Review – The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Title The Bone Houses

Author Emily Lloyd-Jones

Release Date September 24, 2019

Description from Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Aderyn (“Ryn”) only cares about two things: her family and her family’s graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don’t always stay dead.

The risen corpses are known as “bone houses,” and legend says that they’re the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?

Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the deeply-buried truths about themselves.

Initial Thoughts

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but, I’m not a fan of Halloween or scary books. I don’t like to be scared and I’m easily frightened. Furthermore, I read for my enjoyment, so I prefer my stories to be dramatic, but happy, in general. I was nervous that this book would be too much for me. I had heard good things, but wasn’t sure how spooky it would be.

Some Things I Liked

• Standalone story. I really liked that this is a one book series. I thought it was the perfect length.
• Just the right amount of spookiness. It was perfect. There were skeleton / zombies, monsters, grave-digging, and it wasn’t scary. It was creepy – like, for sure, creepy – but I don’t feel like I won’t sleep from reading this. This is a perfect book for your October, pre-Halloween TBR.
• THE GOAT. Greatest of All Time doesn’t even begin to describe what a perfect character the goat was in this story.

Series Value

I feel like this was a perfect standalone. I think a sequel wouldn’t do this story justice. For once, I’d like to see this stay exactly as it is. A one-book series.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I thought I would. It was super seasonal (perfect for October), and a nice quick read. I finished it all in one day.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

• Smoke and Key by Kelsey Sutton – if you liked the grave and zombie vibes from this story, check out Smoke and Key by Kelsey Sutton
• A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth – again, if you like the semi-spooky, haunted elements of The Bone Houses, check out this book.
• House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig – if you liked the idea of a story that leans toward horror, with a sprinkle of romance, give this new release by Erin A. Craig a try.