Blood, bones equals a bad boy romance

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Unholy Terrors 

Lyndall Clipstone 

Published 2023, Penguin Australia, 370 pages 

Everline Blackthorn is a warden a group who guard against monsters known as the vespertine. 

 When the vespertine threatens the border of her homeland, Everline decides to investigate and discovers that the vespertine may not be the blood thirsty brutal monsters she has been led to believe. When her friend and fellow warden Lux is taken captive by the vespertine. Everline decides that getting Lux back is paramount and breaking her vows as a warden to achieve this is a small price to pay. What Everline does not expect is that Ravel a vespertine, will make her question everything about being a warden, including who you can love.  

 Clipstone has created an interesting world that her characters inhabit. It is a dark, oppressive place that is governed by a magic system that requires blood.  

The main character is Everline who is haunted by her mother's past and has a desire to not replicate the same mistakes. However, her mother's betrayal remains a constant reminder to those around Everline that she is not to be wholly trusted. Her sole purpose seems to be discovering what led her mother to betray the wardens. That purpose is driven by trying to find where she belongs, as Everline feels she is an outcast.  

As the story is told from Everline's point of view, you are restricted to how she perceives the interactions with the other characters. Lux is her long-term friend and warden partner. Their bond is strong, and they rely on each other. Briar is her half-sister and there is jealousy, misunderstandings and acceptance. Ravel, the love interest, is moody, desirable and untrustworthy.  

There is a great deal to like in the story but there were some elements that I would have liked to have teased a bit more to provide a bit more context. It is a minor quibble, but I was not clear on the overall structure of the wardens and how and where they lived. Having said that Clipstone can really capture the world. She vividly paints the moorland, describes in detail the character and attire, plus has a strong set of rules and governance in place.  

If you love the enemies to lover's trope, love a slow burn complicated romance, you will love this book. 

For more on Lyndall Clipstone check out their website.   

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