This is one of my most anticipated books of 2025, and man it did not disappoint. So far it's my favorite read of the year and I am expecting to reread this again in the future to see all that I missed.

To write a review feels like it would be to spoil the series, so I won't. Suffice it to say that I did not expect anything that happened would have ever happened by reading the first two books. This book took off at a breakneck pace and it was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. Some of the POVs are the same as in previous books, and some are brand new.

Thank you to Simon and Shuster for the advance digital copy through Netgalley. All the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.25/5

Thank you @simonteen #partner for the gifted copy of this eARC!

Scott has created quite a unique and interesting collection of books with this series! Each one feels so different from the last but at the same time also fits perfectly together! I sometimes think that young adult books can feel too young but with this series they feel intelligent and the characters have great depth that I truly feel anyone can devour! If you are a fantasy and magic lover these books are brilliantly written, smart, creative and feel like they are made for both adults and teens! I am sad to see these characters come to an end but do feel that this is such a satisfying execution to this trilogy! I do think I will reread these books in the near future now that they are all published to watch how Ren and Theo change over time! I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the cover art. Each one of these books in this series has GORGEOUS covers. #coversnob 💁‍♀️You too can grab yourself a copy of this one as it publishes today!

Stunning. By far the best book in the series!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

Again the Waxways series delivers with originality, insane suspense, and a conclusion that introduces new twists, interesting characters, and world-building that leaves you in awe. While the third in the series, A Burning in the Bones is a fresh 'layer' and brings complexity that ups the stakes as Ren deals with more consequences to the revenge she's sought since page 1 of A Door in the Dark. Mercy's storyline doesn't detract at all from the characters we've met along the way and Reintgen brilliantly reveals how and why she's crucial to the whole picture. As I was reading, like the previous ones, I felt fully immersed in the story, couldn't stop myself from recommending the series to anyone who will listen and even reading waaaay past my bedtime. That "one more chapter" is more like 2-3 with the POV jumps so expect to lose sleep over it. I think perhaps we get pulled into the Waxways ourselves. Fantastic finale to a series that is unmatched on YA shelves these days.

In Book 3 of the waxways series; we are following Mercy Whitaker in part I and my first thought was, who? Kind of wish the opening of the book had been a main character, not feeling like a new character or developing a new side character. Chapter 2 was a blessing but if you haven’t read these books before, a year break from the previous wasn’t too long and I still felt caught up. Pleasantly, book 2 had less detail and introductions, so felt pretty caught up as of chapter 2.

In our third journey, we’re dropped now into a plague- new characters are introduced again and I’m realizing how much this series revolves around plot, especially with more new characters added. Ren still feels little to no growth- still a hypocrite- while Theo is completely different from where he once was. In book 3, it feels like the focus is very much the new character and the new plot- with an introduction of new characters. The old leadership family of the Tin’vori, introduced in book two, disappointingly, felt placed on a back burner. Like an after thought. I did enjoy the moments Ren reflected, her circle back to the beginning, to have the third book feel a little more connected.

For the series, it always feels pretty intelligent, with new ideas here and there. This was no exception, particularly when it came to why the plague. At times, it does feel disjointed, like more like a companion piece. And although the third saga’s plot was enjoyable, it still feels like some of the stories from the first two never felt fully wrapped up or concluded.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the third installment in this series since it focuses on a mysterious disease, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well Scott handled the disease and had it tie into the plots of the previous books and the world-building that was established.

I really like how this tied into Ren’s quest for revenge and the anger that’s been fueling her decisions from the beginning. I also like that it tied into the mythology of the dragons and magic. It was so fascinating to read how Ren, Mercy, and the others unraveled what was going on. All of it was so clever and well-written. I’m even more astounded by the magic system in this series, and how everything works together for the plot.

The middle of this books swags a little as the characters are dealing with the consequences of a wide-spread plague and trying to figure out how to resolve the new problems that have arisen. But the last third is jam-packed with intense action, brilliant magic, and ,yes, more brutal character deaths.

But overall, I love how this book wraps up the trilogy and how everything plays out. I thought when it started off with another new character POV (Mercy) that it would push other characters to the back burner. But Ren and Nevelyn and the other associated characters all have equal page time, and I felt more satisfied with their arcs at the end of this book than I did at the end of book two.

Overall, this is a thrilling, heart racing conclusion to the Waxways trilogy and definitely one of the best YA fantasy series I’ve read in a long time.

I made a reel last year after finishing AWITW with the sound from Julia Fox where she says, "I don't like to speak of things before they are finished but it's so far a masterpiece if I do say so myself." I didn't how spot on that would be but now that I have completed the series, a better sound byte doesn't exist. ABITB was my most anticipated release of 2025 and once again this author knocked it out of the park. We got a brand new POV for this book in Mercy, and she might be my favorite storyline of them all. I love how each book in the trilogy can deliver a unique story while still following the main plot of the series and concluding in a satisfying way. No gimicky cliffhangers, no filler to extend the series which we see so much of lately. Reintgen writes evolving and endearing characters, an amazing world with an interesting but not difficult to understand magic system, layers of intricate plotlines with subtle foreshadowing or nods to things that happened over the series without dragging out the pacing, and overall just a super enjoyable book each and every time. I am so sad to lose these characters and this world, I'm kind of hoping maybe we could get a prequel series. Scott, if you see this, Grandma Shiverian was highly entertaining and I bet she was fun when she was younger too! Thank you to @simon.teen and @netgalley for my gifted copy. This one releases February 4th, 2025 and you're gonna wanna grab all 3 books if you haven't already, trust me!

I was both excited and dreading this book. Excited bc I love the characters and world, dreading it bc it’s the last one. Sigh. Maybe we can convince him to write a prequel or spin off?!?

Ok, sorry - focusing now on my actual review of A Burning in the Bones. No surprise here - I loved it!!! It amazes me how different each book in this series is while still keeping an overarching theme and plot. We meet a new character, Mercy, who had one of my favorite storylines and shoutout to Devlin, last seen breaking up with Ren in A Door in the Dark! Loved that little callback. In addition to Mercy and Ren’s POVs, I was thrilled that we again have the Tin’Vori siblings with Nevelyn as our third POV.

There is so much that happens in ABITB! It truly is chaos in the best way with no lulls in the action and the intricate plotting the author is known for. I was left with a few questions at the end, but honestly think I need to reread a few sections bc enough things were happening that I might have missed a few details.

I absolutely loved how the journey concluded for these characters. I don’t want to say too much to give any thing away, but think fans of the first two books will love this one too!

A quick side note - so many recent fantasy series feel like they are overly drawn out, turning 2 books plot into 5 books. It was SO refreshing to have 3 solid books with full individual plots and no cheesy to be continued style cliffhangers. It’s also intelligent YA, as in it never talks down to the readers and works well for teens and adults. I absolutely loved this series and can’t recommend it enough!

Thanks Simon Teen and NetGalley for the DRC!

For the duration of this book, I sat on the edge of my seat. Split into 4 parts, the final installment of the Waxways trilogy culminates in the true results of Ren's quest for revenge. I loved the third POV that Reintgen added; Mercy gave nuance to parts of the struggles in Kathor and beyond that other characters were not privy to. When I thought I had everything figured out, I was repeatedly wrong. The magic system in this book varied more than the previous books to see special magical abilities that more people possess and how those could benefit the wizards in their understanding of the plague that ravages the area and the survival of their world. I found myself not wanting to believe the tragic events as they unfolded and questions left unanswered for even the characters, but that is life. Not every trauma requires a full explanation. Theo and Ren's bond strengthens beyond what I expected. Ren's emotional growth is striking, but I do wish we got to know Theo on a deeper level. Sacrifices fit the circumstances, despite each still hitting hard. Reintgen delivers an impactful ending that feels reminiscent of the battle of Hogwarts in a way but with a hope of peace and community.

Thank you to Netgalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster for a chance to read an early copy of this book! I have been anxious for the conclusion of the series for a WHILE.

