A Bone Dagger

Weapons of Leiria #2

by Jill M. Beene

A looming darkness. A dangerous journey. Breaking the Curse was just the beginning...

Silence and solitude--that's all Cyra wants after her disastrous failed attempt to lift the Curse. In a towering seaside mansion, she lingers over her many regrets...

When an unexpected visitor upends her quiet existence, Cyra is forced to face the last person she wants to Fitzhumphrey, the former Crown Prince, and the man she stabbed through the heart only months earlier.

Soon, the awkwardness she feels is the least of her concerns. A powerful alliance has targeted them, and is willing to kill for what Cyra and Fitz have. The unlikely pair is plunged into a conspiracy, forced to flee to the most dangerous place they could go.

Can Cyra and Fitz survive the perils that wait for them beyond the Southern Wastes?

This book will be released on or BEFORE Jan 25, 2025.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

624 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

About the author

Be sure to follow me on Goodreads to get every update! I live in sunny California with my handsome husband and my slobbery English Mastiff, Rupert. I've always loved stories and wanted to write novels. When I'm not getting words on the page, I'm walking my dog or cooking something (hopefully) delicious. Feel free to ask me a question or connect with me here, but you can also find me on Instagram or my website, JillMBeene.com. I so appreciate my readers! Thank you!

Reviews

[Lindsey_reads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is just something so beautiful about of Cyra and Fitz’s journey. I was completely captivated by it. They each have their own suffering they went through with the curse (in book 1) and their friendship helped heal it. And I would say they had a tough start. I love watching the walls around a character’s heart start to crumble and they heal. The friends to lovers & grumpy and sunshine tropes was written so perfectly. This book has my heart just like book 1

“It’s always scary to let go of who we once were. Even if it’s to reach for who we want to be, who we know we should be.”

[Phil Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

just lovely - an amazing sequel to sharpened axe

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed a sharpened axe (and other of Jill’s books). I was concerned about this sequel and the choice of characters, but I am glad I read it. The characters’ changes make sense in the book and world. There was a lot of great wisdom about forgiveness of oneself and others. The humor was liberally sprinkled throughout the story. The ending felt maybe a little abrupt or anticlimactic, but it works and makes sense with all of the characters and threads.

Highly recommended. But read “a sharpened axe” first as this spoils some of that story.

[Stephanie Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! excellent YA!!

I can totally see this series being huge! I absolutely enjoyed it! And my next pet will be called smooches! The banter, the clothing, the drama, the twist and turns that only happen in a good fantasy world!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of adventure, life lessons and action. Tense moments abound and the characters find ingenious solutions to get through the unusual trials they face. Witty banter can be found throughout the adventure and there is just the right sprinkling of calm, quiet moments for character growth and romance. This is the second book in this series and (I think) should be read after the first, as some of the humour is derived from what took place in A Sharpened Axe. It can be read as a stand-alone, but (I think) is more enjoyable if you have read the first book in the series. This story does not have as many funny antics and fun scenes as the first book in the series, as it has a different set of characters that naturally have their own sense of humour, different from that which took place in the first book. There are several humorous moments, but of a different kind in this story - as it should be, with the different characters in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am pleased to say that Jill M. Beene has been added to my list of favourite authors. What a wonderful tale!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect for the Romantic fantasy lovers!

Firstly , you have to read the Sharpened Axe. It is absolutely amazing and it will give you a great understanding into the fantasy world and the characters with their dynamics in this second book of the series.
And what a book it is! It is full of redemption, forgiveness, and a beautiful story of discovering worth, as well as finding what truly matters. And of course, love. And if at first, you would think it’s only sweet time of reconciliation and forgiveness, aren’t you here for a big surprise! Just wait till you turn a page and a heart-pounding, anxiety-ridding, page-turning plot slams you. Adventure, mystery, danger, twists, and magic, along with sweet and clean romance between Fitz and Cyra will surely make you devour this book.
And though the plot will definitely keep you glued, it is the growth and development of the characters (and all kinds of secrets up their sleeves) which promise to make you love the story even more

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to find there were additional books in the series! Loved book 1!

Cyra and Fitz's story was fun. Unexpected. It was the closest retelling of LOTR I've ever read. Different ending. Very surprising and wonderful.

Cyra has been moved to a seaside prison of sorts after her failed attempt to kill Fitz in book one. Now that the curse is broken, Fitz is no longer needed at the palace and returns to his childhood home to find Cyra there. He's forgiven her completely and wishes to forge a friendship. However, due to Cyra's guilt and traffic upbringing, she agrees to pay penance to obtain forgiveness in her mind.

Things are going smoothly until one fated night that changes everything. Forced on a LOTR-style quest, they set off to the land of the fae. Adventure follows in all forms.

Disclaimer: clean, quirky, no adult language, some adult situations, no sex, mild kissing, he's a gentleman and she a lady, dragons, a cranky donkey, wild goats, magic, duels, and all kinds of perils await them.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Fitz is one of my new favorite characters. He’s funny and joyful and yet very masculine. What a beautifully woven story of redemption for both Cyra and Fitz. The adventure was fast paced, lots of humor to lighten some other more serious and disturbing parts. They grew from a friendship into a sweet love story, all the while traipsing across new landscapes and interacting with both friend and foe. Fitz is one of the most lovable male leads I’ve read in a while and I love how they work together and find an eventual harmony together. Both use their strengths to help each other where they had weaknesses. The whole book was entertaining and I couldn’t put it down. It was well written, a clean romance, no fowl language and great humor. Some might find parts disturbing, particularly humans who die at the hands of some fae. Overall, the violence was not too gruesome, with the exception of one scene near the beginning of the book.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good

This was really well written, I loved the story and characters and it definitely kept my attention. However one thing has bothered me throughout. Puce… IS NOT GREEN!

Puce

adjective
of a dark red or purple-brown color.
"his face was puce with rage and frustration”

noun
a dark red or purple-brown color.

I do think I like the first book better and I wasn’t expecting this to be an adventure story mostly in the wilderness. However Smooches and Delbert were priceless. And the growth of Cyra and Fitz was great to see. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Tristine Fjerstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Sharpened Axe, but this one was a bit difficult for me to get into. It felt like the characters were traveling without much interaction from others for a large part of the book, which made it hard to keep reading. I loved the growth that Cyra had and I’ve determined that if I ever get a dog I’m going to name it Smooches. I wished for some interaction from our previous characters, but this book was just okay for me. My favorite parts were probably when Cyra defended her beloved Smooches and donkey.

[Jennifer Bicknell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and all of Jill Beene's books that I've read previously. Fitz as a delightful character and his interactions with Cyra made me laugh out loud. The type of masculinity he embodies is commendable. If only there were more Fitzs in the world. Both he and Cyra are well developed characters and clearly written by someone intelligent and humorous.

[Megc123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Very entertaining book! I’m excited to read more from this author! Dropped half a star because I’m not a fan of darker themed books. (Luckily, there was really only a few pages of this.) I also felt the first few chapters dragged on..

[Zel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this was pure delicious perfection. Those two together ohhhhmyheart. So disgustingly cute. So so funny. Such a cozy adventure, loved loved loved the mental heath rep! This book felt like a blue hour sky. Soft, cozy, beautiful in the quietest way

[Nichole A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this universe

I have to say Jill M. Beene has created a phenomenal universe to explore. I’ve loved everything from the characters to the plot. I may be biased as the author seems to have my sense of humor but I enjoy everything minute of her books.

[tracey rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excetional

I read both books and absolutely love this author. The books suck you in and have adversely impacted my sleep. That is the best sign of perfect storytelling and thank you!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second story in Liera series

Fun read. Took a bit to get going, and the heroine was pretty slow to catch on to how our hero felt about her, and hard to picture Humphrey as a romantic lead, but the author got me there and I enjoyed the ride.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

Really excellent!!! Such a difficult journey and satisfying end!!! I love every minute and didn't expect to love Cyra as much as I did

[Kylee Timmreck · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10⭐️

[Bryony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful follow up to The sharpened axe. I am glad it included Fitzhumphrey as a main character because he was such a nice secondary character in the first one.

A lovely series!

[Shanrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the MMC in this one

[Emma B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good characters, love the wit and humor in it. I also wasn’t expecting the plot and stakes to escalate the way they did 😅

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 Parsec Take: Engaging characters, interesting adventures, and spectacular world building.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Jill M. Beene is seriously good at building characters & sharing their lives. This was my first book by her- I will be reading many more!
Had to come update my review just to say that I can’t stop thinking & laughing about the blue footed flying murder goats.