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The Gilded Ones
The Ones with Gilded Bones
Two girls. One fate.
Alejhar has spent her life by the sea. She knows its secrets, or so she thinks. When she gets caught in a storm, she finds herself face to face with the impossible. Now she has to figure out what her island has been hiding from her.
Jynn has spent her life catching jellyfish. She doesn't know how to save the world. Especially when it needs to be saved from the people she trusts most. A man's dying words are going to send her on a journey to discover who she really is.
When they come together, the island may crack beneath the weight of its past.
Alejhar has spent her life by the sea. She knows its secrets, or so she thinks. When she gets caught in a storm, she finds herself face to face with the impossible. Now she has to figure out what her island has been hiding from her.
Jynn has spent her life catching jellyfish. She doesn't know how to save the world. Especially when it needs to be saved from the people she trusts most. A man's dying words are going to send her on a journey to discover who she really is.
When they come together, the island may crack beneath the weight of its past.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2022
About the author
Nathaniel Luscombe
35 books315 followersWhen Nathaniel Luscombe isn’t writing about spaceships and far off planets, he's reading an unhealthy amount of books and recharging for his next project. He grew up in Ontario, between flat fields and square patches of forest, and has been a writer for as long as he’s been a reader. Outside of his full-time job, he runs Dragon Bone Publishing with Effie Joe Stock. He is best known for Moon Soul and Human Scars on Planet Skin. He has also published some poetry collections, and has been featured in several anthologies.
You can follow him on Instagram @nathaniel.luscombe and TikTok/Substack @hecticreadinglife.
You can follow him on Instagram @nathaniel.luscombe and TikTok/Substack @hecticreadinglife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 11, 2022
2023 reread: I thought I released this in 2021, but apparently I released it last year?! That doesn’t feel right.
Anyways, I’ve always looked back at this with a bit of an ‘icky’ attitude, so I thought I should reread it and actually form an opinion.
This is definitely a high school book. Let’s start with that lol. I wrote it in high school and wouldn’t publish it now. Am I sad it’s published? Absolutely not. It’s not BAD at all…which is kind of crazy. The writing is mostly solid (I found some contradictions lol) and the plot is good for a low YA fantasy novella.
I see a lot of growth between this and what I’m preparing to release now. Makes me feel really good about where my writing is going.
I’m glad this exists and I look forward to reading it again in the future (the FAR future)
I did a bit of a read-through while formatting today, and I am excited to see what people think of my fun, sweet fantasy novella. I want to explain a bit of the thought behind this book...and why I'm publishing it. This book won't win awards, or make people see fantasy different, or become the story that kickstarts my career (lol), but it's a story that's important to me.
When I started writing this, my goal was to write something that I wanted to read. And honestly? Sometimes all I want is a short, light, easy fantasy. So that's what this is. It's not a complex plot with all sorts of messages hidden in the story. It's more of a predictable (though I hope some of the twists are fun and shocking) chill book that I hope serves as an easy getaway.
I think it's great, and my beta readers enjoyed it, so I'm definitely excited to share it with the world. This is what authors do. We write our stories that we're dying to read and we hope that there's an audience out there that's full of people like us.
So if you're my audience, thank you for checking it out. If you're not, I really hope that you can still find something in this story.
Anyways, I’ve always looked back at this with a bit of an ‘icky’ attitude, so I thought I should reread it and actually form an opinion.
This is definitely a high school book. Let’s start with that lol. I wrote it in high school and wouldn’t publish it now. Am I sad it’s published? Absolutely not. It’s not BAD at all…which is kind of crazy. The writing is mostly solid (I found some contradictions lol) and the plot is good for a low YA fantasy novella.
I see a lot of growth between this and what I’m preparing to release now. Makes me feel really good about where my writing is going.
I’m glad this exists and I look forward to reading it again in the future (the FAR future)
I did a bit of a read-through while formatting today, and I am excited to see what people think of my fun, sweet fantasy novella. I want to explain a bit of the thought behind this book...and why I'm publishing it. This book won't win awards, or make people see fantasy different, or become the story that kickstarts my career (lol), but it's a story that's important to me.
When I started writing this, my goal was to write something that I wanted to read. And honestly? Sometimes all I want is a short, light, easy fantasy. So that's what this is. It's not a complex plot with all sorts of messages hidden in the story. It's more of a predictable (though I hope some of the twists are fun and shocking) chill book that I hope serves as an easy getaway.
I think it's great, and my beta readers enjoyed it, so I'm definitely excited to share it with the world. This is what authors do. We write our stories that we're dying to read and we hope that there's an audience out there that's full of people like us.
So if you're my audience, thank you for checking it out. If you're not, I really hope that you can still find something in this story.
January 10, 2022
RTC but can we just take a second and admire how gorgeous this cover is?? I love everything about it 😍
June 7, 2022
Ever since I read All The Vacant Places, I have been wanting more of Luscombe’s writing, his writing and story telling is so unique and amazing. I loved this story so freaking much. I love the characters Alejhar and Jynn. They were amazing. (Also that plot twist👀) Luscombe can make a good story that catches your attention and leaves you intrigued, turning page after page wanting more. if you like fantasy read this book, and if you don’t like fantasy read this book😌
November 12, 2022
I read this novella in one sitting! What a fun story! I had no idea what to expect, but what started out as an idyllic seaside setting soon turned out to be anything but. With mystery and intrigue, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happened next.
I’m not used to reading short fantasy stories, but this one was a refreshing change of pace! I especially appreciated the moments where the prose felt like a lyrical dance.
Well done!!
I’m not used to reading short fantasy stories, but this one was a refreshing change of pace! I especially appreciated the moments where the prose felt like a lyrical dance.
Well done!!
March 12, 2022
I'd rate this a 4.5, BUT, since we can't do half ratings, I'm opting to vote up simply because my reason for the .5 might just be a personal preference that others might not be bothered by.
I really enjoyed this novella, it was short but packed with a lot of stunning detail and action. I felt like we really got to know and understand the two main characters, made more impressive by the fact it was within such a short amount of pages. The descriptions were vivid and painted a clear picture, so it really felt like I was there and there was never any struggle trying to imagine or understand this made-up world or the creatures in it. I've never wanted to go hunting for jellyfish before, but do I want to now. The flow of the story moved nicely, and the mystery and trying to discover what it was kept my interest and had me turning the pages rapidly.
The only hangup I had, and where my .5 comes in, is the ending and the relationships that seemingly just get dropped. I don't think we had a very clear understanding of what Jynn's family looked like, and I would have liked to see them interact at least once, either on or off the page (as in, in a memory even would have been fine). We do know about Alejhar's relationship with her family, and how close she is with her dad. She also helps him out a lot at the lighthouse where they live now that her mother has passed. When we get to the big reveal at the end, I would have really liked to slow down the interactions here and really dive into how the two girls, and their families, are feeling. There's the truth that we're made aware of, of course, but there's also years of memory and familial ties that wouldn't magically wash away in a blink of an eye (pun intended, if you know what I mean). I think there's a lot of raw emotion that could have been unpacked, even in just a few paragraphs, and as a reader, without that I was left feeling a bit like the story just ended abruptly, wondering how everyone was really feeling and if, in the same situation, I could make the same split-second choice as the girls did.
Again though, maybe that's just me. And wanting that didn't at all take away from everything else that had happened up until that point. I still highly recommend this, and am happy to have a copy living on my shelves!
I really enjoyed this novella, it was short but packed with a lot of stunning detail and action. I felt like we really got to know and understand the two main characters, made more impressive by the fact it was within such a short amount of pages. The descriptions were vivid and painted a clear picture, so it really felt like I was there and there was never any struggle trying to imagine or understand this made-up world or the creatures in it. I've never wanted to go hunting for jellyfish before, but do I want to now. The flow of the story moved nicely, and the mystery and trying to discover what it was kept my interest and had me turning the pages rapidly.
The only hangup I had, and where my .5 comes in, is the ending and the relationships that seemingly just get dropped. I don't think we had a very clear understanding of what Jynn's family looked like, and I would have liked to see them interact at least once, either on or off the page (as in, in a memory even would have been fine). We do know about Alejhar's relationship with her family, and how close she is with her dad. She also helps him out a lot at the lighthouse where they live now that her mother has passed. When we get to the big reveal at the end, I would have really liked to slow down the interactions here and really dive into how the two girls, and their families, are feeling. There's the truth that we're made aware of, of course, but there's also years of memory and familial ties that wouldn't magically wash away in a blink of an eye (pun intended, if you know what I mean). I think there's a lot of raw emotion that could have been unpacked, even in just a few paragraphs, and as a reader, without that I was left feeling a bit like the story just ended abruptly, wondering how everyone was really feeling and if, in the same situation, I could make the same split-second choice as the girls did.
Again though, maybe that's just me. And wanting that didn't at all take away from everything else that had happened up until that point. I still highly recommend this, and am happy to have a copy living on my shelves!
January 11, 2022
I'm going to give this novella a 4.5...on the condition that we get a sequel. I am in love with this world and the characters. I NEED more from them. I see the potential here, and I hope that Nathaniel will follow through with delivering more. But even if he doesn't, this book was so much fun and I can't wait for it to be released. I had no doubt people will have a ton of fun with it.
June 28, 2022
Hi, Nathaniel.
Bad news first, since I know you've been cringing this whole time. Fortunately, I caught only two missing periods and three instances of improper formatting. I'll forgive you.
Okay, now for the actual review. This book is in a very different style of writing than what I usually read, and flows more like the books I first read as a child on my own rather than the great tomes I read now. The best part about that is that it's easy to follow and immerse oneself in the world the author has created. Nathaniel's settings and descriptions are very lush and vivid, the sort that sticks with you for a long while to come. I especially loved how he tied together the story at the very end and revealed the title. Applause for that.
While personally I think Nathaniel could do with more development of character thoughts and emotions rather than assuming everyone knows what's going on (I might just be that dense tho, lol), this is still a very intriguing debut. I am thankful for this review copy and look forward to reading more from this author!
Bad news first, since I know you've been cringing this whole time. Fortunately, I caught only two missing periods and three instances of improper formatting. I'll forgive you.
Okay, now for the actual review. This book is in a very different style of writing than what I usually read, and flows more like the books I first read as a child on my own rather than the great tomes I read now. The best part about that is that it's easy to follow and immerse oneself in the world the author has created. Nathaniel's settings and descriptions are very lush and vivid, the sort that sticks with you for a long while to come. I especially loved how he tied together the story at the very end and revealed the title. Applause for that.
While personally I think Nathaniel could do with more development of character thoughts and emotions rather than assuming everyone knows what's going on (I might just be that dense tho, lol), this is still a very intriguing debut. I am thankful for this review copy and look forward to reading more from this author!
January 20, 2023
I definitely want more of this world!
I was captivated by the opening lines and read this novella in one sitting! The story is exciting and straight to the point, taking the reader on an exciting adventure. I would have loved for this book to have been a full-length novel, to get to know the characters even more, but even as it is, I really enjoyed it.
"The ocean is what keeps us alive. We all have a bit of its salted water in our veins."
I highly recommend picking up this novella if you enjoy ocean fantasy.
I was captivated by the opening lines and read this novella in one sitting! The story is exciting and straight to the point, taking the reader on an exciting adventure. I would have loved for this book to have been a full-length novel, to get to know the characters even more, but even as it is, I really enjoyed it.
"The ocean is what keeps us alive. We all have a bit of its salted water in our veins."
I highly recommend picking up this novella if you enjoy ocean fantasy.
January 11, 2022
I'd give this a 4.5
This novella throws you into a well-developed world with memorable characters in just a few pages.
This novella throws you into a well-developed world with memorable characters in just a few pages.
April 23, 2022
This short novella packs a punch! This was a fantasy with a dark edge, and the world created in such a small time was beautifully revealed and enjoyable to imagine.
I don't often picture books too vividly, but this novella was impossible not to see in my mind's eye (especially Jynn's opening scene!)
I really liked the contrast between the two main characters, their surroundings and their reactions to their circumstances.
The dreams and whispers gave it such a chilling vibe. I loved the merfolk, the Gilded, and that we were left to wonder about the details.
I loved the creatures, magic, whimsy mixed with a bit of a dark flare. All the different elements made for a unique fantasy read.
My only critique is that Alejhar was a bit quick to be suspicious of people she'd trusted her whole life, but this was such a minor point.
Great job on this novella, Nathaniel! The talent displayed truly makes me wonder what you could do with a full length novel.
If you like novellas and fantasy, you will love this book!
I don't often picture books too vividly, but this novella was impossible not to see in my mind's eye (especially Jynn's opening scene!)
I really liked the contrast between the two main characters, their surroundings and their reactions to their circumstances.
The dreams and whispers gave it such a chilling vibe. I loved the merfolk, the Gilded, and that we were left to wonder about the details.
I loved the creatures, magic, whimsy mixed with a bit of a dark flare. All the different elements made for a unique fantasy read.
My only critique is that Alejhar was a bit quick to be suspicious of people she'd trusted her whole life, but this was such a minor point.
Great job on this novella, Nathaniel! The talent displayed truly makes me wonder what you could do with a full length novel.
If you like novellas and fantasy, you will love this book!
February 27, 2022
I had the chance to beta read this book and I'm so glad I did!
One of the great things about this book is that you find yourself immediately immersed in the world--a world that draws you in quickly and leaves you turning page after page. I loved the story, following two different main characters and seeing how their worlds collide, leading toward a huge plot twist that left me not only wanting more, but imagining how the story could turn out and where it could end up. The author has a great way of pulling you in, the writing is superb, and the world building feels both natural and captivating.
I'm really looking forward to book two! So... get it written and get it published!
One of the great things about this book is that you find yourself immediately immersed in the world--a world that draws you in quickly and leaves you turning page after page. I loved the story, following two different main characters and seeing how their worlds collide, leading toward a huge plot twist that left me not only wanting more, but imagining how the story could turn out and where it could end up. The author has a great way of pulling you in, the writing is superb, and the world building feels both natural and captivating.
I'm really looking forward to book two! So... get it written and get it published!
July 22, 2022
I’ve read and enjoyed several of Nathaniel’s pieces in anthologies so I was eager to read his novella. His writing style is imaginative and quite picturesque.
Having lived by the sea all my life, I loved how he nailed the portrayal of the water’s moodiness and unexpected nature.
And the whole concept of hunting and eating jellyfish? I have to say that was interesting.
The plot concept and the characters were intriguing, but due to the rather short length, I did find myself wishing more details had been fleshed out, simply because I’m curious. :)
Though outside of my usual reading tastes, I rather enjoyed this tale and look forward to reading more from Nathaniel in the future!
Having lived by the sea all my life, I loved how he nailed the portrayal of the water’s moodiness and unexpected nature.
And the whole concept of hunting and eating jellyfish? I have to say that was interesting.
The plot concept and the characters were intriguing, but due to the rather short length, I did find myself wishing more details had been fleshed out, simply because I’m curious. :)
Though outside of my usual reading tastes, I rather enjoyed this tale and look forward to reading more from Nathaniel in the future!
May 28, 2023
Golden Bones is a novella packed with imagery and intricately woven together. Nathaniel does a beautiful job pulling you into two worlds, two young girls' lives and leave you turning page after page wanting more. You want to see how it all comes together and when you close the last page a beautiful ache not wanting to leave the place you left behind. There's magic, mystery, and fantasy I loved every minute of this novella.
