Near the Bone, by Christina Henry

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back! After three weeks, mostly full of work, but ready to post twice in a week! 

I've been reading so many amazing books recently, that I just feel in the mood to review them all. 

Look at me, two reviews in two months, when last year that was basically all I posted in terms of reviews! 

Without further ado, this review is about the most Halloweenish book I've read this year. 

You already know which one I'm talking about, if you've read the title, so here's my review of Near the Bone, by Christina Henry. 

Title: Near the Bone

Author: Christina Henry 

Genre: Horror

Release date:13/4/2021

Status: Standalone.

Pages: 363

Blurb: "Mattie can't remember a time before she and William lived

alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. 

But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the 

woods, she realised that they're not alone after all. 

There's something in the woods that wasn't there before, 

something that makes strange cries in the nights, something 

with sharp teeth and claws. 

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for

the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will 

anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry." 

My Thoughts

Despite reading many fantastic (and diverse) recently, the roar for Near the Bone will simply not be silenced until I've shared my thoughts. 

Going into this, I wasn't really sure which fairytale Near the Bone was based off of. It felt a bit like Little Red Riding Hood, but I knew it was unlikely to be, because of The Girl in Red. I never really did figure it out, because it felt like a number of fairytales combined, spun into a web, and turning into it's own beast. It held it's own against some of my favourite classic horrors, because of how brilliantly written it was. (And because I find Henry's books surprisingly easy to get into.)

Near the Bone follows Mattie, who has lived with her husband William for as long as she can remember. They are completely isolated, with no human contact, high up on a mountain, in plain sight. Our story begins when Mattie comes across a mutilated fox, realising that maybe they're not as alone as they originally thought. 

From the opening scene, I thought I had an inkling about what direction the story was going to take. I also thought William was her brother. When I learned that he is in fact her husband, and the life that they live together, my predictions went straight out of the window. 

I thought Mattie was going to be pursuing this mysterious beast, side by side with Willam, finding out why it would threaten their small dwelling. But honestly, I felt sympathetic with Mattiew from the start. I won't spoil it, but Near the Bone is more about Mattie piecing together the puzzle parts to who she was when she was a young girl, and simply trying to survive the desperate circumstances she finds herself in. 

I enjoyed reading about these other characters too. I wasn't super happy about their turn of events, but I enjoyed getting to know them, they didn't feel rushed, and I was rooting for their survival. They were, after all, just a group of kids, looking to do some research about unique monsters. 

I've enjoyed every single Christina Henry book in the past, and although it might not have been my favourite Christina Henry book (sometimes you just gel with the characters and the plot), I will say that I've never felt this kind of urgency to find out what happens next, with one of her books. 

Near the Bone is only 363 pages, so I think it'll be perfect for newby readers that like the odd horror film or two. Not to mention it introduces them to a whole load of other creepy-ish, atmospheric reads that have enough pacing to keep you interested. 

To wrap up, I wish I hadn't read this book, just so I could pick it up with fresh eyes and read it for the first time over. Maybe in a few years, when I've read more, and forgotten some of it, I'll go back. 

And maybe it's time to pick up some of my other Christina Henry books now as well... 

Okay! That is all I have for you all today! I hope you enjoyed the post, comment down below if you've read any Christina Henry books, and if you have any recommendations for creepy, atmospheric reads! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all soon with my November Wrap Up (2024)! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

November TBR (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my November TBR (2024)! 

With another trip to Cardiff on the cards, I'm expecting to get a lot of reading done. 

(Not that I need to, since I'm nearly at the same page count as last year, even with two months left to go!)

But anyway, I have some cracking books on my list for the month, so I best get on! 

I hope you enjoy it, and as always, feel free to comment down below, what books are on your list! 

1. Daydream (Maple Hills #3), by Hannah Grace

I'm just under halfway through with this, and with how much I'm liking this, and how long the train journey is to Cardiff on Wednesday, I thought it best that I get this TBR out before then, so I was able to include it. 

Daydream was the novel every Hannah Grace fan was begging her to write, the minute we all put down Icebreaker, way back when. Because every fan fell in love with Henry, even though he wasn't the main focus. Now I'm reading his book, his and Halle's, I think this might be my favourite of the lot. 

I know I'm going to be extremely sad when it sinks in that I don't have another Maple Hills book coming out after this but I'm enjoying it so much, I don't mind that I'm racing through it. 

I'm curious as for what Hannah Grace releases next, but whatever it is, I know I'm going to love it. 

2. Queenie, by Candice Carty-Williams 

I don't quite know what to make of this book. I know it's a very important, casual read book that deals with some serious issues- I became interested in this book because I know it has a good amount of representation in it- but I've heard it hasn't been structured as well as it could be. 

Overall, I'm intrigued as for what I'll think of it. 

I received this for my birthday in September, and out of all of the books I received, I think it's the one I'll have to work the hardest to pick up, which is why I'm choosing to read it first. 

What I know of the plot is, Queenie has recently gotten out of a long-term relationship, and is trying to deal with it. It was a messy break-up, and Queenie makes some very questionable decisions whilst trying to get past it. It's got a light-hearted feel, but I know it goes to some extremely dark places. 

Queenie doesn't feel like a book I want to book, but more like a book I need to read. I hope I enjoy it. 

I know a lot of you guys may have read this book, it was a big thing when it came out in 2019. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, if you have?

3. The Girl on the Cliff, by Lucinda Riley 

Somehow, I managed to run out of days before getting to this in October. So I'm including it in November's list. This is the last Lucinda Riley I have to read before I'm all caught up, and I'm finishing it with one of her earlier novels. No exact reason why, it just so happened to be the one Lucinda Riley book my colleague didn't own. 

Part of me will be glad when I've finished her entire completed work, but I know it might take me a while to get over it too.  
The Girl on the Cliff, is set in Ireland, it's about a girl and a woman that meet on a cliff, and when they get to know each-other, the impact they have on each-other's lives is ground-breaking. Because their two families lives are intertwined throughout history. 

That's all I know or want to know. I know there's death within this book, and I know it'll be emotional. I'm ready to finish the saga of books I've been hooked to, for the past 15 months. Wish me luck, everyone. 

4. Think Again (Girls), by Jacqueline Wilson 

I was scrolling through some of the reviews on Goodreads when I first heard about this book, and the top comment is: "reads synopsis 'oh thank god she's no longer with that prick Russel'" and I genuinely burst out laughing. Bloody hell, the nostalgia is strong with this guys. 

If you didn't know, the Girls trilogy was released back in the early 2000s, and Think Again follows the same characters; Ellie, Magda and Nadine, but as adults. I was so happy to know we were going to get answers about how Ellie, Magda and Nadine turned out as adults, I forgot to find out when it was actually out! But it's here, and it's in my hands. 

I can't wait to pick this book up. I really can't wait. 

And I don't even think I've gotten fully excited yet. 

Okay! Those are all the books I'm hoping to get to in the month of November- I'm genuinely hoping I stick to the TBR this time- because I truly love this selection of books. 

I hope you have a wonderful evening- don't forget to comment down below- and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx