The Bone Garden by Heather Kassner
Published 23rd July by Titan Books
Star Rating - ****
Goodreads Challenge - 46/50
I was kindly gifted a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis (from Goodreads)
“Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist.”
Made of dust and bone and imagination, Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life—and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones.
When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more.
With echoes of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, debut author Heather Kassner crafts a gorgeously written story humming with magic, mystery, and dark imaginings.
Made of dust and bone and imagination, Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life—and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones.
When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more.
With echoes of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, debut author Heather Kassner crafts a gorgeously written story humming with magic, mystery, and dark imaginings.
My Thoughts
When I requested a copy of this one from the publisher I wasn't aware it was a middle grade story. I was just really drawn in by the synopsis but it being a middle grade I think really aided in my enjoyment. It fit really well with the story and the author did a great job at making it appeal to both children and adults.
I really enjoyed this story. It was quite macabre and the opening chapter was quite eerie but it wasn't scary per say. I loved the fantastical and magical feeling that came with this story as it developed and I think this did a great job at balancing out the macabre and in turn making it a great story for children. I really liked the writing style too. It was quite descriptive but not so much to throw you off the story. It read very much like a fairytale and this was definitely the overall tone and feel of the story. It was a fairly quick read and it kept me invested throughout.
The characters were sweet too. Within this book there are themes of friendship running through out and it was nice to see this develop with our main character. The feeling of loneliness and not being good enough that she felt at the beginning was challenged as the story progressed and we ended up with some lovely friendships between our characters. Irreelle also learnt to accept herself for who she was by the end which was nice. As a character Irreelle started out as quite timid and shy, wanting to please Miss Vesper, who we find out isn't the nicest of people. She develops over the course of the novel into a strong and independent person, realising the life she had isn't necessarily the most positive and she does things to change that. I think these are some great topics and themes to explore with children.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a little bit unexpected, being a middle grade, but that was definitely a good thing. I loved the magical and fantastical feel of this story but with that added extra macabre to keep it interesting.
I really enjoyed this story. It was quite macabre and the opening chapter was quite eerie but it wasn't scary per say. I loved the fantastical and magical feeling that came with this story as it developed and I think this did a great job at balancing out the macabre and in turn making it a great story for children. I really liked the writing style too. It was quite descriptive but not so much to throw you off the story. It read very much like a fairytale and this was definitely the overall tone and feel of the story. It was a fairly quick read and it kept me invested throughout.
The characters were sweet too. Within this book there are themes of friendship running through out and it was nice to see this develop with our main character. The feeling of loneliness and not being good enough that she felt at the beginning was challenged as the story progressed and we ended up with some lovely friendships between our characters. Irreelle also learnt to accept herself for who she was by the end which was nice. As a character Irreelle started out as quite timid and shy, wanting to please Miss Vesper, who we find out isn't the nicest of people. She develops over the course of the novel into a strong and independent person, realising the life she had isn't necessarily the most positive and she does things to change that. I think these are some great topics and themes to explore with children.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a little bit unexpected, being a middle grade, but that was definitely a good thing. I loved the magical and fantastical feel of this story but with that added extra macabre to keep it interesting.
Overall Rating
Interesting Review.
ReplyDeleteNice review. Glad you enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I enjoy reading middle grade.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I do like the sound of this book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteI find myself wanting to read it too, despite it being a tween book.
ReplyDeleteI normally don't read middle grade, but this looks so up my alley I think I might have to!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one! I am fairly hit or miss with MG books but I am adding this one to my TBR. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJamie @ Books and Ladders
Really good review!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Gemma, I absolutely love reading middle grade and the graveyard book was one of my favorite books as well. This book looks and sounds really amazing and right up my alley too. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
ReplyDelete