A Gloom in the Bones

by Robin A. Costantin

Clara is trapped in a nightmare, and stranded in a stranger world she thirsts for revenge.

The night her boyfriend told her they were coming to get him, she had no idea what he was running from. In tears he said the plea that still burdens her. Would you die for me, Lar?
Then he pushed her in a hole to a parallel dimension filled with tricksters and monsters.

In Mar-dröm nothing is as it seems. Everything is built on magic and violence, and the creatures are treacherous. With false kindness and fake gifts they get your trust, only to stab you in the back and steal all you have left. And then there are the Artists, immortals who sold their soul to the God Without Eyes and enforce his divine order with threats and death.
Clara survives in hiding, while her anger grows day after day, until one night she witnesses a murder. The killer starts to haunt her, forcing her to do the only thing she promised not to do: devote her soul and become an Artist herself.

Thus a world of power, secrets and madness opens for her, asking her to pledge a choice — to stay at her new family’s side and learn to live again or to escape Mar-dröm and leave only ashes and ruin in her wake.

Between enigmas and betrayals a hidden villain waits for her.

Chaos binds her to a monster.

And her Shadows do not forget.

496 pages, ebook

Expected publication March 25, 2026

About the author

Born near Venice in 1997, Robin is an Italian indie author who publishes both in her first language and English.
She now lives in Piedmont, in a little city near the mountains, with her partner, their cats and a dog named Tortellino.
She loves all things gothic and started writing at the age of thirteen on fanfic websites. A Gloom in the Bones is her first book.

Reviews

[Jodi Warne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a privilege to receive an ARC especially from an author new to me.

A Gloom in the Bones is fantasy with great world building ending on a cliffhanger.

I was going to review this book breaking it down by each Act as there are three in this book, which was a delightful change. However I’m trying desperately not to give away too many spoilers.

For me this book was a slow start not in a negative way but as someone who reads fast paced very dark romance this was very different to my usual read and for that I am truly grateful because the world building was gradual without being vague and the character development was perfectly paced with the growing of the storyline.

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Clara may be human in a world full of danger and strange beings but she comes into her own when left with one decision ask for help from something unknown or risk the possibility of not seeing another day.

Tropes

🦋 Enemies to lovers
🦋 Corruption ARC
🦋 Faerie World
🦋 Revenge at all costs
🦋 Found family of villains
🦋 He falls first
🦋 False god
🦋 Shadow mommy

Favourite quote
“I fall apart every time you say my name. It’s like a piercing call in the silence, the sound of a bell in an endless night. When it fades, when you vanish into your Shadows, I’m left alone, like the wretched creature I am, hoping that I hear it again” “And knowing you care enough not to want me dead feels like losing myself in an exquisite delirium.”

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Definitely recommend and looking forward to book two.
4 ⭐️
0.5 🌶️

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review 🖤

5/5 ⭐️

I can’t believe what I just read! This story kept me wanting more. To keep reading way late at night to see what happens next.

I feel so bad for Clara. Having to going through so much betrayal especially from people you trusted and cared for.
Her motivation to see her family again made me shed some tears. I wouldn’t know what to do if I lost my family the way she did and never know if you could see them again.

I was freaked out with Feras at first. How the nightmares were with him in it. (Started to wonder if I’d get them too). But then I started to not see red flags 🚩 I can fix him right?

Vi.. you had my heart in the beginning but now I’m doubting. I did enjoy how sweet he was with Clara. And felt for him when he opened up his feelings to Clara.

Overall, this story captivated me. Had so much emotion, thriller, magic and a sprinkling of spice. I loved it. I am looking forward to what happens next in the second book!

[Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loveddddddddd it.

It’s a slow start but it needs it to be and despite that it’s very engaging, each chapter has you wanting to read just one more before bed. Loved all the ‘nightmares’ with Feras 😉. So intrigued by the ending! There were some characters that truly shocked me by the end and one in particular who I ended up loving way more than I thought I would. So excited for the next book!