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bookishjosh's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you, Macmillan, for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There are usually only three causes of murder: lust, greed, or vengeance. Among these three, vengeance is the most common. — Inspector Han
Do you enjoy watching K-dramas, particularly those with vivid, historical settings and well-developed characters? Shows like Splendid Politics and Empress Ki can have as many as 40-50 episodes because they have multiple story arcs, but this debut novel will give you all the delights of the genre with just 336 pages. I was excited to read this book when I first heard about it last year, so I'm glad that it exceeded my expectations.
The Silence of Bones is about Seol, a 16-year-old girl who is indentured to the police bureau during the Joseon Dynasty. She misses her family dearly, particularly her brother who died around 10 years ago. In addition to her homesickness, she has to deal with much fear and anxiety as she helps the authorities solve a murder mystery. Seol finds herself under the wing of Inspector Han, a highly esteemed noble (and the head of the investigation). However, as they collect more pieces of evidence, Seol begins to doubt Han's integrity. Could he be the killer they were all looking for? Seol prides herself in her loyalty, but not even her faith in the inspector will keep her silent.
For someone who was barely an adult, Seol had a tough life because of the political climate. Nonetheless, I loved the historical context of this book. Joseon's queen regent was like the counterpart of England's Bloody Mary, planning to sniff out all of the Catholics in the country. After Seol's father was executed for converting to Catholicism, her mother committed suicide. Then, Seol was exiled for three years and was eventually bought as a slave. The Christian in me mourned the deaths of the Catholic characters, but the Asian part of me understood the queen's refusal to embrace Western ideologies.
The police officers generally didn't abuse Seol, but the conservative rules of Joseon society (e.g., men couldn't touch female non-relatives) obliged them to use her as a collector/handler of female victims. As a result, Seol wasn't a stranger to violence and death. I was surprised that she didn't let those noseless faces drive her to insanity. But if I remember correctly, Seol rarely smiled or laughed in the novel. Her circumstances were that dire.
Most of Seol's moments of positivity were linked to Inspector Han. Seol respected him a lot and did whatever she could to prove her usefulness and competence. She believed that he was the very first person to look beyond her status as a servant, the first man who really saw her. These epiphanies hinted at a possible romance, making the plot more exciting. Most K-dramas (and YA books) feature couples to root for, so I'm sure that other readers will also see the chemistry between the characters.
Inspector Han was a puzzle to me. I couldn't predict his actions because his feelings for Seol were as fickle as the wind. His hatred for Catholicism was perhaps the most consistent thing about him. One scene in the book almost made me despise Han. Seol's life was in danger, but he conveyed (or feigned) indifference. Still, Seol resolved to set aside her emotions and give him the benefit of the doubt. Until she found solid proof, she wouldn't abandon her friend and mentor.
June Hur excelled at making me doubt the characters. Seol wasn't an unreliable narrator, so I knew that she wasn't the killer. On the other hand, Inspector Han, Lady Kang, Officer Shim, and even the mother of one of the victims were potential criminals. Seol's fellow slaves weren't necessarily innocent, either. There were so many suspects that I was tempted to look at the last page of the book. The tension was almost unbearable!
My one, nitpicky problem was the repetitive use of the word "silence." Whether or not it was intentional, I couldn't unsee it. You can blame my career as an editor, which encourages me to notice such minor details. xD
Overall, The Silence of Bones is one of my favorite 2020 releases. It's probably the best Korea-inspired work in my collection, so I can't wait to read June Hur's sophomore novel. Be prepared for a tragic yet beautiful ending. ;)
There are usually only three causes of murder: lust, greed, or vengeance. Among these three, vengeance is the most common. — Inspector Han
Do you enjoy watching K-dramas, particularly those with vivid, historical settings and well-developed characters? Shows like Splendid Politics and Empress Ki can have as many as 40-50 episodes because they have multiple story arcs, but this debut novel will give you all the delights of the genre with just 336 pages. I was excited to read this book when I first heard about it last year, so I'm glad that it exceeded my expectations.
The Silence of Bones is about Seol, a 16-year-old girl who is indentured to the police bureau during the Joseon Dynasty. She misses her family dearly, particularly her brother who died around 10 years ago. In addition to her homesickness, she has to deal with much fear and anxiety as she helps the authorities solve a murder mystery. Seol finds herself under the wing of Inspector Han, a highly esteemed noble (and the head of the investigation). However, as they collect more pieces of evidence, Seol begins to doubt Han's integrity. Could he be the killer they were all looking for? Seol prides herself in her loyalty, but not even her faith in the inspector will keep her silent.
For someone who was barely an adult, Seol had a tough life because of the political climate. Nonetheless, I loved the historical context of this book. Joseon's queen regent was like the counterpart of England's Bloody Mary, planning to sniff out all of the Catholics in the country. After Seol's father was executed for converting to Catholicism, her mother committed suicide. Then, Seol was exiled for three years and was eventually bought as a slave. The Christian in me mourned the deaths of the Catholic characters, but the Asian part of me understood the queen's refusal to embrace Western ideologies.
The police officers generally didn't abuse Seol, but the conservative rules of Joseon society (e.g., men couldn't touch female non-relatives) obliged them to use her as a collector/handler of female victims. As a result, Seol wasn't a stranger to violence and death. I was surprised that she didn't let those noseless faces drive her to insanity. But if I remember correctly, Seol rarely smiled or laughed in the novel. Her circumstances were that dire.
Most of Seol's moments of positivity were linked to Inspector Han. Seol respected him a lot and did whatever she could to prove her usefulness and competence. She believed that he was the very first person to look beyond her status as a servant, the first man who really saw her. These epiphanies hinted at a possible romance, making the plot more exciting. Most K-dramas (and YA books) feature couples to root for, so I'm sure that other readers will also see the chemistry between the characters.
Inspector Han was a puzzle to me. I couldn't predict his actions because his feelings for Seol were as fickle as the wind. His hatred for Catholicism was perhaps the most consistent thing about him. One scene in the book almost made me despise Han. Seol's life was in danger, but he conveyed (or feigned) indifference. Still, Seol resolved to set aside her emotions and give him the benefit of the doubt. Until she found solid proof, she wouldn't abandon her friend and mentor.
June Hur excelled at making me doubt the characters. Seol wasn't an unreliable narrator, so I knew that she wasn't the killer. On the other hand, Inspector Han, Lady Kang, Officer Shim, and even the mother of one of the victims were potential criminals. Seol's fellow slaves weren't necessarily innocent, either. There were so many suspects that I was tempted to look at the last page of the book. The tension was almost unbearable!
My one, nitpicky problem was the repetitive use of the word "silence." Whether or not it was intentional, I couldn't unsee it. You can blame my career as an editor, which encourages me to notice such minor details. xD
Overall, The Silence of Bones is one of my favorite 2020 releases. It's probably the best Korea-inspired work in my collection, so I can't wait to read June Hur's sophomore novel. Be prepared for a tragic yet beautiful ending. ;)
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting read. I think I learned a lot about South Korean history while reading. I haven't read a YA mystery up to this point and I did enjoy it. I also rarely enjoy historical fictions and I really loved this book. I look forward to whatever this author puts out next.
mainereading's review against another edition
4.0
"I have a mouth but mustn't speak; Ears but I mustn't hear; Eyes but I mustn't see."
I listened to the audiobook whilst reading and it really added to the experience! I had a lot of fun reading this, which really says something, considering I usually don't read a ton of historical fiction books. I loved the mystery, and the characters were really great too. I do think one of the biggest plot twists in the book was a little predictable, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It's definitely worth reading!
I listened to the audiobook whilst reading and it really added to the experience! I had a lot of fun reading this, which really says something, considering I usually don't read a ton of historical fiction books. I loved the mystery, and the characters were really great too. I do think one of the biggest plot twists in the book was a little predictable, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It's definitely worth reading!
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings: murder, death, blood, gore, sexism, religious persecution, torture, and some body horror.
Wow...just another book I should not have left sitting on my shelf, unread, for so long.
