Sinew and Bone by Gitte Tamar is a stunningly crafted novel that weaves together elements of fantasy and dark folklore with breathtaking prose. The world-building is immersive, pulling readers into a richly detailed landscape filled with complex characters and gripping dilemmas. Tamar’s storytelling is both haunting and poignant, exploring themes of power, sacrifice, and the ties that bind us. This book is a captivating journey that will resonate with fans of richly woven narratives and emotional depth.

While having the coolest cover of the year the actual content of the book leaves me wanting something better. Whoever made that cover though, you did good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

Murder, mayhem, and mummies oh my!!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and vanity a curse. In this frighting tale we follow a young woman thrust into the upper echelons of high society and a secret cabals of cannibals intent on remaining young and beautiful. A unique twist on the pink horror trend—offering scathing critique of beauty standards—but make it gothic!

Genevieve discovers just how dark and twisted the homes of London's elite can be once she marries into the McKinley family. Her husband Hugh is cruel and quick to anger, while her in-laws are determined to gaslight her into thinking all is well in their house of horrors.

Feeling like an outsider within her own home, she struggles to exist in a frightening place full of secrets and a forcibly silent staff. The McKinley Manor is nothing like her own parents' home, nothing at all. But seeing as this is the 17th c and she wasn't allowed to leave her childhood home, she has no friends or way out.

No one knows where she is. No one will miss her. Her parents wiped their hands of her on the day of her wedding, deeming their duty done.

Genevieve is a passive narrator; treated like a possession, she watches the horrors in awe without attempting to stop them or escape. She wants to survive, but doesn't really know how to do that beyond going through the motions of her daily life. Don't expect a plucky heroine here, you won't find one.

This novel contains all manner of monsterous violence and depravity, but it isn't subtle. Gore, mutilation, and the revelry of bloodshed are proudly displayed on page. This is a modern take on the classic penny dreadful, go into this excepting madness and blood then double it!!

TW: cannibalism, gaslighting, racism, spousal abuse

Wow this was unexpected!

I absolutely loved the first few chapters as we meet Genevieve, the main character, who finds out her parents have arranged a marriage for her to Hugh. Genevieve is initially charmed by him and she travels to his estate, insisting her chambermaid accompany them.
I loved the gothic, creepy atmosphere at the start of this book and the suspense as Genevieve arrives at Hugh's estate and she realises things aren't quite right with her fiancé and his family..
At about the halfway mark things descend into absolute chaos and the pace really speeds up and pretty much doesn't stop until the end.
I raced through this and found it both fascinating and disturbing.

I didn't enjoy the second half as much as the first, I think it was because at first, I was rooting for Genevieve but as the book goes on, she becomes more and more unlikeable and I personally became less invested in what happened to her. Despite this I did enjoy it and found it to be an original and disturbing read!

I would recommend for anyone looking for a twisted, twisty gothic, supernatural horror and those who can stomach cannibalism.

I loved the idea of a historical fiction novel with a horror element, and this was such a strong concept in the genres. The overall feel worked well with the concept and was invested in what was going on. The characters had that overall feel and was hooked from beginning to end. Gitte Tamar has that element that I was looking for and glad I got to read this.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC! A great read for the start of spooky season. I love the illustrations throughout.

If you’re looking for your next Halloween read this is it. it is a gruesome, psychologically, gripping story that will mess with your mind. The story keeps you, wondering, what in the world is going on and horror and as you learn more about the characters. This book was too gruesome for me but perfect for lovers of Halloween or horror stories.

Ooooh this was disturbing. The writing was atmospheric and the story was incredibly dark. Some story elements didn't work for me personally, but I still got a lot of enjoyment out of the story

A great start to Halloween month! Thank you for the ARC :)

"Abruptly, a creature's commanding voice rings out above the rest. "You have consumed your fill, and now it's time for you to go. We are here to welcome you to your eternal hellish home. Forever hungry and in torment, you will join the others to atone for what you can never again possess...sinew and bone."

"The moment you took that first bite, a dark cloud descended upon us, suffocating us with a fate worse than death. Your thirst for youth has drug this family to hell."

⚠️⚠️ triggers and spoilers ⚠️⚠️
Violence, gore, death, cannibalism
-topics about Mummia : a substance derived from the powdered remains of mummies. Some believe it to possess therapeutic properties. Many people ingest it for its health benefits and others believe it is the fountain of youth. 🤮🤢

💭Fans of Sweeny Todd, Hannibal, Crimson Peak, Usher's Passing and Ready or Not (just a few on top of my head) will most probably enjoy this one.
This kept me on the edge of my seat! My mind, like the MC, kept racing with questions and a creeping sense of dread and unease. The reveal in the end about who Hugh really was shocked me. I can't read/turn the pages fast enough to find out how Genevieve is going to escape the mayhem and madness. I liked it way more than I expected and was highly entertained.

Happy Publication day! (Oct 1, 2024)
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookbuzz.net for the arc 🖤

5✨

Sinew and Bone takes readers on a haunting journey through 17th-century London, where Genevieve discovers her parents have arranged a marriage for her, insisting she pretend to be younger to attract wealthy suitors. What begins as a tale of social intrigue quickly spirals into a gripping exploration of betrayal and madness as Genevieve uncovers the dark secrets lurking within her new home. I thoroughly enjoyed how the atmospheric writing pulled me into the eerie world of high society, making every twist feel both shocking and inevitable.

This book was crazy!!!!! it was pretty dark and gruesome when it goes on about cannibalism and the reconstructive surgeries using other peoples bodies and body parts. That was definitely a psychological dark area, and the horror aspect is throughout the book. I think it was well written but disgusting!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This young adult horror novel started off as a promising gothic-tinged story about a young girl forced into a loveless marriage, & having to live in a remote & creepy mansion with sinister family members.
This is all supposed to take place in the 1600s, yet the dialogue and character interactions feel way too modern.
The main girl (she's far from being a heroine & is completely unlikeable) is so naive in her reactions to the horrors around her. Things keep happening to her, and she seems to barely react other than gasp & be shocked (to things like talking mummies, ghostly visitations, domestic abuse, etc). When the ending finally comes, she barely participates in it & is more like an observer.

Whoa, if you’re looking for a wild ride, Sinew and Bone is it! Picture this: 17th-century London, a mansion dripping with secrets, and a heroine who’s got more guts than she knows! Genevieve’s journey from a nervous bride-to-be to a fearless truth-seeker had me on the edge of my seat, especially with the creepy twists involving cannibalism and betrayal. If you love a book that keeps you guessing while also giving you chills, dive into this gem—you won’t regret it! 📚✨

Deplorably, dispicabily, disturbingly delightful in its dastardly deeds commited. It shakes you to your very sinew and bones in its horror but the story is all encompassing and you will devour it without restraint.