This book was a fun read, but certain plot point seemed like leaps for me.
The magic system was very cool and unique, and Everly was a great FMC. I enjoyed many of the characters, but the ending didn't quite do it for me.

4.25⭐️
I found this a little slow at the beginning but once the action picked up I was hooked.

A shadow daddy, mates, and a coerced bond… SAY LESS. These are all things that I absolutely adore in fantasy books.
While I’m not usually a fan of a heist, the fact that there were magical creatures involved made it very interesting.
The magic system with relics was different than anything I’ve read recently and was part of what kept me engaged.

If you’re a fan of ACOTAR, Fourth Wing and maybe even Six of Crows, I highly recommend.

I started the book a bit lost between the incredible universe, witches, relics, and ancient dragons. However, once immersed in it, the uniqueness of this fantastic world and the endearing characters just appealed to me and I couldn't stop. Everly has the soul of a real fighter without knowing how to put it into practice and her bond to Silas seems to be just the thing for her to help reveal what she is capable of. While Silas and his mysterious crew seem to hide more secrets than ever. I can only say one thing: I can't wait to read the rest and follow their adventures.

I absolutely loved this book!! The magic, the world, the tension and banter, the characters... I was hooked from start to finish. It tugged at all my emotions at varying points throughout the story.

Everly's story is complex. She's a badass and fierce without being over the top with it and feels relateable. Silas is the epitome of a morally gray shadow daddy, and the big reveal at the end made me love his character even more. The slow burn enemies to lovers tension between them was :chef's kiss:.

I loved Everly's brother and friends and Silas' band of revenants. I hated Landers (but you're supposed to hate him) and didn't really like Gideon, but I feel like Gideon might be able to redeem himself in a future book. I think I just didn't like Gideon for how he wasn't more understanding of how he and Everly's broken betrothal really affected her life. It didn't feel like he cared. But the other relationships within the book more than made up for my dislike of Gideon. There's a slight love triangle between Gideon, Silas, and Everly, but it wasn't angsty and it didn't bother me at all.

I am so curious about what happens next, and I'll 100% be watching for the next book!

My many thanks to NetGalley and the author for a chance to read this as an ARC! While I read this as an ARC copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I NEED book two immediately!!! This book had me addicted to every word! The world building, tension, magic structure was top tier! I cannot get enough of Silas and Everly and the adventure this book took me in was so exhilarating! And MY GOD THE BANTER! Give J.Ember Hintz her flowers now because she delivered exactly what my readers heart has been missing!

I just have to begin by saying that if you love a mix of Cassian, Grimshaw, Xaden, with a sprinkling of Rhysand.. then welcome Silas Drake.

Everly Thorne is a young woman who works in a menagerie among ancient relics and paleontologist things of mythical beasts. Our story begins with her trying to make extra money be providing death sketches to the local printing company. These death sketches are of reavers (witches who do not comply with military practices) who are publicly executed.

Unknown to EVERYONE, she is a witch in hiding. The only people who knew of her fever, and eventual powers, were her now deceased parents. Still reeling from the murders of her parents, Everly is also facing the welcoming arrival of her ex-fiancé back into the kingdom, all while being in extreme debt with the local gambling halls in her village.

The biggest thing I loved when setting up the beginning of this book was the sense of realism within Everly’s character and everyday life. This book, even being very rooted in fantasy, still gave a very real sense of the daily struggles of life and the hardships we face when processing traumatic events in early adulthood.

When given the opportunity to turn her life around and settles her debts, Everly makes a deal with a reaver named Silas Drake. The settlement involves a steamy heist to steal an ancient dragon relic. The difficult part is that the relic is owned by the princess betrothed to the prince of her kingdom, who just happens to be the man Everly was betrothed to.

This book not only was full of tension and action, but it was full of very high stakes from the beginning. The thrill of this book never let up, and I enjoyed the entire ride! I have now also added Silas Drake to my list of book boyfriends because this man is everything I love in my MMCs.

I am so thankful for NetGalley and J. Ember Hintz for gifting me the opportunity to read and review this book as an ARC. While the book was gifted, I can truthfully say it will be on my high list of recommendations and I am anticipating the next book I the series :)

TikTok/IG review is coming soon! @maddiiebreadss

Right from the start, Masquerade of Bones plunges the reader into an atmospherically gloomy world and a heightened state of tension. Hard-as-nails determined long-suffering heroine Everly Marlayna Thorne fights her way through a world where magic is in control, power struggles are in play, and dark secrets lurk behind every door.

The novel begins with Everly poised on the edge of the executioner's sword, her name a strangling blasphemy on the lips of her foes. Fate has other plans, though. A daring rescue restores her once more, launching her into a world where friends and foes are parted by only their respective grays.

As Everly fights to remain alive, she is drawn into a whirlpool of deceit, ancient prophecy, and the dark figure of Silas Drake, a man as sinister as he is enigmatic. Their bond is inevitable, founded upon the principles of control, manipulation, and something far more perilous—a craving that will annihilate them both.

Everly Marlayna Thorne
Everly is a well-drawn heroine, a woman whose flame will not be doused by the relentless forces trying to annihilate her. Her quick mind, quick wit, and old emotional wounds make for a fascinating protagonist. The book explores her inner conflict—her struggle between obligation and survival, trust and betrayal.

She is a compound, weighed down by her own mistakes and still constantly evolving to threats surrounding her. She is fragile and deadly, something that makes her story engrossing.

Silas Drake
Silas is a stoic, enigmatic man. His relationship with Everly is strained, a combination of distaste and admitted attraction. There is a war between them, a silent tug-of-war for control that serves well for the dark romance theme of the book. Silas is morally ambiguous—destructive yet protectorate, sadistic yet drawn to Everly in a manner that he himself detests.

The supporting characters are just as well-developed, adding depth and richness to the life Everly lives. Wallace, Everly's friend, adds the humor to tense situations, while Adrian, her brother, is the family tie she wants to hold on to. Victor Landry, the ever-present threat, haunts the background like a ghost, his power a reminder of what will be lost.

Power struggles are explored in great depth in the relationships, particularly Everly's with Silas and the powers that try to control her. The motivations and shifting alliances of every character make them more complex so that nobody is truly good or bad—just doing what they do as they choose according to their own survival instinct.

The novel does touch on power dynamics, not just in war and politics, but in interpersonal relationships and decisions. Everly's battle to overcome her kidnappers who seek to control her fate is symbolic of the larger battle by the oppressor against the oppressed.

Everly is caught between the person she is and the person the world requires her to be. We see her wake up, both physically and spiritually, during the course of the novel as she comes into wielding power rather than fearing it. The ghost of destiny hangs over Masquerade of Bones. Will Everly forge her own path beyond the strictures of prophecy, or will she take the path already laid out for her?

The romance is no joke here—it's burning, consuming, and dangerous. Love and trust are liabilities, and whether or not passion can be combined with survival is always the first concern on Everly's and Silas's minds.

J. Ember Hintz's prose is raw, gothic in its beauty and richness of thought. It's poetic at times, but never too self-indulgent, so that raw emotion and tension are front and center. First-person draws readers into Everly's head so that everything happens in real time.

Pacing is excellent on the action—there are heart-pounding bursts of action and then quieter, more introspective scenes that build character relationships. Dialogue crackles, snappy and full of subtext, particularly between Everly and Silas.

World-building is also excellent. Ominous ballrooms and battlefields splattered with blood make the world itself seem like a living, breathing thing, its dark magic seeping into every word.

Masquerade of Bones is a hybrid of dark fantasy, romance, and high-octane thriller erotic. It's a rollercoaster ride with a wild heroine, a love affair that crackles with erotic tension, and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

J. Ember Hintz has crafted a haunting and impossible-to-put-down world full of morally complex characters that linger in your mind long after the final page. Dark fantasy romance readers, especially fans of authors like Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, will be totally enthralled.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Writing Style: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Characters: ★★★★★ (5/5)
World-Building: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Trigger Warnings
Violence, including torture and execution
Dark magic and supernatural elements
Relationship power dynamics
Hints at past abuse and manipulation

A haunting, lingering novel that moves something in the reader—a tale of power, strength, and the unstoppable pull of love in darkness.

