Mistress of Bones - by Maria Z Medina (Hardcover)

About the Book

Nineteen-year-old Azul, a necromancer seeking to resurrect her sister, becomes entangled in a world-ending plot involving gods, a deadly emissary, and a web of secrets that could reshape the world.

Book Synopsis

"Like stepping into one of my favorite RPGs." - Susan Dennard, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series

An epic, multi-POV debut fantasy perfect for fans of The Bone Shard Daughter and Six of Crows, where a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister gets embroiled in bigger, world-ending plans instead

Necromancer Azul del Arroyo only wants one thing: to steal her sister back from Death by reclaiming her sister's bones. But the Emissary of the Lord Death will do anything to stop her, no matter how alluring he finds her . . .

As their paths collide, they're drawn into a deadly game of pawns and power with a count who begrudgingly works for a child king, a faceless witch who transforms the bones of gods into dreams she can peddle, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret of his own--and soon realize the fate of the lands is hanging in the balance.

For long ago the gods raised the continents, binding them with their own bones to keep humanity alive. But in an era when the gods' sacrifice has been forgotten, Death might not be the only resentful god Azul must defy.

Swashbuckling, grand, and tragically romantic, Mistress of Bones is a can't-miss start to a duology about love, loss, and, of course, death.

Review Quotes

Epic Reads, "Most Anticipated YA Books to Read in July/August 2025"

Book Riot, "Blockbuster YA Releases for Early 2025"

Goodreads, "Most Popular Books Published in August 2025"

"Confident prose, strong characterizations, and imaginative Spanish-tinged mythology blend to deliver a rich and intricately crafted fantasy world. Descriptions of powerful characters struggling to navigate the actions of brutal yet self-sacrificing gods further enrich this sprawling series opener." - Publishers Weekly

"Medina's high-concept world building permeates the story in fascinating detail...A compelling read, ending with a cliff-hanger sure to draw readers back for the rest of the duology." - Booklist

"This debut fantasy from author Maria Z. Medina invites readers to a world of floating continents, absent gods, flashing rapiers, and swashbuckling adventure. Using flashbacks and multiple POVs, Medina tells the story of Azul del Arroyo, a modest young necromancer who just wants to bring her sister back from the dead. Look for lots of atmospheric tragedy and romance, with a love interest who happens to be the Emissary of the Lord Death." - Goodreads, "Hot Ones: Readers' 80 Most Anticipated New Summer Books"

"Mistress of Bones is an epic, multi-POV fantasy of love, loss and defiance in the face of death. Maria Z. Medina's can't-miss debut is perfect for fans of The Bone Shard Daughter and Six of Crows." - Geek Girl Authority
"Mistress of Bones is a breath of fresh air, with richly layered worldbuilding, complex social dynamics, and morally grey characters you can't help but root for. Intricately plotted, the enemies-to-lovers romance between Azul del Arroyo and Virel Enjul is spectacular--the tension and chemistry absolutely drips off the page. A masterful debut!" - Keshe Chow, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Girl with no Reflection

"Mistress of Bones features the bold, complex world-building I love most in fantasy. It felt like stepping into one of my favorite RPGs--so many rich details to discover on each page. Not to mention, plenty of characters to root for." - Susan Dennard, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series

"Bone magic, rapier duels, and fickle gods-Mistress of Bones is a masterclass in worldbuilding, with a setting that is wholly original and deliciously atmospheric, and characters that will steal your heart." - Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days

"Mistress of Bones is a richly imagined, high stakes fantasy steeped in intrigue, magic, myth, and necromancy. From the memorable cast to the lush worldbuilding, I couldn't put this book down." - Rati Mehrotra, author of Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove

"Mistress of Bones' rich storytelling pulls you into a wholly imaginative world filled with an engrossing cast of characters. I can't help but applaud this ambitious tale of gods and magic, of secrets and betrayals, and of a girl fighting against all odds to save her sister from Death himself." - Jasmine Skye, author of Daughter of the Bone Forest

"Medina's thoughtful, beautiful prose paints a lushly-imagined fantasy world that utterly entranced me. Readers will be quick to fall under the spell of this spooky yet swashbuckling debut." - Andrea Tang, author of These Deadly Prophecies

"With evocative worldbuilding, biting prose, and an intriguing cast of characters, Mistress of Bones is a transportive dark fantasy readers will eagerly devour." - Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace and This Cursed Light

About the Author

Born and raised in Spain, MARIA Z. MEDINA loves everything speculative and fantasy. She is a writer and an avid video game player who discovered the joy of making up stories at a young age, aided by her grandmother's love for books and sci-fi/fantasy TV shows. Her short fiction has appeared in various fantasy and science-fiction publications.