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elly_bell_'s review
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? No
4.5
I was given an ARC of A Bone in His Teeth right as my college finals started. This is the second of Graves’ novels I’ve had the honor of receiving early, and my personal favorite of the two. ABIHT is a pretty stark departure from the Rowan Blood series, but that in no way is a bad thing. As always, Graves’ writing immediately entranced me and got me excited to meet yet another of their fantastic lead character lineup.
Alba Marsh has got to be the most badass “twink in a situation” ever. It’s not often I root for a character’s violent revenge, but by the time Moon Habour’s murderous secret was uncovered I would have gladly given Alba and Eridanys a whole arsenal. What struck me about this main couple in particular was the fact that aside from each other, they truly have nothing else. This really sets them apart from previous lead pairs in the best possible way.
Even though ABIHT is a very different vibe compared to my usual choice of novels, it managed to exceed my expectations in quality, characters, and plot. Kellen Graves never fails to showcase their mastery of world and character building through their beautiful writing. Five books and not a single one below four 1/2 stars. What a writer!
Even though ABIHT is a very different vibe compared to my usual choice of novels, it managed to exceed my expectations in quality, characters, and plot. Kellen Graves never fails to showcase their mastery of world and character building through their beautiful writing. Five books and not a single one below four 1/2 stars. What a writer!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Gore
Minor: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
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
k2556's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Cannibalism, Blood, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Confinement, Death, and Gore
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
caseyjarryn's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
somanybees's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
ARC review
Disabled trans main character? ✔
Bratty siren? ✔
Enemies to lovers? ✔
Beautifully woven folklore? ✔
Ghosts, gore, and bloody revenge? ✔
This book goes from heart breaking and gut wrenching to hilarious in perfect balance. As a transman, Alba is so spot on for the kind of representation I love - being trans is significant to who he is, but it isn't the main focus, it isn't all he is. Eridanys is cocky, bratty, stubborn, and endearing; the perfect balance of possessive and protective. The story twists enough times that even when I thought I'd put it together, I was pleasantly surprised for the final twists. I loved it so much that I immediately started reading it a second time!
tldr; depressed transman gets double dicked down by local bratty siren while solving multiple ghastly mysteries
Disabled trans main character? ✔
Bratty siren? ✔
Enemies to lovers? ✔
Beautifully woven folklore? ✔
Ghosts, gore, and bloody revenge? ✔
This book goes from heart breaking and gut wrenching to hilarious in perfect balance. As a transman, Alba is so spot on for the kind of representation I love - being trans is significant to who he is, but it isn't the main focus, it isn't all he is. Eridanys is cocky, bratty, stubborn, and endearing; the perfect balance of possessive and protective. The story twists enough times that even when I thought I'd put it together, I was pleasantly surprised for the final twists. I loved it so much that I immediately started reading it a second time!
tldr; depressed transman gets double dicked down by local bratty siren while solving multiple ghastly mysteries
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cannibalism
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