What do you think?
Rate this book
Unnamed Bones
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26Reckless, depressed, impulsive and sixteen, Harrow Lane is going to an island that shouldn’t exist to look for answers about the death of her father—the father who accidentally cursed her shortly after she was born. Things immediately go very wrong—beginning with the sinking of the boat that brought them to the island and an ominous chuckle from something that shouldn’t be there—and keep getting worse in ways they couldn’t possibly imagine. Harrow and friends came without being invited and whatever lives there doesn’t like visitors.
With no way to reach the outside world and no understanding of the rules of the island, Harrow and her friends are in mortal danger, and knowing who can and can’t be trusted is a thing they left back on shore. Matters are only complicated by Harrow’s emotions—she’s given her biggest feelings human faces and personalities and does her best to keep them locked away in a seedy motel she built in her mind. But emotions are sneaky, and she’s having to face them at the worst possible time. It’s creating sort of an “Inside Out in hell” situation as they fight for survival against a creature that seems to be made entirely of terror and who very well might spell the end of the world.
With no way to reach the outside world and no understanding of the rules of the island, Harrow and her friends are in mortal danger, and knowing who can and can’t be trusted is a thing they left back on shore. Matters are only complicated by Harrow’s emotions—she’s given her biggest feelings human faces and personalities and does her best to keep them locked away in a seedy motel she built in her mind. But emotions are sneaky, and she’s having to face them at the worst possible time. It’s creating sort of an “Inside Out in hell” situation as they fight for survival against a creature that seems to be made entirely of terror and who very well might spell the end of the world.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 21, 2026
About the author
Lora Senf
11 books288 followersHi, I'm Lora Senf!
I'm a reader and writer of dark and twisty stories for all ages. I owe my love of words to my parents and to the public library that was walking distance from my childhood home.
I find inspiration for my writing all over the place - from my kids' retellings of their dreams to road trips through Montana, and often in lonely buildings.
I love the reading and writing communities. I'm a member of Authors Guild and Horror Writers Association.
PENNIES - a Blight Harbor prequel - is coming September 23, 2025. I have a YA horror novel, UNNAMED BONES, coming out summer 2026 and more on the way.
I no longer review books, but I do yell about the books I love on social media - mostly Instagram.
I live in Washington State with my husband, our twins, and two cats who think they're people.
I'd love to hear from you! 🖤
I'm a reader and writer of dark and twisty stories for all ages. I owe my love of words to my parents and to the public library that was walking distance from my childhood home.
I find inspiration for my writing all over the place - from my kids' retellings of their dreams to road trips through Montana, and often in lonely buildings.
I love the reading and writing communities. I'm a member of Authors Guild and Horror Writers Association.
PENNIES - a Blight Harbor prequel - is coming September 23, 2025. I have a YA horror novel, UNNAMED BONES, coming out summer 2026 and more on the way.
I no longer review books, but I do yell about the books I love on social media - mostly Instagram.
I live in Washington State with my husband, our twins, and two cats who think they're people.
I'd love to hear from you! 🖤
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 8, 2026
(3.5 stars) Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for this ARC!
Unnamed Bones is the YA story of 4 teens who take a day trip to a mysterious island near their town. Their relationships are already strained, but they eventually learn what friendship truly means.
This tale has a wonderful introduction to the characters. The story is told from the perspective of the MC, Harrow, and is refreshingly conversational! She is matter of fact in expressing her feelings and experiences, but she’s not obnoxious. One of my favorite parts of this novel is the way the author creatively explores Harrow’s emotions. They are characters with as much depth and interest as every other character it the book without overloading the cast.
The action unfolds pretty quickly, and I didn’t feel as though I was rushing through the story to get to “something happening”. The story flows along at a comfortable pace and ratchets up the tension or excitement as needed. Towards the end, however, the setting and content gets a little “heady” (in a philosophical way) which seems a bit too deep. As long as you just “go with the flow” and stay in the story, it’s not too off-putting.
Ultimately, this is a solid YA novel that approaches serious themes of friendship, pain, loss, and fear with grace and a bit of humor. YA isn’t my normal genre, but I definitely would recommend it to any thriller fan.
Unnamed Bones is the YA story of 4 teens who take a day trip to a mysterious island near their town. Their relationships are already strained, but they eventually learn what friendship truly means.