4.5 stars, rounded down

Age rating: 14+
For: violence and moderate language

Wow! This book absolutely blew me away! Again, we find ourselves following Ren, Theo, and the Tin’Vori siblings, who are facing all kinds of issues they never expected.
Ren, for one, had few plans beyond a single epic goal: conquer House Brood. Now that that’s done and Landwin Brood is dead, she has little else to do besides try to rebuild with Theo at her side.
But the universe has no plans to let either of them rest. Shortly, a plague takes root that has horrific, debilitating consequences for the entire population. There is seemingly no rhyme or reason to its appearance—and no cure. As the new heads of the House, Theo and Ren have more to prove than just about anyone, but will their efforts lead to a cure? A source? Or are they doomed to fall before they’ve truly even risen?
The Tin’Vori’s are facing troubles of their own, though on a more personal scale. Nevelyn and Dhavid are both struggling to process their grief as they remain in hiding, as task as weighty as any. When a child shows up that bears a striking resemblance to Garth, Nevelyn’s deceased friend, the burden only gets heavier.
Then there is a girl by the name of Mercy Whittaker, a medic-in-training whose first official field assignment is what leads to the uncovering of the plague. As the city is plunged into a state of complete disarray, Mercy is forced to step up—even while attempting to hide secrets of her own that could be life-changing.
The epic, action-packed final installment to the Waxways series does not disappoint. Climatic, complex, and thick with magic, A Burning in the Bones is one of those reads that will give you whiplash from all the plot-twists and may even leave your cheeks tear-stained once you reach the back cover.
Happy reading!

Absolutely perfect conclusion to an epic and unique YA fantasy!

Ren and Theo are a joy as they grow and work together to change the corruption in Kathor.
Tin'Vori family dream of reestablishing their house and bringing down house Brood.
The new piece of the puzzle in this segment of the trilogy is the confident and capable Dr. Mercy Whitaker that works against a fast spreading new disease that threatens the Kathorian way of life and disrupts magic?

Who do you trust when everything is awry?
How do you protect what you believe in and overcome obstacles when everything seems to be unstable and unpredicatable?
How do you fight an enemy that seems to be everywhere and impossibly powerful?

This finale of the Waxway trilogy surpassed my abnormally high expectations.
I was expecting it to be as good as the first two books, but it was even better.
It's fast paced and engaging.
It didn't all end in a neat little bow, but more like a very messy yet immensely satisfying bow.
I enjoy a satisfying bow.

I cannot recommend this series enough. The Waxways trilogy has become one of my favorites. The character development is noteworthy and the magical system is exceptional.

Thank you Scott Reintgen, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This conclusion is every bit as epic and engaging as the books before it! Ren Monroe has successfully removed Landwin Brood from power. Now her and Theo are in charge of House Brood. The next step of their plan is to take down the other houses. Nevelyn Tin’Vori is still seeking a way to take down House Brood for what was done to her family. Even if that means taking on Ren. And a young doctor, Mercy Whitaker, is about to discover a mysterious disease that could have disastrous repercussions on the people of Kathor. As people begin dying and a new group begins to take power the three will be forced to work together to save themselves, their people, and their way of life. But who can they really trust? How do they stop an illness that has never been seen before? And how far will they go to protect what they know? Thrilling with a bit of cutesy romance and a bit of heartbreak! A page turner that consumed me till the very end! Endings are always bittersweet but Scott Reintgen doesn’t disappoint with this one! Highly recommend this series!

I have supported this series since book 1, successfully arguing for its inclusion in our district's summer reading program for high school students. Book 1 was so good that I doubted subsequent books could meet such lofty expectations. I need not have worried, each book in the series has been equally as good as A Door in the Dark. A Burning in the Bones is a great conclusion to the story, taking the characters you have grown to love, and in some cases mistrust, in a direction that I had not foreseen. The story is great, the pacing is spot on, and the ending is very well done, although I do feel one of the biggest resolutions was glossed over a little too much, I do have one small concern. I firmly support an author's ability to write as they see fit. However, in a climate where books are being heavily scrutinized, I wish the author had not chosen to include 3 uses of the "f-word". Trust me, the students hear it (and say it) more than 3 times in an hour. However, that inclusion may be the reason some schools are not allowed to include this book in their collection. I am not saying I support that line of thinking - just that it may work against this book in some situations. As for me, I loved this entire series!

I really enjoyed reading this, it had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed from the writing style. The characters had that feel that I was looking for in this world. Scott Reintgen has a strong writing style and was engaged with the world and characters created in this universe. It was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this.