1.83k reviews for:

Bone Gap

Laura Ruby

3.84 AVERAGE

kaleidoscope_heart's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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: Complicated

keilynsimpson's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

leahisreading's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

helengrace's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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: Complicated

---

One of the most enchanting books I've ever read. It was so well written - complex and simple, haunting and enthralling. It felt impossibly real, even the otherworldly elements, and I think I'll read it again and again 

literatehedgehog's review against another edition

4.0

---

Tore through this in an afternoon. The dark magical realism was unexpected but added another layer to the "small towns have people with pasts" theme. I imagine if I read it over a few days and let the plot sink in a little bit, I might have found more flaws and been more disturbed by some its violence and darkness, but being immersed was more satisfying.

Read Alikes/Reminds me of...
Chime by Billingsley
Conjured by Durst
A Monster Calls by Ness

marmoset737's review against another edition

5.0

---

Really beautiful and unique book.

ama_reads's review against another edition

4.0

---

While I liked the magical realism aspect well enough, I felt that the story could have been stronger without it. Decent narration. Overall great read.

lavaplant's review against another edition

4.0

mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

falling_through_the_pages's review against another edition

4.0

---

Finn is a handsome and absentminded teenager that witnesses the kidnapping of Rosa, a girl that has captured the hearts of the town of Bone Gap. No one believes him, though, and he slowly finds himself alienated by the town and his older brother. He befriends the bee keeper's daughter, Petey, whose spunk and confidence make her attractive despite what everyone in the town thinks of her. Meanwhile, Rosa's perspective is laced into the narrative, adding mystery and suspense to her disappearance.

The romance in the book is sweet and a little naive, but more charming for it. Both Petey and Rosa are strong, full characters. It handles sexuality and female confidence with grace--something that is often lacking in YA literature.

TIP: The experience of this book is greatly improved with extensive knowledge of Greek mythology. If you know nothing else, at least familiarize yourself with the story of Persephone and Demeter (or Hades, depending on the version).

Perhaps this has to do with my lack of reading experience in the magical realism genre, but I thought this book was phenomenal! I had never imagined the worlds of magic could meld so seamlessly with the lives of a few close-knit farmers. Despite all this praise, I was slightly disappointed with the climax in that it seems a bit short and rushed.

Spoiler

It almost avoids explaining how Finn finds Rosa, by jumping perspectives so that one moment, Finn rushes off to search for her, and the next Rosa is being rescued by him. It may have been part of the theme of "gaps" in perspectives, but it felt like a missed opportunity for suspense and conclusion.

Even so, the book was worth every minute. It's a roller coaster of suspense, love, and self-acceptance that leaves you thinking about the world we live in.

freesien's review against another edition

4.0

---

4,5 stars

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK. Especially the main characters, they were all such precious cinnamon rolls!



I must admit Magical Realism is not my go-to genre, mostly I'm more confused reading it than anything else but this book just worked for me. Yeah, okay, there were two or three scenes I am so not getting at all but I don't care. I love this book too much to let it bother me.