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A review by clemslibrary
The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin
4.25
This was a dark and gory fantasy set in a queer normative 19th-century Eastern Europe and inspired by Jewish folklore full of grief and trauma, but also the characters moving on from it and how family and love impact our lives
this is incredibly dark and gruesome, there are many hard to read moments of SA and body horror/violence, so check TW before reading. by having the narrative told through three pov’s, the world and past history of the characters is slowly learned and we see just how different they all are following a war that tore everyone apart. i really enjoyed having the different characters telling the story as it meant there were different interpretations of the past
jewish folklore and history are present all throughout, and i found myself really enjoying learning about it and how religion plays a part in their lives. the world itself is interesting and i liked the politics that we were introduced to
this is not about romance in the sense that the story is based around it, but rather focuses on the past abusive romance between Dimitri and Alexey, and the growing relationship between Dimitri and Vasily. the two vastly different relationships ships have a large role in who Dimitri is as a person, and the growing romance is one that brings joy and hope to both Dimitri ans the reader in such a bleak and horrifying world. this definitely is not a romantasy and the abusive relationship between the two holds deep scars and wounds over Dimitri, and a large part of the narrative is him learning and growing as a person following the breakdown of the relationship
the found family truly broke my heart, they all love each other so deeply and the bonds between them are so precious. family and identity are some of the main themes within the story, and their progression as a group to the end of the story is so beautiful seeing them finally have the opportunity to be free from their trauma and pain
this is incredibly dark and gruesome, there are many hard to read moments of SA and body horror/violence, so check TW before reading. by having the narrative told through three pov’s, the world and past history of the characters is slowly learned and we see just how different they all are following a war that tore everyone apart. i really enjoyed having the different characters telling the story as it meant there were different interpretations of the past
jewish folklore and history are present all throughout, and i found myself really enjoying learning about it and how religion plays a part in their lives. the world itself is interesting and i liked the politics that we were introduced to
this is not about romance in the sense that the story is based around it, but rather focuses on the past abusive romance between Dimitri and Alexey, and the growing relationship between Dimitri and Vasily. the two vastly different relationships ships have a large role in who Dimitri is as a person, and the growing romance is one that brings joy and hope to both Dimitri ans the reader in such a bleak and horrifying world. this definitely is not a romantasy and the abusive relationship between the two holds deep scars and wounds over Dimitri, and a large part of the narrative is him learning and growing as a person following the breakdown of the relationship
the found family truly broke my heart, they all love each other so deeply and the bonds between them are so precious. family and identity are some of the main themes within the story, and their progression as a group to the end of the story is so beautiful seeing them finally have the opportunity to be free from their trauma and pain