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The Bone Below
"Throne of Glass meets Bridgerton in this Princess and the Pea fairytale retelling!"
Each time Nelka leaves her cottage she seems to bump into the same unnamed stranger who teases her relentlessly and ignites feelings she isn't prepared for. When her sister becomes ill, Nelka leaves the safety of her village to find a cure. Trouble becomes imminent when Nelka is taken prisoner and held hostage by the foreign King and Queen. Their son, and soon-to-be King, has plans and Nelka is exactly what he needs to set them into motion.
Each day Nelka spends in the castle with the Prince brings her closer to a truth she didn't know had been hidden while pushing her further from the village farmer of her past.
The Bone Below is a journey of self-discovery, first love, and learning about one’s place in a vast world.
Each time Nelka leaves her cottage she seems to bump into the same unnamed stranger who teases her relentlessly and ignites feelings she isn't prepared for. When her sister becomes ill, Nelka leaves the safety of her village to find a cure. Trouble becomes imminent when Nelka is taken prisoner and held hostage by the foreign King and Queen. Their son, and soon-to-be King, has plans and Nelka is exactly what he needs to set them into motion.
Each day Nelka spends in the castle with the Prince brings her closer to a truth she didn't know had been hidden while pushing her further from the village farmer of her past.
The Bone Below is a journey of self-discovery, first love, and learning about one’s place in a vast world.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2024
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 28, 2024
* I received an e-arc from the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity! All thoughts are my own*
This was such a fantastic debut by author Sylwia Koziel. If you enjoy YA fantasy and YA fairytale retellings, this book is for you. This is the Princess in the Pea retelling that I didn’t know I needed!
I absolutely adore Nelka! She is a relatable main character, and I became invested in her plight. She is very determined to help her family and those in similar circumstances.
The Bone Below is full of court intrigue, mystery, twists and turns, and a protagonist that is on a journey of self-reflection. The story is written in two timelines that intersect in a way that I did not see coming! I am so excited that there is going to be a sequel, as I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Highly recommend!
This was such a fantastic debut by author Sylwia Koziel. If you enjoy YA fantasy and YA fairytale retellings, this book is for you. This is the Princess in the Pea retelling that I didn’t know I needed!
I absolutely adore Nelka! She is a relatable main character, and I became invested in her plight. She is very determined to help her family and those in similar circumstances.
The Bone Below is full of court intrigue, mystery, twists and turns, and a protagonist that is on a journey of self-reflection. The story is written in two timelines that intersect in a way that I did not see coming! I am so excited that there is going to be a sequel, as I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Highly recommend!
January 22, 2024
Throne of Glass meets Bridgerton in this Princess and the Pea fairytale retelling!
The Bone Below is filled with mystery, intrigue, and court politics that had me on the edge of my seat while reading. Everyone in this story keeps secrets, including the protagonist Nelka, and the author brilliantly unravels them through dual timelines. The moment where the secrets in both timelines intersect is so satisfying that I ended up binging the rest of the book, needing to know what would happen next and what the consequences of the reveals would be.
Nelka makes for a relatable protagonist in this story and learning the ways of the court through her made the plot twists and reveals all the more impactful. I will now be anxiously awaiting a sequel!
(Thank you, Conquest Publishing, for the ARC!)
The Bone Below is filled with mystery, intrigue, and court politics that had me on the edge of my seat while reading. Everyone in this story keeps secrets, including the protagonist Nelka, and the author brilliantly unravels them through dual timelines. The moment where the secrets in both timelines intersect is so satisfying that I ended up binging the rest of the book, needing to know what would happen next and what the consequences of the reveals would be.
Nelka makes for a relatable protagonist in this story and learning the ways of the court through her made the plot twists and reveals all the more impactful. I will now be anxiously awaiting a sequel!
(Thank you, Conquest Publishing, for the ARC!)
February 3, 2024
If you're looking for a darker, more subtle twist to the fairytale The Princess and the Pea - this is it! It's a story full of court intrigue, self-preservation, and bluffing your way out of situations. Or at least attempting to.
Nelka is a simple, small town girl who just wants to save her younger half-sister from a terrible disease ravaging the land. Her only option is to appeal to the heartless king and queen of the Commonwealth, using her secret noble paternal lineage to keep herself alive. What she didn't count on was the Prince to stand up for her and give her the time she desperately needs to figure out a plan to save her sister. But what does this confusing Prince want with her? And why are there bones being left under her mattress and pillow? Will she live through the landmine she's put herself in? You'll have to read to find out.
Overall, I enjoy the story itself. Definitely enough to want to read the sequel when it comes out because I'm invested in what happens next. There's a definitive major loose end but that's to be expected in a series. There's some sexual tension in a couple scenes but I do feel like something is missing from them. It's not quite fleshed out; it's not teasing me for more. The two main characters are also very hot and cold within the same scene. One of the characters is supposed to be confusing but having the switch so suddenly is jarring to me. I also found Nelka to be quite whiny and overly optimistic while also being completely terrified - which does make an interesting dynamic. There are some grammatical/spelling errors and I had to go back a few times to make sure I didn't miss something in the reading because there's some slight inconsistencies or places where there could've been a little more explanation to make it easier to follow.
I did enjoy reading the book and I do recommend it. As I said, the story itself is great. I like the high stakes, the mystery of how she's going to get out of this situation, how her relationship with Kazimir formed, and so on. I like Bear and Kazimir the best. Not only are they consistent, but they're very likeable. You know what to expect from them every time they pop up. There are a number of characters who are consistent such as Anna, Elizabeth, and her half-sister Olesia. The transitions from present to past and back again are very easy to follow. There's definitely one or two twists closer to the end that I didn't see coming. It's a story that I think many people who like to read low-key fantasy (no magic or fantasy creatures) will enjoy. (I personally like all fantasy so this was great for me.)
Definitely give this book a read if you enjoy a bit of mystery in your fantasy, court intrigue, and a bit of romance slid in between.
Nelka is a simple, small town girl who just wants to save her younger half-sister from a terrible disease ravaging the land. Her only option is to appeal to the heartless king and queen of the Commonwealth, using her secret noble paternal lineage to keep herself alive. What she didn't count on was the Prince to stand up for her and give her the time she desperately needs to figure out a plan to save her sister. But what does this confusing Prince want with her? And why are there bones being left under her mattress and pillow? Will she live through the landmine she's put herself in? You'll have to read to find out.
Overall, I enjoy the story itself. Definitely enough to want to read the sequel when it comes out because I'm invested in what happens next. There's a definitive major loose end but that's to be expected in a series. There's some sexual tension in a couple scenes but I do feel like something is missing from them. It's not quite fleshed out; it's not teasing me for more. The two main characters are also very hot and cold within the same scene. One of the characters is supposed to be confusing but having the switch so suddenly is jarring to me. I also found Nelka to be quite whiny and overly optimistic while also being completely terrified - which does make an interesting dynamic. There are some grammatical/spelling errors and I had to go back a few times to make sure I didn't miss something in the reading because there's some slight inconsistencies or places where there could've been a little more explanation to make it easier to follow.
I did enjoy reading the book and I do recommend it. As I said, the story itself is great. I like the high stakes, the mystery of how she's going to get out of this situation, how her relationship with Kazimir formed, and so on. I like Bear and Kazimir the best. Not only are they consistent, but they're very likeable. You know what to expect from them every time they pop up. There are a number of characters who are consistent such as Anna, Elizabeth, and her half-sister Olesia. The transitions from present to past and back again are very easy to follow. There's definitely one or two twists closer to the end that I didn't see coming. It's a story that I think many people who like to read low-key fantasy (no magic or fantasy creatures) will enjoy. (I personally like all fantasy so this was great for me.)
Definitely give this book a read if you enjoy a bit of mystery in your fantasy, court intrigue, and a bit of romance slid in between.
February 6, 2024
The Bone Below is an eerie reimagining of The Princess and The Pea filled with politics, mystery, and a heroine who discovers her own inner power.
It took a minute to get oriented to the structure of the story, as it takes its time to build up to the twists and turns but the payoff is so worth it!
I was very impressed with the world building. The attention to detail to the politics between the Nobles, Commoners, and Royal family gave an edge of reality that fantasy books often miss out on.
The remnant of bones under the mattress was a fun and creative twist, as well as Nelka gaining information for Andrius by means of the connected wardrobes.
