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sara_reads_things's review against another edition
5.0
Queue creepy horror music. I absolutely love Christina Henry's writing style and am so glad she branched off from her normal horror retellings. She is amazing at putting together an enthralling story that really keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Right off the bat, I could tell there was something off with the relationship between Maddie and William, but I only had the small hints that Henry was dropping here and there. It was like a treasure hunt. Then... BAM! The plot thickens with a mysterious beast roaming the woods. Not only does Maddie have William to deal with, she has the beast as well. Queue third party drama and you have yourself a wonderfully complex plotline that seems to pull you in so many directions at once, but makes you feel oddly secure in your feelings.
I read this book in one day. Couldn't put it down. I will more than likely never go out into the woods again, or want to camp, but it was all worth it.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
Right off the bat, I could tell there was something off with the relationship between Maddie and William, but I only had the small hints that Henry was dropping here and there. It was like a treasure hunt. Then... BAM! The plot thickens with a mysterious beast roaming the woods. Not only does Maddie have William to deal with, she has the beast as well. Queue third party drama and you have yourself a wonderfully complex plotline that seems to pull you in so many directions at once, but makes you feel oddly secure in your feelings.
I read this book in one day. Couldn't put it down. I will more than likely never go out into the woods again, or want to camp, but it was all worth it.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
pfracassi's review against another edition
4.0
A fast-paced, sparsely-written account of one woman's survival against multiple monsters - both human and otherwise.
I really enjoyed this one and tore through it in a couple sittings. Not necessarily the most unique setup or original story-line, but definitely entertaining and well worth a read.
Looking forward to checking out THE GHOST TREE by the same author.
I really enjoyed this one and tore through it in a couple sittings. Not necessarily the most unique setup or original story-line, but definitely entertaining and well worth a read.
Looking forward to checking out THE GHOST TREE by the same author.
kaora4's review
2.0
I kept waiting for some big reveal or twist that never happened. Then it just ended abruptly, leaving me wondering what happened to the characters and annoyed that NONE of any of the story was a clever metaphor or imagined it was all "literal". Really? What a waste. How do you have all this setup and do NOTHING with it?
That and the girl...talking...like...this...for...most...of...the...book.
That and the girl...talking...like...this...for...most...of...the...book.
chelseaface's review against another edition
4.0
This one has been on my list for a while, glad I finally got to it.
This was so effed up from start to finish. Not going to lie, I wish there was much more meaning on the realistic horror of the story than the fantastical parts. I loved the horror between Samantha and William. Absolutely horrifying reading about someone in that situation. I cannot image the terror. But I didn't love the monster portions. I was trying to guess how this was going to end about halfway through, and honestly I wish my imagined version had been the true ending
This was so effed up from start to finish. Not going to lie, I wish there was much more meaning on the realistic horror of the story than the fantastical parts. I loved the horror between Samantha and William. Absolutely horrifying reading about someone in that situation. I cannot image the terror. But I didn't love the monster portions. I was trying to guess how this was going to end about halfway through, and honestly I wish my imagined version had been the true ending
penkay's review against another edition
4.0
I have read this author for years, and I am always excited to read one of her books. This felt like something I would like, so I tried it. First off, this has many triggers, so please use caution when reading this. I was uncomfortable in spots, and I don’t have triggers, which just goes to show how effective this author is in her writing. Adding to how effective a writer the author is, this book has many places with suspense-filled moments on the edge of your seat where you don’t know if Mattie is going to get away…and that’s from the human monster. The nonhuman monster was creepy, terrorizing, and just plan scary. However, I felt this book was more about the human monster and less about the nonhuman monster. I was left feeling I would have liked to have known or spent a little more time on that. At the end, I had many questions about both monsters that weren’t answered. That aside, though, this was a well-written, suspense-filled, gory book with some intense moments. Don’t read this in a cabin in the woods. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
kaylovestoread's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
breakaway71's review against another edition
3.0
Crime thriller meets small town horror, and it turns out the human element is far more horrific than the horror element. Original and terrifying on multiple levels. I really liked this. I’m also not going to sleep for a week.
fv_angela's review against another edition
3.0
Near the Bone is a quiet, slow-to-build horror story featuring monsters both human and fantastical. The main protagonist, Mattie, is a young woman living with her "husband" in the middle of nowhere. She's lived in terror of the repercussions of disobeying him for as long as she can remember, so she keeps her head down and follows her routines. Until they discover a monster on their mountain and three cryptozoologists show up to investigate.
I won't even go into content warnings, there are too many to name. But keep in mind, this is a horror novel, and expect blood, violence, and to be taken out of your comfort zone. As the story progresses readers do start to understand how Mattie came to be in the situation she is in, and how awful the man she lives with is. He is just as much of a monster as the predator in the woods they are all afraid of, maybe even more so.
The story ended as I expected it to, but I kind of wish there was just a short epilogue. I would have liked to see Mattie aka Samantha reunited with her sister. But I did enjoy this suspenseful, frightening tale and look forward to more from this author.
I won't even go into content warnings, there are too many to name. But keep in mind, this is a horror novel, and expect blood, violence, and to be taken out of your comfort zone. As the story progresses readers do start to understand how Mattie came to be in the situation she is in, and how awful the man she lives with is. He is just as much of a monster as the predator in the woods they are all afraid of, maybe even more so.
The story ended as I expected it to, but I kind of wish there was just a short epilogue. I would have liked to see Mattie aka Samantha reunited with her sister. But I did enjoy this suspenseful, frightening tale and look forward to more from this author.
kb_toys's review against another edition
3.0
Very creepy and atmospheric, poor Mattie has lived more than half her life with a monster and now a new monster comes to disrupt whatever semblance of a life they’ve built. Overall I liked the ominous creature and Mattie’s journey but there was a lot of repetition and i wanted more from the ending.