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k_noodlesoup's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
The sequel was better than the first, which doesn't usually happen for me.
theseventhl's review against another edition
5.0
I did not think to imagine that the sequel to one of my favorite books from the past couple of years would be as good as the first book, but damn, BEHOLD THE BONES nailed it. It shifts the main character to the friend of the MC of the first book, and it is so good at everything - plotting, character development, mood and tone, y'know. Plus, like before, Parker emphasizes familial bonds and friendship above romance, and when there is romance, it feels more natural than most novels in the genre and the plot doesn't necessarily hinge on Candy getting with a particular guy, which is always a relief.
Soooo if Sterling was the MC of BEWARE THE WILD and Candy/Candace is the MC of BEHOLD THE BONES, that means that Abigail will be the MC of the third book, right? I really hope so.
Soooo if Sterling was the MC of BEWARE THE WILD and Candy/Candace is the MC of BEHOLD THE BONES, that means that Abigail will be the MC of the third book, right? I really hope so.
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
4.0
Natalie C. Parker's books are just fun, southern gothic YA. And all the bit of creepy too. Can't wait to see what her next stuff is like.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"take a stone, take a flower flower flower
these will only last an hour
but take a bone or take some strife
these will last for all my life
she's so mad mad mad
she's so very bad."
Wow, what a wonderful 2nd book. I didn't even know this was a duology until I was going through new releases and this one popped up. I was wary - I'd loved book 1 - the lyrical quality of the writing, the lore and the Louisiana southern flair - I'd loved all of it in the first book. So I was worried a 2nd book wouldn't compare. But I Loved this one. I fell right back into the heat and sweat of the swamp and the small town and into the lives of three girls who were so close and loved each other so much. I loved being back, loved every page and raced right through it.
if there's a third one - which I doubt but if there is - then I will definitely devour it!
these will only last an hour
but take a bone or take some strife
these will last for all my life
she's so mad mad mad
she's so very bad."
Wow, what a wonderful 2nd book. I didn't even know this was a duology until I was going through new releases and this one popped up. I was wary - I'd loved book 1 - the lyrical quality of the writing, the lore and the Louisiana southern flair - I'd loved all of it in the first book. So I was worried a 2nd book wouldn't compare. But I Loved this one. I fell right back into the heat and sweat of the swamp and the small town and into the lives of three girls who were so close and loved each other so much. I loved being back, loved every page and raced right through it.
if there's a third one - which I doubt but if there is - then I will definitely devour it!
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars for a companion novel that was awesome but perhaps not as awesome as the original, [b:Beware the Wild|13639182|Beware the Wild (Beware the Wild, #1)|Natalie C. Parker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391533548s/13639182.jpg|19252673].
I loved being inside Candy's head, experiencing her close, odd, superstitious family; her loving cousins; her deep friendships; and her rebellious spirit. Seeing Sticks, LA through Candy's eyes was entirely different (in a great way) than being inside Sterling's in the first book, but I thought the plot of this book didn't quite measure up.
This story certainly had pros, not the least of which was seeing deeper into the friendship between Sterling, Abigail, and Candy, and the way they included Heath in their circle. It was lovely to see such beautiful female friends, who understood and supported one another, who wanted to spend time together and help each other, and who, best of all, made mistakes and made up for them.
Another pro was Candy's personality. She's so brazen and fierce and deep-feeling and clever. She knows what she wants and deserves, and she stands up for it, no matter what. I adored her rebellious spirit and her consuming kindness and her desires.
She was also willing to face her mistakes and deal with them, which was huge for me.
What I didn't know until right this very minute was how growing up happens in little surges. We grow up in moments—when we encounter such stupidities in ourselves that our only choice is to grow past them or into them.
The plot, while a bit slow and less haunting than I'd hoped, was still original and highly entertaining. Ghosts appearing all over town, Candy's connection to the swamp coming to light, a new family in town... All good things.
However, I had a problem with how long it took Candy to confide in her friends about her problems, because they were supposed to be an unbreakable trio, and she kept everything to herself until it exploded out and harmed the people around her. I dunno, I just think I'd talk to my friends, especially after every crazy thing they'd already been through. Their moments of admission and emotion were honest and meaningful, and I missed more chances for that.
I also had a problem with the romance. While I was thrilled to find it not to be the central plot, I absolutely did not understand or condone
The concluding romance and the slightly slow plot (given the horror it could have contained) bumped this down the half-star from 4. But it was an excellent followup to an interesting world, and I'm happy to have it!