March 20, 2023
This is an intriguing and enjoyable story! I was dying for a good, short book, and The Ones With the Gilded Bones delivered.
First of all, I love the vibes. It has that feel that lighthouse stories with storms have (Ik that’s oddly specific but yk), plus magic and some ominousness (is that a word? it is now). I guess in the same vein would be the world building. There isn’t a ton of it - which makes sense; it’s a novella - but I think there’s about the right amount.
The plot is interesting; I liked it, especially since I wasn’t sure what to expect, so it managed to surprise me. I did feel like the pacing is a little off. The beginning is slow, and feels a little too drawn out in comparison to the last few chapters, where it feels like the actual point of the story is packed. Actually, as I’m writing this, it’s occurring to me that the word I’m looking for is “suspenseful.” The book is suspenseful, not slow. Scratch what I said before, mostly - although, personally I would have liked to see the end drawn out and expanded on a little more. A little more payoff for the suspense, if you will.
I liked the two MCs; they were interesting and unique. I didn’t feel like I knew them well, though. I am a huge character development person, but I know it’s hard to get that in a book this short. So that’s really just a me problem XD
Overall, this is a really good book. I’m so happy I was finally able to finish a book after being stuck in a slump for w e e k s, so THANK YOU Nathaniel Luscombe for writing this engaging novella.
~
Lol don’t you love how I’m simultaneously like “nOveLLaS dOn’T hAvE mUcH cHaRaCtER dEvELoPmeNT” and “AH YES A NOVELLA JUST WHAT I NEEDED” I’m so contradictory smh
First of all, I love the vibes. It has that feel that lighthouse stories with storms have (Ik that’s oddly specific but yk), plus magic and some ominousness (is that a word? it is now). I guess in the same vein would be the world building. There isn’t a ton of it - which makes sense; it’s a novella - but I think there’s about the right amount.
The plot is interesting; I liked it, especially since I wasn’t sure what to expect, so it managed to surprise me. I did feel like the pacing is a little off. The beginning is slow, and feels a little too drawn out in comparison to the last few chapters, where it feels like the actual point of the story is packed. Actually, as I’m writing this, it’s occurring to me that the word I’m looking for is “suspenseful.” The book is suspenseful, not slow. Scratch what I said before, mostly - although, personally I would have liked to see the end drawn out and expanded on a little more. A little more payoff for the suspense, if you will.
I liked the two MCs; they were interesting and unique. I didn’t feel like I knew them well, though. I am a huge character development person, but I know it’s hard to get that in a book this short. So that’s really just a me problem XD
Overall, this is a really good book. I’m so happy I was finally able to finish a book after being stuck in a slump for w e e k s, so THANK YOU Nathaniel Luscombe for writing this engaging novella.
~
Lol don’t you love how I’m simultaneously like “nOveLLaS dOn’T hAvE mUcH cHaRaCtER dEvELoPmeNT” and “AH YES A NOVELLA JUST WHAT I NEEDED” I’m so contradictory smh
January 31, 2022
I was a beta-reader for this project a while back, and it was a delight to work through. The unique, otherworldly atmosphere and hidden secrets of the watery world within this novella are mesmerizing. I connected with jellyfish hunter Jynn and lighthouse keeper's daughter Alejhar throughout the loosely intertwined plot. Luscombe's style of writing is clear and concise, an intriguing contrast to the mystery surrounding both the events that take place and the context intertwining the characters' identities and future. I enjoyed the creativity that went into building the vast world we get to see a limited glimpse of, and I hope we get to see more of it in the future.
In terms of criticism, I think there is room for improvement in just a few areas. On a personal note, I felt like a novella was a modest size for introducing a world of this magnitude that we readers are unfamiliar with; a fuller novel may have helped to develop some themes that were left feeling a bit lackluster after finishing. Furthermore, the prose, while clear and concise as mentioned before, felt dull and distant at times. I wish there had been some more vibrancy to better reflect the vivid world in which the novella takes place, not just in the content, but in the syntax. However, I feel as though simply writing more will smooth things out better for the future. Writing is an art requiring careful cultivation that comes with years of experience; Luscombe already has natural talent as a starting launch pad to propel him forward.
