Marrow

by Gavin Rodgers

In a world where their status of apex predator is just a distant memory, humans live in fear of the Old Bones — continent-sized monstrosities with whom they share their broken soil. These ancient creatures, driven by mysterious motives, cull every thirty-two years during the devastating Flood. As the countdown towards the Eighteenth Flood wanes, the desperate human nations of the Graveyard wage a relentless war against Gestalts – individuals whose demise promise to quell the wrath of the Old Bones. Humanity’s desperate bid for survival will force those on the other end of the guillotine on a struggle of their own – one for a world where the Graveyard might be untangled from the clutches of its macabre fate. While their mother nations brace for the Old Bones’s cullings, few find the strength to rise to the hunt; and fewer strength enough to face heinous secrets of their towering sovereigns that will shake them to their very bones.

419 pages, Hardcover

Published November 25, 2023

Reviews

[NoRegret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently I was listening to a friend's podcast. He was interviewing a father who told the story of how he nurtured the gift of story in his teenage son from an early age and how he has already published over a dozen books before even going to college. I was intrigued and decided to read one of these books. I'm glad I did.
I just finished Gavin Rogers’ book “Marrow” today and I was delighted to explore the innovative and fascinating world of The Boneyard. For a very young author, Rodgers distinguishes himself in creatively building a world where Titanic skeletal beasts terrify a human population trapped in a cycle of destruction. Where a mountain sized Elk skeleton constantly threatens to wreck the fledgling kingdoms that compete for survival under its long shadow. I found the book a fast moving and gripping tale of conflicted protagonists, each on a desperate quest to survive and unravel the mystery of their own nature in the 11th hour before the world is again plunged into destruction. The action sequences are memorable and the deeper nature of the world of the Boneyard is unravelled in layers that held my interest until the last page. The young writer made me eager to see what the rest of the series has to offer.
However, there are places where Rodgers could have used the assistance of an editor. Hopefully a second version of the book can be released at a later point as his skills as a writer continue to grow.
Nevertheless I expect that, given his prolific efforts and obvious gift for storytelling, he could easily break into the top spots among contemporary fantasy authors. Give this one a try, I think you'll enjoy it.

[Daniel Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am genuinely blown away by this original story! The world created is not only unique but also steeped in mystery, inviting readers to explore its depths. The characters are well-developed, each with their own complex motivations, all navigating a pervasive sense of hopelessness. This book is a fantastic kickoff to what promises to be an exciting new series. I can easily envision it as a movie, with its compelling narrative and rich world-building.