This was an absolutely wonderful dark fantasy/dark fairy tale with rich storytelling and detailed worldbuilding. We meet Gisela as she sells her family’s wares in the marketplace. It’s just her and her younger sister now—her older brother was sacrificed as part of a yearly tradition in their valley where eight children are chosen to try to reclaim a crown that was stolen from the Goddess Bergot long ago. Like every other teen about to turn 18, Gisela fears her name will be one of the eight chosen, making her an offering—none of whom have ever returned to their families alive.

I loved the vivid descriptions and crisp pacing as Gisela, Braham and the other offerings battle their way through the cursed woods seeking the crown. Rosalyn Briar weaves together dark fantasy and fairy tale to create a dark, perilous quest fraught with curses and interwoven with pining and romance ❤. Recommended for fairy tale lovers!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
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The Crown of Bones is the perfect mix of old and new style fairy tales. A little scary, a little sweet, a little despair, and a little hope all combine to spin a captivating tale. This isn't a book that you pick up, read a little, and put down for later. I fell into the "just another few pages or maybe a chapter then I'll go to bed" trap, and ended up staying awake until I finished it. Reader be warned - you'll fall in love with this book, and you shouldn't start it too close to bed time! ( )