Reviews with content warning for Body horror - A House With Good Bones

An incredible exploration of family, generational trauma, vultures and bugs, and how we perceive our particularly cruel and horrible relatives with a dash of supernatural elements. T. Kingfisher’s books are always infused with humor and heart despite the horrific circumstances many of our characters find themselves in. Sam was an excellent protagonist, and I felt for her even more going into my thirties, relationship-less and fat than if I had been 23. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but I think Sam was easy for me to connect with because I too love telling people silly fun facts about the stuff I love (for Sam, it’s bugs. For me, it’s mythology). I also really enjoyed Sam’s understanding of her grandmother and the relationship Sam had with her mom felt so real and warm; I love them.

I’ve read 3 T. Kingfisher books now and I can tell you with full confidence, she is now an instant buy author for me.

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annamary54's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I really enjoyed this book, i found myself laughing, and at the same time regretting my choice to stay up late and read this. Honestly the suspense throughout is more scary than the actual horror parts of the book. I rolled my eyes at a few millennial-isms, but also realized I was raised on millennial humor, and laughed quite a bit. don’t talk to me until i’ve had my boxed wine. I found the main character Sam very relatable overall, mostly because I too am a fat white woman with a specialized degree, a worldview that polarizes me from my family, and too much self awareness that it almost wraps around to being self un-aware. I am still unsure about how to feel about the ending, I can say for certain I did not see it coming. I liked

the witchy aspect, i just wish it were touched upon earlier and in more depth than “witchy estranged neighbor.” The whole action went from 0 to 100 really quick, which yes in horror that’s how it works, but I kinda wanted more spooky bits than just sleep paralysis and hand in photo. Maybe more underground children content earlier.

I will say I was thoroughly entertained and didn’t want to stop reading.

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emilyready's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense 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? No

3.75

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st_aurafina's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This one is darker than T Kingfisher's usual fare, but it works, espcially given the real world setting of North Carolina. This is definitely horror, and when we get into the thick of the horror, it''s fucking spooky. There's still plenty of whimsy and science and anthropomorphic animals. (Vultures!) I love that we get a fat, left-leaning protagonist! Sam is terrific - brave, real, dorky, smart.

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witcheep's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Horror usually isn't my thing, but liking T. Kingfisher's fantasy books, I decided to give this one a go. I'm glad I did!

Kingfisher is great with writing multidimensional characters with flaws of their own and their interpersonal relationships. That is what shines bright in this book as well. I enjoyed reading about the difficult relationships between the different generations of the same family, and their own ways to deal with mysteries and difficulties. The neighbors offer a good place to compare with the main character's life. A House with Good Bones ponders over some hard themes, such as loss of a family member and grief, doubting one's self-worth and emotionally abusive family relationships. The book, however, offers more hopeful outlooks on the same issues in the form of caring for one's community, forming new friendships and finding new insight into oneself.

The horror elements get increasiongly more creepy, from a slight feeling of something being off up to creeping uneasiness,

supernatural affairs, and slight body horror

"You're a scientist," said Gail, watching me. "I realize that makes this hard for you. I'm telling you, what's happening isn't something you're going to be able to put under a microscope. I'm hoping it'll go away on it's own."
"Does anything ever go away on it's own?" I asked.
"More often than you think. In this case I truly can't be sure. I don't know everything.
"I'm starting to be sure I don't know anything", I muttered.
She smiles. "That's a good place to start."

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xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition

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funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was so good until the very end? I loved the main character: her sass and her confidence. I loved this idea of playing with generational trauma and family bonds. But the plot twist was very out of left field. I feel like I can't say too much without spoiling the story.

I'll have to read other T. Kingfisher books because so far the only other one I read is "What Moves the Dead" and I adored that story.

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