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joy_ong's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Animal death, Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
readwithloz's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Slavery, Gun violence, and Confinement
chemicalpink's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Confinement, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
antimony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
the problems lay elsewhere.
like mattie's amnesia, which i don't know. it felt so convenient and she remembered things so conveniently as well. does that make sense? i wish there were fewer flashbacks. and william had no motive and all the characters were one dimensional. like i wish there was some explanation for why william wanted to
and dear god the ending is SO unsatisfying. like COME ON. there's no resolution. i'm not saying we have to see every day of mattie adjusting to normal life again but i mean at least some more resolution than that. i like little epilogue chapters where it's like a month later and the main character explains how everything turned out after they killed the monster and passed out in the hospital or whatever. it's like a cliffhanger without a book 2 to follow up and explain all the rest :/
but then again i read this in two hours which was cause for a 5 star rating when i was 13 so do i even have a right to complain?
EDIT and HOW did i forget to mention.
Graphic: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Animal death and Vomit
typedtruths'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Pedophilia, Murder, Gun violence, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Animal death, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
This book! It was highly recommended by a YouTuber I watch and you know what? It was really good. It was scary, especially so since I live in a wooded area and I read it at night. I'm glad I didn't read this in winter because then for sure I'd be even more scared. I do have some questions involving Mattie and the creature but the answers, or lack of them really, do not seriously detract from the book as a whole. Super fast paced and kept me interested the whole time.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Vomit, Confinement, Drug use, and Grief
soaphest's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Drug use
cmdiaz004's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Cursing, Body horror, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
magikmoonchild'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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence
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