Heir of Twisted Lies (The Broken Souls and Bones Series Book 2)

Rachel R

Tap, tap, tap - fantastic conclusion to this duology!

"✨ARC review✨ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️+ (Skul Drek..🥵🥵🥵) “Don’t let me fall.” Tap. Tap. Tap. 🦴Soul bonds 🦴Unique Magic 🦴shadow play 🦴touch her and 💀 🦴found family 🦴one horse, one tent, one cot… 🥵 5 full stars for the second book in Stonegate, following Broken Souls and Bones. We get much more action and forward movement for both characters and plot. As always, amidst the stunning world building, mesmerizing and uniquely gruesome magic system, fast paced action, and face-heating spice, it is the complex characters and their relationships that shine the brightest. Among men who will be the villain for the ones they love, and women who rule these dark worlds through cunning, fierce love, strength and devotion, the characters and their interactions are near perfection. Roark is a beautifully dark soul who will literally burn the world down to protect his soul-bonded Lyra, and those he loves. Unafraid to be the villain, he uses his skill with a sword and his dark soul craft to slay their enemies. Using hand-speak (akin to sign language) due to losing his voice through a gruesome punishment at the hands of his own people, his dark and broody shadows only soften for Lyra, who understands both his words and his soul. His bonds with Thane, Gunter, others from his past put his broodiness to the test, drawing out smirks and silent chuckles as well as offensive hand gestures. His healing journey with his mother Elisabet, a wildly complex and layered character whose motivations and secrets keep everyone guessing, was both full of heartache and revelations. I cried. Lyra is a strong FMC, humble enough to admit when she’s wrong, curious enough to learn what she doesn’t know, strong enough to grow into her power and defend Roark and those she loves, and devoted enough to accept all Roark’s dark edges. They are a beautifully perfect pair, and their romance was a highlight. Their communication was strong and honest, confiding in one another and supportive. The female friendships between Lyra, Emi, Brynn, and Yrsa often take center stage, bolstering each other against the many storms of a world that would tear them down. Her bond with Kael was both heartbreaking and steadfast, and their journey back to one another had me in tears. The side characters were perfection; adding layered complexity, needed humor, advice, sarcasm, and the sort of unwavering devotion that only friendships can provide. LJA is a master at healthy relationships, and her writing and dialogue emphasize the characters’ respective histories and bonds. It is always my favorite thing about her books, and I found myself smiling wide, giggling, and tearing up at these interactions. Found family is a popular trope for a reason, and LJA is the queen of it. Heir of Twisted Lies is a beautifully crafted story of love, family, and what one can accomplish. It challenges assumptions about what makes a family, blood or something stronger? What is a soul? And what lines are we willing cross to save those we love? I hope there are more books coming in this world as I’m loathe to leave it behind. ["

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March 25, 2026 Verified Purchase

Devon

Great conclusion!

"Like all of LJ’s work, I loved this story! I think Roark is one of my favorite MMCs of hers. The entire cast of characters is so fun and well-rounded, and I think all the new players in the story added a lot of depth and intrigue. Book two had a slower plot, making room for the politics and dynamics to play. The last quarter of the book was WILD, and while the duology is complete; I would love the chance to come back in a future story to revisit some of the side characters. ["

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March 25, 2026 Verified Purchase

Wendy

What a finale!

"I absolutely loved Broken Souls and Bones and was dying to get my hands on Heir of Twisted Lies after that ending. It comes as absolutely no surprise to me that it meets the same level of great! The battles were high intensity and the magic remains incredibly unique and fascinating. Lyra and Roarke continue to be fantastic separately a together. I love their relationship, even when it’s rocky. They going through some inner turmoil during this book and I think it made them even more enjoyable and real. We definitely get some REALLY good spice too! I also really liked navigating the sort of fusing of Roarke and Skul Drek in HOTL. It ties back to how I think the magic in this series is fascinating. I adore and obsessed with the found family in this duology. Every character was incredibly well developed in their personalities and backstories, and it was impossible not to fall in love with each of them. The story moved super fast in the second half, with nonstop action and reveals. It flew by and suddenly I was at the final chapter. I really enjoyed the way everything wrapped up in the end. I think it was a great mix of endings things while leaving the hope of future. I feel like LJ maybe left the possibility of a spinoff in there and I would not be sad if so. I loved it and honesty would love more. ["

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March 25, 2026 Verified Purchase

Ashley McLeod

Loved this one!

"Heir of Twisted Lies was the perfect follow-up to Broken Souls and Bones! I absolutely adored BSaB, so getting back into this world and seeing some of my favorite characters again was amazing! The story continues right where BSaB left off with that big reveal at the end. Throughout HoTL, we get to learn more about Roark: who he is, the dynamics and backstory of his family, and the customs, laws, and history of Dravenmoor. Lyra is thrown into a whole new world where many people find her unwelcome, but she also has friends there to help protect her, and her melding skills come in handy as well. HoTL takes us on an adventure that I didn't expect, but then again, I had no idea where this story would go after the end of BSaB. As Lyra, Roark, and the crew journey through forests and mountains, meeting new and surprising characters along the way, the relationship between Lyra and Roark is a ride of hate to love, and I was 100% there for it. Both of these characters go through a lot in this story, but all of it is done with purpose to better develop their characters, relationship, and their place in Dravenmoor. The twists in this one were incredibly well done; I didn't see them coming and loved how they moved the plot along. LJ nailed it with this one, through the character development, the worldbuilding, the twists, and especially the spice. Chapter 14 will forever be in my mind, and I loved every moment. If I didn't already love LJ's writing, Heir of Twisted Lies just cemented the fact that she is one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to find out what she has in store next for this world. ["

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May 16, 2026 Verified Purchase

Lina deChiara

Absolutely Satisfying Ending!

"HUGE plus for a recap at the beginning! I LOVE it when authors do that especially if it's been a bit in between books. It's just so nice to have a little refresher without having to read the book again. LJA is an auto buy & auto read author of mine. Ever since getting back into reading 2+ yrs ago, The Ever Seas series was one of my first series I read and I have been a fan ever since. I have loved every book she has written and this one did not disappoint! IMO this completed duology wrapped up so well, giving us the closure we all wanted. It picks up right were BSAB left off and we are thrown into new territory, opening the world up for us. We are introduced to new characters adding to that sound family vibe, more plot twists, and more of that unique magic system. We get Roark's history, and his bond with Lyra and the prophecy's TRUE meaning. Their bond gets stronger as the story progresses, healing the betrayal that was once there. But they have new enemies on top of the ones they left behind and as they navigate this new dynamic trying to figure out who they can and can't trust, more secrets are uncovered. Our crew is now fighting evil on all sides and have no choice but to try to reconcile with the Prince they betrayed. But will he stand with them or will he believe the lies told? That's all I'll say! Im scared if I keep going on I'll start saying things I shouldn't, lol. Even though the world and magic expands, I didn't feel overwhelmed or confused. It was a solid conclusion!! BUT I would LOVE a spinoff of Prince Thane!!! How fantastic would that be to get his story. LJA - PLEASE consider this, it would be so amazing, I just know it. ["

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March 29, 2026 Verified Purchase