What do you think?
The Bone Seer
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26A queer fantasy debut that combines all of the slow sweetness of
The Spellshop
by Sarah Beth Durst with the magic and moral complexity of
The War of Lost Hearts
series by Carissa Broadbent. As magical and melancholic as a rainy day, as lyrical and warm as your favorite cup of tea, this LitRPG-inspired novel will help you heal and start again.
Lenox Azra has lived, died, and lived again. Both in the past as a human and in the present as one of the Raised, an animated skeleton, he’s been through too much for one lifetime, let alone two. Now, Nox is on a help the other Raised across the continent in the aftermath of a war they never wanted to be involved in. All he wants is a comfortable life and to forget about the Necromancer who haunts his past.
But it seems like life, and that very Necromancer, H.G. Emmett, have other plans. With another war on the horizon, Nox is thrust back into the life— and the memories of the love— he once had. When he and Emmett grow closer again, new behaviors start to heal old scars and reignite fresh hope. With a new war and the potential of a relationship with Emmett in the balance, Nox has learned that there is only one response he can meet the future to fight for what he wants.
A story of love and loss, redemption and hope, The Bone Seer is a queer fantasy romance that explores the question of what must end, and what we must fight to find a new beginning for.
Lenox Azra has lived, died, and lived again. Both in the past as a human and in the present as one of the Raised, an animated skeleton, he’s been through too much for one lifetime, let alone two. Now, Nox is on a help the other Raised across the continent in the aftermath of a war they never wanted to be involved in. All he wants is a comfortable life and to forget about the Necromancer who haunts his past.
But it seems like life, and that very Necromancer, H.G. Emmett, have other plans. With another war on the horizon, Nox is thrust back into the life— and the memories of the love— he once had. When he and Emmett grow closer again, new behaviors start to heal old scars and reignite fresh hope. With a new war and the potential of a relationship with Emmett in the balance, Nox has learned that there is only one response he can meet the future to fight for what he wants.
A story of love and loss, redemption and hope, The Bone Seer is a queer fantasy romance that explores the question of what must end, and what we must fight to find a new beginning for.
468 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 27, 2026
About the author
H.J. Nevius
1 book14 followersH.J. (Hazel Jean) Nevius (she/they) is an indie author of dark cozy novels based in the Midwest. Avid D&D Dungeon Mistress and LitRPG fanatic, she weaves together fantasy tales that are as escapist as they are homey. Their first book is The Bone Seer, a second chance queer romance that features a skeleton and a Necromancer.
They have a Bachelor of Arts in English and one in Journalism, and have worked in the marketing and library fields for years. She hopes to provide more AceSpec representation through her work as an AceSpec/Panromantic person, and add a little creature feature flair along the way.
She loves a skeleton, a chai latte, and any type of bird, especially owls. She lives in a home run by her two rescue cats.
They have a Bachelor of Arts in English and one in Journalism, and have worked in the marketing and library fields for years. She hopes to provide more AceSpec representation through her work as an AceSpec/Panromantic person, and add a little creature feature flair along the way.
She loves a skeleton, a chai latte, and any type of bird, especially owls. She lives in a home run by her two rescue cats.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you very much to the author for the ARC!
Confession: I like fantasy but I have trouble staying engaged... I had NO trouble staying invested in The Bone Seer, and that says something. There is so much here that checks every box I have - I love a) necromancy and b) an interesting magic system more than almost anything, which this novel made the basis of the plot and its characters. This book drew us to Nox right away, using him as a conduit to understand the magic as he is the direct result of it. There is trauma for those who have become Risen, including for Nox though he does a remarkable job about not letting it get to him that he is now a literal skeleton, and it is fascinating the way that Nox has chosen to find purpose in putting those like him to rest. Not to mention the political and ethical implications of raising people from the dead without their consent to be pawns in a war they didn't ask to be part of. I could read 800 pages of Necromancy politics and ethics in this universe.
I loved Nox, and grew to like Emmett as well, although I felt like some of the other characters grabbed me more (like Thelene or Lorelei). I cared about Emmett through Nox, because Nox loved Emmett, though, and that in its own way felt a little special.
There are a few spots where I felt like the back and forth between present day and Nox's experience during the war were jarring, though there weren't too many (my brain honestly has trouble with back and forth timelines so that could be a me thing) and there were a few times where the relationship issues between Emmett and Nox made me want to smack both of them upside their heads.
Other than that, though, The Bone Seer has lovely worldbuilding, characters I really like, and political elements that honestly made me want another book in this world. This was a lovely fantasy read that touched on some discussions about death and power that I really loved. I'm really looking forward to seeing more from this author; The Bone Seer proved to be well worth the read!
Confession: I like fantasy but I have trouble staying engaged... I had NO trouble staying invested in The Bone Seer, and that says something. There is so much here that checks every box I have - I love a) necromancy and b) an interesting magic system more than almost anything, which this novel made the basis of the plot and its characters. This book drew us to Nox right away, using him as a conduit to understand the magic as he is the direct result of it. There is trauma for those who have become Risen, including for Nox though he does a remarkable job about not letting it get to him that he is now a literal skeleton, and it is fascinating the way that Nox has chosen to find purpose in putting those like him to rest. Not to mention the political and ethical implications of raising people from the dead without their consent to be pawns in a war they didn't ask to be part of. I could read 800 pages of Necromancy politics and ethics in this universe.
I loved Nox, and grew to like Emmett as well, although I felt like some of the other characters grabbed me more (like Thelene or Lorelei). I cared about Emmett through Nox, because Nox loved Emmett, though, and that in its own way felt a little special.
There are a few spots where I felt like the back and forth between present day and Nox's experience during the war were jarring, though there weren't too many (my brain honestly has trouble with back and forth timelines so that could be a me thing) and there were a few times where the relationship issues between Emmett and Nox made me want to smack both of them upside their heads.
Other than that, though, The Bone Seer has lovely worldbuilding, characters I really like, and political elements that honestly made me want another book in this world. This was a lovely fantasy read that touched on some discussions about death and power that I really loved. I'm really looking forward to seeing more from this author; The Bone Seer proved to be well worth the read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Disclaimer: I am a beta reader for this book and am friends with the author. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I really love about this book is the writing, especially the imagery. When I read, I often highlight sentences or phrases that ring a little bell in my head. Like a nice soothing gong, deep. Resonates. Anyway, I feel like I highlighted half the book. The writing really lets you soak and luxuriate. The vibes are just so good. I don’t drink but maybe the right description is like an incredible wine? Anyway if you like evocative writing that sometimes feels like a hozier song, this is it. Dive in.
The hardest thing that HJ pulls off for me personally is the second chance romance. I’m picky with that trope and it often doesn’t land for me, but this one actually did. I will continue to pick on Emmett though, as Nox is my son. Sorry bestie, he’s my son now.
My biggest complaint is that nox doesn’t have any fucking shoes the entire book. What are you doing nox?! What are you going to do when your bones rub down into nubs?! (I’m mostly joking here, at this point I’m legally required to bring this up.)
Anyway, if you’re interested in depressed skeletons, feelings, and writing you can relish, this is the skeleton war for you.
What I really love about this book is the writing, especially the imagery. When I read, I often highlight sentences or phrases that ring a little bell in my head. Like a nice soothing gong, deep. Resonates. Anyway, I feel like I highlighted half the book. The writing really lets you soak and luxuriate. The vibes are just so good. I don’t drink but maybe the right description is like an incredible wine? Anyway if you like evocative writing that sometimes feels like a hozier song, this is it. Dive in.
The hardest thing that HJ pulls off for me personally is the second chance romance. I’m picky with that trope and it often doesn’t land for me, but this one actually did. I will continue to pick on Emmett though, as Nox is my son. Sorry bestie, he’s my son now.
My biggest complaint is that nox doesn’t have any fucking shoes the entire book. What are you doing nox?! What are you going to do when your bones rub down into nubs?! (I’m mostly joking here, at this point I’m legally required to bring this up.)
Anyway, if you’re interested in depressed skeletons, feelings, and writing you can relish, this is the skeleton war for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, I would like to say how grateful I am to have received an ARC for this book! It was my very first one, and I am so happy to be reviewing it!
This was such an amazing book! It centers around the relationship between a Necromancer and one of the many undead he has raised, Nox.
I absolutely adored the worldbuilding and magic system in this world! The characters are all very well-written and very endearing. I like how everything tied together in the end in a very satisfying way in my opinion. Everything mentioned that seemed inconsequential came back in the end, and I love when books do that! The magic is very unique in this book, and I loved being able to see it develop throughout the story! The romance element was very sweet and wholesome. I had difficulty getting into the story in the very beginning just because I have a hard time with getting into a new story in general, so that had nothing to do with this book itself, but once I managed to get myself hooked into the story, I was very excited to keep reading and find out what was going to happen to these characters next!
I loved this book, and I cannot wait to recommend it to all my reader friends!
This was such an amazing book! It centers around the relationship between a Necromancer and one of the many undead he has raised, Nox.
I absolutely adored the worldbuilding and magic system in this world! The characters are all very well-written and very endearing. I like how everything tied together in the end in a very satisfying way in my opinion. Everything mentioned that seemed inconsequential came back in the end, and I love when books do that! The magic is very unique in this book, and I loved being able to see it develop throughout the story! The romance element was very sweet and wholesome. I had difficulty getting into the story in the very beginning just because I have a hard time with getting into a new story in general, so that had nothing to do with this book itself, but once I managed to get myself hooked into the story, I was very excited to keep reading and find out what was going to happen to these characters next!
I loved this book, and I cannot wait to recommend it to all my reader friends!
September 21, 2026
↳˗ˏˋarc reviewˊˎ˗ ↴
⋆ ★ the bone seer by h.j. nevius
[ book releases october 27 ]
my review :
okay. this book had NO business being this good.
the imagery, the writing style—man, it was amazing. i was sucked in from the very first page and honestly didn’t want to put it down.
the characters were written so beautifully. emmett and nox were both so relatable, and some of their reactions to things were honestly just me. a depressed skeleton and a necromancer trying to right their wrongs? yeah, i adored them. especially together.
and the yearning?? absolutely beautiful. the slow-paced romance, the second chance, the way they slowly found their way back to each other… i ate that up.
my only complaint is… why did it have to end? because i need more. like, immediately.
thank you arthur for giving me the chance to read this book!
⋆ ★ the bone seer by h.j. nevius
[ book releases october 27 ]
my review :
okay. this book had NO business being this good.
the imagery, the writing style—man, it was amazing. i was sucked in from the very first page and honestly didn’t want to put it down.
the characters were written so beautifully. emmett and nox were both so relatable, and some of their reactions to things were honestly just me. a depressed skeleton and a necromancer trying to right their wrongs? yeah, i adored them. especially together.
and the yearning?? absolutely beautiful. the slow-paced romance, the second chance, the way they slowly found their way back to each other… i ate that up.
my only complaint is… why did it have to end? because i need more. like, immediately.
thank you arthur for giving me the chance to read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
💀💜🍃 Thank you HJ for the ARC!
This was such a sweet and touching read 😊 Perfect for readers who like Travis Baldree and Sarah Beth Durst.
The Bone Seer tells the story of skeleton Lenox and the necromancer who reanimated him during the war. This is a second-chance romance, which I don't normally gravitate towards, but I thought Nox and Emmett's story and relationship journey was told so well. 💜
The world-building is also fantastic, with a really interesting magic system and complex side characters. I could totally see the author writing more books in this universe in the future!
This book is filled with lots of very sweet, cuddly moments. Definitely read if you love the following:
💀 Second Chance Romance
💀 Morally Gray Characters
💀 Monster Romance
💀 Cozy Fantasy
💀 LitRPG
💀 Forced Proximity
💀 Found Family
💀 Queer Rep (Asexual/Pan)
This book was a 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me!
This was such a sweet and touching read 😊 Perfect for readers who like Travis Baldree and Sarah Beth Durst.
The Bone Seer tells the story of skeleton Lenox and the necromancer who reanimated him during the war. This is a second-chance romance, which I don't normally gravitate towards, but I thought Nox and Emmett's story and relationship journey was told so well. 💜
The world-building is also fantastic, with a really interesting magic system and complex side characters. I could totally see the author writing more books in this universe in the future!
This book is filled with lots of very sweet, cuddly moments. Definitely read if you love the following:
💀 Second Chance Romance
💀 Morally Gray Characters
💀 Monster Romance
💀 Cozy Fantasy
💀 LitRPG
💀 Forced Proximity
💀 Found Family
💀 Queer Rep (Asexual/Pan)
This book was a 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one was a bit of a slow start and took me a while to get into. The world building at first seemed very confusing to me but once I got it, I got it.
This tells an interesting story about what happens to skeletal soldiers raised by necromancers to fight in a war after the war is over. They don’t just go back into the ground they still exist and Nox is just trying to make it day by day.
Throughout we get flashbacks of his time with his necromancer Emmett and see that they had a bit of a taboo relationship together.
Nox’s feelings for Emmett are complex and complicated because he clearly loves him but at the same time hates some of the things he did back in the day.
This book is a journey through Nox’s life and how he’s dealing with his feelings while also trying to not get mixed up in a new war.
This tells an interesting story about what happens to skeletal soldiers raised by necromancers to fight in a war after the war is over. They don’t just go back into the ground they still exist and Nox is just trying to make it day by day.
Throughout we get flashbacks of his time with his necromancer Emmett and see that they had a bit of a taboo relationship together.
Nox’s feelings for Emmett are complex and complicated because he clearly loves him but at the same time hates some of the things he did back in the day.
This book is a journey through Nox’s life and how he’s dealing with his feelings while also trying to not get mixed up in a new war.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews