On the Bookshelf

As a member of the Facebook group: Fantasy ARC and Beta Readers, I can offer to advance read novels that are ready to launch, or offer my own work for review. ARC stands for Advanced Reader Copy, and typically, a writer will ask for volunteers to read their work for free in return for their unbiased review on Amazon and Goodreads. Now, the tricky thing here is you can't ask for a favorable review, or ask for a review only if the reader liked the book. You have to be prepared for the the good, the bad, and the ugly. Which is why the author of this fantasy placed her offer on a fantasy Facebook group...she is appealing to like minded readers. This is a great strategy to make sure you are accumulating some reviews from people who are actually readers of your genre. Because inevitably, a random reader of of another totally different genre (think cozy romance) will pick the book up and shred it in the review because it's not the genre they like to read. Such is the way of online reviews.

But let me tell you about A Lair of Bones...

Originally, I received the copy via bookfunnel, a great resource that distributes ebooks and audio books for both ARC readers and purchasers. I immediately saved it to my Kindle reader so I could have it when I was ready to read.

Plot that revolves around the concept of high stakes life-and-death competition may not be new, but Scheuerer has developed such a compellingly flawed, yet strong, character in Roh, that I couldn't help but become totally mesmerized by her journey. The author is indeed a talented writer - the dialog flows and moves the plot along at a brisk pace and her descriptive prose is warm and colorful. What I particularly loved was the plausible evolution of our main character, from a lowly bone cleaner in the lower sectors of the kingdom Saddoriel, to cheating her way into a highly coveted place in the Queen's Tournament, her goal in becoming the next Cyren Queen.

While eagerly awaiting the second book in the series, now on pre-order, available in November, 2021, I signed up for Helen's newsletters and received the 'Cyren Queen Origins', three novellas acting as prequels to A Lair of Bones. I give this read a 5/5. If you love strong female characters, great plot and action, and descriptive, compelling writing, I think you'll love A Lair of Bones.

#onthebookshelf #kkjohnsblog