Now, may we have a third book from Abigail's POV, please Parker?
I loved being inside Candy's head, experiencing her close, odd, superstitious family; her loving cousins; her deep friendships; and her rebellious spirit. Seeing Sticks, LA through Candy's eyes was entirely different (in a great way) than being inside Sterling's in the first book, but I thought the plot of this book didn't quite measure up.
This story certainly had pros, not the least of which was seeing deeper into the friendship between Sterling, Abigail, and Candy, and the way they included Heath in their circle. It was lovely to see such beautiful female friends, who understood and supported one another, who wanted to spend time together and help each other, and who, best of all, made mistakes and made up for them.
Another pro was Candy's personality. She's so brazen and fierce and deep-feeling and clever. She knows what she wants and deserves, and she stands up for it, no matter what. I adored her rebellious spirit and her consuming kindness and her desires.
Spoiler
And I loved the decision on Natalie Parker's part to have her diagnosed with amenorrhea and to have to face that. I've never seen that in a YA book before—didn't even know the official name of it before this. To see Candy battle with the idea that she will now never have the choice to have children if she wants them, and to also see the unfairness that it takes away one of the key things people think a true woman should be able to do... It was amazing.She was also willing to face her mistakes and deal with them, which was huge for me.
What I didn't know until right this very minute was how growing up happens in little surges. We grow up in moments—when we encounter such stupidities in ourselves that our only choice is to grow past them or into them.
The plot, while a bit slow and less haunting than I'd hoped, was still original and highly entertaining. Ghosts appearing all over town, Candy's connection to the swamp coming to light, a new family in town... All good things.
However, I had a problem with how long it took Candy to confide in her friends about her problems, because they were supposed to be an unbreakable trio, and she kept everything to herself until it exploded out and harmed the people around her. I dunno, I just think I'd talk to my friends, especially after every crazy thing they'd already been through. Their moments of admission and emotion were honest and meaningful, and I missed more chances for that.
I also had a problem with the romance. While I was thrilled to find it not to be the central plot, I absolutely did not understand or condone
Spoiler
Candy ending up with Riley. I actually kind of adored the Gage and Candy storyline, never really together, but mutual attraction, the want of more, and having to say goodbye. I thought that was so special, and I would have been sad but pleased if that had been the relationship. But instead she ends up with Riley Wawheece?? The boy who has been a terror to guys and girls alike? The guy who always has a posse at his back while he makes lewd comments about women? Sure, it was fun to see him develop as a human being, and even fun to see him interact with Candy, but at the first sign of apology from him she forgets years of wariness and irritation at his presence and finds him attractive enough to date? He did nothing to really deserve the turnaround, and it cheapened the Gage storyline.The concluding romance and the slightly slow plot (given the horror it could have contained) bumped this down the half-star from 4. But it was an excellent followup to an interesting world, and I'm happy to have it!
Now, may we have a third book from Abigail's POV, please Parker?
bigbear73's review against another edition
5.0
Behold the Bones is a fantastic return to Sticks, Louisiana.
Told primarily from the point of view of Candace Pickens, this book is a lesson is how to paint relationships in a story. Couple that with some excellent world-building and Sticks' unique flavor of magic, and you have one hell of a good read.
I particularly enjoy Natalie's ability to illustrate a characters thoughts in a way we can't help but know exactly how they feel:
"I sweep my light at the level of the water, ready to pee if I spot the flash of eyeshine."
A fun, fast romp that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.
Told primarily from the point of view of Candace Pickens, this book is a lesson is how to paint relationships in a story. Couple that with some excellent world-building and Sticks' unique flavor of magic, and you have one hell of a good read.
I particularly enjoy Natalie's ability to illustrate a characters thoughts in a way we can't help but know exactly how they feel:
"I sweep my light at the level of the water, ready to pee if I spot the flash of eyeshine."
A fun, fast romp that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.
samiism's review against another edition
5.0
There's something about this series that is captivating and chilling. Perhaps it's the errie Shine of Sticks, LA seeping out of the pages? Whatever it is, I am a fan. It's dark, it's not cheesy, and best of all, it has the right kind of uncanny that leaves you motionless and deep in thought long after you've finished the book.
It had been quite a while since I read [b:Beware the Wild|13639182|Beware the Wild (Beware the Wild, #1)|Natalie C. Parker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391533548s/13639182.jpg|19252673] so I had to remember who Candace Pickens was and what kind of character she was. It's amazing how Natalie Parker spun such an amazing story out of an otherwise forgettable character. And that's what Candy was to me in Beware the Wild. She was meh. I was more focused on Sterling. However, in this book, Sterling (and Heath) have taken a backseat and Candy actually burned bright.
Everything ties together in this story. From Candy's ailment, the curse that plagues her, the new characters's role in their lives, and the girls' friendship. I feel a connection with this book and its setting, and that doesn't always happen. If the author decides to write a book about Abigail, I will definitely be reading that, too.
It had been quite a while since I read [b:Beware the Wild|13639182|Beware the Wild (Beware the Wild, #1)|Natalie C. Parker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391533548s/13639182.jpg|19252673] so I had to remember who Candace Pickens was and what kind of character she was. It's amazing how Natalie Parker spun such an amazing story out of an otherwise forgettable character. And that's what Candy was to me in Beware the Wild. She was meh. I was more focused on Sterling. However, in this book, Sterling (and Heath) have taken a backseat and Candy actually burned bright.
Everything ties together in this story. From Candy's ailment, the curse that plagues her, the new characters's role in their lives, and the girls' friendship. I feel a connection with this book and its setting, and that doesn't always happen. If the author decides to write a book about Abigail, I will definitely be reading that, too.
kblincoln's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, actually.
I'm still liking this series. The first book was tied up so well with all evil vanquished and swamp magic contained and love achieved provisionally, that I had no idea how the author could keep interest going.
Foolish me to doubt. The first book introduced Sterling and her two friends, Abigail and Candy. This book includes Sterling & Heath in supporting roles, but its all about Candy. And how she still can't see Shine-- the magic of the swamp-- and now ghosts are appearing all over Sticks and she can't see them, either. Well, except for one. Who happens to share a dark secret with Candy. And then there's Candy's...female....troubles, and some new, ghosthunter family moving into the old house Sterling used as a sanctuary and Candy figuring out how to deal with various boy-types in her life.
But its mostly about Candy kind of confronting her own life as well as maturing a little bit within the context of her friendships with Sterling and Abigail-- which is why I love this series. So the swamp magic haints and stuff are a creepy icing, but they are only the icing. The "meat" of this cake, if you'll allow me to mix metaphors, is the compelling, self-doubting, sometimes-arrogant voice of Candy and how she deals with everyday stuff.
And as other reviewers probably mentioned, in this book they aren't all white and they aren't all straight. And while these things aren't used overly to generate angst and drama, they are mentioned and dealt with in the context of a Southern town, which I appreciated. No white washing here.
My ownly quibble (and the loss of .5 of a star) is that the ending is abrupt. Major, major trauma goes down at the end of the book. I felt like we didn't get a chance to understand and deal with Candy's reaction to what happens to her in the swamp as well as what happens to her relationship with the ghosthunter eyecandy. It's all just suddenly okay.
Can't wait to find out what happens to Abigail in the third book.
I'm still liking this series. The first book was tied up so well with all evil vanquished and swamp magic contained and love achieved provisionally, that I had no idea how the author could keep interest going.
Foolish me to doubt. The first book introduced Sterling and her two friends, Abigail and Candy. This book includes Sterling & Heath in supporting roles, but its all about Candy. And how she still can't see Shine-- the magic of the swamp-- and now ghosts are appearing all over Sticks and she can't see them, either. Well, except for one. Who happens to share a dark secret with Candy. And then there's Candy's...female....troubles, and some new, ghosthunter family moving into the old house Sterling used as a sanctuary and Candy figuring out how to deal with various boy-types in her life.
But its mostly about Candy kind of confronting her own life as well as maturing a little bit within the context of her friendships with Sterling and Abigail-- which is why I love this series. So the swamp magic haints and stuff are a creepy icing, but they are only the icing. The "meat" of this cake, if you'll allow me to mix metaphors, is the compelling, self-doubting, sometimes-arrogant voice of Candy and how she deals with everyday stuff.
And as other reviewers probably mentioned, in this book they aren't all white and they aren't all straight. And while these things aren't used overly to generate angst and drama, they are mentioned and dealt with in the context of a Southern town, which I appreciated. No white washing here.
My ownly quibble (and the loss of .5 of a star) is that the ending is abrupt. Major, major trauma goes down at the end of the book. I felt like we didn't get a chance to understand and deal with Candy's reaction to what happens to her in the swamp as well as what happens to her relationship with the ghosthunter eyecandy. It's all just suddenly okay.
Can't wait to find out what happens to Abigail in the third book.