The Hanging Bones

by Elle Tesch

From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy about a girl who enters a dangerous, magical hunt with the goal of winning the death of her predatory overlord. Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab.

Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.

Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize—if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.

Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.

When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Gothic, Young Adult Fantasy, Queer, LGBT, Audiobook

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2026

About the author

Elle Tesch has lived just east of Vancouver, British Columbia her entire life. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it was inevitable that she would daydream about what might lurk in those trees. She twists places she loves and writes what she knows best: hungry monsters, casually cruel villains, and ace-spec girls in the stories they deserve.

When not writing, Elle can be found reading whatever she can get her hands on, wrestling with her current cross-stitch project, or re-watching Pride & Prejudice (2005) for the 72nd time.

Reviews

[Marquise]

*Hits on Request button with fingers crossed behind my back*

From the summary and promotional blurb, this book gives off Erlkönig vibes. The 'based on German folklore' part and the description of the otherworldly stag-like creature the protagonist encounters certainly make me think so.

Maybe I'm wrong and it turns out to be something entirely different, but . . . ah, hell, it's been a long while since I've read anything fairy tale-ish with German influences, might as well risk this.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. The Hanging Bones somehow manages to have such wonderful world building, even though we’re in one location for the entirety of the book. The folklore of the Wielinde forest was so richly developed, the creatures inhabiting it coming to life in my mind with ease. While there is a love story, it’s mainly a side story, and it isn’t involving our main protagonist, Katrin! While I do adore love stories, it’s so refreshing every once in a while to see a protagonist who has no interest in romance whatsoever.

Every few years, the Hunt begins. When the Scavenger Moon rises, the Breimar Stag appears in the Wielinde Forest. Whoever kills him will be granted a wish, but if he remains uncaught, he’ll take a life of his choosing. Katrin, a gamekeeper, usually acts as a guide for the spoiled nobles who partake in the hunt. This year, however, she’s determined to be the predator, while the lecherous baron she works for is her prey.

But dying animals start appearing in the most mysterious state. Missing bones, organs, cleanly scooped out. Baron August and the stag aren’t the only monsters that stalk this forest, and it’s up to Katrin and her new friend Elias to stop this new threat in its tracks.

Thank you so much to Feiwel and Friends and Netgalley for the e-arc! The Hanging Bones releases on May 12!

[Uyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the alc

4.5⭐

This was soooo good.

The beast was a scary and fun thing to learn about. I thought the way it hunted and what it was hunting for was such a fun twist.

I haven't had a villain that I've actually hated with every single bones in my body in a long time.

[louise ʚଓ]

folklore inspired gothic fantasy, i am sat...

[Sydnie Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this story was rather slow. While it came across very descriptive, there seemed to be an abundance of frivolous narrative. It seemed as though we could have reached the same conclusion without the many overwritten statements. The world thats being built also, somehow, seems too small. I do find it confusing how a whole town and castle can know about the creatures that lurk in the forest and they apparently do not exsist anywhere else in the world, yet no one is confused, shocked by, or studying these creatures. This girl merely knows so much because she hunts in the forest so much, as its her job as gamekeeper. The story picks up, though, as soon as the hunt begins. The readers are lead on a dark adventure of revenge and redemption in the days leading up to the Scavenge Moon. The grand finale will leave you satisfied you pushed through the finish the book.

The atmosphere and graphic visuals of this book are superb and really help to immerse you in the story. I did love the gothic depiction of the street lined with trees with bones hanging along them, offerings for the creatures of the wood. This was a slow but satisfying read. I did not find myself unable to put it down until I reached closer to the end but it was intriguing enough to keep be curious and entertained. The Hanging Bones is definitely a dark but cozy tale, perfect to curl up with on a dark spooky fall day.

[Beth | Bookwyrm.Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!

•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
This was a unique, dark read that had an interesting concept and lots of feminine rage, but ultimately it fell short for me.

I loved the gothic, dark atmosphere and elements of folk horror woven into both the story and setting. The world building was well done overall, and the author did a great job building tension over the course of the book.

I loved the ace/aro representation and thought that it was tastefully explored via Katrin’s POV. I also enjoyed some of the side characters, especially the little sweetling Elias.

However, this book completely lost me when it came to the main villain, and considering the plot revolves around him and the main character’s vengeance toward them, there was no getting around it. The Baron had a severe lack of character development, and every scene he is in he is trying to r*pe the main character. There were at least three scenes of attempted assault in just the first half of this book. This is on the trigger warnings list and I knew to expect it, so I’m not angry it was there. But I need more to a character other than he’s just a ridiculously evil rapist who is relentlessly pursuing this one girl. Her being the only girl he can’t have isn’t enough of a reason for him to be tormenting her every single time he sees her.

Overall, I can’t recommend this one unless character development isn’t essential for you.

✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
Narrated by Kristin Atherton, I knew this would be a treat on audio. Her performance was perfect for the dark, gothic tone, and she did a great job portraying the range of emotions felt by the relatively large cast of characters. I highly recommend the audio for this!

✦ 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✦
Check trigger warnings - this has dark themes and gore

•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•

✄----------
Rating: 2 Stars
Genre: YA, Gothic, Dark Fantasy
✄----------

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[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story. I will say that it is a darker read, with the way the characters are treated by the baron who owns everything. He only cares about himself and doesn't understand what the sentence NO means. TW for attempted assault and attempted threats against the dog. I found the characters to be well-written. I was intrigued by their stories. Katrin is the FMC who protects her family to the best of her abilities. I did find it frustrating that most of the men in the book would not protect the women from the baron. They knew what kind of things he was into, but they turned a blind eye. It shouldn't have taken a young lady to put the baron in his place. I'm just saying. But I know that was the point of the story. I would recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Tesch, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[✮ ⋆ ˚｡Belize ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read and I love it so much. The Hanging bones is a gothic fantasy based on German folklore and the plot is so unique. Our fmc is strong and independent, she almost reminded me of Jude Duarte in the way she would sacrifice anything for the people she loves. All the characters are beautifully written, and the folklore is easy to understand and well explained. I love fantasy books with folk in them and this book did not disappoint, give this a read when it gets published!! You won’t regret it :)
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins 🫶

[Allison Romeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟!!

Folk horror fantasy!?! Seriously exactly what I was looking for from this read. Katrin is such a good FMC and I loved her drive to solve the mystery of the monster and to hunt the stag at the same time. I also loved the Aro representation in this one, as Katrin has no interest in a relationship.

The monster in this one was so interesting to me, collecting body parts from animals and humans to create its own body to become whole and become powerful.

This was incredible and I am so happy to have gotten the chance to read and be gifted this one.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC! A tense page-turner with a headstrong aro-ace protagonist and a truly vile antagonist, all wrapped up in a plot that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

[Risa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars rounded down


My first read of 2026, and it was just fine.
(I was hoping for a stronger start to my 2026 reading year, but this book was okay.)

The beginning was rather slow for my liking, but I’m glad I pushed through. The pacing of the story felt a bit all over the place throughout—especially with some of the hunting scenes, they were rather slow—but I still enjoyed the story overall. I basically guessed the major plot twist with a certain character early on, but I still enjoyed reading.


When it came to the monster and the forest creatures, I was a bit let down, in that a lot of their scenes fell flat for me. And that’s a shame, because I was really looking forward to those elements going into the book.

I will say though that I liked all the characters, even if some of their personalities were a bit one note. I also appreciate the eerie forest vibes that were on display in this book. And this author is a very talented writer on a line level.


This is the second book I have read from this author (having read their debut as well), and I found this story to be better executed. But I still think there is room for improvement, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future to hopefully see such improvement.





NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:

⁃ The writing is easy enough to read; it doesn’t have that fairytale style that I was hoping for, but it’s still enjoyable.


⁃ CH1: Seems a bit hypocritical that Katrina would say no life is worth more than another (and thus the hunt feels wrong), when she was literally just unapologetic about wanting to kill a deer that her uncle says they don’t need…


⁃ I appreciate the (somewhat) dead bear to end the chapter, likely implying the sinister monster in the woods to come up later, but other than that it was a pretty boring opening chapter.


⁃ I like that 10% in we establish that our protagonist Katrin is ace/aro. Love the rep.


⁃ Interesting that the bear’s bones are missing (I bet they’ll be found hanging in the forest later).


⁃ How did we go from Katrin not liking Elias to her wanting to be friendly in a matter of a few pages?


⁃ I HATE Baron August. But it was only once he cornered Katrin that this book started to get interesting.


⁃ Uh oh—they found a body out in the forest already. That somehow isn’t dead despite the bloody hole in Emil’s head!


⁃ I respect Katrin for deciding to enter the hunt to protect her cousin Alma! I’m definitely rooting for her.


⁃ Also I forgot to mention earlier that Rudi the dog is absolutely adorable!


⁃ I like that all hunt participants are protected from death until the Blood Moon sets.

⁃ And I like the Baron’s shooting a woman to show it, and nobles thinking it’s a magic trick.


⁃ A bit too easy that her uncle hands Katrin the knife to give back without asking any questions.


⁃ Wait, why are dogwood/heart trees dangerous? Katrin pulls that woman away, but it wasn’t clear to me why.
⁃ Okay…so it’s because a bough spirit can trap you in the tree as a spouse. But we haven’t seen a bough spirit yet, so is Katrin just preemptively worried about it?


⁃ I know that the nobles come here for fun and whatnot. But I find it hard to believe that none of them know going in what the hunt entails—not just about not being able to kill each other, but the fact that the stag will claim one of their lives if no one catches it. (Yet they seem to know that if they catch it, they can kill someone else.) I just don’t believe that nobles of hunts past who did not die wouldn’t go back and tell the others—because it said earlier that it’s rare that the stag is killed in this hunt, so that means the stag has claimed many hunter souls over the years. And no one picked up why this happens despite the stag not being shot?


⁃ I still absolutely despise the baron, but his scenes with Katrin are the most compelling. Like when he corners her about what she did in the bower, and aims the gun at poor Rudi. And knowing neither Katrin nor August can be killed—it was all amazing.
⁃ Then Elias appeared, and August decided to back off. Why? I thought August will abuse both bots and girls anyway? I like Elias don’t get me wrong, but it kinda ruined the suspense of that scene how he just magically appeared and August moved on.


⁃ 38% in: Alright—Elias knows about the forest before Katrin even tells him details. (Allegedly from his mother’s stories.) And now Elias appears in the area of where he finds a dead eagle. So I’m guessing Elias, who is always around when they find a new corpse, is the forest monster. Like maybe the forest cursed him or possesses him or something.


⁃ I find it hard to believe that neither Katrin nor Alma remember the story of the ripped out pages (especially if Katrin actually wanted to summon that bast with Brigitte).


⁃ I will say though, that the lore of the Krauvel that they learned from Greta is rather interesting. How it’s building a body to come back and rule over the forest for good.


⁃ 50% in, ch14: That was a nice conversation between Katrin and her uncle about her entering the hunt. (Now I’m scared Uncle Stefan is going to die before the end of the story because he’s such a nice, caring man.)

⁃ Of course August doesn’t care about the Krauvel monster when they warn him.

⁃ I’m glad they are monster hunting…the scene was kind of boring, if I’m honest (when Katrin didn’t manage to catch it). I think in large part because all these fantastical creatures are thrown in (throughout the book actually), and while I appreciate the author trying to show not tell, it feels like we have no idea what they are. (And Katrin deals with them so easily.) So I never felt like Katrin was actually in danger around them.

⁃ BUT I will say that the fact that it was only the three of them—Katrin, Elias, and Stefan—hunting suggests to me that my theory about Elias being the monster could still be accurate.

⁃ But my other working theory now is that the monster is August (hence why he cares so little about what happens to himself or his guests when it comes to the Krauvel).


⁃ Given how awful August was towards Katrin thus far, I’m surprised it took until 61% into the book for him to switch into her hunting group. Especially if he’s suspecting something this entire time.


⁃ I will say that I like how the Krauvel’s impending return makes the Forest Folk act more abnormal and dangerous.


⁃ Yep—68% in, and Stefan is severely injured by the Krauvel. I saw that coming. I’m glad he’s not dead though.


⁃ I don’t know why this hedge maze scene is also boring.

⁃ How convenient that Elias was MIA when the Krauvel was around. Still do suspicious.

⁃ Dang, it took Klaus’ eyes—and he’s still alive.


⁃ I mean look…the entire book, August has been demanding that Katrin tell him what she was doing in the Bower. He finally finds out (accidentally), and then does nothing about it? Makes no comment about it? Or demands to know why she did it? Even if he ends up commenting on it on the final day, it felt like a very anti-climatic reaction from him.


⁃ Katrin and Alma’s relationship as cousins/sisters is really sweet.

⁃ Alma and Elias’ romance is cute too.


⁃ Glad Katrin was finally able to knee August in the groin! And steal his horse!


⁃ The search for the stag was kind of boring, until the end of chapter 26 (when Elias disappears, and Felix and August grab Katrin).

⁃ Oh no, the Krauvel has Elias?! Or is that just a cover?


⁃ Ugh, August is so disgusting. Tying Katrin up to have his way with her. I mean, I knew it was coming at some point, given his lack of reaction to her joining the hunt…but I still feel like he should’ve reacted more before. I do like this scene though where he’s captured her—I have a feeling Elias will come to her rescue (in his Krauvel form perhaps?). But I’m curious to see how it unfolds.

⁃ When Katrin first came through and saw August, a part of me initially thought that August was going to carve out Katrin’s heart to give to the Krauvel—that he was working for the monster all along. That’s not that case here (he just plans to torture her, with Felix’s help), which means my primary suspicion of Elias being the monster is still in play.


⁃ It’s a bit silly that intent matters when it comes to injury while protected under the magic—August wanted to put on a show by shooting the countess, whereas Katrin wants to hurt Felix, so her knife will be more painful? I didn’t like that. I think it would’ve been enough to just set Felix on fire with the flames, and then run off while he’s busy trying to extinguish them.


⁃ 88% in: Okay, so I was basically right: Elias is not the Krauvel BUT he is the one who summoned it, and thus he is claimed by the monster. And he must be the one to give the Krauvel his soul. (Also, a bit silly that just by saying the monster’s name three times, it came back. I was expecting a bit more effort than a simple drunken mistake like that.)

⁃ It was obvious the whole time that Elias was working with the Krauvel somehow though!



⁃ Wait. The Krauvel wants to tell Katrin “everything” because that was the deal it made with Elias before taking his soul, and the Krauvel “must have a willing soul”… If that’s the case, then why the hell doesn’t Elias just refuse to give the monster his soul???? That makes no sense why he’s so willing to give up his soul, especially when he knows the forest folk (and humans who live there) will suffer for it. (And saying because the monster doesn’t want a tainted soul for all eternity is a weak reason.)

⁃ It also feels like a cheap way for the author to have her villain give his monologue story, of the history of how the Krauvel came to be.

⁃ I mean… okay, so now the monster is saying that the forest and the folk will be at peace if the king (the Krauvel) returns. And apparently the Forest Folk agree. And that’s why Elias is a willing participant in all of this—for them, and to keep Alma safe (from August). That makes a lot more sense.


⁃ Yay, I’m glad August is dead with no heart (how fitting)!

⁃ But RIP to Elias. I feel bad for him, and for Alma.
⁃ I’m glad that it seems that the forest creatures have become less dangerous though after his choice to sacrifice himself.


⁃ 93% in: Oh good—I’m glad the Breimar Stag ended up taking Felix as the sacrifice!!



⁃ 95% in: Elias is back! I mean yay, but huh? (Also, him just going deaf in one ear after losing part of his soul is a choice…)

⁃ Listen, I didn’t want Elias to die—I actually like him a lot as a character. But it feels a bit like the author couldn’t bring herself to kill her darlings. Just having the Krauvel take a part of Elias’ soul rather than the whole thing…it feels silly. It’s a bit more believable because all of the other Krauvel victims never died after the attack…but it still feels like it would’ve been more emotionally impactful if Elias was actually dead.
⁃ (Or maybe I just don’t like how forgetful/not forthcoming all these characters are. Like Greta forgot to tell them that the Krauvel needs a soul. And the Krauvel didn’t tell Elias that he only needs part of his soul. It feels like it’s just done so the author can surprise the reader.)


⁃ I like the ending, where we see the tree where Katrin hung the baron’s bones. And I like that Greta and her daughter are back at Prauen.


Overall thoughts
⁃ I liked this book quite a bit overall. I was hoping this book would blow me away, and this would be a strong start to my 2026 reading year… and I don’t think this book lived up to those expectations, unfortunately. But I still am glad I read it.
⁃ The fairytale vibes were there, but not as strong as I was expecting. I still liked the vibes though, which is something this author clearly does very well.
⁃ The pacing was rough for me—a lot of it was pretty slow, which was a bummer. But then when the pacing picked up, the story was great and I was invested. (I felt like that mostly only happened with the scenes August was in, to be honest.)
⁃ The themes about consent and loyalty and friendship and love were all well done for the most part too, so that was great.
⁃ All in all, I enjoyed my time with this book, and I look forward to what this author puts out next.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for providing me with a review copy via Netgalley! This has in no way influenced my reading experience or opinions.

I’m not sure how I missed this book being categorized as gothic, but it was… and YA too. I mostly had a great time, though. It has the creepy vibes gothic fans tend to look for. There’s an ungodly amount of bones, a phantom in the woods stealing vital organs, jumpscares were aplenty, and the themes were much better suited for mature readers. The Hanging Bones was darker and more macabre than I expected, but I’m not complaining. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be!

One of the things that I absolutely loved about the Hanging Bones was the rich worldbuilding. It’s not perfect, but the in-world folklore and fairytales kept me hooked. The book was also described as “steeped in Germanic folklore” and from what little I know about Germanic folklore, it sure is inspired by the horrors of them. A personal standout for me was the Wielinde Forest, and the Forest Folk that dwell in it fascinate me. I mean… feral mushroom goblins? Snow fays that give you frostbite? Bough spirits that lure unsuspecting travelers to be their spouses and damn them to their heart tree for all eternity? All of them love some bones? I was eating it all up!

I guess my only (very minor) complaint here is that the writing sounds a little too modern. It occasionally takes me out from fully immersing myself into the story. The writing style didn’t have the fairytale / folklore-ish vibes and different time period flavor I was hoping for. I also wished we had in-world slang, curse words, and rude gestures.

The premise of the Hanging Bones kind of reminds me of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft—and God knows how much I loved that book that I am still in dire need of similar books to fill the void years later. Both standalone dark fantasy books feature a legendary hunt for a mythical creature steeped in folklore, but that’s where the major similarities end.

I loved both books for different reasons. The Hanging Bones is not by any means a romantasy unlike the latter, but features a female main character on the ace spectrum, Katrin Regner. As someone who is aro-ace, it meant a lot to me to be represented by a phenomenal lead like Katrin! She is selfless, steadfast, and strong-willed. She loves her family fiercely and her determination to protect her loved ones is admirable. She stands up for what’s right (and I am so scared for her every time she does—this girl does not give a fuck). Her fears and fury towards men in power are unfortunately relatable. She is flawed and makes some questionable choices that’ll make you want to throttle her… but did I mention she also has the goodest dog named Rudi? If it isn’t clear yet, I love Katrin! She’s one of my comfort characters now.

