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The Hanging Bones
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.
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.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Elle Tesch
4 books184 followersElle 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. When not lost in imaginary worlds, Elle can be found doting on her dog and plants, reading whatever she can get her hands on, wrestling with her current cross-stitch project, or getting way too invested in a video game.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
May 2, 2026
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!
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!
June 3, 2026
**My thanks to MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
2 stars
I can admit, some of what I disliked about this book has more to do with me as a reader in 2026. I don’t want to read about a rich, privileged man who sexually abuses young girls and easily gets away with it because he’s wealthy and powerful—I get enough of that by turning on the news. However, I also have complaints about the characters and story structure that would hold true regardless.
My number one complaint is a spoiler: This makes for an extremely unsatisfying conclusion to the book.
Non-spoiler complaints: I was frustrated by the main character, Katrin, and especially one of her defining traits/actions, which is her protectiveness over her cousin/basically-a-sister, Alma. While she frames it in her narration as love for her cousin, the way she acts around and speaks of Alma shows that she has no respect for her at all. She does not allow her cousin to know any information or make any choices about her own safety in order to protect Alma’s ‘innocence,’ which is deeply patronizing and rubbed me entirely the wrong way. She’s also short-tempered and impulsive, which you could say is making her a realistic teenager with raging hormones and poor impulse control, but which given the context in which these outbursts are made should be coming back to bite her and her loved ones significantly more; half the actions she takes to protect and defend her loved ones would and should put them in significantly more danger.
The book is upper YA, verging on New Adult, and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger teens. Older readers may like it if they adore a rebellious, rage-filled protagonist and dark fairy tale influence.
2 stars
I can admit, some of what I disliked about this book has more to do with me as a reader in 2026. I don’t want to read about a rich, privileged man who sexually abuses young girls and easily gets away with it because he’s wealthy and powerful—I get enough of that by turning on the news. However, I also have complaints about the characters and story structure that would hold true regardless.
My number one complaint is a spoiler: This makes for an extremely unsatisfying conclusion to the book.
Non-spoiler complaints: I was frustrated by the main character, Katrin, and especially one of her defining traits/actions, which is her protectiveness over her cousin/basically-a-sister, Alma. While she frames it in her narration as love for her cousin, the way she acts around and speaks of Alma shows that she has no respect for her at all. She does not allow her cousin to know any information or make any choices about her own safety in order to protect Alma’s ‘innocence,’ which is deeply patronizing and rubbed me entirely the wrong way. She’s also short-tempered and impulsive, which you could say is making her a realistic teenager with raging hormones and poor impulse control, but which given the context in which these outbursts are made should be coming back to bite her and her loved ones significantly more; half the actions she takes to protect and defend her loved ones would and should put them in significantly more danger.
The book is upper YA, verging on New Adult, and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger teens. Older readers may like it if they adore a rebellious, rage-filled protagonist and dark fairy tale influence.
May 22, 2026
4.25/5 stars
wished some parts of the creepy forest lore was more developed but this was still a great and dark fucking read because the villain here is straight up despicable, evil, and bone-chilling scary. also HELLOOOO THE FMC IS AROACE?? i appreciate how being aroace is very important to her despite people not taking her seriously about that except her loved ones but despite that she has so much love to give for her family and friends and would do anything to protect them... she went through too much she deserves to sh00t snobby and rude rich people at least twice a day 🤷🏽♀️
wished some parts of the creepy forest lore was more developed but this was still a great and dark fucking read because the villain here is straight up despicable, evil, and bone-chilling scary. also HELLOOOO THE FMC IS AROACE?? i appreciate how being aroace is very important to her despite people not taking her seriously about that except her loved ones but despite that she has so much love to give for her family and friends and would do anything to protect them... she went through too much she deserves to sh00t snobby and rude rich people at least twice a day 🤷🏽♀️
October 15, 2026
Dare I say, underrated? This was fantastic! Spooky, angry, and unfortunately super timely. But I guess that's what made that ending so satisfying. And I appreciated the ace rep. I ended up doing the audiobook and Kristin Atherton has officially become a favourite narrator. Looking forward to this author's next book!
May 19, 2026
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.
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.
May 12, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!
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✦ 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
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✄----------
Rating: 2 Stars
Genre: YA, Gothic, Dark Fantasy
✄----------
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•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✦ 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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September 19, 2025
Hello! If you're reading this, it means ARCs are finally going out for BONES and this will be my last time on this page. A few things before I go:
1. This has some heavier themes than BELLS does, so please make sure to check my website for the content warnings.
2. I want to clarify that this is not a retelling or based on any particular Germanic folklore, but it is heavily inspired by the horror of them.
I hope you enjoy my "what happens if you choose the bear, then use the bear to end a man" book!
1. This has some heavier themes than BELLS does, so please make sure to check my website for the content warnings.
2. I want to clarify that this is not a retelling or based on any particular Germanic folklore, but it is heavily inspired by the horror of them.
I hope you enjoy my "what happens if you choose the bear, then use the bear to end a man" book!
Want to Read
September 20, 2025folklore inspired gothic fantasy, i am sat...
May 21, 2026
DNF at 17%.
The atmosphere is chef's kiss. Love the dark gothic vibes...the hanging bones in the trees...the give and take with the fae. But that's about where it stopped for me and I want to cry because I was so excited for this.
So let's break it down:
- FMC is supposed to be a skilled hunter under the tutelage of her uncle who has been at it far longer. Not only did they NOT dress the bear when it was already going to be overwhelmingly heavy to get it back to town to examine, they also didn't realize when loading the bear into the cart that it didn't have ribs or a spine? Dude. That body would have FLOPPED and BENT and DONE WEIRD THINGS THAT BODIES DON'T DO because skeletons are literally our FRAMES. But fine. We'll ignore it for dramatics.
- The baron felt extremely scripted. Yes, I get he's an asshole. Yes, I get he preys on women because he feels he has the right. But...like...you couldn't have made it seem a bit more natural? I dunno. It rubbed me the wrong way but might not seem that way to others.
- I was SO HERE for the aro/ace rep! Finally, a book with an FMC like me! But I dunno. This also felt a little over the top as well. Maybe it's just me?
- The straw that broke the camel's back was when she decided to enter the hunt. Yes, it's literally in the overview and is one of the reasons I picked this up. But with my problems with the way the baron is written anyway, I'm just like, "excuse me? That seems overdramatic." Like. I literally think poison would be such an easier way to get to him with how he's written. Or even letting him get skewered during the hunt because he's entering it. HE CAN'T HANDLE HIMSELF. LET HIM GET HIMSELF KILLED.
I think a lot of this is just me so take it with a grain of salt.
The atmosphere is chef's kiss. Love the dark gothic vibes...the hanging bones in the trees...the give and take with the fae. But that's about where it stopped for me and I want to cry because I was so excited for this.
So let's break it down:
- FMC is supposed to be a skilled hunter under the tutelage of her uncle who has been at it far longer. Not only did they NOT dress the bear when it was already going to be overwhelmingly heavy to get it back to town to examine, they also didn't realize when loading the bear into the cart that it didn't have ribs or a spine? Dude. That body would have FLOPPED and BENT and DONE WEIRD THINGS THAT BODIES DON'T DO because skeletons are literally our FRAMES. But fine. We'll ignore it for dramatics.
- The baron felt extremely scripted. Yes, I get he's an asshole. Yes, I get he preys on women because he feels he has the right. But...like...you couldn't have made it seem a bit more natural? I dunno. It rubbed me the wrong way but might not seem that way to others.
- I was SO HERE for the aro/ace rep! Finally, a book with an FMC like me! But I dunno. This also felt a little over the top as well. Maybe it's just me?
- The straw that broke the camel's back was when she decided to enter the hunt. Yes, it's literally in the overview and is one of the reasons I picked this up. But with my problems with the way the baron is written anyway, I'm just like, "excuse me? That seems overdramatic." Like. I literally think poison would be such an easier way to get to him with how he's written. Or even letting him get skewered during the hunt because he's entering it. HE CAN'T HANDLE HIMSELF. LET HIM GET HIMSELF KILLED.
