Roll dem Bones

by Nicholas Bruner

Sullahan is the new kid at Moorestown Middle School, and he’s got problems. His stutter has already attracted the attention of the bullies, his math teacher hates him because he takes so long to answer in class, and oh yeah, he can’t get any sleep at night because voices in the walls call out his name in the creepy old house he and his dad have moved into….

287 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2020

About the author

Nicholas Bruner is the author of Roll dem Bones and more than twenty other works of fiction. He has a background as eclectic as his stories, having worked everywhere from summer camps in Hungary to explosives crews in the U.S. Before becoming a full-time writer, he spent years as a government contractor in Washington, DC.

Nick writes books that blend suspense, imagination, and heart. His latest YA horror, Roll dem Bones, has been called “masterfully written” and praised for its chilling atmosphere and unforgettable characters.

When he isn’t writing, Nick can be found running, weightlifting, playing chess, or digging through vintage comic book bins. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Reviews

[Linda Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the David Bowie Book Club

We truly enjoyed featuring Roll Dem Bones this month, an atmospheric, chilling, and beautifully written mystery that kept our readers engaged from start to finish. The blend of suspense and emotional depth sparked some great discussions among our members.

Nicholas Bruner’s storytelling left a lasting impression, and we can’t wait to feature more of his titles in future sessions!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

It sucks to be the new kid, this book captures that so well. But what happens then when the sounds in the middle of the night bring nightmares into reality? This book has a Stephen King-ish level of creepiness that makes you keep turning the pages. Great book! I hope there is sequel in store. I don’t feel like we’ve seen the last of Dice and Eurydice.

[George Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started a few nights ago and I keep reading way later than I should. The voices in the walls are so unsettling, but it’s Sullahan’s awkwardness at school that hits hardest for me. Nicholas Bruner clearly knows how to write characters that stick. This is the first book I’ve read from him and now I get why people talk about his world-building, he makes even a high school classroom feel alive.

[Duncan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not done yet but wow, this book pulls you in quick. I like that the horror isn’t just jump scares, it creeps up slowly, almost like the house itself is watching. Bruner’s writing feels effortless, like he’s just telling you a story he knows by heart. I’ve heard good things about his Last Days of Atlantis series, and after this, I think I’ll be checking that out too.

[Brandon Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through and I’m really into this one. Sullahan feels so real, his stutter, the way he gets picked on, all of it. I keep wanting to yell at the other kids to back off. The creepy house stuff is giving me legit goosebumps. Bruner writes it like he’s been inside a teenager’s head and also inside my nightmares at the same time.😁

[David Dandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What impressed me most was how Nicholas Bruner writes dialogue. In Roll dem Bones, the conversations feel real, I believe the friendships, the conflicts, the doubts. The plot twists kept me engaged, and the themes of choice and consequence resonated long after I closed the book. Bruner is an author to watch.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruner’s writing has a clarity and honesty that’s rare. In Roll dem Bones, he blends fantasy (or speculative elements, if applicable), tough choices, and coming-of-age in a way that feels fresh. The plot is tight, but it’s the moments between the action, the human moments that reveal his talent. A compelling read, and a promising author.

[Dane Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Roll dem Bones because of its pacing and emotional depth. Bruner gets that young adult readers aren’t just looking for thrills, they want complexity, characters who struggle and grow. The moral questions raised in this book stayed with me, and I walked away respecting the author's courage in asking them.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely a YA novel.

[David Clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, emotional, and beautifully written Nicholas Bruner knows exactly how to draw you into the darkness.

[Kesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop reading. Bruner’s storytelling feels alive, like the shadows might reach off the page.

[Ron Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roll dem Bones gave me chills and heart at the same time. Nicholas Bruner is a writer who truly gets YA horror.

[Nancy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, but why did I do this to myself?
I read it alone at night with a thunderstorm outside, a rookie mistake. Now every creak in my house sounds like Sullahan’s ghost.

[Bamiduro Idris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicholas Bruner… sir… You scared me AND broke my heart.
How dare you make me feel things while also checking my closet for shadows? 10/10 emotional damage.

[Cali Melle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars because I’m still sleeping with the lights on.
This book should come with a warning label: Will permanently mess up your relationship with silence.

[Amanda Miculka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruner writes horror like poetry.
Every line feels alive, like the story itself is breathing beside you. It’s terrifying but weirdly beautiful.

[Abigail Thiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just scary, it’s sadly human.
Sullahan’s struggle hit me hard. The fear of being unseen, unheard, man, that’s real horror.

[Clara Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legit screamed at one point.
My cat jumped off the couch because I did. Nicholas Bruner, you owe me a new heart.

[Clara Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book vibes dark.
The writing? Gorgeous. The tension? Chef’s kiss. The nightmares? Immediate.

[Denisa Cani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whispers in the walls are calling MY name now.
I don’t know what spell Bruner used, but it worked. Feels like the story crawled inside my brain and decided to stay.

[Diana Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA horror done right.
So many horror books rely on gore. This one uses dread, emotion, and real fear. I felt every word.

[Antony Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting scary. I wasn’t expecting FEELS.
Bruner’s writing has that quiet ache that stays with you.

[Kayla Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing? Perfect. The creep factor? Off the charts.
I started reading during lunch and didn’t stop till 2 a.m. Time? Gone. Sanity? Questionable.

[Mary Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars because my pulse still hasn’t returned to normal.
I literally had to pause reading to catch my breath. Horror with heart, that’s the Bruner signature.

[Kristina Forest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, emotional, and addictive.
Sullahan’s fear feels so real, and the haunted house is practically a character. Bruner knows exactly how to twist the knife and make you care at the same time.

[Jack Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruner is a great author.

[Stephen Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went in expecting a standard YA horror, but got something much deeper. Bruner uses supernatural horror as a metaphor for fear, loss, and finding strength. The writing is beautiful, haunting yet hopeful.

[Shay Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading this before bed. Big mistake! The imagery is so vivid that I kept hearing things in my own walls. Bruner’s prose is sharp, cinematic, and totally immersive. Fans of Neil Gaiman will love this one.

[Sanni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Bruner absolutely nails the eerie atmosphere in Roll dem Bones. The story pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. I loved Sullahan’s vulnerability and courage, he felt so real. It’s rare to find a horror novel that also tugs at your heartstrings like this one. SANNI. S

[Nelsn. N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me serious Stranger Things vibes, mysterious house, creepy whispers, and a teen protagonist trying to survive both high school and monsters in the dark. The pacing was perfect, and the ending left me both chilled and satisfied.