Alma, Katrin’s cousin, was undoubtedly the heart and soul of the story. She’s like the Prim to Katrin’s Katniss. Their sisterhood was everything to me. I liked that she’s smart and very observant, and that there’s more to her than we’d initially give her credit for. I loved her character development towards the end.

Katrin’s dynamics with her uncle and father figure, Stefan, and the new gamekeeper, Elias, were likewise wholesome. Despite having limited appearances, Stefan was full of personality. I also loved Katrin and Elias’ friendship, how it remained that way, and how they looked out for each other throughout everything. I do wish we learned more about Elias, though. I didn’t think he was fully fleshed out (much like the rest of the cast), and I have so many unanswered questions about him.

And I wished we had seen more of Elias and Alma’s dynamics and relationship progression, but given the story, it only made sense their relationship didn’t take the spotlight lest they ruin the pacing. I’d take a bonus short story/novelette/novella about them, though!

Baron August Wagner III is a vile antagonist through and through. He’s like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast but worse by a lightyear! Every time he comes up or is mentioned, you’re given more reasons to root for his gruesome demise. He’s an evil, narcissistic, misogynistic, queerphobic, womanizer, abuser, and pedophile who revels in his power and ability to get away with his atrocities unscathed. Most fantasy books would’ve made him the love interest, but I’m soooo glad this book made it clear it’s not going that route. Katrin and Alma’s fantasy of hurling him off is a more valid and reasonable one than railing him. That man disgusts me immeasurably. Every time he comes up, I cringe, I shiver, I puke.

The female rage Katrin has towards him was understandable and justified. His pedophilic interest in Alma had me grossed out and stressed. I felt so furious and frustrated on their behalf because of that monster and his rich circle. Seeing Katrin finally snap was so satisfying and also scary. I mean the daily shit she has to deal with in that castle made me want to throw hands. She needs to set things on fire for real, not just shoot a gun. She was getting gaslit, falsely accused, and manipulated.

Actually, I’m surprised why there weren’t more folks who had a bone to pick against August and his rich circle joined the hunt to take him out. I also felt furious why the men working in the castle, knowing everything August had done, didn’t do more to stand up against him and protect their women. Meanwhile, here’s a young woman named Katrin making threats on his life because he looked at her cousin maliciously wrong. They really let him get away with anything. It made me so mad.

The Hanging Bones is a thrilling read. I had a hard time putting down this book. As the chapters went on, the stakes just kept getting bigger and bigger, and Katrin’s plans kept getting thwarted. It made me want to scream into my pillow and bite something. The plot twist was something I’ve partially seen coming, but did not unfold as expected. I was disappointed by how everything came together towards the end, considering how much I had big hopes for this book. Although I liked how things ended (all things considered), I didn’t like how everything was resolved almost conveniently. These are very minor and personal issues though! I’m sure most readers will find this book a compelling and enjoyable read as I did.

Overall, the Hanging Bones is a macabre tale with a lot of heart (and bones), a strong female lead, and a fascinating dark enchanted forest. This book put me through a lot of emotions. I definitely recommend it to fans of gothic fantasy and stories of female rage.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“The Hanging Bones” by Elle Tesch is a haunting and gorgeously atmospheric gothic fantasy inspired by German folklore; this is a tale that blurs the line between human cruelty and supernatural horror, set in a world where the forest itself seems to breathe, hunger, and remember.

The story follows Katrin, a stoic young gamekeeper living in the isolated village of Wielinde, where bones hang from trees as offerings to the forest’s creatures. Katrin’s life is steeped in danger, from the fae-like beings that stalk the woods, to the human monsters in her own village. Her world begins to unravel when something starts stealing the bones and organs of animals and then people while they are still alive. As the Scavenge Moon approaches, bringing with it the legendary hunt for the Breimar Stag, Katrin finds herself drawn into a dark web of vengeance, corruption, and secrets buried deep in both soil and soul.

Tesch’s writing is vivid and sensory, full of blood, mud, and moonlight. The setting is one of the story’s greatest strengths: claustrophobic and richly textured, a small, superstitious community surrounded by a forest that feels alive. You can almost smell the damp moss and hear the whisper of hanging bones in the wind. The descriptions are graphic (at times almost unbearably so) with detailed depictions of gore and violence that make this very much an upper YA or even adult fantasy. Themes of sexual assault and patriarchal power are woven throughout, particularly in the subplot involving the vile and untouchable Baron, whose cruelty rivals that of the monsters beyond the walls.

Katrin herself is a remarkable protagonist: asexual, aromantic, fiercely protective of her family, and unafraid to make brutal choices when survival demands it. Her character arc is one of love — not romantic, but deeply familial and moral — and the absence of a love story allows space for a powerful exploration of friendship and loyalty, especially through her growing bond with Elias, the new gamewarden. You will find her courage and quiet rage both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The story does take its time building tension and atmosphere before the hunt begins. The beginning was a bit slow and the world a bit confined, but once the action starts, “The Hanging Bones” becomes a darkly thrilling ride of revenge and redemption. The climactic sequence, which is tied to the Scavenge Moon and the myth of the Breimar Stag, delivers in both suspense and emotional payoff. The ending, filled with long-awaited vengeance and bittersweet peace, is as satisfying as it is shocking.

Tesch also deserves praise for her folkloric worldbuilding. The combination of magic, myth, and moral ambiguity feels organic, like a story passed down by villagers gathered around a winter fire. The creatures of the forest are terrifying yet strangely sacred, embodying the book’s recurring question: Who is the true monster — the beast, or the man who hunts it?

Overall, “The Hanging Bones” is a gothic fantasy that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. With lush prose, morally complex characters, and a protagonist unlike any other in YA fantasy, this is one of the best books I’ve read recently. This is a chilling, folklore-infused fantasy where the monsters wear both crowns and claws and vengeance tastes like blood and home.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need more protagonists with loyal dog sidekicks ASAP.

The Hanging Bones is a YA gothic fantasy standalone perfect for fans of Emily Lloyd-Jones and C.G. Drews. I picked this book up because I've been in the mood for dark forest fantasies lately, and it seemed to have a bit of a mystery subplot, but once I started, it became clear how similar it was to some of my new favorites this year, so I was immediately entranced by the vibes. I also read Elle Tesch's other book, What Wakes the Bells recently, and having read both, I can say I will continue to read her books in the future because she has a strong voice and a way with creating gothic atmospheres.

Every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises, and the hunt for the Breimar Stag begins. Hunters can choose to pursue the Stag in exchange for the death of another of their choosing, but should all adventurers fail to catch the Stag, it will kill one of them instead. Katrin is a gamekeeper, meaning she's supposed to escort the noble hunters through the forest, but after the baron she works for starts turning his vile interests toward her cousin, Katrin decides to join the hunt herself with the hopes of ending the baron's disgusting pursuits once and for all. But there's something different about this hunt, and when mutilated bodies of both animals and people begin appearing, Katrin must investigate why. Though the plot of the story takes a bit to get into, once you hit the 1/3 mark, it becomes more suspenseful. There are a few lore dump spots throughout the book, but overall, I didn't mind the pacing too much. I liked the balance of fantasy and mystery elements, although I think if you're going into this expecting a plot based mostly on the hunt itself, you might be disappointed. I predicted both main plot twists, but both were foreshadowed just enough to allow me to create the theories without being overly obvious. The ending did feel a bit rushed, but I was satisfied with how it left off. I think it works well as a standalone, and it reminded me a lot of The Wild Huntress, which I really enjoyed as well.

Books where the protagonist has an animal sidekick are amazing. I liked Katrin a lot as the FMC; I appreciated the aroace rep and found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. She has enough spark to be fun to follow while also containing enough emotion to make the reader connect to her. I particularly loved the relationship between Katrin and Rudi, her dog. They love each other so much, and it's wonderful to see a dog sidekick in fantasy. The side characters weren't as fleshed out as Katrin, but I liked how the dynamics between them were portrayed in a way that made it clear that Katrin can experience love beyond romance. I liked how she and Alma saw each other as sisters, and I also really like how her friendship with Elias was clearly just that: friendship. I loved seeing all of the characters interact and how Katrin's identity didn't isolate her. Even though the cast isn't as complex as they could be, they're wholesome together, and I liked the vibes of their dynamics a lot.

The Hanging Bones is a YA gothic fantasy standalone, perfect for fans of C.G. Drews (specifically Don't Let the Forest In), Emily Lloyd-Jones (specifically The Wild Huntress), and Hanna Howard's Our Divine Mischief.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

4/5

[Jordan Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Tesch's debut novel, and I loved this sophomore novel, too!

The Hanging Bones is a thrilling, dark fantasy about Katrin, a gamekeeper at a castle that sits on the edge of a forest filled with the Folk. Katrin knows how to handle the bloodthirsty Folk of the forest, but the humans in the castle--particularly the new baron--are a much bigger problem. This year brings about the Breimar Hunt, where nobles enter the hunt for the Breimar Stag for the chance to kill one person of their choosing. When the baron sets his lecherous sights on her cousin, Katrin decides to enter the hunt herself, but she soon finds herself hunting not only the stag, but the murderous monster that has been unleashed in the forest. The Hanging Bones is filled with familial loyalty, creepy creatures, and a heroine who refuses to quit.

I really, really enjoyed this read! Not exactly the vibes I usually go for in the middle of May, but that didn't matter in light of the story's amazingness! The world-building is truly amazing. Despite not truly understanding the forest or all the creatures (are they only in this forest, or every forest?), there's such a sense of foreboding yet reverence surrounding the forest, and the imagery of hanging bones and trees cracking open to pull in unsuspecting men to be the tree spirit's husband was gruesome but so vivid. Everything about the forest felt so developed, and despite the story taking place in one setting, I was far from bored with the location!

The characters are also great. Katrin is the perfect heroine: capable, determined, loving, and clever. She knows how to handle her business, and she's not afraid to go all out to protect those she cares for. So when her cousin, Alma, is threatened, it makes perfect sense for Alma to enter the hunt to end the baron's life. And speaking of the baron, Tesch does a fantastic job of writing a truly horrible individual. He was so incredibly entitled and creepy and lecherous, but he's the baron, so he doesn't have to hear the word "no." His actions are truly villainous, and there were truly tense moments in his scenes. Alma, Elias, and Stefan are great secondary characters; they're all their own people, and they really add to the story. I initially thought Elias was going to be a bad guy, and while he was involved in some twists, I liked the way his story played out.

And the folklore! The monster was truly horrific, and every scene where they'd find a new victim made my skin crawl. Made me think of The Mummy in the best way. I loved getting the story of the creature and seeing it get closer and closer to its goal, and while there was an unexpected twist with the monster at the end, I really loved how his story finished. Definitely Brothers Grimm vibes, but with a happier ending.

The Hanging Bones is another unique and wonderful offering from Tesch and would make the perfect read for spooky season!

[Sara. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up. Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC.

If you're looking to hand a book to a teen that already loves and is familiar with horror reads, I think this is a great choice: eerie forest vibes and a mythical monster stalking for body parts which imposes a tense deadline as our characters need to stop it from getting all that it needs. It's also rather gorey and violent with the dead animals/victims of said monster, but of course at a level suitable for its target demographic in my opinion.

That said, I will advise for the potentially triggering content: the main villain to our protag Katrin is her employer, Baron August, who has a history of sexually harassing and raping his employees; one of whom had to leave her job after she is impregnated for her safety and later on is said to have had her pregnancy terminated. The rape is only recounted by her mother; not explicitly described nor shown. The sexual harassment comes in the form of nonconsensual touching and talk of corrective rape (a threat made towards Katrin who is aroace, and a ""joke"" to a lesbian-coded side character).

"My attraction to him does not exist. Nor does it to anyone else, for that matter. It's a fact about myself as irrefutable as stating it snows in winter and lichen nyxes can fly. Romance, attraction—it's never ignited within me the way Alma describes it from the romance novels she steals from Aunt Carolina. I even enjoy reading them after her, but I've never turned the last page and wanted what the heroines found. And I don't think I ever will. Family is family, friends are friends, and that's all the love my heart needs to feel full."

Overall, this is a solid read for author Elle Tesch's sophomore novel and my first time reading one of her works. The prose is atmospheric and unsettling. The folklore surrounding the forest that led to specific rituals carried out to keep the forest creatures placated and at bay is interesting. Baron August's shitty attitude towards Katrin being aroace seem to be an outlier, as the society as a whole looks to be queernormative, what with everyone else not questioning Katrin's asexuality and same-sex partnerships are just casually being mentioned as merely existing. And on that note, Katrin is also a protag worth rooting for, what with her love for her family including her co-workers, even at the expense of her life and safety.

Sharp readers will likely suspect a certain character's involvement in the monster's appearance in the first place. That part was obvious to me, but I liked that Tesch subverted my expectations with regards to the motive and how the plot with the monster was ultimately resolved. The ending was delightfully heartwarming and very much hopeful, which feels earned after the terrors that Katrin and her chosen family had been put through by the monster threat and worse, their employer. Seriously, fuck August and he got what was coming to him. Very much a "sometimes the true monster is human all along" message.

[Alecia Hefner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the Wielinde Forest are all sorts  of creatures that the people of Prauen have learned to be wary of. They hold a tenuous peace with the Fair Folk they do not take from the forest without absolutely needing to, they give back what they do not need and they keep teeth with them to appease the folk.


It is time for the Scavenge Moon when the Breimar Stag will cross the veil into Wielinde Forest and after the Scavenge Moon completely passes the Stag will claim a life unless its life is forfeit. If its life is lost then a death of any chosen person will be granted to the person who claims the Stag. 


This year Katrin is determined to enter into the hunt to save the lives of those she loves from August, The Baron of Prauen. Katrin has lived her entire life on the outskirts of Wielinde Forest growing up on tales of The Folk who live there. She knows that if she enters the hunt with her blood she will be bound by the same rules as The Baron and all the other high class members that come every Scavenge Moon with no understanding of what they partake in. Once bound nothing but the forest can harm the participants and at the end if the stag lives any of them are able to be taken by him. 


It's worth the risk for Katrin as The Baron has finally noticed her cousin Alma and he has promised to corner Katrin sometime and show her what she is missing by not being interested in men or women. August has a taste for males and females, willing or not and many have fled Prauen since she took over from his father. Him noticing Alma is the last straw for Katrin and she will find a way to rid their home of him.


What she doesn’t expect is for one of the forest's darker stories to take form in the midst of the hunt. With the arrival of a stranger named Elias there seems to be an arrival of something much darker and deadlier. There is a tale of the King of Wielinde Forest who was stripped and banished by the Fair Folk but if  his name is spoken thrice he will return and begin hunting to restore his body and take back his rightful place.


The body of a large bear still alive even though all of its bones have been removed petrifies Katrin and the others present and signals that something else is now stalking Wielinde Forset and Prauen. Will Katrin be able to hunt down the Briemar Stag while also finding a way to stop this monster and keep Alma safe from the very human monster that is after her.


#TheHangingBones by #ElleTesch is an amazing book full of fantasy and horror combined. Unfortunetly the horror is the very real things that humans can do to one another with no regard for the outcome.


Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read this amazing gothic fantasy novel that just hits the spot!

[Betwixt the Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧.25/5
Quick Reasons: lush, atmospheric prose; dark academia meets monster hunter vibes; realistic, flawed characters; enchanting, hidden forest setting; these fae folk are dangerous; ace representation

Huge thanks to Elle Tesch, Fiewell & Friends/ MacMillan Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.

“Why would you let that stop you? All you need is a heart, and it’s right there.”

“Yes, I am aware.” A hint of annoyance enters its patronizing tone. “But of everything, I must have a willing soul.”

“None of your pieces match and that’s what you’re picky about?”

This book is dark academia meets monster hunters in all the best ways. The prose is dark and Gothic, filled to the brim with atmosphere and lush details. This is fast paced and intriguing from the start, dropping us straight into a world of fae creatures and human flaws. But there's a bit of a "secret forest" vibe to this as well-- those who live on the fringes of this forest know of the dangers lurking within, but there's a sense of these things being hidden or hushed to those outside the scope.

The characters are realistic, human and flawed, messy and redeemable. It was only too easy to root for the main characters and loathe entirely the villain. The message, also, is well crafted--a call to be open minded to things you may not understand. A reminder that sometimes, the real monster is not a monster at all.

The wind takes a turn for the worse, silencing my argument. It shoves through the courtyard with a scream. Extinguishes multiple lanterns, knocks the empty bucket off the well’s lip with a loud splash, and forces Elena to slap a hand over her flat-brimmed hat to keep it in place.

When the mallard bone chimes come free of their hook and crash to the ground in a heap, setting Rudi off into a barking frenzy, it’s difficult not to see it as an omen.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Gothic, dark academia read, and highly recommend it to lovers of young adult novels with lush, fae forest settings. The Breimar Stag has arrived and the hunt begins anew, Penguins. Whose life do you hold in your hands?

[bethanaayyyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One thing about me is I love a good gothic fantasy, and so when I saw this on Netgalley, I smashed that request button sooo fast. This book deals with a forest that requires gamekeepers like our main character, Katrin, to carry teeth to appease the forest’s fae, spirits and more. It was a perfect slightly creepy setting based on Germanic folklore.

While the worldbuilding was amazing, the story was very slow at the beginning and while the pace eventually picked up, I couldn’t seem to really settle into the book, and thought I might end up DNFing bc I just couldn’t get into it. Luckily, it was one of Libro.Fm’s ALCs for May, so I was able to do the audiobook. Once I started listening to it, I got much more into the story bc the narrator did a good job of making the slower parts still feel dynamic and giving the characters more distinction.

There are some gripes I have with the story that are MAJOR spoilers, but I’ll keep it vague—the plot felt predictable and also what felt like an emotional ending that I think rounded out the story was cheapened bc the author couldn’t commit to maintaining the high stakes of the plot.

The relationship between Katrin and Alma (her cousin/sister) was the best part of the book, very Katniss and Prim coded. Katrin’s aro/ace representation was awesome. I loved seeing a YA book that focused on familial love and loyalty (but the subplot romance we see snippets of between Alma and another character was so wholesome).

While this is a YA book, it does tackle some pretty dark stuff. The main antagonist is the baron Katrin works for as gamekeeper, and he is a MASSSIVE piece of shit. He is a predator who thinks the right man could “fix” Katrin’s asexuality and has run off many families that used to work for him because of his sexual advances toward young women that work in the castle. Pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth the whole book is vile. Please read with caution bc this book deals with pedophilia and sexual violence quite a bit because Katrin protecting her family and specifically her cousin from the baron is her central motivation.

Thank you to Elle Tesch, Feiwel & Friends, Netgalley, and Libro.Fm for providing me advance reader/listening copies in exchange for a honest review!

[Astrophel R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an arc. All opinions are my own.

★ Rating: 5/5
Genre: Gothic
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅

Y'all this book is so awesome :] I am thrilled!

Okay so I love foresty horror, folklore reimaginings, and gothic fantasy, so I read a LOT of them. However, I've found that the vast majority are good, but tend to be a few inches off of a bullseye for me. But this book? didn't miss a single shot. The vibes are super immersive, and it leans into the gorey elements in a way that a lot of ya gothics often don't. And I really felt like at every turn Elle Tesch made the best possible plot decision. For example, when our protagonist Katrin mentioned that she's never been into anyone romantically, then went on a long paragraph describing Elias in pretty flattering detail, I was worried this would be one of those books where a female protagonist just needs to find "the one." But Katrin is actually aroace and she's portrayed in a way that feels so genuine.

I also loved how the baron was portrayed. He is so unforgivably evil, but I never felt like he crossed into cartoon supervillain territory. He feels like real man that could exist and that makes him so much more horrifying. I do feel like more could have been done with Felix's character, but I also think the book was great without.

Overall: I loved this so much, and I'm always thrilled to find books with ace or aro characters in them. They're still pretty hard to find, especially since a lot of people don't consider them as being lgbtq+. Obviously I also think this is a great book even for allo people will enjoy, but as someone aroace it hit extra hard.

Who I would recommend this to: I highly recommend this to anyone who loves forests, folk spirits, or gothic fantasy.

* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan for providing me with an e-ARC!

If I had a nickel for every time I didn’t vibe with a book where there is an asexual main character in a creepy forest, I’d only have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice

I really enjoyed the atmospheric writing; I really could see the forest and the Germanic villages that Teshe wanted me to see. I also thought that the heartwood tree scene was creepy and well-written. I wish that we had more scenes with folkloric creatures.

The main issues that I had with this book was the pacing, and the characters. The characters ultimately fell flat for me. What is there to Katrin aside from her anger (which was justifiable) and her love for the forest, what else is there to her? She literally felt like the author just picked her as the POV, and decided to tell her story from there.

This also interferes with the pacing because the author would repeat Katrin’s justifications to the reader after an intense scene which made the tension splutter out like a car engine. Heck, Alma got more character development than Katrin. Did Katrin recognize that her recklessness and impulsiveness could hurt her family even after the hunt was over? Did Katrin realize that she needed to stop babying Alma, and to communicate with her family more?

Although this was a family oriented story, there were barely any familial moments in this book. They were given to the side-relationship instead. Again, was the side-relationship really that important to the plot? Elias already had a connection to the forest through his family. The dynamic between both Elias’ and Katrin’s relationships with their family had a lot of potential. Elias was also a flat character because he barely got any depth to him. We barely knew his motivations, and why he moved back to town. All the characters felt like either an example of character motivation (Katrin’s family) giving out lore (Greta), or human fodder (all the nobles and Felix). This book had so much potential too!

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hanging Bones is a twist of old European folklore of forest people (think Maleficent-esque) and what happens when a dozen rich & otherwise untouchable competitors show up for a rare, mythical sport hunt that grants a wish if you win or claims the life of one of the hunters if the hunted lives … what could go wrong?

The Breimar Stag - a golden, magical deer - appears every few years, allowing the game to begin. The competitors are blood bound to the game which takes place in the days leading up to the Scavenge Moon - kill the stag & the winner gets a wish of death of another person of their choosing granted to them. If no competitor successfully slays the stag by the end of the last night of the full moon, the stag will claim the life of one of the hunters.

The story follows the Katrin – a gamekeeper working on a overly spoiled new baron’s estate - as they prepare for the hunt and the dozen guests of their overindulged host. As the hints of the stag’s return begin to show, another creature makes their appearance known in the forest… and they’re collecting body parts from still-live hosts to make themselves new. This new creature’s presence tips the already precarious situation with the forest creatures and the humans who live on the edge of the Wielinde forest tumbling.

The Hanging Bones features a rich gothic story, with strong elements of horror and gore. Themes of patriarchal power, sexual assault or unwanted sexual attention, unwanted pregnancy, assault, and murder are staggered throughout the story – and while love of family is our main female character’s driving force, there’s no overt romance (or spice).

This is a slow warm-up as the world gets built and you meet the characters but once it starts amping it’s a consistently entertaining read through the very end. The last line? Chef’s kiss.
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the opportunity to preview this book!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathing with supernatural terror, a passionate ace protagonist, and beautifully haunting Germanic folktale, The Hanging Bones latched its claws into me and refused to be put down.

The Germanic folktale-inspired setting was wonderfully fun to explore - set within a forest teeming with folk creatures alongside an ancient and distant castle, the world-building was quite interesting to dive into. Even with little previous knowledge of German folktales, I had no issues following along with the habits of the forest folk and the Breimar Stag. The author's prose (vivid and at times sensory) creates a world that is alive.

Mature in its themes, the story asks us to reflect on a crucial question: Who is the true monster? The monster itself or the men who act like one? Be aware of the focus on implied sexual assault and physical intrusion into personal space as the story does not shy away from it. Due to the sensory prose, there are also scenes of gore explicitly described as well. I would classify this as being definitively upper YA to adult in tone.

Katrin is a powerhouse of a protagonist. Secure in herself as an aromantic, asexual young woman who takes her duty as warden of the forest sacredly, Katrin also shows intense and fierce familial love for those she cares about, becoming the impetus for a majority of the plot. I quite enjoyed learning things from her perspective and following the events that occur with her viewpoint. Her quiet rage and courage give her a fully-fleshed out feeling, making her one of my favorite female protagonists I have read in a while.

Overall, The Hanging Bones is a gothic folklore-infused fantasy brimming with monsters both self-made and created, enticing readers to reflect on who or what we consider to be true monsters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Elle Tesch, and the publisher MacMillian Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for allowing me an eARC to read and review.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought me a sense of comfort and enjoyment that I’m not sure I expected. The plot was something I haven’t seen often, reminding me of “White Stag” by Kara Barbieri but with a more folksy take (which I loved). It felt like a story that would be passed down in a small village, told my everyone’s grandmas by the fire on a winter night.

The pace and writing stayed consistent (mostly) throughout, allowing for a concise storyline. I didn’t find myself confused by the ‘magic’ system, yet wasn’t bored by how the author explained it. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how short the end felt. It wasn’t exactly rushed, but for such a long build up I would have liked a bit more explaining everything. I saw the big plot twist coming, but I still would have loved to have more than just one chapter about it. Something like explaining why the monster was exiled in the first place and an explanation from it about how it came back would have been wonderful. Plus, there was barely anything with the stag itself even though that’s the main plot.

Though I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters, I did enjoy them. I adore how the author portrayed the aromantic character, making it clear that there’s nothing wrong with her sexuality. As an asexual person (a bit different), I appreciate seeing representations that stories tend to ignore.

Overall, I’d give it 4 stars and would recommend for people who enjoy cozy, folksy fantasy novels. It kinda reminded my of the ‘Wilderwood’ series by Hannah Whitten, so if you enjoyed those I’d recommend this for sure!!

Thanks to netgalley and the book’s publishers for the ARC!

[Karis · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC!~~

3.5/5 stars rounded up!

What can I say? I like spooky forests and aroace protagonists who love their family.

