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.

Broken Souls and Bones has good characters but a slow plot and took a little while to get into. The magic system was good, and overall it was a fine read!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In this first book in a new series by bestselling author LJ Andrews, we follow Lyra who is torn from her quiet life and forced to use her magic for the King, under the watchful eye of Sentry Roark.

I found the pacing a little slow initially but it picked up around the second half of the book and then the revelations just kept on coming! There was a good blend of world building, character development and plot development (although I hope some of the secondary characters will be fleshed out more in the sequel). The main male character cannot speak but uses sign language to communicate, a concept I quite enjoyed, although I found it hard to visualise how it worked in situations where he was signing by touching another character without them actually looking at him, but that's probably just me overthinking it!

A recommended read for fans of dual POV romantasy with morally grey characters and Viking fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Much like melder magic, LJ Andrews has woven a tale together using many strings, allowing us to weave through a story where not all is at it seems. With deception lurking in the shadows, a sizzling forbidden romance, and magic that can be used to both heal and harm, this is one story that you will not want to miss out on. This book truly does contain everything I look for as an avid romantasy reader, from the Intricate world building to the secrets and mysteries hidden throughout, all rolled into a story with the most sizzling slow burn forbidden romance between two characters that should all things considered hate eachother but neither of which can fight the undeniable pull between them.

This story starts with events that happened in the past, with no context we are left wondering about the information we have just learned and how this will play in the story. From this point on the story truly begins, we are quickly introduced to the core characters. Lyra Bein just wants to live a quiet life, her main aim to go unnoticed and live the life that isn't much but she loves all the same. Knowing that her magic is both rare and coveted by the magic obsessed King Damir she lives her life in the shadows, that is until Roark enters her life. The silent yet irrestible sentry uncovers Lyra's secret and thrusts her into the limelight she never wanted as a melder. With the ability to wield all three magical crafts, she is forced to reveal her power and transported to the king to act as his next melder. However, with everybody having their own agenda and Roark finding he doesn't hate Lyra as much as he should will he be her salivation and can they work together to stop the danger that lies at every turn?

I can't even begin to articulate how amazing the characters are in this book! LJ knows how to craft characters that are instantly loveable, and a found family unit that feels like home. Lyra despite having to hide her whole life still has a spark of fire within her that she nurtures as the book goes on. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her become who she was meant to be, despite everything that is stacked against her and the demons that loom in her past, she is a fierce FMC that you can root for from the very beginning. I might be slightly obsessed with Roark, ok, maybe a little bit more than slightly obsessed. He starts off stern and closed off, but as the book goes on, you see him shift as he becomes fiercely protective of Lyra, and you begin to learn more about his past and motivations. Within this book LJ also takes the time to explore the other characters within the found family group, providing what in my opinion is a more well rounded story having things going on outside that of just the interactions between the FMC and MMC.

I would like to take a minute to praise the sign language rep within this book, LJ has taken something that very few books explore and treated it with such care and consideration. Weaving it into the heart of the story and being such a key part of the characters' relationship development, and it firmly became one of my favourite parts of the book from the get-go. I don't know how LJ does it. Every magical system within her stories feels so unique and fresh. She takes the time to help us learn these complex magical systems to a point where the knowledge is second nature. What can feel quite daunting in other books, learning about a new world with new lore and different magical system, LJ makes it feel easy and natural, allowing for pure enjoyment in the story being told. We have been given an inkling to this world, and I can already tell there is so much yet to be uncovered. That ending has left me ready for more, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

LJ has done it again! Her storytelling is phenomenal; the descriptive language paints detailed images of the scenes and the emotion poured into the characters can be felt through the pages. I fell in love with her writing style when I read The Ever King, and have continually fallen for MMC after MMC in every book of LJ's that I've read since.

This new world of the Viking-inspired Stonegate series is dark and gritty, just the way we like it. Lyra is fierce and Roark is 🥵 and their chemistry is just *chef's kiss*. There's also a killer twist and major cliffhanger that will have you picking your jaw up off the floor whilst googling the next book's release date (spoiler - it hasn't been announced yet, sorry). BSAB has a bunch of your favourite romantasy tropes such as enemies to lovers, slow burn, forced proximity, a wicked magic system and a morally grey MMC who doesn't speak (sign language rep) all mixed together to create a new, exciting adventure that will take you for an emotional rollercoaster ride.

I enjoyed the pacing of the book, there was a good amount of tension and action woven in amongst the less plot related elements. I particularly liked the magic system in this story and learning more about Lyra’s power and experiences. I was a little disappointed in the sign language aspect though, although I appreciate this is a fantasy book some parts of the MMCs speech felt unrealistic. Having never read a book with representation for this I was hoping for more here and sadly this did impact my enjoyment of the romance for a large portion of the book as I was a bit hyper focused on it.

Overall I gave this book a 4⭐️ rating, I really enjoyed the magic and story, and the last 20% of the book had me hooked. The romance fell a little flat for me and I was hoping she’d fall for a different character for a lot of the book. But I still really enjoyed the book as a whole and I’m excited to see where it goes in the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this eCopy to review

Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews is a spellbinding journey into a world where magic, danger, and romance intertwine seamlessly. From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the life of Lyra Bien, a young woman who intended to live quietly to avoid the attention of the magic-obsessed king in the fortress of Stonegate. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when Roark Ashwood, the prince’s silent guard and rumoured killer for the crown, invades her village and uncovers the truth behind the silver scars in her eyes.

Lyra's journey is both harrowing and inspiring. To save her best friend from death, she reveals her abilities and is immediately claimed by the crown as the next melder. This role, revered and feared in equal measures, is essentially a slow death sentence. Lyra's determination to free herself and her friends from bondage is palpable and drives the narrative forward with relentless energy.

Roark Ashwood is a complex character, initially appearing as a brooding and dangerous figure. However, as Lyra gets closer to him, she discovers that he is not what he seems. Their evolving relationship is one of the highlights of the book. The tension between them, both romantic and otherwise, adds depth to the story and keeps the reader engaged. The more they work together as allies, the harder it becomes to ignore the growing passion between them.

The world-building in Broken Souls and Bones is exceptional. Andrews creates a vivid and immersive setting that feels both fantastical and grounded. The magic system is intriguing, and the political intrigue adds layers of complexity to the plot. The themes of power, freedom, and destiny are explored in a way that feels fresh and compelling.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its pacing. The story moves at a brisk pace, with each chapter revealing new twists and turns. The stakes are high, and the tension never lets up, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, which adds to the richness of the narrative.

Overall, Broken Souls and Bones is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend to fans of fantasy and romance. It's a beautifully written, emotionally charged story, I cannot wait for book 2!

I think I will happily devour anything LJ Andrews writes, and this is no exception.
I adore Andrews writing and think that the characters and world building in Broken Souls and Bones was brilliant!

<i>’To die for the ones we loved was honourable, but to kill for them was beautifully terrifying’ </i>
We are immersed in a Viking inspired world with magic, warring clans, political intrigue and characters with so much depth. I adored the side characters and the found family aspect of this story.
Lyra, our FMC, was a great character to follow- she was kind and compassionate, intelligent and cunning and willing to do anything to save the people she loves. Her conflicted feeling on both what she had to do with learning and using her Melding craft as well as her growing warmth towards her bodyguard were great to explore.
‘<i>Roark Ashwood was beautiful mayhem’

‘No doubt, if I gave in, Lyra Bien would consume me- heart and soul.’ </i>
I truly loved the delicious slow burn and how she and Roark interacted with each other.
Roark has always disliked Melders. What they do corrupts the soul, so when he first meets Lyra he wants to hate her. But he is forced to be her protector and keeper for his king and it was great to see him handle his conflicting emotions and changing feelings toward Lyra. As Roark was injured as a child and is unable to talk, the inclusion of sign language and the way he communicates was also great to see. He takes strong, silent and tortured to a whole other level.

Be sure to pick this one up If you enjoy:
🦴Dual POV
🗡️touch-her-and-die
🦴 political intrigue
🗡️hidden powers
🦴Viking-inspired worlds
🗡️ unique magic systems
🦴found family
🗡️forced-proximity
🦴slow burn
🗡️enemies-to- lovers

For lovers of Danielle L Jensen, Stacia Stark and Helen Scheuerer

4.5 stars!

L J Andrews has nailed it again! This was a fantastic addition to her repertoire of viking/Norse fantasy novels and once again I am obsessed.

This book follows Lyra, a girl gifted with a rare form of magic that has had people hunting for her since she was born, some to use her for her power and others to end her before she can be corrupted by the magic that flows in her veins. She has been hidden away in a village pretending to be a normal person, blending into the background when a rumour is sent to the king that a melder may be hidden in the village. When some of the king's warriors and sentry show up in search of the lost melder Lyra and some of her friends are torn from their lives and taken to the kings stronghold.

Escorted by Roark, the sentry who came to the kingdom from an enemy clan who due to an injury is unable to speak with words, Lyra is brought to the king and forced to use her magic to build an army of berserkers using the bones of dead warriors passed, melding their souls into those still living, slowly corrupting her own soul and leading her into a shadow realm where she encounters the ghostly figure of the enemy assassin. Her and Roark find themselves hating each other but inexplicably drawn together, Lyra can even seem to sense Roark's words despite talking with his hands. I love the communication between the two, how they go from fighting and feuding with one another to free falling into deeper emotions, each stage is as intense as the last.

I thoroughly enjoyed how we learn about the world and the magic through Lyra as she grows and develops. The found family within this story was a stand out, the bond between Lyra and her brother was so sweet and well developed and the friendships she makes throughout really flesh out the story. I also loved the enemies to lovers slow burn that had such a great pay off, and the ending had me desperate for what comes next!

First I want to thank Penguin Michael Joseph
And LJ Andrews for this e-ARC.

Fantastic book! I LOVED it! This book has instantly made me want to finish all of LJ’s other books as it was amazing and I can’t wait to reread this!

I was hooked! and I’ve been in a big slump. The plot was perfect, the storytelling perfect. I just have no words.

5⭐

Thank you LJ Andrews and Penguin Michael Joseph for the ARC!

Broken Souls and Bones is an immersive fantasy read from LJ Andrews, set in a new world than her other interconnected series. This book blew me away in the best way possible and I did not expect myself to come to love this book as much as I did!

For fans of Norse Mythology and Vikings, this book leans towards it for the background of the setting and the characters. Something that LJ Andrews does the best is creating complex worlds and characters, especially female characters. There are many layers and reasons for everything going on, for every decision there's always an intricate background and reason for it.

The decisions Lyra --- the FMC --- makes feels real and as a character, she's doing justice to so many FMCs with her relatable and realistic choices and decisions.

The romance between Roark and Lyra had me giggling and kicking my feet. As you go deeper into the book, the deeper the enemies to lovers arc between them goes. The slow-burn and tension pays off really well in the end that it is unbelievable and comforting to read about these kinds of situations. Lyra's ability to understand and feel Roark is something that was amazingly represented. The way they were constantly choosing each other and willing to go against everything they've built and believed was truly delightful to read about.

There's so much I can talk about this book and this review won't do any justice. The non-verbal & Sign-Language representation was on point with this one. The twists and turns had me spiralling so much because the hints for them were so subtly dropped.

I cannot get over that ending and having to wait for a year is killing me but I'm very excited for the next installment in the series! Congratulations to LJ Andrews for her first trad pub deal with this book and for the new Stonegate series era!

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) for the ARC!

I genuinely think I will enjoy anything written by L.J. Andrews at this point... I loved both her Broken Kingdoms and Ever Seas series and Broken Souls and Bones is no different. It blends Norse-inspired lore and emotionally rich storytelling together in Andrews' signature style. I found myself completely transported to the vibrant, immersive world L.J. Andrews has crafted. The unique magic system, centred on "melding," was a standout for me, adding a fresh and fascinating twist that kept my curiosity piqued. The atmospheric setting really elevated the sense of adventure and intrigue, making it hard to put the book down.

As always with Andrews' writing, what truly captured my heart were the characters. I was thoroughly engaged by Lyra’s resilience and determination, finding her an inspiring protagonist. Roark’s brooding intensity and complex past added layers of depth and mystery, which I found captivating. The romance was both tender and passionate, and honestly who doesn't love an enemies to lovers situation??

Admittedly, I felt the pacing was a bit slow to start, and I would have loved more detail in some of the world-building elements, especially with additional focus on the magic system as I did feel a bit lost at the beginning of the tale. However, these minor quibbles were easily overshadowed by the book’s many strengths. The plot twists and emotional moments landed with real impact, and as the story accelerated, I was utterly gripped. Andrews’ ability to weave themes of loyalty, love, and lore into such a compelling narrative really shone through for me.

Overall, Broken Souls and Bones is a great introduction to this new world. I'm excited to see where things go!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the archive in exchange for a review

The magic system and worldbuilding in this book had me immediately intrigued, not to mention the politics and found family bonds.

The plot and romance really go together and I loved seeing both develop right until the last sentence, which has me now wanting to read the next book!

The dual PoV adds so much to the plot with inner turmoils, more insights and their character development.

This book definitely shows that actions can in fact speak louder than words, especially with Roak being mute and using his hands to communicate, plus the three taps had me kicking my feet.

The first half is a bit slow as there is a lot of worldbuilding and characters to be introduced but that last half went so quick, I could not put it down.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217453580

Broken Souls and Bones completely pulled me in from the first page. I was swept away by the raw emotion and the intense connection between the characters—LJ Andrews really knows how to write chemistry that burns. The world feels darker and more layered in this book, and I loved how the stakes felt higher than ever. While there were a few moments where the pacing slowed down, the emotional depth and twists more than made up for it. I finished the last page feeling wrecked—in the best way—and desperate for the next installment.

This is the first book in a new series by author LJ Andrews. As a huge fan of her Broken Kingdoms series, I couldn't wait to get a chance to rad this. LJ does an amazing job of building characters that pull on your heart strings and make you want to be their friend. She did that once again with Roark and Lyra. Very excited to see what is next for this series.

5 stars doesn't feel enough for this one. I have loved everything LJ Andrews has written so far (I mean, this is the woman who brought us Kase Erikson and Erik Bloodsinger!) and this is no different. Releasing in the UK on 15th May, Broken Souls and Bones is the first book in the Stonegate series. A new world, new magic, and a non speaking MMC who is EVERYTHING. One of my favourite reads of the year!

This was a bit of a slow starter for me but I enjoyed it overall. I think my favourite part of any LJ book is the relationship dynamics and this was no different. I really loved the found family elements and the magic was interesting and unique. I do kind of wish that the language barrier aspect wasn’t just overcome by magic. I haven’t read a lot of books with that kind of rep and wanted a little more from it.