I don't know how I felt about this. I went into it thinking it was a regular novel, I missed the novella part (likely my own fault). I struggle with short stories/novellas that aren't part of a series so I get that this wasn't meant for me and that is ok.

I did find the writing style interesting and I think I would have loved it as a straight up novel. If you like fantasy/dark creepy things (which I love!) AND like novellas/short stories, you will likely love this book. I think I would read more by this author if I were to find a novel. I just want to know more about the lore and world 😆

This was such a bazaar and intriguing story and I mean that in the best way! It was super short at only around 170 pages and the main characters were legit named “boy” and “girl”. My best guess is they’re both around 18-20 years old and the book opens with the boy and girl fleeing their home on an island to find safety.. see they weren’t safe at home because they’re different and people who are different get killed by their families where they come from. They’re called Monsters, but honestly this is the real world and it happens every day to people who are different (though most of us, I’d say, don’t have extra bones and feathers growing out of our bodies). Anyway, they flee for safety and their goal is to reach the Black Mage on the mainland and it’s an adventure for sure. I’d consider this a YA/NA fantasy Novella, but it’s labeled as horror.. This was a really good book and a nice change of pace.
PS This book was created with an Of Monsters and Men song called “Your Bones” and that makes me love it even more because they’re one of my favorites!

Your Blood and Bone by J. Patricia Anderson is a fantastic novella that leaves you wanting more by the end. While the writing style is not something I am used to, it gave a very different, open to interpretation, type of view. The characters had no names and were only referred to by the boy and the girl. I quite enjoyed this novella and am curious if anything further will be written!
I have written reviews on Indigo, Amazon, and Goodreads!
Thank you for the opportunity to read this novella!

This book really surprised me, in a good way. I gave it 5 stars, because it's such a good book and the characters are lovely.

The cover is what really drew my attention to the book, the story is what made me finish reading

I really loved how everything was paced, It was amazing to see how the changes happened and the feelings that come with it.
I found the authors writing style to be unique, It slightly refreshing for there to be no names given, it gives you a chance to immurse yourself in the story more.
I definitely can't wait to read more!

Your Blood and Bones is a novella that really took me off guard with how much I liked it. Something about the description just really drew me in. I took part in the cover reveal after reading the ARC so I can’t say that drew me in as well but I do think it fits the book really well and gives off the right vibes for the story.

While a morbid fascination with self-harm and death in this book might technically sound a little off-putting, I found it really well written about in a way that isn’t necessarily relatable to me personally to that degree but as someone that has dealt with some of my own darker struggles, I felt it very realistically done. The gradual worsening of the affliction was fascinating in its portrayal, both in its physical and mental manifestations.

There were several themes that really stood out to me in this book. Both choice vs. force as well as action vs. apathy were big ones that propelled the story forward. Looking like a monster vs. acting monstrous was also in the foreground a lot and something to think about for real life when we judge someone by how they look and fit into ideals rather than how they act towards others.
The only thing that didn’t work quite as well for me was the sudden interest of the girl in the boy. It felt a bit jarring. I do think though that the way that continued was handled well. Slow. Unsure. But understandable in their situation. Her seeming comfort in a scary time of her life. It was a thread through the story that carried well to the end.

Novellas are a perfect length to try out new things for both authors and readers alike so I’m much more likely to pick up a novella that sounds different from my usual reading than something longer. I’m really glad I took that chance here and am looking forward to reading more works by this author.

Dark, mysterious vibe from the beginning making you hungry to keep going until you are finished. Who is the girl? Who is the boy? How did they become the "monsters" that they are?
This story sucks you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting more!