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A Stir of Bones
A Stir of Bones is the stand-alone prequel to acclaimed fantasist Nina Hoffman's award-winning adult novels A Red Heart of Memories and Past the Size of Dreaming. It is every bit as remarkable, warm, and heartwrenching.
Fourteen-year-old Susan Backstrom seems to have a charmed life -- she's smart and beautiful, the only child of wealthy, attentive parents. But there are secrets inside her expensive house that Susan would never tell. One day, at the library, she overhears their housekeeper's son talking with some friends about sneaking into a nearby abandoned house. Much to her own surprise, Susan very much wants to join them -- and soon, she's part of the best secret of all. The house has a resident teenage ghost. More important than that, the house itself is a living, supernatural thing, able to serve as a magic conductor. With the help of five new friends - -three humans, one ghost, and the House itself -- Susan has what she needs to transform her life, if she dares.
Fourteen-year-old Susan Backstrom seems to have a charmed life -- she's smart and beautiful, the only child of wealthy, attentive parents. But there are secrets inside her expensive house that Susan would never tell. One day, at the library, she overhears their housekeeper's son talking with some friends about sneaking into a nearby abandoned house. Much to her own surprise, Susan very much wants to join them -- and soon, she's part of the best secret of all. The house has a resident teenage ghost. More important than that, the house itself is a living, supernatural thing, able to serve as a magic conductor. With the help of five new friends - -three humans, one ghost, and the House itself -- Susan has what she needs to transform her life, if she dares.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
13 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
About the author
Nina Kiriki Hoffman
304 books345 followersNina Kiriki Hoffman’s first solo novel, The Thread That Binds the Bones (1993), won the Bram Stoker Award for first novel; her second novel, The Silent Strength of Stones (1995) was a finalist for the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards. A Red Heart of Memories (1999, part of her “Matt Black” series), nominated for a World Fantasy Award, was followed by sequel Past the Size of Dreaming in 2001. Much of her work to date is short fiction, including “Matt Black” novella “Unmasking” (1992), nominated for a World Fantasy Award; and “Matt Black” novelette “Home for Christmas” (1995), nominated for the Nebula, World Fantasy, and Sturgeon awards. In addition to writing, Hoffman has taught, worked part-time at a B. Dalton bookstore, and done production work on The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. An accomplished fiddle player, she has played regularly at various granges near her home in Eugene, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 29, 2008
Wow, humans suck.
July 21, 2021
Susan overhears Edmund, Julio and Dierdre talking about going to the haunted house and joins them. The house really is haunted, by Nathan. The others are scared but Susan takes things in stride. It's good that Susan came along, besides her lack of fear, she has a better rapport with House. At home her father is a control freak and to keep Susan in line he beats her mother. Not just "in line," but a perfect princess with strict curfews. She uses her science project as a way to do research outside the house and keep in contact with her new friends.
This is a prequel to A Red Heart of Memories and Past the Size of Dreaming. Having read those two was a bit of a spoiler, 4 stars. There is magic, domestic abuse, consent, friendship. Susan is the focus of this book, she's in the other two, but it's more about Matt Black and Edmund. Reading this one first would give you more insight into Susan.
This is a prequel to A Red Heart of Memories and Past the Size of Dreaming. Having read those two was a bit of a spoiler, 4 stars. There is magic, domestic abuse, consent, friendship. Susan is the focus of this book, she's in the other two, but it's more about Matt Black and Edmund. Reading this one first would give you more insight into Susan.
May 23, 2007
This was a fascinating study of a girl (Susan) entering puberty who is the product of incredible emotional manipulation and abuse from her father. Essentially, her mother is "punished" whenever the daughter is not "perfect." Thus, the pattern of physical abuse of the mother is used as a tool to control both mother and daughter. Through a combination of paranormal ability and a growing desire to rebel, this first book in a trilogy (and now I have to read the other two!) takes the reader to the point where Susan first realizes her own paranormal abilities can be used to mitigate her father's abuse and potentially to turn the untenable situation around. Very well written, though there are some rough points in the flow of the plotline.
December 13, 2018
This book surprised me. It started out like a run-of-the-mill young adult fantasy: ghosts, haunted houses, kids playing at magic. But it turned into something much deeper than that. It addressed serious concerns (living with an abusive parent, children who commit suicide) while maintaining a positive attitude. If I were a teacher an thought I had a student who was struggling with something, I would definitely recommend this book.
July 10, 2010
I was surprised by how intense the menacing atmosphere was. The book opens and you immediately get the impression that there is something somehow wrong with this girl and her home life.
The writing has a poetic beauty that is a joy to read. The Daily Oregonian quote on the cover, calling Hoffman "this generation's Ray Bradbury" is very apt.
The writing has a poetic beauty that is a joy to read. The Daily Oregonian quote on the cover, calling Hoffman "this generation's Ray Bradbury" is very apt.
July 26, 2021
Harrowing. The father was so creepy and frightening.
But the other characters were great. And I loved the concept of being able to talk to houses and objects.
But the other characters were great. And I loved the concept of being able to talk to houses and objects.
February 1, 2016
The book takes place in 1982 and centers around Susan Backstrom, her friends, a ghost and the house the ghost lives in. It succeeds on a variety of levels and is a thoroughly excellent novel.
Susan is pretty much the "perfect" girl, but a girl who has a father who is terribly physically abusive towards her mother and who holds the Susan in line by threatening to hurt her mother if Susan does anything he doesn't like. She has no privacy; he goes through things in her room, checks her hamper and even her fingernails. She has no freedom at all in her life until she finds out about a strange abandoned house.
She eventually goes to the house and meets the ghost of Nathan, a young boy who died in the house, and with him and her friends she begins to have somewhat of a more normal life, spending time in the house with her friends and finding out that she has an ability to be in tune with the house and its feelings, the house being alive in its own way.
There are problems, of course. She has to keep this a total secret from her father. A girl who many kids don't like spots her and her friends in the house and threatens to cause problems. She has the constant fear of her father finding out something and then taking it out physically on her mother.
It all makes for a very interesting book, one which demands direct sequels since Susan's problems with her father are not resolved by the end of the novel. As far as I know, though, no direct sequels were done.
Susan is pretty much the "perfect" girl, but a girl who has a father who is terribly physically abusive towards her mother and who holds the Susan in line by threatening to hurt her mother if Susan does anything he doesn't like. She has no privacy; he goes through things in her room, checks her hamper and even her fingernails. She has no freedom at all in her life until she finds out about a strange abandoned house.
She eventually goes to the house and meets the ghost of Nathan, a young boy who died in the house, and with him and her friends she begins to have somewhat of a more normal life, spending time in the house with her friends and finding out that she has an ability to be in tune with the house and its feelings, the house being alive in its own way.
There are problems, of course. She has to keep this a total secret from her father. A girl who many kids don't like spots her and her friends in the house and threatens to cause problems. She has the constant fear of her father finding out something and then taking it out physically on her mother.
It all makes for a very interesting book, one which demands direct sequels since Susan's problems with her father are not resolved by the end of the novel. As far as I know, though, no direct sequels were done.
March 7, 2013
Thirteen-year-old Susan slips out from under the thumb of her abusive father through friends and communing with a haunted house. Slight, strange, more horror than fantasy. By which I mean that the supernatural elements feel as though they are . . . extensions? Reflections? Of-a-piece? . . . nearly inextricable from the story of internal psychological strife – the fear and depression and self-destruction. Rather than being moving elements for their own sake. Quibble with my definition, whatever, I'll just change it again in a few months anyway.
Put it this way -- a central character is the ghost of a boy who suicided many years ago, and they find his skeleton in a closet. It's that kind of book.
Two anti-climactic to really get me. I'm confused about why this, out of all of her catalog, is the only title I can find in audio. I'm not intrigued enough to put myself to the extra brain effort of text-to-speeching a novel of hers. (When you must absorb tens of thousands of words in artificial voices every day in professional settings, the desire to do it for leisure basically vanishes. Which is a shame given only a tiny fraction of a percent of the books in the world are in audio, but part of the problem is I'm usually too tired to care.)
Put it this way -- a central character is the ghost of a boy who suicided many years ago, and they find his skeleton in a closet. It's that kind of book.
Two anti-climactic to really get me. I'm confused about why this, out of all of her catalog, is the only title I can find in audio. I'm not intrigued enough to put myself to the extra brain effort of text-to-speeching a novel of hers. (When you must absorb tens of thousands of words in artificial voices every day in professional settings, the desire to do it for leisure basically vanishes. Which is a shame given only a tiny fraction of a percent of the books in the world are in audio, but part of the problem is I'm usually too tired to care.)
July 27, 2008
This could have said some interesting things about life and death, but the author seemed to have absolutely no grasp of subtlety, and the theme just left me confused. "DON'T KILL YOURSELF. Unless you don't have friends. BEING DEAD SUCKS. Except for how it's awesome? HOUSES ARE ALIIIIIVE for some reason." I liked that things weren't magically okay at the end, but there was a pretty big loose end and just generally a lot of wasted potential.
August 29, 2018
Prequel to A Red Heart of Memories and Past the Size of Dreaming. Not quite as strong as the later 2, but an excellent read. Introduces Nathan and House from the sequels. This one was written last. Modern fantasy at it's best. If you like McGuire's Wayward Children or De Lint's Newfkrd books, you'll love these also.
December 15, 2012
Not my cuppa tea. Perhaps if I'd read the books to which this is a prequel I would have liked it more. I finished the book and was mainly disturbed that the main character, Susan
January 24, 2009
A beautiful book that exceeds twilight for all it's worth.
audible
April 28, 2018WHY is only one of her books Audible? sob sob
May 6, 2019
"Do you ever play the 'you're me' game?"
"How does it work?" He sat at the foot of the bed.
"You look at people and think, 'You're me. Which part of me are you?' Then you watch them until you figure out what you have in common. It doesn't always work. I can't figure out what I have in common with Dierdre, for instance. But Nathan..."
"What?"
"You're me." She drew her knees up and hugged them. She swallowed. She hadn't meant to say it. She never told people what she was thinking. As she bent her head forward, her hair covered her face.
He lifted her hair aside and met her eyes. "But I'm dead, Susan."
"I know."
"You shouldn't be me."
She just looked at him, for a long moment. "I know."
Wow! This is an exquisitely, achingly haunting story about a very troubled young girl who finds salvation in the least likely of places.
Susan isn't like any other kid she knows: she has no siblings, no friends; she is prim and proper and her father's little dress-up doll. Her family keeps to themselves; they live in a huge mansion on Shannon Hill and never have any visitors. Nobody knows what goes on inside her house, except for the people who live there. They share dark secrets, under force of her father's threat. She does what she has to, to please him, so that she - and her mother - can live peacefully.
But she's lonely. And one day, at the public library, she overhears a trio of kids talking animatedly and making plans. She recognizes the voice of one of them - Julio, son of her housekeeper, who was once upon a time her friend (until her father found out). She makes her presence known and he introduces her to his friends, Edmund and Dierdre. The three of them are planning to investigate the abandoned (and supposedly haunted) house on Lee Street, and for reasons unknown even to herself, Susan invites herself along on their trip. She has a yearn to be with other kids her age, even if she doesn't understand it - or them. She has no idea how to relate to others her age, having been so isolated before.
The quartet make their way to the house on Lee Street and discover that it is, indeed, abandoned - and inhabited by a teenage ghost named Nathan. When they manage to breech the doors, even Nathan is surprised - the House, an entity unto itself, has never allowed anyone to enter it until now. The others are incredulous, but Susan immediately feels like she has met a kindred spirit in House, and House feels the same way, allowing her to explore and let her newfound friends explore, too.
But as the kids do so, they try to explore Susan's mysteries as well, and she is reluctant to allow any of them in - except Nathan, who has a strange sort of freedom that she craves, even moreso when he comes to her on Halloween night and brings her out of herself (literally), allowing her a taste of freedom so tempting that it's intoxicating. She wants nothing more to escape from the prison of her life, but it takes all of her friends to bring her back from the brink - the kids, the ghost, and the House itself - and show her that death is not the sweet release she believes it is. Though they are only kids, they can help her - stand up to her father, shield her, give her mother the protection she needs - and that it won't be long until she will have the freedom of adulthood.
This novel is surprisingly dark, but its the darkness that makes it so unique and wonderful. It's bleak, but with a purpose. Having read A Red Heart of Memories & Past the Size of Dreaming years ago, I knew I was in for a treat, but had no idea I'd be in for this ♥ I can't wait to re-read those books (which center on the grown-up Edmund, IIRC) and see what's happened to these kids and the House with fresh perspective.
March 19, 2023
3 stars but rounded up to 4 since it left such a strong impression on me when I first read it. I remembered Nathan being older (which is probably because every character, even though they're in high school, acts and talks like they're at least mid-twenties [which makes sense for Susan since trauma makes you mature too quickly but no one else]), and the attraction between Susan and him/the house being more sexual, but overall it tracked pretty much with what I had expected.
It was shorter and dreamier and less conclusive than I remember, and the ending is frustrating because nothing really happens and nothing is resolved, but it's interesting.
It was shorter and dreamier and less conclusive than I remember, and the ending is frustrating because nothing really happens and nothing is resolved, but it's interesting.
January 22, 2019
This book was absolutely heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time.
Susan who lives in a home full of secrets finally makes friends and finds a house with its own secrets. While this story is about children it is not a children's story. And the story is so gripping it is hard to put down. I wasn't ready for the story to end and I would like to know what happens with Susan and her family but from what I understand the second book does not pick up here.
This is a story full of magic, friendship, sadness and hope. My heart ached when it ended.
Susan who lives in a home full of secrets finally makes friends and finds a house with its own secrets. While this story is about children it is not a children's story. And the story is so gripping it is hard to put down. I wasn't ready for the story to end and I would like to know what happens with Susan and her family but from what I understand the second book does not pick up here.
This is a story full of magic, friendship, sadness and hope. My heart ached when it ended.
February 12, 2023
This is a story about the magic of friendship. Susan seems to have it all - money, successful parents, a lovely wardrobe, the best school, and a House that hides shocking secrets. A chance overheard conversation sets Susan on the path to finding supportive friends who dissuade her from suicide and bolster her with love and concerned support. I was quite surprised to find out how much I liked this one. Nathan was a great character and I loved his last quote - "I'll watch." Everyone needs a Nathan in their lives.
January 6, 2020
I used the audio version. Perfect performance. The plot was a little slow moving. This is a YA story about finding and using the support of friends when family is destructive and controlling. Deathly themes drive the story. There is magic, beneficial, but the source is unexplained in this novella length book.
July 26, 2022
*Suicide Trigger Warning*
*Domestic Abuse*
A stir of bones is a suspenseful haunted house story with magic, friendship, but also heavy topics such as suicide and domestic abuse.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters who remind us that not all is as it seems.
Hoffman creates an atmosphere similar to those created by Shirley Jackson 👏
*Domestic Abuse*
A stir of bones is a suspenseful haunted house story with magic, friendship, but also heavy topics such as suicide and domestic abuse.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters who remind us that not all is as it seems.
Hoffman creates an atmosphere similar to those created by Shirley Jackson 👏
February 3, 2018
Some interesting ideas. Read this one as I already had "A Red Heart of Memories" and wanted intro into the series. Interesting characters, but felt that some situations were not completely resolved by the end of the book. Perhaps they will be later.
September 29, 2019
This book, although for young adults, should also be ready by adults. The side plots show some harsh realities that can hit close to home and goes to show you never know what others are going through behind walls.
April 20, 2022
This was a pretty good YA story. However, it was a bit too young for me to fully relate. The subject matter is pretty dark, but handled well. I am strongly contemplating picking up the next book, as this was a prequel.
December 25, 2017
I thought it was a great story up to the last page which is why I gave it a 4 and not a 5. The book didn't actually end.....hate that.
January 7, 2019
Just as powerful as the first read, and leaves me wishing for more.
March 25, 2021
With the aid of 3 new friends and a ghost, a young girl determines to chance her life. Endeavour Award Nominee (2004), Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2003).
July 26, 2023
This is the sort of story that veers towards the Cliff of Boring that overlooks Nonsense Valley that I'm quick to purge from my memory.
December 8, 2023
I’m uncertain what I just read. The writing style was very hard to follow and while I understood some of the themes, the whole book made no sense to me.
September 9, 2024
Spare; lovely; made me cry. Will definitely Hunt down the sequel ("Red Heart of Memories")
December 24, 2016
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 19, 2024
A Stir of Bones is a lose prequal to A Red Heart of Memories. All those this book can just be a stand alone, its not necessary to read the other books.
I like how Stir of Bones start out spooky. When the kids walk in to the house, it stirs and becomes alive. The idea of a house being aware of it inhabitants is a unique concept. Something I have not seen anywhere else, say for the animated movie Monster House (has anyone seen that movie).
The story reminds me of the books by Mary Downing Hahn only with a must mature tone. I been told the best haunted house stories are not about the house but, about a person. There is something sinister going on in Susan’s life. At the beginning there are some hints of what could be going on. Slowly as the story moves forward more is reveal.
While the characters are kids there is talk of suicide. Which is handle with care and not taken lightly.
I like the friendship between Susan, Edmund, Julio, Dierdre, and Nathan. Their bond grows stronger by the end. Even those at first it seem hopeless for Susan. Having friends gives her a place to retreat to from the abuse at home.
The book has a satisfying ending however, I wanted to read more about these characters. There some thing that are mention but, are never fully explain. Perhaps its best to leave it that way. Adding mystery and magic to the world.
A Stir of Bones falls in to magic realism and well I don’t like using the word cozy. It is the best word to describe this book. Everything about A Stir of Bones is cozy and heartwarming mix in with some dark moments.
So if your in the mood for cozy and like the books by Mary Downing Hahn then give this book a try.
I like how Stir of Bones start out spooky. When the kids walk in to the house, it stirs and becomes alive. The idea of a house being aware of it inhabitants is a unique concept. Something I have not seen anywhere else, say for the animated movie Monster House (has anyone seen that movie).
The story reminds me of the books by Mary Downing Hahn only with a must mature tone. I been told the best haunted house stories are not about the house but, about a person. There is something sinister going on in Susan’s life. At the beginning there are some hints of what could be going on. Slowly as the story moves forward more is reveal.
While the characters are kids there is talk of suicide. Which is handle with care and not taken lightly.
I like the friendship between Susan, Edmund, Julio, Dierdre, and Nathan. Their bond grows stronger by the end. Even those at first it seem hopeless for Susan. Having friends gives her a place to retreat to from the abuse at home.
The book has a satisfying ending however, I wanted to read more about these characters. There some thing that are mention but, are never fully explain. Perhaps its best to leave it that way. Adding mystery and magic to the world.
A Stir of Bones falls in to magic realism and well I don’t like using the word cozy. It is the best word to describe this book. Everything about A Stir of Bones is cozy and heartwarming mix in with some dark moments.
So if your in the mood for cozy and like the books by Mary Downing Hahn then give this book a try.
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