Bracken created a world full of adventure and myth that I was happy to dive back into. The mythical elements that she weaves in were seamless and enjoyable. I love arthurian legend and anything that uses the lore so reading familiar figures in the myth and seeing new ones I hadn't heard of was a treat.
Tamsin is a strong, smart, and vulnerable heroine who I loved following on this journey. Her character growth was amazing. From a lonely shut out the world girl to a girl with friends who becomes open to others.
Tamsin and her new friends go on a journey to defeat Lord Death. On that journey they face danger as well as confronting their personal demons. what I loved was that it wasn't just Tamsin's journey. Everyone else was a fully realized character with goals of their own and each had their own journey to growth.
There are themes of redemption, forgiveness, and love. Faith in our loved ones to do the right thing was also a thread in the story.

I loved this duology so much and truly wish it would continue so I didn’t have to leave this characters. While this book was a little slower of a read for me than the first it was definitely just as good. I do wish I could have read them back to back instead of waiting but I also understand that writing an amazing book takes time.
Tamsin’s role definitely changed multiple times through out the story and I am glad that I tip toed around the ending or what I thought the ending would be.
I also love the growth that they all were forced to exhibit throughout the rest of the story. I would love to see maybe a spin off or continuation of it but I’m also excited to see what is next.

Thank you to Knopf Books for young readers for the arc.

I requested this arc before reading book 1 because I figured it was a duology and I loved Lore by this author so I might as well request and read both together. But I finally got around to book 1 and ended up dnfing it 6% in as the world building was confusing and I kept getting taken out of the story. If I come back to book 1 and finish it I will give this one a try but I am unsure if or when that will happen.

I enjoyed Silver in the Bone and loved Tamsin. Well this book is even better. It had everything!! Action, friendship, conflict, magic, and romance. It just comes together so well. Can’t wait to get my dust jacket for the first book to match The Mirror of Beasts!

I didnt love it as much as book one but I think It was because I was primarily fruatrated from the betrayal from the end of book one and the actions getting progressively worse. I ABSOLUTELY think the ending was deserved. Every aspect of it.

What a great book. Between this and book 1 I was loving the story and the characters. I could not put it down!

Tamsin and Cabell continue their journey in this conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology. In this addition, each is on a different path with Cabell following the Lord of Death and his sister, Tamsin, in search of the Mirror of Beasts.

Like the first book, this sequel has plenty of action, twists and turns, vibrant characters and beautifully developing friendships and romance. The story narrative switches back and forth between Tamsin and Cabell. This is a wonderful way to follow each on their separate paths. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end. Despite having finished the first book some time ago, it was easy to familiarize myself with the story and characters.

The story is a unique and updated twist on Arthurian legend. Combined with amazing world building and character development, I had a difficult time putting it down. Overall, one of my favorite YA fantasy reads this year.

Book Name: The Mirror of Beats
Author: Alexandra Bracken

ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers for an ARC of The Mirror of Beasts

Stars: 3.25
Spice : YA

End OF Duology
Fast Paced
YA Fantasy Adventure

- Thoughts.
- no Recap (Feel VERY lost)
- Not Really Arthurian
- Lost some of the Magic of Book 1
- MISCOMMUNICATION
- First 50% was kinda dead in the water
- Second 50% was good
- Ending was Nice
- Solidly Teen YA
- Needed More Romance
- Felt Very Disjointed From the First Book

Excellent send-off for the Silver in the Bone duology! Tamsin is still a mess, the whole gang is still a mess, and everything they thought they knew is a mess. It's great. The action was well-timed and had my anxiety working overtime. I appreciated the twists (or just the revelations)! I wish I had reread the first book before reading this one, as that would have helped me set myself in the world better. I felt fairly out of place for the first eighth or so of the book with how much I'd forgotten. Eventually things came back to me, or were explained, so be warned, you may want to do a refresher before starting this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for the e-ARC!

Best read right after the first book to keep the plotline straight since a lot was packed into this one and at times it seemed to change directions very suddenly. Overall, not as engaging as the first book but still an interesting Arthurian adaption.

I loved the first book. Sadly by the time I started reading the sequel I did not remember what happened in the first book. That made it harder to connect with the characters. Even so, it was an interesting story. Satisfying ending.

“No matter what they say, or how much they lie to themselves, people don’t want the truth. They want the story, or that secret wish, already living inside them. Not because they’re in denial, or even delusional, but when it’s too hard to believe yourself, there’s comfort in hearing someone else promise things will get better. That your pain wasn’t for nothing. That the potential in you will bloom. That your heart will heal.”

“The Mirror of Beasts,” by Alexandra Bracken

I loved this book. I loved the modern spin on the Arthurian retelling with a band of people and a rival joining together to find answers and defeat evil. I loved the characters and the banter, I loved the romance aspect, I loved the mystery and the action. It was a really good series and I’m glad I read it. The ending was super good as well. 5 out of 5 stars.

-Arthurian Retelling
-Magic
-Revenants

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

I feel like it's been forever since I read the first book, but I just love this story so much and it all came back to me as I started reading this one. So many emotional and hard moments. So much growth and heartache. I mean...this one hurt in the best way. This whole novel was full of exciting adventures and unexpected turns and I don't think there was single dull moment. I couldn't have asked for a better ending, even though parts of it were terribly sad I think it all needed to happen for our final group of characters to have their endings, happy or not.

This was an awesome conclusion to the duet and was a great example of well done YA fantasy. I will definitely be recommending this to my social media followers.

Alexandra Bracken has done it again. After the chaos at the end of Silver in the Bone, I couldn't wait for this book. It picked up exactly where the last book left off, with Tamsin and co. trying to figure out how to fix their mistake. The individual character plot lines had me smiling, screaming, and crying. I am truly obsessed with the world Bracken has built in this duology.

This is definitely a book that you’re going to need to read the first book to follow. I haven’t read the first one, so this one was a little difficult to follow; however, it was enjoyable. It also made me want to read book one. I will say, though, considering how long this was, I would have thought the pacing would have been a little quicker, but I didn’t mind it. Although, I wouldn’t have minded if this was split into two books and made a trilogy instead of a duology.

3.5 stars

Unexpected turns!

Tamsin and Cabell continue on their mission but they seek different paths. Tamsin is with a group of like-minded and strong individuals searching for the Mirror of Beasts while Cabell is following Lord Death in the deadly and violent Wild Hunt. The Mirror of Beasts is not what they expected; it’s more remarkable than they ever imagined. Cabell faces the decision of leaving all he knows behind, including his sister Tamsin, to follow Lord Death. Tamsin discovers secrets about Emrys, Nash and herself that are shocking and completely change everything.

Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed the alternating narrative between Tamsin and Cabell. Beautiful prose. The mystery of Nash is fun to see unravel. This story is full of great characters!
Mature content: PG-13 for non-detailed sex.
Language: R for 68 swears, no f-words.
Violence: R for bloody deaths.
Ethnicity: fair skinned, blue-gray and leaf-green skin, brown skin, and tan skin make up the ethnicity.

Like the first book, The Mirror of Beasts was deeply rooted in Arthurian legends, with more new characters from Welsh myths and dark magic to keep you on your toes. I immensely enjoyed reading about the Hag of the Moors (Rosydd) and other new characters. Rosydd showed up for a few chapters, but she made it count.

In all, this book is adventurous but darker. Buckle up for a story riddled with mystery, betrayal, love, and sisterhood in the conclusion of the Silver in the Bone seires.

4.5🌟 loved the ending! Great way to wrap up this series. Thiugh I hope to follow Neve more! I loved the tension between Emrys and Tamsin, and the growth that Tamsin experienced, in finding her new found family.
Though the beginning was a bit slow for me, it did pick up, and I enjoyed the pacing a lot.

“There will never be any adventure worth having, any prize worth finding, that’s greater than you.”

The Mirror of Beasts
Silver in the Bone Book #2
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Pub Date: 7/30/24

A stunning end to this duology that took me on such an awesome adventure. There were plot twists that made me question myself and what I read, friendships and romances that really shined, and a fabulously fiesty FMC with a wicked sense of humor as well. Loved the drama and the thrill of this conclusion!

“Every seedling needs a little time to grow.”

Thank you @tbrbeyondtours and @getunderlined and @randomhousekids for allowing me to read an early ARC for this tour!