Let’s start by saying that, even though this is a YA horror dystopian novel, so you expect a certain amount of violence and trauma, I highly recommend you read the authors note before giving this book to a younger reader. That’s not to say that what’s in these pages isn’t necessary, isn’t beautiful, because it is. But the religious trauma is brutal, the deadnaming is devastating, the body horror is exquisite but terrifying, the themes in this book are heavy and in today’s world, that might be too much for a younger reader. I still would be cautious on giving this to my sixteen-year-old nephew for that reason, not because the authors words shouldn’t be read, they absolutely should. But protecting a young person’s peace of mind in this world is equally as important. Now, let’s talk about this incredible book’s content.

“Former.ly” is a quick, easy read about the super toxic frat boy culture of a social media tech startup, and the developer who gets swept up in its meteoric rise and fall. Former.ly is a social media website that combines Livejournal with Facebook, where a user can upload their life story, their secrets and accomplishments, and the information only goes live upon their death. It’s a memorial curated by the person before they are deceased for the benefit of those they leave behind. Which is a really interesting concept on its own, but also has the perfect foundation for the kind of mystery and drama the synopsis hints at. Except the website functions mainly as set dressing to the main character, Dan, and the eccentric founders of Former.ly. Because, unfortunately, the part of the synopsis that says there are “unexpected consequences” when these profiles go live, never materialized.

I really liked this latest Hazelwood romance at the start. Scarlett, with her anxiety and perfectionism, her sarcasm and understated humor started off as a much more grounded character than the usual quirky scientist. While this book takes place in college, I liked that the characters didn’t feel like children which helped a lot given that, of the Hazelwood books I have read, this one seems to have the most in terms of sexual encounters. And they are steamy scenes, even if I had issues with their aftercare routine, but more on that in a second. But for a book that started so strong with a FMC that felt so different from her previous books, I still ended up disappointed.

This was the book that I wanted to read first in the Glimmer Falls series. And really, there isn’t much of a reason why you can’t, perse, the book does do a very good job of recapping Mariel and Oz’s story so you don’t generally miss out on anything story wise. But you would miss out on just why/how Astaroth is the villain for the enemies to lovers’ aspect to make any sense at all. So, am I glad I read Mariel’s and Oz’s story first? Eh, only because I think it makes my enjoyment of Calladia and Astaroth that much higher.

In a lot of ways, “The Bone Witch” reminded me of traditional geisha or geji culture, but with magic. Tea lives in a world where witches do more than just practice their rune-based magic—they are also entertainers and performers with elaborate clothing that signifies their personality and accomplishments. The traditional witch’s presence is highly sought after in tea houses and parties and expected to entertain their guests all for a fee. That’s on top of their elemental magic which they use to heal or serve as body guards. Except bone witches, who are a type of necromancer and who slowly drain themselves to nothing to put down terrible monsters that rise from the dead every so often. They are revered and feared and generally not liked because of their relationship to the Dark, and our main character Tea just happens to be one of the most powerful in the nation. Except you are mostly told that, and rarely see it until the very end.