10/26/2020
Durst (Race the Sands) sets this richly drawn fantasy in a world where magic wielders called bone makers use animal bones to animate lifeless objects. Twenty-five years ago, Kreya Odi Altriana and her fabled team of heroes defeated Eklor, a corrupt bone maker who illegally used human bones in his spells, in the bloody Bone War which cost Kreya her husband, Jentt. Overwhelmed with grief, Kreya secretly turned to forbidden magic to resurrect her husband by trading years of her life for his. But the incantation won’t last much longer without human bones, and Kreya convinces her former best friend, Zera, to help her steal bones left unburied on the Bone War’s battlefield. They soon discover a threat that lurks within the skeleton-littered plains—Eklor is alive and rebuilding his army. Now Kreya must assemble the remainder of her retired team to defeat Eklor once more. Though Durst relies a bit too much on the legendary reputations of her heroes and their actions in the first war, leading the present-day epic action to feel a bit unearned, the exquisite worldbuilding and inventive, macabre magic system more than make up for this flaw. Durst’s fans will be delighted. Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger Literary. (Mar.)
"The Bone Maker is an early contender for my favorite fantasy novel of the year. In a shelf-filled with multi-volume fantasies it is not only refreshing to see and enjoy a single-volume Epic Fantasy novel, but truly something special for the book to be this amazing. I can probably count on one hand other single volume Epics that have enthralled me as much and that have been as high quality as this novel. Highly, highly recommended." — SFFWorld
"Exquisite worldbuilding and inventive, macabre magic system... Durst’s fans will be delighted." — Publishers Weekly
"Durst displays a mastery of emotional resonance throughout the book, bringing each character’s scars to the surface even in moments of levity...There’s power in these bones." — BookPage
"This was a fast paced and action packed standalone fantasy novel that I thoroughly enjoyed...I loved all of the characters as they had big personalities and had their own distinct voices...Overall, I’m pretty chuffed with this standalone." — Adeel Reads
"Sarah Beth Durst is an amazing author. She is, hands-down, my favorite current author—and The Bone Maker shows me why once again...you’ll find yourself whisked away to a world worth visiting, filled with heroes worth admiring in all their imperfect glory." — Geek Girl Riot
"The Bone Maker is an early contender for my favorite fantasy novel of the year. In a shelf-filled with multi-volume fantasies it is not only refreshing to see and enjoy a single-volume Epic Fantasy novel, but truly something special for the book to be this amazing. I can probably count on one hand other single volume Epics that have enthralled me as much and that have been as high quality as this novel. Highly, highly recommended."
"This was a fast paced and action packed standalone fantasy novel that I thoroughly enjoyed...I loved all of the characters as they had big personalities and had their own distinct voices...Overall, I’m pretty chuffed with this standalone."
"Durst displays a mastery of emotional resonance throughout the book, bringing each character’s scars to the surface even in moments of levity...There’s power in these bones."
"Sarah Beth Durst is an amazing author. She is, hands-down, my favorite current author—and The Bone Maker shows me why once again...you’ll find yourself whisked away to a world worth visiting, filled with heroes worth admiring in all their imperfect glory."
01/01/2021
Award-winning YA author Durst (Queen of Blood) pens her latest stand-alone fantasy for adults. Bone maker Kreya inserts bones from dead animals into inanimate objects enlivening them. About 25 years prior to this story, she led a team of heroes to defeat and kill the enemy Eklor, who created an inhuman army and threatened the city of Vos. In that battle, her husband, Jentt, was killed. Grieving, she wants to try a forbidden spell to bring him back. She asks her fellow hero, Zera, to help her recover human bones on the battlefield to complete the spell. In the process, they uncover Eklor's bone army and hints that he may still be alive. Eklor reveals himself and puts a persuasion spell on the city's leader convincing him that Eklor has redeemed himself. Kreya must bring the heroes together and find a way to stop him, this time for good. VERDICT With great pacing and character development, Durst's action-packed adventure is sure to make new fans and satisfy her legions of current ones.—Lucy Roehrig, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI
Narrator Soneela Nankani performs this fantasy about “bone magic.” She portrays a group of five heroes who saved the world 25 years earlier and are needed again. Listeners are introduced to Kreya, the group’s leader, who gives Nankani an opportunity to express an array of emotions that range from vulnerability as she explores forbidden magic to decisiveness as she commands the group. The other female hero, Zero, has a feisty, sarcastic attitude that Nankani projects well. The male heroes are Marcos, whose trepidation is palpable as he senses imminent danger, and two fierce warriors who also have gentle sides that Nankani makes believable as well. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Narrator Soneela Nankani performs this fantasy about “bone magic.” She portrays a group of five heroes who saved the world 25 years earlier and are needed again. Listeners are introduced to Kreya, the group’s leader, who gives Nankani an opportunity to express an array of emotions that range from vulnerability as she explores forbidden magic to decisiveness as she commands the group. The other female hero, Zero, has a feisty, sarcastic attitude that Nankani projects well. The male heroes are Marcos, whose trepidation is palpable as he senses imminent danger, and two fierce warriors who also have gentle sides that Nankani makes believable as well. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine