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strawberry_ooyoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
june hur knows how to use adjectives!! they made the “boring” parts interesting because of her beautiful writing. the korean history and culture is woven in very well, and i recommend it for historical k-drama lovers!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
turtlebrainlibrarian's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Child abuse
shadereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Suicide
emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It took about half the book for me to be drawn in, but when it happened I really enjoyed it. The narrator, Seol, was fantastic as the main character, as she was gutsy, bright, headstrong and resourceful. I wasn't expecting the political and religious complexity that this book delivered, which added intriguing layers to the murder mystery. I also liked that on top of the murder mystery, there was a supporting personal mystery surrounding Seol's brother, as this really padded out the plot. Overall, the thriller had all the grittiness of a modern-day crime drama, which I loved. The third act in particular was incredible, and the resolution was satisfying. However, because I couldn't get into this book for its entire first half, I decided to rate it only 4.25 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Alcohol
not_machiavelli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Pedophilia
starrynight's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Animal death, Suicide, Torture, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, and Blood
willowy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Silence of Bones by June Hur
Length: 336 Pages
Genres: Historical Mystery, Young Adult
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Trigger Warnings in this book for Violence, Gore, Murder and Animal Death
"I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eye, but I mustn't see."
This is what sixteen-year-old Seol tries to live by, but it's hard for an intelligent and curious girl living in 19th-century Joseon (Korea), to follow not only the rigid rules of society, but laws that dictate who and what men and women should be. She is a damo, an indentured servant to the Police Bureau, who makes it possible for the Officers to follow strict Confucian law, which prevents them from being able to touch any woman who isn't related to them, even female prisoners and corpses. Yet she is still little more than an means to an end, forbidden to even make eye contact with those above her station.
When a Noblewoman is found with her throat cut, and most curiously, her nose removed, Seol's bright mind is noticed by the mysterious Inspector Han. For once, she is seen as more, as a living, breathing, thinking person. But when Seol makes a mistake that nearly costs her her life and the Inspector his dignity, she is thrust into a maelstrom of suspicion that leads straight to Inspector Han. And even more shocking, Seol begins to see similarities between the Inspector and someone, thought lost forever, from her past...
Set during a fascinating time in Korea, when one Queen used her newly found power to root out those who would question her, all in the guise of violently eradicating the Catholics that have spread across the land, The Silence of Bones is a bittersweet and meticulously researched story of loyalty, family, and how the past indelibly haunts the present. I highly recommend this, and can't wait to check out Hur's newest book, The Forest of Stolen Girls!
For more reviews visit my blog!
Length: 336 Pages
Genres: Historical Mystery, Young Adult
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Trigger Warnings in this book for Violence, Gore, Murder and Animal Death
"I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eye, but I mustn't see."
This is what sixteen-year-old Seol tries to live by, but it's hard for an intelligent and curious girl living in 19th-century Joseon (Korea), to follow not only the rigid rules of society, but laws that dictate who and what men and women should be. She is a damo, an indentured servant to the Police Bureau, who makes it possible for the Officers to follow strict Confucian law, which prevents them from being able to touch any woman who isn't related to them, even female prisoners and corpses. Yet she is still little more than an means to an end, forbidden to even make eye contact with those above her station.
When a Noblewoman is found with her throat cut, and most curiously, her nose removed, Seol's bright mind is noticed by the mysterious Inspector Han. For once, she is seen as more, as a living, breathing, thinking person. But when Seol makes a mistake that nearly costs her her life and the Inspector his dignity, she is thrust into a maelstrom of suspicion that leads straight to Inspector Han. And even more shocking, Seol begins to see similarities between the Inspector and someone, thought lost forever, from her past...
Set during a fascinating time in Korea, when one Queen used her newly found power to root out those who would question her, all in the guise of violently eradicating the Catholics that have spread across the land, The Silence of Bones is a bittersweet and meticulously researched story of loyalty, family, and how the past indelibly haunts the present. I highly recommend this, and can't wait to check out Hur's newest book, The Forest of Stolen Girls!
For more reviews visit my blog!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Murder
biblioleah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Gore, and Religious bigotry
translove's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Murder, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Suicide, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Pregnancy
mgdoherty's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I just flew through this book in two days! And what a delight. I think it slowed down in the second half and felt like it lingered a little too long, but it’s hard to complain when I was enjoying the story so much. I really enjoyed the twist and how poignant that was and how it was handled. And those final pages are everything to me; what a satisfying ending. I would like to know what June Hur imagines happened after that, because what we saw just warmed my heart
I really enjoyed this glimpse into Korean history. I had no idea there was any catholic presence in Korea at all, so seeing the way religion and identity and politics were all intermingled for these characters was fascinating. Seol is such an endearing character and her struggles relatable and get flaws fully realized. I enjoyed her journey.
If you like historical mysteries with a bold and capable young protagonist, I think you’d like this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder