Near the Bone

Christina Henry

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Near the Bone by Christina Henry is a chilling tale of survival and horror set in a remote forest on a mountain. The story follows Mattie, who was kidnapped by her abusive husband, William, at a young age and raised in isolation to be his wife. As William's cruel and controlling behavior escalates, Mattie discovers a monstrous creature lurking in the woods, leading to a harrowing battle for survival against both human and supernatural threats. The narrative skillfully weaves themes of trauma, resilience, and the darkness of human nature, keeping readers on edge with its suspenseful and brutal storytelling.

The book delves into the psychological and physical torment endured by Mattie at the hands of William, while also exploring the mystery of the woodland monster that threatens their lives. With a gripping plot filled with unexpected twists and a writing style that evokes a sense of dread and tension, Near the Bone delivers a bone-chilling reading experience that is both horrifying and compelling.

Characters:

Characters are vividly drawn, encapsulating both human monstrosity and resilience in the face of terror.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is marked by a dark tone and suspense, delivering a gripping and emotional experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intertwines Mattie's struggle against an abusive husband with the presence of a mysterious creature, leading to layered tension and horror.

Setting:

The remote mountain setting plays a crucial role, creating an isolated and hauntingly atmospheric backdrop.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively balances tension and character development, creating a gripping reading experience.

Then she saw the orange fur matted with blood, and the place where something sharp had torn through the fox’s middle. Viscera were strewn over the snow, the scent fresh and strong despite the cold air...

Notes:

The story is set in a remote forest where Mattie and her abusive husband William live isolated in a cabin.

Mattie discovers mysterious and chilling footprints while checking traps for food.

The narrative features a cave that belongs to a lurking creature, which adds a horror element to the story.

William is depicted as a deeply abusive husband, prompting readers to root for Mattie's survival.

The book touches on themes of domestic abuse, child kidnapping, and psychological horror.

Readers remarked on the intense emotional journey, with thrilling suspense and horrifying elements throughout.

Many fans noted the book combines elements of psychological thriller and monster horror effectively.

The protagonist, Mattie, struggles with the reality of her horrific past, which unfolds throughout the book.

The presence of cryptozoologists seeking the monster adds an interesting twist to the plot.

Some readers found the ending left unanswered questions, which led to mixed reviews about the story's resolution.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include domestic abuse, child abduction, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and depictions of violence.

From The Publisher:

A woman trapped on a mountain attempts to survive more than one kind of monster, in a dread-inducing horror novel from the national bestselling author Christina Henry.

Mattie can't remember a time before she and William lived alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the woods, she realizes that they're not alone after all.

There's something in the woods that wasn't there before, something that makes strange cries in the night, something with sharp teeth and claws.

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry.

Ratings (25)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (7)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (88):

Read It (26)
Want To Read (50)
Not Interested (12)

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Near the Bone?

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