Hawk Witch (The Bonegates, #1) by Ashley McLeo - Book Review
Release: July 5, 2019
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Meraki Press
Source: Amazon
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: A mysterious fae-shifter. A battle royale. A chance of a lifetime.
I’ve always been different. Awkward. Horrible at magic. A square peg shoved into a round hole.
But when I arrive in Faerie, I have a chance to start over, to help people who have it worse than me, and to finally get to know my father—the King of Lyonesse.
In Faerie I have friends and a fae guard who fancies me. Crazily enough, for once in my life my bloody magic is cooperating.
There’s one hitch however.
To get what I want most, I have to fight—gladiator style—and I must win.
The others are infinitely more powerful than me and a thousand times more charming. Cunning and competitive to boot. And they all want to be tops too. But when I really want something, I’ve never been one to give up.
And I won’t start now.
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Amazon
About the Author Ashley McLeo: Ashley lives in the lush and green Pacific Northwest with her husband, their dog, and the house ghost that sometimes makes appearances in her charming, old home.
When she’s not writing urban fantasy and portal fantasy novels she enjoys traveling the world, reading, kicking butt at board games (she recommends Splendor and Dominion), and frequenting taquerias.
For all the latest releases and updates, subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, The Coven, today!
Hawk Witch (The Bonegates, #1) Review:
Addictive YA Fantasy with HeartIt's been ages since I picked up YA fantasy, and this long-time resident in my TBR pile turned out to be exactly what I needed.
What Works:McLeo's writing style hooked me faster than expected. I usually need time to settle into fantasy worlds, but Lana's journey grabbed me quickly. She's a fantastic lead, navigating new friendships, mending broken ones, and finding her place in Lyonesse felt genuine. Moreover, her bond with Finn balances tenderness with complications, while Garrett's protective streak adds welcome warmth. Similarly, I haven't "fondly hated" a character like Crystal in ages; McLeo writes antagonists you love to despise. Nigel also adds perfectly as a threatening presence.
The supporting cast shines too! Kate and Kumar became instant favorites, and adorable Naela absolutely won my heart. McLeo builds tension beautifully around the Successional, delivering Hunger Games-style stakes that kept me turning pages late into the night.
What Falls Short:
The second half introduces so many characters that tracking powers and allegiances gets overwhelming. For example, Ebba and Sai felt like they could have been trimmed or combined without losing story impact. The bloat slightly muddies an otherwise tight narrative.
Verdict:
Hawk Witch launches the Bonegates series with genuine confidence. Strong characterization, compelling friendship threads, villains you actively root against, and escalating political stakes create an immersive experience. Despite some crowded later chapters, this is exactly the kind of YA fantasy that reminds you why you loved the genre. Already counting down to book two.
Perfect for:YA fantasy enthusiasts, Hunger Games fans, and readers who enjoy magic competitions with bite.
Hawk Witch (The Bonegates, #1)
by Ashley McLeo
Synopsis
"A mysterious fae-shifter. A battle royale. A chance of a lifetime.
I’ve always been different. Awkward. Horrible at magic. A square peg shoved into a round hole.
But when I arrive in Faerie, I have a chance to start over, to help people who have it worse than me, and to finally get to know my father—the King of Lyonesse.
In Faerie I have friends and a fae guard who fancies me. Crazily enough, for once in my life my bloody magic is cooperating.
There’s one hitch however.
To get what I want most, I have to fight—gladiator style—and I must win.
The others are infinitely more powerful than me and a thousand times more charming. Cunning and competitive to boot. And they all want to be tops too. But when I really want something, I’ve never been one to give up.
And I won’t start now."
Release
July 5, 2019
Format
Kindle
Publisher
Meraki Press
Source
Amazon
About the Author
Ashley McLeo
Ashley lives in the lush and green Pacific Northwest with her husband, their dog, and the house ghost that sometimes makes appearances in her charming, old home.
When she’s not writing urban fantasy and portal fantasy novels she enjoys traveling the world, reading, kicking butt at board games (she recommends Splendor and Dominion), and frequenting taquerias.
For all the latest releases and updates, subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, The Coven, today!
My Review
Hawk Witch (The Bonegates, #1) Review:
Addictive YA Fantasy with Heart
It’s been ages since I picked up YA fantasy, and this long-time resident in my TBR pile turned out to be exactly what I needed.
What Works:
McLeo’s writing style hooked me faster than expected. I usually need time to settle into fantasy worlds, but Lana’s journey grabbed me quickly. She’s a fantastic lead, navigating new friendships, mending broken ones, and finding her place in Lyonesse felt genuine. Moreover, her bond with Finn balances tenderness with complications, while Garrett’s protective streak adds welcome warmth. Similarly, I haven’t “fondly hated” a character like Crystal in ages; McLeo writes antagonists you love to despise. Nigel also adds perfectly as a threatening presence.
The supporting cast shines too! Kate and Kumar became instant favorites, and adorable Naela absolutely won my heart. McLeo builds tension beautifully around the Successional, delivering Hunger Games-style stakes that kept me turning pages late into the night.
What Falls Short:
The second half introduces so many characters that tracking powers and allegiances gets overwhelming. For example, Ebba and Sai felt like they could have been trimmed or combined without losing story impact. The bloat slightly muddies an otherwise tight narrative.
Verdict:
Hawk Witch launches the Bonegates series with genuine confidence. Strong characterization, compelling friendship threads, villains you actively root against, and escalating political stakes create an immersive experience. Despite some crowded later chapters, this is exactly the kind of YA fantasy that reminds you why you loved the genre. Already counting down to book two.
Perfect for:
YA fantasy enthusiasts, Hunger Games fans, and readers who enjoy magic competitions with bite.
