Crown of Gilded Bones, The – Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Crown of Gilded Bones

- Jennifer L. Armentrout

Como, WA

December 5, 2021

Goodreads Book Blurb:

She’s been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

Series / Genres:

My Review:

absolute favourite:

☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

My first.
My guard.
My friend.
My betrayer.
My partner.
My husband.
My heartmate.
My everything.
Casteel Da'Neer bowed before me and stared up at me as if I were the only person in the entire kingdom.

Abso-fucking-lutely loved The Crown of Gilded Bones. I thought it was bad when I stayed up until 3am by accident when reading A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire… In this case, I picked up my Kindle and started reading, and the next time I looked up, I realised the room was getting lighter, and I could hear birds chirping, and, yep, it was 5am. I was totally transported into this world and living for Poppy. I’ve always found her interesting, but in The Crown of Gilded Bones she became a fucking force of nature.

I'd spent the better part of my life clothed from chin to floor, and more than half of my face covered. I knew how to hide. I was only now learning how to be seen.

So. Much. Happened. I love how unpredictable this book, and this series, has been. Sure, the themes and tropes are expected in this type of fantasy novel, but the mechanics are unique and interesting. It is so rare for characters to make plans and have things fall apart entirely or fail or just not work, repeatedly. There is so much planning and plotting and replanning, and I love the reality of it all.

Bravery is a fleeting beast, isn't it? Always there to get you into trouble, but quick to disappear once you're where you want to be.

The hinting at threesomes is becoming more insistent as this series continues – I reckon it’s only a matter of time until Kieran joins in the fun, right? Besides this, I love Poppy’s relationship with the wolven; they come off as overprotective older brothers most of the time. The joking-judging-loving relationship is beautiful and funny and wonderful. However, I’m a bit scared Armentrout is setting this all up for Kieran’s eventual death, and even the thought of this makes me incredibly distraught. I hope he at least gets his threesome first…

"I…I tried to eat Kieran."
"He won't hold it against you."
"I tried to eat Kieran while I was naked."
"That's probably why he won't hold it against you."

There are some excellent twists and surprises in store for new readers.

Spoiler

One of my favourites is Willa showing up and ending up being super helpful – who saw that coming?! So delicious.

I was dreading reaching the end – however long I have to wait for The War of Two Queens to come out is way too long. I am dying to read the next book; two powerful women going to war against each other – what’s not to be excited for? I love vengeful Poppy – she is fucking brilliant.