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A review by corabookworm
To the Bone by Alena Bruzas
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
To the Bone was a tense historical fiction story about a girl name Ellis, newly settled in an American colony. As the weather grows cold and the food runs low and people begin to turn against each other, the book twists into the horror genre.
First things first, I was worried stepping into this book that it would glorify colonialism and all that (which is icky). But I was pleasantly surprised! I can't really speak to if the representation was FLAWLESS, but it seems like the author made a genuine attempt at tackling the issue while keeping it historically accurate. The character often thinks/talks about how they are stealing land and shouldn't be there, and the Author's Note at the end of the book goes more into the language used and the history behind it all.
Second, I am not sure I would call this book YA. It starts off alright, but gets a bit disturbing towards the end, and tackles some more adult subjects. (See TWs below.) It may be better for older teens or the "New Adult" audience.
Third: my actual review! I really liked this book! It was short, fast-paced, and the perfect amounts of dark and twisted. I did swing between loving and hating the writing style--it was very unique and prose-like, which I adore. But it annoyed me when the same things were described or thought over and over again (Jane, wickedness, hair pulling, etc.), which was definitely part of the "style" of this book and an intentional quirk of the main character. The repetition just made these elements lose their punch or intrigue or whatever you call it. Other than that, I really enjoyed To the Bone! It would be perfect for anyone looking for a historical fiction that swings more towards horror.
To the Bone was a tense historical fiction story about a girl name Ellis, newly settled in an American colony. As the weather grows cold and the food runs low and people begin to turn against each other, the book twists into the horror genre.
First things first, I was worried stepping into this book that it would glorify colonialism and all that (which is icky). But I was pleasantly surprised! I can't really speak to if the representation was FLAWLESS, but it seems like the author made a genuine attempt at tackling the issue while keeping it historically accurate. The character often thinks/talks about how they are stealing land and shouldn't be there, and the Author's Note at the end of the book goes more into the language used and the history behind it all.
Second, I am not sure I would call this book YA. It starts off alright, but gets a bit disturbing towards the end, and tackles some more adult subjects. (See TWs below.) It may be better for older teens or the "New Adult" audience.
Third: my actual review! I really liked this book! It was short, fast-paced, and the perfect amounts of dark and twisted. I did swing between loving and hating the writing style--it was very unique and prose-like, which I adore. But it annoyed me when the same things were described or thought over and over again (Jane, wickedness, hair pulling, etc.), which was definitely part of the "style" of this book and an intentional quirk of the main character. The repetition just made these elements lose their punch or intrigue or whatever you call it. Other than that, I really enjoyed To the Bone! It would be perfect for anyone looking for a historical fiction that swings more towards horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Cannibalism, Abortion, Lesbophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Excrement, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Colonization: The story is about a group of colonizers and colonization. There are brief references to genocide. The settlers also use racist language and have racist views towards the indigenous people. Lesbophobia: The main character has a relationship with another girl and thinks she is "wicked" because of it. She is told so by the man she works for. Abuse: The main character lives with and works for a married couple. The man is abusive towards his wife and her. Pregnancy: The woman becomes pregnant and the main character helps her abort/miscarry with herbs. Self-harm: The main character often anxiously picks at her skin, pinches her arm, and pulls out her hair. Cannibalism: People. Starving. Om nom nom.
Also just lots of blood and gore and disturbing stuff especially towards the end of the book.