an empress and raised to marry the three princes in the countries surrounding their mothers country. The goal is that they help take down those countries so that their mother can rule them all. Each girl has a special skill that they are good at and they were trained very well. Things get tricky when they actually start falling for their Princes.

This book is well written. The sisters are perfect. The empress not so much. I can't wait until the second book comes out!

Castles in Their Bones was quite a ride. I really enjoyed this story of three sisters set out on paths of deception and betrayal for their empress mother.

We get the viewpoints of all three girls, and while there are a lot of players and places in this story, once I got them cemented in my mind, I appreciated all the pieces of the puzzle.

Beatriz, Daphne and Sophronia are pretty gray characters, and I actually loved that aspect. I found myself not liking Beatriz and Daphne at first (for a good portion of the book even), but I still wanted to read about them. Even Sophronia, whom I liked overall, did some things that I didn't like.

As the story progressed, I liked the gradual unveiling of information, and there is more yet to be revealed what with two more books to the series.

There was a great deal of world-building and set up to the story, but I think it worked in the long run, and I am highly anticipating the next book.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Daphne, Sophronia, and Beatriz are triplets, born to the empress, the only heirs to the emperor - an old man who dies shortly after their birth. Raised by their mother, the empress, trained all their lives to marry for the benefit of their country. Bessemia, the three are now 16, and being sent to their respective fiancés, to cement the alliances their betrothals have formed. "Bessemia above all else" is the mantra with which they have been raised, and it will guide their actions, even as they leave - for they have been trained not just to build alliances, but to use intrigue and betrayal to foment rebellion in their new homes, allowing Bessemia to conquer her neighbors and become an empire in truth.

This novel is, perhaps, the ultimate example of a parent living through her children. Empress Margaraux is a manipulative, power-hungry woman who will use anything she can - anything she must - to reach her goal of domination. She has trained her daughters from birth for the roles she wants them to play - but will they follow her direction, or will they rebel themselves, as they enter the world and meet other people?

Told by each princess in rotation, this is a tightly-interwoven novel, with the events in each kingdom causing a ripple effect in the next. As the princesses learn more about the countries to which they've been sent, and the people with whom they now live, they begin to question their mother's motives and methods, and to consider other options and outcomes. The star magic in this world allows the gifted to wish for things, within reason, which adds an extra dimension to the intrigue; in a world where wishes really can come true, will the girls use their wishes as their mother desires, or will they work against her?

If you enjoy intrigue and magic, shifting alliances and rebellion, you will enjoy this novel, as there is plenty of all. The final chapter contains a twist which sets up - or so I hope - another volume, which I hope to read soon.

I received an advance review copy in return for my honest review, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Three princesses are raised to help take down 3 separate lands.
They believe what their mother wants is right until they love their own lives and start to figure out that mother is wrong.
Cliffhanger ending

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an electronic copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.***

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beatriz, Daphne, and Sophronia have been raised to topple nations. All three are princesses who have been strategically married off to foreign princes under their mother's guidance, each determined to weaken their respective nations enough for their homeland to take over. Unfortunately, things don't go as smoothly as they'd hoped.

Coming into this book, I was a little skeptical since I'd previously read Ash Princess and been underwhelmed. Castle in Their Bones has a similar premise, where a princess must scheme and seduce a prince on her way to power, except this time there are 3 princesses and so many interwoven plot threads. I'm completely engrossed as I continue to read. Certainly, some princesses stand out more than others. Beatriz and Sophie, for instance, are the most exciting to read about, while Daphne faltered. The overall storytelling just feels clever, even though at the beginning it's hard to keep track of which princess is which and where they're going.

Super intrigued to keep up with the next book and see how things go!

Bumping it down a star after a reread. I still enjoyed the plot, worldbuilding, and political intrigue, but this book is so white. It's 2022 - we should be way past this. I had hoped that the final product would be different from the ARC I read, but it was basically the same: the lack of racial, LGBTQ+, disabled, and body diversity is just egregious. (Yes, there are TWO named gay characters, and though one is a major side character, they feel more like plot devices rather than characters.)

I might read the sequel just to find out what happens and who survives, but this is probably not a book I would go out of my way to hype up.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is fantastic. I was so absorbed in the story I had no idea how much time passed. I read this in one day and wish I could read it all over again right away but I’m still recovering from the first go!
Empress Margaraux has three daughters that she has big plans for and has since their birth. The triplets, Princesses Sophronia, Beatriz, and Daphne will all be queens and now that they are sixteen they are leaving their homelands and heading out to marry their princes.
The sisters are all beautiful, smart, and demure. The perfect brides. Thing is, the empress has trained them well in the arts of seduction, deception, and violence. They are far from the innocent little princesses they present themselves as. They were sent to these marriages for one reason, to bring down the monarchies so that their mother’s plan will come true. She plans to reign over all of the continent of Vesteria.
The princesses' lives have been dedicated to preparing for this and they each have a special skill and each has one single wish that was pulled down from the stars. However, the stars have their own plans and their mother failed to tell them all of hers.
This book is phenomenal. It’s so incredibly well written and the way each sister reacts to their new surroundings is perfect. The end left me with my mouth hanging open and really upset that I have to wait so long (any amount of time would be too long) for the next two books to come out so I can gobble them up just like I did this one!
I know I’ll be back rereading this one a few more times and I can’t wait to start all over again. I definitely recommend this book!

I love deadly girls so this book was unsurprisingly right up my alley. I really appreciated how character driven this story was. The three sisters felt very distinct and everyone in this book has their own agendas and I really enjoyed trying to sort through why the characters were making decisions and figuring out who to trust. This was just a thoroughly entertaining read.

I loved the blend of 3 different stories. I really enjoyed Sophie's transformation best as I feel she was the "weakest" sister but really grew into her own person and confidence to be able to follow her heart rather than her mother's wishes. I am a bit peeved that the cover design doesn't showcase the three of them as one of the focal points of this story was the strength of the sisters. Overall, a good story - it makes me want to read the sequel.