Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Rocky Pond Books and NetGalley for putting this book on Read Now! This would definitely be a useful book to recommend to my students when going over this period in history.

I think this books manages fairly well the ignorance and racism entrenched in the colonies, while very clearly being disapproving of it, in narrative, even as the protag does not realize how critical her thoughts are of colonialism; another part that I liked. She recognizes on some level it is wrong, just as other people in all times have. Did her opinion change, exactly? Yes, but the core stayed the same; the knowledge that was happening was morally, ethically wrong.

Not that the book is #girlboss, changing history. Battles are simply given more context as to why the fort was attacked, as to why the settler-colonialists were so disliked. So too, were historical figures given context: the husband who murdered and ate his pregnant wife might be villainized more, perhaps than what he had done in real life, but Jane was living, breathing, alive and eager for friendship.

'To The Bone' by Alena Bruzas is an exquisitely crafted survival story that viscerally reveals the harsh truths of America's colonial history. From the moment Ellis arrives in America, her hope and optimism for a better life as an indentured servant at James Fort slowly unravel into a haunting reality.

Set against the backdrop of the Virginia Colony's "Starving Time" during the winter of 1609-1610, where an estimated 75 percent of the colonists at James Fort starved and resorted to cannibalism, Bruzas masterfully intertwines historical facts with a compelling story (TW: Cannibalism). Ellis's journey of survival and her quest for financial security, love, and a new beginning are marred by the brutal and often terrifying dynamics within the fort. The viciousness of the colonists toward the Indigenous people and the oppressive control exercised by her master, Henry Collins, cast a dark shadow over Ellis's new life, making her question if she has found a new home or a prison.

Bruzas manages to tell a brutal story based on historical truth while centering on the tender experience of a young girl searching for her father. Through Ellis's eyes, readers are introduced to the Jamestown Rediscovery Project and gain a deeper understanding of the true history of the Virginia Company and the colony. The author honors the Indigenous people who were assaulted on their own land, shedding light on the four hundred years of genocide and brutal oppression endured by the Powhatan and other Indigenous tribes of the United States.

In her author's note, Bruzas addresses the evils of colonialism and highlights modern-day efforts to repair past harms, such as the Land Back movement (landback.org) and the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF.org). These initiatives aim to return land to those it was stolen from, demonstrating a continued fight for justice and recognition.

Ellis's friendship and queer romance with Jane Eddowes add another layer of depth and point of connection to the story, illustrating the importance of human connection and love in the face of unimaginable hardship. In a time when respectability meant hiding in the shadows, their relationship provides a tender counterpoint to the surrounding horror and violence.

'To The Bone' is a gripping historical fiction story that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. Bruzas's powerful storytelling and meticulous attention to historical detail make this novel a must-read for those interested in understanding the true and often dark history of America's colonial past. Trigger warning for cannibalism, as the story does not shy away from the brutal realities faced by the colonists. This novel is an unforgettable exploration of survival, friendship, and the relentless quest for a better life during the horrors of colonization.

This was a wonderful read in my opinion! It was dark but oh my goodness it had me sucked into it!

It is a YA book about Jamestown. The cover is a gorgeous one, don't let it fool you into thinking this is a sapphic historical romance. This is a harrowing historical fiction book that features sapphic characters. It's nice to see and works well with the themes in the story overall.
The characters and their relationships are not necessarily the focus. The whole book has a foreboding sense of doom that Bruzas ends up conveying well. Ellis, the main character of our story was wonderfully written and stood out to me. If the book had a sharper sense of focus of the characters had a bit more development, it'd have been an easy five stars from myself. That said, I think because it had been teetering between YA and Adult tones, it lost a bit of the depth it could have had if it was firmly written for one of the age brackets.

It's a short and easy read with prose that is beautifully written. It works well if you know of Jamestown in 1609-1610 or if you're completely unaware. Recommend this.

Thank you so much for the opportunity from Penguin Group and Netgalley to read this book in exchange for an honest book review which this is.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Triggers warnings for this book include: cannibalism, starvation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, homophobia, attempted abortion, miscarriage, trichotillomania, death by starvation, death by black plague, mental illness, racial slurs, and murder

Ellis has been given the chance of a lifetime to join Master Henry Collins and his wife on their journey to James Fort. There, she will work as an indentured servant-- cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and serving-- with the hopes of one day owning her own part of the New World. However, as winter draws closer, even her newfound love for Jane Eddowes (a much beloved daughter of a local family) cannot keep the realities of her new life from settling in around her. Dwindling food supplies, the cruelty of Master Collins, the atrocities her fellow settlers have committed against the Country Men (Native Americans), as well as her own sins concerning her budding sexuality, all give Ellis a deep sense that she'll be lucky to survive her first year in James Fort.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It's heartbreaking and visceral and haunting. Ellis, uneducated and poor with no prospects besides trying to find her Papa in the New World, takes a chance and the readers have to watch fate's cruelty to her and those she loves. This book, even in the moments of pure joy and love, has such a gripping tension and pervasive sense of foreboding. Ellis’ narration is simple and straightforward, which lends itself well to her character and how she would perceive the world. Bruzas did a wonderful job of humanizing one of America's dark moments, and revealing some of the real horrors that occurred during the Starving Time.

I loved this book, If you are looking for something dark then this is for you. Dark of YA standards that is! This book gives you an impending sense of doom and I'm honestly in love with it!

This story about the Jamestown Settlement captivated me from the very beginning. Ellis' story is heartbreaking and haunting and I couldn't look away. The author's endnotes were well written and really rounded out the fictionalized story as well. This is the kind of book that will propel the reader down a rabbit hole of research on the topic.

I am new to the historical fiction genre so my grading scale is a little generous. 1600s Jamestown - Colonial America. This is a heavy read. It is YA, but hold onto your heart and your tissues. It is really going to depend on your own sensitivity level for how you’ll feel about this read. As an older woman reading YA, I could have handled a more in depth dive into character building.

I did not realize it was female/female relationship and romance. It is unique to see that in the young adult realm of historical fiction. Not good/bad - just of note.

Thank you Netgalley and Alena Bruzas for giving me this opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such an interesting book because it wasn't at all what I expected. I think it was also very unique and even though a lot of it was disturbing, I was entranced and had to read more.

To the Bone by Alena Bruzas shatters the romanticized image of early American life, offering a brutal and unflinching look at the hardships faced by indentured servants. Ellis, our protagonist, arrives in James Fort brimming with hope, only to find a reality far harsher than she imagined.

The book excels in its portrayal of desperation. As winter descends and starvation sets in, the veneer of civilization crumbles. The colonists' treatment of the Native Americans adds another layer of horror, exposing the brutality that underpinned colonization.

Compelling Characters in a Desolate World

Ellis is a relatable protagonist. Her dreams of a better life are slowly eroded by the harsh realities of the Fort. We witness her resilience as she grapples with the violence and cruelty that surround her.

The secondary characters are equally well-drawn. Henry, the master of the household, is a chilling figure, his controlling behavior creating a constant sense of unease. Jane Eddowes offers a glimmer of hope and humanity, but even her presence can't dispel the encroaching darkness.

A Must-Read for Those Who Seek Truth

To the Bone is not for the faint of heart. The subject matter is disturbing, and the graphic descriptions may be difficult for some readers. However, for those seeking a historically accurate and thought-provoking story, this book is a must-read. It challenges romanticized notions of the past and leaves a lasting impression.

I thought this was inspired by actual events but totally fictionalized, not based on actual events and actual real ppl 🥲 I did like the writing style, but uhh this book is not for me after all

This book is horrifying in the best way possible.

I don't know how this keeps happening lately. I keep getting ARCs to books I wasn't highly anticipating at first, but then I read them and end up absolutely loving it. I'm certainly not complaining; if anything, I love it when books blow my initial expectations away.

Anyway, the book is brutal and doesn't hold back on showing all the harshest, most gruesome aspects of colonial America. This story definitely isn't for those who are sensitive to certain subject matters, particularly to cannibalism, the (historically accurate) usage of slurs against Native Americans, the sheer amount of body horror and death count, it's certainly not a happy, go-lucky story. But it's books like these that need to be told, because so many of us in the US are too unaware of the crimes/horrors committed by the early colonists. Bruzas also wrote it in such a beautifully horrifying manner that is simply incredible.

The characterization was also amazing. Ellis is so easy to sympathize with, as she is constantly abused by her employer and lives in such an awful sentiment, but the narrative doesn't absolve her of her flaws and crimes neither. She does some truly awful things in the story, but she does it out of desperation and survival, too. It makes her so dynamic yet easy to root for despite the circumstances. The relationships she shares with other characters, particularly Jane, Henry, and Mistress Collins are all well done, and the shifts and unfolding they do throughout the story were some of my favorite parts.

I wish I could say more, but it's so much better if you go into this knowing little as possible, even if you know your colonial history.

This is just a fantastic read, and I'm so glad I was able to read it!

WOW, THIS WAS DARK. This is an extremely dark, upper YA book about Jamestown. The cover is gorgeous, but don't let it fool you into thinking this is a sapphic historical romance. This is a harrowing historical fiction book that happens to feature sapphic characters. (Which, tbh, is actually really nice to see and worked well with the themes of the story.)

The characters and their relationships aren't necessarily the focus, but the whole book has this foreboding sense of doom that Bruzas conveys really well. Ellis, our main character, was wonderfully written and that was a standout to me. If the book had a sharper sense of focus or if the characters were developed slightly more, it'd have been an easy 5 stars. That said, I think because it was teetering between a YA story with an adult tone, it lost a bit of the depth it could have had if it was more firmly written for one of those age brackets.

This was a short and easy read with really beautiful prose. It works well if you know of Jamestown in 1609-1610 or if you're completely unaware. Definitely recommend this!

Thank you so much to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

I’m not sure how to feel after reading this. I appreciate the author’s note at the end and understand what she meant to do with this story, but I’m not sure it translated that way for me. To the Bone did display the horrifying realities of colonial life, but as for the indigenous tribes side of the story and effectively communicating the brutality indigenous people faced from colonizers — it was really lacking for me and may have even created the opposite result. Since our protagonist is an indentured servant girl, we barely hear/learn of the trading between tribes and colonizers, and we also don’t hear much (we do hear some in the beginning but it fades out pretty quickly) of how the colonizers attacked and brutalized the natives. Most of the scenes with indigenous folks are of the tribes committing violence toward the forts and killing what readers are led to believe are “innocent” people. We only get two short scenes of a positive interaction between Ellis and a native woman. In the author’s note, she writes that we should not vilify the indigenous people for defending themselves and their land and their resources; however, her novel does not really make an effort to humanize the indigenous people and almost *does* invite readers to blame them as equally as the colonizers for the violence and brutality. I will say, had I known this novel was written by a white woman beforehand, I would not have requested the arc. I’m not convinced this story is necessary, nor is it a white person’s place to narrate indigenous oppression. While there are some valuable parts of this, such as the elaboration on The Starving Times for history buffs, I think the question “Why am I writing this?” should be seriously thought over.

Phew, this book was intense! It was a very graphic and harrowing novel about starvation and desperation during winter famine in Jamestown in the colonies. An interesting historical fiction novel, and I liked how it brought a sapphic twist. I almost never read horror but I’m really fascinated by this time period, which is why I gave this book a shot! Needless to say, it definitely scarred me with the bodily horror, but I appreciated its frankness and how grounded it is in reality, as the author obviously did their research. 3.75 rounded up.

🌈Queer rep: FF main couple, lesbian mc

This is a historical fiction that in unafraid to showcase the wrongdoings and the horrifying realities that can live in the past. The effects of colonialism are not shied away from, and as much as one feels for what the citizens of Jamestown must live through, the fact that they should not be there, the fact that are completely in the wrong, is made starkly. Even those are who do not inflict violence upon the indigenous people are not innocent in wanting to take what is not theirs.

This book is honest in its depiction of the past, in all of its depravity, paired with the pieces of good, hopeful moments. It made my stomach churn, but it is done so incredibly well.

Boy I sure hope Master Collins isn't an evil creep--"
I forgot that Henry Collins was the name of the guy in my history textbook that murdered his pregnant wife and was then executed. I didn't remember until that actually takes place in the book, and then I went "UGH, of course, he's THAT guy." But my memory failing made that moment extra horrific.

This was brutal, nauseating, deeply upsetting. I felt sick reading the last half. I cried.

In case you're still not sure what you're signing up for after reading the synopsis, this is about the starvation and cannibalism at the early settlement Jamestown. STARVATION and CANNABALISM. This is about death and murder, about English settlers stealing from and murdering Native Americans and being attacked and starved in return.

This is real history. It's one thing to read about Jamestown in class or a history book. It's another thing to be brought deep down into it, to feel the suffering, and that's what To the Bone does.

Every character dies.

The age-old (🤢) question: are you hungry enough that you'll eat your dead gf?

The MC is an indentured servant. The prose is simple and easy to read, but gets more rambling as the food dwindles and tragedy strikes. I'd say this is a quick read since the book is short, but the subject matter is also horrifying, and I needed to take breaks from reading to dull the impact of the horror.

There's a cute dog named Spider! Maybe the only cuteness in the book. If you want spoilers about Spider: the dog escapes into the woods and survives. Yay! So not every character dies, just the humans. And the livestock.

Thank you so much to Penguin GROUP, Penguin Teen, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review. To the Bone follows Ellis, a young indentured girl living in James Fort in 1609.

This a novel that delves into the reality and the horror of the people living in Colonial America. There are quite a few content warnings for this book as a result so be sure to check those before reading.

Although it took a few chapters to settle into the tightly crafted and long prose style, this was a very interesting read. I was most interested in the difference in the dynamics between Ellis and her friends (and love) Rowan and Jane, and the people she is indentured to.

While the book is quite dark at times I did enjoy reading To the Bone and was very captivated by Ellis’ world and the author’s writing style.

A brutally honest depiction of colonialism, based on true events, that doesn't pull any punches in its depiction of utter vileness.
To the Bone will make your skin crawl and your stomach lurch. It's not for the faint of heart; I highly advise anyone interested to check for CW (I listed some below), of which there are many, but if you can/are willing, it's a terrific read and story that screams to be heard in this trying day and age.
Alena's prose will confuse you at times—know that it's intentional. The story is told from the perspective of a desperate, illiterate girl who does horrible things trying to survive on stolen land under the thumb of an abusive employer. While the writing depicts all of that to messy perfection, it can be jarring if that's not something you're into/used to.



CW: body horror, child death, domestic violence, abuse, abortion/miscarriage, pregnancy, cannibalism, racial slurs, sexual abuse (mentions), mental illness, self-harm, death, blood, gore, murder.

Thank you NetGalley/Penguin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.