The Bone Roses

Snow Spark Saga #1

by Kathryn Lee Martin

Sixteen-year-old Rags is the most feared Rustler in the world, and for good reason. When she’s not raiding the post-Yellowstone Kingdom’s established settlements for supplies to keep her frontier, Rondo, alive another day, she’s fending off witch hunt-happy villagers who want her rare blue eyes in an unmarked grave. 

But when the Kingdom strikes back, kills Rags’s best friend, and sends its second-in-command to destroy Rondo in four days, Rags must make a choice: seek revenge, or save her loved ones who are trapped in a town bound for slaughter broadcast Kingdom-wide. With little more than a stolen dream to guide her, and a growing attraction to a sly Kingdom informant, Rags is about to give the Kingdom four days it’ll never forget—if the bounty on her head doesn’t get her killed first.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Westerns

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2018

About the author

Kathryn Lee Martin, known as 'Ryn' by friends and colleagues, spends her days saddling up the literary horse and hitting the “what if” trails on a quest to tell the outlaws’ and underdogs’ stories. Not one to shy away from the darker side of stories for the older young adult audience, her works often explore impossible odds and dire futures, falling into a fusion of steampunk, epic fantasy, time travel, and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Putting her unfortunate characters in situations where faith and fighting often go hand in hand, she’s not afraid to make things difficult for them and when she’s not corrupting society on paper, she’s usually leading the rebellion to save it.

​Important Personal 2021 Update from me

I'm still not actively reviewing books at the moment due to new projects and other writing commitments. I am actively reading books now more than ever, but I don’t have the time to post in-depth reviews unless it’s something I’m wildly passionate about or it falls in a timeframe I can realistically write one to do it justice.

Also, because I get a lot of personal messages about this, I am not offering copies of my now out-of-print published books in exchange for reviews. I opted not to renew the contract with the small press that published it at the end of 2020 and there are no plans to rerelease any of the 4 books in the Snow Spark Saga. They are no longer available and are officially out-of-print. Sorry, but it was a career move I needed to make to allow my current and far higher-quality fantasy steampunk projects to take priority and my full attention.

Thank you for understanding.

Reviews

[Candace Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally read pretty slow depending on the book, but I finished this one rather quickly! I loved Rags! She was relatable and awesome! I will say in the beginning of the book there was a certain scene that hit me emotionally and that doesn’t usually happen! I was like, nooooooo! The pace was fast and there is a dash of sweet romance! Also it has a western theme! I’ve read one other YA book with that theme and was let down, but not here! Where’s book 2 already? 😂🙌🏻

[Sheila G · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my FULL review of this book on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.



Content Warning: Violence/some Gore, Discrimination, Oppression

“A petite trio of gray stone roses and a tiny pewter charm shaped like a rearing stag tethered together with elegant, braided leather cords rest in it. One rose in full bloom, one still a bud, and the third caught in-between. ‘ I’ve held onto these mythical bone roses for a long time. Sort of like a good-luck charm in a way. They hold the key to rare and powerful secrets, and well, I can’t think of anyone better I’d trust with them than you.’”

In all honesty, I barely skimmed the synopsis for this book before starting it. I knew that it was a Young Adult Fantasy with a Western flare, so I immediately wanted to give it a try. Boy, am I happy that I did! While I had some issues with certain elements in the plot, I found myself loving the characters and the world they were set in.

World Building

While The Bone Roses is in the YA genre, it’s definitely geared towards more mature readers, as some of its contents are harsh and in-your-face. Considering that the world is set in a post-apocalyptic West in the United States, it comes with the territory. This book felt reminiscent of The Wolves of Winter, which I read earlier this year, and the arid isolation that the setting brought. Shockingly, even though The Bone Roses is set in the West, the climate doesn’t reflect the traditional desert hotness the West is known for. This is particularly reflected in the settlement of Rondo, where the main character Rags resides.

“People used to drive everywhere, so I’m told, but when Yellowstone erupted thirty years ago and the snow started to fall, that came to a halt.”

I’m not sure why, but portraying the West blanketed with snow instead of dust, tumbleweeds, and cacti were incredibly submersive to me.

Set in an era thirty years after Yellowstone erupts, the United States as it was once known as has been completely reformed. A cruel king known as Hyperion takes over and establishes his reign over the entire region. Small settlements situated in the surrounding area know hardship---especially those that choose to not bow down to the king. Rondo has long been cut-off from the supplies that Adonis, the capital city, has to offer. In order to survive, Rustlers (outlaws) risk their lives in order to steal supplies for the town’s survival. If caught, the punishment for rustling leads to a brutal death.

