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Lesser Known Monsters #2
The Bone Gate
New beginnings don't mean happy endings...
More than a year has passed since Oscar's friends stopped him from ending the world as we know it. Life is settling back to a new normal, and everyone is finally able to take a breath. The group are preparing to embrace the tedium of day jobs and current affairs, but must first deal with a little unfinished family business and some surprise house guests...oh, and a creature born from darkness hell-bent on destroying reality and everyone in it. Well, that didn't last long, did it?
The LESSER KNOWN MONSTERS series is a dark queer fantasy featuring diverse characters on a found family adventure. Perfect for fans of horror and paranormal romance who seek LGBTQ+ heroes.
More than a year has passed since Oscar's friends stopped him from ending the world as we know it. Life is settling back to a new normal, and everyone is finally able to take a breath. The group are preparing to embrace the tedium of day jobs and current affairs, but must first deal with a little unfinished family business and some surprise house guests...oh, and a creature born from darkness hell-bent on destroying reality and everyone in it. Well, that didn't last long, did it?
The LESSER KNOWN MONSTERS series is a dark queer fantasy featuring diverse characters on a found family adventure. Perfect for fans of horror and paranormal romance who seek LGBTQ+ heroes.
Praise for the Lesser Known Monsters series
“Sparkling, innovative, and most importantly, fun. Everything you could want in a vast, twisty feat of characters and dark fantasy.”―Adam Sass, award-winning author of Surrender Your Sons
“Dreamy prose, fully realised characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with, and a storyline that is both thrilling and tender.”―Jonny Garza Villa, author of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun
“Good twists, good monsters, and all the heart of a true found family.”―David Slayton, author of White Trash Warlock
“A wonderfully queer, riveting, and heartfelt found family adventure that shows even the most average person can save the world...or end it.”―Jayme Bean, author of Untouched
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2021
36 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Rory Michaelson
5 books114 followersRory Michaelson is always doing too many things, and rarely the ones that they ought to be. The Lesser Known Monsters series includes Rory’s debut novel and short story collection. They were born and raised in the UK, love stories in all forms, and are easily bribed with cookies.
You can follow Rory on Twitter (and other social media platforms) for shenanigans @RoryMichaelson, or subscribe to their newsletter at RoryMichaelson.com.
You can follow Rory on Twitter (and other social media platforms) for shenanigans @RoryMichaelson, or subscribe to their newsletter at RoryMichaelson.com.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 31, 2021
Once bitten twice shy doesn’t apply to books by Rory Michaelson. Quite on the contrary, for their Lesser Known Monsters series I would rather say, hit me, baby, one more time!
Joking aside, I am not joking. Unlike some authors who fall victims to their later books in the series, Rory has upgraded Lesser Known Monsters to The Bone Gate, adding a few spicy The Little Book of Lesser Known Monsters short stories in between their two novels.
Rory’s queer, paranormal romance, horror, dark fantasy cuisine is gourmet. It is a three-star Michelin literary gastronomy.
From jokes, funny dialogues, giggling and LOLs as an appetizer, The Bone Gate warms up to a suspenseful, dark, bloody, and raw main course squirming on your plate with decaying and foul-smelling body remains. If your stomach is not full and rising after licking your fingers on the last page of the book, Rory will serve you a hungry expectation of a delicious dessert, The Thorn Earth (Lesser Known Monsters Book 3) coming out in 2022.
I am overjoyed and grateful to the author for receiving a complimentary copy of The Bone Gate. And for the time I enjoyed spending with this entertaining, funny, dark, and scary story while holding a beautifully designed paperback in my hands.
Kudos to the author Rory Michaelson, illustrator Axel Toth, and Rory’s and my book designer Dean Cole!
I have purchased an eBook and received a paperback at no cost and with no obligation toward the author. When I like a book this much, I will shout from the rooftops about it. This is my honest review, as honest as it gets.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
Joking aside, I am not joking. Unlike some authors who fall victims to their later books in the series, Rory has upgraded Lesser Known Monsters to The Bone Gate, adding a few spicy The Little Book of Lesser Known Monsters short stories in between their two novels.
Rory’s queer, paranormal romance, horror, dark fantasy cuisine is gourmet. It is a three-star Michelin literary gastronomy.
From jokes, funny dialogues, giggling and LOLs as an appetizer, The Bone Gate warms up to a suspenseful, dark, bloody, and raw main course squirming on your plate with decaying and foul-smelling body remains. If your stomach is not full and rising after licking your fingers on the last page of the book, Rory will serve you a hungry expectation of a delicious dessert, The Thorn Earth (Lesser Known Monsters Book 3) coming out in 2022.
I am overjoyed and grateful to the author for receiving a complimentary copy of The Bone Gate. And for the time I enjoyed spending with this entertaining, funny, dark, and scary story while holding a beautifully designed paperback in my hands.
Kudos to the author Rory Michaelson, illustrator Axel Toth, and Rory’s and my book designer Dean Cole!
I have purchased an eBook and received a paperback at no cost and with no obligation toward the author. When I like a book this much, I will shout from the rooftops about it. This is my honest review, as honest as it gets.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
August 31, 2024
Second read 08/24. We begin the book with Oscar discovering more of himself with his lover, Zara still coming to terms with a new life, and Marcus is... Where's Marcus??
We end the book on a sad note, hence the sucint first review. It was not an easy read, especially knowing what will happen next. Third book wraps a grand adventure beautifully, and it's a journey I can't wait to begin.
ALSO, I think the author changed the descriptions of the monsters for pictures, I don't recall having them the first time. They are amazing! It really gave more life for the story. BUT I really liked the descriptions. Some read almost like ominouos poems.
First read 07/22.
Begins the last chapter crying. Finishes the last chapter crying. Reads the acknowledgement crying. Starts reading the last book of the trilogy crying.
We end the book on a sad note, hence the sucint first review. It was not an easy read, especially knowing what will happen next. Third book wraps a grand adventure beautifully, and it's a journey I can't wait to begin.
ALSO, I think the author changed the descriptions of the monsters for pictures, I don't recall having them the first time. They are amazing! It really gave more life for the story. BUT I really liked the descriptions. Some read almost like ominouos poems.
First read 07/22.
Begins the last chapter crying. Finishes the last chapter crying. Reads the acknowledgement crying. Starts reading the last book of the trilogy crying.
May 11, 2021
The Bone Gate is an action-packed emotional roller coaster of a book, and a phenomenal follow-up and sequel to Lesser Known Monsters. All in all, Rory Michaelson’s storytelling shines in The Bone Gate. Continuing to follow the main character, Oscar, we get a taste for what the world has been like since he and his friends saved the world and closed the world parralax. Like Lesser Known Monsters, The Bone Gate takes us deeper into the imaginative and unique world Michaelson has created. Riveting action, tender and wholesome moments, hilarious dialogue, and loads of big bads dominate the landscape and propel the story forward…but outside of that, the connection between the characters, the directions their lives are taking, and the overarching stakes of saving the world blend all of that into the perfect book. If you liked Lesser Known Monsters, it will be impossible for you not to fall in love with The Bone Gate.
There are a host of new characters to love in this second installment. Ranging from hilarious, sexy, and sweet to snarky and dubious, there is little not to like with the new cast. Introductions of characters such as Betty Blumpkin, a cheeky drag queen/awesome monster and blasts from the past for Oscar, Zara, and Dmitri, make every scene unputdownable. Michaelson’s twists on traditional monster folklore continue to make each character one-of-a-kind, which lends not only a unique viewpoint to their world, but a fun connection to the recognizable menagerie of creatures and cryptids they pepper in. Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without the tried and true stars of the Lesser Known Monsters series: Oscar, Zara, Marcus, and Dmitri. As someone who fell instantly in love with all of them, I was pleased to see their character arcs continue in such a strong way. Michaelson was able to keep their stories interwoven while still allowing us insight into who they are as individuals. We get a closer look at Zara and Marcus, which I will never complain about, and we are treated to some of Dmitri’s history as well. If anything, each character’s growth throughout The Bone Gate leaves me even more eager to get to the third and final installment in the trilogy.
As was the case with Lesser Known Monsters, Michaelson has created a fantastic world filled with fabulously queer characters, pop-culture references, and dark and silly humor. For those that read Lesser Known Monsters, you know that there were very few cases of queerphobia, making the story more about the characters and their adventures without bigotry becoming a force to be reckoned with (on top of already being responsible for ending/saving the world). In The Bone Gate, however, queerphobia is touched upon heavily with the main antagonist and woven into the story in a purposeful way, making it seen as the affront it should be. I appreciated that the bigotry was reserved for a reason and meant as a main driver in the hatred spewed forth by the Big Bad™. It is used in such a way that while there are many unsavory characters we come across, none but the true evil and most hateful character possesses any queerphobia or bigotry. That stark comparison makes it clear that Michaelson’s world continues to be an accepting one, and not one focused on those nasty aspects of life that we often see focused on in queer books.
Not only is that aspect brilliantly handled, every other aspect of queer life in The Bone Gate is addressed just as well. We follow Marcus, who addresses their transness; Zara, who is overworked and looking for a woman she can turn to to take away the bite of loneliness she feels; and Oscar who is trying his best to build a relationship while also trying to gain confidence and agency. Michaelson speaks beautifully to a multi-dimensional queer experience and life without overstepping into identities or digging too deeply into backgrounds, but instead, lets the reader have a glimpse of each character and their hopes, dreams, and fears. It allows us to become more connected to their characters while still wanting to know more and, as always, protect them with everything we have.
If you’re like me and are a fan of Lesser Known Monsters, you will no doubt be taken on a wild journey of awe, laughter, and a whirlwind of emotion. Michaelson seemed to take everything I loved about the first book and doubled (sometimes tripled) down on it. As can be expected, the humor is bar-none and I laughed out loud the entire way through. Michaelson excels with dialogue and continues to pull at my heartstrings with the found family dynamics, not to mention the hopelessly romantic dialogue from Dmitri as he continues to uphold his old world charm. The new characters possess all of the above and more, making you root for them even when you shouldn’t. I will not lie when I say I cried my eyes out through the last chapter, though the reason will have to remain secret as to avoid spoilers. Just make sure you bring tissues.
Overall, The Bone Gate is a beyond stellar follow-up and a testament to Rory Michaelson’s skill and creativity. I am sad that there will only be one more installment in this series because I could stay in this world forever.
Huge thanks to the author, Rory Michaelson, for allowing me to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as well as putting up with my unrelenting feedback and screaming commentary in their inbox.
There are a host of new characters to love in this second installment. Ranging from hilarious, sexy, and sweet to snarky and dubious, there is little not to like with the new cast. Introductions of characters such as Betty Blumpkin, a cheeky drag queen/awesome monster and blasts from the past for Oscar, Zara, and Dmitri, make every scene unputdownable. Michaelson’s twists on traditional monster folklore continue to make each character one-of-a-kind, which lends not only a unique viewpoint to their world, but a fun connection to the recognizable menagerie of creatures and cryptids they pepper in. Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without the tried and true stars of the Lesser Known Monsters series: Oscar, Zara, Marcus, and Dmitri. As someone who fell instantly in love with all of them, I was pleased to see their character arcs continue in such a strong way. Michaelson was able to keep their stories interwoven while still allowing us insight into who they are as individuals. We get a closer look at Zara and Marcus, which I will never complain about, and we are treated to some of Dmitri’s history as well. If anything, each character’s growth throughout The Bone Gate leaves me even more eager to get to the third and final installment in the trilogy.
As was the case with Lesser Known Monsters, Michaelson has created a fantastic world filled with fabulously queer characters, pop-culture references, and dark and silly humor. For those that read Lesser Known Monsters, you know that there were very few cases of queerphobia, making the story more about the characters and their adventures without bigotry becoming a force to be reckoned with (on top of already being responsible for ending/saving the world). In The Bone Gate, however, queerphobia is touched upon heavily with the main antagonist and woven into the story in a purposeful way, making it seen as the affront it should be. I appreciated that the bigotry was reserved for a reason and meant as a main driver in the hatred spewed forth by the Big Bad™. It is used in such a way that while there are many unsavory characters we come across, none but the true evil and most hateful character possesses any queerphobia or bigotry. That stark comparison makes it clear that Michaelson’s world continues to be an accepting one, and not one focused on those nasty aspects of life that we often see focused on in queer books.
Not only is that aspect brilliantly handled, every other aspect of queer life in The Bone Gate is addressed just as well. We follow Marcus, who addresses their transness; Zara, who is overworked and looking for a woman she can turn to to take away the bite of loneliness she feels; and Oscar who is trying his best to build a relationship while also trying to gain confidence and agency. Michaelson speaks beautifully to a multi-dimensional queer experience and life without overstepping into identities or digging too deeply into backgrounds, but instead, lets the reader have a glimpse of each character and their hopes, dreams, and fears. It allows us to become more connected to their characters while still wanting to know more and, as always, protect them with everything we have.
If you’re like me and are a fan of Lesser Known Monsters, you will no doubt be taken on a wild journey of awe, laughter, and a whirlwind of emotion. Michaelson seemed to take everything I loved about the first book and doubled (sometimes tripled) down on it. As can be expected, the humor is bar-none and I laughed out loud the entire way through. Michaelson excels with dialogue and continues to pull at my heartstrings with the found family dynamics, not to mention the hopelessly romantic dialogue from Dmitri as he continues to uphold his old world charm. The new characters possess all of the above and more, making you root for them even when you shouldn’t. I will not lie when I say I cried my eyes out through the last chapter, though the reason will have to remain secret as to avoid spoilers. Just make sure you bring tissues.
Overall, The Bone Gate is a beyond stellar follow-up and a testament to Rory Michaelson’s skill and creativity. I am sad that there will only be one more installment in this series because I could stay in this world forever.
Huge thanks to the author, Rory Michaelson, for allowing me to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as well as putting up with my unrelenting feedback and screaming commentary in their inbox.
May 11, 2021
Right. Well, then. Huh. Um, so. Yeah. OK. Here we go.
You know how people overuse the term 'I can't even'? It's a shame, because this is one of those situations where it's actually perfectly merited, but society has conspired to lessen its force. Oh, well. The fact of the matter is that I don't think I can even, and even if I could I expect it wouldn't be satisfactory, but we'll give it a go.
The Bone Gate may well be the perfect next step in what Lesser Known Monsters started, and that's no small feat. Sequels in general are tough to do, but here there's a perfect balance between the continuation of the familiar and the introduction of the fresh, meaning that it feels like a fitting follow-up to the first story, or even a fitting second part of the same story, while also having enough new and interesting about it that it doesn't just feel like Lesser Known Monsters: Part II. Not that there'd have been anything wrong with that, as such, but I think you need to keep things moving to some extent in a sequel or you find yourself wondering what the point of doing a sequel was at all. No such issues here.
When we rejoin our main characters, they're still the same people they were at the end of the first book, in that they've got to keep the development they earned there, but they've all also changed in the intervening period, some in ways we don't find out until a little further in. Oscar, our main character, is continuing his arc of moving from indecisive and inactive to much more confident and proactive in subtle ways that I think are all the more meaningful and effective because they don't boil down to just 'Oscar went from having no magic at all to casting Level 99 Zettaflare in the space of two pages' or something (this does not happen, just an example), and it feels earned that Oscar gets to have done some growing based on his experiences in Lesser Known Monsters. That said, The Bone Gate throws a couple of things at him to undermine his perception of that growth, and I really love how it's handled: I'm not sure Oscar ever thinks this in as many words, but I get the impression of a person really struggling to work out where his own worth is. It's easy for him to see how valuable others are, and I think it's also a beautiful thing to draw your strength from those around you, but Oscar's still having a hard time identifying what he has to offer that nobody else does.
As for the rest of the cast, all our returning friends are as wonderful as ever, and a couple of new additions slot in perfectly. Oscar's sister Paige, heard but not seen in LKM, gets a lot more screentime here and turns out to be pretty much the ideal complement to the existing dynamics. We also get a little more range in the antagonistic forces: if I were to have one complaint it might be that the 'bad guys' can come off a little simplistic, running essentially just on the power of being dark and evil for the sake of being dark and evil, but the introduction of a new character who provides a more intimate and personal challenge to Oscar and Dmitri's relationship offsets that well, giving The Bone Gate the same balance between the macro (the whole world is in danger!) and the micro (our individual happiness is in danger!) that made Lesser Known Monsters work so well.
Oh, and then it ends, and... yeah. I didn't see it coming: I thought it was building up, actually, to a really clichéd ending and was about to be pretty disappointed, and then that was not what happened at all. If anything, I was more bowled over by the actual events because I thought it was so obviously and inevitably leading up to something much more dull. I'll be interested to see what others make of it - to me, the ending The Bone Gate provides is actually the perfect one for the arcs it closes out, although of course there's still one more book left in this wonderful little world so we'll have to see what happens.
I can't wait.
I should note that Rory Michaelson provided an advance copy of The Bone Gate in return for a fair and unbiased review, which this is. I should also note that as a result I can't comment on the final standard of the text, since my copy was unproofed, but based on the quality that Lesser Known Monsters achieved I feel confident that the final version of this book will be just as polished.
You know how people overuse the term 'I can't even'? It's a shame, because this is one of those situations where it's actually perfectly merited, but society has conspired to lessen its force. Oh, well. The fact of the matter is that I don't think I can even, and even if I could I expect it wouldn't be satisfactory, but we'll give it a go.
The Bone Gate may well be the perfect next step in what Lesser Known Monsters started, and that's no small feat. Sequels in general are tough to do, but here there's a perfect balance between the continuation of the familiar and the introduction of the fresh, meaning that it feels like a fitting follow-up to the first story, or even a fitting second part of the same story, while also having enough new and interesting about it that it doesn't just feel like Lesser Known Monsters: Part II. Not that there'd have been anything wrong with that, as such, but I think you need to keep things moving to some extent in a sequel or you find yourself wondering what the point of doing a sequel was at all. No such issues here.
When we rejoin our main characters, they're still the same people they were at the end of the first book, in that they've got to keep the development they earned there, but they've all also changed in the intervening period, some in ways we don't find out until a little further in. Oscar, our main character, is continuing his arc of moving from indecisive and inactive to much more confident and proactive in subtle ways that I think are all the more meaningful and effective because they don't boil down to just 'Oscar went from having no magic at all to casting Level 99 Zettaflare in the space of two pages' or something (this does not happen, just an example), and it feels earned that Oscar gets to have done some growing based on his experiences in Lesser Known Monsters. That said, The Bone Gate throws a couple of things at him to undermine his perception of that growth, and I really love how it's handled: I'm not sure Oscar ever thinks this in as many words, but I get the impression of a person really struggling to work out where his own worth is. It's easy for him to see how valuable others are, and I think it's also a beautiful thing to draw your strength from those around you, but Oscar's still having a hard time identifying what he has to offer that nobody else does.
As for the rest of the cast, all our returning friends are as wonderful as ever, and a couple of new additions slot in perfectly. Oscar's sister Paige, heard but not seen in LKM, gets a lot more screentime here and turns out to be pretty much the ideal complement to the existing dynamics. We also get a little more range in the antagonistic forces: if I were to have one complaint it might be that the 'bad guys' can come off a little simplistic, running essentially just on the power of being dark and evil for the sake of being dark and evil, but the introduction of a new character who provides a more intimate and personal challenge to Oscar and Dmitri's relationship offsets that well, giving The Bone Gate the same balance between the macro (the whole world is in danger!) and the micro (our individual happiness is in danger!) that made Lesser Known Monsters work so well.
Oh, and then it ends, and... yeah. I didn't see it coming: I thought it was building up, actually, to a really clichéd ending and was about to be pretty disappointed, and then that was not what happened at all. If anything, I was more bowled over by the actual events because I thought it was so obviously and inevitably leading up to something much more dull. I'll be interested to see what others make of it - to me, the ending The Bone Gate provides is actually the perfect one for the arcs it closes out, although of course there's still one more book left in this wonderful little world so we'll have to see what happens.
I can't wait.
I should note that Rory Michaelson provided an advance copy of The Bone Gate in return for a fair and unbiased review, which this is. I should also note that as a result I can't comment on the final standard of the text, since my copy was unproofed, but based on the quality that Lesser Known Monsters achieved I feel confident that the final version of this book will be just as polished.
July 11, 2023
Michaelson returns us to the chaotically queer world of Lesser Known Monsters in The Bone Gate which somehow is even better than its predecessor!
It was so lovely to see where our favorite characters had ended up. Zara, Marcus, Oscar, and Dmitri have all had some serious life changes, but their bond of love and friendship remained just as strong as ever.
Michaelson does an incredible job of writing these unique characters that you can’t help but love, including a few new faces, and even one old one that I wasn’t expecting. Their understanding of humanity and their ability to invoke emotions is unparalleled and highly enjoyable to read.
And I won’t spoil anything but AHHHH THAT ENDING! I pride myself on being able to guess how books are going to end but I did not see this one coming. I applaud Michaelson for their plotting and how they kept me on my toes the entire time.
Overall I loved this book even more than I did the original. Michaelson is now one of my favorite authors and I am eagerly awaiting book three!
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
It was so lovely to see where our favorite characters had ended up. Zara, Marcus, Oscar, and Dmitri have all had some serious life changes, but their bond of love and friendship remained just as strong as ever.
Michaelson does an incredible job of writing these unique characters that you can’t help but love, including a few new faces, and even one old one that I wasn’t expecting. Their understanding of humanity and their ability to invoke emotions is unparalleled and highly enjoyable to read.
And I won’t spoil anything but AHHHH THAT ENDING! I pride myself on being able to guess how books are going to end but I did not see this one coming. I applaud Michaelson for their plotting and how they kept me on my toes the entire time.
Overall I loved this book even more than I did the original. Michaelson is now one of my favorite authors and I am eagerly awaiting book three!
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
May 9, 2021
:Read an advanced copy that was provided in exchange for an honest review:
The Bone Gate has everything I loved about Lesser Known Monsters and more. Humor, moments that are a bit yucky, gore, and mostly found family and love.
I hate to give spoilers so I will tiptoe.
New characters were fantastic. The intensely cool Vandle, the mysterious Betty Blumpkin... and Marcus’ new friend. All deeply enrich this already colorfully dark world.
Tildy was my favorite. Just enough charm and sophistication with a side of bitter bitchiness.
All the witty banter is back and the addition of Paige to the action only amplifies this.
Marcus and Zara are hilarious as always. A certain Masters of the Universe joke and a “barb” about knotting (that I had to look up) have me still laughing.
Dmitri and Oscar have grown as a couple and are settling in.
But we have all read the tag line. Right?
Secrets may rip them apart.
Not only that. The stakes for the world are very high and they cannot afford the distractions.
Such is life amongst monsters.
Really ready for book three. On pins and needles to know what happens next!
The Bone Gate has everything I loved about Lesser Known Monsters and more. Humor, moments that are a bit yucky, gore, and mostly found family and love.
I hate to give spoilers so I will tiptoe.
New characters were fantastic. The intensely cool Vandle, the mysterious Betty Blumpkin... and Marcus’ new friend. All deeply enrich this already colorfully dark world.
Tildy was my favorite. Just enough charm and sophistication with a side of bitter bitchiness.
All the witty banter is back and the addition of Paige to the action only amplifies this.
Marcus and Zara are hilarious as always. A certain Masters of the Universe joke and a “barb” about knotting (that I had to look up) have me still laughing.
Dmitri and Oscar have grown as a couple and are settling in.
But we have all read the tag line. Right?
Secrets may rip them apart.
Not only that. The stakes for the world are very high and they cannot afford the distractions.
Such is life amongst monsters.
Really ready for book three. On pins and needles to know what happens next!
April 15, 2023
DNF, bailing at 35% because, while I'm slightly interested, I'm reading more engaging books, which makes returning to this one's muddled-feeling plot and multiple points of view discouraging. By this far in, I should have a better idea of what might happen, and care. I don't care anymore. Ah, well.
August 9, 2021
Oh boy... I called the first book a wild ride but this one was even wilder 😳
I'm wrecked--and I love it.
TL;DR review:
Rory has the best characters ever, their interactions are so natural it's superb!
The book is unapologetically queer. If it wasn't a dark book it would be radiating rainbows. (Though I think it might still be doing that despite it all 🤔)
If you loved the first book, prepare yourself because THE SEQUEL IS BETTER 😎
Longer, more in-depth review:
On friendship and the MC:
So, you thought the gang was awesome before? Well, they just got an upgrade 😏 Everyone is being their own person even more now, we get to meet a new friend, and... some old ones. The relationship between everyone is explored further and the banter is equally delicious, if not more.
The MC Oscar remains very much Oscar--love him or hate him (I love him). An unlikely hero, screw all the stereotypes: Oscar is an amazing MC.
On LGBTQ+:
If you thought book one was queer: it's now queer^2 😎
Also, it is very much mature content--as becomes apparent very early on in the book. Again, I loved it. We need more of this ♥
A new character is introduced who uses they/them pronouns and they are absolutely adorable (is that the word I'm going with? ... yeah, I'm sticking to that 🎶).
On lesser known monsters:
Did you read The Little Book of Lesser Known Monsters? Because... you should. Easter eggs will be found if you do and, if you're like me and Team Knud, you'll be doing a little happy dance somewhere when reading The Bone Gate.
Also: Illustrations! The first book had some, this one has more (if I'm not mistaken). And woah, they are awesome ♥
On style:
The book is written in third person, following the MC for the most part, but we also get some chapters from the perspective of others. As I said in my review of book one: "Rory has a very accessible writing style that makes this book all the easier and faster to devour. They're witty and funny, but they're also fully capable of tearing out your heart..."
Yep, yep and yep... As for the latter... Rory didn't just tear it out with this book, they tore it out, flung it into a meatgrinder, made burgers out of it, and ate it while drinking from a glass filled with my TEARS. (Or so I envisioned them...)
...
Be prepared... keep tissues at hand. (Sad and happy tears ♥ happy queer tears ♥ so good 🏳🌈)
And afterwards come join the rest of us readers as we wait for book three because our broken souls NEED IT.
Final notes:
...
Just get it already, you know you want it.
You NEED it.
~ And get The Little Book of Lesser Known Monsters too if you haven't yet 👀
#TeamKnud!
I'm wrecked--and I love it.
TL;DR review:
Rory has the best characters ever, their interactions are so natural it's superb!
The book is unapologetically queer. If it wasn't a dark book it would be radiating rainbows. (Though I think it might still be doing that despite it all 🤔)
If you loved the first book, prepare yourself because THE SEQUEL IS BETTER 😎
Longer, more in-depth review:
On friendship and the MC:
So, you thought the gang was awesome before? Well, they just got an upgrade 😏 Everyone is being their own person even more now, we get to meet a new friend, and... some old ones. The relationship between everyone is explored further and the banter is equally delicious, if not more.
The MC Oscar remains very much Oscar--love him or hate him (I love him). An unlikely hero, screw all the stereotypes: Oscar is an amazing MC.
On LGBTQ+:
If you thought book one was queer: it's now queer^2 😎
Also, it is very much mature content--as becomes apparent very early on in the book. Again, I loved it. We need more of this ♥
A new character is introduced who uses they/them pronouns and they are absolutely adorable (is that the word I'm going with? ... yeah, I'm sticking to that 🎶).
On lesser known monsters:
Did you read The Little Book of Lesser Known Monsters? Because... you should. Easter eggs will be found if you do and, if you're like me and Team Knud, you'll be doing a little happy dance somewhere when reading The Bone Gate.
Also: Illustrations! The first book had some, this one has more (if I'm not mistaken). And woah, they are awesome ♥
On style:
The book is written in third person, following the MC for the most part, but we also get some chapters from the perspective of others. As I said in my review of book one: "Rory has a very accessible writing style that makes this book all the easier and faster to devour. They're witty and funny, but they're also fully capable of tearing out your heart..."
Yep, yep and yep... As for the latter... Rory didn't just tear it out with this book, they tore it out, flung it into a meatgrinder, made burgers out of it, and ate it while drinking from a glass filled with my TEARS. (Or so I envisioned them...)
...
Be prepared... keep tissues at hand. (Sad and happy tears ♥ happy queer tears ♥ so good 🏳🌈)
And afterwards come join the rest of us readers as we wait for book three because our broken souls NEED IT.
Final notes:
...
Just get it already, you know you want it.
You NEED it.
~ And get The Little Book of Lesser Known Monsters too if you haven't yet 👀
#TeamKnud!
May 15, 2021
LESSER KNOWN MONSTERS was superb, and THE BONE GATE is (somehow) even better. In short, this sequel is brilliant. Riveting and dazzling, this book blew me away. With radiant prose, clever dialogue, wit and humor and weight, the universe expands with new monsters and monstrosities.
This book opens with a bang and escalates each chapter. Spectacular fights, epic battles, and jaw-dropping revelations will keep you glued to the page in this tightly plotted wonder. Theatrical and dramatic, it harnesses the magic and power of story to deliver a breakneck pace and emotional depth.
Michaelson is a character genius. Diverse and inclusive, their characters are absolute marvels with real humanity, flaws, hopes, and dreams. All grow throughout their journeys, overcome hardship, and embrace their own strengths. Friendships are tested, and family is found, as they learn to love themselves and accept love from others. Their banter is divine—Zara in particular made me laugh out loud many times—and the relationship between Oscar and Dmitri is too precious for words.
For instance, one of my favorite quotes:
“Saving yourself is the hardest thing anyone can do.” Dmitri smiled tiredly. “Far harder than being a hero.”
I feasted on this book; it’s a remarkable series. And OMG that ending…no spoilers, but WOW. Completely unforgettable.
5 stars & a standing ovation.
* I received a free ARC of this book, and this is my honest, voluntary review.
This book opens with a bang and escalates each chapter. Spectacular fights, epic battles, and jaw-dropping revelations will keep you glued to the page in this tightly plotted wonder. Theatrical and dramatic, it harnesses the magic and power of story to deliver a breakneck pace and emotional depth.
Michaelson is a character genius. Diverse and inclusive, their characters are absolute marvels with real humanity, flaws, hopes, and dreams. All grow throughout their journeys, overcome hardship, and embrace their own strengths. Friendships are tested, and family is found, as they learn to love themselves and accept love from others. Their banter is divine—Zara in particular made me laugh out loud many times—and the relationship between Oscar and Dmitri is too precious for words.
For instance, one of my favorite quotes:
“Saving yourself is the hardest thing anyone can do.” Dmitri smiled tiredly. “Far harder than being a hero.”
I feasted on this book; it’s a remarkable series. And OMG that ending…no spoilers, but WOW. Completely unforgettable.
5 stars & a standing ovation.
* I received a free ARC of this book, and this is my honest, voluntary review.
August 14, 2021
I had thought Lesser Known Monsters was brilliant, and it was, but this sophomore book by Rory Michaelson is genius. We are taken even deeper into this amazing world of creativity where you find yourself so invested in each character, you forget your just reading pages on a screen.
The romance between the MC's is spicier than ever, but so is the story itself. The reader delves deeper into each of the original characters, meets new, amazing people and gets their heart ripped out at the same time as they are crying with laughter.
I'm ever amazed at the creativity and spark that is obviously flowing through this talented author. I can't wait to read more!
The romance between the MC's is spicier than ever, but so is the story itself. The reader delves deeper into each of the original characters, meets new, amazing people and gets their heart ripped out at the same time as they are crying with laughter.
I'm ever amazed at the creativity and spark that is obviously flowing through this talented author. I can't wait to read more!
August 15, 2021
Wonderful!
I loved this book so much!
I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel ever since I read the fabulous Little Known Monsters. I was not disappointed!
Some wonderful (if not likeable!) new characters, along with some old friends, all beautifully written with their own challenges and flaws. Twists and turns and thrills a plenty. But most of all, friendship, acceptance and love.
I read this over a couple of days, only because I was travelling and had limited reading time. It was totally immersive and so hard to put down. I ordered the paperback but it sadly didn’t arrive in time for my holiday so I read on my kindle. I think I’ll re-read in paperback once I get home!
I loved this book so much!
I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel ever since I read the fabulous Little Known Monsters. I was not disappointed!
Some wonderful (if not likeable!) new characters, along with some old friends, all beautifully written with their own challenges and flaws. Twists and turns and thrills a plenty. But most of all, friendship, acceptance and love.
I read this over a couple of days, only because I was travelling and had limited reading time. It was totally immersive and so hard to put down. I ordered the paperback but it sadly didn’t arrive in time for my holiday so I read on my kindle. I think I’ll re-read in paperback once I get home!
September 3, 2021
First things first, THAT ENDING!!!
Ahem, now I've got that off my chest, The Bone Ghost is an excellent sequel to Lesser Known Sequeal, bringing all the things I loved from the first book (the world-building, the humour, the characters) and continuing to develop them.
Oscar continues to be a relatable protagonist, an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances, and his arc and development here feels earnt and natural.
Zara continues to be my fav (even if she does make a certain questionable choice, but this is done in a manner that works. Like it's an *interesting* choice but you kinda get it at the same time) and I love that we get a little more of an exploration of her new powers here.
Marcus, too, makes some choice, such as his bond with Song (who was a unique and interesting new addition), that have you questioning his actions, even whilst you understand what would motivate him to do so. Overall, this speaks to the realism of Michaelson's characters. They feel like flawed fleshed out people, and it is great to see LGBTQA+ characters who get to be so.
Exploring human nature is a bit of a theme in the book, in fact, particularly the concept of hate and it adds further substance to the story.
At the same time, it made me laugh out loud on several occasions whilst reading. It comes chockablock with pop culture references, to the point where I'm sure some probably went over my head.
Overall, this was a great, fun read which also packed an emotional punch. (And I would like to stress once more - THAT ENDING!)
Ahem, now I've got that off my chest, The Bone Ghost is an excellent sequel to Lesser Known Sequeal, bringing all the things I loved from the first book (the world-building, the humour, the characters) and continuing to develop them.
Oscar continues to be a relatable protagonist, an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances, and his arc and development here feels earnt and natural.
Zara continues to be my fav (even if she does make a certain questionable choice, but this is done in a manner that works. Like it's an *interesting* choice but you kinda get it at the same time) and I love that we get a little more of an exploration of her new powers here.
Marcus, too, makes some choice, such as his bond with Song (who was a unique and interesting new addition), that have you questioning his actions, even whilst you understand what would motivate him to do so. Overall, this speaks to the realism of Michaelson's characters. They feel like flawed fleshed out people, and it is great to see LGBTQA+ characters who get to be so.
Exploring human nature is a bit of a theme in the book, in fact, particularly the concept of hate and it adds further substance to the story.
At the same time, it made me laugh out loud on several occasions whilst reading. It comes chockablock with pop culture references, to the point where I'm sure some probably went over my head.
Overall, this was a great, fun read which also packed an emotional punch. (And I would like to stress once more - THAT ENDING!)
January 13, 2024
Argh! Oh no she didn’t, yes she did: CLIFFHANGER! And I didn’t even plan to read the next one because I didn’t like this much.
First the good stuff: It’s well written. The action scenes are fabulous and there are a lot of them.
They mentioned the pandemic although attributing it to something else. I really appreciate people doing that. Not doing so is like writing a book in 1975 and pretending there wasn’t a “conflict” in Vietnam.
There are non-binary and transgender characters as well as people who aren’t white.
Recaps or referrals to events in the previous book are well integrated.
But…
This felt less like an M/M romance and more like a horror story with two of the characters being a gay male couple. There was almost no romance and I didn’t really even feel the love at the climax. They didn’t really get any more on page time than Zara and her repulsive lover, probably less. Any other book that would have been interesting but when I’m reading M/M, I want to read about men in love from their perspective. I want it equal—I want powerful female characters—but keep women, really anyone but the main characters, out of my narration.
I felt multiple times that Zara was the author’s favorite character. The narrative was from her perspective quite a bit. I’m not sure that Oscar got any more time from his perspective than she did. Dmitri got air time maybe once. This book should have been called Zara’s Book. I liked her in the last book but in this one, I felt she betrayed Oscar and later the author gave her his power. I didn’t like that at all.
Oscar’s friends Marcus and Zara are too powerful and when they can do everything he can, what’s the point? I stopped believing he was important. It felt really fabricated to me, like he was the chosen one without there being anything he was chosen for.
One character, meaning well, says, “Oscar makes me think he was never a complete thing to shatter in the first place.” Another referred to him as a shrinking violet. He doesn’t even seem very bright, missing clues frequently. Like someone made a reference towards him about Oscar Wilde and he didn’t get it almost like he didn’t know who Oscar Wilde was. Given he’s an adult gay Brit and has the same first name, I’m pretty sure Wilde would have come up in conversation at some point even if only someone teasing Oscar.
Later it was explained why he was special but as I said in my review for the first book, Oscar is too milquetoast to be much of anything. He could have beeb the special thing he’s supposed to be without just going along for the ride.
One other negative thing: I felt the interludes extraneous and unnecessary and boring.
One more positive thing to end this review on: I love the drawings even if they aren’t the most original looking monsters. They’re well done and interesting to look at.
Then there’s the cliffhanger. The author sort of apologizes for it but not really. It’s not that uncommon in the second story of a trilogy, think the original Star Wars. But I still hate it. Not sure if I’ll read the third. I’m sick of Zara.
First the good stuff: It’s well written. The action scenes are fabulous and there are a lot of them.
They mentioned the pandemic although attributing it to something else. I really appreciate people doing that. Not doing so is like writing a book in 1975 and pretending there wasn’t a “conflict” in Vietnam.
There are non-binary and transgender characters as well as people who aren’t white.
Recaps or referrals to events in the previous book are well integrated.
But…
This felt less like an M/M romance and more like a horror story with two of the characters being a gay male couple. There was almost no romance and I didn’t really even feel the love at the climax. They didn’t really get any more on page time than Zara and her repulsive lover, probably less. Any other book that would have been interesting but when I’m reading M/M, I want to read about men in love from their perspective. I want it equal—I want powerful female characters—but keep women, really anyone but the main characters, out of my narration.
I felt multiple times that Zara was the author’s favorite character. The narrative was from her perspective quite a bit. I’m not sure that Oscar got any more time from his perspective than she did. Dmitri got air time maybe once. This book should have been called Zara’s Book. I liked her in the last book but in this one, I felt she betrayed Oscar and later the author gave her his power. I didn’t like that at all.
Oscar’s friends Marcus and Zara are too powerful and when they can do everything he can, what’s the point? I stopped believing he was important. It felt really fabricated to me, like he was the chosen one without there being anything he was chosen for.
One character, meaning well, says, “Oscar makes me think he was never a complete thing to shatter in the first place.” Another referred to him as a shrinking violet. He doesn’t even seem very bright, missing clues frequently. Like someone made a reference towards him about Oscar Wilde and he didn’t get it almost like he didn’t know who Oscar Wilde was. Given he’s an adult gay Brit and has the same first name, I’m pretty sure Wilde would have come up in conversation at some point even if only someone teasing Oscar.
Later it was explained why he was special but as I said in my review for the first book, Oscar is too milquetoast to be much of anything. He could have beeb the special thing he’s supposed to be without just going along for the ride.
One other negative thing: I felt the interludes extraneous and unnecessary and boring.
One more positive thing to end this review on: I love the drawings even if they aren’t the most original looking monsters. They’re well done and interesting to look at.
Then there’s the cliffhanger. The author sort of apologizes for it but not really. It’s not that uncommon in the second story of a trilogy, think the original Star Wars. But I still hate it. Not sure if I’ll read the third. I’m sick of Zara.
August 30, 2021
Another wonderful entry in a fantastic (in every sense of the word) series. The author has perfected the art of balancing comedy and tragedy, breathtaking action and those quieter moments that reveal character all while juggling an expanded cast in this follow-up to the first book in the series. I was wondering how the stakes could possibly be raised any higher (after all, preventing the end of our world was kind of a big deal), but I needn't have worried. This time around, the gang are confronted with a monster who wants to end ALL the worlds. We get a lot of wonderful backstory in this outing, but plenty of thrills and chills, too. If you love to see naturally integrated LGBTQIA+ rep that gifts you with complex characters, camaraderie, love and sacrifice and are also a horror fantasy fan, you can't do better than give this series a look. This novel ends on a heartbreaking note, but I have full faith that all will be revealed in the upcoming third book. Rory Michaelson is one of those authors you know you can trust to deliver the goods. Can't wait!
August 27, 2021
….why
I’m so torn right now.
This book was amazing and the characters are flawless.
Well, actually the characters are flawed which makes them flawless.
They’re real people with real problem and I love that.
The story moved at a perfect pace. I usually hate it when an author breaks from the MCs narrative and someone else takes over the story but I absolutely didn’t with this one. It provided insight from another perspective that perfectly fit with the narrative.
I will say…..I am ABSOLUTELY NOT OK WITH WAITING 9 MONTHS FOR THE FINALE.
Who the hell does that??? Especially with this ending?
I hate it when an author sets a release date so far in the future and ends the previous book at an absolute cliff hanger.
Like, there’s nothing left. I may not even be ALIVE in nine months???
I’m so torn right now.
This book was amazing and the characters are flawless.
Well, actually the characters are flawed which makes them flawless.
They’re real people with real problem and I love that.
The story moved at a perfect pace. I usually hate it when an author breaks from the MCs narrative and someone else takes over the story but I absolutely didn’t with this one. It provided insight from another perspective that perfectly fit with the narrative.
I will say…..I am ABSOLUTELY NOT OK WITH WAITING 9 MONTHS FOR THE FINALE.
Who the hell does that??? Especially with this ending?
I hate it when an author sets a release date so far in the future and ends the previous book at an absolute cliff hanger.
Like, there’s nothing left. I may not even be ALIVE in nine months???
March 9, 2023
3.5
Better then the 1st book! I loved the ending of this one and some scenes in this had me choking on my feelings or on the edge of my seat. The strong parts of this book were very, very strong in comparison to the last book which had an overall 'meh' feeling. The downside is the weak parts of this book were very weak. Particularly near the start where it felt like things had just been dropped in for the ending to make sense. I considered DNF'ing this at the 50% mark but I am glad I stuck it out. The fight scenes in this too are action packed and tense!
This book made me feel a lot more attached to the characters, Oscar in particular. Although I still don't really care about Dimitri; Zara, Marcus, Lyn, Paige and Song were wonderful to learn more about. I'm quite excited for the finale of this series now.
"I may not deserve a happy ending, but he does."
Better then the 1st book! I loved the ending of this one and some scenes in this had me choking on my feelings or on the edge of my seat. The strong parts of this book were very, very strong in comparison to the last book which had an overall 'meh' feeling. The downside is the weak parts of this book were very weak. Particularly near the start where it felt like things had just been dropped in for the ending to make sense. I considered DNF'ing this at the 50% mark but I am glad I stuck it out. The fight scenes in this too are action packed and tense!
This book made me feel a lot more attached to the characters, Oscar in particular. Although I still don't really care about Dimitri; Zara, Marcus, Lyn, Paige and Song were wonderful to learn more about. I'm quite excited for the finale of this series now.
"I may not deserve a happy ending, but he does."
February 20, 2022
I seem to be a bit of an outlier in that I didn't absolutely love this. I do agree that it's even better than the first book but I think that's more down to the characters already being developed so we can jump right into the action-packed plot. Michaelson is good with his character and plot development though I still find some of these characters are just being given powers without much explanation or reason and it leaves me with questions. The climax of this book was pretty powerful though and it'll be interesting to see how the author meets or tops that in the last installment of the series.
May 18, 2022
Intense!
I’m glad that I didn’t end up reading this till the third one was already out because that ending! I enjoy this series a lot, I love Oscar and the gang! I love the adventure and thrill Rory Michaelson brings to their books! And the end was so intense I couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to dive into the next one! Highly recommend reading this series!
I’m glad that I didn’t end up reading this till the third one was already out because that ending! I enjoy this series a lot, I love Oscar and the gang! I love the adventure and thrill Rory Michaelson brings to their books! And the end was so intense I couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to dive into the next one! Highly recommend reading this series!
January 8, 2022
F.U.C.K.
November 20, 2022
Disappointment.
July 28, 2021
How does an author create a world where terrifying monsters tickle you with their witty repartee? How does that author draw feelings of pity, affection, and even love for these very same beasts? How does an author tell an action-packed adventure giving the reader so many unexpected twists and turns that they are left on the edge of their seat chapter after chapter? Rory Michaelson's The Bone Gate is nothing like any other book I have read. The writing is smooth and descriptive. The characters are well developed and continue to grow throughout the story. But there is something more profound at work in their writing—it's much more than good story-telling, although that, it certainly is. I found myself nodding my head in agreement as one truth after another is revealed. Throughout the book, Michaelson teaches lessons of friendship, of caring, of working through the struggles of ordinary relationships. As the reader is drawn into the lives of the beloved and not-so-beloved characters, the real purpose of life is exposed. How we work through the challenges of intimate relationships with family, friends, and enemies reveals much more about ourselves than others. Wrapped in a nonstop, witty adventure, The Bone Gate squeezes your heart and teaches the reader about themselves. It is a story about love and hate as much as it's a story about monsters who would destroy humanity. Ultimately, we learn that loving oneself must come before loving others. Thank you, Rory Michaelson for leading me through this fabulous journey of trials, triumphs, and truth. Looking forward to the sequel with bated breath!
May 19, 2023
I STRONGLY recommend this book. All of the issues that I had with the first book (such as its lack of lore explanation, name dumping and lightspeed pacing) are gone in this book. The world and the lore feel so much more fleshed out and real, add to that some amazing, unique illustrations to add a sense of whimsy to the story. This was a big deal for me as I lean much more heavily towards fantasy and sci-fi fiction, and the first book felt a little... empty?
Not here, all new monsters/people are given vivid, vibrant descriptions with further historical lore added along the way to instill different feelings about them: terror, fear, joy, love, sadness etc.
As with the first book in the series, the characters SHINE. Oscar, finally finding his feet in this crazy ass world. Zara, stoic and powerful as ever still reeling with the massive weight of responsibility that was dropped on her. Marcus, ever falling down the rabbit hole that is magic and managing the costs that come with it. The dialogue does so much to help all of this and remains as funny, irreverent, and powerful as ever. Hell, I even started to like Dmitri, and he's such a mopey git who I did not live laugh love in the first book.
All of this culminates in one hell of a sequel! Equal parts funny, tense, twisted and full of heart this is one I will keep coming back to for a long time.
Not here, all new monsters/people are given vivid, vibrant descriptions with further historical lore added along the way to instill different feelings about them: terror, fear, joy, love, sadness etc.
As with the first book in the series, the characters SHINE. Oscar, finally finding his feet in this crazy ass world. Zara, stoic and powerful as ever still reeling with the massive weight of responsibility that was dropped on her. Marcus, ever falling down the rabbit hole that is magic and managing the costs that come with it. The dialogue does so much to help all of this and remains as funny, irreverent, and powerful as ever. Hell, I even started to like Dmitri, and he's such a mopey git who I did not live laugh love in the first book.
All of this culminates in one hell of a sequel! Equal parts funny, tense, twisted and full of heart this is one I will keep coming back to for a long time.
August 3, 2024
A definite improvement over the first book, which is great because I already enjoyed the first quite a bit. It feels like the author has a better handle on the characters, who are all quite likeable (albeit in a love-to-hate way for some of them). It was interesting to see how the characters have developed from the first book, and it was nice to see characters other than Oscar get more of a spotlight here. And while the first book was already obviously quite queer, themes of queer acceptance and found family are even more prevalent in the sequel, and I think are even more effective as we spend more time with the cast.
The story is fast-paced and has some delightful (and sometimes heart-wrenching) twists. I do think some of the action sequences fall a little flat, but the writing really shines in the character interactions and dialogue. Without spoiling it, the ending was a real shock that made me immediately want to continue the series to find out what happens next. In a sense, the book does suffer a bit from being the middle of the trilogy, since there are parts that feel more like setup for the third book, but I didn't think impeded my enjoyment too much, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
The story is fast-paced and has some delightful (and sometimes heart-wrenching) twists. I do think some of the action sequences fall a little flat, but the writing really shines in the character interactions and dialogue. Without spoiling it, the ending was a real shock that made me immediately want to continue the series to find out what happens next. In a sense, the book does suffer a bit from being the middle of the trilogy, since there are parts that feel more like setup for the third book, but I didn't think impeded my enjoyment too much, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
August 5, 2025
I have grapple with what to rate this book.
It did a lot of things right, the ending being the most prominent in my mind.
But, I think it could have done a lot of things better or more successfully.
But after thinking it over and sitting with the feelings the end of this book have given me, I have decided it is better than I thought.
I already loved these characters.
I just felt the story was lacking and a bit dragging at times, like the writer was grappling with what the story was actually supposed to be and where the characters needed to go.
But the ending really did make the entire rest of the book seem like a blip that I needed to get through so I could experience the end of it.
I do love this author and I do think the first book was better and more structured, but after the ending of this one, I need to finish the series and find out what happens in the last book. I'm not ready to leave this world or its characters. And I'm certainly NOT okay with leaving the ending how it is now.
It did a lot of things right, the ending being the most prominent in my mind.
But, I think it could have done a lot of things better or more successfully.
But after thinking it over and sitting with the feelings the end of this book have given me, I have decided it is better than I thought.
I already loved these characters.
I just felt the story was lacking and a bit dragging at times, like the writer was grappling with what the story was actually supposed to be and where the characters needed to go.
But the ending really did make the entire rest of the book seem like a blip that I needed to get through so I could experience the end of it.
I do love this author and I do think the first book was better and more structured, but after the ending of this one, I need to finish the series and find out what happens in the last book. I'm not ready to leave this world or its characters. And I'm certainly NOT okay with leaving the ending how it is now.
January 24, 2022
I went into this book having really enjoyed the first instalment and expecting more of the same. Great writing, fun references, sexy gay demons, awesome queer characters and some awesome fantasy!
This delivered on all fronts! And then…around the middle of the book I just DEVOURED every page, i couldn’t stop and was flying through it with the feeling of dread that it was going to finish and I wouldn’t have any more to read!
The whole story and everything about it just sings to me, I adore it! And the conclusion of this story is just ugh! Amazing and destructive and perfect and awful and so many things! I am both joyful and sad but mainly just craving the 3rd book out later this year!
Rory Micaelson, please just give me more! I know it’s a few months but I want to live in this amazing queer world full of magic and monsters!
This delivered on all fronts! And then…around the middle of the book I just DEVOURED every page, i couldn’t stop and was flying through it with the feeling of dread that it was going to finish and I wouldn’t have any more to read!
The whole story and everything about it just sings to me, I adore it! And the conclusion of this story is just ugh! Amazing and destructive and perfect and awful and so many things! I am both joyful and sad but mainly just craving the 3rd book out later this year!
Rory Micaelson, please just give me more! I know it’s a few months but I want to live in this amazing queer world full of magic and monsters!
July 7, 2023
I could not put this book down. I loved Lesser Known Monsters but something about this second one was even better. I am still emotionally recovering from it and I may want to fight Michaelson but damn was that a good read. I loved the idea of the Umbran and it’s goal and what it fed from. I feel a connection to each of the main characters and love them dearly but I also enjoyed and loved all of the side characters. Each so unique and charming in their own fun way. And I could just see them so clearly thanks to the author being such a visual writer. I literally just finished this and don’t want to say too much but it was awesome and fun and dark and magical and absolutely heart wrenching. So if you’re into that sort of thing, go for it. I think I’ll barely come out alive after reading the last one in the trilogy.
December 19, 2021
This second installment was a fine upgrade from the first of this trilogy. The descriptors were reigned in and the story unleashed with gusto.
It leaves you heartbroken and frustrated that the third one won't be out til May and I refuse to believe certain events that closed up this book will remain as they are....or so help me....lol
A fun ride and reminder, especially in these uncertain plaguey times, that love wins.
It leaves you heartbroken and frustrated that the third one won't be out til May and I refuse to believe certain events that closed up this book will remain as they are....or so help me....lol
A fun ride and reminder, especially in these uncertain plaguey times, that love wins.
May 16, 2023
Just when I thought I couldn't love the characters in this series any more, they go and hit me even harder! This book is a delight, in that we get to see more of each character's personality and how they're all dealing with the events of the last book. There's sweetness and sassiness in equal measures, as well as long held secrets and scary new monsters. It has everything. Including the most heart-rending ending - I'm not sure I'll ever forgive the author for breaking my heart like that!
September 29, 2021
Absolutely incredible!!! I loved everything about this story! The author did an amazing job creating horrifying monsters, well developed characters, and a story that left me wanting more. That ending tho!! I don’t have the words. 🥺
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