Review:

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, the manuscript was difficult to read, and the absence of a map made it challenging to follow the characters’ journey.

This is a brutal tale of survival, found family, betrayal, revenge, and identity, enriched by Nordic folklore and set in the fantasy Kingdom of Iseldur.

The story follows Silla, who witnesses her father’s murder and must travel the perilous Road of Bones to reach safety. True to its ominous name, the road is notorious for its dangers, littered with the remains of travellers who met their demise along the way. How will a lone girl survive days and weeks while being pursued by the Queen’s warriors?

As with many travel-focused narratives, it is crucial that the journey does not overshadow character development. This book balanced it well and has all the necessary character arcs to deliver a compelling story. This allowed for full immersion in the world and its lore. Honour and duty define the code by which warriors live, but the uncovering of lies and secrets drives the story forward. With scenes meticulously crafted to maintain suspense while avoiding premature revelations. The book succeeds in delivering suspenseful storytelling with danger at every turn, though some twists become predictable as the narrative progresses.

The author warns readers about uncomfortable and explicit scenes in the book, which may be troubling for some. I appreciate the dedication and my heart swells with pride for all survivors out there.

A pronunciation guide and glossary are included at the back of the book, and I strongly recommend that readers refer to these resources—they help with the reading flow.

Disclaimer: ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Remarks:

• Nordic folklore
• Fantasy
• Found family
• Travel
• Bloody and brutal
• Enemies to lovers
• Scandinavian places and names
• Hidden identity