Thank you, Macmillan, for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There are usually only three causes of murder: lust, greed, or vengeance. Among these three, vengeance is the most common. — Inspector Han

Do you enjoy watching K-dramas, particularly those with vivid, historical settings and well-developed characters? Shows like Splendid Politics and Empress Ki can have as many as 40-50 episodes because they have multiple story arcs, but this debut novel will give you all the delights of the genre with just 336 pages. I was excited to read this book when I first heard about it last year, so I’m glad that it exceeded my expectations.

The Silence of Bones is about Seol, a 16-year-old girl who is indentured to the police bureau during the Joseon Dynasty. She misses her family dearly, particularly her brother who died around 10 years ago. In addition to her homesickness, she has to deal with much fear and anxiety as she helps the authorities solve a murder mystery. Seol finds herself under the wing of Inspector Han, a highly esteemed noble (and the head of the investigation). However, as they collect more pieces of evidence, Seol begins to doubt Han’s integrity. Could he be the killer they were all looking for? Seol prides herself in her loyalty, but not even her faith in the inspector will keep her silent.

For someone who was barely an adult, Seol had a tough life because of the political climate. Nonetheless, I loved the historical context of this book. Joseon’s queen regent was like the counterpart of England’s Bloody Mary, planning to sniff out all of the Catholics in the country. After Seol’s father was executed for converting to Catholicism, her mother committed suicide. Then, Seol was exiled for three years and was eventually bought as a slave. The Christian in me mourned the deaths of the Catholic characters, but the Asian part of me understood the queen’s refusal to embrace Western ideologies.

The police officers generally didn’t abuse Seol, but the conservative rules of Joseon society (e.g., men couldn’t touch female non-relatives) obliged them to use her as a collector/handler of female victims. As a result, Seol wasn’t a stranger to violence and death. I was surprised that she didn’t let those noseless faces drive her to insanity. But if I remember correctly, Seol rarely smiled or laughed in the novel. Her circumstances were that dire.

Most of Seol’s moments of positivity were linked to Inspector Han. Seol respected him a lot and did whatever she could to prove her usefulness and competence. She believed that he was the very first person to look beyond her status as a servant, the first man who really saw her. These epiphanies hinted at a possible romance, making the plot more exciting. Most K-dramas (and YA books) feature couples to root for, so I’m sure that other readers will also see the chemistry between the characters.


Inspector Han was a puzzle to me. I couldn’t predict his actions because his feelings for Seol were as fickle as the wind. His hatred for Catholicism was perhaps the most consistent thing about him. One scene in the book almost made me despise Han. Seol’s life was in danger, but he conveyed (or feigned) indifference. Still, Seol resolved to set aside her emotions and give him the benefit of the doubt. Until she found solid proof, she wouldn’t abandon her friend and mentor.

June Hur excelled at making me doubt the characters. Seol wasn’t an unreliable narrator, so I knew that she wasn’t the killer. On the other hand, Inspector Han, Lady Kang, Officer Shim, and even the mother of one of the victims were potential criminals. Seol’s fellow slaves weren’t necessarily innocent, either. There were so many suspects that I was tempted to look at the last page of the book. The tension was almost unbearable!

My one, nitpicky problem was the repetitive use of the word “silence.” Whether or not it was intentional, I couldn’t unsee it. You can blame my career as an editor, which encourages me to notice such minor details. xD

Overall, The Silence of Bones is one of my favorite 2020 releases. It’s probably the best Korea-inspired work in my collection, so I can’t wait to read June Hur’s sophomore novel. Be prepared for a tragic yet beautiful ending.

When our lives are cut short by an untimely end, all that remain are unanswered questions that perplex the living.




Who could have done this?




Why did they do this?




But the dead do not worry for these things. They already know the final truths of life. Still, the living are in a perpetual quest to know the motives behind a murder and to bringer the murderer to justice.


The dead do their best to keep their secrets. Since air now longer flows through their body, they cannot whisper the answers to your questions. However, they leave clues for you to unravel their tangled lives and simplify it to facts that point towards the end.


The silence of bones is irreversible. Yet, by pressing your ear close to their lives, you'll hear them whisper their past.


