Elephant Bones
By: Michael Gleason

Genre:
Historical Fiction


Summary/ Review:
Joellen and Emily have been best friends from the day they were born, one day apart to be exact. One friend is born into wealth, while the other friend desires it. Their friendship means the most to them, these girls are inseparable. Joellen and Emily have life goals and dreams, but as they grow older they discover the harsh reality of life choices, secrets, love lost, and forgiven friendships.

This historical novel started out very strong for me, I love the setting in Princess Anne County, the author portrays the setting eloquently. However, the further into the novel I read, the more frustrated I became. The plotline fell really short for me, and I wish at some point it would have twisted to the unexpected. For this reason, I have bumped my review down to a three star.

Thank you to Michael Gleason, Novel Stories,LLC., and Netgalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.


#reluctantreaderreads
#michaelgleason #netgalley
#elephantbones
#advancedreaderreads

Elephant Bones is a good read in many ways. The story is a warm one about deep friendships and close family, with several enjoyably unique characters and a few frightening ones. The setting is the gorgeous Virginia Beach region. The author has a palpable love of this area. "Elephant Bones," always capitalized in the book, almost breathed and changed with the characters.
Despite the positive factors, I found the novel to be a difficult read. Michael Gleason thinks there must be complex metaphorical descriptions of nearly everything. Sometimes simple is better. There were also many mixed metaphors, such as, "She saw her situation crumbling like a red-tailed hawk spotting a field mouse." I also believe fewer storylines would have been more effective, and tempering the author's feelings about racism and other values would have been helpful. The reason for those thoughts was part of the storyline, but they went on so long that they began to sound preachy. I felt many errors in the book were beyond the typographical ones expected in an ARC. An item "held much sentimental value to him, a gift from his grandfather that he no longer revered." Generally, if a person no longer reveres another, their gift would not hold sentimental value. "He did not proclaim the posthumous achievement of the 3rd president of the U.S."
This novel has some great "bones," but I don't think it is ready for publication.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Gleason for the ARC.

A poignant and beautifully woven tale of friendship, family, and love set in the enchanting backdrop of Virginia Beach. This book follows the lives of two inseparable friends, Joellen Bower and Emily Harrington, born just a day apart. The story is a testament to the enduring bonds formed in the shadow of ancient willow oaks and the The characters, particularly Joellen and Emily, are richly developed, and their journey from childhood to adulthood is a heartfelt and moving experience. Elephant Bones is a tale of buried treasures, dreams, and the enduring legacy of the American South.

Hey there, book buddies! If you're looking for a read that's as heartwarming as a beach bonfire and as rich as a bowl of southern gumbo, Elephant Bones is your ticket to literary bliss. Picture this: the sun-soaked sands of Virginia Beach, two inseparable pals, Joellen and Emily, and a friendship that's as timeless as the ocean itself. It's like a coming-of-age tale sprinkled with southern charm and wrapped in a warm summer breeze.

Why should you dive into this book? Because it's not just a story; it's a journey through the sandy tapestry of friendship, family, and love. The author, Michael Gleason paints a picture so vivid, you'll feel like you're right there in Virginia Beach, making memories under those ancient willow oaks. And when you uncover the buried treasures of the past alongside Joellen and Emily, you'll realize that some bonds are unbreakable, no matter how the tides of time change. Elephant Bones is the kind of book that reminds you of the magic in everyday life – a true gem that should be on every bookworm's shelf.

Joellen Bower and Emily Harrington, were born a day apart in the sunlit month of July. Set against the landscape of Virginia Beach, in an area called Pungo a borough of Princess Anne County Joellen Bower and Emily Harrington vow to be best friends forever. Joellen came from a family that was poor, growing crops to sell on their front yard, it was a hardship life. While Emily was raised in the wealth of the Harrington family on the land that was called Elephant Bones.

Elephant Bones becomes the playground for the two girls. It brings with it the history of Harrington Plantation when the slaves named the land Elephant Bones because the huge roots of the bald cypress trees near the house reminded them of the elephant feet from their native lands. As the girls became older, they would bury their secret treasures there as a way to bond their friendship. But those were not only the buried treasures to be found, there were secrets ..secrets that were woven into the legends and lives of the people who lived there. This was a fascinating novel, filled with mystery and suspense.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful story that kept me turning the pages.
Wonderful characters that you will be friends with and beautiful scenery that will make you feel like you're there.
I found a quote that I liked and it actually fits in with today's times.
“Don't try and change things, Elise. It cain’t be done. It's not the baby, but you, child that stays on my mind. It's what's in 'yer heart now the way 'yuh want to change what's done been etched in the stone of life. You need to be strong child, fo’ your family and yourself. You need to believe, Leesey. Overcome your future pains, child and don’t do nothin’ stupid or it will not go well for you.'