Your Blood, My Bones

Gr 10 Up–Andrew’s sophomore novel is about three friends: Wyatt, Peter, and James. While growing up together during the summers at idyllic Willow Heath, Wyatt had no idea of the darkness that lurked beneath. After being whisked away from Willow Heath five years previous, Wyatt returns following the death of her father. Finding one of her childhood friends strung up by chains and trees in the basement, the truth of her family and home begins to unfurl. This gothic story is full of vibes and has a great dark atmosphere. The writing and description of the world and setting is lush, but the plot meanders and readers may find they are never quite sure what is supposed to be happening. The first part of the novel is a lot of description, with hints of a backstory, and while the end fulfills some of that backstory, the story is not fully fleshed out and still leaves holes. The magic system is a bit confusing and feels like a few various ideas tied together without much explanation.