This story follows a group of complex and well developed characters as they navigate the tense politics, prophecies and relationships in the Kingdom of Aithrim. A mortal girl who has visions of the same boy again and again, a fae soldier with a heart of gold, a human servant trapped in the fae lands, the son of the commander and his betrothed, a princess with a prophecy to fulfill. Together, they must work to fulfill the prophecy while balancing their own versions of reality. Darkness has settled into the land, and they need to ward it off before it becomes permanent.

This book reads like a modern, Grimm fairytale. While the plot seemingly starts slow, the writing is purposeful and intentionally intwined. I found myself really getting to know the characters as I got more insight into their backgrounds and stories. I cannot compliment the author enough on how well-rounded these characters are. They genuinely felt like real people and I was able to absorb their perspectives and histories without being drawn out of the story. The romance is very slow-burn but in the best way, the angst and intensity that builds up is much more realistic and overall made the story very enjoyable!

This was a complex read, lots of POVs to keep track of, and the fantasy elements were a little hard to wrap my head around for a solid 50% of the book. I think it might have been easier to stay on top of things if there weren't so many POV's. I spent so long trying to unravel each character's past and then remembering where we were at with their storyline every time the POV would shift, and by the time I felt like I was on top of it the POV would change again and I'd be completely disoriented. It was overwhelming.

I do think I would have enjoyed this more with less POV's and more time spent to truly invest myself and become attached to certain characters. I am absolutely a character driven reader, so I find it hard to fall in love with a story if I'm not particularly interested or connected to any of the characters. I also think I would have appreciated and enjoyed the complexity of the worldbuilding if I wasn't suffering from whiplash from the back and forth between past/present, and trying to manage so many POV's.

Blood, Iron and Bone by Sera Foxe

Thanks to the Author and NetGalley for the advanced copy to read for an honest review.

A great start to a new world building series!
This book was filled with different points of views, time lines and worlds that all beautifully wove together to give us the full picture. I thought it was really cleverly written.

This is book 1 to the Lightbringers series and we meet a whole host of characters as they build towards the day of prophecy. Lark and Ander have been groomed for this day, but not all is as clear cut as they have been told as they have been led to believe their union will break the curse in their kingdom.

I really loved the clever way this book started, we have different parallel universes, as well as timelines but I never really felt like I was confused. It was written in such a great flow that we slipped from one world and POV to another with ease.
The world building is slow, and easy to take in although I do feel the only thing lacking was more explanation to the original curse on the Kingdom.

As we get closer to the day of prophecy tension builds and the action kicks in and I was gripped.
There’s a lot of character and storybuilding up this point, and although it felt like not much was going on, at the same time I was gripped to find out what each character was doing.

If you are a fan of world and character building fantasy’s and in for the long haul, this book series is for you. I’m excited to get into book 2 and find out more.

The tea ☕️

🌎 - world building
📜 - prophecy
💞 - fated mates
⚔️ - political unrest
🪄 - curse/magical powers
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 - found family

I LOVE THIS BOOOOK!!!!! I can't get enough of this fae world that Sera has created. I highly recommend this book. Thank you for letting me read this as an ARC. I hope to get many more from you. (I legit finished it and restarted it.)

The book sounded cool but it was confusing with 6 points of view- going backward and forward into the present- everyone lying in some way. It’s a lot of exposition until about 60% when stuff actually starts to happen, but it’s not necessarily stuff you want to happen.
And then add to it some major yuck of sexually being with one person physically while simultaneously believing you’re being with someone else that looks just like them?
I won’t go into more so it’s not a spoiler but it gets grosser and along the same lines.
Not my cup of tea at all.

3.5/5

You know a fantasy book means business when it starts with a pronunciation guide!

I need to be honest—it took me a while to get into the story (maybe until halfway through), but that's often the case with new fantasy series. The beginning had some short sentences that made the pacing feel a little off, but it got much better as the book went on. The 5-6 POVs didn’t scare me (I come from the Zodiac academy's fiasco after all), though I can see how they might feel overwhelming to others.

Now, about the story—the setting reminded me of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air, which is one of my all-time favorites, so I was excited! But honestly, I could have done without the "at least he didn’t have a tail" comment. Don’t come for my boy Cardan like that! :D

There’s still a lot to learn about the world and magic system, but that’s expected for the first book in a fantasy series. It was a solid start, and I’m already eager for some answers. Also, I loved Aife—what a gem of a character!

The love story moved a bit too fast for my taste—I prefer my fantasy romances to be more of a slow burn. But with fated mates, I get it. At least there are other love stories in the background that I’ll definitely follow with interest.

Overall, a nice read! I’ll definitely check out the sequel.

P.s. There is also a glossary at end!

Thank you NetGalley and Agency Press for this eCopy to review

Blood, Iron, and Bone by Sera Foxe is the first book in The Lightbringers series. The story is set in a richly detailed fantasy world where magic and ancient prophecies play a crucial role.

The story begins when Aurelia, a mortal girl hears a mysterious call in the night. Compelled to answer, she finds herself drawn into a world of magic and prophecy. Aurelia's journey is one of self-discovery as she uncovers her true identity and the significant role she plays in the fate of her world.

In another realm, Andar is betrothed to the future High Queen of Áithrim. Despite his commitment, he feels a deep sense of unease, as if his fated mate is not who she appears to be. This internal conflict drives him to seek answers, leading him to cross paths with Aurelia.

The kingdom of Áithrim is on the brink of fulfilling or failing its most famous prophecy. Under a cursed sky, a diverse group of Fae and Humans must come together to confront the darkness threatening their land. This motley band includes characters with their own secrets and motivations, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

As the story unfolds, the characters navigate their intertwined destinies, facing challenges that test their courage and resolve. The detailed world-building and rich mythology create an immersive experience, though the pacing can feel slow at times due to the depth of the lore.

Overall, Blood, Iron, and Bone is a tale of destiny, love, and the struggle between light and darkness. The intricate plot and well-developed characters make it a compelling read for fans of epic fantasy.

Unfortunately I did have to DNF this book at around the 200 page mark. However, that is not to say the book is bad, just that it wasn’t the right fit for me!

I thought the premise of the story was brilliant. I was captivated by the prologue and the allusions to the prophecy which underpins the story, and it really did make me interested to learn about Aurelia’s background (at the same time she was learning about it!). However, the pacing felt a bit too slow for me, and it took a little too long for me to get into the story. I wasn’t a fan of the jumping 1st / 3rd person narratives as it did get a bit confusing to understand whose perspective we were reading from; and I found the short sentence structure that the book is written in to be off-putting whilst reading. That’s completely a personal preference though, and not a fault to the writing style.

I also think I would have liked a little more suspense with the fated mates trope, as it felt quite obvious where the story was going - but that’s also just a personal preference!

I still gave this book 2* as I think it has a lot of potential and will absolutely resonate with the right reader. I also think the writing is targeted towards a YA audience more so (although I am not sure if there is explicit content later in the book which would negate that!). I have opted not to post this review on my social media as I don’t tend to post DNF’d books, just to ensure authors are not unfairly viewing DNF reviews regularly which can be disheartening when the right reader will love the story!

Blood Iron and Bone is a new, unique take on the fae romantasy genre, following a number of characters: Aurelia a girl from the human world in love with a man she’s never met; Ander, a fae from the Otherworld entrapped in a prophecy; Lark, princess of the Otherworld, betrothed to Andar; Nova a human slave to princess Lark; and Cillian, fae solider.

The story was a bit slow at first, the focus mainly on introducing the characters and the world, but once plot started to unravel all the previous ‘slowness’ was 100% worth it.

The story switches perspectives between the 5 main characters and follows the aftermath of human girl, Aurelia, entering the fae world and how her very existence turns the Otherworld upside down.

This slow burn, fated romance set in a fantasy world is sure to leave you craving for more. The second book can not come out quick enough. I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next books.

Update:

After finishing this book a few days ago and sitting with my thoughts and feelings, my rating has changed. I can not stop thinking about this world and the characters and the plot and i just want to be back in this world. This book is definitely one that stays with you and lingers in the back of your mind constantly.

Sera Foxe is an incredibly talented writer and I can’t wait to see what else she writes.

I received an ARC of Blood, Iron, and Bone by Sera Fox through NetGalley.

"Blood, Iron, and Bone" is a sweeping tale of fate and prophecy, where a mortal girl and a Fae prince find themselves drawn together by a mysterious call, a cursed sky, and a kingdom's last hope for salvation.

