Another banger from Nicki Pau Preto; just as action packed and fast paced as the first book, this second delivers on the premise and gives a satisfying ending to the duology.

I really enjoyed this YA duology. It kept me entertained the entire time. I enjoyed the characters and the magic system. It was quick and fast-paced. I said it before, but if you have tried reading The Locked Tomb series and just couldn't do it, try this duology. You still have necromancers, but it's YA, so it's a lot easier to get through.

A fantastic ending to a great YA fantasy duo. I loved all the characters. I think this magic system is so unique and fun.

This is such a fun and underrated duology! It's unique, fast paced and has interesting characters that you easily become invested in! The best part is that I had no idea how it would end and I LOVED that. Thank you so much to SimonTeen for my ARC!

4/5

I received an advanced copy of Ghostsmith from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

What an explosive end to a fantastic duology. Ghostsmith not only delivered a fun, fast-paced ending but also immersed us in a world of well-developed characters and intricate world-building. The plot was a driving force, and the ending was satisfying, tying up all those pesky loose ends, yet leaving room for more books in the same world.

We start the story almost immediately after we were left hanging in the first book, Bonesmith. Wren and company are on the run, just trying to do the right thing while nearly everyone else works against them. The stakes were high, with death and destruction imminent. However, despite the stakes being so high, it didn't feel like there was much payoff. I am not saying to kill a character, but ...

Everything felt very easy. Don't get me wrong—I really enjoyed this book. I just wish a little something more had hampered the characters on their journey. Unfortunately, it was predictable, and everything worked out just so. I wanted the moment when I was going to throw the book in frustration from all the obstacles and difficulties standing in the characters' way, but I didn't get that. Again, I was looking for something more, and it wasn't quite delivered.

Despite the lack of obstacles, the plot was very well done. We weren't bogged down by thirty different things going on at the same time. There was a very clear focus, which kept the story engaging and pulled it along wonderfully. I am also fascinated by the world that Nicki Pau Preto has created, especially the complex magic system, and I would love to see more books set in the same world.

I really loved the characters. While Wren was difficult to like in the first book, I felt she more than redeemed herself in Ghostsmith. On top of that, all of the characters had distinctive personalities and backstories. I often see books with more than one POV character get lost in their characters, but that didn't happen here. Everyone's voice was different, and it didn't feel like the author relied too heavily on tropes to convey any character's personality.

If you're looking for a great duology that delivers a satisfying ending and well-developed characters, you can't go wrong with this one. I highly recommend it.

I thought the book was excellent. I loved how the author connected the thread from the first book into this one. I loved the world that author created.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this novel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My curse of the duology strikes again. I was so pleasantly surprised when I read Bonesmith. It wasn't that I thought that I wouldn't like it. It was that I wondered if I would like it as an adult. Sure, Wren had some moments where she was immature and impetuous, but I didn't find that I was unable to cope with it. Which I'm happy carried through with this one, however, the thing that bothered me about this one is how pointless a lot of the book felt.

I think this is part of the trend that I am seeing with duologies. The second book is a journey book. If one of the two books is a journey book it should be the first one. I like journey books, but I feel that it really slows down the plot and the sense of urgency for whatever is going on. This book was slowly paced for me until maybe the last 25%, but by then I was a little exhausted by the whole thing.

A few good notes: I still enjoyed all the characters, though I didn't think that we needed a second POV. I enjoyed the ending and the general idea of where the plot went, I just wish it had gone there a bit faster. The romance is almost non-existent in this one, so sorry for those looking for more from Wren and Julian. Leo is MVP, quite often, but they all have some standout moments.

Overall, I think a lot of fans of the first book will be satisfied with this, I just keep running up against this very particular problem where I don't like the second book in a duology to be a journey book. Honestly, I also don't like middle books in trilogies to be a journey book as well. The characters in this are still solid and honestly carry the book for me. I liked the ending and found it quite satisfactory, though I was never really shocked by any aspect of it. Take my review with a grain of salt, other readers really loved it.

An amazing follow-up to Bonesmith. In a time of one dimensional, love struck characters, this series manages to give a depth to the FMC while still acknowledging a love interest. Told from three different POVs, all the characters feel like old friends at this point and when she continually tried to kill everyone off, I had many a "death by a thousand cuts" moment.

I just LOVE this duology!
Ghostsmith wraps up the House of the Dead duology with a pulse-pounding conclusion that delivers on the excitement and intrigue promised by its predecessor. The sequel picks up right where the first book left off, thrusting our characters back into a whirlwind of high-stakes adventure. From the halfway point to the final pages, the action is relentless, leaving readers breathless and glued to the page.

The series' standout feature remains its unique lore and world-building. The concept of bone and ghostsmiths is as fascinating as ever, with the magic system—where characters control bones and ghosts—continuing to impress. The eerie atmosphere and chilling vibes are perfect for fans of the spooky season, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. 💀👻

Character development shines, particularly with Wren. Her transformation from a reckless, arrogant individual to a selfless, courageous leader is both compelling and rewarding. Leo’s witty quips and Julian’s brooding heroism add depth and balance, while the evolving relationship between Wren and Hawke provides a touch of family that complements the story’s darker elements.

However, the villains fall a bit short of the series’ otherwise strong elements. They come across as somewhat one-dimensional, driven primarily by a thirst for power. While this isn’t unusual in YA fantasy, a more nuanced antagonist could have added another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Overall, "Ghostsmith" is a gripping and memorable conclusion to a YA fantasy series that deserves more recognition. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure filled with ghosts, bones, creepy corpses, and a dash of romance, the House of the Dead duology is definitely worth diving into.

2.75 stars

This one hurt a bit for me. I really liked book 1 a lot and loved how different of a fantasy it was. It was spooky and fantasy at the same time. I was really looking forward to this one but it fell flat for me. The bulk of book 1 is them traveling back and forth between towns. And I was hoping we would branch out a little more with this book. But it was just more traveling. Our FMC and MMC were in a lover's quarrel that never made sense to me. The Prince was never utilized to his full potential. And more than half the book seemed to take place in one location. I still want to read other books by this author, but I feel like this series should have been a standalone instead.

The first novel in this duology was among my favorite reads last year, so my expectations were high for this conclusion. I’m relieved to say they were met.

Wren, Julian, and Leo (forever my favorite spare’s spare third prince) are on the run from her father, an arrogant, power hungry man recently discovered to be working with the Corpse Queen. Our three heroes have a lot on their to-do list – stop the coming war between the living and the dead and destroy the well of magic that feeds the revenants. It’s definitely not your average Tuesday.

To avoid spoilers, I won’t have much to say. The author expands on the complex and wildly creative worldbuilding, which captivated me even more. Nail-biting action scenes had me on the edge of my seat several times, and I worried about the fate of these characters I’ve grown to love (at one point I screamed out loud over Julian). Among their snark and banter Julian and Wren experience dawning realizations (finally), and Leo comes into his own and proves his worth to doubters – a pleasure to watch. The motives and trustworthiness of newish characters come into play, an element that just adds more tension to the incredibly high stakes.

The ending isn’t rushed, something I’ve come across in other novels recently, and I like the way the author chose to wrap up the story. Recommended for fans of found family, witty banter, and fantasy with a heavy dose of the paranormal.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Last summer Bonesmith was one of my favorite YA fantasy reads. I was happy to see that Ghostsmith takes all of the tension and action from the first installment and brings to the next level! This book had me from the first few chapters. I always have a little trouble remembering everything that happens in the first book, but Ghostsmith picks up right where Bonesmith leaves off, and things are not good for Wren and Company. It didn't take long for me to fall right back into the story, as the stakes become so much higher in this second installment. I loved Wren and Julious's relationship and the way they make each other better, and every kingdom should have a prince like Leo- Preto makes you really care about the characters and how they feel, all while hell is literally breaking loose all around them! The action in this story is nonstop! I was in tears at times and on the edge of my seat for most of the second half! Defiantly one of the best YA fantasy's of the year and one of the best YA duologies I have read in quite a while!

*Ghostsmith* by Nicki Pau Preto is an exceptional ending to the duology, and it left me both thrilled and heartbroken. Picking up right after *Bonesmith*, it dives deeper into the lore and character arcs, especially Wren's and Julian's, who continue to grow and evolve beautifully.

The worldbuilding remains stellar, with a complex magic system and rich history that adds depth to the story. The emotional and thematic exploration of grief and letting go was handled with such grace. While I missed a bit of the romance from the first book, the action, character development, and satisfying conclusion made up for it. If you enjoyed *Bonesmith*, you won’t want to miss this finale—it's a truly memorable read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

This may have been another one where I should have reread the first one in this duology, but I picked enough of it up when I started reading it. I also would have binged it had I not been distracted by another book. ANYWAYS, I absolutely love this duology. The magic systems, the relationships, the politics? fantastic.

I do like how everything was resolved and also the growth Wren went through during the novel. I also appreciated how the minor/side characters also experienced some fairly substantial growth.

Oh, and Wren and Julian. Enough said.

Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

What I loved:
💀Further expansion on world building
💀Found family
💀Incredible falling action and satisfying resolution

I have to say I was worried about this because Bonesmith was THAT good. I had no idea how a sequel would live up to and/or surpass it. But this was an incredible ending to this series! I am so sad to say goodbye because I love these characters and this world. I could live in it indefinitely. This book even had me in tears! I don't know why or how, but I also very much know why. Lol

Have I said how much I love this world? Preto is a genius. It's complex but easy to follow and understand. I love the vibes and descriptions. I could visualize it with ease. I loved that Ghostsmith dived more into the lore and the past and gave more context into how the past created their present and how to fix it. I just loved it. The world and world building were divine.

Don't make me say goodbye to these characters! We were blessed with a fourth POV, and I truly couldn't not have been happier. The switches between POV were done beautifully. Preto really nailed how to leave a character on tenterhooks and switching to another character. I could not put this book down because of it! The arcs, especially for Wren and Julian, were incredible. They went through it and grew because of it. I loved seeing Wren maturing, and I loved Julian accepting himself. This novel was packed with information and action and added new characters, and yet I never felt lost, and all the characters were well developed and supremely lovable. (Or in some characters case, supremely dislikable.) That is a feat.

My favorite, favorite thing about this series is how it deals with death and moving on. This book, in particular, heavily dealt with grief, loss, and letting go. These are such heavy topics, yet this book managed to keep it lighter and view these very real emotions through a fantasy lens. It shows the damage holding onto the past can do and that letting go may hurt, but it is necessary. My heart broke so many times in this. Preto handled these topics with such grace and care. There were some truly beautiful, heartbreaking, and heartwarming scenes.

One thing I really wanted more of and didn't get was the romance. With how the last book ended, Wren and Julian had some issues to work through. I think they worked through them satisfactorily, but I never got the flirtatious, one-on-one scenes I craved and loved in the first book. Don't get me wrong, there was definitely romance, and I'm so happy with how their story ended, I just wanted and expected more.

To summarize, this duology is freaking incredible, and if it's not on your list, you are missing out and should really read it! But truly, this is such an incredible duology. I can not recommend it enough. I know I'll be coming back to this world over and over again. It's so fun and unique and makes me happy. The action and tension are magnificent. The characters are brilliant. The end was everything I could have wanted. This duology glows and will forever haunt my thoughts, and I will happily be dragged back into this world anytime I need a pick-me-up.

Thank you to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Simon and Schuster, and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ghostsmith picks up almost immediately after the events of Bonesmith, which I loved. The sequel built so perfectly on the political tension established in book 1, as well as the relationships between all of the characters. I particularly loved watching Wren learn more about her heritage and her brother - and obviously her relationship with Julian. The magic system felt even more fully formed in this book and the stakes and the conflict all came together beautifully. The world needs more well-plotted, concise duologies like this one!

I am completely speechless by the absolute perfection that is this book! House of the Dead is one of, if not the best YA duology I've ever read, and Ghostsmith was the perfect finale. The worldbuilding, the pacing, the character development, the relationships!

"And because she knew these traits intimately, she also knew that that kind of confidence was not an inner power but an outer shield. A means to deflect reality and plow through obstacles heedless of the risk until only one of you was left standing.
But there was no plowing through this."

