Thank you to J.Ember Hintz, Specter Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy. All opinions in this review are my own!

The premise of this book made me eager to read it but it was better than I expected in so many ways! Amazing world building, interesting magic system with witches, relics and dragons that was easy to get into but different than your typical witch magic..and the characters?! Oh my what a fun bunch.
Everly is a very lovable, smart and quick-witted FMC that shows a lot of strength and the moment the villain was introduced the fun banter started. Silas had me kicking my feet and giggling while reading, more than once. I loved many of the side characters that were introduced and the author made me want to know more about each one of them.

The story starts off strong and got me hooked within a few pages, it keeps you interested and wanting to finish it in one go. Even though it is part of a series, it doesn't leave you on a cliffhanger and has a good satisfying ending. I will say it felt a bit rushed towards the end but maybe thats because SO MANY things were happening.

All in all it's one of my new favorite books and I'm grateful this was my introduction to this wonderful author! Easy 5 ⭐'s!
And beware Rhysand, Azriel and Xaden ... cause Silas just joined the shadow daddy party ;)

Some of the tropes in this book: Enemies to Lovers, Villain gets the girl, Shadowdaddy, Found Family, Royals, Heists, Magic & Dragons!

The romance in this story is to die for, and the found family something to crave. I was pretty much hooked from the first page, and was not disappointed. I can't even say there was any spots where my interest died down and I struggled to finish. Even the side characters were interesting enough that I wouldn't have minded getting more time with them!
It's truly a magic story that I look forwards to eventually gaining a physical copy of (look at that cover, how could I not?) And plan on one day rereading. In the mean time I seriously encourage others to take a look at this book, if you are a fan of any of the tropes it contains you'll be entertained as much as I was.

Tropes
🥷Heist
⚔️Enemies to lovers
💀Touch her and you die
🧠He can read her mind
🖤Villain gets the girl
🤺Duel together
💞Fake dating
⏳Chasing scene

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review.
This was such a good book! I couldn’t put it down. The plot was impeccable, the writing style and world-building seamlessly intertwined, and the romance tied it together. I absolutely love books that have heist plots, and this book was so well-written that it kept me hooked. I loved the characters (and absolutely hated a few as well). I can’t wait to read the sequel!

If you are looking for your new shadow daddy then Masquerade of Bones is definitely on that list.

Here are some featured tropes.
🖤 shadow daddy
🫂 found family
❤️‍🔥 enemies to lovers
🦴 witches
👑 heists, royals & outlaws
🐉 dragon
🐴 only one horse

Overall, I loved this book with great characters, a gripping story and a found family. However for me the delivery wasn't as developed as I would have liked. The world-building aspect needed a bit more development to be fully immersed in the story. I loved the twist at the end, however I feel as though it was rushed and could have had a little more closure on some things. However there is a second book and leaving us wanting more is always a good thing.

The characters were the best thing about the book. Each was so individual and well developed. Our main character Everly Thorn is a fierce independent witch, living in an oppressive monarchy who forces their witches into the military or be hanged. Everly is barely making it after the death of her parents whilst hiding who she is even from those closest to her, especially her former fiance the Prince Gideon. Her world is rocked by a chance encounter with Silas Drake, a dangerously alluring and secretive shadow-powered outlaw.
The chemistry developing between Everly and Silas is a very tentative alliance with very little trust. However the touchy-feely protectiveness that Silas has over Everly makes her toes curl. As their relationship develops their banter is sharp and playful, with Silas effortlessly teasing Everly in ways that are both innocent and sinful. I love their relationship especially as Silas respects her boundaries whilst still being very possessive of her.
Silas’s found family also speak of his protectiveness of the group. Each character is well rounded and independent. I loved the tentative friendship growing between Everly and Saren, whilst the relationship Silas has with Bas is my favourite.

#Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Enemies to Lovers
Villain gets the girl
Shadow Daddy
Heist
Forced Bonds
Found Family
Fake Dating
Magic & Dragons
Spicy
Cranky Cat

This is a slow burn fantasy romance, but it burns HOT.
I enjoyed every page of this book and I could not get enough of this story.
The magic system was very well thought out and the author put a nice spin on the old tales of magic that when you use magic it takes from you and it cannot be used constantly because the price to use it is steep.
The main characters were amazing. Silas had me melting and drooling. He is everything a fantasy male character should be.
I encourage all romantasy readers to give this book a go because I can promise that it will not disappoint. It is top tier and worth 5 stars.


