The premise of the book was very promising, but the jumping back and forth in time and multiple character viewpoints led to confusion on my part.

☆ Fun Factor 3/5
☆ Writing Style 3/5
☆ Characters 4/5
☆ Plot 4/5
☆ Setting 3/5
☆ Feels 4/5 (OWWW YOU GOT ME)
☆ Spiciness 0/5 (there is maybe one kiss scene if you squint)

☆FOR FANS OF: Leigh Bardugo's The Familiar and Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow

Ultimate verdict ☆☆☆☆/5

☆☆☆Best Character Award goes to:☆☆☆ Virel Enjul is my exact type of character, tailored personally to my weaknesses

Review: Sometimes Dead is Better

Atmospheric, gloriously dark and deep, and beautifully tragic characters coupled with an interesting magic system that hinges on collecting a bone from the person our necromancer Azul wants to revive equals a book I read in one sitting over the course of an evening. It was REALLY good and not at all what I was expecting from the tags.

We have Azul who can revive the dead with a bone, some dirt, and a piece of her soul who wants nothing more than to bring her dead sister back. And then in the opposite corner we have Virel Enjul, enigmatic Emissary of the Lord Death who loves his god and HATES that Azul defies death through her magic.

You see, it's marketed as a Romantasy and it's really just not; while the two leads have chemistry through their ideological differences and bickering, it never culminates in a true romance. They bicker they banter, in fact the best parts of the entire book was their dialogues with each other. And when THAT moment happened, I was utterly gutted and had to walk away. But there's none of the Romantasy tropes here; no sex, no handholding, no I love you's, no nothin' so if you picked this up because you WANTED a hot romance between a necromancer and a servant of a death god, keep walking. HOWEVER, their banter is so enjoyable and made me think about who's "side" I was on in this. Their gradual change from enemies to reluctant allies was a real treat. This is a GREAT fantasy book, not really a romance like. At all.

There were quite a few really good OH SNAP moments that made me have to lean forward in my reading chair, many good twists and turns that kept me interested. The ending sets up for room for a sequel if the author wants it and I liked this one enough that I would definitely read more. For a debut novel, this was especially excellent and I look forward to more from this author in the future, she's really creative.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Maria Z. Medina, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I wish I could wipe my memory to read this for the first time all over again.

I absolutely LOVED this book! The necromancy and the events leading up to grabbing the body, then the fall out of the main characters actions was absolutely chefs kiss.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

DNFed at 58%. There’s nothing wrong with this book. In fact, the premises sounds so interesting and IS interesting. However, I couldn’t get into the plot and characters. Other people seemed to enjoy it, so I think I’m in the minority here. I wish I could have liked this more since the plot seems unique but alas, it’s not for me.

The enemies-to-lovers romance between necromancer Azul del Arroyo and emissary of death Virel Enjul is unhinged and brilliant, with tension and chemistry dripping off the page. The richly layered worldbuilding, complex social dynamics, and morally grey characters make this book a breath of fresh air. It’s an amazingly good read that will leave your brain buzzing long after the last page.

A necromancer FMC? Say no more!
This story was so good! It was such a unique style because it the characters and timeline were fragmented and all the pieces slowly get put together to create a whole! There's incredible world building and actual morally grey characters. I freaking loved this story!

I liked the concept of this book it was fun and interesting, but I felt it was hard to follow at times with lots of characters and time hoping between past and present. But overall it was still good and I liked it.

Give me all of the unhinged romances between a necromancer and an emissary of death--OMG. Maria has written an incredibly unputdownable novel.

I wasn't sure about Mistress of Bones when I started, but by the end, I loved it. Azul is a great FMC, and I really enjoyed seeing her progress through the story. I will say, I wonder how different the digital vs the physical copies will be as a definition of some key terms would have been useful. I could tell this was the debut as there was a lot of worldbuilding, which I will definitely appreciate for the second book. At times, introducing all the characters and remembering who was who did prove a bit of a struggle as there were almost too many introductions in quick succession, but by the end it worked out. I hope to read the second as I enjoyed this by the end.

Haunting and intriguing, this was such a fun story to dive into. Exploring death in search of her sister, but finding something else entirely along the way.

Mistress of Bones by Maria Z. Medina is a compelling blend of intrigue, mystery, and beautifully woven plotlines. Medina's narrative prowess is on full display as she crafts a world that is both haunting and mesmerizing.

One standout moment in the book is when the protagonist, Eliza, discovers the hidden chamber in her ancestral home. This scene is not only pivotal to the plot but also showcases Medina's skill in creating an atmosphere that is rich in detail and suspense. Eliza's meticulous and emotionally charged exploration of the chamber reveals long-buried family secrets that are both shocking and enlightening, further deepening the reader’s connection to her journey.

Throughout the book, Medina’s characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own unique complexities and motivations. Eliza's evolution from a curious investigator to a determined heroine is both inspiring and captivating. The interplay of the supernatural elements with historical intrigue adds a layer of depth that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

This is a masterful tale that will leave you pondering its mysteries long after you’ve turned the last page. Maria Z. Medina has crafted a story that is not just to be read but to be experienced.

This has a unique storyline and was very intriguing for a YA fantasy. I didn't love the structure of it though, it felt jarring whenever we went back in time.

Mistress of Bones is a captivating YA debut that seamlessly blends romance, adventure, and necromancy with a world of gods, bones, and deadly secrets. The world-building is one of the most compelling aspects of the story. The concept of Anchor, the gods’ bones that bind the continents, is both unique and adds a rich layer to the narrative. The divide between scientific innovation and ancient reverence for gods adds intrigue and depth to every scene. Azul’s journey of loss, love, and defying fate is relatable and deeply emotional. The romance is poignant and tragic, mirroring the novel’s overarching themes. The slow-burn tension between Azul and the Emissary creates a perfect contrast to the world-altering stakes they’re caught in. Overall, this debut sets a high bar, leaving me eagerly anticipating the author’s next work.