The Book of Bones

by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya

The Long Hunt. A fevered prophecy, a promise, a dream. An answer, perhaps. It's difficult to remember all of it, but there breathes a creature.

Many things we call it, in our fear. The White Crown, The Specimen, The Pale Unspeak, Devourer. But the simplest names are the best, so let us call it the Eater.

And it eats. Eats, eats, eats. Eats, eats, eats.

It must be hunted.

So say the shamans, the shadows on the walls, the beams of moonlight, the crickets in their code. But we are no match for the beast. We scatter. We gasp. And we breathe our last.

But it must happen, this Long Hunt.
So it is here that we make our stand.

All of it shall be chronicled in the Book of Bones.

The Book of Bones is the latest stand-alone dark fantasy novel by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya and chronicles the last days of a weathered, beaten hunting party as they hunt something monstrous and unkillable; a beast far beyond men.

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2024

About the author

Krishnarjun Bhattacharya is a graduate in Film and Video Communication from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and a post graduate in TV Editing from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

A wanderer of cities and a passionate game reviewer, hes an absolute lover of all things dark and grotesque. He dreams of writing compelling fantasy fiction for a living, madman that he is and telling stories lost to those who would remember.

He resides in a post-apocalyptic world, terrified of aliens, the walking dead and secret government WMDs, not to mention what lives under his bed.

He's currently working on the last book of the Tantric Trilogy, titled Myths of Old.

Reviews

[Aurcoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has stories that have stories within them. LOVE the way the chapters are broken up, and broken off. A very, very rewarding read, especially once you wonder, around a third-way in, about what's going on, and then the bones start falling into place. What a fun, dark, fun, heartwarming, and fun story!

[Richa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Book of Bones" is not a book you casually pick up—it’s one that calls to you with a whisper, laced with danger and reverence. From the first page, Krishnarjun Bhattacharya drags you into a fractured world of myths, monsters, and mournful prophecy. This is a slow burn, yes, but in the best possible sense—like fire creeping through dry grass, always threatening to leap. It follows many voices—shamans, soldiers, shadows—and while it demands patience, it rewards with haunting beauty. The prose is as poetic as it is brutal, painting vivid images with words that linger.

At its heart, this is a chronicle of desperation—a final hunt for a creature we barely comprehend. Bhattacharya masterfully invokes horror not just through the Eater itself, but through the hopelessness it stirs in those who seek it. There's an undercurrent of dread, like you're reading a cursed folktale. Yet, it’s strangely hopeful too. The camaraderie among the hunters, their silent agreements, unspoken griefs, and stubborn resolve, humanize the myth. You feel their weight, their age, their fatigue, and their fire.

The Eater, the Pale Unspeak—this isn’t your usual monster. Bhattacharya’s creation walks the delicate line between cosmic horror and spiritual metaphor. It echoes Lovecraft, sure, but it also carries the insatiable, eerie innocence of Ghibli’s No-Face. The creature becomes a mirror—of greed, of consumption, of colonial violence. What begins as a monster story quickly grows into something bigger, something political and mournful. It’s about the histories we bury, the bones we forget until they rise again.

Despite its layered narrative and many perspectives, the story never loses focus. Every chapter, every voice serves the larger arc—the Long Hunt. The pacing may deter those looking for quick gratification, but readers willing to surrender will find themselves hypnotized. By the end, the resolution doesn’t just satisfy—it aches. You feel the years, the losses, the sheer cost of remembering. Bhattacharya doesn’t just conclude the story; he honors it, like a final drumbeat echoing through a war-torn sky.

In a market crowded with fantasy tropes and copy-paste plots, "The Book of Bones" stands alone—eerie, poetic, politically charged, and deeply personal. It’s not just a book about a hunt—it’s about what we choose to kill, what we choose to believe, and what gets left behind. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy reader or a curious newcomer, this novel will linger. It’s not an easy read, but that’s exactly why it matters. Some stories aren't meant to entertain. They're meant to haunt.

[Om Sen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished *The Book of Bones* by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya, and it’s a haunting, bone-chilling dark fantasy that gripped me from the first page. This stand-alone novel throws you into the desperate final days of a weathered hunting party chasing a monstrous, unkillable beast known as the Eater. The vivid names—White Crown, Pale Unspeak, Devourer—set the tone for a creature that’s pure nightmare fuel, and Bhattacharya’s writing makes its presence feel suffocatingly real.

The story unfolds like a fevered prophecy, blending raw fear with a sense of doomed purpose. The hunters, battered and broken, are no heroes—they’re flawed, human, and utterly outmatched, which makes their stand against the Eater so gripping. The atmosphere is thick with dread, painted through eerie details like shamans’ whispers, moonlight beams, and crickets chirping in code. Bhattacharya’s prose is poetic yet brutal, pulling you into the hunt’s hopelessness while keeping you hooked on the faint chance of survival.

What I loved most was how the book balances terror with heart. The hunters’ desperation and fleeting moments of camaraderie hit hard, making you care even as the Eater looms closer. The “Book of Bones” itself feels like a living chronicle, capturing their struggle with a weight that lingers. This isn’t a story about triumph—it’s about facing the impossible, and that raw honesty sets it apart.

If you love dark fantasy that’s atmospheric, intense, and unapologetically grim, *The Book of Bones* is a must-read. It’s a masterclass in building dread and delivering a story that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying. I couldn’t put it down, and its haunting imagery is still stuck with me.

[Sunita Dharaviya · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When Darkness Hunts, Survival is Just a Myth"
Book Review: The Book of Bones by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya

The Book of Bones is a masterfully crafted dark fantasy novel that plunges readers into a haunting world where fear is a constant companion and survival is far from guaranteed. Krishnarjun Bhattacharya’s prose walks the razor’s edge between lyrical beauty and brutal realism, conjuring a nightmarish landscape filled with eerie myths and unsettling truths.

The story follows a desperate hunting party on a quest to destroy the “Eater”—a monstrous, shapeshifting entity so terrifying it’s known by many names, each steeped in dread. The plot unfolds slowly, deliberately, building dread with every page until it crescendos into moments of gut-wrenching horror.

What sets this novel apart is its soul. The characters are not just archetypes or fodder for the darkness—they are broken, layered, and achingly human. Their moments of fleeting camaraderie and quiet grief strike deeply, grounding the narrative’s more fantastical elements in raw emotion.

The "Book of Bones" itself, as both a title and a symbolic object, feels like a breathing, cursed artifact—an unsettling chronicle of trauma, myth, and resistance. It’s as if the story has been passed down through whispered warnings and bloodstained pages.

Themes: Survival, the cost of humanity, myth as memory, and confronting the monstrous—both external and internal.

Verdict:
A slow-burning, atmospheric masterpiece that will stay with you long after the final page. The Book of Bones is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, mythopoeic horror, and evocative storytelling. It doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses you in a nightmare you won’t want to wake from.

[Shifali B · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Book of Bones" is a compelling dark fantasy that will captivate you from beginning to end. From the start to the last page, the book is a singular experience, unfolding like a gloomy fairy tale.

The story revolves around Konstantin, who chooses to set out on a quest to hunt a mysterious, horrific beast known only as the Eater and save his two older brothers who got lost on the same mission. His purpose is to save his family from the terrible curse and get the crown.

His quest takes him to a place in the forest and hence makes him a forest walker. This fantasy world is filled with mythical monsters and magic. He was provided with a cloak and food by his parents to make his journey a bit easy. He knew that his path would not be easy, and on the way he was guided by the varied magical creatures about his journey and path.

It is intriguing to read about the path he chooses and how he breaks the curse, claims the crown, and saves his brothers. Without giving away too much, the book tells the story of his adventure across the magical country and his encounters with both enemies and allies. Will Konstantin's quest be successful?

Each of the intriguing characters has a unique motivation and weakness that contributes to the story's depth. It has a sense of mystery due to its poetic wording. The story may require some time to acclimatise to the diverse voices narrating it, as it unfolds gradually. The story's captivating plot and gloomy setting, which perfectly capture the dread and eerie mood, are its strongest points.