The Silence of Bones by June Hur was a remarkable multi-layered story that centers around Seol, an indentured servant who works with a police bureau during the 1800's in Joseon (which we now know as Korea). At the beginning, there is a murder most fowl involving Lady O, a noblewoman with a perfect reputation...or so it seems. As Seol accompanies Inspector Han on his investigation, secrets of the dead are uncovered by the living and when evidence leads to undeniable truths, Seol must decide if she should reserve the silence servants are expected to uphold, or voice her findings despite the costs.


This was an absolutely singular read that I'd highly recommend as a #Roaring20's debut that showcases a spectacular narrative and a journey that will captivate your heart.

3.5 stars

Orphan Seol is sixteen-years-old and is a servant at the police bureau.
Seol assists a young police inspector in investigating the murder of a young noblewoman, Lady O.
As they work together, Seol develops a fierce loyalty towards the inspector, one that will be tested as they uncover secrets and clues as to what happened that night.
Will Seol’s curiosity get her in trouble?
Who killed Lady O? And why?

One of my favourite things about The Silence of Bones was the setting of Joseon (Korea) in 1800. I didn’t know much about the history of Korea, so it was interesting to read a book set there and at that specific time period when Catholics were being persecuted.
Seol was a relatable and likeable protagonist. I liked that she wasn’t meek and silent – instead she was curious despite how much trouble that might get her in, being indentured as she was at the bureau.
The characters were all interesting and intriguing. There were some I liked more than others, but none of them felt flat.
The plot was interesting and held my attention. Towards the middle the pacing was a little slow for me, but it did pick up and the storyline drew me back in.
The mystery aspect was done well and kept me guessing. This is definitely one of my favourite YA mysteries that I’ve read and it was quite refreshing to read.
I liked the themes of family and loyalty.
The writing style was easy to follow and understand. I would definitely read another book by the author.
While I did enjoy The Silence of Bones, I wasn’t gripped or blown away by what I read, but I would definitely recommend it and would consider reading it again at some point in the future.

Overall, this was a unique YA mystery that I enjoyed and would recommend.

3.5 stars
Seol is a damo (servant) in South Korea, 1800.  She is working at the police bureau where her curiosity gets her in trouble. She is assisting in a murder investigation and is able to find information that others cannot. There is a maze of clues, dark secrets, political schemes and more. She finds herself in precarious situations, questioning witness statements but also the accused.

Her interest brings too much attention to herself and she finds herself fighting to stay alive and to find justice. The story brings light to loyalty and family and the importance of finding the truth, no matter the cost. I loved the underlying message of family but also staying true to yourself. It's a great story that weaves young adult, murder mystery and historical fiction very well. Parts of the book were confusing and I couldn't keep characters and coordinating subplots straight. There was a lot of information to keep track of and if you're able to do that then the mystery falls together well. For me, it was jumpy and I had to read back a few times to remember parts of the story. However, after reading the story, I learned some characters and events were taken from Korean history and that brought reverence to what I didn't understand before.

The content is low except for some violence, torture and details on the bodies that are found. Thank you to Feiwel & Friends through NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

**DISCLAIMER: I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, as part of a blog tour, in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review is spoiler-free.**

One of my resolutions this year was to read books with more diverse characters and settings. I also wanted to read more books in the mystery genre as I tend to love a good mystery but get so caught up in reading fantasy and romance that I forget about this genre! So I was really excited to get the opportunity to read this one. I have to say that one of my favorite things about it is the setting! It was such an amazing escape to pick up this book and lose myself in Korea in the year 1800. I know next to nothing about this era in this part of the world, and it was so well described and written by the author. I felt like I was actually there. The culture described is so different from modern American culture; obedience and silence are valued almost above all else, and there are really strict rules keeping men and women separate. In addition, Catholicism has been introduced into Korea, but those practicing it are marginalized and persecuted. It was really interesting to read about this, and I appreciated the additional info at the end of the book about the historical events for those (like me) who don’t know anything about it.

Our main character Seol is an indentured servant, and it was very interesting to read about how that worked as well. She is smart and loyal, as well as intensely curious, all good qualities for a person investigating a murder with high stakes. She is also very careful to maintain her subservience and follow all the rules for indentured servants. This creates a bit of an internal conflict for her as she tries to balance what her role is supposed to be with her near desperate need to solve the murder as well as her own personal mystery (to find out what became of her long-lost brother).

In addition to the setting and characters, I thought the plot was well done. I didn’t see most of the plot twists coming, which is always a good thing, but it all flowed well and at a nice pace. I thought there was a good balance between description and information and action/movement of the story. In fact, my only real complaint is that I wanted to escape into this world for longer. It was all over too quickly! But that is just because it flowed so well that I read it really quickly–nearly in one sitting.

To sum up, this is a solid debut from June Hur, and I am really looking forward to what she writes next. This also confirms for me that I need to read more mysteries and more historical fiction set in Asia.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club, Netgalley, and Feiwel & Friends for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Oh my gosh. I think this is one of my favorite novels to date and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read this! I don’t think I’ve ever come across a YA Historical Mystery novel set in 1800s Korea before, dealing with the murder of highborn women and having to solve that mystery. I also don’t remember ever coming across a YA historical fiction novel set in 1800s Korea before either, which was such a huge selling point for me. I’m honestly so glad that this ended up being Hur’s debut novel because it was absolutely perfect and brilliant.

During this period, damo are women that work at the police bureau to interact with other women on official capacities – whether they interview female members of the family or move dead women victims from a crime scene to the morgue. Because of the strict laws in Joseon (Korea), men are not allowed to touch women that aren’t directly related to them, which is explained in the novel. In most cases, the damo are women that studied to become palace nurses but didn’t get the test scores to pass. Being a damo is considered a lowly position, and for girls like Seol, it is basically an indentured servant position. However, Seol has such a curious mind and is so inquisitive to the world around her and the workings of what goes on in the police world that getting the opportunity to be involved in certain cases teaches her a lot of things.

In the beginning we are able to see the workings of classism and religion involved in Joseon when we see how the police bureau reacts to the deaths of the common people versus Lady O. We also see the difference in reactions from those that were killed that believed and practiced Catholicism opposed to Buddhism or Confucianism. Since following Western practices were considered illegal, those that were killed that believed in those practices weren’t mourned as much. It makes sense, although it was also really sad to see because they are all still the people of Joseon.

We even see how Seol is able to do what she needs to do, even going as far as to shoot a wild tiger that is almost about to kill Inspector Han when they are on the hunt for a missing suspect in the murder case of Lady O. None of the other male officers even thought to try to help their commanding officer, and that part just really impressed me. Again this really just showed me that women really need way more credit for what they are willing to sacrifice and do because they can get way more ballsy than men twice their size can do.

Ugh I loved this book! I seriously have found my next favorite author and I’m so excited to support more of Hur’s work.

This was such an interesting book! The prose was elegant and atmospheric, and the setup of the mystery all culminated in a conclusion that was both surprising and satisfying. The world of Joseon-era Korea was evidently well-researched, and the world feels *lived* in, with characters that have lives and secrets of their own beyond their interactions with Seol, the protagonist. At once a soaring debut and a successfully intriguing murder mystery, June Hur is definitely an author to be watched.

The Silence of Bones is one of my favorites books of this year. It's an amazing debut. Everyone should read it and stan a writer who can write a fantastic story.

4.5 stars
This book was so much more than I expected in all the best ways! Although there were moments when the pacing did slow down, the book sucked me in from the start, and my need to know who the killer was and what would happen next is what kept me reading well into the night. Admittedly, it is not a super fast paced thriller, but (imo) the richness of the story and writing made up for that. There's so much that I enjoyed and want to praise in this story--from the well-researched history, to the exploration of familial relationships and the murder mystery itself; all of it kept me engaged and entertained throughout!

The story follows Seol, a 16-year-old indentured servant with the police in the capital. I thought she would be a quietly obeying character (fitting with the times) but she has a fierce hot streak and a curiosity that really spurred the story on. Seol was a refreshing character in a society where men and women do not interact, especially in public and if the males are not direct family, and where slaves aren't allowed to look their masters in the eye or have their own thoughts and feelings. What I also didn't expect was how much of this story would focus on familial relationships, not only for Seol and her family, but also of father-son relationships and the importance of lineage in that era. Without giving any spoilers, I absolutely loved how Hur explored the lengths a person would go to find and keep family together, and how she tied all of it up. That ending was so incredibly bittersweet and holy gah, it had me crying those tears of a thousand rivers into my pillow!

I think the historical aspect was probably what made this the most unique for me though. I've never read or heard of anything about this Korean dynastic empire and although it was a completely foreign world to me in many ways, Hur's descriptive writing completely immersed me in that world and I was able to picture it very clearly in my head. You can tell how thoroughly researched the book is--all the details from the language, clothing, food, mannerisms, folk tales, societal structures and definitely religion and politics. I will say that this book is quite heavy on the religious and political side because of the era and the story, which was completely unexpected; and while it's not generally my favourite topics to read about, I actually really enjoyed it! It gave this YA mystery more depth. The murder mystery itself was also highly entertaining and although it took quite a while to solve, I liked the twists and turns that the reveals took, which led the reader even deeper into the religious and political spheres, and revealed just how dangerous it was to be different during this era. Hur kept me second guessing who I suspected and the reveal of the real murderer did surprise me! I don’t think I don’t think I could’ve been more satisfied with It was resolved.

This book could've been a hot mess if all the elements/details were not done well, but fortunately for us readers, this was so far from that; it's hard to believe that this is Hur's debut! A little more added appreciation goes to Hur's notes at the end (and on Goodreads) about what inspired her to write this story and what it means to her as a Korean who knew little of her history living abroad. This was very different to what I expected and I don’t think it’s like any YA mystery that I’ve ever read before, but in the best way! This book was alive with history and culture and it filled the story with so much more depth. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Hur comes out with next!

I'm so glad that I got the chance to read this as part of The Fantastic Flying Book Club blog tour. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this intriguing historical mystery, one servant girl goes against societal convention to find a killer. An indentured servant given to the police bureau, sixteen year-old Seol is a doma who acts as the hands of officers when a case involves a woman. In 1800s Korea, no unrelated man may touch a woman and so the bureau uses female servants to handle female witnesses, arrest female criminals, and in the worst cases, deal with the female dead. When the body of a murdered noble woman is discovered outside the south gate of the capital, Seol is sent to be the lead Investigator's hands. Unable to shelve her curiosity and terrible at holding her tongue, Seol is drawn into the investigation - an investigation that may even lead her to uncovering her own past.

The Silence of Bones is a solid mystery novel, but what really makes this book is how it breaths life into Korean history. Using the early nineteenth century Catholic purges as a launching point, Hur builds a rich and detailed story centering on a lower class woman whose life is so often over looked in these kinds of narratives. Seol is not exceptional, other than in her curiosity. She's tenacious and loyal, but those are never treated as characteristics others of her class fail to have. Hur treats her subject, both the woman and the history, to the care they deserve.

On top of this rich setting, Hur builds a substantive mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Even the most genre savvy readers will enjoy the paths this novel takes on the way to solving not only the murder case, but uncovering Seol's family history. An enjoyable solid read from start to finish, don't give this one a miss.

This book is surprisingly violent for a YA release. It's truly a gripping thriller and makes you invested in the historical fiction aspects.

I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eyes, but I mustn't see.


Sixteen year-old Seol has been indentured to the police bureau for one generation. She'll be 41 when she's finally released, and after a failed escape that leaves her branded, she's nearly resigned herself to a life of drudgery. Until a noblewoman is found murdered with her nose cut off, and her murder may be connected to the un-investigated deaths of several lowborn men and women who also died in a similar fashion. Only Seol thinks they're connected, and Seol's past may contain all the answers.

I normally don't read historical fiction mysteries, but this was pretty good.

The writing sucked me in despite myself (I was a little leery on this one). The writing is beautiful, and Seol's voice is strong, passionate and what I would imagine a teenager of 1800 Korea to be like. She's bright and too curious for her own good, and her unfortunate habit of eavesdropping tends to bring her more trouble than she imagines.

Without giving any spoilers away, I did like slowly finding out the mystery of her past, and I thought that it was very well done. A young child can forget some traumatic things that happen, but remember others, and can also forget key details like who their parents were or what happened or the names of their siblings, particularly if they are only referred to in honorifics.

And I also liked reading about this aspect of Korean history, with the persecution of Catholics and the tension between the Asiatic and European worlds, and the tensions within Asian countries as well, and how it affected Seol in small and large ways.

I also enjoyed her relationship with Inspector Han, and her realizations that good can mean many different things, and that most people are in shades of grey and are neither wholly good nor bad but can be motivated either way.

Your inspector is like every other aristocrat. His kindness is conditional. So Long as you please your inspector, do what he tells you, he will treat you like his sister. But upset him, and you become again a mere slave to him.


And that witness testimony can be flawed, particularly testimony that is "revealed" under torture.

And, of course, the invisibility of women played a key role in this book. Seol was enslaved, and worked with other damos who were in a similar situation but well-educated, and for the most part they were ignored by their male counterparts unless they were wanted for something. The investigative and forensic techniques were also really fascinating to read and learn about.

Anywho, this was solidly plotted, well researched and thoroughly engaging. It's not usually a genre I pick up, but I'm happy I gave this one a chance.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

THE SILENCE OF BONES is an outstanding debut with a gripping plot, wonderful prose, and intriguing characters. In 1800 Joseon (what is now Korea), Seol is an indentured servant to the police bureau. In addition to serving the local police force (whether through serving tea or doing chores), she also works to find her long missing older brother. Seol, inquisitive and sharp, gets drawn into the murder case of a young noblewoman. Because of sociocultural customs, other indentured girls like Seol help the male police force in questioning women. In her thorough study and observations of the case, she captures the attention of Inspector Han. As the investigation continues, Seol finds this murder intertwining for her own family history, foreign affairs, religious conflict, and political intrigue.

Hur's craft is meticulous in both writing and world-building. She impressively layers historical facts and elements into a tightly paced murder mystery. As someone who does not study or teach East Asian history, I learned a lot from this novel and Hur's historical note provides key sources for readers interested in learning more. Of the few historical YA mysteries out there, Hur's novel stands out in terms of atmosphere, setting, and narrative. THE SILENCE OF BONES is a book I will definitely recommend to students who want to study imperial encounters, gender history, and Korean social history. I look forward to reading Hur's next book.

Oh wow. This book was something else. Filled with history and brimming with secrets, I found this hard to put down.
One of the most unique and special parts of this book was Seol. She is an unreliable narrator, learning as the reader learns. She is uneducated but still puts her brain to good use even though she was poking her nose in what she should not have been. She longs for her family and the need is shown throughout the whole story.
Sidenote: this book had no romance. :)
However, there were so many characters that I had to reread the first third of the book to get a decent grasp on who is who.
Despite the numerous characters, I enjoyed reading this novel and fans of mysteries will too.

Rating: 4.5/5
Crude Language: a handful 3/5
Romance: N/A
Spiritual: Religious Persecution
Violence: nothing detailed but mentioned due to the mystery

Inspector Han orders Damo Seol, a servant girl working for the Capital Police Bureau, to assist him while investigating Lady O's corpse. This is Korea in the 1800s, under the Joseon dynasty, where men are not allowed to touch women, even dead ones, except for family members. This gruesome murder initially thought to be related to power is more than meets the eye, as more secrets unravel and more people get involved. Seol is a bit overwhelmed by Inspector Han's kindness, as he's the only one who treats her more like a thinking person instead of a good-for-nothing slave. But when the evidence to this murder points to him, will Seol remain loyal to her dear inspector?

June Hur's The Silence of Bones crescendoes from a seemingly plain narrative to a nerve-racking murder mystery. It is a feminist read with the protagonist carrying just the right amount of grit and not trying too hard. Culturally rich and engaging, this book takes the extra mile in showing, not just telling, what was happening in Korea back then. But more importantly, it also shows what real friendship is like, and how seeking acceptance outside and not within can be deadly. While entertaining, there are moments when the plot seems elementary and the writing needs to be refined. A heart-wrenching and a hair-raising story about family, loyalty, and betrayal, The Silence of Bones is sure to keep you wide awake at night. Trigger warnings include graphic injuries, class discrimination, sexism, violence, murder, torture, and suicide.

Thanks to FFBC Tours and Feiwel and Friends for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly didn't know much about this book and nothing about Korean history going into this book. I did know that a lot of fellow bookish friends were highly anticipating the debut so when I was offered the change to participate in this blog tour, I jumped on it, and I am so glad I did!
First off, this book is gorgeously written, with lush descriptions of Joseon Korea that make you feel immediately submerged into the cultures and traditions of the setting, and a complex cast of characters. There are many layers to the culture and the characters that are unpacked throughout the book really well. It is a breath of fresh air to have a historical fiction set in another time besides WWII, as that market feels very over saturated.
I fell in love with Seol almost immediately as she battled her family being ripped apart, the oppressive culture she must live in and the voice she finally finds even as a damo, or indentured servant to the police. All the characters were well developed and stood out from one another, they each had an air of mystery that kept you engaged and wanting to know more about them.
However, what really stands out to me is that is a YA Mystery! Really? I dare say the breathtaking historical atmosphere, elegant writing, and melancholic murder mystery vibe surpasses adult thrillers I have recently read. The story is mature and skillfully crafted and I was disappointed when the ending arrived and I had to let Seol go. I would gladly welcome more Seol and Korea in my future....perhaps a sequel?

I love historical fiction, but most of what I read tends to be set in Europe/Great Britain, or sometimes Africa or the Middle East, so I was intrigued as soon as I read the synopsis for THE SILENCE OF BONES and saw that it was set in early-nineteenth century Korea. This is a unique viewpoint in YA literature, at least that I’m aware of, and I love that we are seeing more histories that are not Europe-centric (or white-centric). Seol is a dynamic character that I instantly found myself rooting for, and I immediately felt transported to early-1800s Korea as soon as I started reading. The story takes place at a time when Catholics in Korea were being persecuted and executed en masse, and the author takes time to give a brief historical lesson at the end for those (like myself) who don’t know anything about this purge.

Seol is a damo, a servant indentured to the police bureau at sixteen years of age. When a young noblewoman is found dead, she is called to the scene because only women could touch other women, even in death. Working with the mysterious Inspector Han, Seol must race to discover the identity and motive of the murderer, while along the way also discovering more about herself and her own history. Seol is persistent, curious, and intelligent, while also being scared and very aware of her subservient stature. It was interesting to see these aspects of her character collide with her status, as she becomes even more determined to discover the answer to both the murder and her own personal mystery, no matter the cost to herself. I love how the author includes both fictional and actual historical figures as characters (though of course I didn’t realize any of them were real until reading the author’s note at the end); I always like feeling that extra connection to history when real historical figures play roles in stories I read. All of the characters were fully fleshed out and so well-drawn, and as I mentioned, the sense of place and time was evident from the first paragraph of the book.

I truly feel like I fell into history each time I picked up this book, and I was sad to find my trip over! The whole time I read, I kept hoping this would be the start to a series featuring Seol, which I think would do so well in the YA market. Based on the ending, I am eagerly anticipating more mysteries that will take me back to early-nineteenth century Korea and Seol’s journey of personal discovery and growth. I can’t wait to see more from June Hur!

RATING: 4 bright stars!

**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.

In 19th century Joseon (Korea), a 16-year-old girl is indentured to the police in the capital. Her job is to interact with female victims in the stead of the male police force. She also performs menial tasks and even lives at police headquarters. I found Seol's work to be fascinating. Even though she cannot read or write, her mind is sharp and she has questions about the crimes that she is helping investigate. Inspector Han allows her more latitude than others on the department. She is drawn to him, but begins to wonder about his connection to a string of murders. Does the inspector have a reason to seek vengeance against Catholics? How can Seon keep her promise to find out what happened to the older brother who left her behind ten years ago? This atmospheric mystery will haunt you and transport you to Seol's world. A world where a girl who runs away is branded; where a cross pendant can be a death sentence. I will be watching for the next book from this debut author.

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm really not sure where I stand on The Silence of Bones. There were times when reading this book that I couldn't put it down. Then there were times when I felt like the chapters were dragging and I had to walk away from it and pick it up again later.

I don't have much knowledge of Korean culture and history, which made me feel like I was just a step behind in a few instances, especially when Korean words were used. But, the more I read, the more I adjusted and was able to read without needing a dictionary!

The plot was what kept me turning the pages. I wanted to know what was going to happen, no matter the pace of the book. Even when it seemed to slow down, I still wanted to come back to it.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. A huge thanks to Macmillan for the free copy!

THE PLOT

Seol is sixteen years old, a police damo, indentured servant and she's tasked with helping inspector Han, a young and respected man, in investigating the murder of a young noblewoman, Lady O. But while they investigate her past and connections, Seol starts to form a cautious friendship with inspector Han, relationship that will be turned upside down when he becomes a suspect. Her loyalty being tested, Seol decides to investigate and try to understand what really happened to the young noblewoman and who is the killer. At the same time, she's bonded by the promise made to her older sister, to find what happened to their older brother, who, years ago, went to the capital and never wrote to her. What happened to him? Is he really dead?


MY THOUGHTS

The silence of bones is June Hur's debut, a brilliant and complex YA historical novel, set in Joseon, Korea, in 1800. Through her evocative and captivating writing style, the reader is able to see the city of Joseon, to follow Seol in her investigation, to walk with her on the streets and crossing forests and mountains I was really involved in Seol's inquiry, because the style is engaging and the characters well rounded and written.
It was really interesting reading how the women where considered and treated in the old Korea, in a male dominated culture.
Seol, as the other female servants in the police, is used to arrest and touch female criminals and to examine female victims, because men couldn't touch women that they weren't related to. In a setting where honor was everything, considered vital to the nobles, people committed atrocious acts and women could be killed in order to defend the family honor.
In a world where silence and obedience are highly valued, where "among the seven sins a woman could commit, one was talking excessively" (quote taken from the arc), Seol is an "anomaly", since she's curious and inquisitive, eager to learn and investigate, strong and stubborn.

The mystery is very interesting and captivating and full of twists, confessions, tortures, clues and secrets. I found fascinating Seol's determination, who doesn't let her being a female damo and the limitations of being a woman in 1800 Korea, stopping her inquiry, The relationship between her and inspector Han is peculiar and complex since the beginning, being the inspector in a position of power, but slowly Seol proves to him and to the reader her strength and abilities, her loyalty. At first, loyalty to the inspector, but after discovering the complexity and ambiguity of his character, to the truth and the murdered victims.

It was peculiar reading how many characters were troubled by their past and how they decided to act upon it. Seol, determined to discover the truth about her older brother and her own past, to be seen and considered by the police for her worth, the inspector Han, who wanted to escape the tragedies of his past and family, obsessed with his work and officer Shim, who was eager to be seen and recognized.

Interesting is the presence of Lady Kang, a Catholic noblewoman Seol meets in her investigation, a woman who teached illiterate servants and maid how to read, a highly respected member of the Catholic community, a woman who really existed.

The silence of bones, through the murder mystery and Seol's search for her brother, talks about the persecution of Catholics in the Korea of 1800 and it was fascinating reading the author's note and discovering the story and the politics connected to people present in the book, like the priest Zhou Wenmo, Queen Jeongsun, the queen Regent and Lady Kang.
In 1800 Korea, divided in four factions, the Old doctrine dominated and supported the traditions, the structured system, the importance of honor and purity. Clashing against the Southerns, open to the Western's influence and to the Catholicism. In this context, the queen Regent was bent on the destruction of the Southerns and the Catholics. In a world, that was male dominated, where women were told what they should and shouldn't do, and in opposite factions, both the queen regent and lady Kang represented an anomality, like Lady Kang and Seol in the book.

I found absolutely interesting how the author explores the relationships between characters, the way women were treated, the politics in 1800 Korea, mixing everything in a gripping historical mystery. Set in male dominated world and culture, Seol is an unforgettable main character, able to prove her worth and, through her curiousity and determination, to reach the truth. Seol, against the traditions that wanted the women hidden and quiet, is determined not to be silenced.

I've rarely found historical books so captivating and interesting. The way the history is woven with the murder mystery and the main character's own inquiry is skillful and brilliant. The characters, in their complexity and ambiguity, are absolutely relatable and alive. They rage, they are envious, curious, stubborn, angry, sad. This book is full of brilliantly written characters, a mystery able to capture the reader's attention right away, inserting bit by bit until the whole picture is created, the investigation almost like a puzzle.

I recommend this book to everyone interested in a skillfully written police inquiry and unforgettable characters.