A huge thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Incredible world building and a plot that I couldn't resist reading just one more page in the early hours of the morning!
The slow burn enemies to lover is just the right of tension. Loved this book!

This gave me hogwarts meets TOG meets fourth wing vibes.

Absolutely devoured this once I could sit down and read without interruptions.

Magic. Witches. Dragons. Mates. Slow burn. This checked all the boxes. I am really hoping for a second book in this series because I need it! I cried, I laughed. I can’t get enough of this one.

Everlys growth in this story was beautiful. At a young age she is taking care of her brother, trying to make ends meet while not letting herself get lost. I’m here for any Morally gray shadow daddy, Silas is definitely on my book boyfriend list. Silas is an over protective ass at times and I’m here for it. I honestly wasn’t sure about him at first and even 70% in the book I was still unsure.

I would love more side stories about some of the other crew! So many questions still about the Princess, about Silas, about the crew.
I need more.


Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

This fantasy introduces us to an fmc that can sense the power of magical relics in a society that sends people to the gallows for unsanctioned magic use. In her struggle to provide for herself after a swift descent from royal graces, she becomes entangled with a brigand of outlaws, challenging her perceptions of the world as she knows it. This story has magic, betrayal, banter, & high stakes. The plot progression is fast paced which makes for a fun, easy read. The ending left me wanting more & anxiously waiting for the next book release!! I’m so happy I was given the opportunity to experience this world as an arc reader

Thank you Netgalley and Specter Publishing for this ARC!

This book was EVERYTHING I need in a romantasy book. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, banter, etc.
The characters in this book were very likeable, I love them all so much!

The world was super interesting as was the magic system (using relics of magical creatures to access magic).

I can't believe I have to wait a year for the next book

I read this book in one sitting - could not put it down!

I loved the romance between the FMC and MMC and the jealous ex. The chemistry between Everly and Silas is built up and developed across the book and the shadow spice was an excellent touch.

I hope for more world building in the next book in the series as for me that’s the only thing holding back from 5*.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book - bad ass FMC and shadow daddy! The surprise at the end got me too as I never expected it! Would highly recommend for any Romantasy lover!

I hope this becomes a bestseller romantasy because it has all the elements to be one. I can barely contain my excitement and write the review as I want.
I stayed until 2 am to finish the book.
This has my favourite trope: enemies to lovers with slow burn. I waited half the book for them just to kissssss 🔥 even though they meet in the first chapters.
The FMC is a witch in hiding. The MMC is a shadow summoner and the villain of the story.
We have the one bed and one horse tropes, mates, a lot of banter and a lot of tension. Beside witches there are humans, goblins, half-goblins and another magical creature but I'm not gonna spoil that. 👀
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Genre: romantasy
Relationship: M-F
Format: first person POV
Now I'm gonna buy a physical copy so I can have it in my personal library.

✨ thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review✨

Witchcraft is strictly forbidden outside the military, and Everly Thorn will do anything to keep her secret safe. But when a ruthless shadow summoner discovers her power, she’s presented with the choice of entering a deadly blood oath with him in exchange for her financial freedom, and his discretion.

*NetGalley Arc Read/Review

I loved the story and premise of this book. There was enough carefully balanced tension from the start to grip me, and an equally great pace regarding character introductions. A healthy mix of show vs tell storytelling was maintained throughout - making it an easily digestible read - and there was enough detailed and descriptive world-building to become immersed and invested.

Everly is an admirable main character and loyal to a fault, which left me both rooting for her and cursing her naivety. She's strong and brave, but wildly sensitive due to some trauma in her family and upbringing. This helps shape her character, and it means we get some basis of understanding regarding her choices and misplaced judgements.
The friends she meets as we progress through the story remind me of some other well-known fictional characters, and I unfortunately couldn't get those out of my head.
A couple of lines also rang a few bells; "You're not where I left you" / "There you are, darling" / "There isn't anywhere you can go that I can't find you." - Whilst I know no author has any claim on these lines, I think once they have been so famously recited it's a difficult and dangerous line to walk. Nevertheless, they hit the mark and I found myself squealing with delight.

There were a couple of spelling and grammatical errors that I noticed; none so deep that it affected the story, but they were definitely a distraction. I also found the overall pacing of the book to be inconsistent, with scenes of passion erupting from nowhere - and whilst I enjoyed them and thought they were gorgeously written, they were a bit jarring as they lacked the necessary build-up and sometimes felt gratuitous.

Overall, I enjoyed Masquerade Of Bones. I'd have liked there to have been more bones. And maybe a bit more masquerade. But the story was great, the main male character was sexy as hell and fulfilled the necessary tropes of a shadow daddy, and I'd love to read a second book should the author decide to continue this story because it ended on a bit of a reveal that I'd like to know more about.

I want to thank the author and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this, and I hope my review had done it justice.

Dark, thrilling, and utterly addictive, Masquerade of Bones delivers a gothic romantasy packed with high-stakes heists, forbidden magic, and sizzling tension. Everly Thorn is a fierce and defiant heroine, caught between her deadly gift and the ruthless outlaw, Silas Drake, whose proposition could change her fate—or doom her entirely.

With rich worldbuilding, morally gray characters, and a plot brimming with danger, betrayal, and slow-burning romance, this book is impossible to put down. Perfect for fans of dark fantasy with a touch of heist intrigue, Masquerade of Bones is a spellbinding adventure you won’t forget!

This book!!! THIS MF BOOK IS FAN-EFFING-TASTIC!!! The banter, the chemistry, the whole lot of it! I devoured this! I can’t get enough. The writing was beautiful, the world building simple but so easy to follow and that magic system, it’s so unique I was immediately interested in it.

There are not enough stars in the world to do this book justice.

Thank you Net galley

Masquerade of Bones is a spicy romantasy with really fun tropes. The romance was perfect and I also loved the found family!

The story is so captivating and the FMC was amazing!

I am not religious in any sense of the word, and yet this book has me saying ‘lord let this be a series!’. And quite frankly it would be criminal for it not to be.

This book is truly amazing. I want to know more about this unique world, I want to know more about the characters, I want more magic and romance. I want more of it all!

If a fantasy book had to check off every trope in the fantasy genre, Masquerade of Bones would hit every single one. Although all my favorite tropes were ticked off, I felt like something was missing. Im not sure if this is intentional or not but it wasn’t as meaty as I would have liked it to be. I have to admit that the beginning was quite slow for me. However, the unique magic system made up for the pacing. It was unlike any magic I’ve read about before; It’s new & refreshing and I’m eager to learn more about it.

After the initial introduction of the world and characters, I found Everly & Silas’ story enjoyable. The chemistry between the two characters comes off the pages and you can feel it thickly in the air. Every time they’re on the page together I was left wanting more. Hintz has an incredible way of writing her main and side characters; they’re lovable/hate-able, and some you feel a strong connection to from the moment you meet them.

All-in-all I found Masquerade of Bones delightful. I’m excited to see where this spellbinding story goes from here and I look forward to Hintz’s future books. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Everly, Silas, and the gang.

Many thanks to J. Ember Hintz and Specter Publishing for letting me read Masquerade of Bones ahead of its release!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Honestly, a Romantasy that has an intriguing magic system , a unique story, fantastic characters and incredible world building. Hintz uses an incredibly emotive and lyrical writing style to tell a fantastic story.
Masquerade of Bones captured my attention from the first sentence and, lately, that’s not easy.
I loved the character development! Everly is a great character from the start and only continues to mature and grow in a way that feels natural to the story. I also love her relationship development with Silas. The banter and the chemistry was off the charts!
This was an emotional roller coaster that I was more than happy to ride!

I have mixed feelings about this book, but overall it was okay.

certain aspects, like the magic system, were well done it stood out as unique, relying on different relics, which made for a refreshing and engaging element. The story also featured well-developed characters and plenty of unpredictable twists, especially in the latter two-thirds, which kept things interesting.

However, the first third felt slow and somewhat confusing due to the extensive world-building. Some terms and concepts weren’t fully explained until after they became relevant, which made it a bit harder to follow at times.

overall as the story went on , these issues became easier to overlook. Unfortunately, the ending diminished some of that progress for me—it felt rushed, which took away from the impact of the action and made it harder to fully appreciate.

Masquerade of Bones is an immersive experience from the very first page and I loved our FMC, Everly, from the outset for her sass, and for her vulnerability which she masks behind her no-BS attitude. Hintz can spin a story, and concoct a unique magic system, but what is most impressive is how loudly her characters voice permeates her prose. I absolutely L-O-V-E-D it, couldn’t put it down. The sizzling tension, the snark, the flirting!!! Ahhhhh!! The ending will have your jaw on the floor guys.

No, but when she’s at a pleasure house and the woman struggles to describe the ways he made her feel with his shadow hands? Say less babe.