All things considered, fantasy readers will find "The Book of Bones" to be an engaging read.

[Shweta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myth, Menace and a Merciless foe to slain, The Book of Bones is not your typical fantasy story, its an adventure into something primal, relentless, and terrifying. Krishnarjun Bhattacharya doesn’t just tell you a story, he conjures up a damp blood soaked earth, taking you along with a doomed hunting party chasing a beast.

The creature called many names: The White Crown, The Pale Unspeak, The Devourer but mostly he is known as something that gives chill to people's heart- The Eater. Once you hear its name, it enters your life. This is an intimidating enemy, playing with your mind, it has a hunger beyond reason or mercy.

The hunters themselves are the center of this tale, though not in the traditional heroic sense. They are old, tired and scarred by too many near-deaths and too much loss. They are not super human, they have fears, their bitterness, their fleeting moments of grim humor in the face of danger. You find yourself rooting for them not because you think they’ll win, but because you can’t look away from their strong will.

The narrative is poetic and depicts fear at the same time. Moonlight, crickets’ chirps, the hunt , breathless quietness it’s the kind of storytelling that makes you read slower, just to savor the dread.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its atmosphere. You can almost feel the the landscape. The story is grim but there are undercurrents of courage & hope.

If you want to feel your pulse quicken, your skin prickle, and your mind linger long after the last page—The Book of Bones will leave its mark

[Sumit RK · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Book of Bones' is a gripping dark fantasy that will keep you hooked till the end. Unfolding like a dark fairy tale, the book is a unique read from the first page to the last.

Set in a fantasy world full of mythical creatures and magic, the story revolves around Konstantin who decides to go on a mission to hunt a mysterious, monstrous beast only known as the Eater and rescue his two elder brothers lost on the same mission. Without giving away too many spoilers, the book narrates his journey through the magical land and meeting some fascinating characters; allies and foes alike. Will Konstantin succeed in his mission?

The story is unique and has a dark adventure vibe. The story combines adventure with several fantasy elements giving the feel of a surreal fairytale. Konstantin's quest becomes complex as the story moves ahead and there are several twists and turns along the way to keep the readers engaged.

The characters are interesting, each with their own motivation and weakness, adding different layers to the story. The prose is poetic, giving it a mysterious feel. The story is a slow burn and it may take time to get used to the different voices narrating the story. But the best thing about the story is the gripping story with the grim atmosphere capturing the dread and spooky atmosphere.

Overall “The Book of Bones” is a engrossing read that fantasy fans will enjoy.

[Booklover_rimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Book of Bones" by Krishnarjun Bhattacharya is a dark, bone-chilling fantasy story with some twisted fairytales.

The way the book starts, it would feel like we are reading about different characters and their different mysterious life journeys in the same story. But as the story progresses, we will find all our major characters come together to fight the same cause. The cause is a creature, who has no name apart from this, is making havoc; it totally destroyed a tree village, Irrik, and no one survived except for one. So our characters are given the task to find what this creature is and destroy it before it ends everything.

In the beginning when I started reading the book, I was mesmerized with each individual story of the characters, especially with Mr. Church, who unalives vampires, and Naksh, who is a student and working on his fairytale assignment. I also like Konstantin and Crow too. Actually all characters are interesting, and it is fascinating to know more about them before delving into the main conflict.

I also have to confess, while reading, individually each character's story is fascinating, engaging, and thrilling; it took me some time to get used to the idea that these characters can come together and all these small journeys will see their destination together. But overall the whole book is worth the read. Especially if you are someone who loves the horroresque elements in the book and enjoys the unpredictability and twists.

[Madiha Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Book of Bones was more like entering a place I wasn't supposed to be in than it was like opening a book. I was captivated by its dark, enigmatic world from the first few pages, where danger lurks in silence and myths breathe. The slow, almost heavy tempo builds a tension that gradually intensifies until it engulfs you.

