What readers say
What a beautiful but DARK story. Johanna Van Veen has become an auto-buy author for me. If you have enjoyed her other novels, you can expect to experience the same gorgeous prose and creepy atmosphere that she is known to deliver on in this story, but please, please check the trigger warnings. Bone of My Bone is a historical, religious, and folk horror story. There are several creatures incorporated from Germanic folklore like Nachzehrer and Aufhockers which were creepy and fascinating to learn about. There is necromancy, witch craft, and a lot of religious elements. Told through the POV of Sister Ursula, Elsebeth, and Otto, a mercenary. I would have loved more dialogue or a POV from the necromancer personally. Sister Ursula and Elsebeth are such an unlikely pair that wind up having to depend on each other for survival to complete their task of returning the Saint’s skull to her body. Each of them are battling their own sins and find they’re able to confide in one another. What ensues is what most would deem “instant-love” and that may not work for some in this story, but what I experienced was two women desperate for connection in the midst of a war that turns into a deeply tragic and romantic love story. This story asks the question of how far would you go for someone you love? And what would you wish for if you were granted one wish? Which is one of my favorite horror tropes when executed properly, and Van Veen does just that. Consider that itch scratched. This one may not be for everyone, but I highly recommend if you’re looking for a sapphic, dark,gothic historical fiction story that does not tread lightly on the gore and dread. Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for my EARC! All opinions are my own.