Iron Bones

The Wild Hunt #3

by Yasmine Galenorn

Light and Dark Fae are both dying, caught in the grip of a plague that threatens to sweep through both courts. The deadly disease is spreading, and no one can pinpoint the origins, nor can an antidote be formulated until the details of the contagion are understood. As Cernunnos sets Ferosyn—his best healer—on the task, he also instructs the Wild Hunt to take on the investigation.

Now, Ember and Herne must race against time, seeking an answer before both Fae courts are decimated. Their search leads them deep into the mountains, to a hidden burial site where they discover a terrifying secret that could mean the extinction of the entire Fae race.

Reading Order of Series:
The Silver Stag
Oak & Thorns
Iron Bones

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy, Fae, Magic, Romance, Vampires

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 6, 2018

About the author

NOTE: I SELDOM visit Goodreads and do very little here. Please see my website for more information on my work: https://galenorn.com

New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over 80 books & numerous series, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Otherworld Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, and more. She wrote for trad publishers for 20 years until she went indie in 2016.

She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her web site at Galenorn.com. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://galenorn.com/newsletter/

NOTE: ALWAYS check the website and blog, and please sign up for her newsletter there to keep current with new and upcoming releases. Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are NOT viable places to find out all this information.

Reviews

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iron Bones is book three in The Wild Hunt series by Yasmine Galenorn. There’s a lot of action as warring factions collide and we dive deeper into Ember’s heritage.

This series does need to be read in order. Each novel builds on the other and we dive deeper into the world and characters.

Ember is a relatable heroine and we leaning more about her in each book. We also get to learn more about the other characters like Angel who’s an empath and Ember’s BFF. Herne who is a demigod stag shifter and Ember’s love interests. Then we have Talia a harpy, Viktor a half ogre, and Yutani a coyote shifter. It’s gloriously fun to learning about these characters and see how well they work together. I also really enjoy that they help those less fortunate.

The mystery they are working on is interesting. It comes directly from Herne’s dad labeling it a code red. Fae on both sides are dying and there seems to be no stopping it.

As we dive into the case Ember’s heritage comes too light. Her heritage begins to evolve and she’s developing new powers from both sides of her family (dark & light). She’s got some big changes coming her way and will need all the help she can get to master her new gifts.

The romance is subtle and progressing nicely. Herne shows Ember how much he loves her in big and small ways. It was nice to see. We are also treated to some sexy times between our couple.

Iron Bones was another entertaining and thrilling read. I had a blast! This Urban Fantasy series is full of adventure, mystery, suspense, remarkable characters, and hints of romance. It’s everything I enjoy and I can’t wait to read on.

Rated: 4 Stars

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book is better than the last as this magical urban fantasy series unfolds. Their an exciting read that's hard to put down.

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up to 4.5 stars. Ms. Galenorn has penned another winner! Ember is an incredibly relatable heroine with a lot of changes in store for her. The romance is subtle, and I love watching it deepen from book to book. I seriously can’t get enough of this world and these characters.

[Lyndi W.]

You know what? Fuck this. It should not take me 3 days to read 5 chapters. I'm giving up at 64%. This is just not good.

- The author can't remember what she wrote a few pages before or just completely disregards it. This was a minor issue in previous books, but it's undeniably frustrating now.

- The characters take way too long to figure out what's going on after horribly obvious clues. They're talking for ten minutes about all the crystal clear hints and just going the wrong direction with them and I'm reading it feeling like I'm watching my own child try to smash the square peg into the round hole. "You're smarter than this, what the hell is wrong with you?"

- Why the hell does anyone care about the various roads you have to take to get anyfuckingwhere? In every book the author gives a ton of extraneous information on the drive to somewhere, like yeah we get it - you live in Seattle and know the roads. Delete the 5 paragraphs about how to get from downtown to the ferry, ffs. This isn't a tour guide!

- Every few pages we're introduced to another group of magical Fae-adjacent beings that are genetically disposed to torture, pain, and murder. And angry for some reason. Even the characters haven't heard of this shit before. They all have Irish sounding names and some of them are probably legit, like actual myths and legends and not just made up for the book. But it's too fucking much. Fae are being killed by Newly Introduced Group #1, using Newly Introduced Group #2 to do it, but somehow Newly Introduced Group #3 seems to be pulling the strings, but nobody understands how they've gotten their hands on Newly Introduced Group #4 to make all this happen because it's usually under the control of Newly Introduced Group #5. And this all happens over the course of a few pages. SO WHAT THE FUCK. I can't remember any of this nonsense. And that's not even including the "Oh, you're a speshul mixed-raced Fae girl of Newly Introduced Group #6 and #7 and that's gonna make you all super powerful and dangerous" Mary Sue Chosen One vibe bullshit that's happening with the MC. And just learning about #s 6 and 7 leads us to being introduced to 8-11. We're in the third fucking book and it's like we just got dropped into the crypto-cyclopedia.

Bottom line is that this is just too much. It's too much meandering through obviously wrong answers before getting to the truth; it's too much time spent on explaining the fucking drive from here to there; it's too much unintentional hot and cold from the H; it's too many new things being introduced as almost an infodump; it's too many storylines - familial issues, household issues, birthday issues, magical coming-of-age issues, genocidal paramilitary organization issues, mommy-and-daddy-were-murdered issues, romantic relationship issues, etc. I'm literally finding excuses to put the book down because it's just too much to take in.

I am calling it quits. So, here's the ooooh and aaahh the author was so desperately hoping for by needlessly flexing her knowledge of mythology. Dial it back next time, Galenorn.

[Brooke Sillaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up to 4.5 stars.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Am I breaking up with this series? Is this the one that caused it? Not completely sure yet. Good news is that the dialog was better overall in this one. I'd commented on that specifically in my reviews of the first two books of the series. It still had it's moments, but I thought, overall, that part of the writing was better. Then, well...I'm not sure how to say what I didn't like without spoilers. There are multiple things that happen that just seem to go away, end of up being not a big deal to the plot (but not in a subtle red herring sort of way but in a what-about-that-thing-that-was-never-mentioned-again sort of way), and cause the plot to be disjointed. I don't really have a good way to describe it, except to say that almost nothing in this plot worked together, although there are some intriguing and numerous plot points, or was resolved. I just returned all the books to the library I'd already checked out. I might pick it back up in the future if I run out of other things to read, but this one is going back on the shelf for now.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun in a few different ways. The Wild Hunt group seems to be working together very well, in fact they are starting to guess what the others will do/need. I liked how they also are helping those less fortunate they come across.

The case they were working on was only interesting to me because it was code red, right form Herne's dad. Who was involved, why and how was more blah for me. The only good thing about it was that by working the case it gave Ember a chance to go off on family, something that was a long time coming.

The most interesting aspect of this book was Ember learning more about the 2 different fae sides of herself. To say they aren't good is putting it mildly. Ember has some big changes coming her way, it will be interesting to see what she chooses or what chooses her.

[Taylor Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know. It's not that the series is bad, there's just nothing that I'm captivated by either. The romance is lackluster, the villains are kind of bad at best, the magics get used minimally. It's just boring. I tried to stick with it and made it through 2.5 books, but I'm stopping now.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series is getting quite interesting. The relationship between all of the Wild Hunt crew is great. Each character is different but they gel. The author tells a good story. I do want to see where she takes Ember’s and Herne’s relationship.

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow that was... A LOT. Poor Ember, but damn I love when Herne shows how much he loves her in both big and small ways.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars:)

[Jessalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this new urban fantasy series from Yasmine Galenorn about Ember Kearney, a full-blooded Fae (actually a Tralaeth, meaning she has a lineage of half Dark Fae & Half Light Fae) who begins to work for The Wild Hunt Investigation Agency due to some interesting events out of her control. The characters, including Ember & her co-workers, are interesting & by this, the third book, their back stories are starting to be filled in a little bit. Ember answers to the Morrigan & Cernunnos, both gods & is dating their son, Herne, a demigod.

In this particular book, two main storylines stand out the most, with a third & fourth also occurring throughout. The first relates to Ember's mysterious background & her family lineage - the relatives that she knows exist but has never met. Her grandfather shows up to meet her after not contacting her for her 30 years of life thus far with a shocking request/order that she must evaluate & deal with. The second storyline deals with a case that the agency takes on regarding large numbers of Far getting sick, then dying. They must figure out who is killing Fae, both Light & Dark & why, as well as come up with a solution for this to help the Fae. There is a third storyline that was addressed, which is also related to Ember's lineage & background. She is reaching the time in every Fae's life when they stop aging at the same rate as humans due to their life span being so much longer. Because her parents were of two different Courts & types of Fae, her dual nature will be coming into play with one side expressing dominance over the other. Since she is a rare combination, no one seems sure what she will go through or how she will change during this time. Her powers already seem to be changing in both good & dangerous ways. Finally, a bit of time was spent on Ember & her best friend Angel purchasing a new home & getting that house ready for move-in.

I liked this book, but I feel like it took off in an unexpected direction. I think there was a lot going on here. This probably could have been split into two, more focused & concise books. It was enjoyable & fun to read, but I feel like each topic could have been given more time & detail. Some portions were incredibly specific & others were pretty vague. I am not sure how to describe it, but this book just did not take the direction I was expecting.

[Brit · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and the third book of hers that I’ve read. I was not as excited about this book as I was initially going into the series. I love Urban Fantasy and I love paranormal stories. However, I feel like this author has a real problem with pacing and because of that the books seem to drag a lot. After you wait and wait and wait to get to the climax of the story, it passes over very quickly and it doesn’t seem to spend a lot of time there figuring out or getting into anything. I feel like it’s a lot of build up towards a lot of nothing at the end. And at the end of the book, you’re left with a lot of unresolved questions that may or may be solved in the next or a future book. (The ex boyfriend from the first book is an ongoing issue that is never really dealt with.)

This is probably going to be the last book of hers that I read. The story just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in a direction that I’m interested in. As well, I draw the line at super powered sperm that is too strong for condoms. I don’t know where we’re going with this. I will be reading other Goodreads reviews to get some summaries to kind of see where things are going but otherwise if you like books that take too long to get where it’s going and without enough character growth, check this series out.

[Cassie's Lost Fallen Angel of the Reading Stars · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY!!!! I had to wait a VERY long time to order this book (and several others, and then I have pretty much two other orders in the ready... when you know.. I have the one thing that makes the world go round MONEY!!!!))
Anyhow
THE BOOK WAS AWESOME...
But something is coming.
Be it with Ember, Herne, or the group all together.
Or just the first two....
or something.
All my free time was spent to reading this, as that goes to all books I read. BUT. I seriously just wanted to skip the one of a kind job that I have, and read. Cause the job would remind you of the movie “ the little mermaid “
Except I am a professional mermaid. And teach others how to be one, (amongst my many other trades... but this one by far pays the most. )
The book, just wow.
And I’m only going to say this....
Who knew bones could do that to branches of the fea.
And “who knew people of the fea are so cold hearted.. Wait. Yea I did. People from the real IRL one are too.
OTHER than that.
Love love LOVE this book.
On to a different one.
YAY -dances-

[Stan Hutchings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember (mixed light and dark fae), Herne (a demigod stag shifter), Angel (empath) and the Wild Hunt team, Talia (a harpy), Viktor (half ogre), and Yutani (a coyote shifter), are back for another adventure, briefly described in the introductory welcome. Ember's heritage begins to evolve as she approaches Cruharach and develops new powers. She learns about her family line inherited from her mother and father, quite a bizarre mix. She will need teaching and training and guidance from both Cernunnos and Morgana if she is to survive Cruharach. A plague is killing Fae of both courts. The Team must determine the cause and find a cure. Ember's Cruharach is rapidly approaching.
There is a lot of action, sometimes quite violent, as warring factions collide and there are a few heavy sex episodes between Ember and Herne. Although not a cliff-hanger, the ending definitely makes you wish for more - fortunately available in Book 4, "A Shadow of Crows".

[Kit Moonstar · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book was really interesting, but also kind of frustrating. The case is very much background to what is going on in Ember’s life. And she has a lot going on. She learns a lot more about her family background, and her own powers are starting to grow. It’s pretty clear that she’s about to face a lot of change in her life. In fact, more of the book is preoccupied with that than the case. Which isn’t exactly bad, but the fact that the main mystery is less interesting than Ember’s current issues is a problem, especially when we keep getting pulled away from Ember’s issues to deal with the case. And it isn’t really necessary to keep the story moving. It barely ties into what Ember has going one except with one exception, and the book doesn’t balance the two plots very well. Ember’s is definitely the more interesting one, and it does fit with some of the themes from the earlier books.

The case itself is resolved off screen after they get the mcguffin they needed for the antidote, and there are a lot of loose that aren’t dealt with. Maybe they will be in the next book. I’ll just have to see. One of my biggest complaints about this series so far is that the books seem rather short, and the author could have easily combined some of them into one book which might help the flow and pacing of the story arcs. Still, I will admit that I find both the world and the characters fascinating, and will continue to read these. Three out of five stars.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the enthralling third book in the series, which needs to be read in order. The book begins a little after the end of the second, and ends with a bit of foreshadowing, and some unfinished business. When the Fae start dying from a mysterious illness, the Wild Hunt are asked to investigate. This one is personal for Herne and Ember. After all, Herne’s mother is the Fae goddess, and Ember might be Tralaeth, but she is one hundred percent Fae. With a joint love of their work, and a budding love for one another, neither is ready for the changes to come. As Ember finds out more of what kind of a commitment it is to become the Morrigan’s, she also finds out more of who she has the potential to become. At this point I am really glad these books are in KU...as fast as I am going through them I would blow out my book budget without getting through half the series.

[Heather]

Light and Dark Fae are both dying, caught in the grip of a plague that threatens to sweep through both courts. The deadly disease is spreading, and no one can pinpoint the origins, nor can an antidote be formulated until the details of the contagion are understood. As Cernunnos sets Ferosyn—his best healer—on the task, he also instructs the Wild Hunt to take on the investigation.
Now, Ember and Herne must race against time, seeking an answer before both Fae courts are decimated. Their search leads them deep into the mountains, to a hidden burial site where they discover a terrifying secret that could mean the extinction of the entire Fae race.

Heather's Notes
I like this series. I like how Ember is learning more about herself and that Herne is supporting her. I like learning more about the other characters. I hope this continues to be an enjoyable series.

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Deadly Contagion

•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded, or faint of heart!•••



This series must be read in order. The first book is "The Silver Stag". The second book is "Oak & Thorns". This is the third book. I can't wait to read "A Shadow Of Crows"!



Ember thought buying a house was a big deal until she found out about a plague killing both the Light and Dark Fae. It feels like an attack, not something natural. How can they even begin to investigate something so swift and deadly? Will Ember catch it? How is it transmitted? Will they be able to find a cure? Can they stop the spread? Or will this be the end of the Fae for good?

[Jennifer Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!!!

Iron Bones was really interesting again and Yasmine Galenorn has done it again with an incredible storyline. Ember and Herne are still learning more about each other.

Ember is trying to figure out who she is when she gets a phone call from a grandfather that has never wanted to know her and now is wanting to meet. On top of that there is a strange illness that is killing the fae at a fast rate. It's crunch time for Ember, Herne, and the gang to find out what the cause
of this illness is. Then how to fix it.

New characters are introduced into the fold and Herne is not happy at all about it.. This is writing excellence at its best!!!

[Jeri Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as much as the first two but now have to wait for book 4. I have it preordered. I usually try to read only series that are complete because I hate waiting. Good thing there are so many good books out there to choose from. I love this series, If I had any complaints it would be the addition of so many driving directions. Its not like Im going to try to follow along on a map or anything. I felt like all the directions were just fillers to make the book a little longer. Thats it though, I like the story line.

[Alyssa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much happened in this book that I am dying to find out where this is all leading. That is one thing I love about this author, everything eventually leads to something in a future book. We are introduced to new characters and I have to wonder about the changes Ember is about to face. Changes are coming for her and we are learning more about her family and about her parents. Herne's character also evolves as we learn about some of his insecurities.
Over all loved the development of the characters in this book.

[C. Mercie M Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The work of the wild hunt continues….

Ember and Hermès continue to work together for the wild hunt, to keep the paranormal world from hurting humans. With a joint love of their work, and a budding love for one another, neither is ready for the changes to come. As Ember finds out more of what kind of a commitment it is to become the Morrigan’s, she also finds out more of who she has the potential to become. As always, the storyline between the characters plays well, the setting is appropriate, and the story fun. A fun little adventure.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible)

The Fae have been targeted with a poison targeted specific to their allergy to iron.
The Wild Hunt team has been forced to find a solution together with medical staff. As the two clans of Fae are affected, there's a push to have a meeting, which is very stressful on all sides.
Once the cause is found, the antidote has to be produced, which, of course, means a dangerous mission to procure that one scarce substance.

[Alina Tache · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overall: story, plot, characters etc.

This book has been the best of the Wild Hunt series, so far. Not only have the characters developed more, but the main character (Ember) suddenly accelerated into her path/powers/destiny (whatever you want to call it). I feel like the book has planted the seeds for an even bigger story. Can't wait for the next one! This is a wonderful urban fantasy universe, definitely recommended to those who love the genre.

[Abra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ember and Herne are fighting a code red problem. Someone has created a virulent virus that kills fae. It is killing fae in each faction so it is thought that the danger comes from outside. The Wild Hunt has to stop the virus before it kills all the fae.

Ember is starting to find out who she is. The new information about her heritage and the changes within her scare Ember and she doesn't know what is going to happen to her.

[Waverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up. A potentially interesting set up that's less engaging in depth and intensity compared to superstar series in the genre. Lackluster plot for the individual novel, but there are promises of character development in the works and maybe more world building for a narrative arc to come. I'll be looking for the next installment to find out.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great one by Ms. Galenorn. In this installment, we see Ember continue to grow, and we learn about her heritage. She battles monsters alongside Herne, and her group at the Wild Hunt. I look forward to seeing the next edition, where we (hopefully) learn how Embers new information about her heritage will affect her.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Ember and the whole setup of the Wild Hunt agency and the world building. This time the team is trying to find out what has caused a deathly epidemic among the Faes and on a side note a new interesting character is introduced (I was happily surprised as he's finnish and it's rare that there are any characters/mythologies from my country in the books I read )

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Bones About It, This Series Is Magickal!

Wow! Loved this book. Yasmine Galenorn has an inborn talent for world building and character depth. The Wild Hunt has quickly become a needed staple on my shelves. Any lover of urban fantasy, Celtic mythology, and kick ass characters need look no further for an incredible reading experience. Bravo, Ms. Galenorn, you've done it again!