T. L. Morganfield

...That being said, the novel does delivers a story arc with a good climax. It is a story full of love, loss and sacrifice, not short on action, and rich with historical detail. I felt that here and there the author was pulling the characters' strings a bit too obviously but that doesn't take away from the fact that The Bone Flower Throne is a fascinating mix of history and legend, exploring a culture that most readers won't come across too often. It's a book that deserves a larger audience than it is likely to get. The second volume, The Bone Flower Queen, has been added to the to read list.

Full Random Comments review… (meer)

I would like to thank NetGalley for offering me access to this work, published by Panverse Publishing, LLC. and giving me the chance to read this ARC all in exchange for an honest review. Though I received the e-book for free that in no way influences this review. 2.5 stars

This book is categorized as historical romance and historical fantasy, both labels I find to be somewhat misleading. But then, I found the entire book to be somewhat confusing. Much of it is straightforward storytelling, and yet I was left feeling unfulfilled by the end, and worse, I felt as though I missed some crucial piece of the story. However even rereading it cover to cover didn't take those feelings away.

The book is set in a mash up of fiction, combined with ancient Aztec history. While the story was interesting, it never reached the conclusion that I feel the author was aiming for. Or perhaps the story did, but the message did not.

Following one city's royal family, the story unfolds through their trials and tribulations. Specifically by following one princess through the journey of her life, as beset by royal intrigue, ambition, fratricide, and religious persecution. While much if it was interesting I find the ending was unsatisfactory for me as it feels incomplete.

Initially the story is entertaining, a view of someone's idea of an ancient culture, with all the attendant issues that arise when conflict visits, particularly if it is visiting the ruling powers and therefore impacting the lives of all to some degree or another. And the author's ability to describe scenes is solid, making it so that I could envision the scenes she was writing. Yet that was not enough to pull this story together and keep it there, at least for me.

The part that took it from a mildly frustrating ending to a rather annoying ending, at least for me, came in the form of one statement made in the final pages, and referred to once again at the very tail end. A mystery that never had a chance to be explained, explored, or understood. And as I don't usually take things on faith alone, this mystery still bothers me, as it is the basis for everything that came before in many ways.

My other issue was with the main character, as she rarely seemed to own her personal power, yet was set to be some supremely strong character. Part, if not all, of her power comes through her faith in her god, yet there are a multitude of examples that say otherwise. And when those are added to that final pronouncement, well it just threw me completely out of the story as I struggle to understand what the author was trying to say. If anything it almost feels like everything would have made more sense, on many levels, if the main character and her best female friend had switched roles.

Finally, while the religious aspects were fascinating, and essential to the story being told, I ended up feeling as if the author started telling one story and ended trying to tell a different story. Or maybe the same story from completely different aspects. Either way, by the end I was at a loss, not knowing where the true power lay, or why. Upon completing the book I read the Author's Note and much more became clear to me, specifically when the three main questions she set out to answer were listed, for those questions clarified for me the disconnect I felt within the story.

With all that said, this is, or so I think, a first novel for Ms. Morganfield. And I believe that she could go on to bigger and better things, so I shall be keeping an eye out for future publications by her.… (meer)