Wren has become one of my favourite characters ever and her character arc is so brilliantly done, Nicki Pau Preto is truly a master of writing character devolpment.

There were enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat and to make the book stand apart from the first one. The ending, without spoiling anything, is perfectly satisfying.

I cannot stress enough just how obsessed I am with this duology now, it will forever have a place on my 'favourite books' shelf and I urge everyone to read it, it is the perfect YA fantasy!

Review 9/10✨ The most perfectly haunted duology has arrived for fall! Ghostsmith is the follow up to one of my favorite fantasy reads of last year, Bonesmith. The books are just as epic as their covers😍

I don’t want to give anything away as this is the finale to the story, but I will say the two books go together seamlessly. Both are gripping from the first page and filled with eerie magic. There is action, romance, humor, everything that makes a great story. I love the characters and they were just as entertaining in this book as the first. The world is full of bones, dark magic, and the undead. It’s the perfect set for an upcoming fall read, just truly fun darkly enchanted atmospheric reads.

And excellent news, Ghostsmith just came out yesterday so you can read both books together now💀

Side note: I just found out the author has a middle grade book coming out this fall called The Last How School for Magical Delinquents. I can’t wait to give it a read, what a title!

Big thanks to Netgally and Margret K. McElderry Booksfor an ecopy of this book! I’ll be picking up a physical copy for my shelves next bookstore visit🖤

Ghostsmith, by Nicki Pau Preto, is the second installment in the authors House of the Dead duology. This book picks up right where Bonesmith left off and is action packed until the final chapters. Key Characters: Wren Graven, outcast Bonesmith, Julian Knight, heir to the House of Iron, Leopold Knight, Gold Prince, and Imara Fell, Wren's Bonesmith nemesis who sees the light. Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the terrifying power to control the undead.

It was Wren’s own mother who created the iron revenants—an army of near unbeatable undead soldiers. When the iron revenants attack, no one in the Dominions will have the strength to stand in their way. Not even Imara who has taken Wren's place as the strongest bonesmith. Now Wren, Leo, and Julian find themselves once more in the Breach, wanted dead or alive, this time on the run from Wren’s father, who is determined to secure more power for himself and the House of Bone even after he was exposed for his betrayal.

The three are desperate to stop the upcoming war, but working together is easier said than done with Julian still furious about Wren double-crossing him. And to make matters worse, Wren is plagued by powerful new abilities that force her to reassess everything she knows about being a bonesmith. Once upon a time, Wren thought of herself as the most powerful bonesmith around, but now with her ghostsmith amplifier, she can not only control ghosts, but shatter born. Had she not been sent to the Breach, she would have never learned how powerful she really is.

When Wren’s long-lost twin brother Hawke shows up and vows to help her destroy the well of magic that feeds the iron revenants, she must decide if trusting him is worth potentially playing right into their mother’s hands. After all, the dead might be dangerous, but it’s the living who can betray you. The romance between Wren and Julian, challenged by the betrayals and reveals from the previous book, end up in a good place even with the story tackling many different familial ties and betrayals. Julian, at times, feels like a third wheel, but his loyalties never waiver.

I didn't like Imara in the first book. Her betrayal of Wren was unforgivable but her actions in this book make her a hero. Simply put. Wren, Julian, and Julian's families are truly despicable, even Hawke until he realizes what's to come for Wren. While Wren’s life was ruled by a distant father figure, and a grandmother who expected perfection, her brother dealt with the abuse found at the hands of a manipulative and selfish mother. A mother who forced him to not only help create an nearly unstoppable army, but to resurrect a hero who fell during the last war, and if that weren't enough, Wren seems to nothing a useful tool in a much more dangerous game.

In closing, if you like dark fantasy, you should be reading this series. After all, it's only two books!!

ARC provided by Netgalley.

Ghostsmith was the perfect ending to the House of the Dead duology and it was impossible to put down. I recommend the entire duology for fans of fantasy (especially fantasy with creatures like the white walkers from Game of Thrones), complex magic systems, and lots of action.