The Bone Needle

by Rosalyn Briar

The sacrifice never ends.With the witch-goddess possessing her body, Gisela’s soul remains trapped inside a bleak, endless void. Without her memories to sustain her, she spends countless days building a castle of bones, walking the abyss, and going mad. That is, until one day, she discovers a tapestry door that leads her to an odd yet familiar place.After nearly a year of being hunted and tortured by the witch-goddess, Brahm’s last threads of hope begin to fray. When he discovers a secret map stitched into the fairy tale tapestries, though, Brahm’s hope of finally rescuing Gisela returns.Traveling through the Otherworld with the help of the fairy tale characters, Gisela must remember who she is and find a way to defeat the witch-goddess. All the while, Brahm, Bergot, and a crew of rebels must find the storyteller god and weave a new tale for Gisela before she is lost forever.Stories keep her alive.This novel is the sequel to The Crown of Bones.

194 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[Laura Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if every fairytale had the same villain?

Briar answers this question with frightening ease, in this much anticipated sequel to The Crown of Bones. I love that readers got Brahm’s POV. Such a cinnamon roll!!

And, while the narrative is part dark fantasy/part fairytale reimagining, the crippling anxiety and depression Gisela experiences are an excellent representation of how devastating mental health conditions can impact people. Well done!

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Rosalyn’s writing style and abundant imagination so much! Her stories are always a delightful mix of sweet and dark, and this long-awaited sequel is no different. Thank you for finally giving Brahm and Gisela their HEA. 🖤

[Sonja Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the much-anticipated sequel to The Crown of Bones dark retelling, The Bone Needle delivers!

Like a magical tapestry, Rosalyn Briar weaves an unforgettable story of heartache, hope, and undying love. Told in dual POV between Gisela and Brahm, this story has all the feels from bitter despair to fiery ardor.

As the queen of fairy tales, Briar deftly incorporates multiple fairy tale elements into The Bone Needle. I was blown away by the clever use of familiar tales inside this truly unique, otherworldly story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gisela’s arc and the haunting descriptions of her bone castle. Readers who like an unstoppable FMC will delight in her self-discovery as well as her determination to return to the land of the living.

I found this memorable description of Gisela to be as relatable as it is compelling:
“She is real. She is imperfect. She is fierce. She is loved.”

Need this on a coffee mug. Great way to start the day. Well done, Briar.

[Lily Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalyn Briar, queen of fairy tale retellings, returns with the sequel to The Crown of Bones. Incorporating lovely Brahm's point of view this time around, the story is a tale of love, hope and sacrifice that felt fitting to the characters and themes of the series. Gisela's experiences are handled with care, respect, and empathy, making for an example of strong mental health representation. As always with reviews for sequels, I find it difficult to express my thoughts fully without spoiling everything that has come before, so they tend to be briefer and less effusive than I would prefer since I have to restrain myself (lol), but I can highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys strong worldbuilding, low/dark fantasy, or fairy tale retellings.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as I awaited its publication- The Crown of Bones was a spellbinding read, and The Bone Needle does not disappoint. Gisela makes her way through the tapestries and her mind fights the possession. No spoilers from me, but you will follow her eagerly hoping for the best. Both of these books are extremely well written with vivid descriptions that you can picture- even the spooky ones! Please read The Crown of Bones first, as you then can jump right into The Bone Needle- enjoyment awaits!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this book (though I probably would've enjoyed it more if I went back and re-read The Crown of Bones). For some reason, I didn't really feel the same urgency or high stakes as I remember feeling when I first read book one (thought it's been a while). I'd still say this book is perfect for those who love Grimm's Fairytales, though it's probably a good idea to read both books back to back.

*I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.