bigbear73's review against another edition
5.0
Behold the Bones is a fantastic return to Sticks, Louisiana.
Told primarily from the point of view of Candace Pickens, this book is a lesson is how to paint relationships in a story. Couple that with some excellent world-building and Sticks' unique flavor of magic, and you have one hell of a good read.
I particularly enjoy Natalie's ability to illustrate a characters thoughts in a way we can't help but know exactly how they feel:
"I sweep my light at the level of the water, ready to pee if I spot the flash of eyeshine."
A fun, fast romp that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.
Told primarily from the point of view of Candace Pickens, this book is a lesson is how to paint relationships in a story. Couple that with some excellent world-building and Sticks' unique flavor of magic, and you have one hell of a good read.
I particularly enjoy Natalie's ability to illustrate a characters thoughts in a way we can't help but know exactly how they feel:
"I sweep my light at the level of the water, ready to pee if I spot the flash of eyeshine."
A fun, fast romp that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.
samiism's review against another edition
5.0
There's something about this series that is captivating and chilling. Perhaps it's the errie Shine of Sticks, LA seeping out of the pages? Whatever it is, I am a fan. It's dark, it's not cheesy, and best of all, it has the right kind of uncanny that leaves you motionless and deep in thought long after you've finished the book.
It had been quite a while since I read [b:Beware the Wild|13639182|Beware the Wild (Beware the Wild, #1)|Natalie C. Parker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391533548s/13639182.jpg|19252673] so I had to remember who Candace Pickens was and what kind of character she was. It's amazing how Natalie Parker spun such an amazing story out of an otherwise forgettable character. And that's what Candy was to me in Beware the Wild. She was meh. I was more focused on Sterling. However, in this book, Sterling (and Heath) have taken a backseat and Candy actually burned bright.
Everything ties together in this story. From Candy's ailment, the curse that plagues her, the new characters's role in their lives, and the girls' friendship. I feel a connection with this book and its setting, and that doesn't always happen. If the author decides to write a book about Abigail, I will definitely be reading that, too.
It had been quite a while since I read [b:Beware the Wild|13639182|Beware the Wild (Beware the Wild, #1)|Natalie C. Parker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391533548s/13639182.jpg|19252673] so I had to remember who Candace Pickens was and what kind of character she was. It's amazing how Natalie Parker spun such an amazing story out of an otherwise forgettable character. And that's what Candy was to me in Beware the Wild. She was meh. I was more focused on Sterling. However, in this book, Sterling (and Heath) have taken a backseat and Candy actually burned bright.
Everything ties together in this story. From Candy's ailment, the curse that plagues her, the new characters's role in their lives, and the girls' friendship. I feel a connection with this book and its setting, and that doesn't always happen. If the author decides to write a book about Abigail, I will definitely be reading that, too.
kblincoln's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, actually.
I'm still liking this series. The first book was tied up so well with all evil vanquished and swamp magic contained and love achieved provisionally, that I had no idea how the author could keep interest going.
Foolish me to doubt. The first book introduced Sterling and her two friends, Abigail and Candy. This book includes Sterling & Heath in supporting roles, but its all about Candy. And how she still can't see Shine-- the magic of the swamp-- and now ghosts are appearing all over Sticks and she can't see them, either. Well, except for one. Who happens to share a dark secret with Candy. And then there's Candy's...female....troubles, and some new, ghosthunter family moving into the old house Sterling used as a sanctuary and Candy figuring out how to deal with various boy-types in her life.
But its mostly about Candy kind of confronting her own life as well as maturing a little bit within the context of her friendships with Sterling and Abigail-- which is why I love this series. So the swamp magic haints and stuff are a creepy icing, but they are only the icing. The "meat" of this cake, if you'll allow me to mix metaphors, is the compelling, self-doubting, sometimes-arrogant voice of Candy and how she deals with everyday stuff.
And as other reviewers probably mentioned, in this book they aren't all white and they aren't all straight. And while these things aren't used overly to generate angst and drama, they are mentioned and dealt with in the context of a Southern town, which I appreciated. No white washing here.
My ownly quibble (and the loss of .5 of a star) is that the ending is abrupt. Major, major trauma goes down at the end of the book. I felt like we didn't get a chance to understand and deal with Candy's reaction to what happens to her in the swamp as well as what happens to her relationship with the ghosthunter eyecandy. It's all just suddenly okay.
Can't wait to find out what happens to Abigail in the third book.
I'm still liking this series. The first book was tied up so well with all evil vanquished and swamp magic contained and love achieved provisionally, that I had no idea how the author could keep interest going.
Foolish me to doubt. The first book introduced Sterling and her two friends, Abigail and Candy. This book includes Sterling & Heath in supporting roles, but its all about Candy. And how she still can't see Shine-- the magic of the swamp-- and now ghosts are appearing all over Sticks and she can't see them, either. Well, except for one. Who happens to share a dark secret with Candy. And then there's Candy's...female....troubles, and some new, ghosthunter family moving into the old house Sterling used as a sanctuary and Candy figuring out how to deal with various boy-types in her life.
But its mostly about Candy kind of confronting her own life as well as maturing a little bit within the context of her friendships with Sterling and Abigail-- which is why I love this series. So the swamp magic haints and stuff are a creepy icing, but they are only the icing. The "meat" of this cake, if you'll allow me to mix metaphors, is the compelling, self-doubting, sometimes-arrogant voice of Candy and how she deals with everyday stuff.
And as other reviewers probably mentioned, in this book they aren't all white and they aren't all straight. And while these things aren't used overly to generate angst and drama, they are mentioned and dealt with in the context of a Southern town, which I appreciated. No white washing here.
My ownly quibble (and the loss of .5 of a star) is that the ending is abrupt. Major, major trauma goes down at the end of the book. I felt like we didn't get a chance to understand and deal with Candy's reaction to what happens to her in the swamp as well as what happens to her relationship with the ghosthunter eyecandy. It's all just suddenly okay.
Can't wait to find out what happens to Abigail in the third book.
ahoke1990's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm not as compelling as the first but it was still good. I like that it was about someone else in the same place. This time it's about Candy Pickens. I wasn't expecting Candy to be tied into the swamp. Nova got downright a little too hopeful, I mean she thought taking someone's finger would fix everything. Now this book isn't scary but it does have the mystery factor that makes it perfect for fall time or anytime. Whenever you need a dash of spook in your reading.
I like Sterling and I don't know Abigail is like a third wheel support character. I don't know abut the rest of the characters. This is a fast story because everything starts happening kinda quick after the first few chapters. I did like it though it was good and enjoyable.
I like Sterling and I don't know Abigail is like a third wheel support character. I don't know abut the rest of the characters. This is a fast story because everything starts happening kinda quick after the first few chapters. I did like it though it was good and enjoyable.
sarahelisewrites's review against another edition
5.0
A stunning companion to BEWARE THE WILD. This book returns to the characters of Sticks, LA, though perspective shifts from the narrator of the first book to one of her friends. Candace Pickens rang true and human as she sought the secrets about herself and the town she grew up in - even as she faced problems far more realistic than the magic of the swamp.
creatrix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brittanyallyn's review against another edition
5.0
4.5. Almost as good as the first book. Almost everything about this book was great, and I loved the way it expanded in the swamp lore laid down by the first book. The only place this book went wrong was with the boys, specifically Gage and Riley, but also Quentin. There was just too much going on with them to the point where there actually was never enough, as in Gage's role was almost insignificant despite him seeming important in the beginning, Riley's complete 180 from antagonist to sweet love interest left me expecting a twist that never came, and Quentin was irritatingly the most fleshed out of the three boys when he really didn't deserve to be. I also expected more background development for Abigail, and now I'm left desperately hoping that she'll get her own book despite Goodreads not having it listed, it would be wrong for Sterling and Candy to get one each but not Abigail.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome book, glad to be in this world again with these characters! I have a question or two, but I really enjoyed this book!