Although I think I enjoyed Tesch's debut a bit more, this was still pretty solid. Tesch has such an incredible ability to make her settings feel alive. The Wielinde forest is a dark, harrowing place, with all sorts of creatures and spirits that could either cause various levels of harm or outright kill you horrifically. It created such a rich atmosphere that carried a lot of the novel for me.

Katrin is a wonderful protagonist, and I really liked the familial connections she cherished, particularly with her uncle/adoptive dad Stefan and her cousin/adoptive sister Alma. Stefan specifically was such a good dude; I wish he was more aware of the baron's disgusting intentions for his daughter so Katrin didn't have to pull everything she did herself, though. Elias was . . . okay. He could've been fleshed out more, as well as the other people Katrin claims to value in the castle, the other people she considered family. The baron was a grotesque villain, though. He comes across so blatantly evil, yet he perfectly represents the kind of men who are exactly like it. It's a strange dichotomy, for sure, but one that works as intended for the story.

The main mystery had me guessing for the duration of the story. I thought I understood it until the big reveal, which was a huge letdown. The explanation was, in my opinion, not what I expected in a bad way. Even though the person behind it was acting obviously suspicious, the motivation and reasoning behind it weren't clued at, whatsoever. It felt so disjointed. My theories were mainly pointing to August being the one who summoned the Krauvel, either to stroke his ego, to show he could hunt both that and the Stag, or to get rid of the other nobles for financial gain. But no, it was a drunken mistake made by Elias. He didn't even mean to summon the thing, but he did and was willing to accept the consequences by sacrificing his soul to it. Again, nothing throughout the book felt like it led up to this.

All in all, while there are elements I really liked, it's a couple big things that prevent me from fully loving this book. Still, I believe I'll continue to read Tesch's works. I like her prose too much, and her works have been interesting for me.

[Whitney ✨A River of Books✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Rounded down for Goodreads

✨Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC✨

This German folklore inspired YA horror is richly atmospheric (at times) and steeped in some of the most unsettling themes imaginable. Filled with forest folk-some sound adorable, others outright terrifying, it will leave you with a sense of wonder.

Let me start by saying that I really like this author and her other book What Wakes the Bells & I am so excited I got to read an early copy of her newest book.

There are some pretty dark themes here. I, however, think they were kind of glossed over. This book is supposed to be dark, and while I do understand it’s a YA novel-I think the author could have pushed the boundaries a little bit more.

While I was hooked in the beginning, the middle seemed to plateau, and then it picked back up again and I couldn’t tear my eyes away for the last 20%.

There’s also two kind of plot points (or storylines, I guess) going on here which I think took up too much of the book to make sure everything was fully fleshed out. I just kept wanting more… more lore, forest folk background, to take the themes just a little bit further.

I’m by no means disappointed, this was a quick read & I really enjoyed it. Definitely excited to see what else this author writes in the future 🫶🏻

[Jess - Reader of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hanging Bones by Elle Tesch
🎧Narrated by Kristin Atherton
Standalone • YA Fantasy
🗓️May 12

🎧folklore inspired
🖤gothic fantasy
🎧mystery
🖤high stakes hunt
🎧family ties
🖤friendship bonds

So, I miscalculated. And by that I mean I totally messed up. But some mistakes are beautiful. And this was magnificent. Let me explain...

As I was going through the titles for my monthly ALC requests, I came across The Hanging Bones. I really liked the cover (right?!) and the blurb sparked my interest so I went digging for some early reviews to see if this was a good fit for me.

I read someone say that this had romance but as a secondary plot, which is totally fine by me. As long as I have something, I’m game. Well, what this person meant was two of the secondary characters fall in love. But we really don’t see much or get any insight. They are just people living in the orbit of our main character. So, yeah. This has no romance.

Did I finish in two days? Yes. Was I super busy those said two days and yet still found time to devour this? Yes. Do I want Kristin Atherton to narrate my life? Also absolutely yes.

This book was so good! The atmosphere was its own character. Our FMC was flawless. The villains did their villainous thing. The supporting cast shone bright. Honestly, this was such a compelling audio that I could’ve kept going for another 15h.

[Jessica Johnson (jess_l_lovessmut) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this incredible young adult fantasy. These honest opinions are all my own.

I may think I am a YA fan now, let me explain. When I read romantasy, the world building can often be overwhelming to me. I was hooked on this book from the very first page. So much is going on throughout the book I never had a chance to get bored. Katrin was a fantastic FMC. I loved everything about her and how honest she was with herself. I had so much respect for her.

August was one of the worst characters I have ever read and I have read a lot. Besides the obvious, he just rubbed me the wrong way. He has an awfully rotten heart. I believe this was the author's intention, but it was done so properly.

Which brings me to Alias and Alma who I adore. I wasn't sure how this was going to play out but I think it was perfect. With the hunting party and dealing with bone situation I stayed captivated the entire journey.

The cherry on top.... Stefan, he was an impactul character and now I think this was both character and plot driven. A good mix.

꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂

💪🏽 𝙄’𝙢 𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚.

🏹 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜, 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this ARC via Netgalley.

Katrin has a plan to get herself and her sister out from the lecherous reach of August, the baron: she will join the hunt for the Breimar Stag. Capture of the stag before the Scavenge Moon means she can kill whoever she wants. But there are horrific things happening in the forest: a bear found without bones, somehow still alive. As more bodies appear, Katrin must also discover what manner of eldritch creature stalks the forest - before she becomes a victim.

This story starts off with a bang, and I thought it would be a quick read. It may have been my own mindset that made this take me a month to read. It had an intriguing premise and the gruesomeness of the mutilated bodies was right up my alley. I loved the strange folklore as well. Maybe August was too much an irredeemable villain? Maybe the long stretches between when I was able to pick this up killed all the suspense for me? I'm sure this will be a captivating, white-knuckle read for anyone who loves a blend of fantasy and horror - I thought I was that reader, but life sometimes gets in the way.

[camille! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, this is probably closer to a 3.5 or a 3.75. It was a really delightful little read about a fae monster in a forest and a human monster in a castle, with a girl struggling to manage and eradicate both. The writing was solid and so was the pacing. However, it just didn't quite have that ~spark~ that means it's going to be lodged in my brain for a while to come. That being said: I felt like the characters were well realized, the plot was well set up, and the whole thing was a nice little quick read.

I think the thing I want to praise this book most for is the suspension of disbelief I felt. It didn't do a done of worldbuilding outside of the setting of the woods, and I think I got over halfway through the book before I started wondering about the context of the outside world. I normally get sooo caught up in poking at worldbuilding, so this book threading that needle was a good win imo!

Anyway! Great beach read if you need something on the eerier side this summer (or in autumn!)