Masquerade of Bones is a spellbinding mix of magic, danger, and slow-burning romance that had me hooked from the first page. Everly and Silas’s story is packed with Tension, Betrayal, and a world so richly woven that I never wanted to leave. While the magic system had its complexities, it only added to the intrigue, pulling me deeper into the story. I’m so curious to see how the story continues and I can’t wait for book two already.

If you love morally gray characters, high-stakes heists, and a villain who will burn the world down for the one he loves, this book is a must-read. I already want more! I truly really enjoyed reading Masquerade of Bones, and I believe it will do Well!

3.5 stars

If you like yourself a morally grey shadow daddy, an interesting magic system, and a fiercely loyal FMC then this may be the book for you.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Everly and her bestie and wish I'd seen a little more of it. There was definitely an element of found family which is possibly my absolute favourite trope. The side characters are so much fun and well developed.

This is the first book in a series, I don't know how many sequels are planned but as an introduction to the world it's a good start, you get clues throughout of ways in which the world will open up further and develop in subsequent books. It has a lot of promise to reveal many more storylines and complexity. The ending was good and has left me wanting more, I'll be checking out the next book when it releases.

It is undeniably predictable, especially if you've read a fair amount of romantasy. The way some of the tropes are written is like a checklist, and kind of jarring at times. Almost as if they were thrown in to please, simply because they're popular at the moment and nothing was unique enough for me to love the book. I enjoyed the reading process though, it was a quick easy read with some fun moments, and I can see it being popular with romantasy lovers.

Thank you to Netgally for the digital review copy.

I do enjoy a good romantasy, this was such a great book. I loved the magic system and the characters. I really hope we will learn more about them and their stories.
Evelyn, a witch in hiding, meets a shadow summoner with a plan and a crew. When he learns her secret, he offers her a blood bond to help him with the heist in exchange for his silence and a promise to pay off her gambling debt. A distrusting and powerful MMC and a FMC who's done letting men tell her what to do make an exciting, albeit frustrating duo. Throw in a crown prince, who happens to be her ex fiancé, a dragon egg and enemies all on a quest together and you get a compelling story.
I can't wait for the next book, there were many questions left unanswered, but not being left on a painful cliffhanger was so appreciated.
Silas and Evelyn have my heart, I want more of them.

🔥 It's been a long time since a book has captured my heart the way this one did. Within minutes of reading, this novel immediately sunk its sharp claws into my heart and stole it from me, and I'm perfectly okay with that.

🔥 As someone who deals with chronic pain and mental health struggles, it's always refreshing to read a character who experiences the same ailments, and yet they're written in a way that is believable and inspiring. Someone who endures more than they should, but never gives up on living and fighting for others that they care about. That's exactly how Everly Thorne is perceived. A woman who is stronger than she gives herself credit for, and is tired of being told what to do by men in power.

🔥 I feel like no matter how I write this review, it won't do this book any justice. Between the amazing world building that you can tell was thought out so beautifully, the hilarious banter, all the magical creatures, the way magic was used among the witches, the constant plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and the fact that there was never a dull moment in this fast paced story, just left me in awe as I flipped through each page.

🔥 I'm saddened that I will have to wait an entire year for book 2, but I just know that it will be worth the wait. This masterpiece will forever have a special place in my heart. ❤️

🐲If you love these tropes, you will easily devour this novel:🐲

⚔️Heists
🗡️Enemies to Lovers
🫂Found Family
🐉Dragons
🖤Shadow Wielder
🩸Blood Oaths
🦹‍♀️Outlaws
🔀Plot Twists
🔮Magic
❤️‍🔥Slow burn
😈Villain gets the girl

I loved this book! The book's pacing was spot on, the characters were fantastic, the magic system was relatively easy to understand, and the enemies to lovers were amazing! Everly and Silas are the typical enemies to lovers, with he falls first, and there are some fantastic lines between them.

Everly and Silas's relationship in this book is summed up in two quotes:
Silas: "There isn't anywhere you can go that I can't find you while you carry my magic."
Everly: "If you try anything, I'll set your cock on fire while you sleep."

I absolutely adore it when the FMC is intelligent, and Everly is perfect in that regard. She wants to go against Silas, so she finds a way despite the magic binding them together. Everly wants to be stronger, so she runs, even if she hates it. Despite being weaker and facing insanity, she continued to push herself to be better the whole book. Silas, whew, he pushes Everly to be so much more than she thinks she can be. He holds so many secrets, and yet, over and over, he gives them up to save her. This book ends with a clear indication there will be more books to come; however, the cliffhanger is extremely minor.

While this first book was predictable, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Watch out, Xaden, Rhysand, Kingfisher, and all the other shadow daddies...Silas is here!! I, for one, can't wait to read book two.

Next Romantasy five star
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⚔️Enemies to lovers
🪄Magic
🐉Dragons
🖤Shadow daddy
🏠Found family
🦹🏻‍♀️Outlaws
😈Villain gets the girl

Put Silas Drake on your list of book boyfriends. He’s swoon worthy!

Everly Thorne is one ruthless FMC. Loved her character development in every way. While the odds are stacked against her, she somehow keeps pushing through. Her perseverance and banter had me hooked from page 1.

The spice is spicing, the tension is GREAT! Very unique storyline. Couldn’t put this read down.

When I started this book I was a little hesitant to enjoy it right from the beginning.. but I quickly became hooked!

This book has a shadow magic wielding MMC, dragons, enemies to lovers, touch her and die trope, but also a fiercely independent woman who is just trying to protect those she loves the only way she knows how… by gambling (literally and metaphorically).

I enjoyed the angst back and forth between the two main characters. Silas definitely grew on me, he starts off as a total ass, but he cares so much that you just have to be in the right light to see it. I know she wanted to care for Gideon so very much because of their history, but it didn’t feel right from the beginning.

I do think the burning process for a witch needed to be in greater detail earlier in the book, vs piece by piece as you read the rest of the book. However, it was easy to follow, although Silas’ plans were never what you thought so it also did change on a dime.

Thank you so much for this ARC read!

The premise of the book was very interesting, I just needed a little more depth. Everything felt very surface level and at times it was hard to keep my attention. The ending also rushed and it was like once I got hooked, it was over and I was left disappointed.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ARC Review ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Specter Publishing, and J. Ember Hintz for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Masquerade of Bones takes place in a world where witches have short lifespans and become consumed by their powers, giving in to what’s called the burning and dying at a young age. Our FMC Everly is in hiding as a witch at the beginning of our story, keeping her powers hidden to all the ones she loves and cares about. Silas Drake is our MMC who is a dark shadow wielding outlaw. They must swear a blood oath to each other to fulfill their missions.

This world has a really interesting magic system that will suck you in from the beginning. Magical creatures were hunted to extinction and left behind powerful relics that the witches siphon their powers from. This magic system is unique and provides a lot of differences in how each character utilizes magic. It was a lot of fun to read and see the different types of magic each relic provided.

There were times the plot to this book felt like it did not follow your expected linear progression. It felt like I was halfway through the book before the premise of the book even began, and as far as romantasy it felt like it took a long time to get to the actual romance. The majority of the main plot ideas occurred in the last 20% and the rest was a lot of filler from my perspective.

This book was still a fun read though. It’s not my favorite romantasy I have read all year, but I would read it again. Everly is a strong FMC who learns to stick up for herself and Silas is a fun MMC, although it seems like you don’t get to learn his deal until the very end of the book. The author has provided a very helpful glossary at the back of the book, check it out to get caught up on a lot of the terminology and don’t make the same mistake I did in not realizing it existed until I was 75% of the way through the book. Thankfully you can use context clues to decipher what a lot of it means but why use context clues when the author handed you a dictionary.

Thank you for choosing me to be a part of the ARC team!

Thank you for the arc, NetGalley! Masquerade of Bones caught me in its grip within the first few chapters and never let me go. Fantastic world-building, great cast of MCs and side characters, excellent story pacing, some unique creatures, and a very cool magic system. LOVED all of the subtle nods to New Orleans/Louisiana 💜💛💚 even though this story is based in a fictional land.

The FMC, Everly, is a badass, yes, but she also felt very relatable. The MMC, Silas, is now one of my top 3 shadow daddies haha. The tension in their enemies-to-lovers romance was absolutely palpable.

Speaking of tropes, this book had one of the hottest “one horse” scenes I have ever read! 🥵 And found family (my fave trope)!

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was a small handful of scenes where I felt something wasn’t explored as much as it should have been to allow the reader to have a deep emotional response (rip my heart out and I will love you for it). This didn’t impact my enjoyment of the book at all, but I feel I could have had an even better experience if those couple of scenes were extended/clarified.

In the end, this book answered many of the questions raised so far and gave me quite a few that I’m eager to get answered as soon as I can get my hands on the next installment!

🐉 Fantasy
🐉 Blood magic
🐉 Enemies to lovers
🐉 Villain gets the girl
🐉 Dark southern gothic

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5
Spice: 🌶️/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

Everly will do anything to protect the only thing she has left: the home of her and her brother, the only family she has left. But what will that sacrifice entail?

Silas needs a witch with her skillset and can save exactly what she cherishes. For her services. But all is not as it seems. And Everly won’t go down quietly.

I’m 34% in and I still don’t know what a bloody Reaver is, just that Everly blames them for the unaliving of her parents. And Silas is one. Update: the glossary is at the end if you need to check anything.

I enjoyed the story. I feel like it had so many missing answers and very few explanations for what was happening and why and then the end was no explanation at all. I loved Silas but I was missing a certain cohesiveness between how fast the affection built up. Bas was the heart of the whole book. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it but I don’t see myself picking it back up for a reread! I would read the next one just to hopefully get some answers.

Thank you J. Ember Hints and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy! This is my honest and unbiased review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
# Pages: 418
Publication Day: 02.25.25

"I could steal a kiss from you right now and you wouldn’t do anything to stop me because you’re already thinking about it, aching for it, aren’t you little spark?”

🎭 Enemies To Lovers
🎭 Shadow Summoner
🎭 Witches
🎭 Mythical Creatures
🎭 Blood Oath
🎭 Forced Proximity
🎭 Touch Her & Die
🎭 Fated Mates
🎭 Mythical Creatures

A blood oath. A botched heist. A dangerous deal with the enemy…

Masquerade Of Bones by J. Ember Hintz was such an incredible romantasy read. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Between the world building, character development, magic system, twists, spice, tension, romance, and so much more, you’ll be fully emerged into this novel. Perfectly paced! Not to mention, it was set in swamps with gators, instead of the typical vibe for medieval stories.

The tension between Silas, our MMC and Everly, our FMC, was palpable. I loved their witty banter and seeing how their love develops.

"I'll never deny you anything you desire again. Im yours.
You have possessed me, man, beast, and magic." He presses my palm against his chest, directly above his heart. "I've been dead inside for two centuries. You're the spark that brought me back to life. You're the flame that burns inside me. I will be yours until my dying breath."

Overall, I highly recommend this read for readers that love a great action packed romantasy. Thank you netgalley and Specter Publishing for this great ARC.

Thank you to the publisher on Netaglley for this earc. All opinions are my own.
This was a fun, cozy time. What drew me in was the magic system, and of course the masquerade aspect.

Even though the masquerade ball is only a small part of the book, I still enjoyed it. The vibes of the world reminded me a lot of “The Artful Doger” if you’ve ever watched that show. A band of thieves, trying to use the main character to help them steal an artifact.
I found myself flipping the pages and losing track of time.

The romance between Silas and Everly was great. I liked their dynamic in how they challenged each other to do things they wouldn’t normally do. I lovedd their dynamic.
The female friendship was so cute. Wallace is Everly’s best friend, and she’s just such a good one. She literally makes a dress from scratch for her!!

I’m not sure how I feel about Gidion? He’s the prince and technically ex. I just couldn’t see any appeal to him and he got on my nerves! Everly is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

Like I said the magic system I enjoyed reading about, and I wish there was more! I wanted more detail of the creatures and their origins. But alas, I’ll have to wait for the next installment!