Review: The Crown of Gilded Bones

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She's been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

Genre: fantasy

Publication date: April 2021

Mature content: yes

Review: The Crown of Gilded Bones is book 3 in the From Blood and Ash series and closely follows books 1 (From Blood and Ash) and 2 (A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire). It is not meant to be read as a stand alone, as you need the context and the background from the previous installments. 

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Of the three books I've read so far, this one was the most difficult to finish. I didn't find it as engaging as the previous ones, part of the witty dialogues between Poppy, Casteel and Kieran is missing, and the plot complicates so much it's difficult to follow in some places. Who Poppy is and what are really her origins and powers is subject to so much speculation and change that it's hard to keep track.

Also, I didn't agree with a lot of Poppy's decisions and attitudes in this book, and that certainly didn't help matters much. 

In any case, this is still a great read and I continue to recommend the whole series so far. If you love the genre, you shouldn't miss it. 

Happy readings!

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