Nelkas relationship to each family member was also written well. I wish there had been more development in her relationships with Andrius and Kazimir. I didn’t know whether to hate or love Andrius, which made him a perfect morally grey villain. Kazimir is a sweet cinnamon roll who just needs a hug, and I am still grieving over Bear.
thankfully there is going to be a sequel!
It took a minute to get oriented to the structure of the story, as it takes its time to build up to the twists and turns but the payoff is so worth it!
I was very impressed with the world building. The attention to detail to the politics between the Nobles, Commoners, and Royal family gave an edge of reality that fantasy books often miss out on.
The remnant of bones under the mattress was a fun and creative twist, as well as Nelka gaining information for Andrius by means of the connected wardrobes.
Nelkas relationship to each family member was also written well. I wish there had been more development in her relationships with Andrius and Kazimir. I didn’t know whether to hate or love Andrius, which made him a perfect morally grey villain. Kazimir is a sweet cinnamon roll who just needs a hug, and I am still grieving over Bear.
thankfully there is going to be a sequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2024
This was a quick, addicting read. It wasn't what I expected for a Princess and the Pea retelling. I spent the entire novel pleasantly surprised with each new reveal, and I loved how the story went between past and present. It gave us two sets of characters to come to know, and I'm every bit as invested in them as I am in Nelka's growth as she stays consistent to who she is despite what she stands to lose. I can't wait for the sequel.
May 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and loved all of the twists and turns. I can’t wait for the sequel!
February 26, 2024
Fairy tales still contain plenty of gold—and not just the type Rapunzel spun from hay. These ancient stories still resonate because of their cautionary wisdom and just because they are so much fun.
The Bone Below is a fantastic example of how a fairy tale can be reimagined for modern readers. Author Sylwia Koziel adapts “The Princess and the Pea” into a compelling, carefully constructed fantasy novel. She takes the fairy tale’s basic story and layers in well-developed characters, political intrigue, family drama, and life-or-death stakes. The result is a spectacular story that draws you in from the start and keeps you guessing until the final page.
Nelka is a relatable, sympathetic protagonist—we, the readers, become invested in her struggles. She’s tough, resourceful, and determined to help those, like her family, who are struggling under an unfair regime. But after she is arrested for theft and accused of impersonating a noble, she finds herself in the middle of a tug-of-war for control of the crown itself.
Narratively, the novel features two separate but connected storylines–one in the present and one in the recent past. Koziel skillfully switches between the two for maximum suspense, and it’s always clear which storyline we are following (and they converge in a way I didn’t see coming but that works so well!) I’d highly recommend The Bone Below to any readers who enjoy smart, well-crafted fantasy.
The Bone Below is a fantastic example of how a fairy tale can be reimagined for modern readers. Author Sylwia Koziel adapts “The Princess and the Pea” into a compelling, carefully constructed fantasy novel. She takes the fairy tale’s basic story and layers in well-developed characters, political intrigue, family drama, and life-or-death stakes. The result is a spectacular story that draws you in from the start and keeps you guessing until the final page.
Nelka is a relatable, sympathetic protagonist—we, the readers, become invested in her struggles. She’s tough, resourceful, and determined to help those, like her family, who are struggling under an unfair regime. But after she is arrested for theft and accused of impersonating a noble, she finds herself in the middle of a tug-of-war for control of the crown itself.
Narratively, the novel features two separate but connected storylines–one in the present and one in the recent past. Koziel skillfully switches between the two for maximum suspense, and it’s always clear which storyline we are following (and they converge in a way I didn’t see coming but that works so well!) I’d highly recommend The Bone Below to any readers who enjoy smart, well-crafted fantasy.
April 16, 2024
I tremendously enjoyed this debut and can't wait for the sequel! The voice is unique and captures the naïveté of Nelka's experience (or lack thereof) as she negotiates finding her place in the confusing world of royalty after growing up in a backwoods village. The twist at the end as she realizes the truth of what she'll have to do is heart-wrenching, both personally as she gives up what she's fought the entire book to achieve for herself, and relationally as the implications threaten that which she's come to realize she loves.
December 22, 2024
This story had me captured from the first chapter. Koziel wrote two timeliness, each with their own uniquely characters leading up to a point where I was on edge wanting to know more.
I'm honestly invested in this series now!
I'm honestly invested in this series now!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews