Member Reviews
Wyatt's father is dead and she intended to burn down the farmhouse she's inherited. That is until she finds her childhood friend, Peter, inside strung up and left for dead.
Peter is semi immortal, unbeknownst to Wyatt, and has suffered several ritualistic deaths at the hands of Wyatt's ancestors. He now has a chance to escape this brutal cycle: he just needs to end the Westlock line and kill Wyatt
" He didn't want to tell her that most curses looked like gifts, at the start."
I really appreciated the small nods and including some characters from The Whispering Dark. This book drew me into its world of magic, eldritch beasts in the dark and emotions at a fever pitch best known to those in their late teens. I wanted to savor it, but couldn't put it down.
Thank you to Scholastic for an ARC on NetGalley.
This was such a strange book. But I think I liked it. It's very much got thriller vibes with a fantasy twist to it. I did find the back and forth on Peter's lies/history to be pretty frustrating at times. But it was still a pretty good and unique read.
3.5 stars
The younger me would have been absolutely engrossed by Your Blood, My Bones, and I love how this story acted as a small reminder as to why I fell in love with reading. But while it felt nostalgic, it also felt new. The dynamic between the three main characters was interesting, and Andrew did a great job fleshing out their backstories. At its core, this was a story of friendship and the true meaning of home. Peter won my heart by the end of the book, making the ending all the more bittersweet. My only complaint is that I wished the magical realism expanded upon more since it was what I was most excited about. There were a few slow parts, and I think building a deeper intricate magic system would have made the story more captivating.
Thank you, NetGalley and Scholastic Press, for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a hauntingly beautiful story. I loved each of the three MCs and following the tragic tale of how they grew up together on Wyatt’s family farm. Little did Wyatt know, the boy she’s been in love with since she was a little girl is actually an immortal who has been ritually sacrificed by her family over and over for hundreds of years.
I really loved the dark atmosphere, supernatural creatures, and the unique magic system. The relationships were easily the best part though, you could really feel how deep the connections went. The romance was sweet yet heartbreaking and I really loved Peter. I think the only thing I wish is that a couple of the backstories were expanded upon a bit more. I would recommend this if you like dark romantic fantasies!
Thank you to Scholastic for the ARC!
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Magical realism is a hard one to pull off but this one came pretty close. Dark, atmospheric - it was definitely easy to fall into this story. Folktale vibes, told from multiple POV of the 3 friends. Themes of friendship, betrayal, love.
For the most part I found this one to be hauntingly brilliant with my only criticisms that the side characters from the “real world” all fell a bit flat and static to me. Didn’t feel invested in them at all and they honestly didn’t feel necessary to move the plot along at all. As I said before, magical realism is a hard sell and I feel like this would have felt a bit less disjointed if it took place in an earlier time setting than modern day.
But overall I would recommend, something nostalgic about it that reminds me of hot summer days as a kid.
Where to even begin?! The unique premise that’s horror meets suspense meets romance? Or perhaps the immersive world building with environments so integral to the story they feel like characters themselves—speaking of characters…never have I fallen and been broken by a cast of characters more than these. Then there’s the line level prose that’s so lyrical. So poignant, so beautifully crafted you almost wonder how they could be Andrew’s sophomore effort and yet it is. This is the type of book that leaves you with the worst and at the same time, BEST book hangover. My only complaint is I can’t go back in time and experience it again. So excited for this one to hit the shelves so I can bully everyone into reading it
MY GOD. I finished this book several days ago but have been sitting on it thinking about how I was going to review it because I am still internally screaming inside.
The writing in this book was so so good. I bawled my eyes out over this book. I will be sending my therapy bills to Kelly Andrew. Some lines in particular had me literally holding my breath subconsciously or gave me that feeling where my stomach felt like it was going to fall out of my body. I know this sounds horrific, but I mean this in a good way. I was waaaaaay overdue for a good, good cry and this book did the job.
If you are someone who likes bawling your eyes out, Eldritch horror, being traumatized, crying for hours on end, then this is the book for you. This book won't be for everyone, but this book was written for me. I know we are still in the first month of 2024, but I have a feeling that this will be in my top 5 books of the year already.
This book was.....a lot. But the a lot was amazing.
Kelly Andrew truly has a gift for writing and destroying readers' souls. I will ABSOLUTELY be purchasing a hard copy version of this the second it is available for purchase, and I will be recommending it to my friends and family who I know will be able to handle it and enjoy this little devil of a book.
EASY 5/5 stars. Truly beautiful, horrific and amazing. Did I mention traumatizing?
I still don't forgive you for breaking my heart, Kelly, but you are now an auto-buy author for me. I don't know what this says about me.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to mentally get my shit rocked with this book. Loved loved loved!
Kelly Andrew, the woman that you are. This book ripped my soul to pieces and I don’t think I’ll ever recover from this one. I read A Whispering Dark and I enjoyed it, but this book has to be her best work. Everything was done perfectly and more.
I never thought I was a fan of supernatural horror, but this book made me realize I kind of love it? Her prose is absolutely breathtaking, and I simply couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what happened next, and I fell into the depths this book had to offer. She does creepy right and knows how to encapsulate her audience with each word she put on the page. I’m convinced that I need to read more supernatural horror now.
My love for Wyatt, Pedyr, and James is never ending. Watching their relationship blossom in this book was such a delight, and they were written so beautifully. I loved how interwoven their relationship was, and how easy it was to love these characters. They were well fleshed out and so complex that they all felt so real to me. And the Lane and Colton appearance!! I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy their part in this story.
That ending? I had to take a moment because I couldn’t stop crying. It was utterly tragic yet so beautiful at the same time? I don’t know how Kelly does it, but she knows how to pull heart strings.
It has suspense, horror, romance, and so much more and I will be screaming from the rooftops for everyone to read this book! This just solidified my love for Kelly Andrew and the stories she is able to weave together. Anything she writes, I will read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Your Blood, My bones by Kelly Andrew. Mystery, horror, cult?.
I DNFed this book. I kept putting it down and then just never went back to it. Might try it again once it’s released.
Thank you, NetGalley and Scholastic for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
4.5 Stars
Wyatt Westlock wants to destroy the farmhouse she inherited but discovers her childhood friend Peter chained up in the basement. Peter, semi-immortal, is bound to the farm and needs to end the Westlock line to break free. As dark forces gather, Wyatt must work with Peter, who possesses knowledge of her volatile magic, to repair the protective spells. However, trusting someone who has vowed to kill her is a challenge. When unexpected events from the past resurface, they must rely on each other to survive.
Oh, this was a good book. I was hooked from the start and didn't want to put it down. Dark fantasy, magic, suspense, romance, drama, tension, horror...it's got a bit of everything that I enjoy. It was a fast read for me. The book is written in multi-POV so the audience knows more than the characters which just adds to the tense moments. It is so well written. You are immersed in the book and it’s hard to come up for air.
I enjoyed the relationship between Wyatt, Peter, and James. I liked how the flashbacks were interwoven in the chapters to fill us in on the history of the three. However, sometimes this could get confusing so I think a different in font style would be easier to read.
The ending…oh, the ending. I loved it. The bittersweet resolution was absolutely perfect. I can’t quite give it 5 stars but it’s pretty close. I felt the final climax was slightly rushed which is why it’s knocked half a star off my rating. I still loved it and it has me interested in Andrew’s other works.
Thank you, NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC.
Oh how I love YA horror. I don't know if that's what Kelly or the publisher would call it, but I'd call it horror, and I loved it. I was sweet and nasty and gentle and cutting and hopeful and incessantly hopeless. The multitudes that this book holds, the discussions on breaking the cycle but the gut-wrenching pain that comes from letting go of the you that you were and the people you love in the process... it did break me a little bit. But I'm gonna come up better on the other side. (And hopefully without a demon)
I’m honestly not sure how to begin this review. This is unlike any book that I’ve read before. The prose is beautifully crafted and transported me into a serine yet terrifying environment. There were times that I felt calm but others where my heart was pounding. There is romance, thriller, and supernatural elements so elegantly entwined that it’s hard to fit this book into one single genre.
The ending was absolutely well-down, and I know I won’t stop thinking about it for months, possibly even years. My lasting impression of this book? Sometimes, love is truly worth dying for.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Andrew’s writing has honestly become one of my favorites. It’s so easy to read and super engaging, yet their characters are incredibly complex. I love how they crafted such an intriguing world of their own. Love it!
A deliciously dark YA horror that was impossible to put down! By the end, I was so attached to these characters, and I didn't want it to end. My heart! The pain!
This New England gothic crept under my skin and stayed there. From the slowest burning love triangle to ever catch a spark to the beast waiting beyond the edge of the garden, Your Blood, My Bones had me from the first sentence. The plot is truly unique, it's dark and magical in a feral way. There is a certain madness that flows through each of the characters that unspools into something profoundly tragic. I read it in a day and have thought about it every day since.
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC!
"Your Blood, My Bones" by Kelly Andrew is a literary masterpiece that offers a unique and captivating narrative experience by blending genres like romance, suspense, and supernatural horror. My expectations were high after reading the description and seeing the cover, and those expectations were not only met but were exceeded.
Andrew's prose is so well-written and crafted. The descriptions are rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the immersive world she has created that is unlike any other I have read. The novel is character-driven, with Wyatt Westlock, Peter, and James serving as compelling protagonists. Their intricately developed backstories and relatable struggles contribute to the beating heart of the narrative.
The setting and world-building are extremely well-detailed with Andrew creating an atmosphere that is both chilling and exhilarating. The palpable sense of dread is masterfully executed, making the reading experience truly unforgettable as you find yourself extremely invested in the story, which made is very difficult to put this down. The slow-burn romance between Wyatt and Peter is emotionally charged, offering a blend of anticipation, tension, and love. I absolutely love a slow-burn, and this novel definitely brought that to the table.
What sets this novel apart is its unparalleled uniqueness. The plot, rich with mystery and supernatural elements, defies conventions and explores narrative territory that is fresh and exciting. While the beginning of the book was a bit slow, I found myself on the edge of my seat once the plot started picking up and I just needed to know what was going to happen next. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Andrew.
4.5 stars
Your Blood, My Bones gave me all the feels.
It's a hauntingly beautiful story that will stick with you after finishing.
I want to keep my review simple to not give too much away. I think a reader should go in blind to fully immerse themselves in this complex story. It's a journey of love, friendship, heartbreak and loss.
That ending was heartbreaking and even though I knew what needed to happen I was still hoping for a different outcome. This is good, it means Kelly did her job well making me fall for these characters and become invested in their storyline.
I couldn't give a full 5 stars because the lyrical writing style often left me confused. I didn't know who was talking and what exactly was going on sometimes. The world-building was great, I felt the creepiness of the farm, and how chilling and sinister things in the dark can be but I'm left puzzled on the intricacies. The last quarter of the book started to drag a little bit and it seemed like we were perpetually stuck in long drawn-out scenes with nothing noteworthy happening. If the pacing was cleaned up a little bit and some details were fleshed out this would be a 5-star read for me.
Overall, I highly recommend this enthralling dark fantasy. It's unique and unlike anything I've read before.
Thank you NetGalley, Scholastic, and Kelly Andrew for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! This was so unique from anything I had ever read before. The characters are very well developed and the plot was so well done. Definitely pick this up. You won’t regret it.
Your heart beats faster but is it because of attraction or the numerous times he's vowed to kill you?
After reading The Whispering Dark last year, and generously having been approved for the ARC of Your Blood, My Bones this year, Kelly Andrews is officially one of my favorite authors.
I've discovered that I absolutely adore YA horror and what magic Kelly weaves to create such beautifully eerie tales, I will never know. Her writing is so good, equally heart-palpitating for a number of reasons. With the gentle flutter of puppy love mixed into the heartwrenching fear of living with someone who's vowed to kill you, this book is both nostalgic for the feelings and emotions of childhood friendship and young love, as well as endless discomfort of not knowing if you're going to survive, or if you must strike before it's your turn to die.
I went into both Your Blood, My Bones, and The Whispering Dark not knowing anything and I sort of think that's a good way to enjoy this author. Her storytelling is so visceral and real in a way that is best to be absorbed without knowing much going in. I find that there's a bit of mystery (although not categorized as such) as you and the heroine slowly find out what is going on around her. Immediately enthralled by the Westlock residence, and not quite knowing what's going to happen next, this YA horror is a love story that blooms from misplaced hatred and intimate friendship. The characters go through so much confusion with themselves as well as indecisions when both their lives are on the line.
I absolutely loved this and will be picking up more of Kelly Andrew in the future! Highly recommend!
Crying, sobbing, THIS BOOK 😭 please Wyatt, Peter and James deserved everything 😭 that ending, please, I'm crying. It was so sad?? I need them 3 to have their own respective peace's (is this even a valid plural?) please (OR MAYBE Kelly can write a follow up book and give them all hea :))))))
ALSO, the Delaney, Colton, Mackenzie cameos were so wholesome!!
Me: oh this book is gonna be so wholesome coz The Whispering Dark had a wholesome ending!
Me: *scrolls back to see author's instagram post about this book months ago where she says *only one will survive*"
😭
TWs - gore, violence, death, murder
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!