Ghostsmith: The thrilling sequel to the epic Sunday Times bestselling fantasy Bonesmith

By Author / Illustrator

Nicki Pau Preto

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Hodderscape

ISBN

9781399722391

Format

Hardback

Published

15-08-2024

Synopsis

The thrilling sequel to the epic Sunday Times bestseller, Bonesmith. 'A dark fantasy thrill ride from start to finish' Amelie Wen Zhao

Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the terrifying power to control the undead. It was Wren's own mother who created the iron revenants - an army of near unbeatable undead soldiers. When the iron revenants attack, no one in the Dominions will have the strength to stand in their way.

Now Wren, Leo, and Julian find themselves once more in the Breach, this time on the run from Wren's father, who is determined to secure more power for himself and the House of Bone. The three are desperate to stop the upcoming war, but working together is easier said than done with Julian still furious about Wren double-crossing him. And to make matters worse, Wren is plagued by powerful new abilities that force her to reassess everything she knows about being a bonesmith.

When Wren's long-lost twin brother shows up and vows to help her destroy the well of magic that feeds the iron revenants, she must decide if trusting him is worth potentially playing right into their mother's hands. After all, the dead might be dangerous, but it's the living who can betray you...

Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark, thrilling YA fantasy.

Reviews

Linda

Ghostsmith is the action-packed finale to the House of the Dead Duology, where Wren and her friends put everything they know to the test as they battle the living and the undead to save their world… As the army of revenants - created by her mother, the Corpse Queen, attack, will Wren and Julian be able to put their differences aside and work together with their friends to find a way to destroy the Corpse Queen and her army once and for all? Will Wren be able to control and come to terms with her new powerful abilities that will force her to reassess everything she knows about being a bonesmith?

This incredible sequel will grip you from the very first page and won’t let you go until the very end. The book is only suitable for the 14+ reader due to the themes of necromancy, sinister spectres and scenes of violence, truly not for the faint hearted. The author has cleverly expanded this fantasy world by adding new characters and developing the magic system, making for some truly incredible moments and battles.

As you read you get the feel of the Whitewalkers from the epic Game of Thrones. Oh, and one more thing… Wren discovers she has a twin brother Hawk, can she trust him or will he betray her?

448 pages / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian