This book isn't at all what I expected but I enjoyed it immensely! I thought I was in for an escape/heist horror fantasy novel but what I got was a detailed character study.

Told between two timelines - one from Holloway Prison in 1925, where Kathryn Darkling is telling her story to a priest the week before she is to be hanged, and one following her from childhood to her arrest. She studies to become a doctor in Edinburgh, but never qualifies before serving as a nurse during the first world war. The horrors she sees there (along with the loss of her brother) stay with her throughout the rest of the book, as she lives in Paris and then London, putting together a skeleton that she believes will bring her brother back to life.

It's hard to decide whether Kathryn is the hero or the villain in this story or whether Freddie is real or her imagination, but I absolutely loved how the narrative had me constantly questioning it. At first I was truly believing in the paranormal aspects of the story, especially as she is the narrator and is convinced of this, but as we go on we see peeks of behaviour that had me questioning her grip on sanity.

I also love how the story dealt with the horrors of war, the grief caused from it, who is really responsible for this, does this make them truly bad or is it more grey, how women fit into society. Kathryn often believes herself to be making the best decisions for others and doesn't understand how some women (Jessica, Mrs Auburn, her other friends) choose to live differently, and I found the story explored this in interesting ways.

My only gripe is that I don't 100% know how I feel about the ending, it felt a little rushed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦴💉⚕️🩸🦷

This gothic fiction novel pulled me in from the very first page. We are introduced to Kathryn Darkling AKA The Westminster Vampire who is in Holloway Prison due to be hanged in two weeks for her crimes. The duel timeline is between now and the events leading up to how she got into prison, as she tells her story to her Reverend.

The story was so compelling that it was tough to put down. The life of Kathryn from the moment she collected her first bone was a rollercoaster of events. She had to deal with loss, grief, and confusing feelings for her best friend. She had to go through an era of war where nightmares were real. She went through so much and there was such an anger in her, you could almost understand why she did everything she did.

I loved the way the book was written, with the then and now, it was easy to follow, and it made the story more interesting to see how she was coping with being in prison after everything she had seen and heard and did.

It isn't specifically mentioned, but Kathryn had relationships with both female/male partners. I believe she is bisexual but her heart was always with her first love.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.

Like a modern day Frankenstein, this title explores and blurs the lines of reality, grief and trauma.
As Dr. Darkling navigate life as a woman of science, she undergoes many losses which begin to challenge her understanding of the world and challenge her faith - even her faith in her own mind.
Giving us a unique vantage point of the impacts of WWI on England & France both during and afterwards, we see Dr. Darkling begin to invent and reinvent herself - struggling to balance her loyalty to loved one and her morals.

LGBTQ+ representation, including sapphic love in historical setting
Historical Fiction
Sci-fi/Fantasy

a sapphic, witchy, historical fiction following a woman who is due to be hanged telling her story whilst being haunted by the spirit of her younger brother. we jump between 1900-1925 and learn more about kathryns killings and the reasons behind them. it's a book of love, revenge and an obsession with bone magic. it's dark and atmospheric, fast paced and gripping and i absolutely devoured this book.

thanks to netgalley for an arc of this gorgeous, dark book which came out on halloween (very fitting!)

"Bone Rites" by Natalie Bayley is an awesome fantasy book that had me totally hooked from beginning to end. Bayley's storytelling is super engaging and kind of unique, mixing dark fantasy with a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The characters in "Bone Rites" are really well done and relatable. I got attached to them and could totally see where they were coming from. Each character has their own personality, and their journeys are pretty deep and emotional at times. Bayley really knows how to create interesting characters.

The world-building in this book is seriously impressive. Bayley creates this rich, imaginative setting that feels like it could actually exist. Her descriptions are vivid and painted a clear picture of the world. I felt like I was right there with the characters.

The plot is full of surprises, and I had no idea what was coming next. The pacing is just right, and the story keeps the excitement going. "Bone Rites" explores some cool themes like power struggles and the consequences of dark magic, which added depth to the story and got me thinking.

In a nutshell, "Bone Rites" is a fantastic dark fantasy book that's perfect if you're into captivating storytelling and rich world-building. Natalie Bayley's skills are spot on. I'd totally recommend "Bone Rites" if you want a fun and immersive reading experience.

