Hall of Bones

Thank you to Tim Hardie for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Hall of Bones is a complex web of inter-clan politics and the drive for those to dominate. The seven clans of Laskar raid and battle against one another, forging tenuous alliances through marriage and rallying against whichever clan is the current common enemy. However, the Vorund Clan seeks to change the endless battles and become the only clan to lead. And if they succeed an era of death and destruction will begin.

Readers will follow the journey of Rothgar, the younger brother to the future Reavesburg clan leader, and his treacherous journey through betrayal and heartbreak. Raised to be his brother’s right hand, Rothgar is privy to inter-clan politics and prejudices. And while he may not agree with all the choices his family makes, he is loyal to them. But childhood innocence will be stripped away from Rothgar as he grows to truly understand his place in the clan. Taking up arms against those threatening them, and brokering deals on their behalf.

Yet even the best trained soldiers fall. When a darker force seeks to take refuge in his homeland, Rothgar’s clan will be plunged into a time of despair. Betrayal runs deep as Rothgar is thrown into his greatest challenge yet. One that will torment both his body and mind. The Rothgar from earlier on in the book, is a very different character by the end.

Hall of Bones is a novel slow to build, painting readers a complete picture of how the clans work and their opinions of one another. Rothgar’s character growth is paced alongside the politics, allowing him to learn with the reader how his world truly works. If you are a reader who enjoys fantasy politics, this is the perfect book for you.

I am thrilled that I was introduced to this book. How I had not heard of it before is beyond me! Now, before you start reading, grab a notebook to keep track of all the characters that will be presented to you. You can thank me later. It is hard to keep track of everyone.
Dark evil? Check. Battles between clans? Triple check. Well-rounded characters? Check. Get ready for an adventure that you are not going to forget easily. When Rothgar's father is killed, he and his brother are forced into leadership positions earlier than was expected. Although life could be rough, one always wants to think they have more time than they do. The clans will start asking questions, looking at the young men as inexperienced, which is going to start an unwinding of the way things have been, something they are forced to confront.
As the book continues, it seems as though the author runs out of the storyline, and it falters a bit, which makes reading it a bit hard. We will meet quite a few more people (again, add to your list from above), and then the author seems to have a lightbulb moment, and the pace picks up again – bringing us to an enjoyable ending to the book.
I enjoyed reading through this one, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book.