Bloodybones

by Sophie Breeze

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2026

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Reid and Erin have been best friends since high school. Erin has gone through something tragic, and Reid has always been there for her. But what happens when Erin goes off to college, something no one saw coming? How long will Reid stay loyal to Erin? In my opinion, Erin doesn't deserve Reid as a friend. This fast-paced horror will have you breathless. I enjoyed all the suspense! I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.

[The Morbid Mama ☠︎︎]

Huge thank you @booksirens for the ARC!


Bloodybones started out strong and I really felt drawn to Reid’s character. The video chat scene in the dorm involving the sketchpad was super creepy and had me on the edge of my seat! But unfortunately that was the only part that really stuck with me. As the story went on, my opinion on Reid really started to change. He seemed to be super possessive and jealous when his best friend and boyfriend had any friendships/relationships with people other than him which gave me a HUGE ick. The last thing I’ll mention is Mercy. At first it felt like a fun little addition to the book. But as time went on she seemed like she was a puzzle piece trying to be fit into the wrong puzzle.

I do think the book has a lot of potential for sure, but I was just having a really hard time getting into it and decided that this just may not be for me, so I am DNF’ing at 70%. I know that readers out there will enjoy it though and I hope my opinions don’t stop them from giving it a go!

[Makayla Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve rated this book based on the CAWPILE method. This book averaged 5 stars.

CHARACTERS-9/10

The characters are really well written and believable. Very fluid in their thoughts and development.

ATMOSPHERE/SETTING- 10/10

Creepy atmosphere, it felt very confusing in the way that is he dreaming? Is he awake? Is it really happening? Is this hallucination?

WRITING STYLE- 9/10

Very fluid for the most part, a couple of spots were a little choppy but not enough to really annoy me

PLOT- 8.5/10

Plot is great. There are so many questions, even at the end, but in this case it works really well for the story. More than one twist that the reader doesn’t really see coming. I wish the first and second half felt more cohesive plot wise, though, there’s a few characters that are just never really mentioned again.

INTRIGUE- 10/10

Very intrigued, I literally fell asleep reading this last night. Didn’t even plug in my phone I had like 12% left. When I woke up this morning I finished it before I even made my coffee.

LOGIC/RELATIONSHIPS- 10/10

All sound logic, between the relationship of Reid and Erin and Reid and Tobias it was all very believable.

ENJOYMENT- 10/10

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and I think that for the horror genre itself, this is one of the better ones I’ve read. It isn’t just surface level, there are deeper themes and thoughts. Very good! I would definitely recommend to any horror fan.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Milt Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, quite promising, with a style that grabs you from page one and never lets go. Little details make the plot believable and the dialogue realistic, plus a few creepy scenes and a couple of wildly unpredictable ones provide some intensity and plenty of suspense. That said, this should be rewritten as a tightly plotted novella: several irrelevant storylines are included for no reason at all and for nil payoff, so reaching the ending becomes a chore.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MiniMicroPup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started off so spooky but got stuck in a loop of repetitive feels. Check it out if you love complicated friendships and slow-burn psychological horrors.

Energy: Loyal. Defensive. Spiralling.

🐺 Howls: The middle dragggged. Too many repetitive monologues, arguments, and overthinking around the MC’s fixation on saving his bff. The character decisions could be frustrating and illogical at times. The friendship read as romantic obsession when it was supposed to be platonic love and was very tell not show. We’re told they have this deep connection and love each other, but I never felt it on page. Some details really pulled me out of the story (like “hemp gummies” hehe…those would not be getting anyone high 😅).

🐕 Tail Wags: Strong opening. Immediately intriguing and creeping dread. The writing was conversational and natural. Horror elements are vivid and unsettling, it never felt gratuitous and was like watching a movie. Compelling moral dilemma premise. Creative, unexpected ending. The little bits of exploration around an obsessive, possibly manipulative friendship.

Scene: 🏡 Fictional town of Lake Shelly
Perspective: A soon-to-be elementary school teacher trying to rebuild after helping their best friend through a difficult year, only to be pulled into increasingly disturbing events tied to their friend and her spiralling creative project.
Timeline: Linear. 2020s.
Narrative: Fully in the main character’s mind (first person).
Cred: Speculative realism
Stakes: Medium-High (escalating). Loyalty, sanity, the cost of devotion and friendship.

Mood Reading Match-Up:
Caffeine. 8 year-old oracle. Oozing bile. Third graders. Mist.
• Breezy, colloquial, conversational writing style
• Compromised, conscientious, troubled, and protective character
• Psychological plot-driven horror
• Obsessive, codependent friendship
• Moral dilemmas and helplessness
• Supernatural entities and telepathy
• Creepy things children say
• Dreams, nightmares, blurred reality
• Burnout and emotional exhaustion
• How far would you go for your bestie?

Content Heads-Up: Cannabis use. Dissociation. Homophobia (slurs, family rejection - mentions). Insomnia, sleep deprivation (descriptive). Loss of child. Loss of sibling (as teen). Mental illness. Night terrors. Physical assault. Sexual content (hallucinations; consenting - behind closed doors). Toxic/codependent friendship. Vomit (graphic).

Rep: Cis. Gay. Lesbian. Pale skin tones.

Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from BookSirens

My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶

[Kristen N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story leaves you with the questions why is this happening to them, how is this happening, and what is going on?

Reid and Erin have been friends since High school and as she goes off to college to finally live a bigger life and leaving one of sadness and despair behind, he feels a little left behind. She runs full force into her assignment, but this assignment 'bloodybones' leaves a eerie feeling in Reids chest. Especially when the hallucinations become almost unbearably real.

I enjoyed the story, the ultimate mystery of bloodybones kept me intrigued and as more things began to surface so did more questions inside of me and the MMC himself. The beginning had a way of sweeping you off your feet and carrying you into a world of Erin's sadness and Reids need to protect and support her. But the ending was more where it began to fall apart. Not completely in a way that left you lost in the woods. Just in a way where you had more questions than answers and the overwhelming feeling of wanting to know more. I wanted to know why Erin was in the predicament she was in. I wanted to know why was this the way Reid was protected and the biggest want was to know how was bloodybones actually there.

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced readers copy
I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this book. The writing is very easy to follow, with a style that is quick and gripping. We have best friends Reid and Erin, navigating new situations and recovering from trauma and change.
There are many areas that aren’t as well formed, for instance the student of Reid’s who has a storyline that kind of leaves you feeling unfulfilled. I wonder if something became cut out of the story or if it was always this vague. It did not add to the mystery or suspense at all, and kind of took away from other aspects
The horror aspect of the story is creepy, comes up on you like a dream you can almost remember but can’t quite grasp fully. Just unsettling. Bloodbones has just enough intensity to leave you unsettled in a way a good horror or good suspense should.
I give this 3.75 stars, just due to the need of a few storylines we read that aren’t as fulfilled and left me wondering why it was added. Really good and strange little novel.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different.

Very interesting and well done plot, with lots of small but powerful details added through out.

The aspects of friendship and love come through well without being overly dramatic.

The horror is more of what will happen next and the phycology dread than gore and such.

Very well written with characters dynamic done well and believe able.

They writing style is easy to read but not overly simplistic. Just enough details and such to keep the story interesting and well developed.

My only one issue was the ending. I don't know if I liked it or not. I mean I works and works really well. I just don't know, I feel like I want to know how.

Other than that small it's me not the book or story issue. It was a good one sitting read. I finished it without realising I was at the end till I was at the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Robyn Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloody bones was really a very good read. The trauma and grief that feeds the monster is truly felt throughout reading the story. The main character is a young gay male who is perhaps immature for his age, his best friend Erin is a massive part of the storyline and their somewhat dysfunctional friendship spirals way beyond boundary issues. The storyline flows well, however, the ending was somewhat confusing and there were still some unanswered questions. This does leave me wondering if there will perhaps be a follow where things are explained further. The story was built on young adults and the language used and the way the book was written fitted this age range, I am older however, and still enjoyed the read very much. All in all Bloody Bones was a worthy read and I am glad I added it to my to-read list.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lucy Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story gripped me from the start; the characters were not overly likable but were relatable. You follow Reid, a new teacher, who is trying to navigate a relationship, friendship, new job, and major loss in his life. Everything sounds like normal stress until his best friend, Erin, brings a creepy entity (Bloodybones) into their lives through an art project she is working on.

I enjoyed the premise and the mystery of understanding Bloodybones. However, the storyline involving one of Reid's students felt poorly integrated and forced whenever it came up. I'm still not clear on the purpose of her character. The ending also left something to be desired… it felt rushed and half-done.

Overall, this book was wild and gripping but some aspects could have been thought through in a more complete way.

[Mary Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those novels I call “pervasive horror”—the terror creeps in gradually, starting with a seemingly insignificant detail until it permeates everything. There’s nothing concrete to justify the horror at first—a drawing, a lonely little girl—but it’s there. The character becomes increasingly consumed by the terror, and we along with him. It’s also an everyday terror—one that could strike any of us—and it reminds us how little it takes for a person to snap. Lack of boundaries, codependency, pathological attachments, terrifying projections from the subconscious....

Or so you think—until the killer plot twist at the end.

A very recommended read.

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ellie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang what a twist! I absolutely loved Bloodybones, I was unable to put it down & finished it within such a short timeframe as a result! The imagery was phenomenal, Breeze does a great job setting up such an eerie tone. I loved that Bloodybones as a monster was left in mystery - if it was overexplained I think it would've made the story less immersive. The ending wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, but I appreciate the ride this folk horror took me on. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style and I plan to read more by Sophie Breeze!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Thomas Fenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy. Absolutely incredible horror novel that manages to toe the line between being a really fun read and being a fascinating mediation on grief. The two character's relationship is the heart of the novel and keeps all of the scares (and yes it is horrifying) grounded and tense.

It has a killer ending that you gotta read. Can't recommend this enough to fans of horror that enjoy tragedy alongside some very fun scares. Just watch out for stairs IFYKYK

[MayBeReadingg ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloodybones had me fully spiraling in the best way. This book was creepily captivating from start to finish, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The secondhand paranoia?? Absolutely unhinged. I was side-eyeing shadows like I was in the story myself.

Sophie Breeze delivered such a haunting take on grief and guilt, showing how easily obsession can blur the line between reality and something… much darker. This one lingers with you long after the last page and I loved every eerie second of it. 🖤

[Rach Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloodybones by Sophie Breeze takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, spine chilling and addictive. Nightmares are defiantly made of this superb fantasy horror. It is compelling, scary and wonderfully written. Super descriptive. You can feel him, smell him and see him vividly. I dare you to read this page turner.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh… my mind is absolutely blown. I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I first read about this book. When I started reading, I was not expecting to feel this many different emotions throughout, but I sure did. What a thrilling emotional rollercoaster. About the cliffhanger at the end followed by the epilogue, I can only say: I need a sequel 😂

In all seriousness, this was incredible.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What amazing book. Really enjoyed it. Kept me on my toes. 5/5

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite literally the only horror novel that has really gripped me, fantastic meditation of grief, connection, relationships, and their intersection.