Note: Big thanks to NetGalley and the author for giving me a sneak peek at this book in exchange for an honest review!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this macabre book

just in time for hallooween, this grisly tale will haunt many who read it

its a slow build up to the event but stick with it cos its the stuff of nightmares

Kathryn Darkling life only began when her father died and she could then go and study to be a doctor, but before she even qualifies world war one begins and her skills are needed over there

her darling brother is safe at boarding school and being to young to join up she has no fears for his safety but when a telegram arrives addressed to her... her life spirals out of control and so begins the journey of the bone rites

its captivating and holds your attention for the shock value and for Halloween its perfect

Bone Rites, by Natalie Bayley
Rating: 5/5
Published: 2nd November
‘I feel the potent weight of the meaty rib in my bag. My gift for Freddie. Like Dr Frankenstein, we will bend the laws of nature and make a new man, a brave, beautiful man from broken bones. A man beyond the reach of death.’
What a wonderfully original novel. Kathryn Darkling is imprisoned in Holloway, and facing execution for murder. She recounts her story to a priest who is struggling with his own faith after losing his family in the war, and her story is gripping. When she was a child, she discovered a book in her father’s library that showed how to bring men back from the brink of death with black magic. When her beloved brother, Freddie, dies in the war, she starts to see his ghost everywhere. He urges her to remember what was described in the book, and to create a new body for him, a body made of the bones of others. Overwhelmed with her grief for him, she agrees, and sets upon a path of horror, murder and bloodshed. It is a gripping novel, and a very unique read. I loved following her through war-torn France and London, and I loved every scene that involved her learning medicine during a time when it was considered a strictly male pursuit. It is a brilliant book, with beautifully eloquent descriptions and characterizations. I cannot wait to see what this author does next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aurora Metro for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

NetGalley Arc Educator 550974


Just in time for Spooky season. This historical fiction/romance/mystery will draw you in. Kathryn is searching for a way to assist her brother. She's a woman of science and medicine with a bit of vampirism thrown in.

If you are a fan of horror stories with a fine plot and queer characters or vampires this book will be an excellent read for you.

I read the first line ("I collected the first bone when I was twelve, I only kept it to keep him safe...") and was instantly hooked. I knew this was going to be right up my street.

Gothic historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, and Bone Rites is a credit to it. I read it in a few sittings and couldn't recommend it more, especially for spooky season.

I can't wait to read other titles by this author!

Bone Rites is a thoroughly fascinating exploration in multifaceted people, multifaceted relationships, and the things that we do for the people we love.

The first few chapters took a little to pull me in, but I soon found myself speeding through in order to find out what happened next for Kathryn. Every character was individual and interesting, each period of Kathryn's life distinct and remarkable.

Even without the fascination of Freddie and his aspect of the story, reading about Kathryn's doctoring career was entertaining enough; add in the undercurrent of... paranormal, mental illness, and grief both building up and supporting the rest of the story made for a truly gripping read.

WOW! This is not what I was expecting. Bone Rites is a historical fiction full of suspense! This story follows Kathryn in a non-linear timeline as she avenges the death of a loved one. The set-up of this book was beautifully done, I loved how we found out just enough information from the past at a time to give us context for what was currently happening. Throughout the story Kathryn seeks out the perfect victims to conduct her final and ultimate Bone Rite.

I enjoyed the twist at the end, I was definitely not expecting it at all! I’d love to know what happens to Kathryn and Jessica afterward.

I definitely recommend this book to other readers who enjoy suspense!

Thank you so much for this ARC!!

Bone Rites follows the narrative of Kathryn Darkling, AKA The Westminster Vampire. Kathryn was born a wealthy woman with an analytical mind and the desire and skill to be a doctor, but the circumstances of the early 1900s sets all host of obstacles in her way. The story is told in alternating timelines: the past that explains how Kathryn could possibly go from a young person with a future to someone who is awaiting their hanging at the gallows, and the present where she is formulating a plan to still get her way. The two time periods are woven remarkably well together, and when they inevitably meet, the book does not stumble over the transition.

As a child, Kathyrn found a book of magic bone rites in her father’s study, and performing a successful ritual on her little brother, gets her first taste of both medicine and magic. This book handles the concept of speculative fiction quite well, and the bone rites, while central to the story, never overcome the historical setting. Kathryn is studying to be a doctor when World War One begins, and she finds herself working in the war hospitals. The book covers discrimination against women in the medical field and the pressures of making choices in that regard, especially in the era at the time. Kathyrn is a female character who has pursuits beyond the traditional for the time period, including a bit of murder. She has a sharp mind, and her sexuality is explored without necessarily being defined, but likely falls somewhere in the bi/pans umbrella. She is in love with a woman, but, the plot does stay focused on the bone rites and her inseparable link to them. But, ultimately, this is a story centered around revenge, and more than that, around the brutality of war and all that it destroys. Kathryn might be described as “morally grey” but it’s rather hard to fault her for any of her wrongdoings and I find her particularly relatable. This is, in my mind, a well written female character. While I may not agree with her choices at every turn, she is an interesting and complicated protagonist as we follow along with her tale of madness and magic, uncertain where the twists and turns will lead us.

Some of the ending felt as though loose ends could be tied together more neatly, but, overall I was satisfied with the ending and how it left things.

This is an excellent story with scary and gothic elements without being horror, and that offers a queer character without having romance as the main component of the story. I found Kathryn’s motivations relatable, which is essential for me as a reader.

