Reviews

The Bone Mother by David Demchuk

exhaustedtech's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my god this book.
When I first saw it I thought it was about the Baba Yaga.
Starting it, I thought it was a collection of short stories.
Till I noticed they were all connected in some way.
David Demchuk beautifully tells the story, from the perspective of many, of a Russia before and during WW2 where villagers live beside the creatures that lurk in the dark.
It all starts at a thimble factory and ends with a lonely stretch of road.

georgesreads's review against another edition

4.0

So this, like Red X was bizarre and beautiful and just really great- very different though, I'm impressed. This initially is quite difficult to get into, with the POV constantly shifting- however once I'd settled in a little- I grew to love this. Full review to come- there's lots to unpack here (literally SO much)

hellamajestic's review against another edition

1.0

actually DNF. supposed to read this w friends but i really couldn't get into it past the 25% mark. definitely a unique book but just not for me.

sleepy_0wl's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

emelynreads's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

Creepy and unsettling tales that give me AHS vibes. Not too graphic or gory, but more atmospheric and chilling. A good read for fall/Halloween time. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Cannibalism, and Murder

Minor: Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship

imrereads's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Each chapter in this collection is it's own little story, but they're all connected. Sometimes very clearly, other times the connection is more vague. The setting are three neighbouring villages on the Ukraine-Romania-border, which is the final refuge for the last of the mythical creatures of Eastern Europe. This is dark, atmospheric and deeply chilling. At times, also unsettlingly graphic in its horror. Each chapter stars with a photo (or, sometimes, a piece of art), and it made it all the more eerie for me. Highly recommended!

sunnysbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Genocide, Police brutality, and Murder

Moderate: Pedophilia

Minor: Animal death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault

thanksfrthemoomeries's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

faganthedragon's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.0

anjaja's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was very hard for me to follow and grasp, as it is not told as a linear story. Nonetheless I really enjoy reading it, even if it confused and scared me .