What do you think?
Rate this book
Bone Weaver
The Kosa empire roils in tension, on the verge of being torn apart by a proletarian revolution between magic-endowed elites and the superstitious lower class, but seventeen-year-old Toma lives blissfully disconnected from the conflict in the empire with her adoptive family of benevolent undead.
When she meets Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, and the dethroned Tsar Mikhail himself, the unlikely trio bonds over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from the revolutionary leader, Koschei, whose forces have stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives will be at Koschei’s mercy.
A haunting fantasy following Toma, adopted daughter of the benevolent undead, making her way across a civil war-torn continent to save her younger sister as she discovers she might possess magical powers herself.
When she meets Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, and the dethroned Tsar Mikhail himself, the unlikely trio bonds over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from the revolutionary leader, Koschei, whose forces have stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives will be at Koschei’s mercy.
A haunting fantasy following Toma, adopted daughter of the benevolent undead, making her way across a civil war-torn continent to save her younger sister as she discovers she might possess magical powers herself.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2022
67 people are currently reading
12.2k people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
November 24, 2022
this story is a masterclass in world-building. AP expertly draws on his mothers ukrainian/lithuanian ancestry to create a setting that captures the harsh beauty of eastern europe, the cunning magic of slavic folklore, and the unwavering resilience of its people. i really had the most enjoyable time reading this. its the exact kind of immersive adventure you crave from fantasy novels.
the only reason this isnt getting 5 stars is because it feels unfinished. it honestly acts like the first book in a series, as the conclusion is a little too open ended for a standalone. there are just a lot of things left unresolved that you would expect to propel the plot forward in a sequel, so im confused as to why this ends the way it does.
that being said, there is soooo much to love about this that the ending cant take away. the atmosphere, culture, and characters are all of the highest quality. so heres me pleading to every bannik, mavka, and rusalka that this does become a series!
� 4.5 stars
the only reason this isnt getting 5 stars is because it feels unfinished. it honestly acts like the first book in a series, as the conclusion is a little too open ended for a standalone. there are just a lot of things left unresolved that you would expect to propel the plot forward in a sequel, so im confused as to why this ends the way it does.
that being said, there is soooo much to love about this that the ending cant take away. the atmosphere, culture, and characters are all of the highest quality. so heres me pleading to every bannik, mavka, and rusalka that this does become a series!
� 4.5 stars
May 19, 2022
Toma doesn’t think that her life is abnormal. She lives with her mother, father, and sister � not birth family, but rather undead who are still sentient and benevolent. But when a dirigible crashes nearby and she rescues a survivor, she realizes that there is much more going on in the world around her than she knew. And when the men hunting the person she rescued kidnap her sister instead, Toma must venture into the world of the living in search of her family.
This work takes place in a setting reminiscent of Imperial Russia, with rifles, dirigibles, and magic. I really enjoyed the choice of a historical fantasy setting. Just a heads up, there’s a glossary in the back of the book � it should definitely be utilized while reading this! There was no map though, which I felt was a bit of an oversight.
The main thing that stood about this work was the worldbuilding. The author incorporated eastern folklore throughout in a way that created an immersive, rich setting. I absolutely loved the inclusion of the different monsters and that they were regularly encountered or seen during Toma’s travels. This built tension, made the world feel three dimensional, and brough life to the story. But because there was so much lore and worldbuilding packed into the book, there were some aspects that felt underexplained � unfortunately there wasn’t much detail concerning the war or the undead in general, both of which had somewhat major roles surrounding the plot.
I really enjoyed the plot. It wasn’t complicated or especially unique, but placed in this unique world, it felt like something completely new. The characters were also well written. They had varying motivations and backgrounds and underwent solid development throughout the work. I did feel that the dialogue, mostly in relation to emotional situations, was a little simplistic in places � I would have enjoyed to see more of an exploration of the characters� emotions throughout the work.
There were several themes that the author incorporated throughout this work in a meaningful way. Discussions of found family, identity, what makes a monster, and survival in a world that is against you were woven throughout the story, adding to its and the characters� depth.
Overall, this was a strong fantasy read; while it did have a few things that detracted from it for me, the rest of the book made up for it.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This work takes place in a setting reminiscent of Imperial Russia, with rifles, dirigibles, and magic. I really enjoyed the choice of a historical fantasy setting. Just a heads up, there’s a glossary in the back of the book � it should definitely be utilized while reading this! There was no map though, which I felt was a bit of an oversight.
The main thing that stood about this work was the worldbuilding. The author incorporated eastern folklore throughout in a way that created an immersive, rich setting. I absolutely loved the inclusion of the different monsters and that they were regularly encountered or seen during Toma’s travels. This built tension, made the world feel three dimensional, and brough life to the story. But because there was so much lore and worldbuilding packed into the book, there were some aspects that felt underexplained � unfortunately there wasn’t much detail concerning the war or the undead in general, both of which had somewhat major roles surrounding the plot.
I really enjoyed the plot. It wasn’t complicated or especially unique, but placed in this unique world, it felt like something completely new. The characters were also well written. They had varying motivations and backgrounds and underwent solid development throughout the work. I did feel that the dialogue, mostly in relation to emotional situations, was a little simplistic in places � I would have enjoyed to see more of an exploration of the characters� emotions throughout the work.
There were several themes that the author incorporated throughout this work in a meaningful way. Discussions of found family, identity, what makes a monster, and survival in a world that is against you were woven throughout the story, adding to its and the characters� depth.
Overall, this was a strong fantasy read; while it did have a few things that detracted from it for me, the rest of the book made up for it.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read
October 22, 2022Thank you to Inkyard Press for sending me a copy of this book!
This book fits so snugly into the recent canon of Jewish fantasy, and I have a feeling it will stick with me for quite some time, as Aden Polydoros’s books tend to do.
It’s haunting and exhilarating, with exquisite prose. The characters are so lovable and unique and the exploration of identity and monstrosity and power was well-balanced. There were so many gorgeous lines and moments that tied together the bits of this story’s tapestry in a skillful and beautiful way. I found myself thinking back to earlier sentences (such as the opening line) and being deeply impressed with how they aren’t quite foreshadowing, but rather spread their hand across the intricate woven through lines of the work.
I will say, after finishing the book, I felt a bit like I had completed a puzzle just to find one of the pieces had gone missing. Something just felt a little� incomplete. I think an epilogue would have served this book incredibly, helping us to put the finishing touches on some of these thematic elements. Especially since there’s an exploration of duality and a gray area in these themes, I felt I struggled a bit to find the final message at times, and though I think some of it was left open-ended on purpose, some of it just left me a bit unsure. (And this isn’t to say all questions posed in a book must be answered, but some of those questions felt anti-climactic or forgotten.)
But overall, it was a beautiful and touching story about power, found family, and who defines us.
CW/TW: death, grief, character death, child death, dead bodies, blood & gore, body horror, dismemberment, war, violence, gun violence, medical content, needles, parental death, prejudice, antisemitism (metaphorical), eugenics, torture, confinement, drowning, trauma, fire/fire injury, alcohol consumption, sexual harassment, pedophilia (brief), homophobia (minor)
This book fits so snugly into the recent canon of Jewish fantasy, and I have a feeling it will stick with me for quite some time, as Aden Polydoros’s books tend to do.
It’s haunting and exhilarating, with exquisite prose. The characters are so lovable and unique and the exploration of identity and monstrosity and power was well-balanced. There were so many gorgeous lines and moments that tied together the bits of this story’s tapestry in a skillful and beautiful way. I found myself thinking back to earlier sentences (such as the opening line) and being deeply impressed with how they aren’t quite foreshadowing, but rather spread their hand across the intricate woven through lines of the work.
I will say, after finishing the book, I felt a bit like I had completed a puzzle just to find one of the pieces had gone missing. Something just felt a little� incomplete. I think an epilogue would have served this book incredibly, helping us to put the finishing touches on some of these thematic elements. Especially since there’s an exploration of duality and a gray area in these themes, I felt I struggled a bit to find the final message at times, and though I think some of it was left open-ended on purpose, some of it just left me a bit unsure. (And this isn’t to say all questions posed in a book must be answered, but some of those questions felt anti-climactic or forgotten.)
But overall, it was a beautiful and touching story about power, found family, and who defines us.
CW/TW: death, grief, character death, child death, dead bodies, blood & gore, body horror, dismemberment, war, violence, gun violence, medical content, needles, parental death, prejudice, antisemitism (metaphorical), eugenics, torture, confinement, drowning, trauma, fire/fire injury, alcohol consumption, sexual harassment, pedophilia (brief), homophobia (minor)
September 19, 2022
Got an arc because my fiancé is doing a launch event with the author
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The worldbuilding felt so rich and thorough that it seemed like we were only seeing fractions of the universe the characters inhabit, and honestly I’d read a whole thing of just these three sitting around playing go fish and sassing each other because their dynamics were A+
At times I felt like this might have been better served as an adult fantasy, given more room to breathe and really dig in deep, and maybe I’m just jaded that “we’re gonna destroy the corrupt political system from the INSIDE I’ll do it better than my predecessors!� Feels a bit…overly optimistic, but I did enjoy this very much.
