Castles in Their Bones

Written by Laura Sebastian

Narrated by Roisin Rankin

A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.
 
"[A] page-turner that brilliantly blends magic, romance, and adventure.” --Booklist

Empress Margaraux has had plans for her daughters since the day they were born. Princesses Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz will be queens. And now, age sixteen, they each must leave their homeland and marry their princes.
 
Beautiful, smart, and demure, the triplets appear to be the perfect brides—because Margaraux knows there is one common truth: everyone underestimates a girl. Which is a grave mistake. Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz are no innocents. They have been trained since birth in the arts of deception, seduction, and violence with a singular goal—to bring down monarchies— and their marriages are merely the first stage of their mother’s grand vision: to one day reign over the entire continent of Vesteria.
 
The princesses have spent their lives preparing, and now they are ready, each with her own secret skill, and each with a single wish, pulled from the stars. Only, the stars have their own plans—and their mother hasn’t told them all of hers.
 
Life abroad is a test. Will their loyalties stay true? Or will they learn that they can’t trust anyone—not even each other?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9780593505915

Laura Sebastian

Laura Sebastian was born and raised in South Florida and has always loved telling stories-many apologies to her little brother who often got in trouble because of them. She currently lives in London with her two dogs, Neville and Circe. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series, Half Sick of Shadows, and Castles in their Bones.

Reviews for Castles in Their Bones

[zjakkelien · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was enjoyable, but I would have preferred a complete story. This was more in the line of a cliffhanger. I also would have preferred it if the story didn't jump perspective so often. But the characters were interesting and the individual story lines were engaging.

[kiaya40 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have to say I'm so glad I decided to try reading this author again because this book was fantastic. It's a big 5-star read for me. If you haven't read it, go get it now. I'm already dying with anticipation over how long it'll be until the next book is out. This is so well written and well done how the plot(s) are woven together and the three stories and points of view of the three princesses in each of their unique situations. There's also swoon-worthy romance and sadness and all the emotions. There's intrigue, poisons, treachery, and magic. I love this magic in this book with the stars - it's simple and unique and interesting all at the same time. I love the close bonds and relationships between the three sisters and the differences and how each of them navigates their situation. The ending left me feeling all the feels and hanging on the edge of my seat, the cliffhanger ending is a hard one that totally shocked me and left me reeling. Go read this now!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Delacorte Press for letting me read and review this amazing book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[rivkat_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It had me from the title. Three princesses raised to destroy three kingdoms and recreate the empire that their Empress mother rules now only in name. Lots of palace intrigue—in three palaces!—and really pretty dark for YA, including some major character death.