This tale has a wonderful introduction to the characters. The story is told from the perspective of the MC, Harrow, and is refreshingly conversational! She is matter of fact in expressing her feelings and experiences, but she’s not obnoxious. One of my favorite parts of this novel is the way the author creatively explores Harrow’s emotions. They are characters with as much depth and interest as every other character it the book without overloading the cast.
The action unfolds pretty quickly, and I didn’t feel as though I was rushing through the story to get to “something happening”. The story flows along at a comfortable pace and ratchets up the tension or excitement as needed. Towards the end, however, the setting and content gets a little “heady” (in a philosophical way) which seems a bit too deep. As long as you just “go with the flow” and stay in the story, it’s not too off-putting.
Ultimately, this is a solid YA novel that approaches serious themes of friendship, pain, loss, and fear with grace and a bit of humor. YA isn’t my normal genre, but I definitely would recommend it to any thriller fan.
April 14, 2026
Unnamed Bones is a dark, twisted, metaphysical story that had my full attention from the beginning.
Harrow has had a hard time with the disappearance of her father Tim. He simply vanished on the lake, and now there is a strange island that appeared. The whole town of Seekers’ Rest is strange. Disappearances, strange occurrences, and an overall weird feel to the town. Those that live there have become somewhat used to it.
Harrow has decided to visit that weird island and three of her friends came along. Mike, her friend and second dad, warned her against the trip, but took them there on his boat despite his misgivings. As soon as he dropped them off, the insanity began.
Harrow has learned to keep her emotions in a unique way that may eventually help her or harm her.
This book was an amazingly imaginative work and a rollercoaster ride to the end. This is the first book I have read by author Lora Senf, but I will certainly be looking for more.
Harrow has had a hard time with the disappearance of her father Tim. He simply vanished on the lake, and now there is a strange island that appeared. The whole town of Seekers’ Rest is strange. Disappearances, strange occurrences, and an overall weird feel to the town. Those that live there have become somewhat used to it.
Harrow has decided to visit that weird island and three of her friends came along. Mike, her friend and second dad, warned her against the trip, but took them there on his boat despite his misgivings. As soon as he dropped them off, the insanity began.
Harrow has learned to keep her emotions in a unique way that may eventually help her or harm her.
This book was an amazingly imaginative work and a rollercoaster ride to the end. This is the first book I have read by author Lora Senf, but I will certainly be looking for more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Unnamed Bones” by Lora Senf is a YA horror story that leans hard into body horror, psychological terror, and metaphor. Senf delivers a story that feels less like a traditional survival tale and more like being trapped inside a nightmare, one that’s as much about grief and self-destruction as it is about monsters. Before diving into the book, I recommend looking into the content warnings as there is some body horror as well as suicide described in the book.
Sixteen-year-old Harrow Lane is reckless, depressed, and driven by unanswered questions surrounding her father’s death. Her search for answers leads her to an island and valley that simply appeared one day, with no scientific explanation and no apparent oversight. You will need to suspend disbelief here; the premise works best when accepted as inherently supernatural rather than realistic. From the moment Harrow and her friends arrive, the island makes it clear they are not welcome. Their boat sinks, technology fails, and something unseen laughs in the darkness.
The island itself feels alive; it’s somehow warping reality, altering bodies, and tormenting its visitors as if it feeds on fear and pain. Graphic body horror and disturbing transformations make it clear this is not a lighter YA read, and the included content warnings for gore and self-harm are well warranted. The horror escalates into something deeply surreal, involving alternate dimensions, supernatural entities, and a godlike presence controlling the island. Nothing behaves logically, and that disorientation is very much the point.
One of the story’s most striking elements is Harrow’s internal world. She copes with her emotions by anthropomorphizing them; she gives her feelings human forms and locks them away in a grimy motel inside her mind. This “Inside Out in hell” approach is unusual, occasionally confusing, but ultimately powerful. As the island forces her to confront grief, guilt, and rage, the boundaries between her inner world and the external horror begin to blur. What once helped her survive may also be the key to saving her or destroying her.
Despite the bleakness, the book isn’t without warmth. Harrow’s friendships, especially with her best friend and the genuinely kind, grounding Shane, provide moments of light and humanity amid the chaos. These relationships keep the story from becoming unbearably heavy and reinforce the story’s underlying themes of connection and hope.
At its core, “Unnamed Bones” reads like an extended metaphor for facing buried emotions and choosing to keep going even when survival feels impossible. The ending is bittersweet; it’s marked by loss, but also a quiet, hard-earned victory that suggests healing doesn’t mean erasing pain, only learning to live with it.
Overall, “Unnamed Bones” is a haunting exploration of grief, fear, and resilience. This book is best suited for older YA readers who appreciate surreal horror, intense body horror, and stories that linger long after the final page.
“Unnamed Bones” by Lora Senf is a YA horror story that leans hard into body horror, psychological terror, and metaphor. Senf delivers a story that feels less like a traditional survival tale and more like being trapped inside a nightmare, one that’s as much about grief and self-destruction as it is about monsters. Before diving into the book, I recommend looking into the content warnings as there is some body horror as well as suicide described in the book.
Sixteen-year-old Harrow Lane is reckless, depressed, and driven by unanswered questions surrounding her father’s death. Her search for answers leads her to an island and valley that simply appeared one day, with no scientific explanation and no apparent oversight. You will need to suspend disbelief here; the premise works best when accepted as inherently supernatural rather than realistic. From the moment Harrow and her friends arrive, the island makes it clear they are not welcome. Their boat sinks, technology fails, and something unseen laughs in the darkness.
The island itself feels alive; it’s somehow warping reality, altering bodies, and tormenting its visitors as if it feeds on fear and pain. Graphic body horror and disturbing transformations make it clear this is not a lighter YA read, and the included content warnings for gore and self-harm are well warranted. The horror escalates into something deeply surreal, involving alternate dimensions, supernatural entities, and a godlike presence controlling the island. Nothing behaves logically, and that disorientation is very much the point.
One of the story’s most striking elements is Harrow’s internal world. She copes with her emotions by anthropomorphizing them; she gives her feelings human forms and locks them away in a grimy motel inside her mind. This “Inside Out in hell” approach is unusual, occasionally confusing, but ultimately powerful. As the island forces her to confront grief, guilt, and rage, the boundaries between her inner world and the external horror begin to blur. What once helped her survive may also be the key to saving her or destroying her.
Despite the bleakness, the book isn’t without warmth. Harrow’s friendships, especially with her best friend and the genuinely kind, grounding Shane, provide moments of light and humanity amid the chaos. These relationships keep the story from becoming unbearably heavy and reinforce the story’s underlying themes of connection and hope.
At its core, “Unnamed Bones” reads like an extended metaphor for facing buried emotions and choosing to keep going even when survival feels impossible. The ending is bittersweet; it’s marked by loss, but also a quiet, hard-earned victory that suggests healing doesn’t mean erasing pain, only learning to live with it.
Overall, “Unnamed Bones” is a haunting exploration of grief, fear, and resilience. This book is best suited for older YA readers who appreciate surreal horror, intense body horror, and stories that linger long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧.25/5
Quick Reasons: what the actual heck did I just read?!; twisty, turny, traumatic, delicious horror; dark, grisly prosetry; this book will leave you questioning
Huge thanks to Lora Senf, Union Square & Co, and Netgalley for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
I had to put a little space between this book and I tonight after I finished, because WHAT did I just read?! This journey is twisty, gritty, gnarly suspenseful horror from the first page, written in atmospheric prosetry from a potentially unreliable narrator. And when I tell you this will leave you questioning everything, you best believe that is EXACTLY what happens!
These characters are akin to the tropes you find in movies like The Breakfast Club-- the outcast, the nerd, the athlete, and the popular one...... but make it Dark, make it taste bitter on the back of the tongue, make it haunting and alarming and wrong. If you're going into this read hoping you'll find clarity behind the pages, maybe reconsider; there ARE answers, and you WILL reconsider everything time and time again, but clarity is not to be found at the ending.
I personally had a ton of fun diving into this read, these characters, their voids... and on thinking I knew what would happen next, only to be very wrong about it. I highly recommend this to lovers of gritty horror, darkly atmospheric reads, and journeys that don't so much have a destination as they do a destiny. The unnamed bones have called you home, Penguins; nows the time to find out what you're made of.
Quick Reasons: what the actual heck did I just read?!; twisty, turny, traumatic, delicious horror; dark, grisly prosetry; this book will leave you questioning
Huge thanks to Lora Senf, Union Square & Co, and Netgalley for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
I had to put a little space between this book and I tonight after I finished, because WHAT did I just read?! This journey is twisty, gritty, gnarly suspenseful horror from the first page, written in atmospheric prosetry from a potentially unreliable narrator. And when I tell you this will leave you questioning everything, you best believe that is EXACTLY what happens!
These characters are akin to the tropes you find in movies like The Breakfast Club-- the outcast, the nerd, the athlete, and the popular one...... but make it Dark, make it taste bitter on the back of the tongue, make it haunting and alarming and wrong. If you're going into this read hoping you'll find clarity behind the pages, maybe reconsider; there ARE answers, and you WILL reconsider everything time and time again, but clarity is not to be found at the ending.
I personally had a ton of fun diving into this read, these characters, their voids... and on thinking I knew what would happen next, only to be very wrong about it. I highly recommend this to lovers of gritty horror, darkly atmospheric reads, and journeys that don't so much have a destination as they do a destiny. The unnamed bones have called you home, Penguins; nows the time to find out what you're made of.
May 28, 2026
Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for the ARC!
I’m a big fan of Lora Senf. Her middle grade horror books are my favorites, so when I heard she was releasing a YA horror novel, I was really excited.
The story follows four teenagers who visit a strange island but things turns out weird and disturbing fast fast, on the island and the teens themselves, and they soon realise they can’t escape.
One thing I really liked was Harrow, the main character and the way her mind worked. She has a beautiful messy mind and I enjoyed how she imagined her emotions as actual people, staying in a motel inside her head. That was really interesting to read.
I’ll admit that some parts confused me a little. This isn’t just a survival horror story. It’s very psychological and deals with some heavy themes. And by the end, all I could think was that Harrow seriously needed therapy because she was clearly struggling mentally.
That said, I loved the horror elements and all the creepy, uncomfortable moments in the book. The only reason this wasn’t a five-star read for me was the ending. I just didn’t enjoy how everything wrapped up and it was confusing and it wasn't until I did another reread that I understood that ending.
I’m a big fan of Lora Senf. Her middle grade horror books are my favorites, so when I heard she was releasing a YA horror novel, I was really excited.
The story follows four teenagers who visit a strange island but things turns out weird and disturbing fast fast, on the island and the teens themselves, and they soon realise they can’t escape.
One thing I really liked was Harrow, the main character and the way her mind worked. She has a beautiful messy mind and I enjoyed how she imagined her emotions as actual people, staying in a motel inside her head. That was really interesting to read.
I’ll admit that some parts confused me a little. This isn’t just a survival horror story. It’s very psychological and deals with some heavy themes. And by the end, all I could think was that Harrow seriously needed therapy because she was clearly struggling mentally.
That said, I loved the horror elements and all the creepy, uncomfortable moments in the book. The only reason this wasn’t a five-star read for me was the ending. I just didn’t enjoy how everything wrapped up and it was confusing and it wasn't until I did another reread that I understood that ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The cover of Unnamed Bones is beautiful and was initially put this book on my radar.
I am not ashamed to admit that I didn’t fully understand this story, but still enjoyed it. The book starts during what feels like the middle of another story, in my opinion. Harrow is no longer friends with her best friend for unknown reasons, and her dad, who I guess was never really fully present, died in a mysterious accident.
Things start happening pretty quickly with the lake and island. I honestly found myself freaked out quite a few times in the early chapters on the island. There is no shortage of strange body horror in this one, and it is also plenty sad.
I really enjoyed the concept of the motel. That alone made this book very unique.
The whole town/lake/island situation was pretty mysterious and stayed that way. I primarily read horror, but for some reason still go into most books expecting a very clean cut ending, which we don’t get here. For me, I think I left with more questions than answers. But I did really enjoy the story and felt very connected to all of the characters.
The cover of Unnamed Bones is beautiful and was initially put this book on my radar.
I am not ashamed to admit that I didn’t fully understand this story, but still enjoyed it. The book starts during what feels like the middle of another story, in my opinion. Harrow is no longer friends with her best friend for unknown reasons, and her dad, who I guess was never really fully present, died in a mysterious accident.
Things start happening pretty quickly with the lake and island. I honestly found myself freaked out quite a few times in the early chapters on the island. There is no shortage of strange body horror in this one, and it is also plenty sad.
I really enjoyed the concept of the motel. That alone made this book very unique.
