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Bones of Faerie #1
Bones of Faerie: Book 1 of the Bones of Faerie Trilogy
The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told.
Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza's world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see into the past, into the future and she has no choice but to flee her town.
Liza's quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.
Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza's world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see into the past, into the future and she has no choice but to flee her town.
Liza's quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2008
1181 people are currently reading
15438 people want to read
About the author
Janni Lee Simner
40 books466 followersJanni Lee Simner lives in the Arizona desert, where the plants know how to bite and the dandelions really do have thorns; in spite of these things--or maybe because of them--she's convinced she lives in one of the most stunning places on earth.
Janni has published four novels for young adults, the Bones of Faerie trilogy and Thief Eyes, and she wrote the script for the video game The Huntsman: Winter's Curse.
She's also published four books for younger readers--most recently Tiernay West, Professional Adventurer--as well as more than 30 short stories, including appearances in Cricket magazine and the Welcome to Bordertown anthology.
Janni has published four novels for young adults, the Bones of Faerie trilogy and Thief Eyes, and she wrote the script for the video game The Huntsman: Winter's Curse.
She's also published four books for younger readers--most recently Tiernay West, Professional Adventurer--as well as more than 30 short stories, including appearances in Cricket magazine and the Welcome to Bordertown anthology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 987 reviews
April 12, 2009
Though I read this book two weeks ago and have been meaning to write a review ever since, I haven't managed to really rally my thoughts about it until now. BONES OF FAERIE is a fascinating and welcome addition to the YA faerie world by virtue of combining faerie lore with a post-apocalyptic world for a haunting and eerie effect.
I should preface this entire review by saying that this book is for young adults. I know that will sound weird as most of the books on my Goodreads page are for YA, but most of my five-star YAs tend to have a lot of crossover appeal. If I were rating BONES OF FAERIE purely from my adult eyes, I would have given it four stars. My adult eyes loved the world and would've loved to see deeper consequences explored -- but this book didn't need it for the intended audience. Because let me tell you, 16 year old faerie-crazy Maggie would've died of happiness reading this book. I think Jannie Lee Simmer absolutely nailed her readership with this YA, and it's been a long time since I've read a YA and felt that.
The details of this book really shine: the dangerous plants, the loss of black-and-white, good-and-evil that comes with growing up, and the subtle differences that resulted from the war with Faerie. I was frustrated by some of the plot choices -- a particular pet peeve of mine is when conflict is created by a character NOT acting, rather than by a character acting -- but all in all, this was a wholly satisfying read that took me four happy hours to cruise through.
Highly recommended for teens who love paranormals, especially those who are a fan of beautiful writing and subtle twists in lore.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.***
I should preface this entire review by saying that this book is for young adults. I know that will sound weird as most of the books on my Goodreads page are for YA, but most of my five-star YAs tend to have a lot of crossover appeal. If I were rating BONES OF FAERIE purely from my adult eyes, I would have given it four stars. My adult eyes loved the world and would've loved to see deeper consequences explored -- but this book didn't need it for the intended audience. Because let me tell you, 16 year old faerie-crazy Maggie would've died of happiness reading this book. I think Jannie Lee Simmer absolutely nailed her readership with this YA, and it's been a long time since I've read a YA and felt that.
The details of this book really shine: the dangerous plants, the loss of black-and-white, good-and-evil that comes with growing up, and the subtle differences that resulted from the war with Faerie. I was frustrated by some of the plot choices -- a particular pet peeve of mine is when conflict is created by a character NOT acting, rather than by a character acting -- but all in all, this was a wholly satisfying read that took me four happy hours to cruise through.
Highly recommended for teens who love paranormals, especially those who are a fan of beautiful writing and subtle twists in lore.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.***
July 20, 2009
This is an amazing book. I am unnerved at the way I kept managing to lose it around the house from the time it came out (when I got it) until I found it for the sixth time yesterday and chose to read it instantly before it lost itself again. It makes you wonder about things like faeries, which is nonsense! Right?
The reason I ticked sf as well as fantasy is because the characters live in a bleak and scary world, the result of a war between humans and fae. Almost all the things we taken for granted are gone--or changed. Trees are vicious and will attack and kill humans. Butterflies burst into flame without warning. Rivers call people to their doom. Vegetables fight being harvested. And in Liza's village, the taint of the Faery--clear hair, silver eyes, magic--means expulsion or death. Only three weeks before, her father, in charge of clearing magic from the town, took his brand new daughter and left her on a hilltop. In the morning only bones remained. Not long afterward, Liza's mother left him.
Liza decides, against her father's warnings and lessons, fixed in her flesh with beatings, to go in search of her mother. Though she forbids him to do it, her friend Matthew goes along, and his truth--that he is a shapeshifter--is the first of many things she will learn along the way, about the war, about other villages and how they manage, about the reality of magic and the Fae, about the future, and about her own magicless self.
The world is incredible and scary. Liz is a totally human hero, filled with doubts and bigotries she has to overcome. The book is dark, terrifying, and magnificent.
The reason I ticked sf as well as fantasy is because the characters live in a bleak and scary world, the result of a war between humans and fae. Almost all the things we taken for granted are gone--or changed. Trees are vicious and will attack and kill humans. Butterflies burst into flame without warning. Rivers call people to their doom. Vegetables fight being harvested. And in Liza's village, the taint of the Faery--clear hair, silver eyes, magic--means expulsion or death. Only three weeks before, her father, in charge of clearing magic from the town, took his brand new daughter and left her on a hilltop. In the morning only bones remained. Not long afterward, Liza's mother left him.
Liza decides, against her father's warnings and lessons, fixed in her flesh with beatings, to go in search of her mother. Though she forbids him to do it, her friend Matthew goes along, and his truth--that he is a shapeshifter--is the first of many things she will learn along the way, about the war, about other villages and how they manage, about the reality of magic and the Fae, about the future, and about her own magicless self.
The world is incredible and scary. Liz is a totally human hero, filled with doubts and bigotries she has to overcome. The book is dark, terrifying, and magnificent.
January 17, 2017
This was older and darker than I expected. I think I had assumed it was middle grade because of her other publications (I actually think this is as suitable for tweens as teens) and fluffy because of the titular "faerie" which usually seems to involve some sparkliness. Well, there are sparkles, but they're the light of evil magic that wants to eat you.
August 2, 2011
This is a fantastic read for the Young Adult genre. Filled with faeries, magic, shape-shifters and, of course, mere humans, this book has everything that a younger reader could hope for. The story pulled me in from the first page, as the story unfolded, the writing simply flowed so that I was half-way through, then promising myself "one more chapter" I finished the entire book. The relationships in this story are unlikely, yet remarkably sweet, and somehow, just right. The fantasies are subtley woven throughout real-life matters, making a more believable and intriguing story. The twists and turns leave the reader unsure of what he/she hopes the characters will do next, yet the ending is satisfying.
I am giving this book 5 stars specifically as a Young Adult book. As a non-young Adult, the book could seem somewhat cursory---the story-line is great and the characters are rich; however, as a Young Adult book, the depth for an avid non-young adult may not be there.
I am giving this book 5 stars specifically as a Young Adult book. As a non-young Adult, the book could seem somewhat cursory---the story-line is great and the characters are rich; however, as a Young Adult book, the depth for an avid non-young adult may not be there.
May 24, 2013
I've been stuck on a reading glut lately, I've got 100000 unfinished books on my ebook reader, most of which I've made slight progress, and I've no desire to finish or continue reading any of them. So to ease my boredom, I've been rereading some old familiars that I know are enjoyable.
Some series are even more wonderful than I remembered (The Iron Fey), and some made me wonder how much alcohol I had been imbibing when I decided to give it a 4 rating. Bones of Faerie would be an example of the latter. What the hell was I thinking? I probably wasn't.
The good: it's short.
The bad: it's short. Because of the lack of length, I feel there's so much detail that could have been given that would have contributed so much to the book was omitted. I wanted more background on the war between fae and human. I want to know more about how the fae and human came to a tenuous peace. Why the St. Louis arch? Why were some humans "tainted" by fae magic and not others? So many questions, not enough answers. And what's with the random werewolf? There is very little logic, the system of magic here seems to be all over the damn place, and not something rational. Granted, the fae aren't known for their coherence, but given that they're intelligent enough and with enough acumen to beat our sorry human asses in this book, one would think that their magical system would be better controlled.
Liza is not a bad character. She's strong enough to withstand her father's emotional and physical abuse, and conscientious enough not to put her community in danger when she thinks she has developed fae magic. However, she's soft. Too soft. I didn't find her survival skills believable given her softheartedness and weak will.
Her reaction to Allie the stowaway frustrated me to no ends. She's a day from home. Dump her whiny, sorry little overprotected ass back to her father. Liza doesn't have the heart to deal with a liability when she sees one.
“You're sure you won't let us take you back?” Matthew asked. Allie just shook her head. I said nothing. I still didn't trust myself to speak. I didn't want her to come, but in truth I had no idea how to stop her.
It's simple, Liza. You go back to the village and tell Allie's dad. This book overcomplicates stupid things like this.
I didn't hate Liza as a character, but there's nothing about her that made me sympathize with her or feel like she's more developed than just a character in a book.
And speaking of Allie. I hated the sorry little brat. She's very young, which explains her immaturity, and Liza is nothing less than a saint in her ability to put up with her.
“The War was stupid,” Allie said. “So stupid.”
So profound, Allie.
“So big!” she said as she walked, all hints of the sullen child who'd found us gone. “Who knew the world was so big?” She twirled in place, right in the path, as if that world were the scene of a child's game, nothing more.
ARG! SHUT UP ALREADY.
As for the story, it is dark and very surreal. The setting is beautifully described, lyrical and hypnotic.
Bluffs rose to either side of us, holding shadows of their own: a shadow arm with a dangling charm bracelet, a shadow boot kicking the air as if to get free, a shadow face staring at us from within a hillside, its mouth open as in surprise, a poplar root growing through one of its shadow eyes.
I also found it very confusing. I think the best way I can describe it is when I had a stomach flu, and was suffering from some massive fever-induced hallucinations. I was wandering around a dark, glowing forest, with no idea where I was going. Things were happening and yet they made no sense, but I followed along with my dream anyway. This was roughly how I felt about the plot of this book. It's lyrical and surreal, but not in a good way.
Like the art movement after which it's named, the surrealism in this book gave me a massive headache after awhile. I actually started book two about a year after reading this, and found out I couldn't remember a damn thing about this book. That should have foreshadowed it for me; writing aside, the story is purely forgettable.
Some series are even more wonderful than I remembered (The Iron Fey), and some made me wonder how much alcohol I had been imbibing when I decided to give it a 4 rating. Bones of Faerie would be an example of the latter. What the hell was I thinking? I probably wasn't.
The good: it's short.
The bad: it's short. Because of the lack of length, I feel there's so much detail that could have been given that would have contributed so much to the book was omitted. I wanted more background on the war between fae and human. I want to know more about how the fae and human came to a tenuous peace. Why the St. Louis arch? Why were some humans "tainted" by fae magic and not others? So many questions, not enough answers. And what's with the random werewolf? There is very little logic, the system of magic here seems to be all over the damn place, and not something rational. Granted, the fae aren't known for their coherence, but given that they're intelligent enough and with enough acumen to beat our sorry human asses in this book, one would think that their magical system would be better controlled.
Liza is not a bad character. She's strong enough to withstand her father's emotional and physical abuse, and conscientious enough not to put her community in danger when she thinks she has developed fae magic. However, she's soft. Too soft. I didn't find her survival skills believable given her softheartedness and weak will.
Her reaction to Allie the stowaway frustrated me to no ends. She's a day from home. Dump her whiny, sorry little overprotected ass back to her father. Liza doesn't have the heart to deal with a liability when she sees one.
“You're sure you won't let us take you back?” Matthew asked. Allie just shook her head. I said nothing. I still didn't trust myself to speak. I didn't want her to come, but in truth I had no idea how to stop her.
It's simple, Liza. You go back to the village and tell Allie's dad. This book overcomplicates stupid things like this.
I didn't hate Liza as a character, but there's nothing about her that made me sympathize with her or feel like she's more developed than just a character in a book.
And speaking of Allie. I hated the sorry little brat. She's very young, which explains her immaturity, and Liza is nothing less than a saint in her ability to put up with her.
“The War was stupid,” Allie said. “So stupid.”
So profound, Allie.
“So big!” she said as she walked, all hints of the sullen child who'd found us gone. “Who knew the world was so big?” She twirled in place, right in the path, as if that world were the scene of a child's game, nothing more.
ARG! SHUT UP ALREADY.
As for the story, it is dark and very surreal. The setting is beautifully described, lyrical and hypnotic.
Bluffs rose to either side of us, holding shadows of their own: a shadow arm with a dangling charm bracelet, a shadow boot kicking the air as if to get free, a shadow face staring at us from within a hillside, its mouth open as in surprise, a poplar root growing through one of its shadow eyes.
I also found it very confusing. I think the best way I can describe it is when I had a stomach flu, and was suffering from some massive fever-induced hallucinations. I was wandering around a dark, glowing forest, with no idea where I was going. Things were happening and yet they made no sense, but I followed along with my dream anyway. This was roughly how I felt about the plot of this book. It's lyrical and surreal, but not in a good way.
Like the art movement after which it's named, the surrealism in this book gave me a massive headache after awhile. I actually started book two about a year after reading this, and found out I couldn't remember a damn thing about this book. That should have foreshadowed it for me; writing aside, the story is purely forgettable.
January 10, 2018
2018 TBR Challenge: Book #4
★★
I wish I had more to say about Bones of Faerie but its mediocracy does not lend well to descriptive reviews.
The world was creative. I’ll give Simner that. I loved the combination of the fantastical fae elements with the post-war apocalyptic landscape. Or I did in theory, at least. The world building was a tad too underdeveloped for me to completely fall in love with it. Matthew’s history and shifter abilities were never explained, and for the most part, Faerie and its magical lore were left shrouded in mystery. I understand that was probably intentional on the author’s behalf because our protagonist was ignorant of it herself, but it didn’t help quell my growing curiosity. There were several moments that I had no idea what was going on and had to roll with it. I much prefer my fantastical stories to have some sort of consistent magical system. Worlds with limitless magic - or magic without rules/sources/something - always fall into that ‘anything could happen therefore nothing has consequences’ pitfall that makes me lose investment in the story.
The characters themselves were okay. Liza was not, by any means, an unpleasant protagonist; just bland and largely forgettable. I appreciated that her relationship with Matthew remained platonic but I still needed more from them as individuals to appreciate their friendship. Allie definitely stole the spotlight.
Overall? Bones of Faerie felt like an odd mix of Skylark and Wings but lacked the world-building of either to make it successful. I struggled to stay invested in the story when the magical system felt so messy and the characters were so bland. I will not be continuing with the series.
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I wish I had more to say about Bones of Faerie but its mediocracy does not lend well to descriptive reviews.
The world was creative. I’ll give Simner that. I loved the combination of the fantastical fae elements with the post-war apocalyptic landscape. Or I did in theory, at least. The world building was a tad too underdeveloped for me to completely fall in love with it. Matthew’s history and shifter abilities were never explained, and for the most part, Faerie and its magical lore were left shrouded in mystery. I understand that was probably intentional on the author’s behalf because our protagonist was ignorant of it herself, but it didn’t help quell my growing curiosity. There were several moments that I had no idea what was going on and had to roll with it. I much prefer my fantastical stories to have some sort of consistent magical system. Worlds with limitless magic - or magic without rules/sources/something - always fall into that ‘anything could happen therefore nothing has consequences’ pitfall that makes me lose investment in the story.
The characters themselves were okay. Liza was not, by any means, an unpleasant protagonist; just bland and largely forgettable. I appreciated that her relationship with Matthew remained platonic but I still needed more from them as individuals to appreciate their friendship. Allie definitely stole the spotlight.
Overall? Bones of Faerie felt like an odd mix of Skylark and Wings but lacked the world-building of either to make it successful. I struggled to stay invested in the story when the magical system felt so messy and the characters were so bland. I will not be continuing with the series.
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December 31, 2011
This book had no heart and no soul, no flavor but nice color--which is to say that the setting is interesting--a post-apocalyptic US, where war between humans and faeries has devastated the world and corrupted nature to the point that tree shadows can slice and dice you, and even seeds are dangerous lest they take root in your skin--but the characters? They are boring, flat and wooden, with no depth. The protagonist Liza is a ho-hum-de-dum teenage girl abused and repressed by her tyrannical father who, incidentally, is the head of the village that repudiates magic and rejects outsiders. Then when her sister is born with the marks of fey--clear hair and silver eyes--the father abandons the baby out in the woods. Sometime later the mom disappears. I think you can see where this is going.
The story itself is so straightforward as to be mind-bogglingly boring, with people teaming up and helping Liza for no apparent reason other than plot demands it and apparently they are really nice people. The entire story is about Liza rescuing her mom, and even that makes it sound way more exciting than it really is. Character development? There is none. Romance? There is none. Preachy passages about the devastation of war? There are plenty.
The book had a fascinating first chapter and everything thereafter was a meandering failure of narrative. You don't even find out exactly what the war between fairies and humans was about; in other post-apocalyptic books, not knowing the cause of the present society is fine because it's just a backdrop--but in this case, the war was apparently only 20 years ago and everything about it plays a major role in what's going on NOW, so not knowing anything is very frustrating. How? Why? What reasons? What were the actual battles like? Did it take place in a day or a year or several years? You will not find the answers to these pertinent questions within this book.
Save your time. Considering how very little happened in this book, with no emotional or intellectual impact, I doubt the sequel is worth the effort. I certainly won't be checking it out.
The story itself is so straightforward as to be mind-bogglingly boring, with people teaming up and helping Liza for no apparent reason other than plot demands it and apparently they are really nice people. The entire story is about Liza rescuing her mom, and even that makes it sound way more exciting than it really is. Character development? There is none. Romance? There is none. Preachy passages about the devastation of war? There are plenty.
The book had a fascinating first chapter and everything thereafter was a meandering failure of narrative. You don't even find out exactly what the war between fairies and humans was about; in other post-apocalyptic books, not knowing the cause of the present society is fine because it's just a backdrop--but in this case, the war was apparently only 20 years ago and everything about it plays a major role in what's going on NOW, so not knowing anything is very frustrating. How? Why? What reasons? What were the actual battles like? Did it take place in a day or a year or several years? You will not find the answers to these pertinent questions within this book.
Save your time. Considering how very little happened in this book, with no emotional or intellectual impact, I doubt the sequel is worth the effort. I certainly won't be checking it out.
June 2, 2011
I have to say this book was beautifully written. The descriptions were so vivid and I found that I could really see the world that Simner created. I think her main characters could have used some strengthening, but all in all this was a good book.
Liza is the main character and she goes on a journey after finding out that she holds magic within her. Knowing that her Father would kill her if he found out she goes in search of her Mother who left after her Father left her sister out for the Faeries to take. The world in which she lives is one that is struggling to deal with the remains after a War with the Faeries. Children are taught that magic kills and to never go outside in the dark. After the War the Faerie magic still remained and plants that were once just pretty to look at turned into something that will haunt nightmares. So her journey begins and we get to see what really hides inside Liza and if she has the strength to fight the forest to save her Mother.
This book is not about world saving, it is simply about one girls adventures trying to find out where she belongs. I liked how it ended so I don't know if I will ever pick up the sequel, but I was impressed with this one.
Liza is the main character and she goes on a journey after finding out that she holds magic within her. Knowing that her Father would kill her if he found out she goes in search of her Mother who left after her Father left her sister out for the Faeries to take. The world in which she lives is one that is struggling to deal with the remains after a War with the Faeries. Children are taught that magic kills and to never go outside in the dark. After the War the Faerie magic still remained and plants that were once just pretty to look at turned into something that will haunt nightmares. So her journey begins and we get to see what really hides inside Liza and if she has the strength to fight the forest to save her Mother.
This book is not about world saving, it is simply about one girls adventures trying to find out where she belongs. I liked how it ended so I don't know if I will ever pick up the sequel, but I was impressed with this one.
May 7, 2020
This is quite possibly the most captivating first chapter of a book that I can ever remember reading. It is only eight short paragraphs long, but Simner manages to get her hook so deep into you that the thought of putting the book down is impossible. It made me catch my breath. It made me go back and reread those two simple pages to see if the text was as fabulous as I thought it was (it was.) It made me say "there's no way the rest of this book can be THIS amazing (it was.)
The premise of this story is wonderful. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a war between earth and faerie has devastated the planet, and sent it's inhabitants centuries of years back technologically while also having to deal with the new dangers of faerie enchanted flora and fauna that are not so harmless as they were "Before."
The main character flees her village when she discovers that the magic has touched her as well, and doesn't want to bring harm to those around her.
The story is brutal and tragic and beautiful and hopeful all at the same time. Part of what makes it so magical is how much is left unsaid. The story unfolds in a way that you know what happens, and you grasp the backstory (both the individual threads and the full tapestry) but you don't see everything. The prose was so elegant yet so simple. So very, very well done.
The premise of this story is wonderful. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a war between earth and faerie has devastated the planet, and sent it's inhabitants centuries of years back technologically while also having to deal with the new dangers of faerie enchanted flora and fauna that are not so harmless as they were "Before."
The main character flees her village when she discovers that the magic has touched her as well, and doesn't want to bring harm to those around her.
The story is brutal and tragic and beautiful and hopeful all at the same time. Part of what makes it so magical is how much is left unsaid. The story unfolds in a way that you know what happens, and you grasp the backstory (both the individual threads and the full tapestry) but you don't see everything. The prose was so elegant yet so simple. So very, very well done.
November 28, 2014
Killer trees, exploding butterflies, vegetables that fight back when you try to harvest them? What's not to like?
As a fae book, I wouldn't list it as a major favorite, but it was definitely fun and easy to read. It had enough darkness and creepy things happening to have the potential to be a really dark fantasy, but the mix of the absurd or silly things added in kept lightening it up. (Like an oak tree beaming them with acorns).
Overall, it is a fun book and really clean. No romance or love triangles to deal with.
As a fae book, I wouldn't list it as a major favorite, but it was definitely fun and easy to read. It had enough darkness and creepy things happening to have the potential to be a really dark fantasy, but the mix of the absurd or silly things added in kept lightening it up. (Like an oak tree beaming them with acorns).
Overall, it is a fun book and really clean. No romance or love triangles to deal with.
February 14, 2011
One of my friends was writing two-word poetry for a competition the other day, and I thought: now wouldn't that be fun to do for a review?! So I did!
Unique Worldbuilding
[image error] Too descriptive
No romance
[image error] Too short
[image error] Two-dimensional characters
[image error] Slow pacing
[image error] Reader's disconnect
dead baby
villainous father
[image error]
magic system
Overall: so-so
Unique Worldbuilding[image error] Too descriptive
No romance[image error] Too short
[image error] Two-dimensional characters
[image error] Slow pacing
[image error] Reader's disconnect
dead baby
villainous father
[image error]
magic systemOverall: so-so
April 22, 2018
While a bit predictable, Bones of Faerie establishes a fascinating post-apocalyptic setting in the aftermath of a devastating war against faeries. The book is young adult and deals with heady issues of abuse, survival, and loss, all through the eyes of an easy-to-relate-to heroine.
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May 12, 2020The entire Bones of Faerie Trilogy now has a new look and new ebook editions!
June 30, 2020
I am surprised that I finished this book. It started well, interesting idea of a world where plants and shadows can attack and kill. The writing was good until it wasn’t. Long pages of repetitious descriptions of visions.
December 29, 2014
Ruth: The human world has been rendered almost unlivable, victim of the wild magic unleashed by the faeries in their war with the humans twenty years earlier. Liza, a teenage girl, tries to survive in a small community in the Midwestern United States that has been savaged by the remnants of the war. The corn fights back against the humans harvesting it, and the blackberry vines seek flesh. Everyone who survived the war knows that magic is dangerous and cannot be tolerated, so when Liza’s sister is born with the clear hair that marks her as magically tainted, Liza’s father leaves the infant on a hillside to die.
This is where Bones of Faerie starts, with a horrified young woman finding the remains of her baby sister’s body scattered on a hillside. In this dark, post-apocalyptic YA novel, Janni Lee Simner sets up an interesting story of a teenager seeking... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Skye: The story Bones of Faerie takes place years after a great and tragic war between the Fae and the Humans. Those who survived the war on the human side greatly distrust any sort of magic. However, the war changed the human world; trees never shed their leaves, instead they attack unsuspecting victims. Plants have minds of their own, and only the most benign can be eaten. Some children are born with transparent hair; marking them part-faerie. These children are killed for what they may become, and the destructive powers they could possess.
Liza lives in such a town. Any child born with magic is cast out to die or else be taken by the faerie. Strangers are not welcome, and trade is nonexistent. The inhabitants of the town live off of what tame plants they can harvest and are not poisonous. Liza lives with her father, a strict man and firm believer in ‘the rules’: ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
This is where Bones of Faerie starts, with a horrified young woman finding the remains of her baby sister’s body scattered on a hillside. In this dark, post-apocalyptic YA novel, Janni Lee Simner sets up an interesting story of a teenager seeking... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Skye: The story Bones of Faerie takes place years after a great and tragic war between the Fae and the Humans. Those who survived the war on the human side greatly distrust any sort of magic. However, the war changed the human world; trees never shed their leaves, instead they attack unsuspecting victims. Plants have minds of their own, and only the most benign can be eaten. Some children are born with transparent hair; marking them part-faerie. These children are killed for what they may become, and the destructive powers they could possess.
Liza lives in such a town. Any child born with magic is cast out to die or else be taken by the faerie. Strangers are not welcome, and trade is nonexistent. The inhabitants of the town live off of what tame plants they can harvest and are not poisonous. Liza lives with her father, a strict man and firm believer in ‘the rules’: ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
June 19, 2014
War between Faerie and the humans devastated both realms. A generation later, teenaged Liza and her town are barely surviving among the wreckage. Liza's father has kept the town alive though ruthless destruction of anything touched by magic, so when Liza starts having visions she knows she has to leave immediately--or be killed by her own father.
I was fascinated by the post-apocalyptic world Liza lives in, where "good" plastic is prized and even a single dandelion is dangerous. The magic seems appropriately powerful and scary. And I loved reading Liza's progression from cringing believer to a purposeful problem-solver. This is a dark book--Liza is abused by her father for years, and
I was fascinated by the post-apocalyptic world Liza lives in, where "good" plastic is prized and even a single dandelion is dangerous. The magic seems appropriately powerful and scary. And I loved reading Liza's progression from cringing believer to a purposeful problem-solver. This is a dark book--Liza is abused by her father for years, and
February 7, 2009
Lyrical, as sharp as the thorns in the dandelions, and shattered shards of broken trust that get carefully gathered together. The first two pages set the whole tone and followed through in spades. It's a beautifully written book, the first I've really enjoyed reading in the last year.
The hardships are really hard, and I loved the implicit rules behind the magic... and how consistent it was across the board. And all the reasons for the protagonist to not trust magic were hard and real, so it was an interesting and different take than the OOoooo it's magic so it has to be cool! I love the deadliness of it.
I learned that I STILL can't put a good book down. I was intending to not finish this, but lo and behold... I'm done and I'm probably going to read it again.
The hardships are really hard, and I loved the implicit rules behind the magic... and how consistent it was across the board. And all the reasons for the protagonist to not trust magic were hard and real, so it was an interesting and different take than the OOoooo it's magic so it has to be cool! I love the deadliness of it.
I learned that I STILL can't put a good book down. I was intending to not finish this, but lo and behold... I'm done and I'm probably going to read it again.
Read
May 11, 2009This is simple: post-apocalyptic faerie novel. Buy it. Read it. Love it. Then beg Janni to write more. Now, Janni, I want it NOW!!!!
April 2, 2023
there was nothing wrong with the writing, but it did feel very YA to me, which is fine, but combine that with characters and a plot that i wasnt interested in at all - i just didnt like it. it was boring and this just wasnt for me.
also tw for:
- physical abuse of a child
- im not gonna put this under a spoiler bc it honestly really shook me when i read it cause i wasnt expecting it - and i think it might affect a lot of people's desire to read this book but
her dad literally throws the cat against a wall and it dies so yeah. didnt enjoy that.
also tw for:
- physical abuse of a child
- im not gonna put this under a spoiler bc it honestly really shook me when i read it cause i wasnt expecting it - and i think it might affect a lot of people's desire to read this book but
her dad literally throws the cat against a wall and it dies so yeah. didnt enjoy that.
March 10, 2022
I found the setting to be very interesting in a world devastated by a post-apocalyptic Faerie/human war. A much different take on the Faerie theme than anything else I’ve read. However, I would have loved to know more about the world of Faerie and why the war occurred in the first place. Seemed like the author just kind of brushed over any background information and hit the main points of the story. Overall a very quick and easy read.
July 11, 2022
It always feels awful giving a book a 1 star rating but honestly I couldn't wait for it to end.
Many a times I thought of just throwing in the towel and moving on to another as time is precious with so many books to read! However, I haven't done that before so I decided to stick with it as it's a relatively short book (279pgs) and I had the hope that it would get better......
Sadly that didn't happen. I spent 80% of the book in a daydream and the other 20% thinking I swear I've already read this part but that's because so much of it is so similar!
Nothing seems to happen and I couldn't even relate to any characters as there is no character development.
Like I said, I feel terrible leaving such a low review but this is my opinion, other people enjoyed it.... try for yourself maybe?
Many a times I thought of just throwing in the towel and moving on to another as time is precious with so many books to read! However, I haven't done that before so I decided to stick with it as it's a relatively short book (279pgs) and I had the hope that it would get better......
Sadly that didn't happen. I spent 80% of the book in a daydream and the other 20% thinking I swear I've already read this part but that's because so much of it is so similar!
Nothing seems to happen and I couldn't even relate to any characters as there is no character development.
Like I said, I feel terrible leaving such a low review but this is my opinion, other people enjoyed it.... try for yourself maybe?
February 3, 2009
15-year-old Liza lives in a world that recently survived a war between the human world and the world of Faerie. Now the things in the human world have become strange, vines and trees have a taste for blood, corn and potatoes fight back when harvested. Liza's father has kept the entire village safe after the war, stamping out any sign of magic in the people who live there. When Liza's baby sister is born with the clear hair that is a sign of magic, her father takes the baby into the wild and leaves her to die. After the baby's death, Liza's mother leaves the village, her death in the forest a certainty. Now Liza is starting to notice signs of magic in herself. She has visions in water and mirrors. Fearing for her life and following her visions that show her mother alive, Liza flees into the wild. She is joined by a boy from her village who has a magical secret of his own. Liza must now learn the truth about the War and her magic for herself.
A stunning blend of apocalyptic fiction and faerie tale fantasy, this book is unique and fascinating. The two divergent subjects work well together, blending to form a world that is strange yet familiar. Because it is about Faerie and the real world, the book is able to talk frankly about the horrors and aftermath of all war.
The characters are just as intriguing as the setting itself. Liza is a contradiction both fearing magic and being able to wield it herself. The supporting characters have that same blend of the familiar and the surprising.
I found this book nearly impossible to put down, caught up in Liza's story and in the world itself. Recommended to readers of Melissa Marr's and Holly Black's books. Appropriate for ages 13-16.
A stunning blend of apocalyptic fiction and faerie tale fantasy, this book is unique and fascinating. The two divergent subjects work well together, blending to form a world that is strange yet familiar. Because it is about Faerie and the real world, the book is able to talk frankly about the horrors and aftermath of all war.
The characters are just as intriguing as the setting itself. Liza is a contradiction both fearing magic and being able to wield it herself. The supporting characters have that same blend of the familiar and the surprising.
I found this book nearly impossible to put down, caught up in Liza's story and in the world itself. Recommended to readers of Melissa Marr's and Holly Black's books. Appropriate for ages 13-16.
August 23, 2010
i really enjoyed this book, the idea of plants with such power intent on killing people, is very scary one, and the book shows a dangerous world in which magic resides, where magic is feared, and denied rather than embraced initially, but in the end magic is seen as something good, something to be embraced and nurtured, it was a nice book, and an interesting read =]
May 23, 2016
I could not finish this book.
It's an interesting plot. But, the author just throws you into the world with nothing. You don't get any background info for the world or the characters.
There is barely any past building in this book at all. Which makes it extremely boring.
Might finish it one day, but probably not.
It's an interesting plot. But, the author just throws you into the world with nothing. You don't get any background info for the world or the characters.
There is barely any past building in this book at all. Which makes it extremely boring.
Might finish it one day, but probably not.
July 7, 2011
spare, post-apocalyptic faerie story
i didn't particularly like the MCs, though little Allie and the secondary characters were wonderful
pg13 green
a father is physically and emotionally abusive; some peril & injury
i didn't particularly like the MCs, though little Allie and the secondary characters were wonderful
pg13 green
a father is physically and emotionally abusive; some peril & injury
December 27, 2016
I have reread this book 4 times. I don't know what it is, but I keep going back to it. It's a quick read (although the holidays cut into my reading time). It's a nice stand alone. A good, short read, that's for sure.
March 21, 2024
Bones of Faeries est le premier tome d'une trilogie dystopique où la guerre entre faë/fées et humains à conduit la terre à tourner au ralenti -effaçant le cycle des saisons par exemple- et détruisant toute la technologie ramenant le monde à l'époque du Moyen-Âge. Les cicatrices laissées part la magie des faë/fées est redouté de tous,car vu comme une malédiction/signe de trahison. Toutes personnes développant des aptitudes à la magie se voit exécutées.
On suit l'histoire de Liza dont la famille a été détruite par la magie : sa petite sœur étant née dotée de pouvoir,elle a été abandonnée dans la forêt et dévorée par des bêtes sauvages ; sa mère pour une raison qui lui est inconnue s'est enfuie du village (et le monde extérieur n'étant pas sans danger,tout le monde suppose qu'elle est morte.) La jeune adolescente de 15 ans se retrouve seule avec son père qui l'a bat à essayer de survivre. Sauf qu'un jour,elle rentre en contact avec la magie laissé par les faë/fées...
Excellente découverte et surprise ! Le fond est vraiment excellent et très innovant. Ce mélange de fantasy et de dystopie sort de l'ordinaire ou du moins de ce que j'ai pu lire jusqu'à maintenant.
On y retrouve une ribambelle de personnages extrêmement intéressant,quoique certains hélas sois développé. Un worlbuilding très bien construit,mais malgré tout on reste avec beaucoup de questions à la fin de ce 1er tome.
L'écriture était très jolie dans ces descritpions,mais aussi parfois trop répétitives. Le roman est beaucoup trop court (- de 300 pages),donc tout va trop vite et ça rend parfois les transitions entre certaines actions très brouillonnes.
Récit écrit a la 1ère personne,ce qui permet d'être vraiment immergé dans l'histoire,et comme j'ai adoré Liza çane m'a pas du tout dérangée.
Le tome 1 ne se termine pas sur un cliffhanger et offre une réelle fin. Mais ayant très envie de découvrir plus cet univers,je lirais le tome 2 avec grand plaisir !
On suit l'histoire de Liza dont la famille a été détruite par la magie : sa petite sœur étant née dotée de pouvoir,elle a été abandonnée dans la forêt et dévorée par des bêtes sauvages ; sa mère pour une raison qui lui est inconnue s'est enfuie du village (et le monde extérieur n'étant pas sans danger,tout le monde suppose qu'elle est morte.) La jeune adolescente de 15 ans se retrouve seule avec son père qui l'a bat à essayer de survivre. Sauf qu'un jour,elle rentre en contact avec la magie laissé par les faë/fées...
Excellente découverte et surprise ! Le fond est vraiment excellent et très innovant. Ce mélange de fantasy et de dystopie sort de l'ordinaire ou du moins de ce que j'ai pu lire jusqu'à maintenant.
On y retrouve une ribambelle de personnages extrêmement intéressant,quoique certains hélas sois développé. Un worlbuilding très bien construit,mais malgré tout on reste avec beaucoup de questions à la fin de ce 1er tome.
L'écriture était très jolie dans ces descritpions,mais aussi parfois trop répétitives. Le roman est beaucoup trop court (- de 300 pages),donc tout va trop vite et ça rend parfois les transitions entre certaines actions très brouillonnes.
Récit écrit a la 1ère personne,ce qui permet d'être vraiment immergé dans l'histoire,et comme j'ai adoré Liza çane m'a pas du tout dérangée.
Le tome 1 ne se termine pas sur un cliffhanger et offre une réelle fin. Mais ayant très envie de découvrir plus cet univers,je lirais le tome 2 avec grand plaisir !
July 28, 2023
this has been on my “to-read” list since 2011. i remember when i first saw this book, i believe it was at the scholastic book fair. i was intrigued by the cover, and even more intrigued by the description. it sounded so cool, i couldn’t wait to get my hands on it eventually.
and then, i never saw it again. not at the store nor the library. it was gone and all i had was the cover and description burned into my mind.
i couldn’t let the idea of this book go. i remember going into the forest behind my house and imagining what the book was like, playing little games with myself involving magic and glowing stones. i was intrigued with this magic little world despite never knowing about it.
flash forward to a few weeks ago. i have redownloaded goodreads and am trying to get back into reading. i see the books under “to-read” and think about how silly they look, until i scroll and see the cover for bones of faerie. that original intrigue i had came rushing back, and despite me now being an adult, decided i would read this ya book and fulfill 13 year-old me’s dream. i reserve it at the library and start reading…….
it’s boring. the book is not good. there is no world building, the writing is stale, and the main character is milquetoast, not even gaining any character development until the last couple chapters. the overall premise has potential, but the story ended up being lackluster and with lots to be desired. however, i had a drive to keep reading the story. maybe i just wanted it to be over, maybe i wanted to keep going for little me. it’s not a very long book and the print is quite large, so i knew it wouldn’t take me very long. i probably should have just read this when i originally wanted to in junior high, that is who this book is meant for anyway.
there that is my bones of faerie story
and then, i never saw it again. not at the store nor the library. it was gone and all i had was the cover and description burned into my mind.
i couldn’t let the idea of this book go. i remember going into the forest behind my house and imagining what the book was like, playing little games with myself involving magic and glowing stones. i was intrigued with this magic little world despite never knowing about it.
flash forward to a few weeks ago. i have redownloaded goodreads and am trying to get back into reading. i see the books under “to-read” and think about how silly they look, until i scroll and see the cover for bones of faerie. that original intrigue i had came rushing back, and despite me now being an adult, decided i would read this ya book and fulfill 13 year-old me’s dream. i reserve it at the library and start reading…….
it’s boring. the book is not good. there is no world building, the writing is stale, and the main character is milquetoast, not even gaining any character development until the last couple chapters. the overall premise has potential, but the story ended up being lackluster and with lots to be desired. however, i had a drive to keep reading the story. maybe i just wanted it to be over, maybe i wanted to keep going for little me. it’s not a very long book and the print is quite large, so i knew it wouldn’t take me very long. i probably should have just read this when i originally wanted to in junior high, that is who this book is meant for anyway.
there that is my bones of faerie story
October 16, 2019
This was a good book but a little short I do plan to read the other books eventually, but I think that I am going to reread it before I even get the next book. This is a good book and I enjoyed reading it but I just had a hard time understanding it. I hope when I reread it without having to worry about test scores more so then what I am reading. I enjoyed her writing style and I liked the change of pace as far as the length of the book. I love the way that you are always wondering about something throughout the story and not just at a certain point in the story. It was also enjoyable to read how the characters have developed throughout the story.
February 19, 2019
This was a good and easy book, but not really for my age. It's really set for pre-teen to sixteen years of age. Great storyline, I just felt it lacked something, but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe depth? I don't know...
I also felt that the author kind of started rushing through the storyline about halfway through but that could just be me.
If you want a book with a good story but not enough details or depth, and something very quick to read, get this book.
I also felt that the author kind of started rushing through the storyline about halfway through but that could just be me.
If you want a book with a good story but not enough details or depth, and something very quick to read, get this book.
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