Mattie doesn't remember a time she was not on the mountain with William. She never wants to make William mad; he is her husband, she is his wife, he rules her every move, never letting her to to town or use the key to the storage shed or the trunk in their room. She has gotten used to the beatings, after all it is her fault if William gets mad. Then, one day something else shows up on the mountain, it is very big with huge paws and talons that are inches long. William and Mattie find its cave high up on another mountain. It is very odd, bones and organs are stacked separately. As they leave, they run into two men who are cryptozoologists, looking for the creature. William warns them to get off the mountain and beats Mattie when they return to the cabin for looking at the strangers. William leaves to go to town and the two men show up at the cabin. They are concerned about Mattie's condition and they recognize her from somewhere. Mattie's memories begin to stir, she remembers a time before, when she lived with her mother and her sister. Where are they now? Mattie finally remembers she is Samantha, kidnapped by William, a former boyfriend of her mother. She has spent 12 long years on the mountain. This was a very odd book. The reader never knows what the creature is. The characters are a little shallow, except for Mattie, who is remembering her internal landscape.

Near the Bone was a RIDE, y'all. I first started this book and wasn't sure about it, but there's a big reveal just a third of the way through that changes everything and absolutely hooked me. Mattie knows no world beyond the cabin that she and her husband (I hate using that word because William is truly the worst and I'm glad he got what he deserves) live in up on a secluded mountain, but everything changes when a creature begins stalking the woods just as strangers appear on the mountain for the first time ever. Soon, Mattie is fighting to get off the mountain and survive. As dark secrets about her past come to light, it becomes clear that the creature stalking the woods is not the only monster lurking around. This book was terrifying in more ways than one, the fear and horror of it building and building like an avalanche. Once you understand Mattie and what she's endured, you can't help but root for her to stand up on her own two feet and get the heck out of there. It's the human monsters that are just as terrifying as the monster monsters, and the author does a fantastic job building the pressure and fear in this book. The setting is clever and just gives this book an even deeper edge of danger. Once the book got really rolling, I couldn't put it down. Near the Bone is a story of how often times human beings are the real monsters we should be afraid of, a story of survival and resilience in more ways than one.

I wasn’t a fan of Christina Henry’s The Ghost Tree, but I know she has a fairly big following so I tried this one. Not for me unfortunately.

Christina Henry is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. This novel was not at all what I expected from the synopsis, but I was absolutely enthralled. Instead of a creature feature, Henry gave us a very real story of survival against all odds, and reminded us that sometimes the worst monsters are human. The story takes place in one setting over a fairly short period of time, but flashbacks give us an idea of what happened to bring us to that point. I found myself rooting hard for the protagonist, and was very satisfied with the conclusion of the novel.

As far as Mattie can remember, she has always lived in a cabin, on an otherwise uninhabited mountain, with her overbearing husband, William.

William is brutal in his treatment of Mattie, saying it's his job to make her a dutiful wife. She is terrified of him and feels hopeless. There is no way out for her.

When Mattie discovers a mutilated fox near their cabin, everything begins to change. It doesn't look like the victim of an animal attack, or even a human. There's something else in the woods. Mattie can sense it. They're no longer alone.

Sure enough, strangers soon appear on the mountain searching for the mysterious creature. Mattie is desperate for them to leave. William will get so angry that they're there and bad things happen when William gets angry.

Near the Bone is one of those delicious Horror novels that it is best to start reading knowing as little as possible. Going into this, I had only read the publisher's synopsis, which they kept incredibly vague. Kudos on that.

After the first, say 20-pages, I thought it was one thing. Then there was one line, one little hint, where I perked up and thought, this isn't going to be what I thought at all. I love those little trickeries. Perhaps it wasn't even intentional, but it flipped everything I assumed about the story on its head and left me with an anguished need to know more.

The rest of the story unfolding was well-crafted. Particularly, the pace at which the truth behind Mattie's relationship with William is revealed. I would definitely classify this as Survival Horror, a subgenre I tend to really enjoy.

Certain aspects of this reminded me of the themes in Adam Nevill's [book:The Ritual|10239382]; a book I also enjoyed quite a bit. That whole examination of the idea of 'better the devil you know, than the devil you don't'. Additionally, a bit of Mattie's character arc made me think of dear, Rosie Daniels.

It was an intense, bloody mess at times. My toes were curling, my heart was racing and I appreciated how Henry wrapped it up. There were a couple of little things where I felt like I may have wanted a bit more out of the narrative, but overall, this is a great freaking story!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley and NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I love the way Christina Henry's mind works. She's brilliant and I will continue to pick up everything she writes until the end of time.

I was really curious to try a new genre by this author but unfortunately, it didn't work for me at all.

This is an INTENSE book. The faint-at-heart may want to stay away.

Mattie lives with William, alone in a remote location in a small wooden shack on a mountain. Mattie must always obey the will of her husband. She must keep quiet, keep out of sight, and fulfill all wifely duties. If she questions William, it is the same as questioning God and therefore she will be punished by William's wrath. She knows what William is capable of and she does not want to make William upset.

One day William takes Mattie with him as he goes further up into the mountains to explore an old cave. Mattie sees the mutilated body of a fox and senses something evil, something ancient, something primal, nearby and she desperately wants to get away - so much so that she's even willing to defy William and suffer his abuse.

Later, Mattie encounters three hikers looking to record the presence of an ancient creature. Despite her protestations to get away, they insist on searching. Mattie's sure that if the creature she knows is out there doesn't get them, William will. He's very protective of his property - including Mattie.

But worlds collide when one member of the exploring trio recognizes Mattie; when William discovers the hikers; and when beast in the mountains feels threatened by all the activity

Author Christina Henry is a remarkable, talented story-teller. Early on she sets a tone for this book that is dark and troublesome. We readers begin to form assumptions about the situation, but Henry slowly builds on what is, unfortunately, a very real horror for too many women in this world. That building changes only the direction in the readers' mind, but not the realness of the horror.

The horror builds gradually, shockingly, beautifully.

This is some of the best horror I've read in a long time. In part because the horror lives on at least two different levels - and I'm not sure which one is more horrific.

There is a trail of blood and gore through the end of the book, though Henry doesn't rely on 'splatter fiction' to get under the reader's skin. And the ending hints at something positive, as well as the very real possibility of a returning horror.

Looking for a good book? Christina Henry's Near the Bone is a tremendously well written, dark tale. If you think you can handle a powerful, real horror, as well as the dark unknown horror, then you must give this a read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

All in all I think this book suffers from trying to do two things at once. Had this been a domestic thriller with Mattie trying to survive and escape William it might have worked, had both characters had more depth. Or, as a couple alone on a mountain trying to evade a monster. But the two were combined in a lazy, undeveloped way that makes this an incredibly underwhelming book when you know what the author is capable of.

This was a hard one to read with the controlling and abusive husband. And it was a little out there for me (which is too be expected for these genres) but I did still overall enjoy the book. It moved a little slowly at times and it was hard to connect with any of the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC.

Despite the predicament of the main character, I failed to connect with both her and the plot. Henry attempted to reach beyond their ability and the story was far sorrier for it. Sticking to the psychological horrors people force onto others would have been a wise choice. Adding …. THE REST (no spoilers!) watered down the efficacy of what the book did well. Would not recommend.

This book was a masterpiece in its genre. I would not call it horror, rather thriller/suspense/mystery. Mattie and husband William are living in this remote cabin up in the mountains. No one else is living in the area but this odd couple and nature. It is snowing profusely and William seems to be an alpha male who has full control over his wife. He hunts, he brings home the food, the money, and wifey Mattie takes care of the home and stays at his entire disposition, preferably by staying quiet and never contradicting him, otherwise she gets beaten. Her other duty is to bring him a son. According to William, this is God's will, just like it is God's will Mattie belongs to William.

One day she informs William of a monster killing animals outside. This is the first time she sees such a thing. They both go on an exploration and can't seem to figure out what type of a beast is performing such gruesome killings. That's when the story really starts and we get to understand who Mattie and William really are and brought them to this mountain.

I adored this book, just like any Christina Henry book. It kept me on the edge of my seat! It was so easy to read, rather addictive I should say, and the Mattie character was so smartly crafted! She was so much more than meets the eye. Near The Bone is going to be in my Top 5 thriller/mystery reads of 2021!

Thank you Berkley Books and Net Galley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I felt the first half of the book moved slowly - covering the life Mattie shared with the abusive William, while also facing the "monster" in the woods. Once she is found, things moved quickly from there.

Henry consistently writes excellent suspenseful horror and Near the Bone is another entry into her canon. One of the horror tropes I enjoy most is "who's worse, the monster or the people hunting the monster" and again, Near the Bone hits all off the right notes there while leaving the monster amorphous enough for some interesting questions while also making it a credible threat. Slasher horror is easy - what Henry writes is much more complex and much more a study of human nature that leaves us wondering who the monster really is.

I do wish there had been a little more background on the secondary characters - something Henry is really excellent at conjuring - and the second half of the book felt both a little rush and a little repetitive, however, all in all it was enjoyable and as always, I'm looking forward to Henry's next book.

Hurry, hurry, the monster's in the woods, and it's coming for you.

A huge thank you to Berkley Press and NetGalley for my copy of this book. Lost Boy is one of my favorite books I've discovered since I started blogging. So I was very excited to jump into another book by Christina Henry. That being said, there are trigger warnings after this paragraph. I'm going to do my best to avoid spoilers, but there will be mention of kidnapping and domestic abuse.

Let me start off by saying I really liked this book. I was all geared up for a creature feature and trapped on a snowy moment. And, I got both in spades. This book had the icky factor with the creature's cave and the trees. I love how the woods would go silent as the creature approached, and the roar you could feel in our bones. Actually, I have a question about that sound it makes, to digress for half a second. Does the audiobook have the sound in it? I would love to know exactly how it sounds. Like a cross between a Wampa and a sasquatch? I'm just curious. Either way, all of that played in so at the end of the book I was getting nervous for our characters., mostly just me mumbling to myself "don't go in there" and "run fast".

I also really liked that we don't find out what the creature is. I mean I hate it because I'm a sucker for any kind of cryptid, but the creature isn't the real monster of this story. So I was okay with the fact we never got a good glimpse at it. Too busy running!

Here's what the trigger warnings come into play. Why I read the synopsis of Near the Bone maybe I was too wrapped up in the creature feature to notice, by the domestic violence aspect of the story sort of caught me by surprise. This wasn't a turn-off for me because while those moments were uncomfortable, they weren't used gratuitously. It's hard to explain without giving too much of the plot away, but the violence made a twisted bit of sense when you realize the kind of bad man William was.

HOWEVER! Yes, there is a, however. I feel like Berkley Press should have done better at warning people about this aspect of Near the Bone. This part of the book plays a big part in our main character's, Mattie, journey. It is also very trigging for a lot of people, and I feel like the publisher, Goodreads, and NetGalley should have been better at these triggers. Because within the first chapter you see what kind of door prize William is. This is actually the reason this book isn't a five-star read for me. The line, "bad things happen when William's mad", wasn't really enough warning for me. Because not a bad man, he's a waste of space. So the lack of warnings from the three mentioned platforms knocks off a star for me.

But, to jump back into the positives. One of my favorite characters that Christina Henry writes are villains. This is my third book by Henry, and William almost edges out Pan from Lost Boys. Almost. While William has absolutely no redeeming qualities, Henry writes him so well he's so easy to hate. From the first chapter, you want something bad to happen because it couldn't happen to a better person. I also really like the plot around William and he connects to Maddie. While Maddie has no memory of how she met William, as the reader you start to peace that mystery together rather quickly. Or, you do if you have seen more than one season of Criminal Minds.

I love the good character that is so vile and written so well, you hate even the way they breathe.

Now Maddie, our main character, took me a second to really like. She would get the moments where I was really starting to like her, and she was finding her inner strength and I was rooting for her. Then Samantha happened, and while I understand where this character stems from, I wanted to throttle these characters. And, maybe that was the point. At first, Samantha seems like she's giving Mattie the strength to leave William, to find a way out. But, as the story progresses and tragedy happens, Samantha gets annoying, and I got no greater than joy than Maddie finding a backbone and silencing that part of her mind. And, while Maddie is an unreliable narrator, I really liked that we got the story through her eyes. To see her find herself again despite all the terrible things that are happening around her.

I'm just gonna say it, I hated all three of the cryptid hunters. Probably Griffin more than any of the others, but all three were terrible. But, really Griffin took the cake. I understand that he saw women hurt and wanted to help, but no means no my dude. If you would have just listened to Maddie you wouldn't have -Hello Spoiler Alert- ended handing from a tree by your insides. Now, I do like the purpose of these three, and that's to sort of help Maddie grow into herself. To have another reason to fight and not give up. She has to protect these fools. But, honestly, I felt no way about any of them. They were those characters you meet at the story of a horror movie and you instantly know bad things around going to happen to them.

The ending was really good for Near the Bone as well. It had the old-school horror movie end where they find safety, but you don't know if they actually survived. There was no prologue. No three years later. For me, with these kinds of books, is one of my favorite kind of ending. Could be a good ending or that creature could have followed them down the mountain and ate them and the ranger. Who knows?!

All in all, I really liked this book and will be adding it to my shelves since I read the e-ARC of this. It was everything I wanted from a book written by Christina Henry, and I can't wait to see what Henry will write next!

This book is difficult to define because it has two strangely different plots. However, the author makes it work. One storyline focuses on child abduction while the other focuses on the creep monster that lives in the woods. Our heroine faces both antagonists and manages to come out on the other side.

Near the Bone is a dark, suspenseful, atmospheric horror novel that kept me turning the pages! I don't want to spoil anything, as this one benefits from going in knowing less. The main character was a little hard to get on board with early on, but I think this is one case where her thinking and personality suited the novel. As the story goes on, it becomes clear why she is who she is.

Quite a fascinating read overall! Thank you Berkley Publishing for providing me an advanced readers' copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was eeriely similar to another I read earlier this year, Hold Back the Tide. There were some differences though. Rather than a father and daughter, it's an abusive husband and his "wife." The constant reminder of the abuse throughout the story was unnecessary and uncomfortable. The main character's thought process was full and repetitive.

Another great novel by Henry. I was sucked into Maddie’s story immediately and stayed up all night to find out what happened. Great mix of human and supernatural horror with a side of adventure/survival.

5 stars. I really loved this one. It was intense and the character development was impeccable. A great horror novel. Review to come.

I absolutely loved the blend of real life monsters with more fantastical ones in this book - Christina Henry has done it again! Mattie's abusive husband is one thing, and their story could have been a book all on its own - but then there's something skulking out in the woods at night, killing the local wildlife, to boot!

I did find myself to be getting very frustrated with Mattie's husband, William - I hate the abusive man trope, just because it's so enraging as a woman. I was ready for him to die for most of the book, if I'm being honest, haha. Henry's writing is excellent though, and kept me turning the pages (digitally, as it were) - I loved the atmosphere woven throughout the story, she's incredible at that!