I think a lot of this is just me so take it with a grain of salt.
October 25, 2025
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.
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.
July 31, 2026
Elle Tesch's The Hanging Bones had me almost immediately. A gothic novel steeped in Germanic folklore? There was really no need to convince me beyond that premise. Haunted forests, ancient legends, unsettling magic, and an atmosphere dripping with dread are exactly the sort of ingredients that pull me into a story. For a good portion of the novel, The Hanging Bones delivers on that promise, creating an eerie, immersive world where old superstitions feel frighteningly alive. Unfortunately, while the setting and antagonist kept me invested, the protagonist never quite managed to do the same.
The story follows a young woman whose life is thrown into chaos after she becomes entangled with forces rooted in ancient Germanic folklore. As she uncovers the truth behind mysterious disappearances, unsettling visions, and long-buried family secrets, she finds herself caught between the ordinary world and one inhabited by creatures and traditions that have survived for centuries. The deeper she ventures into this hidden history, the more she is forced to confront questions about identity, sacrifice, and the legacy of the past. The novel blends folklore with gothic horror exceptionally well, allowing the mythology to shape both the mystery and the emotional stakes rather than serving as decorative background.
The supporting cast helps flesh out this unsettling world, each bringing their own motivations and connections to the central mystery. But the standout character is unquestionably the villain. Rather than presenting a straightforward monster, Tesch creates an antagonist whose actions are shaped by understandable desires, impossible choices, and a complicated history. I found them fascinating. Their presence added genuine tension because they never felt purely evil; instead, they occupied that uncomfortable space where empathy and horror coexist. Some of the novel's strongest moments come from exploring that moral ambiguity, and I often found myself more interested in understanding the villain than following the heroine's emotional journey.
Unfortunately, that emotional journey is where the novel lost me.
The protagonist experiences one shocking revelation after another, with her entire understanding of herself and the world constantly shifting beneath her feet. Yet her reactions often felt strangely detached. She moves through these life-altering events with an emotional distance that made it difficult for me to connect with her. More frustratingly, she rarely seems concerned with the people around her. Relationships that should carry emotional weight often feel like afterthoughts, making it difficult to believe in the stakes beyond the supernatural mystery itself.
This disconnect created the odd sensation that the protagonist and the plot belonged to two entirely different novels. The story around her is rich with atmosphere, compelling mythology, and escalating danger, while she often feels as though she's wandering through it without fully engaging. As a reader, I kept wanting her to match the intensity of the world Tesch had built, but that never quite happened. Instead of grounding the narrative emotionally, she frequently became the weakest link in an otherwise captivating story.
That said, it's difficult to dismiss a novel that does so many other things well. Tesch has a wonderful eye for gothic imagery. The forests feel ancient and oppressive, folklore is woven naturally into the narrative, and there's a lingering sense that something old and unknowable is always watching from the shadows. The atmosphere is consistently excellent, making the novel feel immersive even during moments when the characters falter.
In the end, The Hanging Bones is a book I admired more than I loved. The gothic aesthetic and Germanic folklore absolutely delivered what I was hoping for, and the morally complex villain was easily my favourite part of the novel. I just wish the protagonist had felt as compelling as the world surrounding her. When your main character seems disconnected from both the people around her and the events driving the story, it's hard to become fully invested. Even so, readers looking for eerie folklore, haunting settings, and morally complicated monsters will likely find plenty to appreciate here, even if the emotional core doesn't quite reach the same heights as its haunting atmosphere.
The story follows a young woman whose life is thrown into chaos after she becomes entangled with forces rooted in ancient Germanic folklore. As she uncovers the truth behind mysterious disappearances, unsettling visions, and long-buried family secrets, she finds herself caught between the ordinary world and one inhabited by creatures and traditions that have survived for centuries. The deeper she ventures into this hidden history, the more she is forced to confront questions about identity, sacrifice, and the legacy of the past. The novel blends folklore with gothic horror exceptionally well, allowing the mythology to shape both the mystery and the emotional stakes rather than serving as decorative background.
