The Bone Houses has one of the best first lines I’ve ever read: “The evening air smelled pleasantly of a fresh grave.”
I mean, come on.
HOW CAN YOU NOT GET SUCKED IN BY THAT?
Talk about imagery. Take notes, fellow writers. This is just one example of author Emily Lloyd-Jones’s beautiful writing in this young adult historical fiction/ fantasy / horror novel mash-up. Lloyd-Jones has mastered the art of being evocative enough to immerse you in the moment, but not so overly flowery or descriptive that you’re distracted from the story.
The Bone Houses reads like an old fable, a medieval fairytale; you can easily imagine a bard whispering this story over a crackling bonfire in a thicket of trees. I love how Lloyd-Jones weaves plenty of Welsh folklore, mythology, and customs into the story. There’s talk of fairy creatures and monsters, of old magic and superstitions.
And, of course, of bone houses. Which are basically reanimated corpses. Sometimes they’re like walking skeletons, and sometimes they’re a little…meatier. Depends on how long they’ve been dead.
So, yes, if you’re of the squeamish sort, this may not be the novel for you. It is YA (young adult), so it’s not terribly visceral (I thought parts of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein were way more intense), but you do have to be comfortable with the words “dead bodies” and “rotting” in the same sentence.
If you can handle a horde of medieval zombies, you’re in for an adventure. A lot of The Bone Houses is full of action. Reading this book felt a little like playing a video game. There’s many a heart-pounding attack on Ryn, the teenage gravedigger, and her traveling companion Ellis, the similarly aged mapmaker, as they make their way through an enchanted forest, village of the dead, abandoned mine, and crumbling castle ruins in order to end the curse of the bone houses.
However, The Bone Houses has a lot of heart, too. Bravery, love, family, and friendship are all heralded in this novel about the gravedigger warrior and her quest to bring peace to everyone in her village.
I read this book in two days, give or take. The pace is swift, thanks to all the action going on, and although the story wraps up a little predictably in certain parts, it’s a thoroughly entertaining read from start to finish.
One caveat: this book is harsh with animals — kinda. It’s hard to explain without giving much away. If you have a pet, The Bone Houses will break your heart one minute, then warm it the next. Again, this is YA, so these scenes are get-through-able, but I definitely clutched my kitty a little closer to me during certain scenes. If you’re easily triggered, you might not appreciate those early parts.
Have you read The Bone Houses? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
And, be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Bara Brith
I like how you describe it like a video game, with different ‘quest levels’ to get through; sounds intriguing! When you talk about hugging your cat a bit closer though… I did that while watching the first episode of the last series of Killing Eve. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why!
Hi, Nicola! This was such a fun read. I can’t recommend it highly enough. But, yes…the animal stuff always gets to me! I haven’t seen Killing Eve, but now I’m a little afraid to! LOL.