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The Bone Above
As tensions rise, will Nelka be able to handle it all, or will she finally make the ultimate choice that prioritizes her?
Nelka has now been crowned Queen of the Nidora-Lecit Commonwealth alongside her husband King Andrius. However, he views her as nothing but her pet, making her a prisoner with no autonomy once again.
After learning of her husband’s harrowing plans, Nelka knows the peasants need her more than ever as they prepare to rebel against the nobility. Nelka is forced to use the few allies she has made in her time at the castle to get her foot through the door, so when she ultimately kills Andrius, the people trust her to rule on her own.
What she doesn’t expect is for her sister, Olesia, and her once-secret lover Eva—a local lord’s daughter—to arrive at the castle as honored guests. Everything becomes even more complicated when Kazimir ends up on the castle premises, desperate to be with her no matter the cost.
In the sequel to The Bone Below, Nelka is tested. Expectations of her are at an all-time high as she tries to please her family, her people, and her heart.
Nelka has now been crowned Queen of the Nidora-Lecit Commonwealth alongside her husband King Andrius. However, he views her as nothing but her pet, making her a prisoner with no autonomy once again.
After learning of her husband’s harrowing plans, Nelka knows the peasants need her more than ever as they prepare to rebel against the nobility. Nelka is forced to use the few allies she has made in her time at the castle to get her foot through the door, so when she ultimately kills Andrius, the people trust her to rule on her own.
What she doesn’t expect is for her sister, Olesia, and her once-secret lover Eva—a local lord’s daughter—to arrive at the castle as honored guests. Everything becomes even more complicated when Kazimir ends up on the castle premises, desperate to be with her no matter the cost.
In the sequel to The Bone Below, Nelka is tested. Expectations of her are at an all-time high as she tries to please her family, her people, and her heart.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 30, 2025
* I received an e-arc via StoryOrigin for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*
I thought this was a great conclusion to the duology! I loved the political intrigue, the characters, and how the author brought everything together with the dual timeline. I enjoyed watching Nelka grow throughout the story. She started out as a really sweet character, but she is forced to hone herself into the sharpest of blades due to the circumstances she finds herself in.
I definitely recommend this duology and I’m excited to see what this author writes next!
I thought this was a great conclusion to the duology! I loved the political intrigue, the characters, and how the author brought everything together with the dual timeline. I enjoyed watching Nelka grow throughout the story. She started out as a really sweet character, but she is forced to hone herself into the sharpest of blades due to the circumstances she finds herself in.
I definitely recommend this duology and I’m excited to see what this author writes next!
March 8, 2025
The Bone Above is a tangled web of politics and morality. This is a fantasy book that not only challenges the characters within but also asks deep questions to the reader. Is it better to live for ourselves or for others around us? Should we hope for change or take action?
Does violence really make any lasting change?
Nelka begins as a very soft personality but by the circumstances she is thrown into she is forced to sharpen and make hard decisions for the greater good. I love that in Koziel’s world there are long lasting consequences for each of Nelka’s actions, and one in particular(iykyk).
Koziel did an excellent job of tying in the second story
to the first! I loved the callbacks to the tunnels, and the garden. The two different timelines made for an excellent way to sink into the story. The opening prologue is one of the best I have ever read. If you like political intrigue at all give this a chance.
I am anxious to see what stories Koziel comes up with next!
Does violence really make any lasting change?
Nelka begins as a very soft personality but by the circumstances she is thrown into she is forced to sharpen and make hard decisions for the greater good. I love that in Koziel’s world there are long lasting consequences for each of Nelka’s actions, and one in particular(iykyk).
Koziel did an excellent job of tying in the second story
to the first! I loved the callbacks to the tunnels, and the garden. The two different timelines made for an excellent way to sink into the story. The opening prologue is one of the best I have ever read. If you like political intrigue at all give this a chance.
I am anxious to see what stories Koziel comes up with next!
June 12, 2025
A new twist on a fairy tail isn't a new idea but Sylwia Koziel's writing sure makes it feel like one. I was so pleasantly surprised by "The Bone Above" that when "The Bone Below" came out I had to read it almost immediately. When you read as many books as I do they have a tendency to fall into one of two categories. They are either a nice getaway from reality for the moment but then fade away from your memory almost immediately or the story stay's with you long after you read "The End." "The Bone Above" and "The Bone Below" are of the latter persuasion. The characters and story arc in this series are flushed out in such a rich way that you feel like you know each character personally. Sylwia's ability to weave clusters of deception while allowing you to see the potential motivation for each character to be the duplicitous weaver is a magic all it's own. I one-hundred percent recommend The Bone Above and The Bone Below.
February 26, 2025
Thank you to StoryOrigin for the gifted copy
I have not read The Bone Below, but from what I know, this is part of a duology. I absolutely enjoyed this book. It's different from what I'm used to, but it's filled with so much tension. I love how complicated the story is, but it's just made it so much more fun to read. It's also made Nelka's storyline even more interesting! I also enjoyed the political intrigue in this book, and it's one of my favorite tropes in books.
I have not read The Bone Below, but from what I know, this is part of a duology. I absolutely enjoyed this book. It's different from what I'm used to, but it's filled with so much tension. I love how complicated the story is, but it's just made it so much more fun to read. It's also made Nelka's storyline even more interesting! I also enjoyed the political intrigue in this book, and it's one of my favorite tropes in books.
January 29, 2025
A wonderful continuation of The Bone Below! I was on the edge of my seat from the opening chapter and loved seeing how everything unfolded. Seeing Nelka play the political game as a queen this time was wonderful, and I love how much she’s grown since the first book without losing her inner light. What a wonderful regency-esque duology!
March 1, 2025
I loved The Bone Below, and I was so excited to read the ARC of The Bone Above. It gives everything the first book promises and then some. Nelka is such an engaging character, and watching her grow while still remaining true to herself was great.
June 8, 2025
A thrilling conclusion to this epic duology! I was hooked from the prologue and the dual timeline format revealed twists perfectly to keep you at the edge of your seat!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews