I would kill for Roark to tap tap tap on my heart.

The tension between Roark and Lyra? Palpable. The banter, the spice, the hand-speaking and the intimacy it brought - the slow burn was everything. Good lordy lord, I am a puddle. There was so much emotional depth, and the touch her and die trope? Utterly delicious. One of my all-time favorites, and it was done so well here.

The world-building was phenomenal - there's a lot of it, but it never feels overwhelming. I was obsessed with the magic system: blood, bone, and soulcraft woven into something uniquely rich and intriguing.

This book had it all - action, high stakes, mystery, romance - and then some. I'm in love.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of this book, I was not paid to read it and write a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

Broken Souls and Bones had the framework of a compelling story, but unfortunately, the soul of it didn’t quite live up to the ambitious world L.J. Andrews was aiming to create.

For much of the book, I found myself alternating between boredom and frustration. The worldbuilding swung to extremes—either dumping lore in awkward, heavy-handed chunks or leaving you completely in the dark just when you needed clarity.

The magic system had intriguing potential, but it was underdeveloped. Blood and soul melding were barely touched on, while the bone melding that was included felt rushed and poorly explained. Lyra’s mixed melding came far too easily, robbing the magic of any sense of challenge or wonder.

This lack of depth extended to other aspects of the story too. Take Roark, for instance—his muteness and use of sign language had the potential to create a unique and meaningful layer to his bond with Lyra. But that opportunity was squandered when she immediately understood his personal signs, eliminating any real communication barriers or tension.

The romance also fell flat for me. I was hoping for a more gradual build-up and genuine conflict between the leads. While there was a hint of initial unease, it quickly dissolved into near-instant attraction. Lyra’s comfort with Roark developed far too quickly for the relationship to feel believable or satisfying.

To be fair, the book isn’t terrible. The prose is decent, and the concept is just interesting enough to keep you turning the pages. But ultimately, it didn’t leave a lasting impression—and it’s not a title I’d be in a hurry to recommend.

This took me longer to start than it should have, but once I started I could barely put it down!

A broody, silent protector, a fierce magic-wielding heroine, and a Norse-inspired world full of secrets—Broken Souls and Bones is a moody, romantic, and atmospheric read. While the pacing stumbles at times and the worldbuilding can feel dense, the emotional depth, disability representation, and forbidden romance make it hard to put down. The twist might not shock everyone, but the characters will stay with you. A strong start to a promising series.

Summary: In a war-torn kingdom, Lyra hides dangerous magic—until Roark, the king’s silent soldier, discovers her secret. Bound by fate, they’ll either save the realm or destroy it.

Morally Grey/Morally Conflicted love interests for the WIN!!

'Damn them all if they threaten her.'

What a wild ride this book was, unique worldbuilding, viking-esque magic wielders and enemies on every side. Interwoven are themes of betrayal and love (forbidden love no less) as we follow Lyra, a young 'melder' who is forced to join the kings service. Roark, her broody, assigned protector and Lyra quickly become entangled in something forbidden and turbulent. Roark is by far a top 10 book boyfriend for me - what. a. man. He is passionate, brooding, quiet, tall and handsome, he has it all really... or does he 👀👀

'You brighten the night and I will fight to keep it.'

Finally, WHAT WAS THAT ENDING I am in desperate need of book 2 immediately.

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The first part of the book felt like an info dump and I was a bit lost with the lore of the world and the magic system, I didn't start to get to grips with it until the end of I'm honest.

Some parts of the FMCs actions didn't make sense to me, like why she wouldn't share certain information with people she's very close to.

I enjoyed the unique connection between the two main characters because of the use of sign language.

Having said that I wish when Roak spoke it used italics or something, It was hard to differentiate between story narrative and his sign language at times.

The last 10% didn't make sense to me, and the whole "insert question here"... "Insert explanation here" for the twist that made no sense was just annoying.

Sorry but meh

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the advance reader copy.

This is the first in a series (I’m not sure how many books there will be) and I found that this book fell into a similar category that I have noticed with romantasy books as of late, there’s not a lot of world building and understanding of the magic system and a lot is put on setting up the next book.

I had considered DNFing this book a few times as I found it dragged and the ‘twist’ felt obvious.
I know a lot of people will enjoy reading this and the remainder of the series but for me it was a let down.

I did enjoy the disability representation from the MMC and that is why the book has 2 stars instead of 0.5/1.

There is a reason LJ Andrews has such a big and devoted fandom, her stories are top tier and everything you want from this genre. Broken Souls and Bones is no exception and at some point I actually decided to slow down my reading because I really wanted to savour the story! The writing is beautiful, the worldbuilding unique and masterfully delivered, the characters brilliantly fleshed out, full of action and court politics. What I always appreciate about LJ Andrews is that it feels like she is very intentional and thoughtful when it comes to side characters and subplots. I LOVED Lyra's relationship with Kael and Roark's relationship with Emi. Thane is adorable.
Lyra is a fantastic FMC and Roark...sigh, chef's kiss. Their story is beautiful and I loved following it.
Stop reading this review and just go on and get yourself the book, you will not be disappointed, I promise. An easy 5 star for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

I have been so looking forward to this release - and I'm so thrilled it lived up to my very high expectations. I loved every moment of this and I couldn't recommend it enough.

3 ⭐️

I’ll start off by saying the magic system was SO COOL and described so vividly. I felt like I was right there in the shadows melding with Lyra - it was my favourite thing about this book by far. A close second was the mute MMC - as soon as I knew what ‘tap, tap, tap’ meant I just KNEW that it would make me giggle and kick my feet.

Unfortunately the rest of the book fell flat for me personally. I found the world building complicated and info-dumpey, and it didn’t feel like the relationships developed in an organic way, especially the romance which felt rushed - so much so that I started to suspect Roark wasn’t the main love interest. It took me a month to finish this and I usually read about a book per week.

I’ll likely read the next book as the ending has me intrigued but I’m so sad I didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped!

L J Andrew’s is a pro when it comes to solid romantasy and I’m glad to say I really enjoyed Broken Souls and Bones.

I loved the gritty, Norse-inspired worldbuilding that made this such an atmospheric read and easy to get lost into. The broody MMC was a standout for me, especially with how the story handled his disability. The fact that he couldn’t speak added depth to his character in a really thoughtful way, and the rep felt genuine and well done.

The twist near the end was satisfying, though I did see it coming a bit earlier than I think the book intended. Still, it didn’t take away from the emotional payoff. The pacing lagged a little in the middle, and I found myself wishing we got more time or development with the side characters, especially since the world felt rich enough to support them.

Overall, a solid, atmospheric read with heart, mythic undertones, and a character-driven focus. I’d definitely read more set in this world.

From the get go I absolutely loved this book. An MMC who signs?! Soul and bone magic?!
God it’s just so good!! I felt like I haven’t read a book like this in so long and I ate it up. I cannot wait to read more by this author in the future!

To those who won’t admit they wish the love interest was the villain everytime. I see you.

Lyra has a secret hidden in the silver scars of her eyes. The rare, powerful and coveted magic osef a welder. Suddenly Lyra is forced to expose her powers to save her best friend and she’s taken to the King at Stonegate. Because Welders are so rare and precious, she’s assigned a bodyguard, the silent and lethal Roark.

Craft of bone - to heal, manipulate or rot
Craft of souls - to protect, control or destroy
Craft of blood - to heal, disease or summon

Is this going to start my new Viking Fantasy obsession?! Absolutely!!

This has some of my favourites tropes, found family, morally grey MMC, enemies to lovers. How could I resist?! The plot, the tension, our MMC taking ‘strong and silent’ to new levels! This is definitely up there in my top 10 reads of the year!


You above everything. Burn it all if it means you still live 🔥

Now admittedly, this took me a while to get into. I’m not sure if it’s just because this was my first Viking fantasy, but I did find the magic system a little confusing at first and the world building a bit heavy. The only thing I would possibly change about this, is I wish a glossary had been included for those easily confused like myself 🙈

This is a must read!!

This book had me hooked and got into it from the get go. There was some heavy world building in the first half but the world is so intriguing and unique that it didn't take long to sink it. The way the tension is built between Roark and Lyra from the very beginning is gripping and I couldn't get enough of these two together. And the slow burn is incredible!

As always the characters are so well written. We have Lyra, someone who has had to hide herself from the world and scared of her own power being thrust into a new way of life but takes it in her stride and is a badass. We have Roark the son of the enemy clan serving the royal family, who is non verbal yet can command an army with a few hand gestures. And don't get me started on the side characters. I need more of Thane and Kael! They offer some great comic relief into the story whilst also adding intensity to the battle scenes.

What I wouldn't give to have Roark *tap tap tap* over my heart 😩

Andrews has her recipe to draw you in to her books down to a T. The world building, the complex characters and relationships, the tension.

Roark's hand talking feels so intimate that anything he says in this book is felt so intensely. Especially when he talks against her cheek 🥵 I felt that more than the spicy scenes!

More please and as soon as possible.

This book was an easy five stars. A mute MMC & a unique magic system and world! I absolutely loved it. Forbidden love and found family, this book is high stakes and will have you on the edge of your seat. The twists will have you unwell.

I’m not even sure where to start.. the magic system, incredible, so unique, so many possibilities. The world, beautiful, so fully formed, I cannot wait to venture more into it. The characters, *chefs kiss* I loved and really hated some, their personalities so incredibly real.

I knew this would be one of my favourites this year (ever??) LJ is so captivating, so easy to read, and the stories are amazing. Broken Souls easily catapulted to my all time favourites with the twists and turns and beautiful woven story of seeing everything a person is and loving them anyway. Lyra and Roark are full of banter from the get go and have a cool dynamic finding annoyance and calm within each other. The cast of characters made me love them and now I’m scared for future books 😂 some can absolutely get thrown off a cliff but leave my new found family safe and happy please!

I loved every single second of this story and I cannot wait for the next!

4.5 ⭐️
Erm the last few chapters?! WHAT? I am going to need the 2nd book real soon 🤣 this book did not have me hooked in the 1st half whatsoever, the world building was a lot and there are quite a few characters to get used to. However, it quickly made up for all that as soon as I reached the halfway mark. We had more tension from Roark and Lyra and I loved the development of their relationship and their banter. The book felt a lot more fast paced and I was hooked back in. That ending just had my jaw on the floor. Very much "Onyx storm vibes" where it ended and the next page was just acknowledgements 😅 absolutely crazy!

L J Andrew’s is an auto-buy for me, and she absolutely delivered with her latest Viking-inspired romantasy, **Broken Souls and Bones**! This book is sheer perfection, weaving together tantalizing enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love tropes that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Meet Lyra Bien, a girl with silver scarred eyes, who’s spent years hiding away, trying to avoid the magic-crazed King. But her cover is blown, and she’s thrust into the royal court and Roark, who must guard her against those eager to eliminate her from Stigandr. Yet, the reality is far more complex than it appears.

I was utterly captivated by this enchanting world filled with magic, souls, and bones. The stakes are sky-high, with a thrilling "touch her and die" vibe! Lyra and Roark’s chemistry is phenomenal, and let me tell you, their slow-burn romance is pure deliciousness! The intimacy blossoms beautifully as Lyra learns sign language just to connect with Roark.

But don’t overlook the ensemble cast—their dynamics are spot on! The found family trope shines brightly, and the banter? Absolutely top-tier! I adored the sibling bond between Lyra and Kael, and Roark’s playful jabs with Thane had me in stitches.-

This was my first book by LJ Andrew’s and was pleasantly surprised. Really fun fantasy romance. The plot was really good and the romance was full of tension and slow burn!! I loved this

Broken Souls and Bones pulled me in with its unique magic system and never let go. The world of blood, bone, and soul craft was so intriguing - even if the first third or so had me a bit confused, I was too hooked to stop reading. Lyra is a total force - ripped from her peaceful life and thrust into the hands of a king who wants to weaponise her rare melder magic (which is honestly kind of gross). I loved how layered she was, and her friendship with her male bestie? A* for giving us a solid platonic bond.

Roark was such a standout character - silent, brooding, and full of surprises. His nonverbal communication added so much depth, and his 'tap tap, tap' moments made me want to squeal. The romance is a true slow burn, building gradually from mistrust to a believable and emotional connection. The spice, when it comes, is realistic and beautifully done - intimate without ever feeling over-the-top. Add in mystery, action, and some seriously jaw-dropping twists, and this book delivers. Highly recommend for romantasy fans and I already can't wait for book #2.

4.5 stars from me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.