There were moments I absolutely loved and others where I found myself a bit confused, likely due to the third-person narrative and shifts between characters. That said, the introduction was really exciting, and I was drawn in by the mystery surrounding the realms and dreams. Overall, I found the story engaging, and the final 20% really stood out for me - it was gripping and set the stage for the next book in the series beautifully.

I read 50% of this book before i decided to DNF'd it. Initially the synopsis grasped my attention to this book. I liked the title and the character introductions. I really tried to get into this book. But I was finding myself trying to push through a pull door. I didnt find the story to be cohesive and at times was confused about what was going on through the book. And I was quite confused on the time period. In addition, I found it quite repetive and would repeat things that were just said in the previous chapters. This book just wasnt for me.

4/5 Star ⭐
0.5/5 Spice

Thank you Netgalley and the authors and publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review will start out criticism heavy, but I want you to keep in mind that I am very glad I kept reading. This was an overall 4 star read with 5 star potential if things are fixed in the future.

The first 55% of the book is ALL prose and exposition and very little dialogue or action. Much of it could have been left out or woven better into the rest of the story. Think Tolkien or GRRM levels of epic/high fantasy world building, info dumps, and anecdotal memories for one of the main characters (or if you struggled with books like The Cursed Prince by Holly Black, this is similar to that.) There were lots of flashbacks and back to present times which was confusing, and then all of a sudden BAM it just takes off and goes into the show, which then feels like your typical romantasy book. Oh, there are also 6 POVs in a weird 3rd person but not 3rd person style??(sorry adhd, words fail me sometimes, idk it felt weird.) and not all of the time was it really clear who we were viewing from, until we get to the more dialogue heavy parts.

To quote another reviewer who put it perfectly: "Imagine someone reading you The Hobbit out loud but stopping every few sentences to explain why Bilbo’s doormat is culturally significant... that's this book."

I really REALLY wish this could have been woven in with the second half of the book better. It's truly my only complaint. I'm going to be brutally honest, it, feels like one author did the first part of the book, and the other did the second half. Like the first 55% of the book set the stage, did its job but SEVERAL times I wanted to DNF. The story and writing in and of itself is good but I struggle with prose/exposition heavy parts. Although necessary they can be done more masterfully to not feel like I'm reading a textbook, which at times it did feel like that. I skim read to get major plot points but didn't feel like I missed much at all. Then I devoured the second half of the book.

I will continue this series, and hope some of the things above are addressed in the future. If the second book is prose heavy again, I am unsure if I will continue. Worth a read but be prepared for it to take some mental energy to read.

This was such a fun adventure! After reading about 10% of the book, the author’s writing and world building becomes second nature. This is a story about a human who never “fit in” unknowingly making her way into a Fae world where she finds herself entangled in a royal family bustling with secrets and motives, all whilst trying to find her dream love.
The writing is very polished and beautiful and at times slow paced but it is reminiscent of old fairy tales which I found very refreshing. After adjusting, it is very easy to completely let yourself fall into this story. The more I read, the more I would not put the book down. This story has many different POV’s and I thought it would become overwhelming but I found myself enjoying every single character's point of view and inner monologue (a rare feat). This story is mostly character driven and that is not something I usually enjoy but It was in this book. I found the characters to be loveable and relatable regardless, and at times, because of their flaws. I also loved how the author was able to squeeze in some jokes and funny banter without simultaneously dimming the importance of the storyline or the seriousness of a scene. The last 30% of this book went crazy and made me so excited for the next books!

On the other hand, I thought this book was difficult to understand and somewhat slow paced at the start but I think the intention behind this was to slowly introduce the reader to this new world. I also found that some inner monologues could have been shortened but that does not diminish their importance to the story.

If I were to compare this book to entice readers, I would compare it to “A Crown Of Ivy And Glass” by Claire Legrand. The writing was similar and the twists and turns made me reminiscent of the way I felt when I read that book. If you enjoyed that series I am fairly certain you would enjoy this series as well!
That is not to say that this book is like any other, this book is singular and very refreshing when Romanticies have a tendency to resemble each other.
I am impatient for the next books knowing that many of the characters have been left with open storylines and unanswered questions.
I would recommend this book to someone who loves a fantasy romance with secrets, royal families, plot twists, slow burns, not spice heavy, found families and a cliffhanger that does not leave you hating the author but rather excited for the following book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sera Foxe and Agency Press for the ARC copy of Blood Iron and Bone, I had a lovely time in this world and am very excited to read on!

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the world building, and background character detail. It felt like every detail was well thought out and necessary. It was so beautifully written I could picture it in my head. The characters' feelings were so well written they were easy to relate to and identify with. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and romance. 5 stars from me.

A Fae fantasy novel full of twists and turns. Hidden elements, prophecies, and betrayals. The start is a little slow with world building but it is a banger of a book. There are multiple POV to get the whole picture. The book ended at a satisfying conclusion but with enough unresolved plot for me to be itching for the next book.

I really enjoyed the book Blood Iron & Bone. It is a magical, found family story with exceptional world building and character development. Personally, I love multiple POVs, and I found it easy to follow all the changes of POVs from chapter to chapter and within each chapter. The glossary was super helpful & explained everything very well.

I only had two issues with the book.
1. The pace of the story - The first half was very slow and, at times, repetitive. The second half of the story was almost too fast/rushed.
2. There were certain instances with character decisions that felt unrealistic (and not because it's a fantasy book). Decisions were made so easily, and characters just went along with everything, no matter how crazy or life changing the decisions were with no reasoning.

Overall, I highly recommend the book Blood Iron & Bone. I will definitely read the additional two books coming in The Lightbringers series. I'm eager to read the adventures coming for many of the characters and what they will find.

Arc Read
Publish Date-21th March
Thank you Sera Foxe for allowing me to read Blood iron and bone, Here are my thoughts and rating

Rating- 3Stars
The synopsis of the book really drew me in, It sounded unique and grabbed my attention.

I did enjoy reading this book but I wasn't always fully immersed into this world. At the beginning as many have said in previous reviews, it did take me a while(40%) to fully wrap my head around what was going on and who each character was. I did write down notes to help myself remember who was who.

This book has a lot of world building and back story for the first half of the book. Which ends up being too much as(For me) you aren't just following the typical 2 pov's. I believe you are following 5 or 6.( Which I did eventually really enjoy!)

There is a little bit of romance going on but as this is just book 1 of 3 I would imagine we would get more in the next book with how this one finished. Definitely a good set up for the rest of the series

Moving past that, the 2nd half of the book I was gripped! I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know what was happening next. I actually sped through the last 40% of the book.
I wanted a happy ending for everyone ESPCIALLY NOVA&CILLIAN! They were my favourite and I do hope to see more of them in book 2.

With how long this book was I do think there could of been more action going on, mostly in the first 50% because some chapters at the beginning just weren't necessary or really dragged out and could of been replace with something more engaging/ Interesting without leaving out important information/backstory of characters.

This is a book I would recommend to those that prefer low spice and more worldbuilding and character driven fantasy books

Tropes-
Fated mates
Prophecy
Fae&Humans
Curse
Secrets
Multi Povs

I loved this book, the world building feels like threads being woven together and the whole book has a dreaminess to it. I loved the characters, and the prophecies, the dreams...

This started out slow for me with the world building and character development but about halfway through it picked up to the point I was flipping pages like a mad woman to find out what happened next! The story has magical beings, a Royal hierarchy, an ancient prophecy, family secrets, fated mates and cursed lands. Aurelia was my favorite character who was not afraid to voice her opinion and do what she felt was morally right. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book with Lark and Nova.

Exploring the Complex

Blood, Iron, and Bone is a fantasy novel that promises a rich and immersive reading experience. With its intricate world-building, multiple POVs, and complex plot, this book is perfect for readers who enjoy a challenge.

*Key Features:*
- *Multi-POV narrative:* The story is told through six different character arcs, which can be disorienting at times, but adds depth and complexity to the narrative.
- *Intricate world-building:* The author has created a unique and immersive world, with a focus on fae and human mythology.
- *Complex plot:* The story unfolds over just a few days, but the non-linear timeline and multiple POVs create a sense of depth and complexity.
- *Romance:* While present, the romance takes a backseat to the mystery and world-building.
*Reading Experience:*
- *Challenging but rewarding:* This book requires focus and investment, but the payoff is well worth the effort.
- *Immersive atmosphere:* The deliberate pacing and focus on exposition and description create an immersive atmosphere, but may slow the narrative momentum at times