The Mirror of Beasts is the gripping conclusion to Silver in the Bone. It is a fresh twist on Arthurian legend and a unique YA fantasy that you cannot put down. The world-building and character development are simply next-level in this series. We were left with quite the cliffhanger in the first book of the series, and this book is nonstop action. The characters have such compelling backstories, and I love the way the Arthurian legend is interwoven in this story, blending the past with the present in a very unique way. This book is such a fresh take on a YA Fantasy. Definitely a must-read.

I was really excited to read the conclusion of this Arthurian duology. The first book was one of my favorites of last year.

While I ended I liking this one, it felt like it was missing the spark that had me unable to stop reading it. The ending was fine. Overall, I’d still recommend the series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This series is one of my new favorites. Tamsin is such a relatable character with walls to prevent herself from eventually getting hurt, which sounds like a very human experience. The amount of self-doubt can get a bit tiring, but there's honestly enough going on that it doesn't feel like the main focus of this series. I'm always hesitant with duologies and series if I love the first book, as it sometimes leads to disappointment. However, this duology was worth it! Especially in the second book with a new cast of characters, each with their hurts and thorns. The character development in this book was great - I felt that each character's story had an arc that was easy to follow and pulled at the reader's heartstrings. The world-building was pretty good, although I had a difficult time forming my brain around the normal world setting with magic and "gods" wreaking havoc.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Alexandra Bracken for the chance to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

5 Reasons to Read

Friendships & Found Family

The friendships and found family are even stronger in this one than they were in Silver in the Bone! I loved this unlikely group of friends and we get to see each one of them develop even more! With the support of one another this found family is one to remember!

Unexpected Reunions

There are some characters we thought we lost in Silver in the Bone that make quite the appearance in this one! You won’t want to miss it!

Retellings

This was such a cool mix of Arthurian mythology including the Sword of Excalibur! It was unique because we also get to see the Wild Hunt, a magic mirror, and the Lord of Death.

Romance & Betrayal

This one has both romances from the past as well as newly developed love. We get a sapphic relationship and one that has to be mended. I loved it!

Abundance of Adventure

Just like Silver in the Bone this one is packed with adventure from start to finish. The twists and turns will leave you flipping those pages. You won’t want to put it down!

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

I didn't like this one as much as I liked the first one, but it's still such a unique YA fantasy in its elements that then also combine Arthurian and other folklore. I love how there's different elements and different ways of naming things, on top of bringing in legends and folklore and making them reality. I also do really like Tamsin as a character, but I feel like a plot of hers kind of got left behind and then took a left turn without an explanation of how they were related. Like, I kept waiting for it to get resolved and then the book just......ended? And I don't think there are any more planned?

It is a great adventure, though.

I love it when the next books in the series are even better than the previous ones! I really liked Silver in the Bone, I thought it was a great start to a duology, tons of lore and world-building done really well, and The Mirror of Beasts is even somehow better? I gotta get to Bracken’s other books if they’ll be like this! I loved everything in here and I could definitely see myself rereading the duology (especially to see if I pick up on any hints or easter eggs).

I loved the characters so so much. They improved from the first book – I had to reread because I remembered like literally… nothing – which was a great idea as it really helped me to get into the characters’ heads and understand their motivations. This book only carries that forward and definitely delves deeper into what makes them tick.

I said in my review for the first book that Tamsin and Emrys were my two favourite characters and that didn’t change in here! They both went though such a change it was amazing to see them go on that journey and how Bracken never faltered on their development for their journey. I think I said I half or mostly liked Neve in the first book and I ended up liking her more here. I remember I didn’t immediately like the sorcerers in the first book but they grew on me and then I really liked them!

As mentioned before, Bracken is amazing with the world building and plot. I was captivated throughout, I didn’t want to stop reading, she really made me feel like I was in the book and fighting alongside the characters. That’s always something I love to experience while reading a book – also a big compliment from a reader, in my eyes.

I love anything mythology and definitely anything Arthurian related. I need to get more books inspired by this mythology – I know there’s a bunch. It’s swords, it’s fighting, it’s magic – literally all right up my alley.

4.25/5 stars

This is the second in the Silver in the Bone duology, and it’s a good conclusion for the story. Unfortunately, it had been quite a while since I had read the first book, so it took me a little bit to refresh my memory and get back into the storyline.

While there was a romantic thread through the story (two, actually), I actually loved that it felt more like a friends-to-family relationship lovefest with a wonderful ensemble cast (some new, some old). Also be aware for the younger audience, there’s some fairly explicit violence/goriness in parts and some pretty evil villains to vanquish…also some loss, some sadness.

It ends on an uplifting, happy note, and I’m glad to have had the chance to follow along through both books.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing the free early arc of The Mirror of Beasts for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This one gets like 3.75 stars just because it felt really long (I mean it is really long, but I felt it).
We start right where the first one leaves off. We got a lot of characters in the first one and their friendships continue to blossom and strengthen in this one. Tamsin is such a strong main character and I had a really good time following along on her journey. She really thinks of herself in one specific way and it's very heartwarming to see other people prove her wrong. One of my favorite characters was Neve (not sure about spelling). I loved how she came about knowing Tamsin in the first book and I loved the part she eventually played out in this one. She was such a spitfire and I loved it. I loved Tamsin's relationship with both Cabell and Nash and how imperfect they are.
Like I said, this book was long. There was so much plot, that I honestly can't remember everything that happened even though I just finished it. But there were so many twists that I didn't see coming and I really did enjoy this long journey the characters took. I just wish it had maybe been split into 3 books. The ending was very exciting and such a rollercoaster of every emotion out there. While the synopsis of this book says it's the duology conclusion, there is a storyline for another book or a spin off (in my opinion) and I would love to read about that.

The Mirror of Beasts was an amazing conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology. Book 1 left me a little depressed but book 2 redeemed it. There was still a lot of doom and gloom, but I enjoyed the character development, the legends, and how the characters all play into the legends in the modern day.

This book takes place immediately after book 1, and spends the whole time trying to mitigate the problem created at the end. There were some plot points I really hoped that new discoveries would be resolved by, but it played out differently that I expected and still gave a satisfying closure.

You can expect:
Urban portal fantasy set in Boston, USA, around the UK, and beyond
Enemies to Lovers
Powerful Women
Secrets and Curses
Arthurian Legends
Late-teens MCs
Single, 1stP POV; some 3rdP POVs

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing an eARC for my honest review.

This book was not disappointing. I love how it jumps right into the story and keeps you engaged with these characters. There is a lot to keep up with but worth it in the end. I have always been a big fan of Alexandria Bracken books. Now I wait for the next Adventure she writes.

The sequel to *Silver in the Bone* picks up exactly where Bracken left us, hanging on to that cliff. Plot twist after twist keeps you hooked, as everyone has secrets to unveil. You won’t want to put this down until you uncover every single one.

The cast in this series is incredibly strong. Our prickly, fierce Tamsin tries so hard to protect that gooey heart of hers, but deep down, she holds so much love for those around her. After so much heartache, can she really trust anyone again? We can’t help but hope she gets the love she deserves. I adore her romance with Emrys, rocky as it has been. The character development, especially with these two, is top-notch.

I absolutely love the added humor to this otherwise dark journey to save the world from Lord Death. Caitrona and Olwen’s fascination with mundane “futuristic” things, the bonecutter’s wit and snark, and even the hag’s sassiness add so much fun.

The various settings are atmospheric and transport the reader to each location. The added POVs provide more insight into the inner workings of other characters and actions. There are moments of laughter, heartache, anger, and love. The intricately woven Arthurian retelling with Celtic lore is well done. The stakes are high, the twists keep coming, and this is a solid end to the duology.

If I thought Silver in the Bone was good... The Mirror of Beasts is just as good! Great followup! Great pacing... great read!

“𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛,” 𝙽𝚊𝚜𝚑 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍. “𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚑𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.”

I just finished #TheMirrorOfBeasts, and it was amazing!
The story picks up right where the first book left off and doesn't slow down for a second.
Tamsin and her friends are dealing with the fallout of Avalon's fall, and things get really intense as they try to stop Lord Death from causing chaos, searching for powerful artifacts and traveling through otherworldly realms.
Although the mix of legends and myths can be a bit overwhelming, the book grips you with its action-packed scenes, immersive style, dark atmospheres, and plenty of surprising twists.
I absolutely adored how the authors handled the romance (so sweet!), but what really stands out is how our found family grows throughout the story (though I wish it had received even more focus).

“𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚍𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜 . . . 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚜 . . . 𝚊𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚜 . . . 𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚙 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚣𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞.”

The author did a great job wrapping everything up nicely and delivering a satisfying conclusion to this duology with no loose ends.

I definitely recommend this series if you are looking for a darker YA fantasy, full of action and terrific plot twists.

10/10!!
This was the perfect conclusion to this duology! We pick up right where the first book left off, and we go nonstop from page one. There is action and adventure, questions are answered, and there are so many twists and turns!

I loved Tamsin's relationship with her friends, while they do have some clashes and some issues arise between them, they still back each other 100% and plan to stay close forever+. And that romance! It was all handled perfectly!! I want to gush about so many things but they would definitely be spoilers, so if you loved the first book, read this one asap!

If Alexandra Bracken writes it, I'll read it, and Mirror of Beasts did NOT disappoint! The writing is just beautiful. Tamsin is such a wonderful character, and I think I fell in love with the entire cast on accident. The plot twists were fantastic, and the relationships were so well written - not just the romance but the friendships as well! The ending was extremely satisfying as well. This duology is definitely in my list of favorite reads for 2024.

Thoughts: No synopsis today because spoilers from book one! The Mirror of Beasts picks up right were Silver in the Bone’s shocking cliffhanger left off (thank goodness!) This one was action packed and weaved in even more Arthurian lore. It was an entertaining read, but I felt like the plot was meandering a bit in the middle when I was just ready to get to the resolution. Overall, though, I’d say this was a satisfying conclusion to the duology!

It's rare, and I do mean rare, to find the sequel to a book to be BETTER than the original. In THE MIRROR OF BEASTS Alexandra Bracken has taken us, once again, to a world in which magic, curses and Arthurian lore rule.

As the end of the duology, THE MIRROR OF BEASTS, finds our favorite characters from SILVER IN THE BONE dealing with Lord Death.

I'm not into fantasy - at all. However, I will read anything Alex writes because she creates worlds that I can understand with characters that grow - no matter if they are the main characters or the littlest of all side characters - Flea, anyone?

I find Alex's worldbuilding to be just the right amount of description. My brain is small ;) and I can only handle what I need to understand this fantasy world (or worlds). Everything else is too complicated for me.

Let's get to the crux of the story - Tamsin and Emrys. That's it, That's all you need to know.

I loved this evolution of enemies to lovers to they are meant to be together no matter what. I don't want to give much away, but if you like romance with your fantasy - these two are it.

I shed tears for this book and I will say, unless a book involves the death of a pet I'm not one to get mopey while reading. THE MIRROR OF BEASTS made me root and grieve for the characters ups and downs.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's/Knopf for an e-copy of THE MIRROR OF BEASTS to review.

I rate THE MIRROR OF BEASTS five out of five stars.

The finale in the magical story filled with betrayal, ancient magic, curses, and romance. This is a sequel in the duology and picks up right where the first book left off, Tamsin is freshly betrayed by the one boy she loves and now has unleashed the Lord Death's plans onto the world. Tamsin and her friends have to find a way to stop him before it's too late and Tamsin is still trying to find a way to save her brother... who just happened to have joined Lord Death's side and left her, oh and did I mention her previously thought to have been dead father is very much alive (he resurrected) and is younger and is telling her he came back for her to break a curse that is on her??? Not to mention said boy who broke her heart and betrayed her and left her and her friends for dead in a terrifying world is now back and determined to make amends? Saving the world isn't going to be easy but dealing with feelings might be even harder. Tamsin just wants to save her friends, save her brother, and stop the evil she's unleashed... she does not want to deal with her now returned father, she definitely does not want to deal with Emrys who has returned and is sticking by her side trying to make amends, and she definitely does not want to face the fact that she still is very much in love with him. Trust is broken and mended, an adventure of a lifetime awaits, and the fate of the world rests in the hands of Tamsin and her friends. This series was an absolute blast to read, it's got a touch of Arthurian legend and a whole fresh take on the classic elements of the story. I absolutely adored the characters and the complex relationships. Seeing Tamsin grow from who she was in the first book to who she ends up being in this book was fantastic. I loved how the story wrapped up and would absolutely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Arthurian stories with a fresh take!

Release Date: July 30,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Netgalley and TBR Beyond Tours and Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review and to be part of the book tour*

I was already more than mildly obsessed after Silver in The Bone, especially after that cliffhanger, and I’m even more obsessed after reading The Mirror of Beasts. It’s THAT good.

I 1000% recommend if you like:

🗡️ Arthurian legends
🗡️ Found family
🗡️ Romance 💕
🗡️ Being completely immersed and invested and at the edge of your seat

Thank you so much to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

“Have patience with your heart. There’s no steel that can be forged without fire.”

After the events of Silver in the Bone, Avalon was gone, and Lord Death was free with Cabell by his side. Tamsin, Neve, Olwen, Caitriona, and Emrys are now in search of a way to stop Lord Death and his Wild Hunt from wreaking havoc. Lord Death is planning to release the evil spirits of Anwnn, killing everyone in his path along the way. To stop him, Tamsin has to find an artifact powerful enough to trap Lord Death and save the world and her brother Cabell. As her companions help her search for the artifact known as the Mirror of Beasts, they realize the mirror might not be everything it seems, and they discover secrets along the way that could change everything.

The Mirror of Beasts was a satisfying end to an intriguing story that blends the real world and Arthurian legend together. It picked up right where Silver in the Bone left off, maintaining a fast pace that continued throughout the rest of the book. There was always something happening, which at times was slightly overwhelming, but, overall, I was able to keep track of everything. I really liked the incorporation of the Bonecutter and the role she played in the search for the mirror. I felt like she added a lot to the story, as did Nash’s character. I think that Bracken handled Tamsin’s and Nash’s relationship perfectly, acknowledging how complicated it was while also giving them closure and highlighting their deep familial connection. Each character in the novel played a vital role in the story, but I think there could have been a few more scenes with some of the side characters to help strengthen the bonds between them. However, part of the reason I felt like this may have been the amount of time it’s been since I read the first book. Despite this, I felt a big connection to each character, and I enjoyed watching them grow as the story progressed. I was satisfied by the endings for Tamsin and her friends, but I did have some lingering questions that were left unanswered. Overall, The Mirror of Beasts was a fast-paced, interesting conclusion to the duology.