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Bonebag
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Expected 26 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 16:20:11
10 copies available
U.S. only
In this riveting middle-grade fantasy, New York Times bestselling author David Elliott and E. M. Elliott tell the story of a forest-dwelling boy forced to confront the mysteries of his life.
Trapped in a dark forest with his cold-hearted parents, Bonebag leads a cruel and isolated existence. However, he feels deep in his bones that things weren’t always this he has known happiness before. Why does it feel like it was in a past life?
When Bonebag discovers a locket that burns him to the touch, and a ghostly girl beckons him into the deep woods, he must grapple with the riddle of where he came from and how he came to be. Only then can he begin to rewrite his fate.
From New York Times bestselling author David Elliott and his son, E. M. Elliott, this powerful middle-grade fantasy will take listeners on a quest that tackles the mystery of belonging with high-octane twists and turns along the way.
Trapped in a dark forest with his cold-hearted parents, Bonebag leads a cruel and isolated existence. However, he feels deep in his bones that things weren’t always this he has known happiness before. Why does it feel like it was in a past life?
When Bonebag discovers a locket that burns him to the touch, and a ghostly girl beckons him into the deep woods, he must grapple with the riddle of where he came from and how he came to be. Only then can he begin to rewrite his fate.
From New York Times bestselling author David Elliott and his son, E. M. Elliott, this powerful middle-grade fantasy will take listeners on a quest that tackles the mystery of belonging with high-octane twists and turns along the way.
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
It takes a while for the story to pick up. And yet, in a way it doesn't; for we immediately see how much danger Bonebag is in and that he must run for his life - away from his supposed parents, who fully intend to devour him in the darkness of the forest of Scura. The start is a harrowing, slightly prolonged chase filled with fear and surprises that reveal to Bonebag how much he was completely unaware of.
He escaped their clutches - for now - only to find himself in even greater peril in the unfamiliar Great City, facing an even more treacherous enemy prowling for Rags, wayward children who lost their parents in a catastrophic event, to claim for its own.😟 It's an alarming fright, the embers of his near-capture still burn as he finds refuge at the Curve with Toby, a Rag whose charm for their ringleader, Cyrus, arouses more suspicion than trust in Bonebag's eyes.
“Which was worse? To know and forget, or never to have known?”
As I was bombarded with strange names and occurrences - much like Bonebag was completely unaware - it felt like a piece of the story was missing; almost as if these events should have already been recounted elsewhere. That feeling was disarming, and made it feel like a lot of info-dump from the get-go. 😵💫
But, somehow as Bonebag, or Beebs as Toby anointed him, delved deeper into the secrets and mysteries of the Great City, stumbling across familiar faces in the literal sense that tied to his fleeting escape - the points align. His yearning for companionship outweighed his fear. The truths find their footing. As he himself nears a disastrous change, it will take courage to return to harm's way and right the wrong done to so many.
“All of it. Magic potions. Monsters stealing children. Devouring their futures. It’s unthinkable.”
And that feeling of watching the dots connect is my favorite feeling ever. It's a rush. 🙂↕️😌 One where I literally sat up in bed, watching how Bonebag and his cohorts, Toby and Margo, follow the clues, only to realize that their only way out is the point of no return.
Bonebag does have an incredible responsibility, an even greater burden to bear, and an insurmountable load of questions and pain. His depth and emotion made you care for his well-being, as he grew more confident by the support and truth of those with him. 🥺 For someone who had been alone his entire life, it was a heartbreaking yet bittersweet realization that he was no longer alone; others cared for him and wanted to join his grand adventure to finally bring change to their troubled world.
Some of the monsters' descriptions are a bit grotesque. Some of the actions are upsetting. But there is this overall feeling of claiming something and putting an end to all wrong that feels so satisfying and right. Heart and humor nicely balance each other out. 🤜🏻🤛🏻 That sense of trepidation was offset by this triumphant resolve, further buoyed by Bonebag finally getting to the truth of his own history. It brought tears to my eyes, for every ending— even the good ones— carry sadness with them.
“To feel what others feel, to understand them, is a powerful gift.”
Aside from the nagging notion that the history should have been explained in more depth elsewhere, the writing was good, as was the supporting cast - Margo with her anger and her confidence and her courage. Toby with his loyalty and good humor. Brave Bonebag and his resolve. Madalena, who proved even in death, the strongest of them all. 🫂 Meaningful friendships were forged during times of peril, who fought to finally put the darkness to rest.
I would be curious if this world was ever expanded. 🤔 I thought there was a lot that could be explored further, like seeing what future awaits them, or at least getting a clue as to Bonebag's real name. If not, it was still an invigorating middle grade dark fantasy, one that pulled me in without me even realizing it. 👌🏻
“... he knew what it meant to be happy. Knew it in his very bones. It was like the memory of a friend he had never met.”
It takes a while for the story to pick up. And yet, in a way it doesn't; for we immediately see how much danger Bonebag is in and that he must run for his life - away from his supposed parents, who fully intend to devour him in the darkness of the forest of Scura. The start is a harrowing, slightly prolonged chase filled with fear and surprises that reveal to Bonebag how much he was completely unaware of.
He escaped their clutches - for now - only to find himself in even greater peril in the unfamiliar Great City, facing an even more treacherous enemy prowling for Rags, wayward children who lost their parents in a catastrophic event, to claim for its own.😟 It's an alarming fright, the embers of his near-capture still burn as he finds refuge at the Curve with Toby, a Rag whose charm for their ringleader, Cyrus, arouses more suspicion than trust in Bonebag's eyes.
“Which was worse? To know and forget, or never to have known?”
As I was bombarded with strange names and occurrences - much like Bonebag was completely unaware - it felt like a piece of the story was missing; almost as if these events should have already been recounted elsewhere. That feeling was disarming, and made it feel like a lot of info-dump from the get-go. 😵💫
But, somehow as Bonebag, or Beebs as Toby anointed him, delved deeper into the secrets and mysteries of the Great City, stumbling across familiar faces in the literal sense that tied to his fleeting escape - the points align. His yearning for companionship outweighed his fear. The truths find their footing. As he himself nears a disastrous change, it will take courage to return to harm's way and right the wrong done to so many.
“All of it. Magic potions. Monsters stealing children. Devouring their futures. It’s unthinkable.”
And that feeling of watching the dots connect is my favorite feeling ever. It's a rush. 🙂↕️😌 One where I literally sat up in bed, watching how Bonebag and his cohorts, Toby and Margo, follow the clues, only to realize that their only way out is the point of no return.
Bonebag does have an incredible responsibility, an even greater burden to bear, and an insurmountable load of questions and pain. His depth and emotion made you care for his well-being, as he grew more confident by the support and truth of those with him. 🥺 For someone who had been alone his entire life, it was a heartbreaking yet bittersweet realization that he was no longer alone; others cared for him and wanted to join his grand adventure to finally bring change to their troubled world.
Some of the monsters' descriptions are a bit grotesque. Some of the actions are upsetting. But there is this overall feeling of claiming something and putting an end to all wrong that feels so satisfying and right. Heart and humor nicely balance each other out. 🤜🏻🤛🏻 That sense of trepidation was offset by this triumphant resolve, further buoyed by Bonebag finally getting to the truth of his own history. It brought tears to my eyes, for every ending— even the good ones— carry sadness with them.
“To feel what others feel, to understand them, is a powerful gift.”
Aside from the nagging notion that the history should have been explained in more depth elsewhere, the writing was good, as was the supporting cast - Margo with her anger and her confidence and her courage. Toby with his loyalty and good humor. Brave Bonebag and his resolve. Madalena, who proved even in death, the strongest of them all. 🫂 Meaningful friendships were forged during times of peril, who fought to finally put the darkness to rest.
I would be curious if this world was ever expanded. 🤔 I thought there was a lot that could be explored further, like seeing what future awaits them, or at least getting a clue as to Bonebag's real name. If not, it was still an invigorating middle grade dark fantasy, one that pulled me in without me even realizing it. 👌🏻
May 23, 2026
Slow and creepy at the start, but once things got rolling it became an entertaining adventure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bonebag, written by New York Times bestselling author E.M. Elliott, and his son, David Elliott, is one of the most unique middle grade novels my daughter and I have read together in quite some time. From the very beginning, the language itself feels unusual and intriguing in a way that immediately pulls the reader into the story’s atmosphere. There was this constant feeling that we were standing right on the edge of something strange and unpredictable, always questioning where the story was about to go next. That sense of uncertainty kept both of us completely invested.
What surprised me most was just how emotionally attached we became to Bonebag himself. Beneath the eerie atmosphere and horror leaning elements is a deeply compelling emotional core that makes you genuinely care about what happens to him. This is definitely a more intense middle grade novel, and while my eight-year-old absolutely loved it, she also had plenty of questions throughout. I could tell she appreciated experiencing this story alongside me rather than reading it independently, which honestly made for some really wonderful conversations as we read together. The story invites discussion in a way that many children’s books do not.
The writing is stunning, the pacing keeps you engaged, and the twists and turns genuinely surprised us. It is the kind of book where you truly cannot predict how things will unfold or where the story will ultimately land. While it may not be the perfect fit for every young reader, no book truly is, and I think many families who enjoy darker, atmospheric middle grade fiction will absolutely adore this one. It feels imaginative, unsettling, emotional, and entirely memorable all at once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Young Readers for entrusting me with an ARC of this title. It is truly appreciated and always such a treat to be able to read new books and share my opinions with fellow literature lovers.
What surprised me most was just how emotionally attached we became to Bonebag himself. Beneath the eerie atmosphere and horror leaning elements is a deeply compelling emotional core that makes you genuinely care about what happens to him. This is definitely a more intense middle grade novel, and while my eight-year-old absolutely loved it, she also had plenty of questions throughout. I could tell she appreciated experiencing this story alongside me rather than reading it independently, which honestly made for some really wonderful conversations as we read together. The story invites discussion in a way that many children’s books do not.
The writing is stunning, the pacing keeps you engaged, and the twists and turns genuinely surprised us. It is the kind of book where you truly cannot predict how things will unfold or where the story will ultimately land. While it may not be the perfect fit for every young reader, no book truly is, and I think many families who enjoy darker, atmospheric middle grade fiction will absolutely adore this one. It feels imaginative, unsettling, emotional, and entirely memorable all at once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Young Readers for entrusting me with an ARC of this title. It is truly appreciated and always such a treat to be able to read new books and share my opinions with fellow literature lovers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Books like Bonebag are exactly why I like middle-grade books. It’s been quite a while since I read a middle-grade story that managed to feel this creepy, tense, and magical all at once. I read this in one sitting because this book was THAT good.
Bonebag has lived his life in a lonely cottage in the forest Scura with his cold, unsettling parents, Modor and Faeder. Bonebag does the chores for his parents, and strangely, his parents don't eat the foddish they prepare for him; in fact, they don't seem to eat anything. Bonebag has never spoken with other children, but he finds clothes of children his age near his cottage. His only joy is the Tatters hidden beneath his mattress, containing stories. But soon it seems his already strange parents might actually be dangerous....
The first half of the story had Coraline vibe, and I was actually scared that Bonebag might not make it out alive. Even after reaching the Great City, the story continued to carry the dark and tense feeling. Coming over to the characters, Toby was my favourite. He brought a bit of lightheartedness to this otherwise serious book. Some parts could be foreseen, but the execution, the imagery, and the overall atmosphere of the story made it an incredible reading experience. And the ending? I think it is just right for the story.
In short, I loved this book.
Bonebag has lived his life in a lonely cottage in the forest Scura with his cold, unsettling parents, Modor and Faeder. Bonebag does the chores for his parents, and strangely, his parents don't eat the foddish they prepare for him; in fact, they don't seem to eat anything. Bonebag has never spoken with other children, but he finds clothes of children his age near his cottage. His only joy is the Tatters hidden beneath his mattress, containing stories. But soon it seems his already strange parents might actually be dangerous....
The first half of the story had Coraline vibe, and I was actually scared that Bonebag might not make it out alive. Even after reaching the Great City, the story continued to carry the dark and tense feeling. Coming over to the characters, Toby was my favourite. He brought a bit of lightheartedness to this otherwise serious book. Some parts could be foreseen, but the execution, the imagery, and the overall atmosphere of the story made it an incredible reading experience. And the ending? I think it is just right for the story.
In short, I loved this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to @NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! 🦴
Forced to attend the whim of his so-called parents, a boy called Bonebag lives an isolated life in the forest, with few comforts but pages from a book, the faint memory of perfume, and a feeling that this isn’t the life he was supposed to live. But trapped inside a nightmare world where dark creatures prowl, how can he change his fate? ✨
Bonebag finds a way to leave the forest. He travels to a city, and makes friends with another lost boy like himself, one without parents. But escaping the forest left a mark, he’s been cursed and every day he loses more of his humanity. 👹To break it, he must find a way to return, and bring back the final ingredient of a potion - a flower that grows in the forest where he was kept for years. 🪻Joined alongside his new friends, he must discover the truth of how he arrived in the forest to begin with, and the question that has followed him all his life - who are his real parents? 🤔
What a wonderful book, full of incredible world-building. 🥰 The characters were all so unique and I loved the language and dialect used by the lost boys! This Middle Grade novel is being published on 26 May ‘26, and I wish it every success! 💖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Forced to attend the whim of his so-called parents, a boy called Bonebag lives an isolated life in the forest, with few comforts but pages from a book, the faint memory of perfume, and a feeling that this isn’t the life he was supposed to live. But trapped inside a nightmare world where dark creatures prowl, how can he change his fate? ✨
Bonebag finds a way to leave the forest. He travels to a city, and makes friends with another lost boy like himself, one without parents. But escaping the forest left a mark, he’s been cursed and every day he loses more of his humanity. 👹To break it, he must find a way to return, and bring back the final ingredient of a potion - a flower that grows in the forest where he was kept for years. 🪻Joined alongside his new friends, he must discover the truth of how he arrived in the forest to begin with, and the question that has followed him all his life - who are his real parents? 🤔
What a wonderful book, full of incredible world-building. 🥰 The characters were all so unique and I loved the language and dialect used by the lost boys! This Middle Grade novel is being published on 26 May ‘26, and I wish it every success! 💖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s rare I find a book written perfectly for youth that I can step right into as an adult. Bonebag is such a book. A children’s horror story, like an old Brothers Grimm fairytale, Bonebag feels both classic and entirely new.
In this novel, we journey along with an empathetic boy who, despite finding himself at the bottom of the food chain and pursued by the most horrific of forces, refuses to give up hope. With perfectly woven plot twists and a cast of unique and relatable characters, the darkness and light of the forests of the Scura and the injustices and camaraderie of the Great City come fully to life.
David and E.M. Elliot create uniquely mythical monsters within a world of real monsters and prove to the reader that in life, it is rare and terribly courageous to feel deeply and to put others’ well-being before one's own.
I hated to put this book down; each chapter builds upon the last, creating a momentum and arc of tension that drives through the novel like a sharp talon. We should all be so lucky as to spend a few hours seeing the world through Bonebag’s eyes.
In this novel, we journey along with an empathetic boy who, despite finding himself at the bottom of the food chain and pursued by the most horrific of forces, refuses to give up hope. With perfectly woven plot twists and a cast of unique and relatable characters, the darkness and light of the forests of the Scura and the injustices and camaraderie of the Great City come fully to life.
David and E.M. Elliot create uniquely mythical monsters within a world of real monsters and prove to the reader that in life, it is rare and terribly courageous to feel deeply and to put others’ well-being before one's own.
I hated to put this book down; each chapter builds upon the last, creating a momentum and arc of tension that drives through the novel like a sharp talon. We should all be so lucky as to spend a few hours seeing the world through Bonebag’s eyes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The problem I had with this book from the first third was that it was the main character running from the monsters he thought were his parents. This went on and on as he struggled with so much in his head.
After that the book picked up a pace but I found myself skipping large sections that slowed things down.
I was disappointed with the explanation of Bonebag’s origin and the world building around that. It felt both rushed and too long.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out May 26, 2026.
After that the book picked up a pace but I found myself skipping large sections that slowed things down.
I was disappointed with the explanation of Bonebag’s origin and the world building around that. It felt both rushed and too long.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out May 26, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks Net Galley for the ARC!
I loved this book with my whole heart ❤️ It was so fun to read and really captured why I fell in love with reading when I was just a a wee one.
This is such a great little adventure, about a boy trying to find his place in the world after suffering a horrific upbringing. It honestly reminded me of The Pagemaster where he goes through all the different genres, it started with horror, went a bit adventure/fantasy, then a little mystery, then back to horror and I loved it!
This definitely gave me Little Nightmares vibes, the horror part is so creepy, especially from the eyes of a child. And the rest was giving His Dark Materials in the way that it's like our world but slightly different and it had the same feeling of adventure and importance that HDM gave me.
If you have a kiddo who likes a bit of everything or likes horror without being scared silly by ghosts and stuff, this one is a must!! But also, if You're an adult and just want a really fun, short, well contained story for in-between your main books, go for it! It's so much fun!
I loved this book with my whole heart ❤️ It was so fun to read and really captured why I fell in love with reading when I was just a a wee one.
This is such a great little adventure, about a boy trying to find his place in the world after suffering a horrific upbringing. It honestly reminded me of The Pagemaster where he goes through all the different genres, it started with horror, went a bit adventure/fantasy, then a little mystery, then back to horror and I loved it!
This definitely gave me Little Nightmares vibes, the horror part is so creepy, especially from the eyes of a child. And the rest was giving His Dark Materials in the way that it's like our world but slightly different and it had the same feeling of adventure and importance that HDM gave me.
If you have a kiddo who likes a bit of everything or likes horror without being scared silly by ghosts and stuff, this one is a must!! But also, if You're an adult and just want a really fun, short, well contained story for in-between your main books, go for it! It's so much fun!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I *loved* Bonebag. A middle grade fantasy that gets surprisingly dark, without ever becoming depressingly so. There are twists and turns as the eponymous Bonebag escapes his monstrous "parents" keeping him isolated in a cabin in the woods.
And that's about all you need to know going into the book. I'm not averse to mild spoilers necessarily, but I believe that the blinder you are to the plot as you start, the more enjoyable this will be.
As I said, I loved this book. I really hope you will too, as this deserves to be a huge success.
And that's about all you need to know going into the book. I'm not averse to mild spoilers necessarily, but I believe that the blinder you are to the plot as you start, the more enjoyable this will be.
As I said, I loved this book. I really hope you will too, as this deserves to be a huge success.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I tried and definitely didn't get it., but I'm also thinking that it's similar to other authors I try to read and simply don't understand (MT Anderson, Andrew Smith, David Almond) since I looked back and have found Elliott's other books a bit puzzling.
It didn't start off strong because I was confused about the sheer amount of narration that bogged down what needed to be a fast-start middle grade fantasy and it never got better.
It didn't start off strong because I was confused about the sheer amount of narration that bogged down what needed to be a fast-start middle grade fantasy and it never got better.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this was so much weirder than I expected. it's a dark, frequently surreal, sometimes nightmarish tumble of a novel with pockets of genuine heart. while sometimes bogged down by endless made-up names and ideas that felt too big for the narrative, I appreciated the ambition here. it was strange and startling and an ode to classic fantasy. curious to see what the verdict ends up being here—but personally, I adored it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a unique story. A bit on the darker side for a middle grade novel, but my little Wednesday Addams in training loved it. The tension is great throughout, and the atmospheric writing is beautiful. There are some definite Grimm fairytale-like elements, making this fun for both my daughter and me to read.
Read
May 25, 2026Firstly, I want to thank Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!
I absolutely loved it, this book is such a pageturner. The characters are so interesting and well fleshed out, the story is dark and addictive, and I loved the worldbuilding.
I would have been obsessed with this as a kid, but, even as an adult, I can still appreciate it greatly!
I absolutely loved it, this book is such a pageturner. The characters are so interesting and well fleshed out, the story is dark and addictive, and I loved the worldbuilding.
I would have been obsessed with this as a kid, but, even as an adult, I can still appreciate it greatly!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Page-turner with so much heart! I LOVE this book!
March 31, 2026
I received an ARC of this novel. It was decent. Maybe a little young for me. Needs to dig into the past more. A good start to the series. #astrabooksforyoungreaders
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Astra Publishing House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This is a great fast-paced book about a young boy escaping a traumatic beginning and the adventure he undertakes. This mix of horror, mystery and fantasy comes together in a really appealing way. Being dropped into a story with specific in-world language may be daunting to some readers, but it's worth it to keep going. If you have a spooky house, and love a creepy twisty tale, I'd highly recommend Bonebag.
This is a great fast-paced book about a young boy escaping a traumatic beginning and the adventure he undertakes. This mix of horror, mystery and fantasy comes together in a really appealing way. Being dropped into a story with specific in-world language may be daunting to some readers, but it's worth it to keep going. If you have a spooky house, and love a creepy twisty tale, I'd highly recommend Bonebag.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Plenty of scares for a young adult story. Wild emotions, tears waiting to be shed.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
*Thanks to Edelweiss and Astra for the ARC*
A dark fantasy adventure about a young boy trying to find his place. It's surely not in this tiny forest cottage with suspiciously strange parents but is it outside in the big city as well? With some scares and good atmosphere at the beginning, we transition to a street urchin story complete with Toby, the lovable thief, and nasty coppers, known as Yellowjaks. But Bonebag doesn't seem to fit there either. His identity crisis and sense of conviction was inspiring. We return to horror by the end but it's over quick and the ending climax felt abrupt and a bit of an easy resolution. I did really love the final page and the note the book ended on. Scary but not too scary and a good adventure, this is a great choice for young readers who want some scary thrills and a great main character to root for.
A dark fantasy adventure about a young boy trying to find his place. It's surely not in this tiny forest cottage with suspiciously strange parents but is it outside in the big city as well? With some scares and good atmosphere at the beginning, we transition to a street urchin story complete with Toby, the lovable thief, and nasty coppers, known as Yellowjaks. But Bonebag doesn't seem to fit there either. His identity crisis and sense of conviction was inspiring. We return to horror by the end but it's over quick and the ending climax felt abrupt and a bit of an easy resolution. I did really love the final page and the note the book ended on. Scary but not too scary and a good adventure, this is a great choice for young readers who want some scary thrills and a great main character to root for.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews