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stephanieluxton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, and Animal death
Minor: Rape, Murder, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Infertility, and Drug use
mapscitiesandsongs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The ending was just the cherry on top. It was so rushed and we don't even find out what exactly the monster is. During some parts I felt like the monster was just some metaphor for William which would have made the story that much more interesting.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Vomit
kris_t97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, and Torture
There are a lot of graphic themes in this story, so I wouldn't recommend it if these themes are triggering. More of the main character's background is shown later on, but from the first page, there is a lot of dangerous and problematic behaviour experience by her.archaicrobin's review against another edition
- 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
I loved Mattie as a character as well as the cryptozoologists she meets. You want them to survive! This was a great blend of creature feature and survival horror that I could not put down. Highly recommend reading Near the Bone for the perfect winter horror vibes!
Graphic: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Gore, Rape, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Murder
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Near the Bone is a tough read at its core, as it follows Mattie, a woman who is trapped in a brutal marriage that is abusive in every possible sense of the word. Christina Henry doesn't shy away from showing the ugly details, but it never feels overly gratuitous, either (and the sexual abuse is off-page, which many readers like myself will undoubtedly appreciate).Mattie is beaten down, but not broken, and her spirit is incredibly brave beneath the veneer of timidity she displays to keep herself safe. I loved Mattie so much and I think that's a big part of why Near the Bone held me captive so well: I needed Mattie to make it, and I couldn't look away until her fate played out.
This is a monster story, sure — there's a fantastic, eerie creature that stalks the residents and animals of the secluded mountain Mattie lives on — but I would caution readers not to go into this story expecting a full-blown creature feature. At its core, Near the Bone strikes me more as a commentary on abuse than anything else: the world abuse survivors live in, the ways that abuse can create a fear and trauma that stalks their daily life, and the reactions on-lookers have, whether it's victim-blaming, or undying love and support.
I have more I want to say, but all of it is spoiler-y, so click the tag at your own risk:
Back to the point, though: truly, I adored every single page of this heart-wrenching, suspenseful read. With a heroine I cheered for every step of the way, a villain I loathed with every fiber of my being, and a beautiful, intense wintry scenery that gave me chills despite the warmth and safety of my home, Christina Henry absolutely blew away every (already high) expectation I had and made Near the Bone a powerful and memorable story that I already can't wait to re-visit.
✨ Representation: a side character is Asian (briefly mentioned)
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Gun violence
chelsea_court's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Miscarriage, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Infertility
p4ncakeprincess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Child abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Gun violence, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
alexwuwho's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual assault, Rape, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, and Infertility
jerusha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Rape, and Miscarriage
kawooreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Torture, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, and Infertility