The writing creates images that are hard to forget and is sometimes harsh. The hunt for the Eater, a creature that never seems like a simple animal but rather something ancient and terrifying, is the main focus of the book.

It was not only its existence that disturbed me, but also the way it sapped the hunters' hope and drove them into despair and uncertainty. Nevertheless, despite this gloom, their relationships were evident—tiny actions, unspoken encouragement, and a determination to persevere. In the midst of all the terror, these scenes gave the book an oddly poignant feel. I felt as though I had experienced the hunt myself by the time I got to the end.

The disjointed narrative, the stories nested inside stories, and the gradual revelation of secrets all came together with a vengeance. It's heavy and chilly, yet oddly uplifting. In addition to being a horror story, this one also spoke to me about tenacity, teamwork, and finding purpose even in the most difficult circumstances.

[Bhartiya Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krishnarjun Bhattacharya's Book of Bones is the kind of dark fantasy that doesn't just tell you a story - it drags you through the dark hallways, forcing you to listen to each echo. The book follows a weary group of hunters on a quest that is as much about destiny as it is sorrow. The monster at the center of the story is not a foe, but an ever-present fear, which Bhattacharya captures in a unique way that creeps into your bones.


Bhattacharya's prose, rich without being indulgent, leaves the reader with a sense of ancient, almost mythic age, but present-tense. The multiple narrators drive the hunt with a kind of depth - each has fears, talents, and scars. While the beginning is intentionally slow, the unflinching pacing tightens with every chapter until the novel whirls into wrenching flashes of unhinged horror.


What stands out the most, is how the book interweaves horror, politics, and human imperfections without ever losing the heartbeat of adventure. It's also unsettling and beautiful in ways I cannot articulate. If you want fantasy that feels lived-in, dangerous and different from the usual Western fare, this one deserves a place on your shelf. A hauntingly gratifying read.

[P.Reads.And.Clicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Bones is a dark and gripping story that pulls you right into its world. It’s about a hunting party chasing the Eater a terrifying creature that feels more like a nightmare than an animal. You can almost picture it in the shadows, waiting.

The writing makes you feel the fear, the cold, and the hopelessness of the hunters. There’s no fancy magic or confusing details just the raw struggle of people trying to survive and finish what they started. The tension builds with every page, and you start to feel the weight of the hunt as if you are part of it and reading it feels amazing.

What I liked most was how real the characters felt. They are tired, scared, and know they might not win, but they keep going. The story leaves you with a mix of dread and admiration for their courage.
It’s haunting, intense, and beautifully written. Its definitely a book that stays with you after you finish.

[Madhura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Bones is not merely read—it consumes you as wholly as the Eater devours its prey. Krishnarjun Bhattacharya weaves a labyrinth of myth and memory, where each page feels like stepping deeper into a cavern lit only by the dying glow of a torch. The prose is a blade—gleaming, poetic, and unflinching—cutting through the veil between folklore and nightmare. Here, the hunt is more than survival; it is a ritual, a surrender to the inevitability of death’s cold embrace. The characters are not heroes but fractured vessels, bearing their fears like sacred wounds, their humanity eroding with each encounter. The atmosphere drips with moonlit dread, the air thick with the scent of old bones and older lies. It is a book that demands your patience, rewards your surrender, and leaves you haunted long after the last page falls shut.

Not all monsters are slain; some are remembered, some worshipped.

It is a mythopoetic dirge in the skin of a dark fantasy.

Rating: 4.7/5

[Ashesh Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Bones is a journey into the parallel worlds of a vampire hunter, a berserker, a man from the sands, a woman who seeks revenge for the loss of her child, a man seeking to rescue his brothers from Hell and the frustrated university student who needs to get his degree. The pace is smooth as each of these very different characters are given one specific task: to put an end to the creature known as the Eater. This is an eldritch monstrosity with unspeakable power that feasts on worlds. Krishnarjun's language and diction makes this book a joy to read and a highly enjoyable ride throughout. It is one of those books that sucks you in and doesn't let you go until the last page is turned. A definite recommendation from my end. Do pick this up, be a part of the war against the Eater