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

October Wrap Up (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And with the end of October comes another wrap up. 

Nowhere near as long as September's list, but I read a solid amount this month anyway. 

I read a total of four books. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

1. The Hidden Girl, by Lucinda Riley 

The most recently released Lucinda Riley book, edited by her son, Harry Whitaker. I didn't realise she still had more unpublished book, and I was fortunate enough to borrow my work colleague's copy. Spending several on a train jounrey to Cardiff and back was enough for me to start and finish this, it turns out. Of course I was sucked in almost immediately, with the centre of the story being about a young girl called Leah, from Yorkshire. Almost by chance, she is discovered by the husband of a famous modelling agent, and as she is whisked away from her life on the moors, events start to take place, as Leah starts to see for herself what the world of modelling is really like. Leah is very much the centre of the story, but she isn't the only character. I read from the POV of her mother, her employer and her family, and they all play their part in this very intricate story that takes place over centuries. 

2. A Mind Full of Murder (Skulduggery Pleasant #16), by Derek Landy

It's October, I pick up Skulduggery. It's like bread and butter. Skulduggery Pleasant and October. 

A Mind Full of Murder kicks off the third phase of books following SP and Valkyrie Cain, with a magical being killing off seemingly random mortals. They have powers that have never been seen before, and seemingly can't be stopped. Never one to walk away from a challenge, our heroes are on the case once more, and we get to be with them for the ride. 

Whatever happens, I know I will always be entertained, enthralled by whatever magnificent story Derek Landy has cooked up. 

3. The Haunted House on Hollow Hill (Skulduggery Pleasant), by Derek Landy

I came across this on holiday in Cornwall and figured, since I was already reading A Mind Full of Murder, it was the perfect opportunity for me to catch up on the series, since this had just been released. 

The Haunted House of Hollow Hill isn't part of the main series, more like a side story that can take place at any point during the third phase. It takes place in one night, in a hotel- The Hollow Hotel. The hotel has a gruesome history, about two lovers that became trapped in the maze of the hotel (as ghosts) that was made by an ex-betrothed. Not only that, someone is going round murdering the guests. 

So all in all, a bunch of crazy murders, ghosts scaring the guests, and a criminal running riot- makes for an extremely interesting read. 

4. Near the Bone, by Christina Henry 

After finishing The Haunted House on Hollow Hill, I had just over a week left until the end of October. 

Wanting to be in the spooky theme for a bit longer, I picked up Near the Bone, by Christina Henry, having bought it for October specifically. 

I became engrossed immediately. 

To be honest, I have no idea what fairytale this book was based off of. We follow a young girl called Mattie, who lives on a snow covered mountain with her husband, completely isolated from the rest of the world. Until Mattie uncovers a dead fox, and realises they're not alone after all. 

There's something in the woods that growls, unlike any human or animal, something with shrap teeth and claws. 

When three humans arrive at the mountain, looking for the creature, Mattie knows she needs to keep them a secret from her husband, William. Because William will get angry. And terrible things happen when William gets angry. 

This book goes in a different direction to what I thought it would. I thought Mattie would be stalking the creature, figuring more about it. I don't want to give anything away that would give a clue as to what this is about. I want you all to read it. If you like fairytales with a hint of classic horror, then this book is for you. Of course, read up on adult themes within this book before you do, because there are a few. 

As you can tell, I have a lot of thoughts for the this book, and you should expect a review soon! 

Okay! Those are all the books I finished for the month of October! I started out strong, and fizzled a bit in the middle, but managed to finish another book on the cusp, so I'm hoping for another good month in November! TBR up soon! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx