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The Bone Garden
“Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist.”
Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life—and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones.
When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more.
Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life—and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones.
When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2019
37 people are currently reading
4333 people want to read
About the author
Heather Kassner
4 books206 followersHeather Kassner loves the magic of thunderstorms and hummingbirds, of a moon-bright sky and the quiet wild of a forest—though her favorite place is home. She lives with her husband and two sleepy cats in a cozy house filled with books and music. Her novels include Spellwright, her YA debut, as well as The Bone Garden, The Forest of Stars, and The Plentiful Darkness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
September 19, 2021
Sweet with just a dash of creepy. Certainly not as creepy as I expected from that ghoulish cover!
“Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist. You are a figment of my imagination, tethered here by the finest thread.”
Irreele is made from bone dust and imagination. She is slightly misshapen and therefore awkward. She lives with Miss Vesper, the only companion she has ever known. Her life is spent collecting bone dust from the graveyard known as The Bone Garden, which Miss Vesper uses for her creations and research.
When Irreele’s clumsiness finally pushes Miss Vesper over the edge, she threatens to ‘unmake’ her. To return her to dust. So Irreele flees, and in doing so meets two others like herself. Suddenly she is finding out secrets about Miss Vesper. What is she trying to make, what is all her research for? And why is she so obsessed with finding an unmarked grave?
This was a great little mystery, filled with magic and the macabre. Recommended for those looking for a light fantasy/magical realism tale.
“Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist. You are a figment of my imagination, tethered here by the finest thread.”
Irreele is made from bone dust and imagination. She is slightly misshapen and therefore awkward. She lives with Miss Vesper, the only companion she has ever known. Her life is spent collecting bone dust from the graveyard known as The Bone Garden, which Miss Vesper uses for her creations and research.
When Irreele’s clumsiness finally pushes Miss Vesper over the edge, she threatens to ‘unmake’ her. To return her to dust. So Irreele flees, and in doing so meets two others like herself. Suddenly she is finding out secrets about Miss Vesper. What is she trying to make, what is all her research for? And why is she so obsessed with finding an unmarked grave?
This was a great little mystery, filled with magic and the macabre. Recommended for those looking for a light fantasy/magical realism tale.
August 5, 2019
What a flight of imagination! A truly original story. Spooky, scary, perfect for a camp cabin or a sleepover story sharing.
I loved the protagonist of the Bone Garden, aptly named Irréelle (' Unreal'). Made of bone dust and her creator's magic imagination, Irreelle is courageous, loving, and loyal. The beginning might scare you because it takes place in underground tunnels under a graveyard, and Irreelle is on her mission to collect (extract) bone dust that will permit Miss Vesper, her cruel creator, continue looking for a clearly marked unmarked grave that holds a secret to her life and magic. All Irréelle wants is to be a real girl, like her neighbours she quietly observes, making sure nobody notices how deformed she is.
Nothing ever pleases Miss Vesper who is always quick to remind Irréelle that she doesn't really exist and can be easily replaced. When Irréelle tries to protect herself from a strange creature, brought into life by Miss Vesper's magic, and accidentally breaks it, Miss Vesper wants to destroy her in a painful and cruel way, but, luckily, Irréelle manages to run away and hide in the tunnels she knows so well by now. Here she helps to free Guy who becomes her first friend and together they make their way outside. But if you think the scary part is over, you're mistaken. The adventure only begins. Together, Irréelle, Guy and two other friends they make on their way must solve the mystery of Miss Arden Mae Vesper and help her reunite with the love of her life.
Irréelle undergoes a huge transformation from a quiet, obedient, awkward girl, who wants to do everything in her power to please her tormentor, even if deep down she knows it is wrong. Gradually, she begins to question her own motivation, and proves to be a smart, tenacious, perceptive girl 'with a big heart and a will of her own'.
The setting is really dark (most of it happens either undergound or in the graveyar), so it might not be suitable for young children, but midlle graders will appreciate the dark Gothic charm of the magic world created by Heather Kessner.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
I loved the protagonist of the Bone Garden, aptly named Irréelle (' Unreal'). Made of bone dust and her creator's magic imagination, Irreelle is courageous, loving, and loyal. The beginning might scare you because it takes place in underground tunnels under a graveyard, and Irreelle is on her mission to collect (extract) bone dust that will permit Miss Vesper, her cruel creator, continue looking for a clearly marked unmarked grave that holds a secret to her life and magic. All Irréelle wants is to be a real girl, like her neighbours she quietly observes, making sure nobody notices how deformed she is.
Nothing ever pleases Miss Vesper who is always quick to remind Irréelle that she doesn't really exist and can be easily replaced. When Irréelle tries to protect herself from a strange creature, brought into life by Miss Vesper's magic, and accidentally breaks it, Miss Vesper wants to destroy her in a painful and cruel way, but, luckily, Irréelle manages to run away and hide in the tunnels she knows so well by now. Here she helps to free Guy who becomes her first friend and together they make their way outside. But if you think the scary part is over, you're mistaken. The adventure only begins. Together, Irréelle, Guy and two other friends they make on their way must solve the mystery of Miss Arden Mae Vesper and help her reunite with the love of her life.
Irréelle undergoes a huge transformation from a quiet, obedient, awkward girl, who wants to do everything in her power to please her tormentor, even if deep down she knows it is wrong. Gradually, she begins to question her own motivation, and proves to be a smart, tenacious, perceptive girl 'with a big heart and a will of her own'.
The setting is really dark (most of it happens either undergound or in the graveyar), so it might not be suitable for young children, but midlle graders will appreciate the dark Gothic charm of the magic world created by Heather Kessner.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
August 12, 2024
“She took up such a small slip of space that she wondered if she left any imprint at all. Or if she was as unreal as the ghosts she did not believe in.”
Thank you so much to Titan Books for sending me a finished copy of this book in advance! It in no way influenced my opinion, or rating.
Read
April 25, 2021All I want is for this to become a stop motion horror film á la Coraline.
I knew from the very first page that The Bone Garden was going to be special. It immediately pulled me into a sinister world of dark magic, evil caretakers, and cemeteries brimming with shadows. The first few chapters set a hair-raising atmosphere, one that I hoped would be maintained until the final pages, but feared that it would crumble sooner than later. And I wasn't wrong.
I loved the idea, the characters, the setting, the tone. But I didn't love the execution. It got messy. The plot went sideways and was all over the place. I can't even tell you how often the main characters went running, got caught, were locked into a room or cupboard, escaped, just to get caught again. Sometimes I also felt like the story's central questions were solved too easily without significant clues or evidence. The answer to a problem came too easily without any misdirection, making the plot easily predictable.
Overall a promising idea in need of more polishing.
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I knew from the very first page that The Bone Garden was going to be special. It immediately pulled me into a sinister world of dark magic, evil caretakers, and cemeteries brimming with shadows. The first few chapters set a hair-raising atmosphere, one that I hoped would be maintained until the final pages, but feared that it would crumble sooner than later. And I wasn't wrong.
I loved the idea, the characters, the setting, the tone. But I didn't love the execution. It got messy. The plot went sideways and was all over the place. I can't even tell you how often the main characters went running, got caught, were locked into a room or cupboard, escaped, just to get caught again. Sometimes I also felt like the story's central questions were solved too easily without significant clues or evidence. The answer to a problem came too easily without any misdirection, making the plot easily predictable.
Overall a promising idea in need of more polishing.
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August 3, 2020
Loved it! 💕
Absolutely fantastic! I read this one on audio because I was so smitten with Kassner’s new novel The Forest of Stars that I wanted to start it right away and the audiobook was available to me through my online library.
First off, the narration is amazing and done by Fiona Hardingham, whom I immediately recognized from other audiobooks by Kiersten White, Sabaa Tahir, Meagan Spooner, Maggie Stiefvater, and Christina McDonald, just to name a few. This novel drew me in within seconds with it’s sharp and expressive writing. There is a clear aura of something haunted in the lines of this book, something horribly hidden among the bones as it is read.
Irréelle spends most of her days in catacombs and dirt…digging for bones! She is a bone digger for dust that she collects in vials just so for the taunting Ms. Vesper. There’s an order to how the bones are extracted, a magical cocktail needed to create life in the image Ms. Vesper seeks.
In the frightful chamber of her master, Irréelle witnesses the inception of life into the dust she collects to create a hand and the ever clumsy student in her master's eyes makes a grave mistake.
Together with another, a boy she must defend, Irréelle is forced underground to hold off the sinister ongoings her master has planned and she becomes as brave as can be to not only stop the evil doings within but also understand her own coming to be.
A magically haunted middle-grade novel that grips the reader from the start!
*
I was truly captivated by the horror vibes in this novel, super spooky, and folksy at the same time. This novel is sure to ignite an interest in the most reluctant of readers and definitely will be a joy for those already loving books.
There is a sense of macabre and question of identity explored in The Bone Garden, and Kassner does an amazing job with her lyrical writing and style. I can’t recommend it enough.
The characters are easily identifiable with and Ms. Vesper is the perfect stigma of the evil aunt, or neighbor lady or lunch lady that simply does not care for little kids and makes it her mission to give them grief for every day they are around. She is one to fear, for sure!
The idea of the catacombs and digging in graves to extract bone dust is one I absolutely loved as a setting and am sure will captivate kids as well. There are things to explore and run from around every corner and the magical elements make the entire setting spooky and frightful in the best of ways.
Definitely a must-read! You can thank me later and let me know how your kids loved it!
You’re welcome :)
Happy Reading!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
Absolutely fantastic! I read this one on audio because I was so smitten with Kassner’s new novel The Forest of Stars that I wanted to start it right away and the audiobook was available to me through my online library.
First off, the narration is amazing and done by Fiona Hardingham, whom I immediately recognized from other audiobooks by Kiersten White, Sabaa Tahir, Meagan Spooner, Maggie Stiefvater, and Christina McDonald, just to name a few. This novel drew me in within seconds with it’s sharp and expressive writing. There is a clear aura of something haunted in the lines of this book, something horribly hidden among the bones as it is read.
Irréelle spends most of her days in catacombs and dirt…digging for bones! She is a bone digger for dust that she collects in vials just so for the taunting Ms. Vesper. There’s an order to how the bones are extracted, a magical cocktail needed to create life in the image Ms. Vesper seeks.
In the frightful chamber of her master, Irréelle witnesses the inception of life into the dust she collects to create a hand and the ever clumsy student in her master's eyes makes a grave mistake.
Together with another, a boy she must defend, Irréelle is forced underground to hold off the sinister ongoings her master has planned and she becomes as brave as can be to not only stop the evil doings within but also understand her own coming to be.
A magically haunted middle-grade novel that grips the reader from the start!
*
I was truly captivated by the horror vibes in this novel, super spooky, and folksy at the same time. This novel is sure to ignite an interest in the most reluctant of readers and definitely will be a joy for those already loving books.
There is a sense of macabre and question of identity explored in The Bone Garden, and Kassner does an amazing job with her lyrical writing and style. I can’t recommend it enough.
The characters are easily identifiable with and Ms. Vesper is the perfect stigma of the evil aunt, or neighbor lady or lunch lady that simply does not care for little kids and makes it her mission to give them grief for every day they are around. She is one to fear, for sure!
The idea of the catacombs and digging in graves to extract bone dust is one I absolutely loved as a setting and am sure will captivate kids as well. There are things to explore and run from around every corner and the magical elements make the entire setting spooky and frightful in the best of ways.
Definitely a must-read! You can thank me later and let me know how your kids loved it!
You’re welcome :)
Happy Reading!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
March 21, 2018
I was so thrilled (and lucky) to have the opportunity to read an early version of THE BONE GARDEN. In Irreelle, Kassner has built a heroine who is both eerie and sympathetic, hypnotic and disturbing. The way Miss Vesper wields her cold power is on par with the Mother from CORALINE, or the Father in MONSTROUS. Readers who love Neil Gaiman, Marcy Kate Connolly, or Jonathan Auxier are going to love THE BONE GARDEN. The writing is lyrical. The setting has the feel of a dark Victorian tale. Kassner deftly balances her emotional punches with moments of macabre hilarity. It is a delightful, shivery page-turner, and I adored every minute of it.
January 18, 2021
This was not particularly engaging. My attention kept slipping, and though the characters were moderately interesting, neither they nor the plot were sufficient to keep my attention for long each time I continued the narrative.
April 7, 2020
”Your name means unreal. You know, because you’re strange and incredible.”
This was a dark and s p o o k y little treasure that is determined to make a fan of middle grade horror out of everyone.
I am so pleasantly taken aback by how much of a page turner it was and I consumed its entirety in mere hours. The pages are filled to the brim with beautiful prose, gothic atmosphere, and even illustrations. If you love Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton, I think you’ll find a favourite in this odd yet charming tale.
My only possible criticism of this reading experience is of myself, that I didn’t save this one for Halloween. But you can be certain I’ll be rereading it when the time comes.
{4.5 stars}
This was a dark and s p o o k y little treasure that is determined to make a fan of middle grade horror out of everyone.
I am so pleasantly taken aback by how much of a page turner it was and I consumed its entirety in mere hours. The pages are filled to the brim with beautiful prose, gothic atmosphere, and even illustrations. If you love Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton, I think you’ll find a favourite in this odd yet charming tale.
My only possible criticism of this reading experience is of myself, that I didn’t save this one for Halloween. But you can be certain I’ll be rereading it when the time comes.
{4.5 stars}
July 2, 2018
It's been a longgg time since I've read any MG but Heather's book brought back all the creepy yet heartfelt elements I loved in old timers such as Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket's books. The writing feels classic yet perennial, the atmosphere so rich that you can smell the mold of the graveyard's underbelly but also the fine tea laced with vanilla, and the characters were so sympathetic. Irreelie's wishes and fears are clear yet complex, and I loved how she and the rest of the cast--the villain included--were magicked into life by a deft yet gentle hand.
July 21, 2019
An entertaining, unique tale overall :) Full review coming soon!
Thank you to Titan Books for sending me a review copy of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
Thank you to Titan Books for sending me a review copy of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
July 12, 2018
I've had the absolute privilege of reading an early copy of this, and ... wow. Let me first say that I have not read a middle grade book for about ten years. But THE BONE GARDEN grabbed me from the very first chapter and would not let go.
Heather writes with a gentle magic and breathtaking beauty, and it's the exact sort of fragile, hopeful feeling that we get from the main character, Irreélle (a beautiful name meaning "unreal" or "surreal" in French). Irreélle is made of bone dust and fragments of Miss Vesper's imagination, and from the start we see her question her existence with a quiet hopefulness that tucks this character into the tenderest folds of your heart. Heather lures you in to care for Irreélle from the very start, and you won't realize it until you're still propped up in bed at 1AM on a Monday night, reading by the dim glow of your Kindle to find out what happens to Irreélle and her friends.
This is a story that is at once grim but hopeful, creepy yet funny, heart-wrenching and hilarious at times. Very much like the graveyard tunnels that Irreélle frequents, the atmosphere and storyline are dark, yet we find pockets of light by the glow of Irreélle's candle; we feel the comfort of friendship by a guiding Hand in the darkness; and by the end, we feel the warmth by the corals of a sunrise that Irreélle and her friends enjoy as they reflect upon their adventure, and their newfound understanding of what it means to be human.
Heather writes with a gentle magic and breathtaking beauty, and it's the exact sort of fragile, hopeful feeling that we get from the main character, Irreélle (a beautiful name meaning "unreal" or "surreal" in French). Irreélle is made of bone dust and fragments of Miss Vesper's imagination, and from the start we see her question her existence with a quiet hopefulness that tucks this character into the tenderest folds of your heart. Heather lures you in to care for Irreélle from the very start, and you won't realize it until you're still propped up in bed at 1AM on a Monday night, reading by the dim glow of your Kindle to find out what happens to Irreélle and her friends.
This is a story that is at once grim but hopeful, creepy yet funny, heart-wrenching and hilarious at times. Very much like the graveyard tunnels that Irreélle frequents, the atmosphere and storyline are dark, yet we find pockets of light by the glow of Irreélle's candle; we feel the comfort of friendship by a guiding Hand in the darkness; and by the end, we feel the warmth by the corals of a sunrise that Irreélle and her friends enjoy as they reflect upon their adventure, and their newfound understanding of what it means to be human.
September 6, 2018
If Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll and the Grimm brothers wrote a book about a misfit girl, THE BONE GARDEN would be it. Only it was the brilliant Heather Kassner who composed this gift. I was hooked from page one, and could not shake myself loose through the rest of the story. It read like a fairy tale full of dark magic and eerie delights (THE HAND!!!!!!), but the sweetness of the off-kilter MC and the fiery spirit inside of her when she realizes she has a voice apart from her mistress Miss Vesper, was more heart warming than your typical tale.
THE BONE GARDEN's contents are dark (graveyards and bones and forging life), but the theme "love is the strongest force of all" casts a bright light over the whole story, leaving me with goosebumps of joy, not fright.
I highly, highly recommend this book for any MG reader and beyond!
THE BONE GARDEN's contents are dark (graveyards and bones and forging life), but the theme "love is the strongest force of all" casts a bright light over the whole story, leaving me with goosebumps of joy, not fright.
I highly, highly recommend this book for any MG reader and beyond!
February 10, 2019
Do not be fooled by the middle grade genre, this beautifully dark story is chocked full of horror, despair, adventure, and hope.
The story begins with Irréelle raiding coffins to gather more bone dust for Miss Vesper. Miss Vesper is Irréelle’s creator, and she makes some of the vilest villains seem like a walk in the park. She is unbelievably cruel, constantly reminding Irréelle that she is not real and can be returned to the bone dust from which she came at a moment’s notice. My heart broke for poor Irréelle because all she ever wanted was to please Miss Vesper and be real. Cue the tears (Again, don’t let middle grade fool you! This book has all the feels!)
Irréelle disrupts Miss Vesper after she has created yet another horrifying monster, a hand that attacks Irréelle. Naturally, Irréelle tries to crush the hand (think Thing from the Adams Family), which sends Miss Vesper into a blind rage. Miss Vesper drags Irréelle to be burned back into bone dust, but Irréelle manages to escape.
After Irréelle’s escape, her adventurous life truly begins. She meets Guy and eventually Lass. She discovers that she is no longer alone even if she aches to feel truly human. At this point, I fell in love with watching Irréelle develop as a character. We watch her progress from being a victim of Stockholm Syndrome to putting her fears aside to protect her friends at all cost. Irréelle and her friends set out to uncover the dark truths of Miss Vesper in order to be truly free from this vile being. Along the way these three realize that even though they were little monsters created from bone dust and dark magic, humanity arises through the love that is forged through friendships.
Overall, this story was a fantastic read. You’ll be rooting for Irréelle as she escapes a life of pain and servitude to a life of love and belonging and ultimately, human.
Rating: 5 stars
The story begins with Irréelle raiding coffins to gather more bone dust for Miss Vesper. Miss Vesper is Irréelle’s creator, and she makes some of the vilest villains seem like a walk in the park. She is unbelievably cruel, constantly reminding Irréelle that she is not real and can be returned to the bone dust from which she came at a moment’s notice. My heart broke for poor Irréelle because all she ever wanted was to please Miss Vesper and be real. Cue the tears (Again, don’t let middle grade fool you! This book has all the feels!)
Irréelle disrupts Miss Vesper after she has created yet another horrifying monster, a hand that attacks Irréelle. Naturally, Irréelle tries to crush the hand (think Thing from the Adams Family), which sends Miss Vesper into a blind rage. Miss Vesper drags Irréelle to be burned back into bone dust, but Irréelle manages to escape.
After Irréelle’s escape, her adventurous life truly begins. She meets Guy and eventually Lass. She discovers that she is no longer alone even if she aches to feel truly human. At this point, I fell in love with watching Irréelle develop as a character. We watch her progress from being a victim of Stockholm Syndrome to putting her fears aside to protect her friends at all cost. Irréelle and her friends set out to uncover the dark truths of Miss Vesper in order to be truly free from this vile being. Along the way these three realize that even though they were little monsters created from bone dust and dark magic, humanity arises through the love that is forged through friendships.
Overall, this story was a fantastic read. You’ll be rooting for Irréelle as she escapes a life of pain and servitude to a life of love and belonging and ultimately, human.
Rating: 5 stars
September 29, 2019
This book has a gorgeously evocative atmosphere, very similar to Gaiman’s Coraline.
It was a wonderful MG read, but frankly I just wasn’t in the mood for it? I just couldn’t get invested. But even so, I know the setting balanced cleverly between gothic and spooky, and the characters were fascinating. If you like MG horror/gothic things, this is one for you.
*
I see the US editions has illustrations (?) but the UK edition doesn’t and I feel robbed
It was a wonderful MG read, but frankly I just wasn’t in the mood for it? I just couldn’t get invested. But even so, I know the setting balanced cleverly between gothic and spooky, and the characters were fascinating. If you like MG horror/gothic things, this is one for you.
*
I see the US editions has illustrations (?) but the UK edition doesn’t and I feel robbed
July 15, 2020
If I have all the authors books I have to read them in order lol so before I start The Forest of Stars, I had to read this beauty! I finished it last night, & WOW! Such a unique book! From the characters, the details, & the plot-all so unique, creative, & amazing! I really loved this book! I loved our main character Irréelle so much! I wanted to hug her & tell her that her fears were unfounded & she is AMAZING as she is! I think this book shows how we should love ourselves as we are. There’s nobody in the world like us. Friendship means everything, & this book has a great one. It also shows how desperately we(especially as kids) long for love & acceptance, & when the adult in our lives doesn’t give us those things, how much that can affect us. Guy, & especially The Hand, have my heart as well lol💜💜This was very spooky & gave me all the vibes I love. Sorry I’m always so cryptic w/my reviews, but I try to have my opinion come across to where I NEVER spoil anything. I highly recommend this book, & I’m even more excited to read The Forest of Stars after loving this so much. Can we talk about this beautiful cover too?? So amazing! There are beautifully creepy illustrations sprinkled throughout the book as well!😍😍
Synopsis: “Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist.” Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life―and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones.
When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more.
Synopsis: “Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist.” Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life―and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones.
When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more.
December 29, 2019
WOW WOW WOW.
Dark, very atmospheric, tense, bone chilling, creepy, scary, everything.
I adore this book. It's soooooo gooodddddd people!!!
If you have not read it, you must!
This book really make me feel I am there, right with them, run with them, being scared and hide with them. It's just so good! I love it!
I can't wait for more books for Heather.
Dark, very atmospheric, tense, bone chilling, creepy, scary, everything.
I adore this book. It's soooooo gooodddddd people!!!
If you have not read it, you must!
This book really make me feel I am there, right with them, run with them, being scared and hide with them. It's just so good! I love it!
I can't wait for more books for Heather.
October 8, 2019
This was a charming little spooky middle grade tale. It was an easy and quick read, and while it didn't blow me away, I would recommend it for its target audience who want something a little dark and unusual to read!
June 24, 2019
Beautifully haunting and compelling book my heart was hooked from the first page. I honestly couldn’t get enough I hope the author writes more books like this in the future.
August 23, 2023
I loved this little weird book. It was eerie, sweet, and full of friendship. Definitely a new favorite middle grade and Kassner is now an author to watch. Can't wait to read her second and third books.
October 6, 2019
*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion.
The synopsis for The Bone Garden sounded so good and the cover was so striking, that I immediately wanted to pick it up and I’m so glad that I did. This was honestly such a great middle grade story, that can be enjoyed by all ages. It had a depth to it that older readers can appreciate, but it was still a story that was not over complicated and was just all in all, an easy read. The writing too, was beautiful and was impactful, but again, was simple, in the best way possible. It had this creepy and haunting atmosphere surrounding it, as if it was a ghost story being told around a fire, and its cover reflects this wonderfully. This had a more subdued and refined type of magic in it, but it was still fascinating and I loved it a lot, especially the label ‘bone dust’ and how the dust itself is used. I really like when a novel just has elements of magic in it, but the characters otherwise live in a non-magical world, it always makes the magic even more mysterious, precious and appealing.
The characters were all extremely well realised, especially Irréelle and Miss Vesper. I loved Irréelle immediately, she was just a pure and endearing soul. She honestly had a heart of gold and so it made me so frustrated, seeing her think so poorly of herself and be treated so badly by Miss Vesper. Irréelle just wanted to feel loved and like she belonged, to the point that she was always trying to find the good in Miss Vesper and was convinced that she wasn’t working hard enough to earn Miss Vesper’s love. I honestly just wanted to give her a big hug and tell her that she’s not the problem. Miss Vesper on the other hand was so brilliant for all the wrong reasons. She was such a menacing character, who was so ambiguous and elusive, yet her presence was always felt towering over Irréelle, whether she was actually present or not. She was extremely manipulative towards Irréelle and it was so sad to see. She really was the perfect example of how you don’t need to be physically intimidating or violent to dominate someone. She really was a real piece of work, and I only hated her so much because she was that well written.
Miss Vesper uses Irréelle to do the menial tasks that are required for her to do her magic and just about everything else. She sends Irréelle to the graveyard to collect the bone dust she needs to make things, like Irréelle, and restore herself from day to day. There are specific instructions to make the tea that restores Miss Vesper, collecting bone dust from different skeletons, from different body parts and of different amounts. Despite relying on Irréelle for this, Miss Vesper is constantly scolding her and cursing her name if she does even the slightest thing to displease her. Irréelle knows that she’s tethered to Miss Vesper in some way, as she’s the one who created her and Miss Vesper uses this to constantly manipulate and threaten Irréelle. She constantly tells her that she isn’t real, that she is misshapen and wrong, a figment of her imagination and therefore she can make her disappear if she wants to. Understandably, Irréelle is terrified that miss Vesper might ‘unmake’ her and so she does everything in her power to be perfect.
Irréelle has a very low opinion of herself as she’s been seriously mistreated, never standing up for herself. However, when she fears that Miss Vesper is going to finally follow through with her threats, she makes a desperate attempt to escape. What she finds in the tunnels on her escape run will change her world for ever, as she comes face to face with a boy for the first time and not just any boy. Irréelle has found the boy that Miss Vesper is constantly asking her if she’s heard on her errands before. Guy was the first of Miss Vesper’s creatures and he and Irréelle strike up a friendship after she helps him. Whilst on the run, they find themselves being saved by one of Miss Vesper’s most recent creations, a girl named Lass. Although they are all made from the same things and suffered Miss Vesper’s cruelty, Lass and Guy are very different to Irréelle. They are both strong characters, self assured and assertive, and see Miss Vesper for what she is, unlike Irréelle. Through her journey with these two, Irréelle experiences huge personal growth and I was so proud of her and it was so lovely to see her finally stick up for herself.
This was such a unique, dark and charming fantasy story and it would be perfect for younger readers who are fans of Tim Burton’s work. The characters and the story itself were so good, that I was constantly engaged, rooting for them and wanting to see what would happen next. It was so melancholy, but also beautiful and hopeful at times as well and I think that the way everything unraveled and panned out in the end was fantastic. This was an enjoyable experience with such an amazing cast of characters, I especially have a soft spot for the hand, which sounds so random, but you’ll see what I mean when you read it, The Bone Garden was just such a weird and wonderfully compelling story and I’d definitely recommend it.
The synopsis for The Bone Garden sounded so good and the cover was so striking, that I immediately wanted to pick it up and I’m so glad that I did. This was honestly such a great middle grade story, that can be enjoyed by all ages. It had a depth to it that older readers can appreciate, but it was still a story that was not over complicated and was just all in all, an easy read. The writing too, was beautiful and was impactful, but again, was simple, in the best way possible. It had this creepy and haunting atmosphere surrounding it, as if it was a ghost story being told around a fire, and its cover reflects this wonderfully. This had a more subdued and refined type of magic in it, but it was still fascinating and I loved it a lot, especially the label ‘bone dust’ and how the dust itself is used. I really like when a novel just has elements of magic in it, but the characters otherwise live in a non-magical world, it always makes the magic even more mysterious, precious and appealing.
The characters were all extremely well realised, especially Irréelle and Miss Vesper. I loved Irréelle immediately, she was just a pure and endearing soul. She honestly had a heart of gold and so it made me so frustrated, seeing her think so poorly of herself and be treated so badly by Miss Vesper. Irréelle just wanted to feel loved and like she belonged, to the point that she was always trying to find the good in Miss Vesper and was convinced that she wasn’t working hard enough to earn Miss Vesper’s love. I honestly just wanted to give her a big hug and tell her that she’s not the problem. Miss Vesper on the other hand was so brilliant for all the wrong reasons. She was such a menacing character, who was so ambiguous and elusive, yet her presence was always felt towering over Irréelle, whether she was actually present or not. She was extremely manipulative towards Irréelle and it was so sad to see. She really was the perfect example of how you don’t need to be physically intimidating or violent to dominate someone. She really was a real piece of work, and I only hated her so much because she was that well written.
Miss Vesper uses Irréelle to do the menial tasks that are required for her to do her magic and just about everything else. She sends Irréelle to the graveyard to collect the bone dust she needs to make things, like Irréelle, and restore herself from day to day. There are specific instructions to make the tea that restores Miss Vesper, collecting bone dust from different skeletons, from different body parts and of different amounts. Despite relying on Irréelle for this, Miss Vesper is constantly scolding her and cursing her name if she does even the slightest thing to displease her. Irréelle knows that she’s tethered to Miss Vesper in some way, as she’s the one who created her and Miss Vesper uses this to constantly manipulate and threaten Irréelle. She constantly tells her that she isn’t real, that she is misshapen and wrong, a figment of her imagination and therefore she can make her disappear if she wants to. Understandably, Irréelle is terrified that miss Vesper might ‘unmake’ her and so she does everything in her power to be perfect.
Irréelle has a very low opinion of herself as she’s been seriously mistreated, never standing up for herself. However, when she fears that Miss Vesper is going to finally follow through with her threats, she makes a desperate attempt to escape. What she finds in the tunnels on her escape run will change her world for ever, as she comes face to face with a boy for the first time and not just any boy. Irréelle has found the boy that Miss Vesper is constantly asking her if she’s heard on her errands before. Guy was the first of Miss Vesper’s creatures and he and Irréelle strike up a friendship after she helps him. Whilst on the run, they find themselves being saved by one of Miss Vesper’s most recent creations, a girl named Lass. Although they are all made from the same things and suffered Miss Vesper’s cruelty, Lass and Guy are very different to Irréelle. They are both strong characters, self assured and assertive, and see Miss Vesper for what she is, unlike Irréelle. Through her journey with these two, Irréelle experiences huge personal growth and I was so proud of her and it was so lovely to see her finally stick up for herself.
This was such a unique, dark and charming fantasy story and it would be perfect for younger readers who are fans of Tim Burton’s work. The characters and the story itself were so good, that I was constantly engaged, rooting for them and wanting to see what would happen next. It was so melancholy, but also beautiful and hopeful at times as well and I think that the way everything unraveled and panned out in the end was fantastic. This was an enjoyable experience with such an amazing cast of characters, I especially have a soft spot for the hand, which sounds so random, but you’ll see what I mean when you read it, The Bone Garden was just such a weird and wonderfully compelling story and I’d definitely recommend it.
November 13, 2020
Now this was a very nice horror/mystery, with lovely characters and great atmospheric narration!
September 13, 2019
Lovely, lyrical, and creepy, but in a cozy kind of way. 🖤🖤🖤
July 30, 2019
I have to tell you, I absolutely love this eerie, odd tale. It’s the kind of book I would love to have read when I was younger – the main character is odd and unique and brave and seeks approval until she realises that she is strong and brave and doesn’t need approval, she is real and she matters. I feel a real connection to Irréelle and the story is so much richer because of that connection. So many of us are, in some way, seeking approval, seeking love, seeking to belong.
The writing style is hauntingly beautiful and the whole tale was so magical – half way between a bedtime story and a dream. I did not want to put The Bone Garden down, I was enchanted from the first page until the last one.I cannot wait to read more books by Heather Kassner as I just love her magical writing style.
The setting, the story, the characters everything about this book is so unique, yet we see flashes of the familiar in Irréelle, Guy, Lass and even Miss Vesper. This small cast is so perfect and wonderfully formed. Just like the setting of the book, from the house, to the graveyard, even the tunnels.
I really related to Irréelle‘s need to please, that visceral need not to disappoint, and I have to confess I was a lot older than her when I had a similar epiphany about the whole thing. I also love that she has “crooked bones”, I have a medical condition which makes walking painful at times, and I walk with a limp most of the time, so this was another thread connecting me to Irréelle.
The Bone Garden is one of the highlights of my reading year, it definitely gets all the stars from me and it’s a book that I will be rereading as I am sure there so many beautiful things hidden in its poetic prose and I want to find them all.
I would absolutely recommend The Bone Garden, it is a beautifully written book, which explores what it means to be alive, the nature of friendship and the depths of grief.
The writing style is hauntingly beautiful and the whole tale was so magical – half way between a bedtime story and a dream. I did not want to put The Bone Garden down, I was enchanted from the first page until the last one.I cannot wait to read more books by Heather Kassner as I just love her magical writing style.
The setting, the story, the characters everything about this book is so unique, yet we see flashes of the familiar in Irréelle, Guy, Lass and even Miss Vesper. This small cast is so perfect and wonderfully formed. Just like the setting of the book, from the house, to the graveyard, even the tunnels.
I really related to Irréelle‘s need to please, that visceral need not to disappoint, and I have to confess I was a lot older than her when I had a similar epiphany about the whole thing. I also love that she has “crooked bones”, I have a medical condition which makes walking painful at times, and I walk with a limp most of the time, so this was another thread connecting me to Irréelle.
The Bone Garden is one of the highlights of my reading year, it definitely gets all the stars from me and it’s a book that I will be rereading as I am sure there so many beautiful things hidden in its poetic prose and I want to find them all.
I would absolutely recommend The Bone Garden, it is a beautifully written book, which explores what it means to be alive, the nature of friendship and the depths of grief.
October 12, 2020
Dark, twisted, whimsical, and fun! A great read for the spooky season.
October 19, 2018
Guys, trust me, you are not ready for Heather Kassner's THE BONE GARDEN. I devoured it in one sitting and I already can't wait to re-read it. This is one of those classic books that you know you will return to again and again, just to relive the magic of the world and characters and writing.
Heather masterfully spins the dark tale of Irreelle and Miss Vesper in THE BONE GARDEN. Not only is the world of graveyard tunnels so vivid and haunting (fans of CORALINE are sure to gobble up this book), but Heather writes Irreelle's story with a deft, careful hand, conjuring a complicated relationship between Miss Vesper and Irrelle that will tug deeply at readers' hearts, young or old. Watching Irrelle grow into herself and learn to believe that she is more than just dust and bone tethered to her creator, is so empowering, and so important. And we can't forget about the delightful cast of characters, including The Hand (eeep! Just the name alone is so deliciously dark!) who worm their way into your heart and make it so hard to let go even at the last page of the story.
I'm so excited that this book will be out in the world soon. Heather's writing is pure magic, and this is one of the most special, unique, and well-written stories I've read in some time now. Don't miss out on this stunning 2019 MG debut!
Heather masterfully spins the dark tale of Irreelle and Miss Vesper in THE BONE GARDEN. Not only is the world of graveyard tunnels so vivid and haunting (fans of CORALINE are sure to gobble up this book), but Heather writes Irreelle's story with a deft, careful hand, conjuring a complicated relationship between Miss Vesper and Irrelle that will tug deeply at readers' hearts, young or old. Watching Irrelle grow into herself and learn to believe that she is more than just dust and bone tethered to her creator, is so empowering, and so important. And we can't forget about the delightful cast of characters, including The Hand (eeep! Just the name alone is so deliciously dark!) who worm their way into your heart and make it so hard to let go even at the last page of the story.
I'm so excited that this book will be out in the world soon. Heather's writing is pure magic, and this is one of the most special, unique, and well-written stories I've read in some time now. Don't miss out on this stunning 2019 MG debut!
July 29, 2018
Step into THE BONE GARDEN, where skeletons await, old houses hold dark secrets, and magic abounds. Irréelle spends her days venturing into creepy underground tunnels to gather bone dust for the mysterious Miss Vesper’s magic. All the while she longs for friendship and the chance to becomes something more than a girl made of dust and imagination: she wishes to be made real. But as the story unfurls, Irréelle finds she may have gotten more than she bargained for when her strength and kindness are put to the test.
Heather Kassner’s gorgeous, atmospheric writing pulled me into the story and into the mind and heart of Irréelle. The setting is immersive and all the characters are deftly drawn—including one I loved but can’t mention because…spoilers!—and I was rooting for all of them as the story reached its surprising conclusion. I adored this story of hope, friendship, and the true nature of magic. I only wish I could have lingered longer in its beautifully spooky world.
Heather Kassner’s gorgeous, atmospheric writing pulled me into the story and into the mind and heart of Irréelle. The setting is immersive and all the characters are deftly drawn—including one I loved but can’t mention because…spoilers!—and I was rooting for all of them as the story reached its surprising conclusion. I adored this story of hope, friendship, and the true nature of magic. I only wish I could have lingered longer in its beautifully spooky world.
November 9, 2018
Heather Kassner's THE BONE GARDEN is beautifully haunting and spookily poignant. It has the feel of a classic, rewarding on many levels from start to finish. I absolutely loved this book!
With elegant, nuanced prose and an inviting MG voice, Kassner paints a world that's simultaneously dark and hopeful. The characters are distinct and memorable (wait until you meet The Hand--so well done!), and Irréelle will clasp your heartstrings from the first page. (By contrast, Miss Vesper's cruelty will make you wince). The plot is intriguing and well-paced, and what's unsaid is often as unsettling as what is.
Kassner's debut is a refreshing take on the macabre, and I look forward to her next work. THE BONE GARDEN is full of creativity (the dirt bats!) and creepiness, but perhaps its greatest strength is that it's also full of heart.
Note: I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
With elegant, nuanced prose and an inviting MG voice, Kassner paints a world that's simultaneously dark and hopeful. The characters are distinct and memorable (wait until you meet The Hand--so well done!), and Irréelle will clasp your heartstrings from the first page. (By contrast, Miss Vesper's cruelty will make you wince). The plot is intriguing and well-paced, and what's unsaid is often as unsettling as what is.
Kassner's debut is a refreshing take on the macabre, and I look forward to her next work. THE BONE GARDEN is full of creativity (the dirt bats!) and creepiness, but perhaps its greatest strength is that it's also full of heart.
Note: I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2019
3.5/5
Such a wonderful, quirky, eerie little book! Dark, touching and just mysterious enough to keep you engaged, I think this one is definitely one that fans of Neil Gaiman's middlegrade-reading fans should be on the lookout for; it definitely gave me the Graveyard Book feels that I went into it looking for.
I absolutely fell for Irréelle in no time and was rooting for her and wishing for her wellbeing since the very beginning and following her journey was quite emotional.
Additional yay for what looks to me like a dyslexia friendly font!
Will say that I do, however, feel like there was something missing, that je ne sais quoi ... I do feel like potentially having spent more time establishing the characters at the beginning may have made this a little bit better for me, but alas.
Still would definitely recommend if you want some nice, well written spooky middlegrade!
Such a wonderful, quirky, eerie little book! Dark, touching and just mysterious enough to keep you engaged, I think this one is definitely one that fans of Neil Gaiman's middlegrade-reading fans should be on the lookout for; it definitely gave me the Graveyard Book feels that I went into it looking for.
I absolutely fell for Irréelle in no time and was rooting for her and wishing for her wellbeing since the very beginning and following her journey was quite emotional.
Additional yay for what looks to me like a dyslexia friendly font!
Will say that I do, however, feel like there was something missing, that je ne sais quoi ... I do feel like potentially having spent more time establishing the characters at the beginning may have made this a little bit better for me, but alas.
Still would definitely recommend if you want some nice, well written spooky middlegrade!
Read
April 5, 2019Heather Kassner writes the strange and unusual like it’s true and familiar. Her debut is both sweet and cruel, chilling and hopeful. With a dark, but elegant Victorian setting and the question of ‘what will you do for the ones you love’ hiding in each page, THE BONE GARDEN is perfect for fans of Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton, or Catherynne Valente’s Fairyland series. Plus, the illustrations are gloomy and gothic! (And if anyone wanted to make a candle for THE BONE GARDEN I have the perfect scent combo: wood, smoke, and lilac! Seriously, someone do this.)
The writing is beautiful and lyrical but succinct and charming. Please read this book!
The writing is beautiful and lyrical but succinct and charming. Please read this book!
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