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A review by theespressoedition
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
When I began reading this book, a friend of mine told me that it was a "cozy love letter to zombies." I had absolutely no idea what that could possibly mean. Now that I've read it, I understand entirely and completely agree! A cozy love letter to zombies is exactly what The Bone Houses is.
Let me start out by saying that I absolutely abhor horror. Not only that, but zombies are my least favorite horror-related element. I was nervous going into this one, assuming that it would totally freak me out. I've certainly had other "horror fantasies" that bothered me within the first two chapters, so much that I DNF'd them. This book is not scary at all. Like truly, I've read just "regular" fantasies that are freakier. This one is more... subtly spooky? Quietly eerie? Cozy creepy? Yeah, I'm gonna go with it being cozy creepy.
From the get-go, you can't help but love the characters. They're sweet, a little quirky, relatable in multiple ways, and very easy to root for. There's even a bit of comic relief between Ceri and Goat (who, let's be honest, is the actual hero of this story - IYKYK). While Ryn could easily have become the typical "I don't need saving" kind of protagonist, she had her own flaws, and her tough exterior certainly had cracks. While Ellis could've been an almost too-soft cinnamon roll who certainly did need saving, he actually had quite a bit of strength to him that was brought out when it was needed the very most. They made an excellent duo and their chemistry was excellent.
*Side note about Ellis: the chronic pain representation was phenomenal. It made me tear up multiple times. While I don't personally experience chronic pain, I do have a chronic illness and related to so many of the sentiments he had throughout the story. It was wonderfully written.
I found myself highlighting quote after quote as I was reading, completely in love with the story and the way it made me feel. You can imagine my disappointment (with myself) when I accidentally returned it to the Libby library before saving the quotes elsewhere. I guess this just gives me all the more reason to purchase my own copy, read it again, and actually write down the quotes this time!
Honestly, the moment I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up again. It gave me the perfect cozy horror (excuse me: cozy creepy) of Shea Ernshaw, with the atmospheric writing of Rachel Griffin. AKA it was an excellent book and I can't wait to read everything else that Emily writes!
Let me start out by saying that I absolutely abhor horror. Not only that, but zombies are my least favorite horror-related element. I was nervous going into this one, assuming that it would totally freak me out. I've certainly had other "horror fantasies" that bothered me within the first two chapters, so much that I DNF'd them. This book is not scary at all. Like truly, I've read just "regular" fantasies that are freakier. This one is more... subtly spooky? Quietly eerie? Cozy creepy? Yeah, I'm gonna go with it being cozy creepy.
From the get-go, you can't help but love the characters. They're sweet, a little quirky, relatable in multiple ways, and very easy to root for. There's even a bit of comic relief between Ceri and Goat (who, let's be honest, is the actual hero of this story - IYKYK). While Ryn could easily have become the typical "I don't need saving" kind of protagonist, she had her own flaws, and her tough exterior certainly had cracks. While Ellis could've been an almost too-soft cinnamon roll who certainly did need saving, he actually had quite a bit of strength to him that was brought out when it was needed the very most. They made an excellent duo and their chemistry was excellent.
*Side note about Ellis: the chronic pain representation was phenomenal. It made me tear up multiple times. While I don't personally experience chronic pain, I do have a chronic illness and related to so many of the sentiments he had throughout the story. It was wonderfully written.
I found myself highlighting quote after quote as I was reading, completely in love with the story and the way it made me feel. You can imagine my disappointment (with myself) when I accidentally returned it to the Libby library before saving the quotes elsewhere. I guess this just gives me all the more reason to purchase my own copy, read it again, and actually write down the quotes this time!
Honestly, the moment I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up again. It gave me the perfect cozy horror (excuse me: cozy creepy) of Shea Ernshaw, with the atmospheric writing of Rachel Griffin. AKA it was an excellent book and I can't wait to read everything else that Emily writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, and Chronic illness