“‘Solstice.’ That settlement sits at the heart of ‘forbidden’ things in our household. Unlike Rondo’s miserable past, Tracker spared no words when warning me about the lewd settlement just outside the Kingdom’s capital city, Adonis.
Liquor flows freely. Cheap whores are plentiful. It’s supposedly so far in bed with Adonis that it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins.”

The old-time western towns that we are accustomed to aren’t completely lost beneath a layer of snow, however. Many of these settlements reflect those of the past and “safe” isn’t a term that’s thrown around.

Another aspect which murmurs the Old West is the presence of Christianity. While it’s something that Hyperion tries to outlaw, Rondo is basically governed by the town preacher, Jericho. While Christianity doesn’t play as massive of a role as perhaps was intended, it is worth mentioning especially when looking further into the dynamics between Rags and the troublesome Hunter. Hunter, the town sheriff, constantly accuses Rags of being a witch (off of what basis, it’s never really revealed other than her having rare blue eyes and the fact that she’s an outsider.) While is accusations felt quite random for the plot focus, it definitely created an atmosphere that felt like the people of Rondo were ticking time bombs.

Pacing & Readability

Because of the way the story is set up, the plot felt more character-driven than plot-driven. While there are events that take place, the characters stories and relationships always remain in the spotlight. Because of this, I felt that at times the plot would lose its focus in minor details for longer than necessary, and halted plot progression. While the writing style made it very enjoyable to read, these variations in pacing gave it a start-go quality.

Poing-Of-View & Characters

“I am Rags, Rondo’s rustler and we will never bow to his Kingdom.”

Rags, a sixteen-year-old girl is a protagonist in The Bone Roses. The point-of-view is told from her perspective and helps the reader become acquainted with her unique character. With a somewhat quirky but strong presence, Rags’ story immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Often accompanied by her mule Nigel, she serves as one of Rondo’s main and feared Rustlers. While I really wanted to get to know more about her backstory, I appreciated how real Rags’ character came across. While she’s strong, she’s also realistic and sensitive. What she feels and experiences is very relatable for many readers.

Tracker is the mentor and the “adoptive” father of Rags. A mysterious man with a complicated past, he takes Rags under his wing when she first arrives in Rondo.

Matthew, preacher’s son is Rags’ dearest friend. While I first presumed their relationship to be romantic, it proves to be oddly platonic, as their interactions are flirty.

Jericho serves as Rondo’s preacher and is also Matthew’s father. As the town’s preacher, he often oversees how the town goes about settling issues and confronting problems. Along with Tracker, he is one of the few supporters of Rags against the rest of the superstitious townsfolk.

Sadie's character doesn't have a large role. However, she's mentionable as she serves as a mother-figure to Rags.

There are more than one antagonists in The Bone Roses.

1. Hyperion, the evil king who has long since abandoned Rondo to fend for itself.

2. Hennrick Oreson aka “Henny”

“A dangerous young man, Rags. The Kingdom’s own second-in-command, Henrick Oreson, or “Henny” as some call him. You are never to cross paths with him. Understood?”

Known as the second-in-command to Hyperion himself, Henny's job is to seek out rustlers and anyone trying to defy the king and his ways.

“I’ve been hunted before. It comes with the job. But I’ve never been hunted by someone like him. No one’s ever stupid enough to give a rustler the advantage. He’s far from stupid, though. The way he toys with me confirms that. He’s doing this intentionally, letting me turn all the tricks I know for his amusement. He doesn’t just think he can win. He knows it.”

Henny's character as the antagonist is fantastic. While you want so badly to dislike him, there's just something about him that makes the reader believe there is more to him than meets the eye. Is he really as bad as he seems? The dynamics between him and Rags are electric as the two are constantly trying to out-do one another.

And can I just mention...Xanthos!?



I was swooning over this horse more than anything else.

3. Lawrence aka "Hunter" serves as Rondo's sheriff. This guy has a severe case of bad-cop to his swagger. He blatantly hates Rags because she has blue eyes and isn't originally from Rondo. Discriminatory, much? Because she arrived in Rondo around the time that Hyperion stopped the supply trains to Rondo, he blames Rags for practicing witchcraft and being the reason why Rondo suffers so. His hatred is completely blind and is a good example of a person who fails to look deeper than the surface.

4. Colton, a character who shows up later on the scene, is another antagonist-type character that the reader can't really peg down and who his allegiance lies with. Is he good? Is he bad? He works as a luresman--a person highly skilled in the art of negotiation. The mystery of his true intentions make his character frustrating, yet incredibly engaging throughout the entire plot.

Major Themes

⇒ Family

A strong sense of family and belonging is evident at every turn. Rags constantly worries about her hypothetical mother, father, and brother figures, and feels a strong need to protect them. While no information is given about her biological family, Rags’ relationship with her Rondonian family is strong and unbreakable, even when secrets are revealed about their pasts.

⇒ Cleansing or Purification

Hyperion doesn't take kindly to those who disobey his commands. It's rather ironic how he terms his punishment for rebels, especially in the sense of religion. His form of "cleansing" is allowing rebel settlements like Rondo starve, and then be brutally treated once captured by his army. His cleansing results in death, instead of bringing forth a purified life, as Christianity does. Seeing how the religion is outlawed, he transforms this term into something sinister instead of revitalizing.

⇒ Hardship

Hardship is an obvious theme in a post-apocalyptic world such as this. Each day is a struggle. Everything is fighting against Rags, the Rustlers, and the Rondonians in their survival. The king, the terrain, the climate, the lifestyle all reflect the realness of their plight.

Overall Feelings

Things that I liked:

⇒ The atmosphere and the way the “Old West” is portrayed.
⇒ Despite a few flaws, I loved the characters and the voices and personalities that developed for each one. It made character-driven plot all-the-more dynamic and enjoyable.
⇒ The author’s writing style and descriptiveness.
⇒ This is a personal preference because I’m a horse person, but Martin knows how to write scenes involving horses! In a Western book, knowing how to portray horse characters is key because they majorly influence the plot mobilization. She writes them correctly down to the swiveling of the ears.

Things that I didn’t like:

⇒ The amount of vulgarity.
⇒ The plot’s tendency to dwell on insignificant points at times.
⇒ Christianity didn’t have the best portrayal and felt more of a “fall-back-on” asset than a focal attribute for how the characters act and react.
⇒ Very little backstory for Rags is given.
⇒ Hyperion, the main antagonist is nonexistent other than the presence of Henny and the K.C.
⇒ While I loved the mythical white stag which kept appearing, I want to know why and what its purpose is!
⇒ I'd love more information on the bone roses themselves and what secrets they hold!

I really enjoyed this book and the style in which it was written. While there were a few issues that I had with it, but I cannot be too critical. A sequel has yet to be published in the Snow Spark Saga, Garden of Ashes. I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next, and to learn more about the characters' journeys and also some history (especially Rags!)

Vulgarity: A lot. I counted 227 words total.
Sexual content: Kissing.
Violence: Quite a bit. It is a Western...

My Rating: ★★★★

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[Cindy ✩☽♔]

Always up for a good tale about sharpshooter, plus the cover is pretty so I'm totally in.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc of this book from the Publisher.

Oh wow, where to begin...This book might be my favourite novel of the year so far, and I do not mean that lightly. It was one of those books for me that might be on my shelf forever as one of my favourites!

The Bone Roses was a five star read for me, as it was amazing, exceeded my expectations, and had great characters, setting, and tone! The plot structure was predictable in spots, but otherwise, it kept me hooked until the very end. This is a good book if you are looking for a character-driven novel set in a vividly detailed world of Western meets the future.

One reason why I loved this book so much, was that it felt like it was written for me. I'm a cowgirl at heart and rugged western culture really resonates with me. Martin hit the nail on the head for this book, as it embodies everything that I feel like should be in a Western-based apocalyptic novel! I really lived for the descriptions of the setting, as it was more authentic than even some cowboy books I've read. From the character's clothes, how they spoke, how they interacted with each other, to what values they had, it all was evocative of where they lived and the culture they lived in.

On the note of descriptions: WHY WERE THEY SO GOOD?! I had to stop a few times in the book just to re-read some of the descriptions of sometimes the littlest things that were so exceptional and fresh! I really loved it, and it was very well done!

-Characters: I thought Rag's viewpoint on the story was authentic to someone her age and calibre, especially being sixteen in a post-apocalyptic world where life is super tough. She had genuine relationships and emotions, even for being one of the most feared rustlers, which made her human and likeable. The rest of the characters were up to par, and I especially loved Tracker. The moral grey of both good and bad guys made for interesting character arcs that I wouldn't have expected. The dialogue felt genuine and fresh, accents and speech quirks added to the diversity of it all, and nothing felt too cliche.

-Plot: Although mostly predictable in the way of general storyline, The Bone Roses really put a twist on everything that made it enjoyable to read! How Rags could escape from her predicaments constantly surprised me, and the plot twists -although mostly character driven- helped maintain tension. The overall tone of the plot was survival, which I loved, as I enjoy survival based stories! Though the plot felt like it was just one unfortunate situation after another, I really liked the pacing and overall tension throughout.

-Descriptions: A moment of silence for how beautiful the prose is. The descriptions really brought the story to life! Martin is an amazing writer! The worldbuilding was spectacular, and I was transported without fail every time, even though I might have left off reading for a bit. The descriptions were vivid, detailed, and not overbearing because of it. They fit well into the story, and made everything seem that much more realistic! I could go on, but I have a limited amount of characters here. XD

Some qualms I had:
-The villain's motive for keeping Rags alive was a bit unclear to me, as he had plenty of opportunities to kill her. However, his reluctance created tension, and in the end a bit of a plot twist as well.
-One of the ending scenes (in the church) had a lot of cliche dialogue that I found myself rolling my eyes at.
-Sometimes it was a bit unclear about which characters were in the room, and when they left.
-The ending felt like a deus ex-machina

Positives!:
-The horses (and mules) were realistically written, and I loved that! Rarely do I find well-written horses in fiction. :D
-Mathew and Tracker! I loved these characters so much, and their own individual twists made the story interesting. (also, I always saw Tracker as Gabriel Reyes, so that was a plus. XD)
-I already mentioned this, but the dialogue and vocal quirks/language added flavour to the characters and the story. (Especially Colton!)
-Rag's inner dialogue flowed well with the rest of the story, created tension, and inserted her thoughts into what was going on in her own unique voice.
-The action was very well done!


In short, this is a book I would love to get a physical copy of, because I know I'm going to want to read it again! The sequel sounds just as promising, and I can't wait to read more of Martin's amazing writing, characters, and settings! I highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore the post-apocalyptic/steampunk genre outside of conventional YA novels.

[Pages And Beyond · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were given an E-ARC of The Bone Roses by Kathryn Lee Martin in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Parliament House Publishing and Chantal Gadoury.

If you're up for some Western with a mix of Steampunk, this book is definitely for you. We read the synopsis and we immediately wanted to get our hands on this book. Imagine our amazement when the cover actually matches the beauty of this book. We'd have to be honest, we really didn't know what to expect when we got this as this isn't our usual genre BUT we are so glad to have the opportunity of being one of the few to receive an advance copy!

We loved how it was one wild ride from start to finish. We adore most of the characters in the story but not as much as the protagonist Rags. Now, that woman is tough and has grit. Strong women unite!



What we badly want to read more on is the back story of most of the characters such as Tracker, Matthew, Colton, and Henny. I guess what kept us so hooked would be the endless questions on the other characters, like how they know each other, where were they from really, and how they ended up in Rondo and rebelled against Hyperion.


So I guess we'll be delving into that in the sequel which we're pretty excited to read as well.


The whole book actually revolves around the town of Rondo so don't expect going beyond more with regards to the setting but we assure you that the "action" is endless so is the excitement and thrill as you read along. Some characters you would definitely hate spot on but some would make you question if you really do hate them or not as the story progresses. Remember, there is a back story for almost all of the characters here which definitely peaked our interest.



Overall, we would give this book a 5 out of 5 freakin stars! It was a fast paced book which may be due to the many secrets that you want to unfold as you read it. How awesome would it be to receive an E-ARC for the next instalment huh? We badly want to know what happened and what will happen to all of them most especially Rags, Colton, and Henny.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 3.5.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book other than I really loved the cover.
Turns out I was pleasantly surprised by it!

Overall, the story was quite interesting and had plenty of action and tension to keep you reading. Although I just want to point out that the fact that Rags has mahogany hair was pointed out a lot ... like A LOT, but other than that it was a fairly good book.

I love Rags as a character. She’s very headstrong and loyal and will do anything to protect her family, even if that means putting herself in harms way. She’s prone to wanting revenge but doesn’t let it eat her up to the point where she becomes irrational but instead becomes focused on what she needs to do. I also really love that her mule is called Nigel, okay.

As for Colton, I adore him. He has that sarcastic quality that comes with a swagger and a smirk (which we all know I have a weakness for in fictional men) and even though you’re not 100% on how much he can be trusted, he’s a character that you immediately warm to.

Then we have Henny. Okay, so he’s technically the ‘villain’ in the foreground of the story (or the main one anyway) but there’s definitely hidden depths to him. He’s not all he seems and though he comes across evil and unsympathetic, I believe that’s not his true nature at all and I can’t wait to read the next one and find out more about him.

The Bone Roses is a very good start to the series.

[Claire Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins 30 years after the eruption of Yellowstone National Park. Right from page one there is a vividly described divide between two worlds of the haves and the have nots. Tracker and Rags, are ‘rustlers’. To provide for their settlement, Rondo, they are forced to steal from the people who live within the fenced confines of Hydra, the kingdom built by Hyperion who rose to power in a dystopian world following the fall of government.
The opening scene is like the chaotic chase from Aladdin, except everyone is out to kill young Rags not catch her. The sadistic Kingdom Corps are far from affable and bumbling and she knows they will literally skin her alive if they catch her. But there is little refuge back in Rondo once it is discovered there is a high bounty on Rags, the blue-eyed witch-child. It is the fated Matthew, her friend and someone she loves like a brother who defends her and gives her the mysterious (and life-saving) bone roses.
In the end she is left to wonder, has she misjudged the dangerous Henny Oreson, Hydra’s second-in-command? And as she ponders her fate, how will he play a part in it.
A gripping, escalating adventure on the verge of fantasy with small reminders of the world that was. A cliff-hanger ending that left me wanting more.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Bone Roses

Author: Kathryn Lee Martin

Book Series: Snow Spark Saga Book 1

Rating: 3/5

Publication Date: May 8, 2018

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, language, gore)

Publisher: The Parliament House

Pages: 331

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Rags is the most feared Rustler in the world, and for good reason. When she’s not raiding the post-Yellowstone Kingdom’s established settlements for supplies to keep her frontier, Rondo, alive another day, she’s fending off witch hunt-happy villagers who want her rare blue eyes in an unmarked grave.

But when the Kingdom strikes back, kills Rags’s best friend, and sends its second-in-command to destroy Rondo in four days, Rags must make a choice: seek revenge, or save her loved ones who are trapped in a town bound for slaughter broadcast Kingdom-wide. With little more than a stolen dream to guide her, and a growing attraction to a sly Kingdom informant, Rags is about to give the Kingdom four days it’ll never forget—if the bounty on her head doesn’t get her killed first.

Review: For the most part this was a good book. The plot was intriguing and characters are interesting. The world building was also well done.

However, I got really confused with this book a lot of the time. The characters were a bit trope-y, the writing was circular, and there was no steampunk in the novel nor was it a western. Westerns are more than people who wear chaps and ride horses.

Verdict: It was ok, but that tagline lies.

[Jessica Natalie Reino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, The Parliament House, in exchange for an honest review.

The Bone Roses: The Snow Spark Saga-Book One by Kathryn Lee Martin is a great read. The world in which Martin has created can best be described as The Day After Tomorrow meets The Wild West in which 16-year-old Rags must fight to survive and save the settlement of Rondo. This proves to be a daunting task since Rags has a bounty on her head and some of the very settlers she has sworn to protect are constantly turning against her to win the favor of the Kingdom. Relationships and alliances are tested as Rags tries to find out the truth behind her loved ones’ pasts, while simultaneously trying to save Rondo from ultimate destruction and stay alive herself.

The action is non-stop and readers will cheer for Rags along her journey. The story is very much character-driven and Martin does an outstanding job of creating multi-dimensional characters making the reader question whether certain characters are good or bad. There is not much backstory of Rags or the other characters, but by telling the story in First Person Present Tense, this is what makes the story, in my opinion, that much more appealing. Readers are living each action in the present as Rags is living it, and it evokes very strong emotions for the reader. Martin’s descriptive language is absolutely gorgeous and it makes the scenes completely come to life. This is a definite must-read and I can’t wait for Book Two!

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book to review by the publisher.

I loved this book. It was a stunning read. The snow-covered, post-apocalyptic world was so clear and vivid. Martin is a truly good writer. She paints a vivid picture of how harsh the life in the Kingdom is. The story starts with a bang, showcasing Rags' skills and how formidable she truly is. I'm not a cowgirl, but I enjoyed the western theme very much. The characters were beautifully crafted and I loved the descriptions of the world.

Martin managed not to bore us with exposition, not bothering to tell us Rags' backstory and instead letting it slowly drip through the book. I loved it, every time I learned something new about Rags I felt like it was completely natural and earned. The rest of the characters were great as well. I loved Colton and Henny and wished we could have seen more of their relationship.

The whole book revolves around the town of Rondo, which at times got a bit boring. There where I few scenes that I felt were unnecessary or dragged on for too long, and I found myself skipping over a lot of text. Overall it's a gripping adventure that had me glued to the book and I can't wait for the second one.

Read the full review on my blog! www.yourwordsmyink.com

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girl is fierce, loyal and will do anything for her family. Every twist and turn in her journey is a fight for life, her life, her families. Fast paced adventure of a little town trying to survive where the folk will turn on each other, she gives and gives and they take what they need, disregard her in a heart beat. Shackles and chains, scars and markings that run deep that she will never forget. There is a fine line between the truth and reality and what has been hidden from the past. The friend, the enemy, the lover interlocked in a battle of their own. Hunted down for beliefs and Rondo may not exist at the end.
The Bone Roses is a book that I just had to keep reading as the suspense was thrilling.

[Jackie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I'm not usually into books that have even a slight western twist to them but this one was more of like a dystopian novel!

I loved Rags' character and how important family was for her since she didn't actually know her birth family!

I also adored Colton! For some reason these Irishmen keep finding me. 🤦 I seriously hope that him and Rags end up properly together since I did like the slight romantic undertones in the book but I also enjoyed that it wasn't the main focus! ...which is very strange to me because I'm a sucker for stories with romance in them. Guess that comes with the hopeless romantic territory...

The ending was an interesting twist and I'm super excited to read the sequel to this one which comes out in September!

[Jodi Herlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

BONE ROSES is a gripping adventure that kept me turning the pages to find out what happens. The book feels bleak with just a glimmer of hope as Rags faces increasingly insurmountable odds. In this respect, it reminds me of Sabaa Tahir's AN EMBER IN THE ASHES. The post-apocalyptic Western-feel setting is vividly portrayed, and the supporting characters all have their own secrets, which adds to the element of mystery. All in all, the writing is strong aside from the narrator's seeming obsession with her own eye color. The ending wasn't quite satisfying, but it did leave me wanting to read the next book.

[Alice J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard about The Bones Roses I was so excited to read it. Young adult western steampunk, what's not to love?! The novel was gripping and I found myself wanting more and more. Rags is a young girl, a rustler for the town of Rondo, and despite the fact that she's still so young she's tough, fierce and loyal. She's not afraid to jump into the fray and does anything she can to protect those she loves.

The descriptions throughout this book are amazing and had me picturing the scene as if I was there down to the smallest detail.

A great read!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intense! Very fast paced and the writing was excellent. It's like an adventure/western/post apocalyptic mash up. I races through this book hoping to find out what would happen next, and plan on starting book 2 immediately after this one. The only thing keeping this from a 5 is that there were unexplained parts tat left me with more questions than answers, especially concerning why things even are how they are and our main character. I'm hoping we get more answers in the subsequent books!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride this was! I love cold weather so if I'm going to read something with a western theme adding snow is perfect. It is a quick and exciting read that's extremely different combining all kinds of themes you wouldn't think go together but actually can. I adore the villain-who's-not-really-a-villain that you see a lot more now but this one is done in such a way that your mind is always sprinting to catch up on the newest dynamics in each relationship. I cannot wait to learn more about Ragamuffin [loved this nickname ha] and Colton and Henny especially.

[Pas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't prepare for this book! It's so different from every YA books. The steampunk/western background is simply amazing. And I have to talk about the characters, they're so well written! I loved Rags, her reactions, how reckless she is, how much she puts in everything she does. When I started it, I wasn't expecting this kind of story or character so it took me a while to get into it but then I couldn't put it away. I just can't wait for the next one! The worst will be to have to wait to learn more about Henny. I love him so much, this is kinda weird because I don't think he's here to be loved. Maybe I'm wrong, we'll see that in book 2!

[Papermochi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was give an iBook arc of this in exchange for an honest review

All I can say is hold tight to your saddles because your in for a wild ride in true western style with a dash of steampunk fantasy added to the mix. The story’s main character Rags is one kickass girl and there’s even a ‘is he or isn’t he’ a bad guy character that your going to LOVE to hate.
So if your looking for something new and different this is for you.

[Monique V]

Ya lo quiero!! I love the premise! sounds like a book I am going to really like!

[Stephanie Cardel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like action, you'll love The Bone Roses. It is action-packed from first page to last and leaves you wanting more. Bring on Book 2 (Garden of Ashes)!

[OneMamaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Rags is a rustler; she steals from the Kingdom Corps, ruled by the tyrannical Hyperion, to provide for the poor and downtrodden frontier town of Rondo. Rondo refuses to bow down to the oppression of Hyperion, so they are cast out of the trade lines in a time of perpetual winter.

This world is fantastically imagined, a post-apocalyptic world, a frozen tundra wasteland created by a catastrophe at Yellowstone. Such a vibrant world, full of intrigue, danger and western culture.

Rags has a hidden past, an escaped crops child who was taken in by Tracker, the main rustler for Rondo. In the Kingdom, people are marked to identify their station and role within the society, a crop child is within the lowest form of slavery.

Rags somehow escaped, but we have yet to know how, or how she managed to get to Rondo. In this story, we are immediately thrown into the action of a rustler's life and the dangers that lurk around every corner ready to end them.

From there, we enter Rondo and are greeted by harsh winter, a populace that is reliant on Rags and Tracker, but fears and hates Rags differences and the bounty on her head (a blue eyed crop child that has been branded a 'witch' by the towns Sheriff, Hunter). Tension reigns inside of Rondo, but more terror lies on the horizon with Kingdom Corps aiming to make an example of Rondo (through means of complete obliteration at the hands of their second in command, Henny).

Rags is a feisty, independent young woman. She is restless, fearful, angry, but denies herself any dreams in favor of caring for those she loves. She is beyond selfless, several times she is offered escape, but refuses to take it. I love her character, her charm, her easy blushing in terms of things outside rustling (romance, love, dreams).

There are also several other characters, all with their own agendas, and the reader is left with the same dilemma Rags must face, who do you trust when it comes to your family, your life and your freedom?

An excellent read, highly recommend this book, especially if you love the wild west, fantasy, and a large dose of steam punk. Including, a top notch heroine, her trusty half horse-half donkey steed, two hard edged young men fighting for and against her, and townsfolk just as ready to murder you in your sleep as help with the next batch of rations.

​I received this ebook from The Parliament House in exchange for an honest review.

[Gayle Krause · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc of The Bone Roses by Kathryn Lee Martin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sixteen-year-old Rags is one brave girl. Marked as a slave, she continually proves herself as a rustler (which in this context is a protector of her village). Through the course of the story Rag discovers that what she thought she knew about the people who accepted her as family isn’t exactly true and her world turns upside down when her sworn enemy becomes her ally. Though other reviewers described this novel as Western, to me it has the feel of Dystopian.

[Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was right there with the main character, Rags. When I can actually feel the cold, snowy weather that seems to be depressingly always present in this dystopian novel I know that this author is one I have to follow. Rags’ character is well developed.
I’m anxious to find out where Rags and her “friends” end up and if she ever meets up with her family again. I also hope by continuing with the next books that I discover what happened to cause this major weather shift!

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way this book makes me feel: what?

WHAT IS HAPPENING? This book confuses me in a bad way--when the main character would do something, I would ask, what is happening? Why is she doing this? What is she even doing? Before I get lost on a tangent, let me list what I did not like:


Negatives
Characters in general... I have to say that the only character I liked in this entire book was Jericho. The main character's image felt OC-ish, and the unrelenting description of her (her mahogany hair, strikingly blue eyes, pale skin, tasseled flight jacket, ARGH!) made it clear that this character was drawn before she was written. Her image is good, overwritten yes, but she does have a very clear physical presence. However, that is where the main character's positives end. Her character is muddled and annoying, varying from suicidal to ARGH-I'M-TERRIFIED-OF-DYING, and her backstory feels shoehorned in. It's annoying that every five seconds we are reminded that, oh yes, this main character suffered when she was a little kid, making her totally stand out from the crowd of other main characters who did not have a perfect childhood (see Harry Potter, Katniss, and Zelie). Sadie's relationship with the main character felt largely unearned, as she was referred to as a mother so many times, but overall spent very little page time besides screaming, hiding, or having the main character feel protective towards her. The two male leads were annoying as well. The Irish dude comes off as creepy, and I'm still insanely confused as to why the main character decided to trust him even after he tried killing her?? Also the man seen roaming in that other rustler town is so obviously the main character's father, I honestly snorted when I read the paragraph.

STOP WITH THE COLORS Geez, can this book go FIVE SECONDS without describing the color of something?? I know the colors of things in the book more than I know the actual plot! If you ever read this, do me a favor and keep a running score of how often the author describes the color of something. It's incredibly distracting and takes away from the book as a whole.

I was lied to the cover had a tagline that said: 'a steampunk western adventure.' I picked this book up because I've never read a western before, and I thought it would be an interesting experience. However, I also picked it up to read a good steampunk book, since I haven't read much of the genre. If you are a fan of steampunk, do not pick up this book. It has no steampunk elements whatsoever, none of the wonder that comes with the genre. It is just a western. Oh yeah, it isn't really an adventure either, since almost the entire story takes place in one town. It is incredibly frustrating when you get clickbaited by a book's tagline.

Positives
World-building needs work I know that sounds like a bad title, but overall, I did enjoy the world of the Bone Roses. However, it needed to be fleshed out much more. I would have loved for a map so I can actually picture where in the Americas they are. The Christian element of the book was alright, it fits in well, it just needs to be, again, fleshed out more. If this book was not already published, I would encourage the author to choose a few aspects of the world to focus on and accentuate to make the world stand out more.

Strong character images I can definitely picture the main character, but the problem is, I could picture her strongly after the third chapter. Despite this fact, I was relentlessly reminded of her goat-hair sweater, mahogany hair, blue eyes, etc., etc. This almost negated the positives from the character images completely, because it was frustrating to wade through endless amounts of description.

Overall, this book needed a much stronger editor to steer the author's vision. I did finish it, so it wasn't unbearable, but I was close to setting the book down.

1.5/5

[Beverly Laude · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I have to disagree with the description of this book. I would not classify it as either Steampunk or Western. The fact that people wear buckskins with fringe and have a horse or mule to ride does not make it a Western. And, there was only (maybe) one element of Steampunk-type technology in the whole book. To me, it should be classified as dystopian.

That being said, the story did hold my interest for the most part. But, I really never felt engaged by the characters. The world building was OK, but could have been better. I never really understood a lot of the story.

Rags is a young woman who was born a slave and rescued by a man called Tracker. She comes to think of him, Sadie and Matthew as her family, since she never really had a family. She and Tracker are Rustlers for Rondo, going out into other settlements to steal supplies.

Hyperion, who is only talked about in the book, is the ruler of everything, demanding that all bow down and pledge allegiance to him. Rondo refuses to worship Hyperion and therefore they are cut off from supplies by the Kingdom. There are hints of Christianity, but it is never really clear in the book. If a whole settlement refuses to worship Hyperion, I think that their faith would be very strong and should be evident throughout the book.

There is a lot of action in the book, but a lot of it dragged for me too. I really wanted to love the book, but just came away liking it. It is well-written and the author does a great job in her descriptions. Not sure if I will continue the series or not. I just never really felt engaged by it that much.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the setting of this book - a post-apocalyptic western with a mix of steampunk! I also fell in love with Rags, the main character - the revealment of her backstory is spread throughout the book and I still feel like we don't know all of her story yet. I can't wait to find out more. This goes much the same for the other group of characters in the book, most have mysterious pasts that slowly get unveiled, keeping you keen.

My one complaint about this book is the writing style, it may just be me being picky but you only need to hear that she has raven hair once or twice, not every time it gets talked about! This happens numerous times with other descriptions, such as her gloves and jacket, and it becomes a bit tedious and repetitive. Saying that, if you can look past this, it's an excellent storyline.

[Cassie Bobo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I would specifically call this book a western or categorize it as a part of the steampunk genre, that being said, I did enjoy the book. I rooted for the main character Rags although I felt like I started a book in the middle because it felt like there was missing information and I thought that it would be explained as I continued reading however, I never got the answer to the questions I had about the history of the location.

I do want to read the next three books in the series (I think there are four books at the moment) and learn what happens at the end. Hopefully that will clear up some questions for me.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

It just wasn’t really my cup of tea. I didn’t really connect with the MC and had a hard time getting into this book. I think western meets dystopian sounds so cool and I’m sure many people will love it, just not me.

Technically, I DNF’d the book but it wasn’t for truly bad reasons. I just wasn’t interested enough even though on paper it sounded like it would. Maybe I’ll try to pick it up again.

Thank you to The Parliament House for giving me an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle | michelledevoursbooks]

I was intrigued by the prospect of reading a fantasy/dystopian novel by an independent publisher, but I could not finish this book. I found the writing difficult to read due to the excessive use of adjectives and clauses that made no sense. I now know the color of everything in each scene and it is absolutely unnecessary for the story. I might try and pick it up later because the plot is interesting and the characters have potential, but it's really a tough one to get through.

[Judith Doskicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving, great descriptions, felt like I was there.