The whole town/lake/island situation was pretty mysterious and stayed that way. I primarily read horror, but for some reason still go into most books expecting a very clean cut ending, which we don’t get here. For me, I think I left with more questions than answers. But I did really enjoy the story and felt very connected to all of the characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow talk about a mystery. At first, I was really confused on what exactly was going on but then it just clicked and I was like ohhhhh. The book is about Harrow who has a mental hotel in her head with all of her emotions. Who goes on an adventure with her 3 friends to explore a mysterious island that seems to have magically appeared out of know where, and her dad just so happened to have disappeared from. Harrow and her 3 friends guilt trip Harrows uncle Tim into taking them to the island via boat. Against her uncles' better judgment. They get to the island and definitely are not prepared for the adventure they end up having. The moment they arrive on the island Tragedy strikes. The book is full of twist and turns and full of excitement. Harrow not only has to fight her friends but an island that seems to be alive and possessed, but the internal fight with all of her emotions staying rent free in her head as well. The story may not have the feel-good happy ending but it definitely ends the way it should. would highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I can’t help but feel like this book needed a little more. Everything at the start happens extremely quickly and though the pace rarely lets up it definitely was losing momentum for me towards the end. Maybe more of an introduction to the characters and the town would've benefited the emotional moments.
The personified emotions weren’t really explained early enough for me and I found them to be a bit confusing at the start. Once it was explained it still didn’t fully make sense to me but I was enjoying the novelty of it that it was alright.
The horror scenes themselves were fantastic and often nausea inducing. I think that they’re definitely the biggest draw for me in recommending this book. If you’re after a horror book where you can really visualise the awful horrors the characters are experiencing I’d say definitely give this one a go.
Thank you Union Square & Co and NetGalley for the ARC
The personified emotions weren’t really explained early enough for me and I found them to be a bit confusing at the start. Once it was explained it still didn’t fully make sense to me but I was enjoying the novelty of it that it was alright.
The horror scenes themselves were fantastic and often nausea inducing. I think that they’re definitely the biggest draw for me in recommending this book. If you’re after a horror book where you can really visualise the awful horrors the characters are experiencing I’d say definitely give this one a go.
Thank you Union Square & Co and NetGalley for the ARC
June 6, 2026
This book was unlike anything I have ever read before. It starts out fast paced and with immediate dangerous impacts and it feels like a great thriller and you’re expecting a full slasher book. Which would have been great! But then the author makes it so creepy and more body horror, then switches into grief horror, then it turns into a mixture of the movie Inside Out combined with Inception, and it becomes philosophical horror. Eventually into introspective horror. Each scene and description I had no idea where I was going. I’m now wondering how the author’s mind could create such a concept and weave it all together. It all WORKS, brilliantly!!!
I was so engaged and thinking deeply, then grossed out, sad, the back to grossed out and feeling like I need to study this book, the surface themes and deeper meanings.
It was like being in a symphony of horror genres masterfully conducted and I was just along for the amazing and WILD ride!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A strange island, a group of teens, what could go wrong?
Harrow, a depressed teen, has many reasons to stay away from the lake and the strange island that seemed to appear overnight, not least of all because it killed her Father. But on impulse, she had decided to go, and three friends had decided to tag along; she had no choice but to stick to her plans. But once they are on the strange shores of the island, things start to go very wrong. Stranded, they need to find a way to stay alive and try to find a way off the island.
But something has other ideas, and it will soon come to a battle of wills.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Harrow and the way her mental issues are represented, which, of course, only adds to the creepiness and atmosphere of the situation. With no idea what is going to happen next, it is a page turner, and no mistake.
Harrow, a depressed teen, has many reasons to stay away from the lake and the strange island that seemed to appear overnight, not least of all because it killed her Father. But on impulse, she had decided to go, and three friends had decided to tag along; she had no choice but to stick to her plans. But once they are on the strange shores of the island, things start to go very wrong. Stranded, they need to find a way to stay alive and try to find a way off the island.
But something has other ideas, and it will soon come to a battle of wills.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Harrow and the way her mental issues are represented, which, of course, only adds to the creepiness and atmosphere of the situation. With no idea what is going to happen next, it is a page turner, and no mistake.
May 16, 2026
In this book, Harrow goes on a journey both outside of and with in herself. It starts off as a trip to a strange island in her quite strange town with a few friends/acquaintances, and then takes many dark unusual turns.
This book had aspects of Inside Out (concretized emotions that reside in a desert motel Harrow “made” for them in her head) but add terrifying and gruesome body horror as well as a frantic breakneck pace of events.
The action starts early and twist after twist occurs. I could not turn the pages fast enough. The ending was metaphysical and perfect.
I loved Senf’s foray into YA horror
This book had aspects of Inside Out (concretized emotions that reside in a desert motel Harrow “made” for them in her head) but add terrifying and gruesome body horror as well as a frantic breakneck pace of events.
The action starts early and twist after twist occurs. I could not turn the pages fast enough. The ending was metaphysical and perfect.
I loved Senf’s foray into YA horror
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I’m not sure what to think of this story. It took me on a journey and not the one I was expecting. I assumed from the description this would be a more run of the mill horror novel. But it’s definitely more of a psychological one than anything else. It’s reminiscent of a fever dream. The action kicks off fairly quick and the island is more deadly than I expected. It’s a survival story, Harrow has to face her worst emotions and fears. It’s laced with blood and gore. It’s one that sticks with you.
( Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is an absolute masterclass in cosmic horror. The intense sense of isolation and creeping existential dread completely cuts you off from the outside world, trapping you in a beautifully written nightmare alongside characters who are wonderfully developed and deeply compelling.
There are multiple jaw-dropping moments that left me sitting there, staring blankly at a wall, completely aghast and trying to process what the hell just happened. The nature horror aspects are genuinely unsettling, and the entire story is a perfectly constructed piece of fiction. I don’t think I’ll ever look at trees the same way again.🌲👀
This author has earned a fan for life, and I cannot wait to read more from them
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC of this book, all opinions are my own
There are multiple jaw-dropping moments that left me sitting there, staring blankly at a wall, completely aghast and trying to process what the hell just happened. The nature horror aspects are genuinely unsettling, and the entire story is a perfectly constructed piece of fiction. I don’t think I’ll ever look at trees the same way again.🌲👀
This author has earned a fan for life, and I cannot wait to read more from them
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC of this book, all opinions are my own
March 12, 2026
thank you for the arc netgalley!
LOVED! was addictive and kept me wanting to read, i really enjoyed it. the horror aspects were so well done but also the more heartwarming moments, it was so so intriguing, honoured to have gotten an arc and will deffo be getting a physical copy when released! made me tear up at some points from the heartfelt moments and also wince from some of the horror aspects because they were done so well! favourite books i’ve read so far this year i think!
LOVED! was addictive and kept me wanting to read, i really enjoyed it. the horror aspects were so well done but also the more heartwarming moments, it was so so intriguing, honoured to have gotten an arc and will deffo be getting a physical copy when released! made me tear up at some points from the heartfelt moments and also wince from some of the horror aspects because they were done so well! favourite books i’ve read so far this year i think!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is by far, one of the best YA horror books I've ever read! Adults can absolutely enjoy this one as well, as it is much more of a deeper read than most of the YA genre. The story is fast paced, complex, thought-provoking, super creepy and so fresh and original! I had an absolute blast finding out what in the world is happening with this impossible island, lake and mind motel! I look forward to reading more from this extremely talented author!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
weird and surreal and gory and genuinely frightening (all positive)! nobody does monsters like Lora Senf. UNNAMED BONES is an unpredictable mind-bender of a horror novel, and I gobbled it up from behind my fingers. Nightmares? Certainly. This one requires a little faith in the story as it loops through its bizarre chills, but if you open your mind to it, it's guaranteed to get under your skin in the best possible way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
this was so weird but like… in a good way??
the island is creepy, the vibes are off the entire time, and some scenes were actually gross/unsettling. but the coolest part was how her emotions are actual characters - so creative.
a bit confusing at times but once it clicks it’s really good.
not a happy read, but i enjoyed it 🖤
the island is creepy, the vibes are off the entire time, and some scenes were actually gross/unsettling. but the coolest part was how her emotions are actual characters - so creative.
a bit confusing at times but once it clicks it’s really good.
not a happy read, but i enjoyed it 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
i enjoyed this, it was fast paced and suspenseful and creepy, there was gnarly body horror, i felt for the characters, the combo of monsters + wilderness survival was anxiety-inducing. i didn't really vibe with the anthropomorphized emotions aspect and the ending left me wanting, a bit.
3/5
thank you lora for the arc <3
3/5
thank you lora for the arc <3
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fast-paced and easy to fly through. The creepy atmosphere and mystery kept me hooked, though I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. Overall, an enjoyable horror read that left me thinking afterward.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A weird horror story about a creepy island & guilt.
The opening chapter sucks you right in & makes you fall right into who Harrow is. I found the personification of Harrows emotions very interesting.
Recommend for fans of Bad Graces, We Call Them Witches & When I Was Death
The opening chapter sucks you right in & makes you fall right into who Harrow is. I found the personification of Harrows emotions very interesting.
Recommend for fans of Bad Graces, We Call Them Witches & When I Was Death
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well let me begin by stating this is NOT a light read at all in any shape or form and content warnings absolutely should be read and heeded!!! This book is graphic and disturbing in some elements as it explores themes of grief, trauma, self-harm, hatred, and a myriad of other serious and heavy emotions. It is a supernatural book without explanations as to how things happen but ultimately it can be viewed as a horrific look inside a mind unraveled by grief, trauma and unanswered questions.
Harrow is our FMC and in her we see the emotions behind this book. I could not help but think about a Christian book series that explored the ideas of the heart and mind being like houses and rooms, corridors and doors. Harrow gives her emotions a physical form them locks them away in a nasty motel.
This book deals with hard themes and graphic content. Please read the content warnings before proceeding and IF you so choose to begin the reading journey lock yourself in for a horrific ride that will haunts you even after you put the book away. And......because of the writing style and nature of this book be forewarned it may be difficult to place a bookmark and walk away unfinished.
Harrow is our FMC and in her we see the emotions behind this book. I could not help but think about a Christian book series that explored the ideas of the heart and mind being like houses and rooms, corridors and doors. Harrow gives her emotions a physical form them locks them away in a nasty motel.
This book deals with hard themes and graphic content. Please read the content warnings before proceeding and IF you so choose to begin the reading journey lock yourself in for a horrific ride that will haunts you even after you put the book away. And......because of the writing style and nature of this book be forewarned it may be difficult to place a bookmark and walk away unfinished.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I edited this book, and it’s very very good. You should read it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A dreadful, dreamy puzzle box. Lora Senf is such a powerhouse in fresh, strange, and unsettling children's horror, and UNNAMED BONES is another must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
With emotional and haunting prose supporting a fast-paced plot that doesn't let up, UNNAMED BONES is an easy recommend for teens who are fans of YELLOWJACKETS and THE THING.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Will put review later
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very fast paced book with lots happening but it doesn't feel like its too much. It give you the sense of urgency, fear, and builds that tense feeling very well.
I really enjoyed this book and read it in two sitting because I was desperate to know more.
This is a very fast paced book with lots happening but it doesn't feel like its too much. It give you the sense of urgency, fear, and builds that tense feeling very well.
I really enjoyed this book and read it in two sitting because I was desperate to know more.
May 10, 2026
This had so many twists and turns, I mean we start with a island that’s mysteriously appears from nowhere out of a lake that our main characters Dad mysteriously sunk to the bottom of, never to be seen again.
Then our main character Harrow also sees personifications of her emotions that live in a motel inside her head. Truly the weirdest and the most wonderful with this one.
I absolutely loved the body horror and the raw emotions of this boon, especially with it being marketed as Young Adult, sometimes I fell they miss out on the goods that horror can offer.
What for me started out has a mystery truly turned into a stunning grotesque metaphor for buried and repressed emotions amongst the anguish of being a teen.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy. Well worth adding to your TBR.
Then our main character Harrow also sees personifications of her emotions that live in a motel inside her head. Truly the weirdest and the most wonderful with this one.
I absolutely loved the body horror and the raw emotions of this boon, especially with it being marketed as Young Adult, sometimes I fell they miss out on the goods that horror can offer.
What for me started out has a mystery truly turned into a stunning grotesque metaphor for buried and repressed emotions amongst the anguish of being a teen.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy. Well worth adding to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Puts a refreshing, poignant spin on a familiar premise. Explores themes of mental health, grief, inner strength and human connection. Doesn't waste time with unnecessary romance.
Cons: The horror scenario feels a tad too formulaic at first.
WARNING! Drowning, body horror/botanical horror, blood and gore/injuries, self-harm, suicide, fire/burning, vomiting. Depression, trauma, grief.
Will appeal to: Those who enjoy a psychological twist on the stranded-cast-facing-a-nightmare scenario.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Union Square & Co. for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
A group of teens (usually all girls, not in this case) stranded on an (often impossible) island that does its best to break their bodies and their sanity: a common enough scenario in YA horror. But Senf gives it a couple of spins that make Unnamed Bones stand out among the number of stories sharing the same premise. When this one starts, Harrow's father has been missing for a year after disappearing into a lake that shouldn't exist, at whose center, recently, an equally unexplainable island showed up. Feeling a sort of magnetic pull towards the island, Harrow decides to investigate its nature with three other teens - her former best friend Olive, the latter's sort-of boyfriend Ethan, and hiker/biker Shane - who are looking for an adventure. The author doesn't waste time unleashing horrors upon her characters (all while building a subtler sense of menace that comes from their having to figure out the rules of the place and its purpose), and though the worst ones may feel - or look - familiar at first, the ending will make you see them in a whole new light. Mind you - the journey to get there is a powerful one, marked by a string of experiences and findings on the characters' part more than by unexpected twists (though there are a handful of them, especially a shocking one that I didn't see coming). You might say the story resembles a videogame where the protagonist and her friends gather knowledge (and in a way, weapons - only not conventional ones) while progressing towards the ultimate big bad - a game that, for all its ordeals and nightmares, comes with a lot of heart, and delivers a bittersweet, yet somehow hopeful ending. [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: Puts a refreshing, poignant spin on a familiar premise. Explores themes of mental health, grief, inner strength and human connection. Doesn't waste time with unnecessary romance.
Cons: The horror scenario feels a tad too formulaic at first.
WARNING! Drowning, body horror/botanical horror, blood and gore/injuries, self-harm, suicide, fire/burning, vomiting. Depression, trauma, grief.
Will appeal to: Those who enjoy a psychological twist on the stranded-cast-facing-a-nightmare scenario.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Union Square & Co. for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
A group of teens (usually all girls, not in this case) stranded on an (often impossible) island that does its best to break their bodies and their sanity: a common enough scenario in YA horror. But Senf gives it a couple of spins that make Unnamed Bones stand out among the number of stories sharing the same premise. When this one starts, Harrow's father has been missing for a year after disappearing into a lake that shouldn't exist, at whose center, recently, an equally unexplainable island showed up. Feeling a sort of magnetic pull towards the island, Harrow decides to investigate its nature with three other teens - her former best friend Olive, the latter's sort-of boyfriend Ethan, and hiker/biker Shane - who are looking for an adventure. The author doesn't waste time unleashing horrors upon her characters (all while building a subtler sense of menace that comes from their having to figure out the rules of the place and its purpose), and though the worst ones may feel - or look - familiar at first, the ending will make you see them in a whole new light. Mind you - the journey to get there is a powerful one, marked by a string of experiences and findings on the characters' part more than by unexpected twists (though there are a handful of them, especially a shocking one that I didn't see coming). You might say the story resembles a videogame where the protagonist and her friends gather knowledge (and in a way, weapons - only not conventional ones) while progressing towards the ultimate big bad - a game that, for all its ordeals and nightmares, comes with a lot of heart, and delivers a bittersweet, yet somehow hopeful ending. [...]
Whole review here.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unnamed Bones is a YA horror novel that explores themes of mental health, friendship, and survival. This was such a creepy and unsettling read, and honestly, not what I was expecting at all, but I still really enjoyed it.
The story follows four teenagers who take a day trip to explore a strange and mysterious island. As unsettling events begin happening both on the island and to the teens themselves, they soon realise they’re trapped there with no easy way out.
I went into this book expecting horror, but not in the way the story delivered it. I also wasn’t expecting to spend so much time inside Harrow’s head, which added a different element to the story. The atmosphere felt tense and unsettling throughout, and the mystery of the island kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
What I appreciated most was how refreshingly different the story felt compared to a lot of YA horror. It was quick and easy to read while still managing to be eerie and emotionally heavy at times. I think this will really appeal to teens and young adults looking for a horror story that mixes creepy suspense with deeper themes.
Thank you Netgally for providing me a copy to read and review.
The story follows four teenagers who take a day trip to explore a strange and mysterious island. As unsettling events begin happening both on the island and to the teens themselves, they soon realise they’re trapped there with no easy way out.
I went into this book expecting horror, but not in the way the story delivered it. I also wasn’t expecting to spend so much time inside Harrow’s head, which added a different element to the story. The atmosphere felt tense and unsettling throughout, and the mystery of the island kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
What I appreciated most was how refreshingly different the story felt compared to a lot of YA horror. It was quick and easy to read while still managing to be eerie and emotionally heavy at times. I think this will really appeal to teens and young adults looking for a horror story that mixes creepy suspense with deeper themes.
Thank you Netgally for providing me a copy to read and review.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews