{"id":115594,"date":"2025-02-28T17:06:04","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T17:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/entertainment\/books\/the-beasts-we-bury-by-d-l-taylor-%f0%9f%93%96-book-review\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T17:06:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T17:06:04","slug":"the-beasts-we-bury-by-d-l-taylor-%f0%9f%93%96-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=115594","title":{"rendered":"The Beasts We Bury By D.L. Taylor \ud83d\udcd6 Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"


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D.L. Taylor\u2019s The Beasts We Bury<\/em> is a YA fantasy novel that weaves together magic, political tension, and personal struggles. At its heart, the novel follows Mancella, heir to the throne, who possesses the power to summon an army of animals, ones she has previously killed. Opposing her is Silver, a skilled thief whose motives initially revolve around self-preservation and the survival of his found family. As their fates intertwine, the novel explores themes of power, morality, and the consequences of one\u2019s choices. While the premise is intriguing and the world is vividly described, the novel struggles to leave a lasting impact due to its limitations within the YA genre and underdeveloped elements of its magic system.<\/p>\n

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Will he steal her heart\u2026 or her chance at the throne?<\/em><\/p>\n

Daughter and heir to the throne, Mancella Cliff yearns for a life without bloodshed. But as a child, she emerged from the Broken Citadel with the power to summon animals\u2014only after killing them with her bare hands. Her magic is a constant reminder of the horrors her father, the ruler of the realm, has forced upon her to strengthen their power.<\/p>\n

Silver is a charming thief struggling to survive in a world torn apart by Mancella\u2019s father\u2019s reign. When a mysterious benefactor recruits him for the heist of a lifetime, a chance to rob the castle, Silver relishes the opportunity for a real future\u2014and revenge. But he\u2019ll have to manipulate Mance and earn her trust to pull it off.<\/p>\n

As the deception and carnage mount, Mance must find a way to save her realm without becoming the ruthless monster she\u2019s been bred to be. And when Silver discovers that his actions are fueling the violence that Mance wants to prevent, he\u2019ll have to choose between his ambition and the girl he\u2019s falling for.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mancella (Mance) is an intriguing protagonist who subverts the expectations of a powerful heir. Rather than embracing her abilities as a weapon of war, she actively resists them, longing for peace rather than destruction. Her internal conflict between what she wants for herself and what her father demands drives much of the story, making her struggle both compelling and frustrating at times.<\/p>\n

Silver, on the other hand, is a thief caught up in a dangerous heist that brings him into Mance\u2019s world. His loyalty lies with his found family, Rooftop and Vie, and his only goal is to secure a safe future for them. His relationship with Mance is built on manipulation at first, but as he grows to care for her, his internal conflict becomes more interesting. The shift from using her to protect his own to realising his actions may cause harm adds layers to his character.<\/p>\n

Mance\u2019s father is a looming presence, his political manoeuvres and desire for war creating the overarching tension in the novel. He pushes Mance to embrace her power, seeing her as a tool rather than an individual, making him a classic but effective antagonist.<\/p>\n

Mance\u2019s sister is a mystery throughout much of the book. As the eldest daughter, she should have been the rightful heir, but her lack of powers means Mance has taken her place. There are hints that she may have secrets of her own, but they aren\u2019t fully explored, leaving questions about her role in the wider story.<\/p>\n

The novel\u2019s political landscape is one of its strongest aspects. Mance\u2019s father is preparing for war against another clan, using his daughter\u2019s powers as a key weapon. His goal is to make her stronger, forcing her to kill more animals and harness their strength, a process that horrifies Mance and fuels her desire to escape his control.<\/p>\n

Mance\u2019s resistance and determination to forge her own path create a strong coming-of-age element. She doesn\u2019t want to be a weapon, yet she is constantly manipulated by those around her, whether it\u2019s her father pushing her toward violence or Silver using her for his own gain.<\/p>\n

Silver\u2019s storyline adds a different perspective, as he is a thief with simple desires: a home and a safe future for his friends. The heist that draws him into Mance\u2019s world is a dangerous one, but it offers him a chance at a better life. However, his growing feelings for Mance complicate his initial plans, and his betrayal leads to emotional conflict rather than a straightforward romance.<\/p>\n

One of the novel\u2019s strongest moments comes at the end, when the true leader of the rebels is revealed. The twist is well executed, adding a final burst of excitement and shifting perspectives on who the real threats in the kingdom are.<\/p>\n

That said, some aspects of the story feel underdeveloped. The origin of the heirs\u2019 powers, for example, is vaguely explained, leaving many unanswered questions. We know that Mance and her sister were younger than usual when they underwent the process, and that not everyone survives, but the mechanics of how powers are granted and why only certain people can receive them remain frustratingly unclear.<\/p>\n

Taylor\u2019s descriptions are one of the highlights of the novel. The imagery of the world is captivating, particularly the opening scenes featuring glass trees, remnants of Mance\u2019s grandfather\u2019s power. The shards that litter the outskirts of the city, where the poorest citizens live, add an extra layer of world-building that reinforces the stark class divide.<\/p>\n

The metaphor of Mance\u2019s flowers, which bloom every evening only for her father to tear them out the next day, is beautifully executed. It serves as a poignant symbol of hope and resistance, showing that no matter how much her father tries to break her, she still finds a way to hold onto her identity.<\/p>\n

However, the novel\u2019s pacing occasionally drags, and certain elements feel rushed or lacking in depth \u2013 particularly the magic system. The way heirs receive their powers and the consequences of those powers could have been explored in more detail to enhance the stakes of the story.<\/p>\n

The novel delves into several thought-provoking themes:<\/p>\n