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sydscreams's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Confinement, Slavery, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Ableism, Blood, and Gore
videojames's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
4.5 stars!
A massive thank you to Kellen Graves for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
I have read and loved everything this author has written, and A Bone in His Teeth did not disappoint in the slightest. First of all, I read it in two sittings. It was so engaging and the setting was so gorgeous I just could not stop. If a queer fantasy lighthouse romance sounds like your speed, this book absolutely fulfills everything it claims to be.
I loved Alba and Eridanys so much, their banter alone makes their relationship compelling. Their relationship involves a lot of healing, and the fact that they had shared past traumas despite being in extremely different circumstances was so special. As usual, Graves' smut scenes are great the quality of the prose never dips at those moments which I appreciate. The landscape in this book is just amazing, giving you all of the dramatic coastal horror with some really gorgeous quiet fantasy elements. Again, as always with this author, there is the perfect amount of angst balanced out with some really soft moments. The plot ends up being kind of feral and I loved that turn. Enough forgiveness to abusers!
There are a few things that normally don't work well for me but that this book in particular does well. Usually, I don't find mysteries super interesting because they're either predictable or overly complex. This book strikes a good balance, and while I didn't find the reveal massively shocking, it has enough momentum to keep you invested. Another thing I don't usually care for is the protagonist being motivated by a missing family member because I don't like just being told that they love each other because their family with little actual evidence. Again, it works here because of what Alba has done in the past to keep his mother safe and the hints of their interactions you get through Alba's thoughts.
Now for the things that didn't work for me. These are not problems with the book but just personal preferences as a reader. First, there's some action particularly towards the end and I always end up skimming that stuff. It wasn't an overbearing amount, I'm just not a fan of action. This is a standalone, and it is much more difficult for a standalone to get 5 stars from me than for a series. I like being invested in characters over a long time and that's just not possible for a standalone so both of these things bump it down to a still fantastic 4.5 stars!
I can't recommend this book enough, especially if you're suffering through finals like me and need something gritty, beautiful, and hot to pull you through. I intend to read everything Kellen Graves writes, including those that I don't get sent for free. This book will not disappoint. I cannot wait for everyone to read this.
Happy reading!
A massive thank you to Kellen Graves for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
I have read and loved everything this author has written, and A Bone in His Teeth did not disappoint in the slightest. First of all, I read it in two sittings. It was so engaging and the setting was so gorgeous I just could not stop. If a queer fantasy lighthouse romance sounds like your speed, this book absolutely fulfills everything it claims to be.
I loved Alba and Eridanys so much, their banter alone makes their relationship compelling. Their relationship involves a lot of healing, and the fact that they had shared past traumas despite being in extremely different circumstances was so special. As usual, Graves' smut scenes are great the quality of the prose never dips at those moments which I appreciate. The landscape in this book is just amazing, giving you all of the dramatic coastal horror with some really gorgeous quiet fantasy elements. Again, as always with this author, there is the perfect amount of angst balanced out with some really soft moments. The plot ends up being kind of feral and I loved that turn. Enough forgiveness to abusers!
There are a few things that normally don't work well for me but that this book in particular does well. Usually, I don't find mysteries super interesting because they're either predictable or overly complex. This book strikes a good balance, and while I didn't find the reveal massively shocking, it has enough momentum to keep you invested. Another thing I don't usually care for is the protagonist being motivated by a missing family member because I don't like just being told that they love each other because their family with little actual evidence. Again, it works here because of what Alba has done in the past to keep his mother safe and the hints of their interactions you get through Alba's thoughts.
Now for the things that didn't work for me. These are not problems with the book but just personal preferences as a reader. First, there's some action particularly towards the end and I always end up skimming that stuff. It wasn't an overbearing amount, I'm just not a fan of action. This is a standalone, and it is much more difficult for a standalone to get 5 stars from me than for a series. I like being invested in characters over a long time and that's just not possible for a standalone so both of these things bump it down to a still fantastic 4.5 stars!
I can't recommend this book enough, especially if you're suffering through finals like me and need something gritty, beautiful, and hot to pull you through. I intend to read everything Kellen Graves writes, including those that I don't get sent for free. This book will not disappoint. I cannot wait for everyone to read this.
Happy reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
peachy_reads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So thankful to have the opportunity to read this early!!
My first version of this review got disappeared so apologies if this isn’t that pretty 🥲
As always, Kellen Graves is amazing at building a fantastically moody atmosphere. The magic was so rich and I was excited to uncover every piece of it! And the underplaying horrific mystery of it all just added to everything. I don’t know if I’d call what happened body horror, but there was certainly horrific things happening to bodies lol.
I adore the main couple more than words, they were both so lonely and finally found comfort to each other it was perfect. Individually they were also just amazing. Alba was such a badass but I loved that he consistently had these moments of intense vulnerability, it really made him feel well rounded. Eridanys has my whole heart though, I adore him to pieces. Every time he was actively trying to be nicer and kinder to Alba, even while being so aggressive was just adorable.
The sex scenes were soooo amazing too. TWO!! I love the way Graves is able to develop the characters’ relationship with each sex scene. And the tragic things we learn about both characters during those scenes, and the way they react to each other is just so beautifully heart wrenching.
As well as just incredibly hot, like good god these guys were INTENSE and obsessed with each other. The underlying violence and the sheer ferocity of their relationship was so delicious and the constant threat of devouring (in all of its varying ways 👀) was just perfect oh my GOD.
5/5 stars I cannot WAIT to get the physical copy of this!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Genocide, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
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