As a big fan of historical kdramas [though I don't watch them often since they will emotionally eviscerate you and leave you an empty shell...flashbacks to watching my first historical kdrama, Ja Myung Go, years ago 😭] I was excited to dive into this story as I heard that June Hur wrote really amazing historical Korean stories...and this one did not disappoint.
We get to follow a young woman who's a police indentured servant for the remainder of her life...someone who is deeply curious in a time when women, especially servants, aren't supposed to be quite so curious.
If you've read The Apothecary Diaries manga...it's giving a little Maomao but darker...
Honestly just a really great freaking read and I look forward to reading more of June Hur's historical Korean stories!
Wow...just another book I should not have left sitting on my shelf, unread, for so long.
As a big fan of historical kdramas [though I don't watch them often since they will emotionally eviscerate you and leave you an empty shell...flashbacks to watching my first historical kdrama, Ja Myung Go, years ago 😭] I was excited to dive into this story as I heard that June Hur wrote really amazing historical Korean stories...and this one did not disappoint.
We get to follow a young woman who's a police indentured servant for the remainder of her life...someone who is deeply curious in a time when women, especially servants, aren't supposed to be quite so curious.
If you've read The Apothecary Diaries manga...it's giving a little Maomao but darker...
Honestly just a really great freaking read and I look forward to reading more of June Hur's historical Korean stories!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, Blood, Body horror, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Torture
Minor: Suicide
ellelenton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ashkee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosazns's review against another edition
3.5
got bored sa first 50% ng book then sa last 50% lang naging interesting
amethystarchild's review against another edition
5.0
The Silence of Bones by June Hur is a mystery story set in 1800’s era Korea. Finally a Sageuk YA book! Our heroine is Seol a “damo”, a female servant indentured to the police bureau of the capital. Her job is to do the chores around the bureau, interview female suspects, and be the eyes, ears, and hands of the investigation. Seol has great respect for her superior, Inspector Han, and when she saves his life by shooting a tiger she forms a bond of friendship with him that is soon tested. A young woman is found murdered and the inspector’s alibi that night is questionable. The government faction in power has outlawed Christianity and multiple Catholics have been murdered, it turns out the murdered young woman was secretly one of them! Inspector Han has a personal hatred for Catholics, is he perhaps the killer? Always-curious-Seol begins to investigate but her search for the truth uncovers even more than she bargained for.
I always find exploring 1800’s era Korea interesting and interacting with some actual history like the persecution of the Catholics and actual figures from that movement was intriguing. I was pleased with the grittiness of the novel, and it never veered off into being too gratuitous, at least for my sensibilities. The investigation practices of the time were not humane and the novel didn’t shy away from the darker side of the time period. Seol was an excellent protagonist, it was a good call on the author’s part to make her very curious and clever so the reader could learn about her world in a natural way. I had a similar journey as Seol in regards to Inspector Han, I admired him, then I was mad at him, and then I was a little fearful of him. In the end, I found him a very mysterious and complicated character that I was glad I’d met. All the other supporting characters were interesting, housemaid Woorim was so sweet, and Lady Kang was cool. I read the book all in one day. I couldn’t put it down, haha. I hope June Hur will release more of her historical YA soon.
I always find exploring 1800’s era Korea interesting and interacting with some actual history like the persecution of the Catholics and actual figures from that movement was intriguing. I was pleased with the grittiness of the novel, and it never veered off into being too gratuitous, at least for my sensibilities. The investigation practices of the time were not humane and the novel didn’t shy away from the darker side of the time period. Seol was an excellent protagonist, it was a good call on the author’s part to make her very curious and clever so the reader could learn about her world in a natural way. I had a similar journey as Seol in regards to Inspector Han, I admired him, then I was mad at him, and then I was a little fearful of him. In the end, I found him a very mysterious and complicated character that I was glad I’d met. All the other supporting characters were interesting, housemaid Woorim was so sweet, and Lady Kang was cool. I read the book all in one day. I couldn’t put it down, haha. I hope June Hur will release more of her historical YA soon.
agabe's review against another edition
2.5
Didn’t like it as much as the red palace, but it was fine. Had a harder time getting into it
staticmemories's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25