Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

If you love Silver in the Bone then you will love this book. It neatly wraps up the entire storyline, and the twists along the way really kept me invested. That being said, I felt like the story was a bit…disjointed at times. The main character would be at a certain place in one chapter, and then the next be in a completely other location with no context as to how they got there. These scenes just needed something to bridge them together it felt like. But, the story itself and the character growth was amazing, and made the book well worth it to read. Thoroughly enjoyed this King Arthur story!

tl;dr
A strong conclusion to the duology, with some neat plot twists and a dramatic romance.

Thoughts
This book starts right after the ending of the first book, and jumps straight back into the story without stopping for a breath (so if it's been a while since you read the last one, or you haven't read it at all, go do that first). But if you're ready for all the fast-paced action from the previous book to continue, then it's all in here. The stakes are higher, and you can feel the tension immediately as our already exhausted characters have a larger battle in front of them with enemies on even more fronts. It's a race to the finish line that doesn't let up, with players coming and going, so there are a lot of threads to keep up with. Arthurian legend again features strongly, but loosely, with some really cool twists and surprises woven in. The first person POV that worked really well in the first book might be a bit of a detriment here, as the group splits up quite a bit, and a ton of action winds up happening off screen. The most obviously missed chance is the secondary romance, that develops largely out of sight from the MC, and it's one that I would have loved to watch unfold. That being said, readers hoping for a conclusion to the primary romance set up in the first book will be happy to see the same bittersweet mix of tender moments and traumatic backstories for our young heroes, all leading to a very hopeful ending.

First I want to say I LOVE the new covers so much more than the original! The new covers are even prettier than the Owlcrate version of Silver in the Bone I have (but I liked the original cover of that book too).

I wish I had read these a bit closer together, but I requested this one as soon as it popped up (then had to wait a month for approval, boo). Mirror of Beasts picks up right where book one ends, and the story doesn't really allude to what happened before - so I felt a bit lost. There are a lot of names and events that I just could not recall, and I think that affected how immersed I got into the story.

The first book was okay, I wanted more from it. I almost felt that way in this book too. The story is so much different than I was expecting, and I again felt like the Arthurian legend took a back seat to the main story. Arthur was there, the sword is there, but everything else is just new fantasy story. Which is fine, I have nothing against fantasy, but if it is marketed as an Arthurian Retelling I would love to have more of those details woven in.

We do get some good backstory on a few of the characters in this book, which answered questions from book one. There are also some good action sequences and a few parts of the story I felt particularly invested in too. Toward the end I was wondering if this was supposed to be a trilogy, but the story did wrap up well (and quickly), with enough of an open ending that there could be future adventures with these characters if the author wanted it.

Overall, this duology was different than I expected and I wish that I could enjoy them more. It could very much be right book, wrong person - especially because I loved Lore by this same author. I am interested in seeing where she goes from here, and I will definitely read her next book/series. I just struggled to get invested in these books, and wanted more with the Arthurian retelling aspect!
Content warnings: child death, torture, child abuse, violence, body horror, loss of a loved one, kidnapping

I didn’t realize this was a sequel until I got the download so I had to read the first book before starting, but I’m glad I picked it up! The first book was a little slow going, but this was a fun way to wrap up the story. The worldbuilding was really fun and I was happy it wasn’t a trilogy. Always love an arthurian adaptation

After the ending of "Silver in the Bone," I was excited to receive an arc and it did not disappoint. The character development, romance, plot twists, etc. were so well done. I enjoyed this even more than the first and would definitely recommend.

This series can do no wrong. I’m obsessed. Adventure romance and found family with magic and world traveling. Alexandra bracken is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me and this duology is some of my favorite of all time.

The characters go through great story arcs and development and I was never bored. I will definitely be rereading them both

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken
Book 2 - Silver in the Bone series
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.8125/5
Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult
➳ Arthurian Legend
➳ Quests
➳ World Crossing
➳ Secret Identities
➳ Found Family
➳ Witty Banter
➳ Betrayal & Redemption
➳ Star-crossed Lovers

✨You will never be useless or helpless again, my mind whispered. You will never be left behind.✨

✨no death, no man, no darkness can break us.✨

✨“You have to stay alive to keep hating me, Lark,” he reminded me, close to my ear.✨

✨There are few things more vexing in life than questions without obvious answers, and stories without ends.✨

✨We’d made our choice, but the problem with choices wasn’t in the making—it was in learning to live with them. And that was a poison without an antidote.✨

✨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.✨

✨Every seedling needs a little time to grow.✨

📚📚📚

In "The Mirror of Beasts," the sequel to *Silver in the Bone*, Alexandra Bracken continues the gripping saga with Tamsin and her friends facing the aftermath of Avalon's fall. As Lord Death threatens to unleash chaos, Tamsin must rally allies, uncover powerful artefacts, and navigate otherworldly realms to stop him.

Central to their quest is the Mirror of Beasts, rumoured to be capable of trapping Lord Death. However, this powerful object hides dangerous secrets, and Tamsin must confront her darkest fears to harness its strength. This thrilling conclusion blends Arthurian legend with fast-paced adventure, emotional depth, and intense character development, making it a compelling read until the very last page.

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧
"The Mirror of Beasts" is a was a breath of fresh air in the YA fantasy genre. It brings a fresh take on Arthurian legend, blending lesser-known myths with contemporary storytelling. The character development is top-notch, with a strong sense of found family and emotional depth that keeps you invested. It's fast-paced and gripping, filled with unexpected twists and vivid world-building. Fans of authors like Sarah J. Maas and Cassandra Clare will likely enjoy Alexandra Bracken's engaging writing style and compelling plot. Overall, it's a unique and emotional ride that's hard to put down.
The story was gripping from start to finish. The tension and pace kept me hooked.The emotional highs and lows were intense, with scenes of laughter, tears, and heartbreak, making the characters’ struggles and triumphs resonate deeply with me. The romance subplot was, quite possibly, one of my favourites I’ve read in a very long time. Just prepare to have your heart ripped out…
The central theme of "The Mirror of Beasts" revolves around the power of found family, redemption, and confronting one's inner demons. Without any spoilers … the redemption aspects of this novel were the ones that kept me the most gripped.
From the characters' development and relationships to their collective quest to stop Lord Death, the narrative consistently highlights the importance of trust, loyalty, and personal growth. Tamsin's journey of self-discovery and her interactions with her friends underscore the theme of finding strength in unity and facing past traumas head-on.
Alexandra Bracken's writing style in "The Mirror of Beasts" is vivid and immersive. Her prose is detailed, bringing the magical settings and intense emotions to life. The combination of rich descriptions with a fast-paced narrative, make it easy to visualise scenes and stay engaged with the story.
Bracken excels at character development, allowing readers to deeply connect with the protagonists. Her ability to balance action, humour, and heartfelt moments keeps the me invested from start to finish. The dialogue was sharp and (often) witty, adding depth to the characters and making their interactions feel genuine. Overall, the author's style and voice draw you into the world she has created, making it a memorable and engaging read.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

<b>Fantasy Scoring</b>
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 4.25/5
Plot ➷ ✅ 5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 5/5

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Thank you to Alexandra Bracken, Random House Children’s, Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

You should read this book. I found it compelling and stayed awake into the wee hours to finish just 75 more pages. I want to read the first book to reflect on the neatly tied up story. I know some important things have slipped my mind. So I want to read both again. There is valor and myth. There is love and hope and magic. There are characters accepting who they are and growing. It’s good!

Silver in the Bone was one of the most original YA fantasy books I read last year, so I was excited to get my hands on The Mirror of Beasts to see how all of my faves faired. I really loved this follow-up, I loved how it stayed true to lesser-known (well, depending on who you are, maybe "less mainstream" is more apt) aspects of the Arthurian legend while still making a truly unique and compelling story. I loved this conclusion to the series and would highly recommend to anyone who loved Sliver in the Bone. I'd also just recommend it to anyone looking for an EXCELLENT fantasy duology. You will not be disappointed.

Silver in the Bone was my top read of 2023 and still has such a profound effect on me in my reread. I have not only forced everyone in my life who reads to hear me talk about it, I have also forced my book club of friends to read it so someone else can appreciate it with me. So when the e-ARC of The Mirror of Beasts came across my email I could hardly wait to start it. And boy was my excitement so worth it.
In the fantasy world it is so hard to find a good duology that is has everything you’re looking for: a witty FMC, a bad ass girl group, a nerdy hopeless romantic MMC, witches/zombies/lost swords/lost worlds, found family, satisfying plot from beginning to end, so emotional and impactful, but also easy to pick up read. The Silver in the Bone duology HAS IT ALL!! This book was everything and my most anticipated release of this year and it lived up to the expectations I had set. It was not only fast paced but covered all the answers to the questions you had from book one. It had twists and more trauma for our favorite characters. Identities are revealed and lost legends and creatures are found! We see Tamsin, Neve, and Olwen run all over the world trying to save the it from Lord Death with the help of some extras😉 (spoiler free). So many times in this book I found myself laughing at something churlish Tamsin said or sobbing from the loss and pain, or sometimes I was laughing and crying. I was overjoyed with the ending and would say although heartbreaking but it was worth everything.
The way Bracken took the King Arthur theme should be no surprise if you have read Lore. Her creations are remarkable and stand out among modern fantasy classics. She can always find the hole in the market where we are all starving for a unique story whilst still sprinkling in some of our favorite tropes. When it comes to creating a connection between the characters and the reader Bracken has an ability that of the likes of Sarah J. Maas, Cassandra Clare, Suzanne Collins, etc. I will never not buy an Alexandra Bracken book.

I want to thank Random House Children’s — Knopf Books for Young Readers, Josh Redlich who was kind enough to send me a copy of the e-ARC though NetGalley, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Most of all I want to thank Alex for this phenomenal show stopping duology!

I can't remember the last time I rated three books in a row 5/5 stars that were not a part of the same series, but here we go!

I LOVED THIS SEQUEL SO MUCH. I went breathless when I saw I was granted an e-ARC of this book, so thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy!

This book is just as good if not even better than Silver in the Bone (a tough feat, in my opinion since that is in my top 3 books of last year.) The Mirror of Beasts features everything I love from Silver in the Bone: magic, wonder, treasure-hunting, portals, adventure, romance, a found family, and more.

The plot was so fast-paced and amazing. This is one of the most compulsively readable books I've read in a while, and I applaud Alexandra Bracken for keeping the story at such an incredible rate the entire way through. I was never bored and I was always at the edge of my seat. Every single beat of the story was utterly compelling in its own unique way. I loved the quest at the heart of the story and all the subplots we explored to get there were fascinating as well. The ending was also one of the most perfect, full-circle series conclusions I've read in recent memory.

Tamsin is easily one of my favorite main characters of the last few years. I as the reader felt every single emotional beat and I loved reading the story through her eyes. Every single character in this series has phenomenal development and stories. Only Alexandra Bracken could give such complete, intriguing storylines to non-POV characters. I also loved the 3rd-person chapters we saw from Cabell's perspective as they rounded the story out in ways I was not expecting, providing a new angle on Lord Death and his missions. Catriona, Neve, Olwen, and Emrys are after my own heart. They are so well-developed and I love the found family we have developed across these two books. I really hope to see more of them in the future if Alexandra Bracken ever decides to return to this world. The romance here is also...*chef's kiss* SO GOOD. A ton of new characters pop up like the Bonecutter and the Hag of the Moors who were SOOOO complex and interesting. The Hag is genuinely hilarious as well.

Each location was entirely transportive and masterfully described. Alexandra Bracken paints a wonderful picture and provides the readers with a portal (or Vein) of their own. I won't spoil which settings we encounter or why on the quest to find and use the titular Mirror of Beasts, but I will say they are all equally compelling and immersive.

Alexandra Bracken's writing is one of my favorites and I will always auto-buy her books. She honestly has yet to disappoint me and I don't think she ever will. Add this to the list of her amazing books and series because it's right up there.

This duology easily became one of my favorites of all time with The Mirror of Beasts, and I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on a copy. The character development is satisfying, the romance is swoon-worthy, the plot is exhilarating to the end, the writing will pull you in from the first page to the last, the settings will take you to mystical lands, and the ending will rip your heart out and put it back together. Read Silver in the Bone, read The Mirror of Beasts, and then reread them both a thousand times over.

How much can I gush about this book? I was already a fan with Silver in the Bone, but this book is just about perfect. My favorite part was seeing the relationship between Tamsin, Caitriona, Neve, and Olwen blossom, second had to be the new characters with the Bonecutter and the Hag of the Moors. The enemies to lovers to enemies again to ?? with Emrys and Tamsin doesn't take over the whole story but provides a great look at a relationship and the trust needed to move forward.

I've read more adaptions of Arthurian legend than the actual lore, but I felt I was able to keep up with who was who and what their role was in this all. It took a few chapters to remember where we were in the story and all the characters since it's been a year since I read the first book, but I quickly settled back in with her small reminders that were helpful but not overly re-explained.

Great writing, great story, loved it.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! The first book in this duology, Silver in the Bone, was disappointing for me, but I can’t quite put my finger on why…it was darker than I expected maybe? I didn’t connect to the characters? A lot happened but somehow the book dragged? I don’t know, but I almost DNF book 1. That said, I persisted because I believe in Alex Bracken and love her writing style, and it paid off: the last few chapters hooked me enough to continue on to book 2, The Mirror of Beasts. In book 2, the story and characters felt more realized and complex and fresh. A few of the plot twists truly caught me by surprise, but in a good way; in hindsight, I can see the subtle hints that were woven throughout both books. There were several good redemption arcs and a nice romance in this one too. Overall, a strong finisher to the duology.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!

After the cliffhanger of Silver, I was dying to get my hands on the sequel. Mirror of the Beasts picks up right where Silver left off and I probably could've used a reread before diving in, but either way, it probably took 40% for me to be properly invested. I will saw that I loved how everything was concluded and it was nice to see more of Emrys' family and Tamsin and Nash's relationship.

Stunningly good, THE MIRROR OF BEASTS is the long-awaited conclusion to one of my favorite YA series of all time. In it, we’re reunited with Tamsin, Neve, Caitriona and Olwen — all of whom have been left reeling from the devastating betrayals that led to the fall of Avalon at the close of SILVER IN THE BONE. But they don’t have much time to grieve, or even regroup, as Lord Death is on a rampage and intent on destroying everything in the world of the living. Now, it’s up to Tamsin and her friends to stop him. Facing impossible odds, the group sees their skills and relationships put to the test as they race to defeat Lord Death once and for all. Along the way, Tamsin is also forced to reckon with far more than she bargained for; least of which being the unexpected reappearance of the boy who broke her heart,

Every bit as good as SILVER IN THE BONE, THE MIRROR OF BEASTS is further confirmation that Alexandra Bracken exists firmly in a literary league of her own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

If a book makes me cry, it's pretty much an auto 5 stars.

The Mirror of Beasts is a rollercoaster of emotions and a fantastic conclusion to Silver in the Bone. While I found parts predictable, it was still a wild ride. I love these characters--the relationships, that feeling of found family is so strong and heartbreaking. This is my first duology by Alexandra Bracken and I have been made a fan! I look forward to future works.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Full of action and adventure.
Great character development.
Full of twists and turns.
This is a page turner for sure!
A must read if you enjoyed Silver in the Bone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's Publishing for an early copy for review.

A satisfying conclusion to "Silver in the Bone." The story picks up where book one concludes and continues the story of Tamsin and her companions trying to defeat Lord Death. Many obstacles are in the way of our heros winning such as the Wild Hunt and duplicitous characters. Tamsin also has to deal with the betrayal of Emrys and how she feels about him.

The story kept me engaged throughout and the ending was satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
4.5/5

Gripping, emotional rollercoaster. So much better than the first book. It brings so much more development of all the character especially Tamsin and Cabell. The seriousness of the storyline is chaotic and tense. It brought me to love the characters so much more. I just wish it didn't dismiss the big change in scenery at the end of the book 1 and it just seems to never be discussed. But overall wonderful conclusion to this duology!

Emrys Dye, everyone. Need I say more? The Mirror of Beasts is a superb conclusion/follow-up to Silver in the Bone!

If the first story was all about our emotional breaking, this story was about atonement. Emrys. Nash. Cabell. Even Tamsin. Everyone is working to make up or undo their actions from the first book. Bracken certainly has a talent for character development, writing protagonists you can’t help but root for, fall in love with. The Hag of the Moors and the Bonecutter were especial favorites of mine - stealing scene after scene.

I loved how the story was infused with Welsh myth and lore - from King Arthur and Avalon to the Wild Hunt and Annwn, plus a host of other folktales. If you’re looking for an action-packed fantasy adventure, plus a moving tale of sisterhood, found family, and romance, look no further. The Mirror of Beasts is the perfect conclusion to an epic duology!

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Children’s, and Knopf Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.