What can I say apart from WOW!

I was immediately attracted to this book after reading Alexandra Brackens other book Silver in the Bone and I knew that I was going to enjoy this one a lot!

I went into this book with a good vibe and came out of it excited by the conclusion of this duology.
The plot twists one after another and usually this would be way too much for me but in this instant it was such a thrill!

Really kept me on my toes and made me want to explore more from this amazing talented author.

I really enjoyed this conclusion to this new duology! I felt this was an interesting take on the retelling of the knights of the round table with a death magic twist. The Mirror of Beasts answered all of my burning questions from the first book and it was such fun to return to the real world. I do wish we could have had more on the impact of Avalons return, but hope that will be explored in future.

Tamsin, Olwen, Catriona and Neve released the Lord of Death and returned Avalon to the human realm. Working with Emrys, unsure if they can trust him after his betrayal in the last book and they embark on a new adventure. I adored the friendship between the girls and watching their bonds be continually tested and strengthen was excellently written. This is action packed with various twists and turns that kept me coming back for more. I wasn’t ready to leave this story and hope Alexandra Bracken will continue with Neve and Cait’s tale!

Overall, this was an interesting fantasy that will appeal to many low fantasy and romantasy readers!

This book was just as good as the first, if not better. The action picked up right where it left off in Silver in the Bone and I was ready to follow Tamsin and the rest of the crew as they worked together to correct the mess they made and defeat Lord Death.

As I'd mentioned previously in my review of Silver in the Bone, I'm no history or mythology major, but I loved the storyline and the inspiration taken from Celtic mythology. We get so much more action and more information and references in this book, and the plot twists and revelations had me shocked and amazed. I kept getting sucked in, and I loved every second of it.

What Emry's did at the end of Silver in the Bone was wrong, and although I forgave him after finding out why he did it, I still supported my girl Tamsin's choice to hate him for a bit. Tamsin needed to get closure and recover from Emry's betrayal. He did what everyone else had done to her, so I don't blame her response and actions either. I was just happy to see Tamsin slowly open up to Emry's and build their trust again.

The final boss scene at the end was so satisfying to read. Everything about it had me smiling, cheering, and gasping, which is what you want from a book. You want to feel all of the emotions! I also felt there was a possibility of a spin-off with Neve and Cait as their story felt open-ended and could definitely be explored more.

Honourable mentioned to Nash. He went from being a character that I didn't care much about, to being one of my favourites. He did everything he could for Cabell and Tamsin till the very end, and as a parent, I respect that. Oh, and the Bonecutter was a side character I loved bumping into throughout the book. She became an unlikely ally to the team, and they definitely needed all the help they could get.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alexandra Bracken for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was a refreshing and exciting break from reality and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

The ending to this duology really worked. As with the first one, I struggled to get really into it to begin with but once it gripped me, I was hooked and flew through it. Loved the weaving of the legends and finding out new ones I had never heard of, really liked the pace and writing… but I still struggled to get fully behind the characters (the baddie was a bit meh in this instalment and the goodies needed to learn from their mistakes a bit quicker)
Still, really enjoyed it and would recommend to someone looking for Arthurian inspired books.

This has become my favourite book ever. It had me smiling, crying, confused, not being able to sit still... I cannot get over it, nor am I able to start another book just yet. I am in love with every part of it. As this jumped right into it, there isn't much I can say without spoiling it. I felt the same about the first book, reading this knowing nothing will have your thoughts and emotions reach places they probably haven't before.

The plot was insane. There wasn't a dull moment whilst reading, this was more fast paced than the first one as we jumped into it straight away. The way everything played out couldn't have been any better. I had no guesses as to what could or would happen, so nothing felt spoiled, i was fully engrossed throughout. There was so much detail within the magic, the curses, the people. I loved the addition of chapters that gave a third person sort of view of a few characters, we didn't get that in the first book. It added depth to Emrys & Cabell especially and I think it really benefited us as the readers.

These characters, honestly. I cant even pick out a specific favourite because each of them were so different and so necessary to the story. The relationships only grew stronger and I absolutely loved Neve & Tamin's friendship. Catriona will forever have a hold on my soul. The sisterhood that became of the group was incredibly beautiful to read about.

The ending of this had me uncharacteristically crying my eyes out. As an aspiring writer, I hope to be able to make people feel in the way Alexandra made me feel with this book. As far as sequels go, this was a perfect one, I have absolutely no faults or grievances.

For the love of the romantasy & fantasy gods, please read these books!!

Being a duology it is essential to have read the first, as it picks up from where Silver in the Bone left off. As a fan of Arthurian legend I am always intrigued by reworkings and this did a decent job of bringing it into the real world and redefining the standard characters of legend.
In many ways I loved this book but also found it frustrating at times. The characterisation is as strong as always with this author, but I would have liked some of the relationships to be explored a little more. Similarly the plot development and many many twists thunder along at an inexorable pace, but there are also many "samey" elements that become a little repetitive.
But I am being picky. I enjoy this author's writing, and although released on Teen lists they appeal just as well to adult readers.

You might recognise Alexandra Bracken’s name from some of her past novels, such as her wildly popular Darkest Minds series, or "Lore" which was a modern take on the Greek gods and Greek mythology.

Bracken’s latest novel, "The Mirror of Beasts", is the incredibly satisfying conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology. This high-stakes fantasy weaves together Arthurian legend with a contemporary edge, creating a world both familiar and utterly unique.

Bracken’s masterful storytelling shines as she continues to develop complex and compelling characters. Tamsin, our fierce and determined protagonist, is a force to be reckoned with. Her journey is one of growth, loss, and ultimately, redemption. The supporting cast add depth and intrigue to the narrative. Bracken excels at character development, allowing readers to deeply connect with the protagonists.

While romantasy (or even fantasy with heavy overtones of romance) is not normally my favourite genre, the relationships, to me at least, seemed to shift in a more satisfying direction throughout the book.

The world-building, as in the first book, is very well done. Bracken appears to seamlessly blends magic, myth, and history, creating a rich and immersive tapestry. The stakes are high, the action is relentless, and the emotional core of the story is deeply felt. The amount of explicit violence felt a little much at times, but didn’t detract too much from the story.

"The Mirror of Beasts" is a wonderful example of storytelling. It is a book that will stay with readers long after the final page. Bracken’s ability to balance epic adventure with intimate character moments is truly exceptional. This is a must-read for fans of fantasy and a testament to Bracken’s talent as a writer, and is perfect for fans of Sophie Keetch’s "Morgan Is My Name" or Lucy Holland’s "Song of the Huntress".

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Children's Books for my ARC copy!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it continued seamlessly from book 1. This book is full of strong fmc's that I adore and I love the element of found family and unity between them.

I found that the story was at a good pace and kept me interested throughout. I read the first book a year ago but I didn't struggle to remember what had happened and make connections between the beginning of this book and the previous one.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! Thank you to Alexandra Bracken not only for writing it but for putting up with me in her inbox yelling at her with some of my reactions.

This was a fantastic, brutal sequel. Damn, I thought the first book was a gut punch with all the death and the murder…this one took it and doubled it. No one’s safe. Terrible things are happening everywhere. I truly did not expect this duology to be so dark!

Duology…I’m hoping that this is not a firm thing…there’s so much room at the end and I felt there were suggestions of more story to come…a certain spin off with a certain spin off…ALEX PLEASE. I BEG.

I truly love Brackens writing. The world building is fabulous. The descriptions wonderful. I was so engrossed in to this world and I didn’t want to leave and I feel like part of me is still here days later, living with these characters and mourning for some of the losses. God I really loved this. I also really need Bracken to write some more time travel or historical fic because this was giving me such Passenger vibes and I loved that dulogy too.

What else did I love about this? EVERYTHING!

The twists were TWISTING. Bracken tried to get me a few times but let it be known I would not be fooled!! Sometimes nearly but no!! Or sometimes she’d have me down a path but I’d be like okay but that seems wrong (*cough* Tamsy *cough*). God love her for keeping me on my toes!!

I will say a few things did confuse me and I’m not sure how somethings happened. Maybe I missed them in the chaos of all that was going on and all the emotions I was feeling. The duology probably deserves another reread where I sit and take my time with it all. But oh god. Can I put myself through some of this again?

Shout out to Emrys, my favourite plant boy, I love you

Also love the bone cutter lady!! (How have I forgotten her name. Bonecarver?)

DNF at 19%

At 92 pages in I feel like I should have a clearer understanding of a plot and what the characters are working towards. I found it difficult to get into and too simple. I wanted more complexity and use of the legend rather than unnamed Welsh towns and the protagonist scowling at Erys.

I can’t even begin to describe how excited I was to read The Mirror of Beasts! I have been a long time fan of Alexandra Bracken’s work (I’m especially fond of her stand-alone book Lore) and the first book in this duology was one of my favourite books of 2023. The focus on Arthurian lore, threat of curses, horrifying monsters and sweet romance made it a brilliant read.

This sequel begins after the massive cliffhanger at the end of Silver in the Bone. Monsters have been unleashed on the world, multiple betrayals have occurred and our main character Tamsin seems to be suffering from a curse. Naturally, I had a lot of questions. But I appreciate that the author took her time revealing answers and uncovering secrets in this book. She managed to draw out the tension and build suspense effectively.

Whilst I preferred the setting of Avalon, I think that it was incredibly interesting to learn more about the world of Hollowers and sorceresses in this novel. Seeing the women of Avalon adjust to this new world just led to more intrigue.

As always, Tamsin was a clever and scrappy character. She didn’t expect to become the hero, but she and her found family are the best people to save the world. I loved reading more about these characters and I’m so sad that their story ends here. It was a great conclusion to the story though. I just wish we could stay in this world with these character for another ten books!

I would recommend this books to fans of Arthurian legends and shows like BBC Merlin. If you’ve ever read one of Alexandra Bracken’s books you’ll love this, and if you didn’t like one of her books before, give it another go. This series is her best work to date.

Can I start by saying that the past two days I have spent reading this masterpiece has had me feeling all types of emotions and I just don't know what to do now this story is over. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but there was something about this book that captivated me and I knew after I finished reading part two that this was going to be a five-star read for me.

I loved how easy to read the writing was despite the Arthurian mythology being weaved in and me not knowing what the most of it was. I felt that it was explained well that I soon enough understood certain references.

Tasmin Lark, you are perhaps one of the easiest characters for me to fall in love with. Her journey from SITB to the MOB was so beautiful to read about. I loved how in MOB we got to see her process and understand the emotions she has be suppressing for a while now. All the while new revelations and mysteries regarding her upbringing, Nash and her curse are bought to light. Also I have to mention Emrys now, because despite where the stance was on him after SILTB and at the beginning of MOB, she easily became such a lovely character. And after he reveals his truth to Tamsin, about what happened him to and the vlurneability they shared in that moment. I think that Tasmin and Emrys were just so perfectly written, so different from each other yet so perfect for one another.

The friendship and found family in this book was so beautiful and refreshing to read. It genuinely made me so happy that Neve, Tasmin, Cait and Olwen were there for each other not matter the others difference or opinion on the situation. Also the friendship bracelts Olwen made for them? ?? So freaking cute!!

After what happened at the end of part two to librarian, I was ready to fight for that automon. But seeing that the bonecutter at the end was already reminding him I was ready to forgive, but that scene I could not forget.

I genuieuely can't wait to see what the next story Alex writes will be!

Firstly a huge thank you to Hatchette and Netgalley for allowing me to review my first ARC. As a huge fan of Arthurian Literature, it was dream to be given this book as my first opportunity. Silver in the Bone was one of my favourite books of 2023 so I was incredibly excited to find out how the story would wrap up!

Bracken’s talent comes in weaving well known Arthurian characters and lore into her own new and creative world. It offers a sense of familiarity whilst still drawing me in as a reader with her unique twists and turns. And WOW, there were some unexpected twists and turns!

Like the first book, I found The Mirror of Beasts fast paced from the start. Whilst I enjoy a faster pace in books to drive the story forward, I felt there where some opportunities missed for greater detail or exploration in certain parts or towards certain characters. However, this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book - after all, as a reader, aren’t we always wanting more when it comes to a story we are invested in?!

I particularly enjoyed the different POVS. Whilst I love a first person point of view from a main character, something I feel modern texts are shying away from more, it was great to have moments from the perspective of others to not only bolster the plot but also my emotional attachment to these characters. Not usually a lover of the found family trope, Bracken incorporates it so flawlessly into the plot that this was arguably my favourite part of the whole book.

An emotional rollercoaster from start to end, I laughed, cried and shouted at the pages, a true sign that I am 100% invested in a book.

Alexandra Bracken has done it again and created a world and characters that every reader can fall in love with immediately. Any lover of fantasy should read this duology and immerse themselves in this world full of magic and wonder.

I loved this king arthur retelling, the developments from book 1 were a crazy ride. I really enjoyed the character developments, even though some of the betrayals cut deep.

I will definitely read more from this author!!

Thanks to Hatchette and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. Having read the first book, Silver in the Bone, I was looking forward to this novel very much. Bracken crafts a story that ticks a lot of my boxes including weaving in elements of Celtic and Arthurian myths into a contemporary fantasy in a new angle that is clever and twisty.

Tamsin, an orphan, is an ordinary mortal who grew up with her brother by choice Cabell in a library of a guild of conjurers after being abandoned by the guardian. She is long seeking a cure for a perceived curse that Cabell endures which turns him into a terrible killer beast of a hound. The journey had taken them to Avalon in search of a ring in the company of her nemesis, the privileged Emrys and Neve, a self taught sorceress who is hoping for acceptance from the sistren of sorceresses. Both of them seek the ring for their own purposes. But now after a series of calamities and the release of Lord Death, Avalon has fallen and joined the world and the wild hunt are on the loose with Lord Death at the helm and Cabell as his seneschal. Tamsin and two of the remaining Guardian Ladies of Avalon, Neve and Emrys are trying to stop Lord Death from harvesting souls and wreaking havoc in the world. Emrys’s presence Tamsin barely tolerates after she’d finally opened herself up in Avalon and fallen in love with him, only for him to betray her. Her feelings only complicate her choices, though and as critical revelations pile up and the odds seem stacked against them its Tamsin’s dogged, fierce determination that moves her forward along with her deep warm hearted spirit that she tries to keep closed off.

This is a rollercoaster of adventure, suspense and thrills with clever plotting and richly drawn characters, all of which contribute to a great read for anyone, but especially YAs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercue Children’s Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

With the dream of Avalon in ruins, Tamsin and her friends are all that stands in the way of Lord Death's plans to unleash the horrors of Anwnn on the world of the living. As the Wild Hunt carves a bloody path across continents, Tamsin is mustering allies, tracking down powerful artifacts, and traversing into new otherlands in search of a way to stop him. Legend tells of a “Mirror of Beasts,” powerful enough to trap even Lord Death in its accursed glass, but the mirror is not all that it seems. Tamsin must confront her own darkest secrets if she hopes to tap the mirror's strength to defeat her enemies.

Tamsin feels exceedingly more vulnerable in this book than the previous. The world as she knew it has been turned completely on its head and she has been left floundering. It was an interesting shift in her character but I really think it worked in her favour. Her harsh walls have diminished enough that she has let others in and relies on them which is so heartwarming to see. Considering her losses, she really is a strong young woman. Even more so with the events thrown at her during this book. She held firm and fought as hard as she could. A truly admirable character.
Emrys is a douchbag. I feel like there is little else to say. I truly hated him in the beginning after the stunt he pulled in the previous book. And I hate to say it, but he didn’t entirely win me over either for the majority of the book. He just kept drawing back into his frustrating persona of being an utter prat and it made me want to slap him silly. There were redeeming moments but I think the lovely idea of him that we got in the first book was just a bit too ruined for me.

The stakes are certainly higher here than before. In the first book, we were very much focused on the Hollower life, trying to find treasure and the issues that come along with such a profession. Here, the world is on the verge of ending and anything familiar is being ripped away. I think the overall plot was very good. It certainly drew me in and held my attention! There was a great combination of characters we knew and brand new faces that helped flesh out the general story. I always enjoy seeing new characters but I really appreciated the deeper focus on those who joined us in the previous book and have a bigger role here. The romance wasn’t a focus at all in this book, though there were a lot of emotions flying around throughout the story. There were certain characters that had so much chemistry but little-to-no steps were taken to exploring more which was such a shame! And incredibly frustrating to my romantic’s heart! The two who were the focus for romance had some lovely moments but I felt like it could have been different for them - a little more real. The ending wasn’t too bad - just not at all how I thought it would end. Some things I could predict, but others I couldn’t and I’m not too sure how I feel about it!

Overall, The Mirror of Beasts is a sequel that rounds off this Arthurian inspired duology nicely.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Quercue Children’s Books for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on 9th August - available now on Goodreads.

I will never ever get over these books- these characters, this world, the writing, everything is top notch I’m completely and utterly in awe of Alexandra Bracken’s skill - wow wow wow

Unfortunately, 'The Mirror of Beasts' suffered from a serious case of second book syndrome but as there's no book 3, there is no opportunity for redemption. Which, after enjoying book 1 so much, I am very disappointed by.

This was incredibly messy. The plot just moved in a circle the entire time - the gang travels somewhere, they discover information, ooh there's the thunder, the wild hunt arrives, they fight, they run, repeat cycle. This, I'm sure, was intended to make the book feel action packed but rather made it feel more boring and predictable for me. A lot of the lore and worldbuilding didn't make a lot of sense this time around.

If this book was a type of cheese it would be swiss cheese because the plot holes was boundless and abundant. That's all I'll say about that.

I still loved these characters but they kept disappearing from the page when hey got randomly abducted, or left or (insert other thing I can't say because that would be a spoiler). I really enjoyed the scenes in the witches pub when they were regrouping and seeing more of the sorceresses was incredibly interesting.

I also experienced a lot of confusion for the first 100-ish pages. This is absolutely partially my fault as I thought I'd remembered more of the first book than I did. Saying that, I've read plenty of sequels where I haven't remembered a single thing from the previous book and the author has done a great job of subtly rehashing important information throughout the story but this isn't one off Alexandra Bracken's strengths.

Duologies are not one of this authors strong suits but characters are. So, for the characters alone I would still recommend this series but unfortunately I can't give this instalment more than 3 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Children's Group for this advanced copy. My thoughts are my own.

Having read the first in the series I wanted to know how this was going end. The first book didn't really hit the description of being based around Aurtherian mythology for me there was a light dusting of it.

This book was so much better than the first. Whilst there was more talk of Arthur and Avalon it wasn't fullt blown Arthurian mythology. It had been a while since I read the first book but I managed to get straight back into it. It also helped a list of the characters and a description of them was at the front of the book.

I loved the female main characters and their relationship with one another. There was so much growth in their friendship. You just can't help but love them all...I love the way everything eventually ties in together and you think you worked out what's going on but there is twists galore....with moments of heartbreak round every corner it's a book you just don't want to put down ....

More of a 4.5 star review for me ....

This was so beautifully written. I cried multiple times throughout the story as I was so fully invested in what was happening.

The Arthurian legend aspects of the story are brilliant, enough for me to know about Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake etc but the story also diverts into something new that is riveting. Along with the magic system, I really enjoyed learning how it all came together. This second book starts immediately where the first book ended.

The twists and turns were very well done. I could not have guessed where the story was going and I loved every new reveal. I had to cover the upcoming words/lines with my hand to stop myself from reading too far ahead too fast and spoiling parts.

The found family is everything in this duology, I usually don't care too much about this trope, but in this series it is done so well! I truly loved the relationships. All of them; every single one. Emrys and Tamsin were also great enemies to lovers. They made me smile and route for them no matter what.

The ending was so sweet I couldn't stop beaming at the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.