3.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this digital arc is exchange for an honest review.

Overall the premise of the books was really interesting and the world building was very immersive. However the writing took some getting used to because it was description heavy at times and the multi-POVs in third person were confusing in the beginning, especially when multiple characters were in the same scene and the POV would switch multiple times in the same chapter. I found some of the characters interesting and I do want to follow their story in future books, but because there was 6 main characters, their story arcs were not fleshed out equally.

The love story that’s supposed to be central to the plot between Andar and Aurelia wasn’t believable to me. They barely interacted with each other and most of it was feelings of attraction and lust, especially within the last two chapters. There was no buildup or substantial scenes where we got to see their relationship develop enough, especially since the book’s plot happened roughly over 2-3 days. Their relationship was already somewhat established before the story began so when they actually met it didn’t pay off and I didn’t feel like we got enough buildup to make me want to root for them. I was way more invested in the little crumbs we got from Cillian and Nova.

I understand the book takes place over only a few days but the large cast of characters leaves little room for all of them to get the proper development and arcs they need to be fully fleshed out characters. The concept of the book was intriguing but I don’t think it was executed as well as it could have been. Despite this I did enjoy my time reading this and I wouldn’t mind picking up the next book to see how the story progresses.

Sadly the writing style just wasn't for me, I really tried to continue after seeing so many positive reviews and all the tropes I normally love like found family, But sadly - not one for me!

Blood Iron and Bone (The Lightbringers, #1) by Sera Foxe

Aurelia , a mortal girl, hears a strange call in the night and is compelled to answer...

In another world, Andar, betrothed to the future High Queen of Áithrim , can't understand why his supposed fated mate looks so right, but feels so wrong...

Duty, fate, blood iron and bone collide under a cursed sky...

Rating: ***
Feels: Anticipation,
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae, Magic, High Fantasy
First published Published March 21, 2025 : 567 pages, Kindle

This book has so many unique features and is a really amazing read. So much is going on with the characters, multiple POV, subplots and lore. So many good elements of fantasy I love in this story with fated mates and a curse that plagues them. Just something about high stakes love and having to save you mate that I really love in a story. There was alot of detail that needed to be focused on and I'm sure as the world unfolds even more will be brought forth. This definitely had more of an epic fantasy feel with the details.


This book has:
Strong FMC
Multiple POV (6)
Slow Burn
Chosen One
Touch her and die
Found Family
Fated Mates
Politics
Magic

Okayyyyy Sera!!!! I’m hooked. I’m ready for book two.

Just a heads up to readers, this book is written in the third person but it’s done so well!! Sometimes third person is hard for me because I get confused but I really liked it for this book!! There are so many impactful characters, separate chapters would not have been the way to go.

I love a story with a prophecy! This one is just vague enough to have you questioning everything. It has so many things I love; fated mates, political intrigue, threat of rebellion, touch her and X, and an animal side kick! I also really enjoyed the play on fairy folktales, switching out your child for a changeling, the power of knowing names, and making deals.

I’m super excited to continue reading about Andar, Aurelia, Lark, Cillian, Nova, Greymalkin, and I have a theory about another character!!

I could not get into this book. I did not like the idea of someone using a love potion on someone to make them fall in love. I don’t really care to continue the book.

I liked the premise of this book however, the pace was slow in parts and inner monologue was repetitive at times. The jumps between pov made it hard to follow. I enjoyed maw and the excerpts from her journal and the relationship between nova and Gillian.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the arc!

I found the plot and world building of this book really good fun and was really intrigued about the first character’s (Aurelia) development. The tropes were great, but I found the several povs and sudden switches in perspectives/flashbacks really difficult to keep up with and thus took away the enjoyment.

I think this could be a really great series but I wouldn’t continue with this due to the format.

First, I want to say thank you so much to the authors, the publisher, and Netgalley for the e-arc!

Ultimately I ended up having to dnf Blood Iron and Bone. I found the multiple POVs jarring and hard to keep up with, and I honestly struggled to understand what was going on.

I do think this has to do more with my personal reading preference though, and absolutely feel that there are plenty of readers out there that will enjoy this book!

Blood, Iron, and Bone by Sera Foxe delivers a richly imagined world and a layered storyline that will appeal to fans of intricate fantasy tales. The narrative weaves six character arcs: a curse blanketing the fae world in darkness and a prophecy of fated mates tasked with restoring the light. While ambitious in scope, this novel requires a focused reader to appreciate its complexity fully.

The third-person omniscient perspective offers a panoramic view of the characters’ lives and motivations, though it can sometimes be disorienting. With six distinct storylines, the transitions between points of view occasionally felt abrupt, pulling me out of the story as I adjusted to the shift. However, the depth and variety of the characters made the effort worthwhile. Aife stood out as a particularly compelling figure, brimming with leading character energy and possessing powers that were nothing short of fascinating, even though her perspective remains untapped.

The pacing leans heavily into world-building and exposition, creating an immersive atmosphere but slowing the overall momentum. The detailed prose gives the story a mythic, almost oral storytelling quality, which may work beautifully as an audiobook. However, the focus on introspection over action might not appeal to readers seeking a fast-paced narrative.

Romance plays a role, as the prophecy hinges on the idea of fated mates, but it doesn’t dominate the story. Instead, the book prioritizes unraveling its mysteries and exploring the connections between the characters and their world.

The standout feature of this book is its intricate world-building. The fae realm is richly detailed, filled with unique lore, magic, and a sense of history that grounds the story. Much thought went into crafting a setting that feels alive and compelling.

For readers who enjoy slow-burn fantasy with multiple perspectives, Blood, Iron, and Bone offers a rewarding experience, though it demands patience and attention to detail. I’m curious how the threads introduced here will evolve in the next installment.

While I wasn’t able to finish this book, I can see why others might enjoy it. I did get halfway through but chose to move on. The premise and worldbuilding had a lot of potential, but I personally found the pacing a bit challenging. At times, the story felt repetitive, and there was a mix of tones—one moment feeling geared toward a younger audience, and the next much older—which made it hard for me to connect. The beginning also introduced a lot of names and information very quickly, which left me a bit lost as the story progressed.

That said, I recognize that this could simply be a case of the book not aligning with my personal reading preferences rather than a reflection of its quality. Because of this, I chose not to rate or review it on Goodreads, as I didn’t want my perspective to influence others who might absolutely adore this story. It’s always a joy to see books find their perfect audience, even if that audience doesn’t include me.

thank you for giving me the opportunity to read the arc for blood iron and bone! unfortunately this book was not for me but nonetheless it was a good story.

Fine! I think could use one more round of heavy editing. The beginning is slow and clunky and the POVs are a bit of a whiplash. However I think there are some really solid foundations to the plot and momentum definitely mounted as the story unravelled. The nuts and bolts of the writing wasn't too bad either. It's fine as is, but definitely feels a little unpolished. I'd say its a low 3, like yeah, good, don't regret reading, but nothing ground breaking or exceptionally well done. Could maybe be a solid 4 with better execution/editing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sera Foxe for this ARC read. I was surprised to find out that Sera Foxe is a pen name for 2 separate authors, Olivia M Jacques and Vilyn DeVine. I think that is why the flow of the story seems to change in some areas. It’s not a bad thing or bluntly noticeable but I did find that the pace changed in some areas. Overall, I enjoyed this ride and I enjoyed the 6 POVs, which I found fresh. And, you can rarely go wrong with a good fated mates storyline. I’ll be interested to read the next edition.

Not the book for me. It seemed like it took forever to get to the point and the different character POV just didn’t seem to flow. I really wanted to like it because it falls right in line with the genre I normally love, but it just felt like it always kept me waiting for more, just not in the good way.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.


This book had immense potential! The captivating plot and overall story made it a must-read. However, the execution fell short for me. The first half was a struggle to finish—it felt repetitive and bogged down with unnecessary details intended to develop a connection with the characters. These details could have been easily omitted. With a smoother flow, this book could have been extraordinary. Regrettably, I’m unlikely to continue with the second installment.

I loved this book! I got really invested in each character and I felt like toward the end of the book every one of their stories came together so well. It made me so happy to read and who doesn't love a happy ending to a book. Atleast for now. Now I need the next one! Also loved the fur baby and need to know what is going on there.

Firstly, thank you to Sera Foxe and NetGalley for the ARC!
I have not read a book like this before and it did take me a while to get in to the style of writing when flipping from different POV for different characters.
Saying that I did love the story from the beginning to the end. It was quite refreshing for me to read a fantasy book, which I didn’t find so predictable.
The writing of the book is done to such a high standard!

Very happy to have come across this author and this book. Can’t wait for the next book in the series! 😊

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

4⭐ The strong world building and complex multi-layered characters make this a great read. The story follows a group of diverse characters, each grappling with their own inner demons while trying to mend a cursed world.

While still a great story, the beginning felt a bit slow and I almost DNF'd before it picked up momentum.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Blood Iron and Bone by Sera Foxe read as a YA romantasy. A fun adventure read with lots of dramatic irony. The opening had me hooked. I appreciated the faults of the characters. It was an intense hook, then steady build to the anticipated conflict, with an abrupt ending. I would have liked a longer first book because the ending was so abrupt. I wanted to continue into the adventures of the world. So, I am looking forward to the second book in the Lightbringers series to find out what happens next.

3.5 ⭐ - Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

👑 fated mates (romance subplot!)
👑 faeries and royals
👑 prophecies and curses

This was super fun! Aurelia is a mortal who feels her life is stagnant and lonely in the mortal world, certain she is destined for more. Her nights are filled with dreams of a boy she loves despite never seeing his true face. Meanwhile, Andar is betrothed to the future High Queen of Áithrim, Lark, but neither of them is satisfied with their arrangement.

The prose was BEAUTIFUL. It was magical, mystical, mysterious, literally all the best "M" words. This was genuinely a joy to read. Though the book is 500+ pages long, and the plot only spans around 2 days, I was pleasantly surprised by the pacing and worldbuilding of this novel. It was engaging and an easy read for its size, and the writing flowed well.

However, because the book only spans 2 days, with over 60% taking place in one night, I wanted more character development. We start the book with a lot of exposition about the characters and past events in their lives, but we don't get to the action until about 20% in. The book is also heavy with insta love—which I preferred for 1 couple over the other—but had great angst, MUTUAL PINING, and platonic bonding. I loved the characters individually too! I just felt the relationship developments (romantic and platonic) would have been so much better if they were stretched out over more than 2 days. I also wish the beginning focused more on the leads and the political plot (which was one of my favourite parts of the book!)

This has 6 POVs, which might be confusing to some, but I actually found the switching perspectives to be fascinating and imo worked well with the flow of the story and the plot (I also read ZA so I am a POV warrior 😭)

I loved the chapter titles. BRING BACK CHAPTER TITLES PLEASE 👏👏👏👏

Blood Iron & Bone was my first book by Sera Foxe (btw didn't know that was a pseudonym for two authors!), but I'll be reading the next 2 books! If you're looking for a book with The Folk of the Air vibes, definitely check this out!!