A review by maxarcreads
Masquerade of Bones by J. Ember Hintz

3.5

This was a 3.5 for me. It wasn't a bad book at all, but it wasn't a book I found myself sinking into. It was easy to read but honestly whenever I put it down, I didn't feel the need to rush back to find out what happens next. This could all very well be a me issue so I encourage people to give the book a try for themselves. 
The premise of the book sounded cool, the characters were likeable, and the world building was fine though I was sometimes a little confused on the magic system so maybe a little more explanation there would be nice. Like I get those with magic go through the burning and using their magic too much can cause them to go mad and die but then what was the point of the relics and why did what relic they get affect their type of magic. 
Honestly, it wasn't a bad book, but it just never took off for me, and I can't pinpoint one reason as to why that is as it had so many elements of things I like but, in the end, it was just forgettable to me. 
This book is about Everly whose family has fallen on hard times since the death of her parents and her betrothal to the prince was broken. She is doing everything she can to keep a roof over their heads while protecting her brother from the harder aspects of their situation. In doing so she ended up racking up massive gambling debts where their house the last connection to their parents could be taken from them in payment because her job is not enough to keep up with the payments. But that is not the only thing she is keeping from her brother. She is a witch and a special kind of witch that can hear the whispers of bones of magical creatures, and she knows if her gift were to be found out not only would she be conscripted to the military, but her gift would be used to track down other witches in hiding. However, as well as she has kept her secret an infamous outlaw Silas Drake found out her secret and has presented her a "choice". Enter into a blood oath with him to steal a relic that was just placed in the vault at her job, and he will pay off her debts or he will hand her over to the authorities. With little choice she enters into the oath but do not be mistaken she is done taking orders from men who want to control her, and she is going to fight back for the time she has left and undermine his plans whatever they might be. 

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.