What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bone Forest
Sixteen-year-old Alessa Hale is seeking answers in the disappearance of her older sister, Aria, who wandered into the forest near their home in Pine Hollow, South Dakota, and never returned.
Two months later, Aria stumbles into town, soaked in blood, with no memory of her disappearance, striking fear in the locals and causing turmoil within Alessa’s family. Her parents, already strained by grief and loss, try to hide Aria’s violent behavior and bizarre outbursts from the prying eyes of their neighbors to keep up appearances.
When several more townsfolk vanish into the woods with no explanation, the police immediately suspect Aria. But Alessa's parents seem more concerned with maintaining their public image as good Catholics than supporting Aria through the detectives' dogged investigation. Soon, Alessa will question the motives of everyone around her, including the town’s priest, Father Samuel, who believes Aria is beyond help.
In the midst of all the chaos, Aria’s behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable. She refuses to eat, she barely speaks, and she claims to hear voices calling to her from deep inside the fores t. Police amp up their investigation upon hearing rumors spread by frightened citizens who have witnessed her erratic behavior.
In a desperate attempt to save her sister, Alessa is determined to uncover the truth, and learn how and why this happened to Aria. If she can't uncover the truth, she'll lose her sister and her own life to religious zealots, relentless detectives...or something far, far worse.
Two months later, Aria stumbles into town, soaked in blood, with no memory of her disappearance, striking fear in the locals and causing turmoil within Alessa’s family. Her parents, already strained by grief and loss, try to hide Aria’s violent behavior and bizarre outbursts from the prying eyes of their neighbors to keep up appearances.
When several more townsfolk vanish into the woods with no explanation, the police immediately suspect Aria. But Alessa's parents seem more concerned with maintaining their public image as good Catholics than supporting Aria through the detectives' dogged investigation. Soon, Alessa will question the motives of everyone around her, including the town’s priest, Father Samuel, who believes Aria is beyond help.
In the midst of all the chaos, Aria’s behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable. She refuses to eat, she barely speaks, and she claims to hear voices calling to her from deep inside the fores t. Police amp up their investigation upon hearing rumors spread by frightened citizens who have witnessed her erratic behavior.
In a desperate attempt to save her sister, Alessa is determined to uncover the truth, and learn how and why this happened to Aria. If she can't uncover the truth, she'll lose her sister and her own life to religious zealots, relentless detectives...or something far, far worse.
- GenresHorror
396 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 22, 2023
This was flat out awesome. Religious secrets, beasts in the woods, descent into madness. Surprised more people haven’t read this masterpiece
August 13, 2023
This is a great first effort from a promising young author. The Bone Forest is the story of Aria and Alessa Hale, two teenage sisters. Aria has disappeared, whether kidnapped, murdered or runaway is not known. Alessa is left to pick up the pieces.
The sad dynamics of the Hale family are laid out along side the mystery of Aria’s disappearance. Each chapter is like turning over a rock to see what lives underneath.
The last hundred or so pages were difficult to read in the best ways. I was alternately enraged and saddened. Some scenes lingered in my mind like the most vivid nightmares.
This is a story well worth your time and one that I highly recommend.
The sad dynamics of the Hale family are laid out along side the mystery of Aria’s disappearance. Each chapter is like turning over a rock to see what lives underneath.
The last hundred or so pages were difficult to read in the best ways. I was alternately enraged and saddened. Some scenes lingered in my mind like the most vivid nightmares.
This is a story well worth your time and one that I highly recommend.
January 16, 2024
Uh, everything sucked about this book except the horror parts ( so like three scenes ). I have a feeling the author is an only child siblings aren’t like that. Lastly who perspective was I reading it from it changed too often .
December 19, 2023
I’m not joking when I say this is my new favourite book.
I read the climax with my jaw on the floor and squealing with horror and delight. I was so worried that I would be left unsatisfied when I finished this book but the ending was so perfect.
I can’t wait to see what will be next from Sarah Cooley.
I read the climax with my jaw on the floor and squealing with horror and delight. I was so worried that I would be left unsatisfied when I finished this book but the ending was so perfect.
I can’t wait to see what will be next from Sarah Cooley.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews