Built on Bones & Ruins

The Norvailian Chronology #1

by Felicity Wilson

A never ending battle...

Norvailia, also known as the Mountain of the Gods, has been coveted for centuries by each of the fae kingdoms. After all, it is the source of their magic, and those who hold the mountain as their territory claim the most of its power. Fifty years ago, the Air Fae launched a war against the kingdom of Land Fae who lived upon Norvailia, taking its magic for themselves. The Land Fae have long since disappeared.

A change in the air...

With the Air Fae prince coming of age at twenty-five, the fae prepare for the traditional marriage trials, a fight to the death to find their next queen. When Ryn is entered into the trials for the chance to become Queen of Norvailia, there are only a few things that could get in her way. Like the fact that she is the only human competing against the deadly, air wielding fae. Or that she is just an ill conceived back up plan in a life long scheme to take the mountain from the Air Fae. With an overwhelming sense of duty to her people and an acceptance of her fate, Ryn enters the trials with the end goal of taking Norvailia right out from under the Air Fae’s control and cutting off their connection to its magic. With the unrest in Norvailia and an alliance forming between the Water Fae and Fire Fae on the other side of the continent, Ryn finds that the fates have quite the sense of humor.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae, Romance

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Felicity Wilson is a Romantasy author and an avid Romantasy reader. Built on Bones & Ruins is her debut novel, marking the achievement of a lifelong dream of publishing a book. When not desperately trying to carve out time for reading or writing, Felicity spends most of her time taking care of two tiny children as a stay-at-home mom. Instagram: @authorfelicitywilson

Reviews

[Dru · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 22%

Did I read the same book as everyone else?

This was insta-love at its finest. Set up to be enemies to lovers, but was insta-love the moment they set eyes on one another. What was that? Maybe page 20?

The MMC was weak, coward, and was so annoyingly innocent like a child. Honestly, a child is an accurate description of him. I just kept rolling my eyes at his naive responses. Like he didn’t understand any consequence, and did not make adult conscious decisions. He was a pathetic character if he was to be a prince.

The FMC was the stronger character but the insta-love killed any respect I could have had for her. She was meant to go into the trials to kill him. After one conversation, and him just being so ‘bashful’, there was no way she could kill him. 🙄😒

World building? None. Couldn’t even tell you what it looks like. Everything is silver. That’s all I got. Oh, and there is a mountain.

Trials? Over within a few pages or so. Minimal details to the point I don’t even know what she really was doing or what it was. Picture a jungle gym. In the sky. I think it was in the sky…but then somehow they just are on the ground because she was kneeling next to her friend that died? How did she even get down there? I don’t know.

Plot twist? I know it within the first chapter. She’s a Land Fae that has somehow been destroyed by the Air Fae. I don’t even need to read the book to know. I will bet the hour I lost reading this on the plot twist. If I’m wrong, well, then something would have shocked me in this book.

This was just bad. I love a good fantasy. I love a good trials. I love a good enemies to lovers. This was none of that.

[Nefertiti · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jamie Loves Books]

Dnf 30% this just wasn't for me

[Karlee White · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5ish?

[MarissaMiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 20% of the book was slow world building that had me nervous. HOWEVER after that I was GLUED to the book. There were times I was on the edge of my seat with this book. I really enjoyed this !

[First · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @26% (page 92), skimmed through the rest.

Tropes:
Enemies-to-lovers: No! More like insta-attraction.🙄
Intense trials: Ha! They're barely mentioned, and definitely not the focus of the story. They lack any detail, intensity, and skill, and they're all over almost immediately!😑
Two love stories: Yep, and two stories too long.🥱
Strong female leads: What?! Where?!😂
Sweet and innocent prince: Uuh... in a sense. But “innocent" to the point of naive, even child-like so it's awkward, and also not believable.😬
Forced proximity: Huh? Who, when and where?? Not in this book. Everyone in proximity of each other (romantically) is willingly there AND obviously interested in the person they're with.🤦🏻‍♀️

CONCLUSION:

Plot holes, inconsistencies, poor writing style, terrible character development, lazy character names, nonexistent world-building, uneven pacing, predictable plot, very obvious plot twist, and boring trials that are practically over as soon as they begin. This is a horribly underwhelming, underdeveloped and cliché book all-around.🤦🏻‍♀️👎🏻

[Nichole · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - Overall a chill read for casual romance/fantasy readers but lacking the depth of a traditionally good novel. AKA the reality of tv the romantasy genre - we watch it when we wanna chill but not pay attention. I enjoyed the story and characters enough to read through it in a couple days. But my biggest criticism is the lack of depth and unrealistic emotions from the characters. The world and storyline are interesting but there are a lot of details brushed over in the rush to move the plot along. Characters are easily swayed from their lifelong teachings and ideals and betrayal is quickly forgiven. Events that are made out to be this huge thing are over faster than they are talked about beforehand. If the narrative was drawn out more to provide depth to the culture, history, scenery, and gave the characters a chance to truly develop on a normal timeline I think this could've been a 4 star book.

[Lauren Galleymore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 2🌶️ This was so freaking good! I was looking for a light fantasy palate cleanser and got sucked into this gem!

World building was great and not overly complex the premise of magic being pulled from the mountain that’s tied to the Air Fae was simple but created enough purpose for the unfolding stories to be intertwined.

I was attached to Ryn and Ellis to the point I had to take a day to read on about Deliya but once I did I fell in love again!

I didn’t try to figure this out but even if I had I would’ve been wrong about the twists.

The marriage trials were interesting enough to make my heart race and I reluctantly found myself connected to some of the players.

The slow burn… the burrnnnn from Ellis. I love him.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you I was GLUED to my kindle reading this. As an avid romantasy reader, I was very excited to discover this gem of a novel. If you enjoy becoming emotionally invested in a group of characters as they trauma bond and fight for change in their complex fae world, this is your book. I think I felt every single emotion possible, as one should when reading a well crafted story. PLEASE do yourself a favor, grab a blanket, get cozy, and binge read this until your heart is completely shattered but also whole. I will just be here, awaiting the next book in this series as these characters and this world live rent free in my head.

[Brittney Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was impossible to put down once I picked it up! The complex fae kingdoms and complex characters hold you captive and just when you think you have something figured out, you don’t.

Ryn is everything I love in a FMC. She’s fierce, sure of herself, independent and full of secrets!

Delyia grew on me because at first I was unsure about her. She stands up for herself, is proactive in trying to bring positive changes to their world and is a great friend to those around her.

I don’t want to give anything away but the ending left me WRECKED. I have more questions than answers and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Pro tip: If an author tells you about their book and asks if you’re interested in reading it, SAY YES. You might find one of our new favorite books and make a cool friend along the way.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book — it’s beautifully written and pulled me in right away. I loved getting the story through multiple perspectives, especially Ryn and Deliya. Ryn’s journey from struggling with her purpose to realizing it wasn’t what she’d been told was so powerful, and Deliya’s balance between duty and passion felt so real and inspiring. The ending left me on a cliffhanger in the best way — some parts were predictable, but the twists still surprised me. I especially liked how the characters respect their families yet truly lean into their chosen family of friends. Overall, a captivating and well-crafted read that stayed with me.

[Korinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book. Is. Everything. From start to finish, this is a read that will have you on the edge of your seat. Well-developed characters, intriguing plot lines, twists, romance, and even a little spice will leave you wishing you for more. By the end of this book I had laughed, cried, and literally gasped out loud. Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned romantasy reader, you will absolutely love what’s in store from cover to cover. The next book in the Norvailian chronology can’t come soon enough!! (And I mean seriously, if I have to wait too long I’ll explode. I. Need. More.)

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built on Bones & Ruin is an emotionally deep and physically brutal fantasy that had me hooked from start to finish. The multiple character POVs add layers of tension and depth, while the Fae trials and the dynamics between the different courts keep things unpredictable and gripping. The stakes are high, and the emotional impact is just as intense as the physical challenges the characters face.

If you love intricate Fae worlds, high-stakes trials, and characters battling both external and internal demons, this book is a must-read.

[HEA only · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yo that was fantastic

I want to take three stars away, but only because I NEED THE NEXT BOOK!
Kidding, it deserves all five stars. This was very well written and honestly I could not guess how it ended. I'm so excited for the next one and will be pre-ordering it as soon as I can (unless you wanna let me beta read the second one? 👀)
I'm good with whichever.
5 solid stars my friend! Until the next one 🤘🏻

[Mahaley Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy reading this at some points of the book! Some parts of it felt like they were dragging & unnecessary to the plot! I wish I could’ve gotten into this & really enjoyed it but I just didn’t connect to the characters. The MMCS were boring and I felt as the “strong” female leads honestly weren’t that strong & powerful. Overall I think this is definitely some people cups of tea & I would still give it a try if you’re interested :)

[Megan Hupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such an emotional roller coaster for me. Just when I was getting invested in one section of the story it would flip to another set of characters that entranced me again. Towards the end, I couldn’t put my kindle down without picking it right back up. So glad the 2nd book was already released and I am already 50% into while writing this.

[Renee Thaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the mark of an experienced author that has honed her craft. One would never suspect that this is an introduction to her writing career. The plot is well organized and the world is excellently crafted. I am deeply excited to read more of the story she has created

[Katelyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story and world-building was absolutely fascinating and had me on the edge of my seat basically the whole time. Some of the character development was more tell than show, but it was an otherwise splendid book!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written well. It was a slow to start as most fantasy novels are to set the world building. When it did pick up I couldn’t put it down and the cliff hanger! I downloaded book 2 already so I can start it! I loved how there are two stories that intertwine through the book.

[Marquita Hosler · Rating 5 out of 5]

New take on Romantasy!!

This is your next romantasy read 😍 Fantastic characters, plot twists, and POV changes. I can’t wait for the next book!!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down—it has everything you could ever want from a romantasy, and the writing is just really, really well done. And the ending?!?! Cannot wait for book two!

[purrs and plotlines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this so much. I can’t wait for book 2. What a freakin ending

[lucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

um so WHENS THE NEXT BOOK OUT BC I AINT LIVING WITH THAT CLIFFHANGER

[Kelli Little · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sorry but no.

[Susie Beecroft]

Was this my first time reading a book written by someone I know??? Did not expect the ending! And it was cool how the stories came together, and therefore all the kingdoms are in play.