Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of The Road of Bones!

This book was an easy 5 star read for me! Although the beginning is slower with lots of world building, the book quickly takes off and takes the reader on a Viking-inspired journey.

The humor, the twists and turns this book took, and the level of character development found in just the first book of this series is absolutely magnificent. I don’t want to give away anything plot-related (going in blind is so much more fun), but the twists this book took were so fun and very unexpected. I’m so excited to read the next book in this series!

Let me start by saying, I went in completely blind. I DEVOURED this book! It has everything I love! There's slow burn and betrayal and a twist I didn't even see coming. The only problem I have is that I know I'll be waiting a while to find out what happens next!

The beginning started off slower, but it picked up quickly and I devoured it. I am so glad I can jump right into reading the next book! Absolutely wonderful.

Viking fantasies are quickly becoming a favorite genre for me, and the Road of Bones is another example of a great Viking romantasy read (with a bit of a witchy twist as a bonus)! In this book, our FMC Silla finds herself on the run after her whole world gets turned upside down, and along the way comes across the Bloodaxe crew. To the shock of no one, for a crew that swears to be honest, there are secrets galore in this book that always keeps things interesting 😂

I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book, as well as the way everything/everyone came together. I also really enjoyed the way Silla grew into herself. The ending kept me on my toes with some twists that I absolutely wasn’t expecting, and I loved it.

My only critiques are that the beginning was a bit slow, and the journey did take up the vast majority of the book, which isn’t necessarily a problem except that in my opinion it did make the ending feel a bit rushed. Additionally, there were a few elements that even after finishing the book I still felt confused about? Perhaps they’ll be explained in the next book but for now I’m not sure what to do with that information. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for their next Viking read!

A great Nordic fantasy! I love the world and the magic. The main character is sweet and innocent but not in an unbelievable or annoying way. You can't help but root for her and want her to have a happy ending. I look forward to reading the next book ASAP!

I tried to push through because so many reviews said it was really good but after a week of reading and still only being at 30% with hardly anything going on I DNFed it. I think the first 30% could’ve been slimmed down and put into the first 10%. The scenes were too long and the world is not that complicated to where in needed THAT much world building. I am sad because I love Viking books but this needed a heavy edit.

Demi winters is now an instant buy author! She has a way of writing that had me invested by page 10! Her story telling is so beautiful and detailed that I was able to fully visualize the entire store. What an intense, action packed story! I absolutely cannot wait to read anything else Demi writes! Forever a fan!

This was good!!! So good. The beginning got my attention quickly, although the middle did slow down I really think it was needed for the build up of the ending. I did guess a few things that happened and I’m hoping one thing happens in the next book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next installment!!

I received an ARC copy from Penguin random house!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This debut is SO COOL. I ate it up and want more asap.

I really loved how this author masterfully handled multiple POVs and ensured it enriched the story greatly. The author also smashed my heart to pieces multiple times and had me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait to see what’s next for these characters.

This viking romantasy was a unique read! The world building was well done while the adventure was engaging and angsty. Really enjoyed reading this one and I'll be sure to checking out more by this author!

I was absolutely hooked on this story from start to finish. The norse mythology was woven in an authentic way to create a spell-binding story about a soft heroine who redefines strength amidst a violent and unforgiving world. Pardon me while I go straight into book 2 because I NEED MORE.

The way I need to unhinge my jaw after reading this books last 15%, OH MY GOD. Demi! I did not see that ending coming. This book is absolutely everything. If you want a fantasy with a side of romance and a bit of spice - read this. Silla is on the run and hides in a wagon to try to get some safe passage. Unfortunately, for her, she happens to choose a wagon that belongs to a Notorious crew of warriors. Silla’s character has so much growth throughout this book. She is soft and true to herself. But made me
laugh and won’t hesitate to take out some vampire deer (yes you read that correctly, VAMPIRE DEER). The characters are so well written and such a huge part of the story, I loved every single one of them (especially Hekla). I laughed, I cried. I kicked my feet, and I threw my Kindle in shock. Well done Demi - Five stars. Now I will anxiously wait for book 2

The Bjorn Curse strikes again! Apparently, 2024 is not my year for Viking books because I am really not vibing with them.

The Road of Bones is a fantasy adventure filled with romance, Vikings, and hidden magic. I think it originally ended up on my TBR because of the found family trope, but I honestly didn't love the found family in this one. Before I continue this review, I just want to note that although I did not really enjoy this book, I think there is a large audience out there who would (I'm just not a fan of smut or possessive romances).
The plot of the book was pretty decent. There are multiple POVs, but only one of them is really "different" (there's an assassin chasing the main characters). Silla's life is thrown into turmoil when her father is murdered in front of her, leaving her with only an address to find at the other end of the very dangerous Road of Bones. She meets the Bloodaxe Crew and convinces them to take her across the Road, but on the way, they are met with danger in the form of forest creatures, soldiers, and even their own relationships. I thought the plot was pretty well-paced, although there were sections that dragged. I did find the plot twists to be fairly predictable, especially the main ones (I only missed one, but I had considered it at one point). I thought the ending was okay, but I don't know that I will be continuing the series.
The characters were the part that made me not enjoy the book. Silla is portrayed as an innocent, naive, blushing maiden who hasn't cursed, got drunk, or had sex...and apparently, that's the hottest thing on the planet for the male leads. She refuses to even witness "violence" until halfway through the book, and I just found her to be annoying. Most of the "found family" was forgettable, although I would have preferred a book about them rather than Silla. I did not like Rey because I thought he was 40...and because he's just boring, in my opinion. I hated Jonas even more, though. I could rant about him and his toxic little behaviors for days (buddy was excited to find out that Silla was a virgin because that meant he got to take it from her...)
The Road of Bones is a fantasy adventure story that borders on romantasy and is filled with popular tropes sure to make it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-copy!

3.25/5

‘𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬. 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴. “𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢’𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘴,” 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘺, 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. “𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬.”’

“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧.”

☠️Multi POV
☠️Found family
☠️Vikings & Magic
☠️Morally grey characters
☠️Enemies to Lovers
☠️Hidden powers/secret identities
☠️Banter & Betrayal
☠️Spice 🌶️🌶️/5
☠️Check TW

After Silla’s father is killed, she embarks on her journey through the Road of Bones in order to fulfill her father’s final wish. Unfortunately the road is long and full of murderous people and creatures. Silla decides her best bet at making the journey alive is to sneak onto a wagon and hitch a ride with a crew also traveling the road. Silla unknowingly hitches a ride with a mercenary group known as the Bloodaxe Crew.

I really enjoyed watching Silla’s character development and the relationship she slowly builds with the Bloodaxe Crew - the banter between the Bloodaxe Crew was some of the best I’ve read in a long time! I think what made Silla very relatable was the fact that she constantly had to make a lot of difficult decisions knowing that they could have a major impact on her life and the relationship with the Bloodaxe Crew.

After the shocking twist at the end, I began questioning myself and wondering if I either blatantly ignored or just wasn’t smart enough to see the many hints throughout the book that pointed to said event! Ugh it hurt so bad! I am still not okay.

Loved the way the author touches on domestic abuse and addiction. She doesn’t shy away from showing the trauma that is inflicted on the victims and the ugly road to recovery. I also loved that the author isn’t afraid to build characters up, have us fall in love with them and then smash our hearts to bits and pieces.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND you read this book ASAP!

This book is everything and more! Perfect for fans of "A Fate Inked In Blood." I remember seeing this book before it went traditionally published and I missed out on it. When the opportunity came here I JUMPED so fast and I'm so glad I did. The world building is fantastic and intriguing while also being easy to follow. The characters have depth and emotions, and honestly I just wanted to be in their world.

There is not enough good things I can say about The Road of Bones.

I am not a huge viking fantasy reader but with this one I definitely could make an exception. This one started off a bit slow but finally picked up around the 130 page mark. I really enjoyed Demi's writing and I definitely know I will be reading more of her books in the future and of course reading book two in this series. I enjoyed reading about Silla and Jonas and all of the other side characters and reading about the crazy journey they were on to get Silla where she needed to go!

I was beyond thrilled to be approved for this. I read the indie edition and diving back into this world was so satisfying. The plot is so well thought out and the characters are all complex with really interesting developments. The author sure has a way with world building and creating dynamic characters.

The Road of Bones is an enjoyable read. The first half reads a bit slow as it is primarily world building. But by 70% I was fully invested in Sills’s story and how she will survive the journey to safety in the North. I look forward to the next in the series.

3.5 stars

Silla Nordvig is desperate for safety after her world is upended. She will do anything to get to Kopa and follow the instructions her father left her. When she sneaks into a wagon, she has no idea that she is joining the Bloodaxe Crew who are on a separate mission. Although Ren, the leader of the Crew, allows her to travel with them, she struggles to keep her secrets as she grows closer to the mercenaries.

It took a few chapters to get into the book. The world reminded me of <i>The Witcher</i> with all of the magical creatures. I didn't care for the constant POV changes for certain chapters. I enjoyed reading about Silla's journey with the Bloodaxe Crew. The romance part of this book was a bit disappointing. I couldn't figure out if Silla was supposed to end up with Jonas (the handsome member of the Crew) or Ren. If you enjoyed the Viking romantasy and angst of A Fate Inked in Blood, you will like The Road of Bones.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

I enjoyed this. I really liked the world and I thought the characters showed progression (some positive, some negative) as the story went on. Super curious where the next one goes after some of the twists at the end!