I think I listened to the audio book to Heirs of Bone and Sea because it was a part of the “what’s making me happy this week” segment on the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. This was my first dual narrator audio book in a while. I liked it well enough. The world building is pretty light but the main story of a princess and a queen on the run was fun. Evhen, queen of Vodaerd and Princess Kalei of Marama are brought together when Evhen tries to kidnap the princess. Evhen is very fiery and bold down to her red hair, and Kalei is very delicate and fragile. She can raise the dead so she’s an asset to her parents in their war against Vodaerd. Why are they fighting? Who knows! That doesn’t seem to be very important to the story. The author also throws together a neighboring kingdom with a ruler who somehow wouldn’t recognize the Princess and puts them in a near death situation. Why did he sell them out? Who knows! It’s not important to the story. I understand the use of the my heroine is young and naive and doesn’t know anything about the world trope so you don’t have to explain much, but Evhen is supposed to be well trained by her parents so some world building or explanations would have been nice.
The love story between Evhen and Kalei was pretty cute. I did enjoy their contrasts and the way that they came together. We get some passionate declarations of love and some smoochies, but that’s it. They are way too busy fleeing for their lives. The character of Kalei also brings up many questions. Is her magic the only magic in the entire world? Are there others? There is a sequel to this book that I will probably pick up at some point. Oh, also, fair warning, this is a very visceral book. So much blood in people’s mouths! Why must they always be tasting their own blood and other fluids! It was a lot.