MISTRESS OF BONES

In a fantasy setting inspired by Spain, a young necromancer will stop at nothing to raise her sister from the dead.

Nineteen-year-old Azul del Arroyo lives in a world built on the bones of ancient gods. She has a rare and powerful gift: the ability to bring the dead back to life—as long as she has possession of their bones. It’s magic she has used only sparingly. The first time, when she was 10, she resurrected her beloved sister, Isadora. But when, in search of adventure, the two journey to Valanje, the land of the Lord Death himself, tragedy strikes and Isadora dies again. Determined to help her sister defy death a second time, Azul sets out to reclaim Isadora’s remains. Standing in her way is Virel Enjul, Emissary of the Lord Death, who considers necromancy unnatural. They come to a shaky truce after Azul agrees to help him find another necromancer that he’s seeking. The novel offers a compelling premise and a rich foundation for a fantasy tale. However, the worldbuilding, while imaginative, often feels muddled and inconsistent, leaving key elements underexplained. Frequent shifts in perspective among the large cast of characters and a nonlinear timeline that jumps between past and present add to the confusion and may leave readers struggling to piece together the broader narrative.

A debut based on an interesting premise that’s unfortunately lacking in clarity.