The Bones of Ruin

In Victorian London, an immortal African tightrope walker named Iris performs death-defying acts at the Crimson Gate circus. She cannot die and has no memory of her past before waking up in England years ago. A mysterious man named Adam Temple recruits Iris to compete in a tournament that he claims will bring about the end of the world. The competition pits fighters with supernatural abilities against each other as London faces mounting tensions and unexplained phenomena. While training for the tournament, Iris searches for answers about her own identity and immortality. Her quest becomes entangled with both London's occult underground and a string of murders that may connect to the competition. The novel explores themes of identity, colonialism, and free will through its blend of historical fantasy and apocalyptic intrigue. The Victorian circus setting provides a backdrop for examining questions about performance, power, and the nature of survival.

Readers note strong worldbuilding and a unique Victorian London setting enriched with African mythology. Many appreciate the focus on a Black circus performer protagonist and the exploration of identity themes. Likes: - Detailed fight scenes and acrobatic descriptions - Complex magic system - Historical fantasy elements - Diverse representation of characters Dislikes: - Pacing issues, especially in the middle sections - Some found the plot confusing or overly complex - Romance subplot feels underdeveloped - Several readers wanted more exploration of side characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings) Common reader feedback highlights the originality but notes execution challenges. As one Goodreads reviewer states: "Amazing concept and world, but gets tangled in its own plot threads." Multiple readers mention struggling to connect with the main character despite the interesting premise.

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🦴 The book features an African tightrope dancer in Victorian London who cannot die and has no memories of her past - a unique twist on the immortality trope in fantasy fiction. 🎪 Author Sarah Raughley was inspired by real historical circus performers and Victorian-era entertainment, including the famous wire-walker Charles Blondin. 🌍 The story incorporates elements of real Victorian London's colonial history and the treatment of performers of color in 19th-century entertainment venues. ⚔️ The combat scenes in the novel draw from multiple fighting styles, including Victorian-era martial arts and traditional African combat techniques. 🎭 The book blends several genres, including historical fantasy, apocalyptic fiction, and mystery - while exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and memory.