Book Review

The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst is an adult, dark and twisted, magical story perfect for fans of Tim Burton movies!

Trigger Warnings: Death, Grief, PTSD

Synopsis

Twenty-five years ago, five heroes risked their lives to defeat the bone maker Eklor—a corrupt magician who created an inhuman army using animal bones. But victory came at a tragic price. Only four of the heroes survived.

Since then, Kreya, the group’s leader, has exiled herself to a remote tower and devoted herself to one purpose: resurrecting her dead husband. But such a task requires both a cache of human bones and a sacrifice—for each day he lives, she will live one less.

She’d rather live one year with her husband than a hundred without him, but using human bones for magic is illegal in Vos. The dead are burned—as are any bone workers who violate the law. Yet Kreya knows where she can find the bones she needs: the battlefield where her husband and countless others lost their lives.

But defying the laws of the land exposes a terrible possibility. Maybe the dead don’t rest in peace after all.

Five warriors—one broken, one gone soft, one pursuing a simple life, one stuck in the past, and one who should be dead. Their story should have been finished. But evil doesn’t stop just because someone once said, “the end.”

My Thoughts

If you love Tim Burton movies, this book gives 100% of those twisty vibes!

I can’t tell you when the last time I’ve read such a uniquely, tragic-yet-beautiful story that will just take you on a up-and-down ride. The fact the main character can bring back inanimate objects to life AND a morbid, recently-deceased husband back from below was just the dark fantasy I’ve been looking for.

What I Liked:

Unique magic
Adult twist on a YA feel
Dark and Twisty
Fast-paced

What I Didn’t Like:

Little Repetitive
Character’s Inner, Dreary Dialogue

I gave this standalone a solid 3 out of 5 stars. The concept was 5/5, but I just wasn’t feeling the pacing and overall repetitive nature of the characters’ inner dialogue. But, if you are wanting a story that will take you on a darker, more adult journey most YA novels won’t go, this is definitely the story for you!

I’m excited to see what else this author will be putting out in the future. If it’s anything like this, I’m in!!