I really enjoyed certain aspects of this story. I enjoyed the constant questioning of if there was/wasn’t magic involved in the storyline throughout the entire book. Was it real? Was it all in her head? It was a very well written story, but I think it was difficult for me to read because I did not like the main character, Kathryn Darkling. I also felt like there were several scenes in the book that I had to push through, because I was bored and did not understand how it was relevant to what was going on.

Overall, it was an okay read. There is a lot of medical content and gore, including surgery, blood, and amputations.

CW: gore, medical content (surgery, blood, amputations), war and war related injuries, murder, death

Kathryn Darkling was always an inquisitive and precocious child in Natalie Bayley’s turn-of-the-century examination of paranoid schizophrenia; extreme misogynistic female discrimination; the depravity sowed by the ravages of war; as well as the prejudice and persecution prevalent then of misidentified sexuality in her award winning debut novel, “Bone Rites.”

As a 12-year-old, Kathryn’s nimble brain and fascination with medicine came to the fore as she studied the worsening condition of her brother Freddie’s mangled finger, determining that amputation was necessary to prevent death from sepsis and gangrene. This was also the time of her awakening to the occult—that would imprint her psyche for the remainder of her life. Upon referencing an esoteric volume in the family library on bone rites and rituals, Kathryn was determined to restore Freddie’s hand back to its original condition before his finger was crushed then amputated.

Fighting against societal norms, as an adult Kathryn studied medicine and often crossed-dressed in men’s clothing. Bucking another tradition, she also was in an unrequited love relationship with her best friend Jessica.

However, these are just foreshadowing and personal characteristics of “Rites” anti-heroine. Kathryn’s tale begins with her revealing the twisted dynamics and dysfunction of her life to a priest as she waits on death row to be hanged. She relates how her now deceased brother, Freddie, speaks to her and has guided much of her life’s journey. However, before she can die, Freddie still has one crucial task for Kathryn to complete.

Joyhuntira1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Natalie Bayley, and Publisher Aurora Metro, Aurora Metro Books for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

Kathryns morbid story is dark but nonetheless so engaging!
Mystery at every corner we follow her telling her own story from start to finish, from childhood memories to the horrors she has both seen and committed, most of this is told from the confines of a prison cell ahead of a death sentence as confession to a priest.

I am absolutely obsessed with how this was told and cannot wait to get a physical copy myself, especially due to the unique nature of the magic being through bones and bone rites as this is something id never read anything similar of before so i really enjoyed and engaged with it..

wild and everything is unexpected i cannot recommend this more, although due to its dark and morbid nature i would highly recommend checking trigger warnings before making your foray into the pages of this particular book.

I’m sorry to say this one wasn’t for me.

While the concept was interesting and the time period was one of my faves to read about, I found the writing style quite stale and the story felt somehow lacking in emotion.

I really struggled to connect to the main character at all which made it hard to care about anything that was happening.

Oooohhh, I liked this! The perfect read to start of spooky season.

I was hooked from the very first line - “I collected the first bone when I was twelve.” We are thrown into Kathryn Darkling’s story as she sits in Holloway prison, awaiting execution for the bloody murders of prominent war figures. Through a serious of flashbacks, Kathryn spins her story of sisterly love, obsession, and black magic. But can she be believed?

Kathryn is such a well written character! I found myself empathizing with her suffering, while simultaneously being repelled by her actions and motivations. I kept rooting for her to pull it together, even though the book starts with her in prison.

The Bone Rites, or black magic, was such an interesting concept. A childhood relatively sweet dream that becomes a dark lifelong obsession. Do the Rites actually work? I kind of liked to think so while I was reading. I could have had more “magic” in the story, honestly.

The ending was definitely unexpected, and I think really cemented our MCs personality and mental state. “Love? You don’t know the meaning of the word.” This sums up Kathryn to a tee.

Give this a go if you enjoy fast paced character driven stories, unreliable narrators, spins on historical fiction, and blends between reality and fantasy.

Thank you the NetGalley and Aurora Metro Books for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.

This was incredibly good. The pacing is spectacular and the MC's descent into madness is so horrifically wrought. Some of the final scenes with her "confessions" to the priest and her long lost love were just staggering—several times I felt like reading from the beginning to see if she was always like this and I missed key signs or if there was a more definitive break. The tension was delicious and the MC is just so nuanced and complex at every stage of her life. I'm taking off one star because the ending felt like it was for a different book then the one I read, as if the author had picked that ending in advance and committed to it even when the characters took her to a different place.

Thank you for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I was hoping for a good spooky tale ahead of October, but it didn't take long for me to realise this was not for me. I just didn't vibe with the writing style as it felt a little bit too YA for my personal tastes. I think I am just the wrong audience and I can totally see people who love this style of writing devouring this novel.