The Bone Palace

The Bone Palace follows Isyllt Iskaldur, the royal necromancer of Erisin, and Savedra Severos, a princess's mistress, as they navigate dark conspiracies in their plague-ridden city. The story unfolds in a setting where magic and political intrigue intertwine, and where the living share their streets with the undead. The city of Erisin serves as more than a backdrop - it is a character in itself, with vampire-inhabited catacombs beneath its streets and sorcerous powers woven into its foundations. The social structure spans from the highest noble houses to the poorest districts, creating a complex web of relationships and power dynamics. In its essence, The Bone Palace is a fantasy novel that challenges traditional genre conventions through its exploration of identity, power, and social structures. The book stands out for its treatment of gender and sexuality within the framework of dark fantasy and political intrigue.

Readers found this second book in the series darker and more complex than the first, with deeper worldbuilding and political intrigue. Readers praised: - The LGBTQ+ representation and handling of gender identity - Complex mystery plot that builds momentum - Character development of Savedra and Isyllt - Rich descriptions of necromancy and magic systems - The gothic, dark atmosphere Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Too many characters and plotlines to track - Less focus on original protagonist Isyllt - Some found the politics confusing - Several readers wanted more resolution of side plots Ratings: Goodreads: 3.89/5 (1,127 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (22 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The political intrigue and necromancy are fascinating but it takes work to keep track of everything" - Goodreads reviewer "Love the trans representation but wished the plot was tighter" - Amazon reviewer "Rich worldbuilding that rewards patient readers" - Fantasy Book Review

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🦇 The vrykoli vampires in this book draw inspiration from ancient Slavic folklore, where the word "vrykolaka" refers to a walking corpse that returns to harm the living. 🏛️ The city of Erisin's architecture and social structure parallel those of 16th century Venice, which also faced devastating plague outbreaks while maintaining a facade of opulent nobility. ✒️ "The Bone Palace" is the second book in Amanda Downum's The Necromancer Chronicles, following her debut novel "The Drowning City" (2009). 💀 Necromancy, a key element in the novel, has historical roots in ancient Greek magical practices, where it was believed possible to communicate with the dead through ritual sacrifice. 🎭 Downum worked as a professional piercer while writing her early novels, an experience that influenced her detailed descriptions of body modification and physical transformations in her work.