Overall, it's a fun and quick read. I would recommend it for people who are fans of mystery, magic, and coastal settings. I'm definitely looking forward to following Luscombe's journey as an author and seeing how his skills develop down the road.
In terms of criticism, I think there is room for improvement in just a few areas. On a personal note, I felt like a novella was a modest size for introducing a world of this magnitude that we readers are unfamiliar with; a fuller novel may have helped to develop some themes that were left feeling a bit lackluster after finishing. Furthermore, the prose, while clear and concise as mentioned before, felt dull and distant at times. I wish there had been some more vibrancy to better reflect the vivid world in which the novella takes place, not just in the content, but in the syntax. However, I feel as though simply writing more will smooth things out better for the future. Writing is an art requiring careful cultivation that comes with years of experience; Luscombe already has natural talent as a starting launch pad to propel him forward.
Overall, it's a fun and quick read. I would recommend it for people who are fans of mystery, magic, and coastal settings. I'm definitely looking forward to following Luscombe's journey as an author and seeing how his skills develop down the road.
January 12, 2022
FIRST OFF, I read this fantasy novella as an eARC reader. So, I want to give special thanks to Nathaniel for giving me the opportunity to read this story. One I know he's been working on for a while.
To start off, The Ones with Gilded Bones was a nice and really tragic story, in my opinion. The way in which Nathaniel gets you invested into the characters and the world in which they inhabit is really amazing. I really loved the detail of describing what the seafaring towns Jynn and Alejhar inhabit look like, smell life, etc...; even going so far as to describe some of the beliefs and traditions the people had.
Getting to the characters themselves, each had a well-rounded voice to them and the way that Nathaniel describes the world in which they inhabit was amazing. The differences between Jynn and Alejhar in terms of living, but also the shared fate that they both possessed. Even the twist (which I won't spoil) I didn't see coming because I was so invested into their characters and stories. It went in directions I didn't see coming.
Overall, I'd give The Ones with Gilded Bones a 5 out 5 stars. Congratulations Nathaniel on this novella.
To start off, The Ones with Gilded Bones was a nice and really tragic story, in my opinion. The way in which Nathaniel gets you invested into the characters and the world in which they inhabit is really amazing. I really loved the detail of describing what the seafaring towns Jynn and Alejhar inhabit look like, smell life, etc...; even going so far as to describe some of the beliefs and traditions the people had.
Getting to the characters themselves, each had a well-rounded voice to them and the way that Nathaniel describes the world in which they inhabit was amazing. The differences between Jynn and Alejhar in terms of living, but also the shared fate that they both possessed. Even the twist (which I won't spoil) I didn't see coming because I was so invested into their characters and stories. It went in directions I didn't see coming.
Overall, I'd give The Ones with Gilded Bones a 5 out 5 stars. Congratulations Nathaniel on this novella.
August 5, 2022
I waited to write my review on this because I was scared with how you would react. I feel like the story was too short and I would have loved if you would have expanded on a few different things; The world building for one. It sounds amazing, but, there wasn't enough of it in my opinion. The characters are great, I really wanted the book to go more in depth with them. Maybe even a prologue of what happened to them as children and how they ended up where they were. What this race/species it is that they are a part of. I felt overall that the story was a little rushed and that you could have made it longer. I also felt that some of the sentences could have been worded differently to make it flow better. All of this to say, I think this story has amazing potential and I don't want you to be scared to make your stories longer. Go more in depth with your characters and your world, jump out of your comfort zone and really kick butt with the next one you write. I know you can do it!
February 25, 2022
I love the characters. The jellyfish hunting was cool. I recommend this to everyone.
September 4, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this short comfort fantasy novella. The story is simple and yet intriguing and while it wasn't complicated, the worldbuilding was very beautiful and deep.
I do wish the ending would've shown us more about our two MCs and their new home and what it was like leaving the old one and old relationships behind but it does give the feeling that there could he a sequel someday which I hope is true!
Luscombe is definitely one of my auto-buy authors and even though this novella is from his younger writing days, it still didn't disappoint.
Definitely recommend if you want a good, easy fantasy read
I do wish the ending would've shown us more about our two MCs and their new home and what it was like leaving the old one and old relationships behind but it does give the feeling that there could he a sequel someday which I hope is true!
Luscombe is definitely one of my auto-buy authors and even though this novella is from his younger writing days, it still didn't disappoint.
Definitely recommend if you want a good, easy fantasy read
May 16, 2025
4/5 ⭐
I've been wanting to read this novella for a while now, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. It was a nice read that didn't take me very long, and the world was fascinating. What originally drew me in was the cover: it is goooorgeous. The first half of the book was perfectly paced in my opinion, and it offered great insight to the two main characters. But the second half felt too rushed to me. Suddenly things were happening that left me a little confused. However, I love the concept of a lighthouse girl and a jellyfish hunter with a mysterious past that links them. Overall, it was an enjoyable quick read!
I've been wanting to read this novella for a while now, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. It was a nice read that didn't take me very long, and the world was fascinating. What originally drew me in was the cover: it is goooorgeous. The first half of the book was perfectly paced in my opinion, and it offered great insight to the two main characters. But the second half felt too rushed to me. Suddenly things were happening that left me a little confused. However, I love the concept of a lighthouse girl and a jellyfish hunter with a mysterious past that links them. Overall, it was an enjoyable quick read!
February 28, 2022
So I beta read this novella a while back and I love the world the author crafts! I love how to two protagonists are very well distinguished from one another, but love how their fates tangle together. I’d love to read more about this world in the future, or anything else this author writes!
June 5, 2022
I don't read a lot of fantasy, but thoroughly enjoyed this novella! The world-building was fantastic, the story fresh, and the characters both intriguing and relatable. Luscombe covers a lot of ground meaningfully in a small word count. Looking forward to the sequel!
February 1, 2022
9/10, the ending felt a bit abrupt but I'm obsessed with literally everything else about this
February 17, 2023
Fun read!
This is not a typical read for me, but I loved it! It was fun, and interesting, and for a short book, I felt immersed in the world the author created 🐙
This is not a typical read for me, but I loved it! It was fun, and interesting, and for a short book, I felt immersed in the world the author created 🐙
January 21, 2022
What more could I want from an ocean fantasy? This one was so much fun. Vivid characters, a spectacular world, and a fast-paced plot. While it's over quickly, I felt satisfied but also totally up for a sequel.
May 28, 2022
I really really wanted to enjoy this novella, but I just couldn’t. The flow and structure wasn’t my favorite, and I felt like there wasn’t enough world building, or details. It reminded me of someone trying to paint a picture but it just didn’t come out right. Though, the editing was fantastic, I don’t think I’ll read something else from this author, only because I personally didn’t enjoy the flow. But, if you enjoy fantasy, you may like this.
August 25, 2022
The Ones With Gilded Bones by Nathaniel Luscombe is an epic fantasy book about teo girls who learn a shared secret they never knew.
I wanted more: more description, details, character development, getting to know the characters and the world, more after the climax, and just more of the story. Sometimes I read paragraphs twice because the story moves so quickly that if you miss a little, you miss much.
I wanted more because the world was so unique and immense. The author built a whole world with its own creatures, rituals, systems, magic, history, and people groups in such a short time that it did pull you in and make you curious and want to keep reading.
The story itself was unique and interesting.
I so appreciated how the author gave hints at what was coming but were so subtle that they didn't give away anything.
The characters felt realistic and very believable.
The stormy mood was developed in the first pages, drew you in deep, and kept you wanting more. The mood was full of anticipation and that more was coming.
Overall: A quick, fun, unique, and imaginative read
I wanted more: more description, details, character development, getting to know the characters and the world, more after the climax, and just more of the story. Sometimes I read paragraphs twice because the story moves so quickly that if you miss a little, you miss much.
I wanted more because the world was so unique and immense. The author built a whole world with its own creatures, rituals, systems, magic, history, and people groups in such a short time that it did pull you in and make you curious and want to keep reading.
The story itself was unique and interesting.
I so appreciated how the author gave hints at what was coming but were so subtle that they didn't give away anything.
The characters felt realistic and very believable.
The stormy mood was developed in the first pages, drew you in deep, and kept you wanting more. The mood was full of anticipation and that more was coming.
Overall: A quick, fun, unique, and imaginative read
May 15, 2022
"The resounding boom of water smashing against the slender stone structure was loud amid the thunder. I knew I was safe up here, but I held a deep fear of the ocean in the dark recesses of my soul."
I loved this fantasy novella filled with all things nautical; lighthouses, sailboats, jellyfish and mythical creatures.
The writing is deeply poetic and as someone who isn't a particularly vivid reader, the story really came alive in my mind.
I enjoyed the overall storyline and quickly connected with the characters but I felt like they were a bit too quick to turn their backs on their families in the end, despite the wrong that had been committed so many years ago.
The entire novella had such a magical feel to it....I think Luscome achieved the writer dream of being inspired by a general aesthetic or vibe and turning into a story😂 if that's what happened here, I am all for it. I would love to read more stories set in this world if the author ever decided to explore it further.
I loved this fantasy novella filled with all things nautical; lighthouses, sailboats, jellyfish and mythical creatures.
The writing is deeply poetic and as someone who isn't a particularly vivid reader, the story really came alive in my mind.
I enjoyed the overall storyline and quickly connected with the characters but I felt like they were a bit too quick to turn their backs on their families in the end, despite the wrong that had been committed so many years ago.
The entire novella had such a magical feel to it....I think Luscome achieved the writer dream of being inspired by a general aesthetic or vibe and turning into a story😂 if that's what happened here, I am all for it. I would love to read more stories set in this world if the author ever decided to explore it further.
March 27, 2022
This novella had such great worldbuilding! While I am not typically a fan of the more poetic style, it was perfect for this story. I could just imagine each setting and the adventures that the characters went on.
It is very rare that I don't see a plot-twist coming but I can assure you that I did not see this one at all. It was such a surprise and now I want to know what happens next.
The only reason I could not rate this five stars was because of how abrupt the ending was. I felt like I was missing quite a lot of emotion, even if the events were laid-out well.
All in all, this was a short novella packed full of worldbuilding and adventure that you won't want to miss.
Content: nothing to note here
4 Stars
*I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
It is very rare that I don't see a plot-twist coming but I can assure you that I did not see this one at all. It was such a surprise and now I want to know what happens next.
The only reason I could not rate this five stars was because of how abrupt the ending was. I felt like I was missing quite a lot of emotion, even if the events were laid-out well.
All in all, this was a short novella packed full of worldbuilding and adventure that you won't want to miss.
Content: nothing to note here
4 Stars
*I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
May 16, 2023
I've always been a huge fan of Nathaniel Luscombe's work, and this solidifies it even more. The scope of the world is phenomenal and the characters are well done. Nathaniel's world building abilities are beyond amazing, and I can't recommend this book enough.
The story moves along with perfect pace, and the twists are elegantly done. I love the shared dreams and the switching point of views. I love books where the reader is in the dark and are trying to figure out what's going on alongside the main character. It really bonds you to the story and continuously keeps you invested.
I'd give this ten stars if I could, but alas, only five are available. Amazing job.
The story moves along with perfect pace, and the twists are elegantly done. I love the shared dreams and the switching point of views. I love books where the reader is in the dark and are trying to figure out what's going on alongside the main character. It really bonds you to the story and continuously keeps you invested.
I'd give this ten stars if I could, but alas, only five are available. Amazing job.
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