This book is perfect for anyone who has wished for there to be more to the world than meets the eye. Aurelia Bartlett always struggled to fit into society. But when she follows a mysterious path in the middle of the night, she discovers a whole new world that she fits into more than she knows.

I enjoyed a lot of the main characters and the storyline kept me hooked for a majority of the book. I did feel like it was a bit slow at times, mainly because the entirety of the book (aside from flashbacks/background info) takes place all within 24-48 hours. However, the author does a great job at creating an entirely new world without feeling like there are huge information dumps that pull away from the plot.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I look forward to where the rest of the Lightbringers series takes us!

Thank you to Sera Foxe and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. Such a great story, that was wonderfully told. Fast paced, and intriguing the whole way through. 6 different point of views that all end up woven together beautifully.
It has fated mates, found family, world building, magic and fae and human characters. This book kept my interest from the first page! Can’t wait to get my copy when it’s published, and also can’t wait for the next in the series!

Thank you NetGalley, Sera Foxe and Agencey Press for the ARC.

THIS BOOK!!!! This book was absolutely INCREDIBLE! Sera outdid herself and made me have a whirlwind of emotions I was not prepared to feel! I LOVED THIS BOOK, I was so in love with each character and getting to know them. The world building was also so incredible on it own, paired with the plot, I fully cannot wait to share this book with everyone I know!

Unexpected power, prophecy, fated mates, duty and responsibility. Interested to see what happens next for Nova, Cillian, Aurelia, Andar and Lark.

Sera Foxe’s Blood, Iron, and Bone is a breathtaking plunge into a world as brutal as it is beautiful, where loyalty and betrayal tangle like the roots of an ancient tree, and every choice carves its mark in flesh and soul. From the very first page, Foxe grips you with prose that is raw, evocative, and unrelenting, pulling you into a story where survival is an art and trust is a dangerous gamble.

The protagonist is a masterful creation—layered, resilient, and profoundly human. Foxe avoids the trap of perfection, giving us a flawed, fiery lead whose growth feels earned with every bloody knuckle and broken bond. The supporting cast is equally rich, their motivations and secrets revealed in tantalizing doses that leave you questioning everyone and everything.

The world Foxe builds is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. It’s a harsh, unforgiving landscape where beauty exists in the cracks of ruin, and danger lurks behind every shadow. Her descriptions are visceral, often brutal, yet never gratuitous. Each detail feels purposeful, heightening the stakes and immersing you deeper into this unforgiving reality.

What truly sets Blood, Iron, and Bone apart is its relentless pacing. The narrative doesn’t just move; it hurtles forward with the ferocity of a charging beast. Yet, Foxe masterfully balances this urgency with moments of quiet reflection, allowing the emotional weight of the story to land with devastating impact.

If there’s a flaw, it’s only that the sheer intensity might leave some readers breathless. The twists are unyielding, the betrayals cutting deep, and the victories often come at a staggering cost. It’s not a story for the faint of heart, but for those willing to endure its trials, the reward is a tale that lingers long after the final page.

Blood, Iron, and Bone is a testament to Sera Foxe’s storytelling prowess—a brutal, beautiful symphony of bloodshed and redemption. It’s a must-read for fans of dark fantasy who crave complexity, grit, and characters that feel achingly real.

Book one of the Lightbringers series. A far fantasy read. Full of twists & turns. A slow burn romance between the fated mates only adds to the story. Great characters & storyline. Can't wait to see what happens next
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

"Dreams were when Aurelia lived. Her waking life was painfully uninteresting, devoid of color, but in dreams, even the bad ones, she came alive."

Thus we are introduced to Aurelia Bartlett.  A human girl who lives a simple life, on an isolating island with her parents and companion, Greymalkin - a gray cat with a smooshed face who has an uncanny ability to always be where Aurelia needs him. Aurelia lives on a farm with her elderly parents, a boring life that she laments about consistently. Her relief from this too-small life are her dreams, where a dream boy has visited her through the years. After a series of disturbing nightmares cause her to leave her bed in the middle of night, we find Aurelia wandering away from home in naught but her nightgown (and what is with fictional women wandering through the countryside in the dead of night only in their night gowns? It never seems to end well for them. These girls have got to learn to dress in some clothes and sensible shoes to be creeping through the wilderness after dark). When Aurelia spots a person whom she believes is the boy-turned-man who has haunted her dreams for years, she unthinkingly follows him, causing her to pass into the Fae realm of Aithrim. It is here that she finally meets her dream man in the flesh, only to find out that he has been betrothed since birth to the princess Lark, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Aurelia herself. Their betrothal was the result of a birth prophecy stating that their union would help break a curse spreading over Aithrim. Has Aurelia found the man of her dreams only to lose him the same day?

With world-building that is expansive without feeling burdensome to their story, Sera Foxe introduces us to the Fae realm of Aithrim, a place "not very far away, but in another world entirely." Aithrim is a realm that felt to me both familiar and new and exciting. It is here we meet a varied cast of characters - including those who are loyal, traitorous, and deceitful. I found myself second guessing the motives and statements of everyone Aurelia meets in Aithrim. While one of the major plot twists of the story is apparent from very early on, this story hooked me in and kept me up late reading to see what was going to happen to our characters next. The only less than stellar aspect of this story for me was that the main characters are all clearly very new adult and as such, are very self-centered and kind of whiny about their circumstances. The MMC was a very wishy-washy mama's boy who one minute was planning how he was going to lead the realm's armies and the next minute deferring one of the women in his life because he didn't have enough gumption to stand up for himself. I'm hoping this is deliberate on Foxe's part to help show character growth over the next stories of the series because for me, none of the main characters were especially likeable for me at this point in the storyline.

While this book is the first in a new Romantasy series titled "Light Bringers", for those who hate reading books that are part of series due to cliff hangers, fear not. While Blood Iron and Bone leaves us with very little resolved for our characters, it does not leave you on such a cliff hanger as to be in agony until the next book releases. This book would be especially good for those who are new to the Romantasy genre as Foxe does an excellent job introducing us to their world of Aithrim without it being overwhelming. I'm looking forward to the next story in this series and seeing how the characters evolve and change with their changing circumstances.

Spice rating: one and a half chili peppers

Thank you to NetGalley and Agency Press for providing me with an ARC copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC copy of Blood Iron and Bone through NetGalley.

The cover of Blood Iron and Bone immediately grabbed my attention, and after reading the description, I was thrilled to have the chance to advance read. Unfortunately, it just didn’t resonate with me. One of the biggest drawbacks was the pacing—it was incredibly slow. The beginning half of the story is spent world building and learning the back stories of each character that has a POV.

Which brings me to another reason this book fell a bit short for me. The numerous points of view made it difficult to keep the story straight. Switching between six characters, each with its own storyline, was a workout!

I have mixed feelings about this book. The second half was undoubtedly action-packed, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me on my toes. It was also great to finally see the romance element come into play—it added depth to the story and gave me some moments to root for.

That said, while the story had its strong points, I don't see myself picking up the second book. Something about it just didn’t fully click with me, and I didn’t connect with the narrative as much as I’d hoped.

Overall, it was a good read with compelling moments, but it simply wasn’t entirely my style. I’d still recommend it to readers who love a mix of action and romance—it might just hit the right notes for you!

Thank you to Sera Foxe, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for an advanced reader copy of this book.

The way that this book pulled me in and didn’t spit me out until I was finished was simply magical. I absolutely loved the parallel universes storyline. The twists and turns kept me hooked. Loved the world building and characters. Can’t wait to see what the rest of this series holds.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Agency Press for this eARC. All opinions are my own, and this review is written voluntarily.

Blood, Iron and Bone, written by Sera Foxe, is the first book in the multi-perspective Lightbringers series. The first half of the book was a little overwhelming due to the amount of various characters we are introduced to. The character development, however, brought a great element to the story, and I think it really helped drive the plot forward. This series introduces the main female protagonist, Aurelia, who feels lost and lacking importance in her mundane human life. She is caught up in these odd dreams that keep whispering to her that she has a unique destiny with her mate in another realm. That other realm is a Fae kingdom called Aithrim, in which a prince royal, Andar, is set to marry Princess Lark, who is also struck with odd dreams. The pair are set to marry in order to fulfill the prophecy to bring light and prosperity back to their land, yet these continuous dreams seem to portray a completely different destiny. These characters are thrown into a twist of fate and must work together to bridge the gap between realms and save their kingdom from destruction.

Overall, I give this book 3.5 stars. It is a great debut novel and has great potential, and I thought the worldbuilding and overall arc of the story were really intriguing. If you enjoy fated mates, magic, fantasy world-building, and found family, this book is perfect for you!

Wow! What an incredible read! The world building was brilliant and appropriately paced, too. The story was incredible and had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were all interesting in their own way and I enjoyed learning about them throughout the book. I devoured this book in a few days, it was absolutely brilliant.

With my little adhd it was really hard to keep track of who was talking. But the book was amazing and I hope in the future graphic audio makes an audiobook of it because that would be amazing! Took a starting just do to how much brain power I needed to keep everyone straight

I really enjoyed this romantasy! The world building was top tier, and I absolutely loved the characters, plot, and romance throughout. Definitely would recommend for fans of the genre!

Blood Iron and Bone by Sera Foxe is an engaging and fast-paced fantasy novel that captivated me from the first page. Set against a richly developed world, the story unfolds in a single day, yet it feels complete and satisfying, an impressive feat for any author.

The pacing of the book is spot on. Despite the entire storyline taking place over the course of just one day, Foxe keeps the tension high and the plot moving forward without ever feeling rushed. This gives the book an exciting immediacy, while still allowing time for deep character development and world building.

One of the highlights of Blood Iron and Bone is the magic system. Foxe has created an intricate and unique system that feels fresh and immersive, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the plot. It’s evident that a lot of thought has gone into the world building, making it easy for readers to get lost in the universe she’s created.

The characters are another strength of the story. Each one feels distinct and well crafted, with their own motivations and personalities that add depth to the story. I particularly adored the furry companions, Pan and Greymalkin, two characters who steal the show with their charm and antics. Delightful addition to the story, and brings an air of mystery and allure.

The first book wraps up its storyline in a way that is both conclusive and satisfying, leaving just enough room for further exploration in the next installment. I was left feeling fulfilled, but also eagerly anticipating the sequel to see what new twists and turns Foxe has in store.

Overall, I highly recommend Blood Iron and Bone to fans of fantasy who enjoy rich world building, dynamic characters, and a well paced, action packed plot. The book delivers on all fronts, and I’m excited to continue the journey in the next book. A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this fantastic book!

Thank you for this fun story of this book. I loved it i personally think 6 pov was a little bit too mutch tho.

Overall i loved the storyline. I loved the fated mate parts. If book 2 comes out im going to read this and i would recomend this book to my friends

Firstly-what a ride! I really enjoyed this book, but fair warning: it’s definitely not for everyone. This story has six POVs. It takes a good chunk of brainpower just to keep track of who was narrating at any given moment. At times, I caught myself flipping back a few pages like, “Wait, whose perspective is this again?”

The whole book takes place over just a few days, which made the pacing pretty tight. There were a couple of moments where the story veered off track a little, but those didn’t pull me out of the narrative too much. The overall pacing kept me hooked, and I loved uncovering all the little mysteries the author planted.

For my romance lovers, there’s a fated mates subplot, but it doesn’t take center stage. It’s there in the background, adding just enough spice without overshadowing the main storyline. Personally, I was more invested in the world-building and unraveling the intricate web of relationships and secrets. The romance is more like the cherry on top.

There’s not a ton of magic in this one, but you can tell the foundation is being laid for the next book—it’s like the author is teasing us with what’s to come. And let me just say, I’m already excited for it!

Overall, I’d give this one four stars. It’s a unique and engaging read. If you’re in the mood for a complex fantasy with fae, great world-building, and a touch of romance, this is for you. But if you’re looking for something lighter and less mentally demanding, you might want to save this one for another time.

Wow! I loved this book! The characters and the world building was amazing! I can’t wait to come with this series when more come out. Thank you for the ARC copy!

Blood Iron and Blood is a fantasy book with a very small romance subplot. To be honest this book was hard to read for about 50% of it. You get six POV that are all happening at different times and places. The POV start immediately with the book so there is a ton of world building within learning these characters.

The book is very heavy on the prose. Lots of internal
Monologues and trying to figure out what’s happening. The story is intriguing I’ll say that and once we get everyone together the story flows way better and paces better but getting there was a challenge.

I had an issue with the continue repeating and ignoring of some characters, it seemed like lazy writing to me.

While I liked Andar/Aurelias story I’m more interested in Nova and Cillian, that’s what I want to see.

Thank you to Sera Foxe for this arc in exchanged for
My honest review!

I did thoroughly enjoy this book. I found the characters likable and the plot enjoyable. Pan/Gray was definitely my favorite character as a cat mother. And I definitely love Nova, as that is the same name as my cat 🫣 (no shame). Besides that, I love Lark. I think her story is desperate and tragic to the point of hating her while at the same time rooting for her.
However, I will say that at the beginning, the book started slow and a little confusing with the POVs. But, once you are introduced to characters and understand the differences between them, it does become clearer. Once I finished, I found the combined POVs in the chapters helpful as I did not have to reread the same situations over again.

Full spoiler review can be found on my Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7097089854

This book is written beautifully. The story sucked me in immediately and I read as much as I could in my busy holiday work schedule. The pacing was just perfect for me, the characters were intriguing, and the love story made me feel like my heart was moved.

This is not an "easy"/"relaxing" read, so if you're looking for a pallet cleanser or trying to cure a book hangover, this may not be it for you. This is written in such a way that, in lack of a better phrase, made my brain use more brainpower than other books I'd consider "easy" reads. This is not an insult, though, as I really appreciate the writing style since most books I've been reading recently are too simply written.

The only thing about this book that felt odd to me was the overuse of parentheses and explanations within those parentheses. I feel like the words within them can just be made into regular sentences.

Other than that, I HIGHLY recommend this as your next romantasy read!