Also you CANNOT convince me the three main characters don’t end up in a throuple in their twenties.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The worldbuilding felt so rich and thorough that it seemed like we were only seeing fractions of the universe the characters inhabit, and honestly I’d read a whole thing of just these three sitting around playing go fish and sassing each other because their dynamics were A+
At times I felt like this might have been better served as an adult fantasy, given more room to breathe and really dig in deep, and maybe I’m just jaded that “we’re gonna destroy the corrupt political system from the INSIDE I’ll do it better than my predecessors!� Feels a bit…overly optimistic, but I did enjoy this very much.
Also you CANNOT convince me the three main characters don’t end up in a throuple in their twenties.
Read
January 18, 2023I want to review this book, but as of today, it has been FIFTY days since the Harper Collins Union has been on strike with no word from HC. In solidarity with the union, I will be withholding reviews on *ALL* Harper Collins titles until the union receives a fair contract.
You can donate to the union's hardship fund here.
You can donate to the union's hardship fund here.
October 19, 2022
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Harper360YA for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This world was incredibly detailed and rich, and it was fascinating to read this story of persecution, grief and found family with Slavic mythology woven into the plot. I really enjoyed reading about the various creatures that our main character Toma encounters upon her journey - upyri, rusalki, mavki, and more. Toma was a really excellent main character, and I loved that her original motivation of finding her sister, Galina, never wavered, and I was constantly rooting for the two of them to find each other again. I also really enjoyed one of the two secondary main characters, Vanya, who was very charismatic and fun, and I loved how his personality came across.
I do wish that there had been one or two more chapters to this story, as it feels a little incomplete at the end, and the plot doesn’t wrap up until about 15 pages before the end, so I would’ve liked to have seen more of a finality for what these characters have gone through. I also wish that we had seen more emotion from the characters at times - there were moments where quite brutal, traumatic things were happening, but a few pages afterwards they don’t seem to be that affected by it, which left me feeling a bit disconnected.
However, Aden Polydoros tells stories really beautifully and I definitely want to read more from this author and to also read more stories inspired by Jewish folklore!
This world was incredibly detailed and rich, and it was fascinating to read this story of persecution, grief and found family with Slavic mythology woven into the plot. I really enjoyed reading about the various creatures that our main character Toma encounters upon her journey - upyri, rusalki, mavki, and more. Toma was a really excellent main character, and I loved that her original motivation of finding her sister, Galina, never wavered, and I was constantly rooting for the two of them to find each other again. I also really enjoyed one of the two secondary main characters, Vanya, who was very charismatic and fun, and I loved how his personality came across.
I do wish that there had been one or two more chapters to this story, as it feels a little incomplete at the end, and the plot doesn’t wrap up until about 15 pages before the end, so I would’ve liked to have seen more of a finality for what these characters have gone through. I also wish that we had seen more emotion from the characters at times - there were moments where quite brutal, traumatic things were happening, but a few pages afterwards they don’t seem to be that affected by it, which left me feeling a bit disconnected.
However, Aden Polydoros tells stories really beautifully and I definitely want to read more from this author and to also read more stories inspired by Jewish folklore!
September 24, 2022
Bone Weaver was an intriguingly dark and thought provoking fantasy that seamlessly blends the rich and diverse folklore of Eastern Europe with Jewish and Imperial Russian history to create a beautifully vivid though unflinchingly bloody tale of power, persecution, grief, identity, found family and belonging that’s an absolute must read for lovers of magic, monsters or mythology infused YA fantasy.
It follows seventeen year old Toma who has spent the last seven years living in the wilderness, adopted by a family ofUpyri—human corpses reanimated by magic—and lives happily with her sister Galina and their parents. But, when the dethroned Tsar, Mikhail crash lands outside her home whilst fleeing from revolutionaries, Galina ends up captured by them.She’ll do anything to rescue Galina even if it means diving headfirst into the Empire’s bloody political conflict and helping Mikhail.
The pair soon meet Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, the unlikely trio bond over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from Koschei, the brutal revolutionary leader who deposed Mikhail—and whose forces have now stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives including Galina’s will be at Koschei’s mercy.
I genuinely enjoyed every second of Aden Polydoros� richly detailed world building & loved how viscerally immersive the setting felt. I also really enjoyed the fantastical elements and folkloric beings we encounter (like the man tickling Mavka and river based Rusalka) that made me want to research more about them.
All the characters were well developed and wonderfully compelling, Toma our protagonist was one such character—driven by her love (and unwavering loyalty) for her sister. But, I must admit my fave character had to be the charismatic Vanya who manages to keep his easy going and friendly nature despite the atrocities he’s witnessed firsthand from being Strannik—one of the Empire’s religiously persecuted minority groups.
The conflicts that all three encounter (and previously experienced) were absolutely heartbreaking at times, and made all the more poignant knowing that they parallel real world situations (both past and present) and struggles that diaspora/minority communities endure—especially in terms of cultural identity and nationality.
The pacing was a little slower than I would’ve liked but, the chance to explore the more surreal (fantastical) elements, as well as the slow burn romance between Toma and Vanya definitely helped to make up for it.
Overall, a gorgeously wrought and uncompromisingly dark fantasy with incredible LGBTQ+ rep that I genuinely couldn’t put down! Though I do warn there’s quite a lot of graphic violence (blood, death, body horror, gore) so do bear in mind if you decide to pick this up.
It follows seventeen year old Toma who has spent the last seven years living in the wilderness, adopted by a family ofUpyri—human corpses reanimated by magic—and lives happily with her sister Galina and their parents. But, when the dethroned Tsar, Mikhail crash lands outside her home whilst fleeing from revolutionaries, Galina ends up captured by them.She’ll do anything to rescue Galina even if it means diving headfirst into the Empire’s bloody political conflict and helping Mikhail.
The pair soon meet Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, the unlikely trio bond over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from Koschei, the brutal revolutionary leader who deposed Mikhail—and whose forces have now stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives including Galina’s will be at Koschei’s mercy.
I genuinely enjoyed every second of Aden Polydoros� richly detailed world building & loved how viscerally immersive the setting felt. I also really enjoyed the fantastical elements and folkloric beings we encounter (like the man tickling Mavka and river based Rusalka) that made me want to research more about them.
All the characters were well developed and wonderfully compelling, Toma our protagonist was one such character—driven by her love (and unwavering loyalty) for her sister. But, I must admit my fave character had to be the charismatic Vanya who manages to keep his easy going and friendly nature despite the atrocities he’s witnessed firsthand from being Strannik—one of the Empire’s religiously persecuted minority groups.
The conflicts that all three encounter (and previously experienced) were absolutely heartbreaking at times, and made all the more poignant knowing that they parallel real world situations (both past and present) and struggles that diaspora/minority communities endure—especially in terms of cultural identity and nationality.
The pacing was a little slower than I would’ve liked but, the chance to explore the more surreal (fantastical) elements, as well as the slow burn romance between Toma and Vanya definitely helped to make up for it.
Overall, a gorgeously wrought and uncompromisingly dark fantasy with incredible LGBTQ+ rep that I genuinely couldn’t put down! Though I do warn there’s quite a lot of graphic violence (blood, death, body horror, gore) so do bear in mind if you decide to pick this up.
September 18, 2022
I received an advance copy from Inkyard Press via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own
Content notes:
Yes, I read a September release arc in February because as soon as I was approved for this book, I couldn’t wait to start! Full review closer to release.
After reading The City Beautiful, I knew Aden Polydoros would be an automatic read for me, and I am not disappointed! Bone Weaver is an intense story centering family, identity, and the struggle of surviving in a world that doesn’t believe you belong. I also loved the exploration of who is a monster and what makes someone monstrous.
Full review:
After reading The City Beautiful, I knew Aden Polydoros would be an automatic read for me, and I am not disappointed! Bone Weaver is an intense story centering family, identity, and the struggle of surviving in a world that doesn’t believe you belong. I also loved the exploration of who is a monster and what makes someone monstrous.
Bone Weaver follows Toma, a young woman who has lived in the Edge with a family of upyri, undead beings, for the last seven years. She doesn’t remember much of her life prior to Galina finding her, but when Mikhail’s dirigible crashes near her home and the outside world encroaches on her solitary life, Toma is forced to confront her past and figure out her place in the world.
This is a really intense story with many things happening between war and persecution faced by those who are different, and I loved the way that setting and those themes are explored. I’m having trouble explaining my thoughts, but this book gave me so many feelings and Polydoros continues to astound me with his storytelling skill. I look forward to more from him and hope people find this book as amazing and moving as me.
Content notes:
Yes, I read a September release arc in February because as soon as I was approved for this book, I couldn’t wait to start! Full review closer to release.
After reading The City Beautiful, I knew Aden Polydoros would be an automatic read for me, and I am not disappointed! Bone Weaver is an intense story centering family, identity, and the struggle of surviving in a world that doesn’t believe you belong. I also loved the exploration of who is a monster and what makes someone monstrous.
Full review:
After reading The City Beautiful, I knew Aden Polydoros would be an automatic read for me, and I am not disappointed! Bone Weaver is an intense story centering family, identity, and the struggle of surviving in a world that doesn’t believe you belong. I also loved the exploration of who is a monster and what makes someone monstrous.
Bone Weaver follows Toma, a young woman who has lived in the Edge with a family of upyri, undead beings, for the last seven years. She doesn’t remember much of her life prior to Galina finding her, but when Mikhail’s dirigible crashes near her home and the outside world encroaches on her solitary life, Toma is forced to confront her past and figure out her place in the world.
This is a really intense story with many things happening between war and persecution faced by those who are different, and I loved the way that setting and those themes are explored. I’m having trouble explaining my thoughts, but this book gave me so many feelings and Polydoros continues to astound me with his storytelling skill. I look forward to more from him and hope people find this book as amazing and moving as me.
January 23, 2023
I received an advance ebook copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review.
Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros follows Toma. She is a live human who has been adopted by two undead humans. When her adoptive sister—who is also undead—gets abducted by those who wish to experiment on her, Toma discovers that she may have her own magical powers. The empire is on the verge of revolution, but Toma was unaware in the wilderness of her home before she had to venture outside to rescue her sister. When Tsar Mikhail washes up not far from her home, she helps heal him. Along with Mikhail, they cross paths with Vanya, a commoner who has been labeled a witch. These three together will be the key to taking down Koschei, the leader of the revolution. He must be destroyed if Mikhail is to get his magical powers back. But what it really comes down to is Toma, who must embrace her powers and learn to use them to their full extent.
This haunting political fantasy is world building galore. I really liked how much everything was fleshed out so thoroughly. This is a great dark fantasy.
Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros follows Toma. She is a live human who has been adopted by two undead humans. When her adoptive sister—who is also undead—gets abducted by those who wish to experiment on her, Toma discovers that she may have her own magical powers. The empire is on the verge of revolution, but Toma was unaware in the wilderness of her home before she had to venture outside to rescue her sister. When Tsar Mikhail washes up not far from her home, she helps heal him. Along with Mikhail, they cross paths with Vanya, a commoner who has been labeled a witch. These three together will be the key to taking down Koschei, the leader of the revolution. He must be destroyed if Mikhail is to get his magical powers back. But what it really comes down to is Toma, who must embrace her powers and learn to use them to their full extent.
This haunting political fantasy is world building galore. I really liked how much everything was fleshed out so thoroughly. This is a great dark fantasy.
September 1, 2022
Read an advanced copy on NetGalley
Content warning: on-page murder and violence, decapitation, gun violence, body horror, off-page dismemberment, reference to the mutilation of corpses, religious and ethnic persecution, death of a parent (off-page)
Toma lives in the wilderness with her benevolent upyri parents and younger sister. A dirigible erupts near their home, where the found family nurses a boy back to help. He turns out to Mikhail, the tsar who is on the run from violent revolutionaries. The two run off to find Toma’s sister, Galina, stolen by enemies, and pick up a snarky boy witch on the way.
With layered world-building that examines monstrosity and otherness with an endearing cast, this one is a must-read for fans of historically-grounded Slavic dark fantasy.
I might be somewhat biased because I am Slavic myself, but the way folklore and mythology weave throughout the tapestry of this novel is so cool. It’s unequivocal that this is a fantasy world and the levels of familiarity with that magic felt so organic to me. For example, some people see the rusalki as monsters. Others see them as beings not to mess with. Sometimes resurrections and necromancy just happen like any other natural phenomenon, or it’s guided by a magician’s hand. And this kind of nuance extends to all aspects within the world. It’s an empire teetering on the edge of revolution, with the scars of past wars and conflicts still very raw. The shadow hanging over every new location feels immersive and makes the world seem much larger and older than this one adventure of a girl seeking her sister while crossing a continent in conflict.
Though the aesthetics, world conflict, technology, and class structure clearly draw from early twentieth century Russian history, this is not a Romanovs book. While Mikhail might be the tsar on the run, he’s fully aware of his privilege, power, and role among the characters he interacts with and meets. His character arc is probably my favorite. He starts off as an emotional-injured boy who would love nothing more than to run. As he sees what conflict and inequality are doing to his country, he slowly learns that he cannot run away, but he can try to make things better between the nobility and everyone else. The book doesn’t end with a happily-ever-after as that conflict goes, but there is the promise of rebuilding and work to be done. There is also the acknowledgement that just because he survives this story, it doesn’t mean he’s healed. But there is healing to come well past the last page.
That being said, the happily ever after coupled with a mysterious past and present belongs to Toma. Specifics are avoided because spoilers. But what I can say is I loved how Polydoros strikes a balance between love of family and love of friends, with both carrying equal weight. This book does embrace its darker themes and moments, but treats them with the proper reverence, especially when the characters themselves wallow in gallows humor to keep themselves going.
When it comes to the queer representation, I found the solidarity among all the characters so refreshing. The world isn’t necessarily queernorm, but queerness is not at all the reason our characters are on the run (the mention of paternal rejections stems more from unreasonable expectations rather than homophobia). They have other problems, like a tribunal, rebels, monsters, and more. Talking more specifically with regard to how the relationships play out would spoil the end game couple, but I really enjoyed the camaraderie, banter, and bickering among Vanya, Toma, and Mikhail.
I’m going to be thinking about this story and its cast for a long time.
Content warning: on-page murder and violence, decapitation, gun violence, body horror, off-page dismemberment, reference to the mutilation of corpses, religious and ethnic persecution, death of a parent (off-page)
Toma lives in the wilderness with her benevolent upyri parents and younger sister. A dirigible erupts near their home, where the found family nurses a boy back to help. He turns out to Mikhail, the tsar who is on the run from violent revolutionaries. The two run off to find Toma’s sister, Galina, stolen by enemies, and pick up a snarky boy witch on the way.
With layered world-building that examines monstrosity and otherness with an endearing cast, this one is a must-read for fans of historically-grounded Slavic dark fantasy.
I might be somewhat biased because I am Slavic myself, but the way folklore and mythology weave throughout the tapestry of this novel is so cool. It’s unequivocal that this is a fantasy world and the levels of familiarity with that magic felt so organic to me. For example, some people see the rusalki as monsters. Others see them as beings not to mess with. Sometimes resurrections and necromancy just happen like any other natural phenomenon, or it’s guided by a magician’s hand. And this kind of nuance extends to all aspects within the world. It’s an empire teetering on the edge of revolution, with the scars of past wars and conflicts still very raw. The shadow hanging over every new location feels immersive and makes the world seem much larger and older than this one adventure of a girl seeking her sister while crossing a continent in conflict.
Though the aesthetics, world conflict, technology, and class structure clearly draw from early twentieth century Russian history, this is not a Romanovs book. While Mikhail might be the tsar on the run, he’s fully aware of his privilege, power, and role among the characters he interacts with and meets. His character arc is probably my favorite. He starts off as an emotional-injured boy who would love nothing more than to run. As he sees what conflict and inequality are doing to his country, he slowly learns that he cannot run away, but he can try to make things better between the nobility and everyone else. The book doesn’t end with a happily-ever-after as that conflict goes, but there is the promise of rebuilding and work to be done. There is also the acknowledgement that just because he survives this story, it doesn’t mean he’s healed. But there is healing to come well past the last page.
That being said, the happily ever after coupled with a mysterious past and present belongs to Toma. Specifics are avoided because spoilers. But what I can say is I loved how Polydoros strikes a balance between love of family and love of friends, with both carrying equal weight. This book does embrace its darker themes and moments, but treats them with the proper reverence, especially when the characters themselves wallow in gallows humor to keep themselves going.
When it comes to the queer representation, I found the solidarity among all the characters so refreshing. The world isn’t necessarily queernorm, but queerness is not at all the reason our characters are on the run (the mention of paternal rejections stems more from unreasonable expectations rather than homophobia). They have other problems, like a tribunal, rebels, monsters, and more. Talking more specifically with regard to how the relationships play out would spoil the end game couple, but I really enjoyed the camaraderie, banter, and bickering among Vanya, Toma, and Mikhail.
I’m going to be thinking about this story and its cast for a long time.
August 20, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The City Beautiful has been one of my favorite reads of the year, so when I got an arc of Bone Weaver I was thrilled. In this book, we follow Toma, who has lived with her family of the undead since she was ten years old. When a plane crashes, Toma saves the lone survivor, only to find out he is Mikhail, the Tsar. When her sister is kidnapped by the Fraktisya, who are trying to kill the Tsar and all in power, she travels with the Tsar to the world of the living in hopes to save her. Along the way, they meet Vanya, a charming young man who helps them along the journey, with an agenda of his own.
This book is inspired by Imperial Russia, with Slavik folklore mixed in. I had a hard time understanding what exactly was defined as "The Unclean Forces." Was any magic used by the Strannik deemed unclean? Or if they were peasants with magic? Or was it the different types of power? How was it determined what magic the Three Sisters gave, versus the Unclean Forces? This was never fully explained, which left me somewhat confused as to why some were persecuted for their powers and others praised. I loved the fact that magic was something commonly accepted in the world, with all kinds of haunting creatures being woven into the story.
I do not know if this is a series, but I hope it will be. While this book was well-written, it did not feel complete. I still had questions at the end of the novel and would love to see these characters in another book.
This book did a wonderful job of developing Toma's character. She has a childlike innocence that comes from being hidden from the world since she was ten. On the flip side, she is wise and unable to see the prejudices that afflict her country. She is constantly questioning and challenging Mikhail and Vanya's worldviews. She grows on her journey, quickly adapting and using her skills to survive. I truly loved her, and the way she saw the world for the evil thing it was, but still wanted to change it.
The relationship between the three main characters was not fully fleshed out. Polydoros pushed the idea of true friendships and even romance way forming between them, way too quickly for the pacing of the book. At best, they felt like allies to me, much less like two of them could be romantically involved. In part, I believe this is due to the fact that Mikhail's and Vanya's characters were one-dimensional, especially compared to Toma.
This was a haunting, spooky novel, rich with magic and otherworldly characters, that dealt with the topics of prejudices, unfair hatred, and just what lengths a person will go through to survive.
The City Beautiful has been one of my favorite reads of the year, so when I got an arc of Bone Weaver I was thrilled. In this book, we follow Toma, who has lived with her family of the undead since she was ten years old. When a plane crashes, Toma saves the lone survivor, only to find out he is Mikhail, the Tsar. When her sister is kidnapped by the Fraktisya, who are trying to kill the Tsar and all in power, she travels with the Tsar to the world of the living in hopes to save her. Along the way, they meet Vanya, a charming young man who helps them along the journey, with an agenda of his own.
This book is inspired by Imperial Russia, with Slavik folklore mixed in. I had a hard time understanding what exactly was defined as "The Unclean Forces." Was any magic used by the Strannik deemed unclean? Or if they were peasants with magic? Or was it the different types of power? How was it determined what magic the Three Sisters gave, versus the Unclean Forces? This was never fully explained, which left me somewhat confused as to why some were persecuted for their powers and others praised. I loved the fact that magic was something commonly accepted in the world, with all kinds of haunting creatures being woven into the story.
I do not know if this is a series, but I hope it will be. While this book was well-written, it did not feel complete. I still had questions at the end of the novel and would love to see these characters in another book.
This book did a wonderful job of developing Toma's character. She has a childlike innocence that comes from being hidden from the world since she was ten. On the flip side, she is wise and unable to see the prejudices that afflict her country. She is constantly questioning and challenging Mikhail and Vanya's worldviews. She grows on her journey, quickly adapting and using her skills to survive. I truly loved her, and the way she saw the world for the evil thing it was, but still wanted to change it.
The relationship between the three main characters was not fully fleshed out. Polydoros pushed the idea of true friendships and even romance way forming between them, way too quickly for the pacing of the book. At best, they felt like allies to me, much less like two of them could be romantically involved. In part, I believe this is due to the fact that Mikhail's and Vanya's characters were one-dimensional, especially compared to Toma.
This was a haunting, spooky novel, rich with magic and otherworldly characters, that dealt with the topics of prejudices, unfair hatred, and just what lengths a person will go through to survive.
March 15, 2024
The world building and initial storyline was good and I liked most of the book, despite it having a lot of dark moments. When there was about 150 pages left the story really went off the rails and made for a confusing ending.
Spoiler alert: two characters get brought back to life with zero explanation. Truly did not understand the point of it and didn’t enjoy the rest of the book. There is other stuff left unanswered as well so the story and ending just weren’t satisfying. Honestly don’t really recommend giving this one a read.
Spoiler alert: two characters get brought back to life with zero explanation. Truly did not understand the point of it and didn’t enjoy the rest of the book. There is other stuff left unanswered as well so the story and ending just weren’t satisfying. Honestly don’t really recommend giving this one a read.
November 7, 2022
I will be honest, it took me quite a bit of time to finish this one up. This mostly boiled down to this book deserving a bit of extra focus due to the fantasy elements interwoven in.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
May 23, 2024
pov: it's 1:13 am and you walk in on me trying to figure what the flippity flap was going on 💀💀
Read
August 12, 2023the only thing here to say is that no stars will be appointed for this book, i dnf'd it, and i didn't fully read the description (which i sincerely regret now). so make of that what you will.
Read
November 17, 2024Strikingly conservative for a book centered mostly on the experience of oppressed people
November 1, 2022
Audiobook from Hoopla.
Absolutely beautiful. It is a quiet storm about three characters on the brink of finding themselves. It was predictable but the weaving of magic and Eastern European mythology added a wonderful charm to the story!
Absolutely beautiful. It is a quiet storm about three characters on the brink of finding themselves. It was predictable but the weaving of magic and Eastern European mythology added a wonderful charm to the story!
September 25, 2023
Toma has lived disconnected from the world with her adoptive family of undead ever since she was young. They cared for her just as she cares for them, preventing them from falling apart. However, this all changes when a dirigible crashes in her forest and she rescues the lone survivor. When the men who are after him catch up to the crash, they walk away not with the prize they were chasing, but with Toma's sister, Galina, instead. As a sentient child upyri, she is priceless to their leader; Koschei, who is the usurper in the war.
So starts Toma's mission to rescue her sister, who was the one to rescue her all those years ago. She journeys back into the land of the living, a place she hasn't been in years, with Mikhail by her side. Although he has his own agenda; to claim his country back from Koschei. The pair are soon joined by Vanya, a stranik who had to flee their home after revealing his bogatyri powers to save his town. Together, the three will travel the country to save Galina and see Mikhail restored to the throne.
This book was nothing like what I thought it was going to be, but it was still a good read. From the description I thought Toma's powers were going to be a prominent theme, that she was going to be the reason the war ended, but that wasn't the case. Her powers are still somewhat a mystery and connected to her past, which she only remembers fragments of. It felt like we barely scratched the surface of the magic in general of this world, and honestly it left me wanting more. The war as well falls into this category, which is somewhat odd as it is presented as a key part of the story. Instead, it very much focuses on the development of our three characters: Toma, Mikhail and Vanya, and how they change throughout.
Something that occurred to me when I had finished this, is that it is told in almost a childish way. Not in the sense of being silly or lacking structure, but the choice of language. Weather this is because we see everything unfold through Toma's eyes who has been isolated since she was little, or if this is just Aden's style of writing, I don't know. Everything felt protected somehow, as though bad things weren't allowed to happen. But this never really occurred to me while reading, it was just an after thought.
As others have pointed out in their reviews, this tale feels unfinished. The ending left so much open and the characters have just begun to discover who they really are. There's so much left to explore in terms of the magic of this world. I know it's supposed to be a standalone, but it doesn't feel like it was written as one. If, by some miracle, it ever gets a sequel, I will definitely be reading it. It introduced me to folklore that I knew nothing about, and I loved watching the characters discover themselves. It's so obvious that their journey isn't over, even if that story never sees print.
So starts Toma's mission to rescue her sister, who was the one to rescue her all those years ago. She journeys back into the land of the living, a place she hasn't been in years, with Mikhail by her side. Although he has his own agenda; to claim his country back from Koschei. The pair are soon joined by Vanya, a stranik who had to flee their home after revealing his bogatyri powers to save his town. Together, the three will travel the country to save Galina and see Mikhail restored to the throne.
This book was nothing like what I thought it was going to be, but it was still a good read. From the description I thought Toma's powers were going to be a prominent theme, that she was going to be the reason the war ended, but that wasn't the case. Her powers are still somewhat a mystery and connected to her past, which she only remembers fragments of. It felt like we barely scratched the surface of the magic in general of this world, and honestly it left me wanting more. The war as well falls into this category, which is somewhat odd as it is presented as a key part of the story. Instead, it very much focuses on the development of our three characters: Toma, Mikhail and Vanya, and how they change throughout.
Something that occurred to me when I had finished this, is that it is told in almost a childish way. Not in the sense of being silly or lacking structure, but the choice of language. Weather this is because we see everything unfold through Toma's eyes who has been isolated since she was little, or if this is just Aden's style of writing, I don't know. Everything felt protected somehow, as though bad things weren't allowed to happen. But this never really occurred to me while reading, it was just an after thought.
As others have pointed out in their reviews, this tale feels unfinished. The ending left so much open and the characters have just begun to discover who they really are. There's so much left to explore in terms of the magic of this world. I know it's supposed to be a standalone, but it doesn't feel like it was written as one. If, by some miracle, it ever gets a sequel, I will definitely be reading it. It introduced me to folklore that I knew nothing about, and I loved watching the characters discover themselves. It's so obvious that their journey isn't over, even if that story never sees print.
October 1, 2022
A deeply atmospheric book that puts you so well into the story. And seriously, you will never meet more charming and endearing zombies.
March 24, 2023
BONE WEAVER is an intriguing and unexpected YA fantasy that follows Toma, a girl who lost her birth family when she was young and has subsequently been raised by upyri, people who have risen from the dead akin to zombies. Toma loves her family, so when her younger upyri sister is taken, she is determined to get her back. Accompanying her on her journey is the dethroned tsar, Mikhail, whose magic was stolen, and the soldiers who followed him captured Toma's sister instead.
Before long, they are accompanied by Vanya, who has magic. Vanya would be considered a bogatyr if he was wealthy, but instead, he is called a witch, which is punishable by death. As they set out on their quest, Mikhail will learn more about the country he rules than he ever anticipated, and Toma will experience the broader world through fresh eyes, having lived isolated for so long.
What I loved: This is a lush fantasy world with a focus on the afterlife and what becomes of people after death, political machinations particularly as they relate to wealth/ethnic categories, and religious persecution. This is a country at war with itself, with people of a certain ethnicity/religion being treated as less than and frequently run out of towns. This hatred and cruelty is something that they see frequently in the story, and Mikhail, who had previously been unaware of it, begins to realize that was happening under his and his father's reign. These themes are seen throughout history, with the power of wealth and ethnicity providing impunity over similar things that can be twisted for persecution. Religion also provides an element and reason for this, as the bogatyr of these people are called something different, even though it is the same thing with untenable sentencing and false justice.
Themes around the afterlife/death were also interwoven throughout, with death not always being so final in this world. Depending on how they died, people may return as different kinds of spirits or zombie-like beings. Toma understands these better than most, as she was raised by a family of upyri. The morality of such beings is often attributed as a negative, but through Toma's eyes, we see the gray area and the ways that they are misunderstood. This fantasy element was also particularly unique and interesting amidst the magic of the living and the power dynamics that come into political play around this.
Toma, Mikhail, and Vanya are all really compelling characters, who each grow throughout the story. Toma has lived a secluded life since was little, but as she meets Mikhail and Vanya, she begins to revisit her painful memories from early life and reevaluate what that meant about her parents and her country. Vanya is living the consequences of prejudice and fear, and he is a really strong character who knows himself and wants the best for those he cares about. Mikhail is someone who really grows as the story continues - as the tsar, he felt like he knew what he was doing, particularly with regards to letting advisors do what they needed to do, but he is learning the responsibility of power is so much more than that, and beginning to understand the problems throughout his country.
This is a bit of a dark fantasy with war and violence throughout. The consequences of these on the living and the dead are pervasive, and the book does not shy away from graphic descriptions of it. I would also add a warning for main character death for readers who are sensitive.
Final verdict: BONE WEAVER is a intriguing YA fantasy with thought-provoking themes, lush world-building, and compelling characters. Recommend for fans of THE BONE HOUSES, YEAR OF THE REAPER, and THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.
Before long, they are accompanied by Vanya, who has magic. Vanya would be considered a bogatyr if he was wealthy, but instead, he is called a witch, which is punishable by death. As they set out on their quest, Mikhail will learn more about the country he rules than he ever anticipated, and Toma will experience the broader world through fresh eyes, having lived isolated for so long.
What I loved: This is a lush fantasy world with a focus on the afterlife and what becomes of people after death, political machinations particularly as they relate to wealth/ethnic categories, and religious persecution. This is a country at war with itself, with people of a certain ethnicity/religion being treated as less than and frequently run out of towns. This hatred and cruelty is something that they see frequently in the story, and Mikhail, who had previously been unaware of it, begins to realize that was happening under his and his father's reign. These themes are seen throughout history, with the power of wealth and ethnicity providing impunity over similar things that can be twisted for persecution. Religion also provides an element and reason for this, as the bogatyr of these people are called something different, even though it is the same thing with untenable sentencing and false justice.
Themes around the afterlife/death were also interwoven throughout, with death not always being so final in this world. Depending on how they died, people may return as different kinds of spirits or zombie-like beings. Toma understands these better than most, as she was raised by a family of upyri. The morality of such beings is often attributed as a negative, but through Toma's eyes, we see the gray area and the ways that they are misunderstood. This fantasy element was also particularly unique and interesting amidst the magic of the living and the power dynamics that come into political play around this.
Toma, Mikhail, and Vanya are all really compelling characters, who each grow throughout the story. Toma has lived a secluded life since was little, but as she meets Mikhail and Vanya, she begins to revisit her painful memories from early life and reevaluate what that meant about her parents and her country. Vanya is living the consequences of prejudice and fear, and he is a really strong character who knows himself and wants the best for those he cares about. Mikhail is someone who really grows as the story continues - as the tsar, he felt like he knew what he was doing, particularly with regards to letting advisors do what they needed to do, but he is learning the responsibility of power is so much more than that, and beginning to understand the problems throughout his country.
This is a bit of a dark fantasy with war and violence throughout. The consequences of these on the living and the dead are pervasive, and the book does not shy away from graphic descriptions of it. I would also add a warning for main character death for readers who are sensitive.
Final verdict: BONE WEAVER is a intriguing YA fantasy with thought-provoking themes, lush world-building, and compelling characters. Recommend for fans of THE BONE HOUSES, YEAR OF THE REAPER, and THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.
September 19, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this ARC!
Content Warning: death (including that of a child), murder, violence, racism, religious persecution, misogyny.
Seventeen-year-old Toma lives in the wilderness of the vast Kosa empire. Although the empire is turning in on itself, in the midst of a deadly revolution, Toma is unaware of the political tensions and ongoing civil war, having not been amongst other humans in years. Suddenly, the unrest is brought to Toma and her adoptive upyri family's doorstep with the crashing of an airship, holding only two passengers -- and one of them is Tsar Mikhail himself. Forced by disaster into a mission of her own, Toma accompanies Mikhail on his journey to destroy Koschei, the leader of the anti-Tsarist revolutionaries, picking up another straggler, Vanya, on their way. As the trio grows closer, Toma will be forced to confront her past and, even more frighteningly, her future -- and all three of them will learn that true monsters don't wear their wickedness on the outside.
Finally, a book from my list of most highly anticipated 2022 reads that didn't disappoint! Bone Weaver is everything I could ask for in a Russian and Slavic inspired fantasy, replete with folklore and monsters, all while addressing the proletariat revolution and the faults of its fantasy empire.
To start off, this book is simply full of monsters. Something that often bothers me when I pick up a fantasy book is that while it proclaims to have pages full of monsters and folklore, they seem little more than window-dressing. That's never the case in Bone Weaver: there are rusalki, mavki, upyri, and more, all written about with an admiration for their haunting, sometimes frightening, beauty. It's obvious from the first page that Polydoros loves writing about these creatures, and although this obviously deals with much more mature subject matter, it reminded me a bit of reading The Spiderwick Chronicles -- and what more could I ask for then that?
As for the characters, all of them are lovable, even when they are not nice or friendly or on their best behavior. Toma, of course, is my favorite, and she operates as the kind of heroine that is naive but not obnoxious (which is hard to do; instead, her naivete feels endearing). Her companions, Mikhail and Vanya, are equally wonderful, although I will say that it took me a while to warm up to Mikhail. Perhaps it's because I'm a bit biased, but I wasn't sure that I would buy into his rehabilitation, into the narrative that he will truly fight for change in his empire. By the end, however, I greatly enjoyed Mikhail's character, and even ended up rooting for him (which took me by surprise). He still wasn't quite on the level of Toma or Vanya for me, but nonetheless, I think that Polydoros did an incredible job crafting every single character we encounter on the page.
The worldbuilding has real depth to it. One of my favorite things in fantasy books is that feeling you get that, just beyond the page, there's a whole world out there -- real and fully fleshed out -- that we've yet to see. I never, ever say this, but I almost wish that Bone Weaver had been the first in a series. It feels as if there's so much more to explore, even with regards to Toma's background, for example, or Vanya's. My only real complaint about this book is that it simplifies the revolution, and in turn, simplifies its (amazing) villain. However, this is YA fantasy, so I don't mind it being boiled down to basics -- and that isn't to say that there isn't complexity or nuance in this book because there's plenty.
Highly, highly recommended. This is, without a doubt, the best Russian and Slavic inspired fantasy I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
Content Warning: death (including that of a child), murder, violence, racism, religious persecution, misogyny.
Seventeen-year-old Toma lives in the wilderness of the vast Kosa empire. Although the empire is turning in on itself, in the midst of a deadly revolution, Toma is unaware of the political tensions and ongoing civil war, having not been amongst other humans in years. Suddenly, the unrest is brought to Toma and her adoptive upyri family's doorstep with the crashing of an airship, holding only two passengers -- and one of them is Tsar Mikhail himself. Forced by disaster into a mission of her own, Toma accompanies Mikhail on his journey to destroy Koschei, the leader of the anti-Tsarist revolutionaries, picking up another straggler, Vanya, on their way. As the trio grows closer, Toma will be forced to confront her past and, even more frighteningly, her future -- and all three of them will learn that true monsters don't wear their wickedness on the outside.
Finally, a book from my list of most highly anticipated 2022 reads that didn't disappoint! Bone Weaver is everything I could ask for in a Russian and Slavic inspired fantasy, replete with folklore and monsters, all while addressing the proletariat revolution and the faults of its fantasy empire.
To start off, this book is simply full of monsters. Something that often bothers me when I pick up a fantasy book is that while it proclaims to have pages full of monsters and folklore, they seem little more than window-dressing. That's never the case in Bone Weaver: there are rusalki, mavki, upyri, and more, all written about with an admiration for their haunting, sometimes frightening, beauty. It's obvious from the first page that Polydoros loves writing about these creatures, and although this obviously deals with much more mature subject matter, it reminded me a bit of reading The Spiderwick Chronicles -- and what more could I ask for then that?
As for the characters, all of them are lovable, even when they are not nice or friendly or on their best behavior. Toma, of course, is my favorite, and she operates as the kind of heroine that is naive but not obnoxious (which is hard to do; instead, her naivete feels endearing). Her companions, Mikhail and Vanya, are equally wonderful, although I will say that it took me a while to warm up to Mikhail. Perhaps it's because I'm a bit biased, but I wasn't sure that I would buy into his rehabilitation, into the narrative that he will truly fight for change in his empire. By the end, however, I greatly enjoyed Mikhail's character, and even ended up rooting for him (which took me by surprise). He still wasn't quite on the level of Toma or Vanya for me, but nonetheless, I think that Polydoros did an incredible job crafting every single character we encounter on the page.
The worldbuilding has real depth to it. One of my favorite things in fantasy books is that feeling you get that, just beyond the page, there's a whole world out there -- real and fully fleshed out -- that we've yet to see. I never, ever say this, but I almost wish that Bone Weaver had been the first in a series. It feels as if there's so much more to explore, even with regards to Toma's background, for example, or Vanya's. My only real complaint about this book is that it simplifies the revolution, and in turn, simplifies its (amazing) villain. However, this is YA fantasy, so I don't mind it being boiled down to basics -- and that isn't to say that there isn't complexity or nuance in this book because there's plenty.
Highly, highly recommended. This is, without a doubt, the best Russian and Slavic inspired fantasy I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
August 11, 2022
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Inkyard Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was my first exposure to the writing of Aden Polydoros, and Bone Weaver is an interesting book to try to summarize and rate. I keep waffling back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, so we'll go with a solid 3.5 for now.
Bone Weaver is a third-person limited narrative focusing on Toma, a young woman with little memory of her past living on the edge of the Kosa Empire as it descends into civil war, unbeknownst to her. Instead, she is content to live out her days with her adopted family of undead, or upyri, cut off for their own safety from a society that does not understand or accept them. Then one day, the civil war quite literally lands at her front door in the form of the deposed teenage Tsar Mikhail, and he brings with him both danger and the promise of adventure after his enemies steal Toma's undead sister to bring back to the new revolutionary leader. As they travel to rescue her sister and his empire, they encounter charming magical commoner Vanya (cast out from his own village for being a "witch"), and they all have to learn to face the scars of a country divided by civil war, but damaged for centuries by class and religious division.
The premise of Bone Weaver is a stunning one. I was trying to describe its beauty to a coworker who teaches high school history, and they were equally fascinated by the scope of what is being tackled in a 450-page book. The blending of Imperialist Russian history into a secondary fantasy world setting is ambitious, and Polydoros handles it remarkably. The topics of privilege, ethnic tensions, diaspora, and more are all covered with grace within the book. Slavic folklore is blended wonderfully into the fantasy world of the Kosa Empire (and the book comes with a handy glossary!), and the monsters contained within are absolutely one of the highlights of the story. The world-building itself is where Bone Weaver shines, from allowing the readers to learn about the history of the Kosa Empire along with Toma, to the magic system, and the different ethnicities and religions created.
Where the story flounders is in its dialogue and interactions between the characters. While, individually, they are all fascinating to learn about (Vanya has my heart forever), they tend to fall flat together. The dialogue, sadly, just isn't where I wanted it to be compared to the rest of the book. Huge things happen throughout the story and none of it seems to carry the emotional weight it should because the characters just aren't given the opportunity to talk it out like they should. We're told that these characters love and care for each other, but we just... Never see it in their interactions. Even the ending lacks the emotional depth to really pack a punch. This is likely why the romantic subplot fell flat for me, as well.
I'll be curious to see if we get more in this world. I'd like to see more of these characters and this setting.
This was my first exposure to the writing of Aden Polydoros, and Bone Weaver is an interesting book to try to summarize and rate. I keep waffling back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, so we'll go with a solid 3.5 for now.
Bone Weaver is a third-person limited narrative focusing on Toma, a young woman with little memory of her past living on the edge of the Kosa Empire as it descends into civil war, unbeknownst to her. Instead, she is content to live out her days with her adopted family of undead, or upyri, cut off for their own safety from a society that does not understand or accept them. Then one day, the civil war quite literally lands at her front door in the form of the deposed teenage Tsar Mikhail, and he brings with him both danger and the promise of adventure after his enemies steal Toma's undead sister to bring back to the new revolutionary leader. As they travel to rescue her sister and his empire, they encounter charming magical commoner Vanya (cast out from his own village for being a "witch"), and they all have to learn to face the scars of a country divided by civil war, but damaged for centuries by class and religious division.
The premise of Bone Weaver is a stunning one. I was trying to describe its beauty to a coworker who teaches high school history, and they were equally fascinated by the scope of what is being tackled in a 450-page book. The blending of Imperialist Russian history into a secondary fantasy world setting is ambitious, and Polydoros handles it remarkably. The topics of privilege, ethnic tensions, diaspora, and more are all covered with grace within the book. Slavic folklore is blended wonderfully into the fantasy world of the Kosa Empire (and the book comes with a handy glossary!), and the monsters contained within are absolutely one of the highlights of the story. The world-building itself is where Bone Weaver shines, from allowing the readers to learn about the history of the Kosa Empire along with Toma, to the magic system, and the different ethnicities and religions created.
Where the story flounders is in its dialogue and interactions between the characters. While, individually, they are all fascinating to learn about (Vanya has my heart forever), they tend to fall flat together. The dialogue, sadly, just isn't where I wanted it to be compared to the rest of the book. Huge things happen throughout the story and none of it seems to carry the emotional weight it should because the characters just aren't given the opportunity to talk it out like they should. We're told that these characters love and care for each other, but we just... Never see it in their interactions. Even the ending lacks the emotional depth to really pack a punch. This is likely why the romantic subplot fell flat for me, as well.
I'll be curious to see if we get more in this world. I'd like to see more of these characters and this setting.
February 11, 2024
Seventeen year old (alive) Toma, unofficially adopted by an undead family when she was young, lives in an abandoned town in war torn Kosa. Because of her isolation, Toma is unaware of the tensions rising in the empire between the elite, who wield magic, and the suppressed magic-less lower class. Her life changes when the recently dethroned Tsar Mikhail crash lands in her proximity, escaping Koschei, a revolutionary leader who has stolen Mikail's magic. Koschei's soldiers, hunting Mikhail, find Toma's undead 6 year old sister and kidnap her. On a journey to save her sister and restore Mikail's magic, the pair meet Vanya, a lower class magic-wielder deemed a witch for his powers, who escapes his execution by joining them, forming an unlikely trio. The book, with monsters derived from Slavic folklore, explores themes of grief, acceptance, and self-discovery.
My favorite part of this book was the introduction to new folklore. I've never read Slavic folklore, and was completely unfamiliar with the associated monsters, so this book was a wonderful treat of new things (and I ended up going on a wiki spiral learning more about them). However, I will warn potential readers about listening to the book as an audio book if completely unfamiliar with the terms (as I did), it was very confusing at the beginning and I ended up keeping the online glossary up on my computer while I adjusted to the terms. I rounded the book up one star because of the folklore aspect.
My issues with the book, and the main reason I didnt like it all that much was the storyline itself did not feel well resolved, to the point where I'm searching to see is there a sequel coming? (From what I can tell, No?). Additionally, the characters make these HUGE decisions and there are these huge life altering events where the consequences are never really explored or even mentioned. For example, Toma makes a huge decision for Vanya, and it doesn't seem like Vanya was really comfortable with the choices she made, but it is never addressed. The magical system isn't really explained all that well either, is there a limit to certain powers, where do the undead come from, etc.
Overall, really intriguing folklore but everything left unexplained and resolved really dragged down my feelings on this book. If there is in fact going to be a sequel, i'll change my rating but right now im keeping it at 2.5/5 (rounded up for the folklore).
My favorite part of this book was the introduction to new folklore. I've never read Slavic folklore, and was completely unfamiliar with the associated monsters, so this book was a wonderful treat of new things (and I ended up going on a wiki spiral learning more about them). However, I will warn potential readers about listening to the book as an audio book if completely unfamiliar with the terms (as I did), it was very confusing at the beginning and I ended up keeping the online glossary up on my computer while I adjusted to the terms. I rounded the book up one star because of the folklore aspect.
My issues with the book, and the main reason I didnt like it all that much was the storyline itself did not feel well resolved, to the point where I'm searching to see is there a sequel coming? (From what I can tell, No?). Additionally, the characters make these HUGE decisions and there are these huge life altering events where the consequences are never really explored or even mentioned. For example, Toma makes a huge decision for Vanya, and it doesn't seem like Vanya was really comfortable with the choices she made, but it is never addressed. The magical system isn't really explained all that well either, is there a limit to certain powers, where do the undead come from, etc.
Overall, really intriguing folklore but everything left unexplained and resolved really dragged down my feelings on this book. If there is in fact going to be a sequel, i'll change my rating but right now im keeping it at 2.5/5 (rounded up for the folklore).
September 20, 2022
Boundlessly intriguing, intensely menacing, and frequently breathtaking, Bone Weaver is a stunning tour de force of storytelling. The breadth of imagination and depths to which this novel delves into the folklore that drives the story is nothing short of impressive.
Narrating in the first person, Toma, a seventeen-year-old whose family is unconventional, to say the least, leads readers on a journey through monster-infested forests and rivers to attempt to rescue her sister, Galina, an upyr who has been kidnapped by the sinister villain who has usurped the young tsar, Mikhail, and stolen his powers. Along the way, Toma and Mikhail meet Vanya, and the three of them join forces to find Galina, and in the process, attempt to take down the man whose absolute power has corrupted absolutely. As a trio, they fight, they suffer, they meet unimaginable challenges and face them with determination, and, in the end, they not only learn some things about themselves and who they wish to be—this is truly Toma’s journey of self-discovery—but also develop a bond that strengthened through hardship, adversity, and heartbreak as well.
Aden Polydoros has once again penned a Teen novel that reaches beyond its intended audience and bewitches readers who love fantasy, horror, monster fiction and folklore, and he effortlessly weaves these things into a real time in history, in a real world that indulges the fictitious. This is a story that seeks to examine what makes a “monster,� and who and what is truly monstrous, and it succeeds in doing so through characters who are intriguing, fully realized, sympathetic, tenacious, courageous, and appropriately sinister when the story demands it of them. This is a book I savored for its rich suspense and fascinating conspiracies, but those things would have been nothing without Toma’s adept narration.
Narrating in the first person, Toma, a seventeen-year-old whose family is unconventional, to say the least, leads readers on a journey through monster-infested forests and rivers to attempt to rescue her sister, Galina, an upyr who has been kidnapped by the sinister villain who has usurped the young tsar, Mikhail, and stolen his powers. Along the way, Toma and Mikhail meet Vanya, and the three of them join forces to find Galina, and in the process, attempt to take down the man whose absolute power has corrupted absolutely. As a trio, they fight, they suffer, they meet unimaginable challenges and face them with determination, and, in the end, they not only learn some things about themselves and who they wish to be—this is truly Toma’s journey of self-discovery—but also develop a bond that strengthened through hardship, adversity, and heartbreak as well.
Aden Polydoros has once again penned a Teen novel that reaches beyond its intended audience and bewitches readers who love fantasy, horror, monster fiction and folklore, and he effortlessly weaves these things into a real time in history, in a real world that indulges the fictitious. This is a story that seeks to examine what makes a “monster,� and who and what is truly monstrous, and it succeeds in doing so through characters who are intriguing, fully realized, sympathetic, tenacious, courageous, and appropriately sinister when the story demands it of them. This is a book I savored for its rich suspense and fascinating conspiracies, but those things would have been nothing without Toma’s adept narration.
January 1, 2024
I'm grateful that I have an ARC of Bone Weaver and I really enjoyed reading this book.
There are a number of reasons why I loved Bone Weaver. The three main characters possessed character depth and they were realistic. Vanya stood out because he was kind, blunt, and selfless. He also pushed Mikhail's thinking, which I loved reading about. Toma had a character arc and character growth that I really enjoyed.
Vanya and Mikhail's teasing or bickering interactions were entertaining and made me laugh out loud as I read.
I love Russian and Slavic folklore and it was well incorporated into Bone Weaver, especially a specific scene towards the end of the book that involved Toma, Vanya, and a mavka. I liked learning—and reading about—the drekavac and mavki since I didn't know about them. Honestly, I had mostly been familiar with Russian mythology before reading Bone Weaver, instead of creatures from Southern Slavic and Ukrainian folklore.
The world building was well thought out, incredible, and it drew me in right away. I felt like I had been transported into the setting(s) of this book.
The theme about accepting and loving one's identity was meaningful and moving. This (meaning the theme) will be validating for readers who are LGBTQ+ and can see their identities represented in Vanya and/or Mikhail.
As someone who is Jewish, it was great to read about the characters who were Strannik, and to identify how Strannik was Jewish/Jewish coded with regards to Russian history.
Parts of Bone Weaver were philosophical. This aspect was well executed and I adored it. I love it when books are philosophical or thought-provoking and Aden Polydoros accomplished that. My praise also applies to the recurring theme that people can be monsters; I agree with the idea that people can be monsters. This theme was reinforced in a powerful and compelling way throughout the book.
I agree with the reviewer who wrote that the end of the book was satisfying. The ending was a treat and it excellently demonstrated Toma's character growth.
Bone Weaver was one of my favorite reads of 2022 and I highly recommend it.
There are a number of reasons why I loved Bone Weaver. The three main characters possessed character depth and they were realistic. Vanya stood out because he was kind, blunt, and selfless. He also pushed Mikhail's thinking, which I loved reading about. Toma had a character arc and character growth that I really enjoyed.
Vanya and Mikhail's teasing or bickering interactions were entertaining and made me laugh out loud as I read.
I love Russian and Slavic folklore and it was well incorporated into Bone Weaver, especially a specific scene towards the end of the book that involved Toma, Vanya, and a mavka. I liked learning—and reading about—the drekavac and mavki since I didn't know about them. Honestly, I had mostly been familiar with Russian mythology before reading Bone Weaver, instead of creatures from Southern Slavic and Ukrainian folklore.
The world building was well thought out, incredible, and it drew me in right away. I felt like I had been transported into the setting(s) of this book.
The theme about accepting and loving one's identity was meaningful and moving. This (meaning the theme) will be validating for readers who are LGBTQ+ and can see their identities represented in Vanya and/or Mikhail.
As someone who is Jewish, it was great to read about the characters who were Strannik, and to identify how Strannik was Jewish/Jewish coded with regards to Russian history.
Parts of Bone Weaver were philosophical. This aspect was well executed and I adored it. I love it when books are philosophical or thought-provoking and Aden Polydoros accomplished that. My praise also applies to the recurring theme that people can be monsters; I agree with the idea that people can be monsters. This theme was reinforced in a powerful and compelling way throughout the book.
I agree with the reviewer who wrote that the end of the book was satisfying. The ending was a treat and it excellently demonstrated Toma's character growth.
Bone Weaver was one of my favorite reads of 2022 and I highly recommend it.
February 17, 2022
Bone Weaver
by Aden Polydoros
YA Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
In this country fighting a civil war, there are the elites who are gifted, and then there are the poor, but if a gift is given to one of them, they are witches and are executed because they are evil.
And the dead walk the world. Those who died and came back as zombie-like creatures similar to the way they died, (at least that is how I understood the vague details). Toma, a young woman who lives in the forest with her adopted (dead) family, keeps them together by sewing their body parts back on. Then she saves Mikhail from death and by doing so her little sister, (undead) is put in danger. Thus begins the main plot of the story.
I received an ARC copy of #BoneWeaver through #NetGalley and Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review...
The plot is really interesting and creative, the setting, magic, creatures, and it started off making me really curious about this world, but the execution in the world-building and characters' development is lacking real emotion and detailed descriptions. There isn't really any in-depth explanation in the story, there's a gloss-over here and there, but that made it hard to really understand and draw me deep into the story. I could compare it to eavesdropping on someone across the room who is reading to their kid and I can only hear bits and pieces.
The characters' dialogue is basic, and one of the most important scenes, I felt was poorly done. There wasn't enough emotion coming from the situation to make it really affect the reader as it should.
The book's title is a little deceiving, the story isn't as it hints at.
It's not that bad of a book but a few more details, and more emotions from the characters instead of the simple 'happy/sad' aura the story settled on would've got me to give it one (or more) star.
2 Stars
by Aden Polydoros
YA Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
In this country fighting a civil war, there are the elites who are gifted, and then there are the poor, but if a gift is given to one of them, they are witches and are executed because they are evil.
And the dead walk the world. Those who died and came back as zombie-like creatures similar to the way they died, (at least that is how I understood the vague details). Toma, a young woman who lives in the forest with her adopted (dead) family, keeps them together by sewing their body parts back on. Then she saves Mikhail from death and by doing so her little sister, (undead) is put in danger. Thus begins the main plot of the story.
I received an ARC copy of #BoneWeaver through #NetGalley and Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review...
The plot is really interesting and creative, the setting, magic, creatures, and it started off making me really curious about this world, but the execution in the world-building and characters' development is lacking real emotion and detailed descriptions. There isn't really any in-depth explanation in the story, there's a gloss-over here and there, but that made it hard to really understand and draw me deep into the story. I could compare it to eavesdropping on someone across the room who is reading to their kid and I can only hear bits and pieces.
The characters' dialogue is basic, and one of the most important scenes, I felt was poorly done. There wasn't enough emotion coming from the situation to make it really affect the reader as it should.
The book's title is a little deceiving, the story isn't as it hints at.
It's not that bad of a book but a few more details, and more emotions from the characters instead of the simple 'happy/sad' aura the story settled on would've got me to give it one (or more) star.
2 Stars
April 17, 2023
Bone Weaver is a haunting soviet Russian-inspired YA historical fantasy set in a world where the dead can come back to life. Toma is a young woman disconnected from her past now having found her place with her undead family. Mikhail is the dethroned Tsar fleeing the revolutionary leader that stole his kingdom and magic. Vanya is an accused witch who dreams of a better future for his people. These three lives intersect to form a bond that will change their world.
Aden Polydoros has created a lush world where magic, spirits, and the undead meet guns, dirigibles, and electricity. It is a place full of history and strife on the edge of revolution against tradition, prejudice, and legend. The setting is well established and imaginative.
I liked all three protagonists who each have distinct personalities and story arcs. Toma must learn to remember her past in order to wield the power of her ancestors. Mikhail must learn from the mistakes of his ruling family’s legacy as he struggles with his forbidden desires. Vanya has learned to live in a society that won’t accept him but still fights for what he believes in. Together, they must set aside their differences and work towards a common goal to change the trajectory of their lives. On a side note, there is also a romantic thread between the three of them that suggest they will definitely become a throuple given time, and no one can dissuade me otherwise.
I do think the there was way more potential to be told from this story which felt expedited in this single standalone YA novel. There was room to marinate and to develop more the relationships and conflicts in the story. And this certainly felt incomplete for a standalone with plenty of story threads yet to be tied given its relatively quick and abrupt ending.
Bone Weaver is a lush and haunting historical fantasy with so much more potential than just this standalone novel.
Aden Polydoros has created a lush world where magic, spirits, and the undead meet guns, dirigibles, and electricity. It is a place full of history and strife on the edge of revolution against tradition, prejudice, and legend. The setting is well established and imaginative.
I liked all three protagonists who each have distinct personalities and story arcs. Toma must learn to remember her past in order to wield the power of her ancestors. Mikhail must learn from the mistakes of his ruling family’s legacy as he struggles with his forbidden desires. Vanya has learned to live in a society that won’t accept him but still fights for what he believes in. Together, they must set aside their differences and work towards a common goal to change the trajectory of their lives. On a side note, there is also a romantic thread between the three of them that suggest they will definitely become a throuple given time, and no one can dissuade me otherwise.
I do think the there was way more potential to be told from this story which felt expedited in this single standalone YA novel. There was room to marinate and to develop more the relationships and conflicts in the story. And this certainly felt incomplete for a standalone with plenty of story threads yet to be tied given its relatively quick and abrupt ending.
Bone Weaver is a lush and haunting historical fantasy with so much more potential than just this standalone novel.
September 24, 2022
[ I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros is a YA fantasy romance. This is a hard one for me to review because there were aspects I struggled with and some I loved, and it's really hard for me to write reviews for fantasy minus spoilers.
Let's start with what I loved :
- this world where sometimes those who die come back to life Yet the circumstances of their death determines what kind of 'monster' they come back as. Our lead Toma lives with her found family of undead who to her a very much alive and nothing to be afraid of.
- Toma whose brave, kind-hearted, and devoted to her family. She can see to the heart of the 'monsters' that those around her fear. She believes that they still hold onto parts of their humanity and therefore treats them with respect.
-The supporting character Vanya. He is cheeky and brings a lightness to the story. The way he handles Toma's scars and insecurities is sweet. Argh I want to say more about his story arc and its outcome but #nospoilers. Let's just say I was very invested in it at every moment!
Things I struggled with :
-The supporting character Mikhail , the dethroned Tsar. I didn't form any kind of bond to him, and I didn't feel his bond to Vanya or Toma. I felt like he was just there being a grumpy, stubborn presence who thought too highly of himself.
- The odd group dynamic happening between Toma, Mikhail and Vanya. We can't really label Toma, but Mikhail is gay, and Vanya is bisexual. At times, you feel like there might be feelings of more between Mikhail and Vanya while there is a definite connection between Toma and Vanya. It was all a bit convoluted for me.
- the complex names of the different fractions, magic users, and 'monsters' themselves. I will never understand why fantasy always has to have hard to pronounce names.
-The unsatisfying ending. Is this the start of a series, because not much was resolved at the end.
Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros is a YA fantasy romance. This is a hard one for me to review because there were aspects I struggled with and some I loved, and it's really hard for me to write reviews for fantasy minus spoilers.
Let's start with what I loved :
- this world where sometimes those who die come back to life Yet the circumstances of their death determines what kind of 'monster' they come back as. Our lead Toma lives with her found family of undead who to her a very much alive and nothing to be afraid of.
- Toma whose brave, kind-hearted, and devoted to her family. She can see to the heart of the 'monsters' that those around her fear. She believes that they still hold onto parts of their humanity and therefore treats them with respect.
-The supporting character Vanya. He is cheeky and brings a lightness to the story. The way he handles Toma's scars and insecurities is sweet. Argh I want to say more about his story arc and its outcome but #nospoilers. Let's just say I was very invested in it at every moment!
Things I struggled with :
-The supporting character Mikhail , the dethroned Tsar. I didn't form any kind of bond to him, and I didn't feel his bond to Vanya or Toma. I felt like he was just there being a grumpy, stubborn presence who thought too highly of himself.
- The odd group dynamic happening between Toma, Mikhail and Vanya. We can't really label Toma, but Mikhail is gay, and Vanya is bisexual. At times, you feel like there might be feelings of more between Mikhail and Vanya while there is a definite connection between Toma and Vanya. It was all a bit convoluted for me.
- the complex names of the different fractions, magic users, and 'monsters' themselves. I will never understand why fantasy always has to have hard to pronounce names.
-The unsatisfying ending. Is this the start of a series, because not much was resolved at the end.
November 9, 2022
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! This book was E V E R Y T H I N G I was hoping it would be and more!!! Aden Polydoros is quickly becoming an author that I can depend on to give me beautiful world building and characters I can fall in love with. The City Beautiful might have helped me to find him, but Bone Weaver has made me a devotee of his work!
Toma lives alone in the woods with her family: Mama, Papa, and Galina. While they aren’t her birth family, they’re all she’s known since her sister found her 7 years ago. Where she came from, who she was before, why she was in those woods is all somewhere deep in her subconscious, but she buries it� out of sight, out of mind. Her family are all upyri. Think of them like the living dead. They still have life to live, so after their death, they come back and Toma just helps preserve them, by seeing up wounds.
When Mikhail crashes into her world in his dirigible while fleeing from the totalitarian regime who has usurped the Tsar’s throne. In landing in her home, he destroys her chance at a solitary life, sending her world into chaos. She, of course, saves him and helps nurse him back to health. Just in time for men to show up looking for him� in the process, they kidnap her little sister, Galina, sparking an epic journey to rescue her.
This was such an incredible story. I definitely got strong imperial Russia, Anastasia, Historical Fantasy vibes, which normally is not my thing, but I don’t know what it is about his books. I adore everything about them!
Toma lives alone in the woods with her family: Mama, Papa, and Galina. While they aren’t her birth family, they’re all she’s known since her sister found her 7 years ago. Where she came from, who she was before, why she was in those woods is all somewhere deep in her subconscious, but she buries it� out of sight, out of mind. Her family are all upyri. Think of them like the living dead. They still have life to live, so after their death, they come back and Toma just helps preserve them, by seeing up wounds.
When Mikhail crashes into her world in his dirigible while fleeing from the totalitarian regime who has usurped the Tsar’s throne. In landing in her home, he destroys her chance at a solitary life, sending her world into chaos. She, of course, saves him and helps nurse him back to health. Just in time for men to show up looking for him� in the process, they kidnap her little sister, Galina, sparking an epic journey to rescue her.
This was such an incredible story. I definitely got strong imperial Russia, Anastasia, Historical Fantasy vibes, which normally is not my thing, but I don’t know what it is about his books. I adore everything about them!
October 23, 2022
There’s some great world-building and politics within this one. There’s also monsters and people with powers, abilities, runes and curses! The witches though are treated suspiciously and very similar to those who were accused of been witches in real life.
The main characters are relatable. The first person narrative means we get to see his thoughts, feelings and any memories the character has which means we learn a lot more about the character’s history and a bit more detail related to the current events.
This takes place after the math of a war and despite this there are some people who are still completely ruthless and believe they’re doing the best for their country at the expense of others.
The book could actually be quite dark at times and got especially dark towards the end. There was definitely a few sad and shocking moments.
The pacing is quite steady, there isn’t a ton of action and I did struggle a little to be gripped. There was times that I don’t think I connected very well with the writing, even though it’s really well-written and I did enjoy it for the most part, I felt it lacked something for me to get really invested in it. I definitely think a lot of people would enjoy this one though! I don’t know if there’s anyone I would compare the authors writing to, in some ways it feels quite unique.
This is a really good stand-alone fantasy if you’re looking for one to kick back to.
The main characters are relatable. The first person narrative means we get to see his thoughts, feelings and any memories the character has which means we learn a lot more about the character’s history and a bit more detail related to the current events.
This takes place after the math of a war and despite this there are some people who are still completely ruthless and believe they’re doing the best for their country at the expense of others.
The book could actually be quite dark at times and got especially dark towards the end. There was definitely a few sad and shocking moments.
The pacing is quite steady, there isn’t a ton of action and I did struggle a little to be gripped. There was times that I don’t think I connected very well with the writing, even though it’s really well-written and I did enjoy it for the most part, I felt it lacked something for me to get really invested in it. I definitely think a lot of people would enjoy this one though! I don’t know if there’s anyone I would compare the authors writing to, in some ways it feels quite unique.
This is a really good stand-alone fantasy if you’re looking for one to kick back to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.