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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This was a solid sequel to Jackaby. I think I enjoyed Jackaby a little bit more, but that might have been because I read Jackaby as a physical book and Beastly Bones as an audiobook, so I was a little bit more invested in Jackaby because I have to concentrate all my attention on a physical book.
I still loved Abigail. She always wants to be in the thick of it and she is so passionate about being a strong individual. I also loved how passionate she was about the dig site and paleontology. She is the type of character who knows what she wants, and she goes out and gets it and I think that is great. Jackaby is such a funny character without knowing it. I loved Charlie's roll in this book and that he was brought back in. I can't wait to find out more about Jenny.
The plot was a tiny bit less intriguing than the first, but again, that might be because I listened to the audiobook and got sidetracked by work a few times. I did still really enjoy it though. Trying to find out who took the bones and then finding out what the creature was and how to stop it. The ending was quite something. These books are a little bit more dark than I originally thought they would be.
Like I said before, I can't wait to find out more about Jenny and I hope that comes to pass in the next 2 books!
I still loved Abigail. She always wants to be in the thick of it and she is so passionate about being a strong individual. I also loved how passionate she was about the dig site and paleontology. She is the type of character who knows what she wants, and she goes out and gets it and I think that is great. Jackaby is such a funny character without knowing it. I loved Charlie's roll in this book and that he was brought back in. I can't wait to find out more about Jenny.
The plot was a tiny bit less intriguing than the first, but again, that might be because I listened to the audiobook and got sidetracked by work a few times. I did still really enjoy it though. Trying to find out who took the bones and then finding out what the creature was and how to stop it. The ending was quite something. These books are a little bit more dark than I originally thought they would be.
Like I said before, I can't wait to find out more about Jenny and I hope that comes to pass in the next 2 books!
Thankfully this book does not fall victim to the curse of the second book. It’s just as good, if not better, than the first. I highly recommend this series.
Not quite as exciting as it's predecessor, but still great fun and I look forward to the next adventure.
Another enjoyable book in this series. Good story, good characters. Slow at times but still interesting. Quite enjoyable and I'm glad I finally tried the books out.
In number two of the series, Abigail and Jackaby are having to investigate some very strange events.
We begin with a rather odd creature being taken into their care-a chameleorph, which takes on the appearance of whatever it eats. When they head across country to investigate the remains of a dinosaur they encounter more strange events.
Truth be told, the situation behind this story was apparent from early on. But it didn’t stop the whole thing being great fun to read about.
Towards the end we were clearly being steered to a bigger story, and there’s suggestions that Jenny’s story will be of interest.
I love the way the writer blends humour and historical observations. An interesting exploration of social ideas too.
We begin with a rather odd creature being taken into their care-a chameleorph, which takes on the appearance of whatever it eats. When they head across country to investigate the remains of a dinosaur they encounter more strange events.
Truth be told, the situation behind this story was apparent from early on. But it didn’t stop the whole thing being great fun to read about.
Towards the end we were clearly being steered to a bigger story, and there’s suggestions that Jenny’s story will be of interest.
I love the way the writer blends humour and historical observations. An interesting exploration of social ideas too.
I really enjoyed returning to this world! Beastly Bones by William Ritter is the second book in Jackaby, a historical paranormal mystery series, that follows Abigail Rook and her quirky employer Jackaby. Each book in this series is set around a different case that Jackaby and Miss Rook are trying to solve. In this particular book, we are introduced to a cat with…scales? Yes, scales. As the mystery surrounding this creature unfolds, Abigail and Jackaby find themselves at an archaeological dig site where things aren’t quite adding up.
I love Abigail. The entire story is told from her perspective, even breaking the wall and talking to us as if writing in a journal. Abigail is excited about this case as her field of study is archaeology and she feels she can contribute. I love her enthusiasm, and despite being completely new to the paranormal world, she accepts it in stride, learning on the fly. Her eagerness bleeds into the reader here.
Jackaby reminds me of a paranormal Sherlock Holmes. He’s quirky, sees and picks up on clues that most would miss, and also the worst at social manners. If it doesn’t pertain to the case or something paranormal, Jackaby will most likely miss it which tends to add a bit of tension between him and those he’s helping, including Abigail at times.
This particular case is interesting, exciting, and one that once I started I didn’t sit down. I finished this in one sitting. It’s fast-paced, lots of twists and surprises, though I’ll admit I had figured out some of the ending before it got there, and there are some characters who come back from book one.
Overall, I really enjoyed Beastly Bones. I cannot wait to read book three which will involve Jenny’s case (FINALLY). If you enjoy paranormal mysteries, quirky detectives, and exciting twists, I highly recommend it.
I love Abigail. The entire story is told from her perspective, even breaking the wall and talking to us as if writing in a journal. Abigail is excited about this case as her field of study is archaeology and she feels she can contribute. I love her enthusiasm, and despite being completely new to the paranormal world, she accepts it in stride, learning on the fly. Her eagerness bleeds into the reader here.
Jackaby reminds me of a paranormal Sherlock Holmes. He’s quirky, sees and picks up on clues that most would miss, and also the worst at social manners. If it doesn’t pertain to the case or something paranormal, Jackaby will most likely miss it which tends to add a bit of tension between him and those he’s helping, including Abigail at times.
This particular case is interesting, exciting, and one that once I started I didn’t sit down. I finished this in one sitting. It’s fast-paced, lots of twists and surprises, though I’ll admit I had figured out some of the ending before it got there, and there are some characters who come back from book one.
Overall, I really enjoyed Beastly Bones. I cannot wait to read book three which will involve Jenny’s case (FINALLY). If you enjoy paranormal mysteries, quirky detectives, and exciting twists, I highly recommend it.
4 stars
I enjoyed this a bit more than the first book in the series. We get new mythical creatures. A new mystery to solve and the same great characters from book 1. There's even a bit of romance.
This series is for anyone looking for a funny, whimsical light mystery. If you enjoyed the first book, I do think you'll enjoy this one as well.
I enjoyed this a bit more than the first book in the series. We get new mythical creatures. A new mystery to solve and the same great characters from book 1. There's even a bit of romance.
This series is for anyone looking for a funny, whimsical light mystery. If you enjoyed the first book, I do think you'll enjoy this one as well.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read: December 17, 2022
Title: Beastly Bones
Series: Jackaby #2
Author: William Ritter
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5
Review:
Just as he did the first book, William Ritter delivered another charming and fun adventure for Ms. Abigail Rook and Mr. R.F. Jackaby.
Unlike book one Beastly Bones is a bit drier than expects and has a far slower pace. I don’t believe this is a downside, however, considering it is a young adult novel, I can see where this is not idea. The book also focusses quite a bit on Ms. Rook’s love life and while I found that endearing because of the loveable characters I felt it was unnecessary.
Overall, however, the book was just as fun as the last, with charming interactions, strong female characters, an action-packed ending, and hilarious missteps.
I also found this book to be less predictable than the first, which surprised me considering I had all the pieces and knew where they were going to tie together but couldn’t for the life of me figure out how… Which is a rare thing indeed.
Quotes:
N/A
Thank you, Algonquin, for providing this book at BEA for review!
Several weeks after Abigail Rook and her odd employer, detective of the supernatural R.F. Jackaby, solve a strange case, another bubbles underneath the surface. What appears to be kittens turns out to be shape-shifters, and the owner of these poor creatures turns up dead. Meanwhile, police detective Charlie Cane (now Barker) calls upon the duo to help solve a similar murder that occurred around a strange paleontology site on a farmer’s land. As Abigail and Jackaby hunt for a culprit, the finds of the dig soon take precedence and something much larger than they ever expected looms over the case.
At times Beastly Bones feels like it’s carrying three different mysteries — the strange kittens, the dig, the murders — when in reality, there are two. The first ties the seemingly three mysteries together, and the second involves Jenny, and what’s surely to come in Book Three, tying the three books together. (Ha! Didn’t know there was another mystery underneath in Jackaby, did you?)
The same wit, humor, and banter found in the first book is back again, only Jackaby takes a more introspective role and lets Abigail shine. She is especially involved in this case due to her background in paleontology. Only what she finds, she’s having trouble believing. Myth and fact collide, and even the famous scientists involved in the case are baffled. The scientists’ rivalry, coupled with an entertainingly forceful reporter, take over the humor end of the narrative, nearly distracting Abigail and Jackaby from the stakes.
Let’s just say… “Here, there be ___.” Beastly bones, indeed. But how are they tied to the murders (if they’re indeed tied at all)? Something strange is afoot, and that something links back to Abigail and Jackaby’s first case together. But why? And how?
If you think this wonderful genre-bender is going to be another standalone mystery, then you are wrong. In true Sherlockian fashion, Ritter brings the reader to an explosive ending that will make you want to reread Jackaby and Beastly Bones, because there’s a Moriarty lurking, and it will blow your mind.
Several weeks after Abigail Rook and her odd employer, detective of the supernatural R.F. Jackaby, solve a strange case, another bubbles underneath the surface. What appears to be kittens turns out to be shape-shifters, and the owner of these poor creatures turns up dead. Meanwhile, police detective Charlie Cane (now Barker) calls upon the duo to help solve a similar murder that occurred around a strange paleontology site on a farmer’s land. As Abigail and Jackaby hunt for a culprit, the finds of the dig soon take precedence and something much larger than they ever expected looms over the case.
At times Beastly Bones feels like it’s carrying three different mysteries — the strange kittens, the dig, the murders — when in reality, there are two. The first ties the seemingly three mysteries together, and the second involves Jenny, and what’s surely to come in Book Three, tying the three books together. (Ha! Didn’t know there was another mystery underneath in Jackaby, did you?)
The same wit, humor, and banter found in the first book is back again, only Jackaby takes a more introspective role and lets Abigail shine. She is especially involved in this case due to her background in paleontology. Only what she finds, she’s having trouble believing. Myth and fact collide, and even the famous scientists involved in the case are baffled. The scientists’ rivalry, coupled with an entertainingly forceful reporter, take over the humor end of the narrative, nearly distracting Abigail and Jackaby from the stakes.
Let’s just say… “Here, there be ___.” Beastly bones, indeed. But how are they tied to the murders (if they’re indeed tied at all)? Something strange is afoot, and that something links back to Abigail and Jackaby’s first case together. But why? And how?
If you think this wonderful genre-bender is going to be another standalone mystery, then you are wrong. In true Sherlockian fashion, Ritter brings the reader to an explosive ending that will make you want to reread Jackaby and Beastly Bones, because there’s a Moriarty lurking, and it will blow your mind.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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