✨ The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken is a breathtaking conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology that left me utterly spellbound! From the first page, I was drawn into Tamsin’s fiercely captivating world, filled with magic, danger, and heart-wrenching stakes! 🌌💖

As Tamsin and her friends rally to stop Lord Death from unleashing the horrors of Anwnn, the intensity of their journey escalates beautifully. The sense of dread and urgency was palpable throughout, especially with the Wild Hunt carving a deadly path across continents. Tamsin’s bravery shines as she musters allies and seeks powerful artifacts to confront this overwhelming threat; I adore her fierceness and unwavering loyalty to her friends! 💪🌿

The quest for the “Mirror of Beasts” adds an exciting layer of mystery and intrigue. The idea that this magical item could even trap Lord Death is compelling, yet Bracken skillfully weaves in the unsettling reality that the mirror holds dark secrets of its own. Tamsin's struggle to confront her inner demons while navigating this perilous journey creates such a rich emotional depth that had me rooting for her every step of the way! 🌟🔍

What I truly loved about this book is how Bracken intertwines Arthurian legend with contemporary action and themes of star-crossed love. The echoes from the past reverberate powerfully as Tamsin faces her own history, revealing vulnerabilities that make her an even more relatable and strong heroine. The emotional rollercoaster she experiences is beautifully portrayed, making the stakes feel not just external but deeply personal. 💖🌹

The pacing is thrilling and filled with unexpected twists that kept me glued to the pages. Bracken’s vivid descriptions and immersive world-building make every scene come alive—whether it’s a fierce confrontation or a tender moment between characters, you can feel the weight of the emotions and the consequences behind them! 🌈⚔️

Overall, The Mirror of Beasts is a stunning finale that brilliantly balances pulse-pounding action with heartfelt moments. If you're a fan of layered storytelling, rich mythology, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with, this book is an absolute must-read! 📚✨

This is the second book in Bracken's newest duology.
While Tasmin isn't as likeable a character as some of Bracken's other heroines, she is still powerful and vicious and determined. This was an exciting conclusion to the duology, and my students are sure to love it.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric duology. The pacing and plot were great. Definitely had to reread the first book again, I forgot a lot more than I realized I had. I will happily read whatever Alexandra Bracken writes next!

Love this author. Couldn’t wait for this book after the first in its series. This one did not disappoint!! Thank you to those that allowed me early access of this book.

I was so stressed going into this book. After Silver in the Bone's ending, I wasn't sure what direction The Mirror of Beasts was going to go. I ended up loving it. Just as much as I had loved the first book. This was such a great follow-up to the first book.

So much was happening! It did not however feel chaotic and out of sorts. Things felt like they fell into place very well. Much like a videogame RPG plot. The secondary characters took on big roles and all managed to have their moments.

Great characters, great pacing and great story. I definitely loved this duology.

The problem with reading the ARC of a first book in a series is that the gap between books expands more than usual making it more difficult to remember details. I probably could have gotten a little more out of the book if I had read the two closer together. That being said, I still really enjoyed the experience. As the plot unfolded, I remembered more and started to find connections, something that enhances my experience. This book initially moves away from the direct Arthurian legend connections while diving deeper into related Celtic mythology, something I really enjoy. While I will not mention any details about the plot, I will state that Bracken did an excellent job weaving everything together in this duology in a satisfying manner.

Alex Bracken is one of my favorite fantasy authors and this book was such a satisfying conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology. this was also much more romantic than the first book was - which left me so shocked - and this was a wild ride from start to finish. Alex is such a good writer and i'm already looking forward to her new series.

This is the second in a duology that took us through a portal to a cursed Arthurian world. The first book ended with a huge shift for both worlds and this one picks up on the other side. All the excitement that was set up in the first book pays off here!

It's just as atmospheric as the first installment, with increased romantic stakes and enjoyable twists. This series is better if it's read in order, but it's worth reading both books.

The Mirror of Beasts (as was book one) is a FANTASTIC twist on Arthurian legend. I loved all the characters, but Tamsin is my all-time favorite!! I loved reading how the group continued to work together, even if a little frustrating at times. Without giving anything away, the ending was highly satisfying with twists and turns that kept me flipping page after page. If you want a book that is fast-paced from start to finish, exciting, filled with unexpected twists and amazing world-building -- this duology is for you! I read both books in 2 days!

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc I exchanged for an honest review.

This one was a really good conclusion to a strong duology. It did take me a little longer to finish but I was trying to keep from slumping by reading other stuff at the same time.

I loved the characters and their story arcs. The plot was still as exhilarating as the first one. I don’t want to give anything away because everything in it is so important to the story.

Overall I’m really happy with how this one turned out and I highly recommend this duet to anyone who loves Arthurian tales and strong characters who don’t back down to anything.

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher, Hatchette Children’s Group. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

I thought this was a fantastic conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology! After that cliffhanger from book one, I just had to find out what happened next and couldn’t wait to dive into this one. It did not disappoint.

There was a lot of angst, and I loved it! Give me all the angst! The friendships and found family are also further developed, and I really enjoyed that so much. There is action and adventure throughout, and you will want to keep turning the pages until the last.

I highly recommend to everyone that enjoyed the first book!

Bracken’s ability to weave words into an incredibly intriguing story is truly remarkable. Still recovering from the shocking ending of the first book, I couldn’t wait to see what fate had in store for Tamsin and her friends. As they navigate a world devastated by the monsters unleashed from Anwnn, they embark on a new quest to right the wrongs that have been done. I especially loved how other myths were seamlessly woven into the story, adding depth and a sense of mysticism. While I wish the series had been split into four shorter books due to its length, the story was so compelling that the size was well worth it.

*Thank you to Alexandra Bracken, Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book was exactly what I was hoping for in terms of wrapping up the duology. The characters developed really well and I enjoyed the story from beginning to end!

I loved this book, I loved it more than the first and that rarely happens. This is such a dark high stakes retelling and it captivates you right from the start. Every character is fleshed out and written so well, and the world building is truly magical. Tasmin was not really my fave character at times but I felt that she really grew into her own in this conclusion. What a wild ride.

Avalon is in ruins. Lord Death has found his way into the contemporary world. And Tamsin feels just as helpless as she did all those years ago when she was first left to fend for herself.

But Tamsin isn't alone now. Although some betrayals are still fresh, Tamsin has Neve, Catriona, and Olwen by her side. And all four of them are determined to atone for their disastrous choices in Avalon before it's too late to save this world.

At the same time, Lord Death continues to add members to his Wild Hunt only increasing their thirst for bloodshed and their own violent path in search of ever more power for Lord Death.

The legendary "Mirror of Beasts" might be enough to trap and stop Lord Death in his tracks. But first Tamsin has to find it--something made much harder when Tamsin can't trust any of the Hollowers, even those who had been her closest allies during their perilous time in Avalon.

When the stakes have never been higher, it will take all of Tamsin's cunning and mettle to best Lord Death once and for all in The Mirror of Beasts (2024) by Alexandra Bracken.

The Mirror of Beasts concludes Bracken's Arthurian-legend-infused duology which begins with Silver in the Bone (read my review). With this book picking up nearly immediately after the conclusion of book one, readers will want to keep previous events fresh in their minds before embarking on this second book (something helped with a comprehensive Dramatis Personae found at the start of the book). Tamsin is cued as white with diversity among the supporting cast. The novel is primarily told from Tamsin's point of view (and narrated by Sophie Amoss for the audiobook).

Elements of horror and fantasy continue to blend together in this dark series conclusion. Bracken keeps the focus on friendship and relationships as Tamsin continues to struggle with letting people in and, more importantly, letting them show up for her--especially in this new perilous landscape. The hunt for a way to contain Lord Death also leaves plenty of room to focus on characterization as the novel moves inexorably toward a dramatic finish that will have a ripple effect in both the mortal world and Avalon.

Female solidarity and support is an especially well-developed theme as Tamsin struggles with trusting her closest friends and also with how best to protect them when everyone is in danger. The push and pull between Tamsin and Emrys builds to a satisfying conclusion as both characters try to come to terms with their trust issues and growing feelings (which both find it a bit hard to acknowledge--so relatable!).

The Mirror of Beasts is a successful duology conclusion that manages to close the loop on main character arcs while also expanding the world and inviting readers to imagine further adventures to come.

Possible Pairings: Road of the Lost by Nafiza Azad, Vial of Tears by Cristin Bishara, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin, Gilded by Marissa Meyer, Little Thieves by Margaret Owen, A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes, Seven Endless Forests by April Genevieve Tucholke

*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration through Libro.fm*

This was an AMAZING finisher for this duology! It took me a bit to get back to the series, but once I got back into this book, I couldn't stop reading it! I won't give spoilers, but I am very satisfied by the ending!

I have to admit that due to the timing and myriad amount of books I read in between Silver in the Bone and The Mirror of Beasts, I had forgotten many of the characters and had a vague memory of the general plot line. That being said, I found myself quickly re-immersed in the urban fantasy retelling of King Arthur and the Wild Hunt.

The book picks up exactly where the first leaves off and doesn't waste any time jumping into action. All of the gang is back except I am not sure if am the only one, but I had a very difficult time telling the sorceresses apart and often got them confused with one another. Tamsin and Emrys, however were exceptionally well defined and I adored following their enemies to lovers romance.

The Mirror of Beasts was a solid ending to this duology. Although there was very little spice, there is quite a bit of violence and domestic abuse for a Young Adult book, so anyone sensitive to that should be aware before diving in.

Recommended for any urban fantasy lovers and retellings of classic legends. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Bracken, and Knopf for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

When I read Silver in the Bone last year, I definitely enjoyed it, but it didn't take my breath away. It was a fun, well-written young adult fantasy, and I personally loved the Arthurian influences. The Mirror of Beasts is completely different in that it is absolutely amazing and probably the best young adult novel I've read this year.

The Mirror of Beasts continues Tamsin's story after restoring Avalon to its place in the real world, unintentionally freeing Lord Death from his makeshift prison, an ancient pseudo-deity who has recruited her own brother in his plans to rip through the world, destroying sorceresses and anyone else who gets in his way. His actual motivation is a mystery, but one Tamsin and her party are determined to find out. I absolutely loved the emphasis on sisterhood and female friendship in this second installment; Tamsin, Neeve, Katrina, and Alwyn were an amazing group to follow, each with their own personalities and convictions. I had not caught on to the romance brewing in the group in the first book, so I was pleasantly surprised when it was made more obvious. Speaking of romance, Emrys has returned after betraying Tamsin in the last book. I, like Tamsin, was hesitant to trust him, but he definitely pulled through. The other betrayer, Cabell, I was less sympathetic towards, and Bracken did a great job obscuring what his final fate would be, which I think is a good balance for that character.

My favorite part of this book was without a doubt Tamsin. She is a character that I both adore and relate to, and the sympathy that this book yanked out of me for her was impressive. I cried three separate times. She is someone you can't help but root for, and (spoilers) I was relieved that she finally got her happy ending. This book is on the longer side, but the pacing is nice and steady; there's always something happening, it doesn't get repetitive, and despite the various plot threads everything got its time to shine and be neatly wrapped up in the end. I was anticipating liking this book, but I came out loving it, and I had a wonderful time reading it.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, however I did opt to mainly listen to the final production audiobook via my library.

Like the first book this is a bit on the long side, clocking in at around the 500 page or 19 hour mark depending on your preferred format. The narrator again did a great job giving each character a unique voice so you can tell who is who when there is dialogue and she also did conveying emotion throughout the book.

This picks up where book one leaves off, so you don't really want to read this as a standalone. You really need to read the books in order to understand what is going on. Tamsin and her group are attempting to regroup after the events of book one. With Avalon destroyed, they must search for the artifacts that will defeat Lord Death and the Wild Hunt before he unleashes hell on Earth. Tamsin has to use her skills at solving puzzles and tracking to figure out who her allies are and where those items are hidden before Lord Death finds them or destroys them. She and her friends find help in unlikely places and she uncovers some new information that is hard to swallow that will help them with their mission.

I feel like this book lacked the focus that the first book had. This wasn't as much of a quest, which is what I really enjoyed about the first installment. While there was action in this book, it didn't feel as well choreographed as the first. We still get some dark and gory scenes though. There were so many characters (maybe too many characters) but I still don't feel like I got to know any of them. I wanted more character development and backstory in the first book, and I still don't feel like I got that. For as long as this book is, I wanted more information and more answers.

If you enjoy King Arthur retellings, this was an entertaining duology. It doesn't strictly stick to Arthurian lore, but the characters and setting are certainly inspired by it. While I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed book 1 it was still fun, and tied things up nicely for our characters.