Haunting, compelling, and poetic at times, "The Rattled Bones" takes you into the life of lobster fisherman Rilla as she faces life changing decisions and eerie secrets. Despite some grammatical errors in this ARC, I was enthralled and sometimes super creeped out. I'm married to a Mainer and enjoyed the cultural & vernacular references!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Pulse for the opportunity to read and review The Rattled Bones by S.M. Parker. Rilla lives with her grandmother. After her father dies, she’s unsure about college because she worries about leaving her grandmother and she wants to keep her father’s fishing business going. The story is a bit odd but starts to pick up around chapter four when Rilla meets Sam on the small island where he’s doing research on an archeological dig. Sam knows about the Malaga Island history and he shares his research with Rilla. Rilla is worried that she’s following her mother’s footsteps because she’s seeing a ghost and hearing her voice. Rilla’s mother talked to the water people and she left her family when Rilla was very young because she wanted to keep her family safe. All Rilla knows about her mother is that she waded into the ocean with heavy rocks in her pockets weighing her down and then she admitted herself into a mental institution. Rilla has kept the apparition to herself and continues to do so until she grows comfortable enough with Sam to confide in him. She also needs his help to keep herself safe and to figure out the ghostly mystery. Little by little, the two of them piece together the visions and the island’s history and uncover a tragic event that connects Rilla and her family to Malaga Island. I love it when authors share their research with readers and explain their reasoning behind the story they’ve created. When a book is based on historical facts, I always want to dive into the research and study the truth that helped create the fiction. 4 stars for an intriguing story that pulled me into a lesser known part of American history.

This story is one filled with self-discovery, mystery, ghosts, and beautiful imagery. This is a for sure read to add to your October reads or even start reading it now. S.M. Parker has presented us with a tale unlike once you’d see under the YA Thriller category, but it makes it’s mark within your mind and in the genre.

Rilla Brae newly inherited her father’s lobster fishing business after his untimely death, and its seeking to discover what her purpose truly is in this life. Being raised on the sea, she was told never to trust it when it appears quiet. It proves true as she is led astray to the mysterious Malaga Island by an abandoned wooden boat and an eerie song floating across the sea to her. The Island is shrouded in the old tale where it’s inhabitants mysteriously disappeared. what happened to the inhabitants and why is Rilla drawn to it?

Highly recommend this read! Grab a blanket, cup of tea, and lock your doors – it’ll leave you with chills and grasping the pages for more.

The Rattled Bones was as eerie as I had hoped! Here's a quick review before I forget, again...-

The name alone implies that this book might be creepy. I think what really added to that was that this book takes place on the water, for the most part, and an abandoned island. I couldn't wait to jump in. I wont go into detail on the things that made this book so eerie, or the history of the island, because I hope that you will all discover it for yourselves.

The main characters were not annoying - thank goodness - because this is something i have a huge issue with. I hate that wishy washy, indecisive thing MC's do so often these days. Except the boyfriend, that guy is awful. I love that even though the potential was there, this didn't turn into a romance, love triangle thing. The focus stayed mostly on the history and the discovery, and of Rilla facing and learning about her own past and figuring out her future.

The setting was wonderful, I could picture all of it so easily. I loved being on the water, and everything being about the sea. I loved all of the old timey rules they lived by. I also love the deep history here - the author definitely did her research. It made me want to go Google it myself and read about the history of Malaga Island.

This book was beautiful and chilling. I love that the author used not only the real history of Malaga but also the depths of the ocean surrounding the island to bring a darkness to this story. The book carries this constant heaviness, which kept me on the edge of my seat, the anticipation of never knowing what might happen next captivating me. You might say it would rattle your bones....

Rilla Brae will be leaving coastal Maine in the fall when she heads to Rhode Island's Brown University. Rilla has been her dad Jonathan's sternman on the family lobster boat since age four. Jonathan's sudden death has devastated Rilla and her gram who raised her. She feels the heavy burden performing her dad's job of setting lobster traps and delivering the daily catch to the Yankee Fishermen's Coop. There are fishermen like Old Man Benner who want to "bully" her and take over her designated fishing grounds. Rilla has been taught independence and has difficulty asking for help. Help is exactly what she needs.

It is hard enough being a teenager. Rilla's challenges include coming to terms with her dad's death,
trying to meet the lobster poundage required to produce a living wage and stroking a sensitive, possessive boyfriend.

While lobster fishing, Rilla notices a wooden boat at uninhabited Malaga Island. She hears a haunting melody and sees the glimpse of a girl. When a USM research boat with summer intern Sam Taylor ropes off a dig site on Malaga Island, Rilla is determined to help investigate the island mystery. Once home to a poor but self sustaining fishing community, what happened to the islanders? Malaga Island has secrets, shameful secrets. Ghosts from the past unsettle Rilla.

"The Rattle Bones" by S.M. Parker is a superb tome on many levels. A landlubber can experience life as a lobster fishermen. Rilla is taught never to trust a quiet sea. She mourns her father's death, deals with a needy boyfriend and eerie ghosts from the past. Ms. Parker's historical novel seamlessly flows as Rilla navigates the complexities of her life. I highly recommend "The Rattle Bones"

Thank you Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon Pulse and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I’ll be honest, I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I expected to love the setting because Maine, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. I was nervous, however, when it came to the description of fishing and boating since those are things that I have no interest in. I think that S.M. Parker did a fantastic job of letting the reading know relevant information as to what Rilla and Sam were doing without being verbose.

I want to get the elephant out of the room (and this may be spoilery so skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to risk being spoiled) but I HATE HER BOYFRIEND – so much so that I don’t even remember his name. I hated that he compared her to her mother and wanted nothing more than to hold her back. I wasn’t that big of a fan of him at the beginning, but by the end of the novel he was completely unbearable.

Now to move on to a lighter section, Gram was one of the sweetest characters that I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter – she was so warm and kind, and I wish that I had her in my life. Sam is now one of my newest literary crushes – HE IS SO AMAZING ❤ *heart eyes*. His humor was everything and the way that he got along with Rilla was so precious. We have to protect them at all costs.

This book had plenty of haunting moments that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I love the way in which those moments bled into the story – it was absolutely seemless. Parker’s writing is so lyrical and beautiful, and such a breeze to read. I love the “small town folklore” feel that Maglala gave off and the relationships that Rilla had with those that lived around her was a very real depiction of small town life.

This book has made me fall in love with Maine even more and also made me want to read even more books set in that area. Overall, I give this book 5/5 stars and I love it oh so very much! I highly recommend checking this book out if you get the chance.

The Rattles Bones was an okay read. It had an engaging plot despite a slightly muddled pacing, and a unique and descriptive setting. I just wish the historical setting felt more grounded, the themes were less heavy-handed, and the characters felt more complex. If you like YA historical mysteries then maybe check this one out. It wasn't my favorite but it was pretty good.

I loved S.M. Parker's debut, "The Girl Who Fell." I always get a little nervous when reading a debut author's sophomore title, more so when I loved their debut. I shouldn't have been worried though, because Parker totally nails it with this one. And the best part? It is completely different from "The Girl Who Fell," so major high fives to Parker for showing her readers that she's a multi-faceted writer and could do all the things! In addition to this, this book provides such a visceral reading experience. It takes elements from ghost stories, coming of age tales, small town life narratives, and history to create a picture that is so vivid that you not only feel everything that Rilla is feeling, but you feel it right down to your bones. I also loved the the Author's Note and the history lesson that coincides with the novel's narrative. Now I certainly love me a good author's note, but what especially interesting about this one was the fact that I had no idea that this story was based on actual events, a point, I believe, the author was trying to prove. Not only does that make the entire story all the more heartbreaking but it also creates an awareness of the times we're currently living in (I LOVE when author's do this!). Overall, I think this is not only an excellent story, but an important history lesson as well. I also think it's a novel that deserves a space in every YA collection.

To say I loved The Rattled Bones would be the understatement of the year. I simply cannot think of the words to describe how much I adored this story. This darkly enchanting novel will creep its eerie words straight down to your bones.

Rilla is not your average teenage girl. She has a strong and stubborn head on her shoulders and can stand equal, if not above, the finest and most seasoned of lobsterman. Her strength and will carry her far beyond the dark and deep Maine waters. Plagued with visions after her father's untimely death, she is fiercely determined to get to the bottom of what may be haunting not just her, but her family.

The characters are the true stars of this novel, but the setting is a very close second. Parker's ability to transport you from your reading nook right into this small, Maine fishing island, right onto its haunting waters is a true talent. She crafted such a beautiful view that you can almost smell and taste the salty air.

I can assure you that you've likely not read a story quite like The Rattled Bones. It's originality and hauntingly beautiful storyline makes for a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

I loved Sam. I can't say that enough. I love, love, LOVED him. You want your way into my heart? Be kind-hearted and have a sense of humor, and that was Sam. He was funny and quick witted, yet cared so deeply for Rilla.

If you're looking for a book that will hook you, that will cast you under it's spell then The Rattled Bones is the book that you want. Beautiful, in-depth characters, a stunning setting and an unforgettable story will leave you reeling at the end...Like what I did there...

The Rattled Bones by S.M.Parker

I love a good ghost story, and this one has some pretty creepy, shivery moments. Combine those spine-tingling scenes with an interesting backstory and you’ve got a solid, satisfying read.

We meet our protagonist, Rilla Brae, as she’s still reeling from the sudden death of her father and coping with the life changes that accompany tragedy. Rilla, born and raised on the ocean helping her father fish for lobster off the coast of Maine, feels obligated to take on the family fishing grounds, which means giving up an academic scholarship to Brown University and staying in Maine. At the same time, she’s struggling with a changing relationship with her boyfriend and an absent, mentally ill mother. It’s a lot for anyone to handle, but Rilla meets the challenges head-on, with help from her Gram.

One day while out on the ocean, Rilla sees a young woman on a deserted island and hears an eerie song that calls to her. Haunted by her mother’s illness, where she claimed to hear and speak to the Water People, Rilla worries that she’s going mad. In an attempt to make her “girl” real, she explores the island where she first spotted the girl. There she meets Sam, a college student conducting an archaeological dig on the island looking for a lost community. Sam and the story of the island community help focus Rilla’s experiences as the ghost girl becomes more and more a part of Rilla’s life.

That period of time between high school and college is a time of change for most people. Rilla’s typical experiences are magnified by her father’s death, her sudden visual and auditory “hallucinations” of the girl, and a shocking revelation about an ugly period in the history of her community and family. Parker does a good job conveying the fear, excitement, guilt, and eagerness new high school graduates feel as they prepare to move on to new lives and new friends as they begin college. She successfully takes that universal story of growing up and pairs it with both a truly creepy ghost story and an interesting piece of history. Some of the ghostly parts were scary enough that I had to stop reading for a bit, especially after the scene where the ghost shows up in Rilla’s bed. The historical side to this story piqued my interest and prompted me to research the early island communities of the eastern seaboard. Fascinating stuff!

All in all, a satisfying story. Take this along on your summer vacation. You’ll thank me.