Book Review – The Bones Beneath My Skin

The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune
Narrator: Kirt Graves
Published by Tor on October 26, 2018
Length: 13 hours 23 minutes
Genres: LGBT, Science Fiction
Pages: 416
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads

A spine-tingling thriller by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about a 10-year-old girl with an impossible power, her father, and an unlikely stranger, who come together to confront the dangerous forces that want her at all costs. A strange story of family, love, comets, and bacon. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things.
In the spring of 1995, Nate Cartwright has lost everything: his parents are dead, his older brother wants nothing to do with him, and he's been fired from his job as a journalist in Washington DC. With nothing left to lose, he returns to his family's summer cabin outside the small mountain town of Roseland, Oregon to try and find some sense of direction. The cabin should be empty. It's not. Inside is a man named Alex. And with him is an extraordinary little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. Artemis, who isn't exactly as she appears.
Soon it becomes clear that Nate must make a choice: let himself drown in the memories of his past, or fight for a future he never thought possible. Because the girl is special. And forces are descending upon them who want nothing more than to control her.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Julie’s Review:

This is my first TJ Klune book; a book that describes itself as for fans of Stranger Things? Yea I’m in. Something that seems to be most special about stories like this: it’s the survival and high stakes really delve deep into what it means to be human, and the lengths people will go to follow what they believe is right (even if they are very wrong, like our friend at the farm).

The characters are what drive the story, keeping their secrets for the majority of the book. You start out thinking: who are these random men and little girl? But by the end you are so invested that they become everything. And just don’t expect to figure it all out because the surprises keep coming. 

Found family is the biggest trope in this book, and I am here for it. The bonds and connections we make with others are what make life make sense.  It’s the emotions, the love, the grief, the drive to do something so that someone else will remember us. There is also a slow burn spicy romance between “grumpy” and “lost” which is endearing, as both characters are frustrating at first. 

“I wondered what you would be like. Humans. What you would be capable of. How your minds would work. How your hearts would beat. You are animals. Fierce and wild. You are harsh and brutal and beautiful. There is no one like you in all the universe. You have the power for such destruction within you. And such joy. It’s a dichotomy that shouldn’t exist, and yet here it is. Within you. Within all of you.”

But the most important reminder is “we’re all made of dust and stars” – the world is so much bigger than ourselves. So remember that next time someone hurts you – are you really going to let some other stardust take away what makes you, you?

The audiobook is good, definitely a fun way to enjoy the story. But it does kinda fall into that dude doing a girl’s voice thing. But I got used to Art’s voice pretty quickly, and the other characters voices were well done and easy to distinguish. 

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Lynn’s Review:

Plot: Klune’s books (that I’ve read) follow the same patterns – found family, precocious child(ren), probably some tragic or ugly cry on the treadmill scene. And I am ALWAYS here for that familiarity.  These books are comfort food in book form. This time around, we have Nate trying to figure out his life at the cabin he inherited. When he arrives, he finds Alex and Art (Artemis Darth Vader, to be precise!).  Adventures and plot happen. But I don’t want to spoil anything! The trio become a family. We learn that Art loves bacon and thinks green grapes are far superior to red grapes. (I wholeheartedly agree.) There’s a stay at a farm where everyone is vegan, which does not go over well with the trio. There are some achingly beautiful lines about humanity which give me a little hope.

“You love me.” “Yes.” “You love him.” “Yes.” “I know now,” she said. “What it means to be human.” He wiped away her tears. “What?” “It means having your heart broken. There is nothing more human than a broken heart. (Art to Nate)

How can you argue with that!

Characters: I enjoyed getting to know these characters. And, tbh, kind of fell in love with them all. Art is inquisitive. Alex is protective. Nate is pragmatic. The story is told from Nate’s POV. I would have enjoyed a multi-character narration. The romance between Nate and Alex is a quiet, slow-burn romance. 

Narration: Graves’s narration is well done. With mainly three characters, and Nate’s POV, I was easily able to distinguish the characters. No production issues. 

If you are familiar with Klune’s work – you will enjoy this novel. If you are not familiar, get with it. These books are magical. And worth the listen. 

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