The Sins on Their Bones
Written by: Laura Samotin
Random House Canada
2025
A thrilling queer historical fantasy, The Sins on Their Bones, is captivating from beginning to end as it pits two former lovers against one another with a kingdom at stake.
The Sins on Their Bones is by far one of the best books I have read this year to date. is everything from compelling characters to a riveting story and a queerness to it that took hold of my heart.
Storytelling
One of the best aspects of the story was its atmospheric quality. I could envision the land where the story occurred, reminiscent of medieval Russia. The characters, Vasily, Dimitri, and Alexey, were well-developed, and the author did an excellent job building the setting and the narrative.
The dreariness of the environment drew me in as a reader. I loved how the story unfolded and how the characters were introduced, highlighting their dynamics with one another. One of my main takeaways is that Alexei is portrayed as a villain because of his insatiable thirst for power, not because of a tragic backstory. He possesses a warped sense of love, viewing it as a possession rather than a genuine connection. His relationship with Dmitri exemplifies toxicity; Alexey’s manipulation and abuse lead Dmitri to believe that this distorted form of love is what he deserves.
Alexey is truly awful—one of those characters you love to hate while reading the book. In contrast, Dmitri’s story is one of healing and personal growth. With Vasily’s help, he can move past his trauma. Their relationship is wholesome and uplifting, showcasing how Vasily supports Dmitri in recognizing both the abuse he suffered and the nature of true love. Vasily himself has experienced abuse and trauma, but his journey to healing makes their bond even more beautiful.
I also appreciated this book’s queerness; it is queer-friendly. It features male-male relationships and asexual representation, which I love. The found-family element in the story warmed my heart and added to the overall appeal. These elements combined make the story absolutely fantastic, brilliant, and captivating.
Final Thoughts
The Sins on Their Bones is absolutely brilliant. It has wonderful characters, great tension, an excellent pace, and brilliant world-building. All in all, it is an addictive and compelling read from start to finish.
Absolutely Amazing & Brilliant | The Sins on Their Bones Review
A thrilling queer historical fantasy, The Sins on Their Bones, is captivating from beginning to end as it pits two former lovers against one another with a kingdom at stake.
Cynthia Ayala
Cynthia Ayala-Bujnicki majored in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. Editor-in-chief of Cyn's Workshop, she loves to read and write while tending to her pepper plants. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, two kids Dante and Selene and two furbabies Mr. J the Kitten who Thinks He's Batman (yes, that is his full name) and Nyx.
