A review by marywahlmeierbracciano
Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Jawbone is an outrageously innovative novel of literary horror which weaves together classic literature, pop culture, and creepypastas with a running stitch of hyphens and a sprinkle of Ferrante.  This is a book about fear and horror—this is a book about mothers and daughters.  We follow panic-ridden Clara, a young teacher obsessed with becoming her dead mother, as she encounters Annelise and Fernanda, the sapphic leaders of a pack of teen girls who take over an abandoned building to make a game of worshiping a horrifying White God of their own invention.  Mónica Ojeda traps readers between her teeth with never-before-dared depictions of ugliness and taboo, and Sarah Booker’s translator’s note is incredibly insightful—don’t skip it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy