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A review by spacearcheologist
The Bone Way by Holly J. Underhill
4.0
This is a sapphic retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice and it was beautiful. I am always here for queer retellings and this one did not disappoint.
The story follows Teagan, a witch whose wife has descended into the underworld on a desperate quest to save Teagan's life. Teagan determined that Cressidae should not remain trapped there- follows her. It is clearly a variation on the ancient myth but it takes place in an entirely different world with different mythos and different stakes. Whilst the Shadow Realm has clear echoes of Hades it also has unique challenges and creatures that Teagan must contend with. It is a straightforward 'quest' story that is fast-paced and enjoyable.
Teagan was an interesting main character, when she's introduced she's already well-established in her life and the event that led to her and Cressidae's quest has already happened so we are thrown right into the narrative. Grief plays a key role in Teagan's journey and it is done achingly well. We don't see a whole lot of Cress in the present time until about halfway through the novella but she too is a likable character and easy to root for. Because the relationship between the two women was already well established when the book begins we, unfortunately, don't get to see a lot of on-page chemistry and new romance (although we do see some of their romantic backstory through little interludes) and that is one of my complaints. The romance felt a little flat in places and at times there was too much telling and not enough showing.
I also felt the world-building could have been stronger and more expansive but I liked what I did see. The Shadow Princess could have been expanded more as well, we got plenty of her backstory and how she got where she did but not a lot of her present-day motivations and she rang a little hollow as a 'villain'. The writing style was captivating and it kept me hooked throughout.
Overall I really enjoyed this novella and wish it could have been a longer piece.
I received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley for review.
The story follows Teagan, a witch whose wife has descended into the underworld on a desperate quest to save Teagan's life. Teagan determined that Cressidae should not remain trapped there- follows her. It is clearly a variation on the ancient myth but it takes place in an entirely different world with different mythos and different stakes. Whilst the Shadow Realm has clear echoes of Hades it also has unique challenges and creatures that Teagan must contend with. It is a straightforward 'quest' story that is fast-paced and enjoyable.
Teagan was an interesting main character, when she's introduced she's already well-established in her life and the event that led to her and Cressidae's quest has already happened so we are thrown right into the narrative. Grief plays a key role in Teagan's journey and it is done achingly well. We don't see a whole lot of Cress in the present time until about halfway through the novella but she too is a likable character and easy to root for. Because the relationship between the two women was already well established when the book begins we, unfortunately, don't get to see a lot of on-page chemistry and new romance (although we do see some of their romantic backstory through little interludes) and that is one of my complaints. The romance felt a little flat in places and at times there was too much telling and not enough showing.
I also felt the world-building could have been stronger and more expansive but I liked what I did see. The Shadow Princess could have been expanded more as well, we got plenty of her backstory and how she got where she did but not a lot of her present-day motivations and she rang a little hollow as a 'villain'. The writing style was captivating and it kept me hooked throughout.
Overall I really enjoyed this novella and wish it could have been a longer piece.
I received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley for review.