The supporting cast helps flesh out this unsettling world, each bringing their own motivations and connections to the central mystery. But the standout character is unquestionably the villain. Rather than presenting a straightforward monster, Tesch creates an antagonist whose actions are shaped by understandable desires, impossible choices, and a complicated history. I found them fascinating. Their presence added genuine tension because they never felt purely evil; instead, they occupied that uncomfortable space where empathy and horror coexist. Some of the novel's strongest moments come from exploring that moral ambiguity, and I often found myself more interested in understanding the villain than following the heroine's emotional journey.
Unfortunately, that emotional journey is where the novel lost me.
The protagonist experiences one shocking revelation after another, with her entire understanding of herself and the world constantly shifting beneath her feet. Yet her reactions often felt strangely detached. She moves through these life-altering events with an emotional distance that made it difficult for me to connect with her. More frustratingly, she rarely seems concerned with the people around her. Relationships that should carry emotional weight often feel like afterthoughts, making it difficult to believe in the stakes beyond the supernatural mystery itself.
This disconnect created the odd sensation that the protagonist and the plot belonged to two entirely different novels. The story around her is rich with atmosphere, compelling mythology, and escalating danger, while she often feels as though she's wandering through it without fully engaging. As a reader, I kept wanting her to match the intensity of the world Tesch had built, but that never quite happened. Instead of grounding the narrative emotionally, she frequently became the weakest link in an otherwise captivating story.
That said, it's difficult to dismiss a novel that does so many other things well. Tesch has a wonderful eye for gothic imagery. The forests feel ancient and oppressive, folklore is woven naturally into the narrative, and there's a lingering sense that something old and unknowable is always watching from the shadows. The atmosphere is consistently excellent, making the novel feel immersive even during moments when the characters falter.
In the end, The Hanging Bones is a book I admired more than I loved. The gothic aesthetic and Germanic folklore absolutely delivered what I was hoping for, and the morally complex villain was easily my favourite part of the novel. I just wish the protagonist had felt as compelling as the world surrounding her. When your main character seems disconnected from both the people around her and the events driving the story, it's hard to become fully invested. Even so, readers looking for eerie folklore, haunting settings, and morally complicated monsters will likely find plenty to appreciate here, even if the emotional core doesn't quite reach the same heights as its haunting atmosphere.
May 22, 2026
Very entertaining! I’m so glad when I find YA books that I truly enjoy since most of the time I feel like I’ve outgrown them. This one was unique, mysterious, and very engaging from start to finish.
Katrin who’s a huntress enters a deadly hunt to save her cousin from the evil ruler. Apart from the fact that she’s at the brink of death, with no assurance for the safety of her family, a more ancient and deadly threat appears causing havocs. Will she survive? Will she be able to save herself and her family from this evil twist?
I loved Katrin a lot! She’s a protector through and through and is also smart. In every step of the way, she’s so courageous and there were so many times I myself wanted to help the poor girl! I absolutely hated the baron and the story telling was so good in a way I just could not digest when he appeared. The story was very entertaining with no boring moments and the plot twists are so good too! I loved the mythical eerie fantasy elements which is well written and made me feel like I’m in the hunt myself!
I listened to the audio and the narration was fantastic! Dramatic with great storytelling!
Will definitely recommend! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts my own.
Katrin who’s a huntress enters a deadly hunt to save her cousin from the evil ruler. Apart from the fact that she’s at the brink of death, with no assurance for the safety of her family, a more ancient and deadly threat appears causing havocs. Will she survive? Will she be able to save herself and her family from this evil twist?
I loved Katrin a lot! She’s a protector through and through and is also smart. In every step of the way, she’s so courageous and there were so many times I myself wanted to help the poor girl! I absolutely hated the baron and the story telling was so good in a way I just could not digest when he appeared. The story was very entertaining with no boring moments and the plot twists are so good too! I loved the mythical eerie fantasy elements which is well written and made me feel like I’m in the hunt myself!
I listened to the audio and the narration was fantastic! Dramatic with great storytelling!
Will definitely recommend! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts my own.
July 15, 2026
3.5 stars
The Hanging Bones is a gothic YA fantasy that is deeply atmospheric and fast-paced. I found myself immediately immersed in Katrin's world and her emotions. I always love aroace rep in books and this was such a great depiction. Katrin's love for her family and friends was so beautifully portrayed and it really served as the thread that held the story together.
Unfortunately, I wish we had a bit more world-building because I wanted more information about the Forest Folk and the hanging bones itself and the ending was a bit too rushed and maybe a tad too predictable for me. Overall, this was such a solid read and I definitely enjoyed the writing and the gothic atmosphere that Tesch has created.
Thank you to Raincoast Books for the gifted copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
The Hanging Bones is a gothic YA fantasy that is deeply atmospheric and fast-paced. I found myself immediately immersed in Katrin's world and her emotions. I always love aroace rep in books and this was such a great depiction. Katrin's love for her family and friends was so beautifully portrayed and it really served as the thread that held the story together.
Unfortunately, I wish we had a bit more world-building because I wanted more information about the Forest Folk and the hanging bones itself and the ending was a bit too rushed and maybe a tad too predictable for me. Overall, this was such a solid read and I definitely enjoyed the writing and the gothic atmosphere that Tesch has created.
Thank you to Raincoast Books for the gifted copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
September 16, 2026
I picked this book for one purpose and one purpose alone, to be creepy. And it served it. This book had a spooky woods, a monster, and random people and animals missing body parts and still being alive!
I loved the story of this book and obviously the world building. (I'm a sucker for world building.) We also got a strong capable fmc.
I didn’t enjoy how much profanity there was it felt like an unnecessary thing. Yes I do understand why characters might start cursing when seeing a dead body but any other times it was starting to get a little annoying.
Other than that I loved this book and found it a perfect read for September.
I loved the story of this book and obviously the world building. (I'm a sucker for world building.) We also got a strong capable fmc.
I didn’t enjoy how much profanity there was it felt like an unnecessary thing. Yes I do understand why characters might start cursing when seeing a dead body but any other times it was starting to get a little annoying.
Other than that I loved this book and found it a perfect read for September.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2026
**Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC; all opinions are my own.**
4⭐️
🎧
This was a very dark YA fantasy- dark enough that I was a little hesitant to keep listening as the FMC is constantly under threat of sexual violence from the main antagonist of the story. However, it did give me similar vibes to Princess Mononoke (which is my favorite Studio Ghibli film), so I pushed on. There are forest folk, and a strange new forest beast causing havoc, and a fun cast of characters. Overall I really enjoyed listening and the narrator did a FANTASTIC job....just pay attention to any TWs.
4⭐️
🎧
This was a very dark YA fantasy- dark enough that I was a little hesitant to keep listening as the FMC is constantly under threat of sexual violence from the main antagonist of the story. However, it did give me similar vibes to Princess Mononoke (which is my favorite Studio Ghibli film), so I pushed on. There are forest folk, and a strange new forest beast causing havoc, and a fun cast of characters. Overall I really enjoyed listening and the narrator did a FANTASTIC job....just pay attention to any TWs.
November 6, 2025
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 🫶
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 🫶
May 18, 2026
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.
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.
September 28, 2026
Somehow the set up and world building at the beginning was better than anything else that happened.
I was an okay book and I just didn't care for how the ending played out. But nothing truly wrong with it
I was an okay book and I just didn't care for how the ending played out. But nothing truly wrong with it
January 18, 2026
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.
May 25, 2026
A little too neat of an ending for me but eerie and haunting in the best way.
Did Not Finish
June 3, 2026Had potential but I was out of fucks with the world building by 50%
Review of advance copy
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:
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:
September 28, 2026
yeah sure. it could have been way better and i kept theorizing a better book than the one i read as the mystery unfolded, but it also entertained me well enough. i didn’t need more graphic violence from august or felix but i did need the threat of their violence and power as a baron to be more consequential in the narrative cause otherwise katrin is really running around willy-nilly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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).
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.
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.
August 28, 2026
A solid premise, but the main character was a little less competent than I like to see in a main character (kept failing to hide her secrets and avoid shouting at the bad guy). The bad guy also felt a little too one-dimensional (I know, hard to say that now that we see men like this do things just as if not more egregious every day, but at least once in a while, bad guys/narcissists like this usually have the option to turn on the charm for people they need).
Also, the "happy ending" kind of glossed over the how many people who died in the creature's "I must acquire body parts."
Also, the "happy ending" kind of glossed over the how many people who died in the creature's "I must acquire body parts."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
January 16, 2026
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.
Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Tesch, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2026
Now this is how horror and fantasy should coexist. The Hanging Bones is the perfect amount of scary, disgusting, and fantastical world building.
Katrin is a gamekeeper near the border of a mysterious forest where the Folk live. She works for a ruthless, slimy baron that demands total control. Katrin has no issue letting the baron and his wealthy friends participate in the Breimar Hunt- a competition to catch the illusive Breimar stag. If caught, the hunter can claim the death of anyone they want. Katrin decides to enter the hunt to protect her family. The woods hide more than expected.
The story makes plain the horrors of a society run by rich men. The baron is, quite literally, the worst. I enjoyed the other characters. Katrin is the embodiment of determination. The narrator was fantastic!!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC
Katrin is a gamekeeper near the border of a mysterious forest where the Folk live. She works for a ruthless, slimy baron that demands total control. Katrin has no issue letting the baron and his wealthy friends participate in the Breimar Hunt- a competition to catch the illusive Breimar stag. If caught, the hunter can claim the death of anyone they want. Katrin decides to enter the hunt to protect her family. The woods hide more than expected.
The story makes plain the horrors of a society run by rich men. The baron is, quite literally, the worst. I enjoyed the other characters. Katrin is the embodiment of determination. The narrator was fantastic!!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC
featured
May 31, 2026Katrin from The Hanging Bones is aromantic asexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
May 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm sorry this is late for publication day, but I loved this! Even amidst the chaos of graduation and the pressure of like 11 ARCs due in June, I knew there was no way I was DNFing this.
The pros: First and foremost, I love Katrin. (Could I, 1st Person hater, have lived with this not being in 1st Person? 100%. But that's besides the point.) I love how this is still a YA novel but does not shy away from the horrible things she's going through. I mean that about the nature of the hunt, the gorey horror of the mystery beast, and, most of all, the sexual harrassment (and threat of full-on assault) from August. I love how angry she is, how determined she is to protect her family and end the horrors August has put everyone through. It is an incredibly compelling story, and Katrin is the perfect character to spearhead it. I also love all the other characters! Alma is so sweet but she's also very much her own character and not just some damsel/reason to push Katrin forward. Elias is such a great friend to Katrin, I love how their reactions never feel romantic in tone, and I think he and Alma are very cute with each other. Stefan is a wonderful mentor and father-figure, Rudi is the best dog, and all the moments with the castle staff are so homely. On the flipside, the visiting nobles are wonderfully annoying, and I love that they range from just mild dickery to straight-up malicious. And August, of course, is a fantastic villain. I hate him, I love that he is not stupid, I love those rare times where he even sounds reasonable. I love to hate him. The world is also so immersive with the Forest Folk, Prauen, the technology level, the Hunt and the Stag!!! I had such a wonderful time living in this world with them all. Also, shoutout to the queerness! There's a nonbinary knight, one of the nobles is a lesbian, this is all treated as normal. And the star queer rep is, of course, Katrin herself. Aroace queen!!! The aro and ace spectrums are so little represented in media, and it was so wonderful to see the identity done some respect, and how it interacted with the harrassment she faced from August. There was a part of me that kept getting worried that she would somehow get with someone by the end (no indication from that on the writing, I think I was just afraid it was too good to be true), but that did not happen. Katrin ends the story with people she loves in every way but romantic.
The cons: I think all my problems come down to two things: the pacing and the ending. The novel takes place over the course of about two weeks, but it's really only over the course of I think six days? I think it's meant to feel like time passes without plot, like real life, but it just kind of makes the setup feel pointless. As for the ending overall, I'm torn. On one hand, I love these characters and I want good things for them. On the other hand, it kind of feels like the author is afraid of having a bittersweeting ending. I don't want to say that nothing bad happens to Katrin or anything - the whole premise is that she and her cousin are being preyed upon and sexually threatened - and I can't really explain further without spoiling anything, but it just kind of feels like the author wanted everything tied up in a bow. Also there are several elements of the finale that are just fully not foreshadowed at all and it feels kind of cheap to introduce them so late. Also, random note, I believe Alma is meant to be mixed-race? There's a line in the last 25% that says her mother (Carolina) has locs, so I assume she's meant to be Black? And I swear that was never mentioned before then lmao. Obviously I have no problem with the representation, I just think it could've been made a little clearer and seen more throughout the book.
Overall, I loved it! I've wanted to check out this author's other book and now I will definitely do so!
I'm sorry this is late for publication day, but I loved this! Even amidst the chaos of graduation and the pressure of like 11 ARCs due in June, I knew there was no way I was DNFing this.
The pros: First and foremost, I love Katrin. (Could I, 1st Person hater, have lived with this not being in 1st Person? 100%. But that's besides the point.) I love how this is still a YA novel but does not shy away from the horrible things she's going through. I mean that about the nature of the hunt, the gorey horror of the mystery beast, and, most of all, the sexual harrassment (and threat of full-on assault) from August. I love how angry she is, how determined she is to protect her family and end the horrors August has put everyone through. It is an incredibly compelling story, and Katrin is the perfect character to spearhead it. I also love all the other characters! Alma is so sweet but she's also very much her own character and not just some damsel/reason to push Katrin forward. Elias is such a great friend to Katrin, I love how their reactions never feel romantic in tone, and I think he and Alma are very cute with each other. Stefan is a wonderful mentor and father-figure, Rudi is the best dog, and all the moments with the castle staff are so homely. On the flipside, the visiting nobles are wonderfully annoying, and I love that they range from just mild dickery to straight-up malicious. And August, of course, is a fantastic villain. I hate him, I love that he is not stupid, I love those rare times where he even sounds reasonable. I love to hate him. The world is also so immersive with the Forest Folk, Prauen, the technology level, the Hunt and the Stag!!! I had such a wonderful time living in this world with them all. Also, shoutout to the queerness! There's a nonbinary knight, one of the nobles is a lesbian, this is all treated as normal. And the star queer rep is, of course, Katrin herself. Aroace queen!!! The aro and ace spectrums are so little represented in media, and it was so wonderful to see the identity done some respect, and how it interacted with the harrassment she faced from August. There was a part of me that kept getting worried that she would somehow get with someone by the end (no indication from that on the writing, I think I was just afraid it was too good to be true), but that did not happen. Katrin ends the story with people she loves in every way but romantic.
The cons: I think all my problems come down to two things: the pacing and the ending. The novel takes place over the course of about two weeks, but it's really only over the course of I think six days? I think it's meant to feel like time passes without plot, like real life, but it just kind of makes the setup feel pointless. As for the ending overall, I'm torn. On one hand, I love these characters and I want good things for them. On the other hand, it kind of feels like the author is afraid of having a bittersweeting ending. I don't want to say that nothing bad happens to Katrin or anything - the whole premise is that she and her cousin are being preyed upon and sexually threatened - and I can't really explain further without spoiling anything, but it just kind of feels like the author wanted everything tied up in a bow. Also there are several elements of the finale that are just fully not foreshadowed at all and it feels kind of cheap to introduce them so late. Also, random note, I believe Alma is meant to be mixed-race? There's a line in the last 25% that says her mother (Carolina) has locs, so I assume she's meant to be Black? And I swear that was never mentioned before then lmao. Obviously I have no problem with the representation, I just think it could've been made a little clearer and seen more throughout the book.
Overall, I loved it! I've wanted to check out this author's other book and now I will definitely do so!
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