Customer Reviews

By These Ten Bones

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having completely revamped goblins and elves in her Hollow Kingdom trilogy, Clare B. Dunkle turns her hand to werewolves in "By These Ten Bones." This dark little fantasy is set in long-ago Scotland, when superstitions ran rampant and witches might still be burned.

Two travellers come to Maddie's town -- a drunken old man, and a quiet young carver. Then the carver is found covered in claw marks, and is taken in by Maddie's family, while they try to find the evil supernatural creature responsible for it. But Maddie finds out the hard way when the carver -- whose name is Paul -- enlists her to chain him up in the woods for a day.

Turns out that Paul is possessed by a parasitic werewolf, which turns him into a bloodthirsty monster once a month, and it's getting stronger. And with his companion jailed (and then killed) by a thuggish villager, he has no one to keep him restrained. Desperate to save Paul -- both from the villagers and the werewolf -- Maddie searches for a cure. But to cure Paul, she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Like vampires, werewolves have been pretty much done to death. So it takes something special to make a werewolf story stand out the way "By These Ten Bones" does. For one thing, Dunkle reinvents the werewolf -- here's it's less a shapechanger, and more a demon. No wolfly tendencies. Just a sort of shadow with claws.

And it's all set in a very ordinary village, full of old prejudices against anyone who is different, such as the scholarly, crusty Lady Mary. While Dunkle allows that these people had good intentions, she doesn't hesitate to show all the ugliness of what they are doing. Only a few people, such as Maddie and the kindly priest, dare to be just and open-minded.

The whole thing is wrapped up in Dunkle's detailed writing, which gives the story an autumnal, faded atmosphere. She also includes some genuinely chilling moments, such as Paul's first transformation, or when old Ned's chopped-off head appears to be following Maddie.

But this is not just a horror story, or even a story about prejudice, but a love story. Maddie is a likable everygirl (not terribly pretty, by her own admission) who is has plenty of fears and uncertainties, but loves Paul enough to endanger herself. And Paul shakes off the "traumatized youth" cliche, since his curse makes his feelings all too understandable.

Clare B. Dunkle gives readers a new spin on werewolves, which isn't easy to do. "By These Ten Bones" succeeds as horror, historical fiction, and as a love story.

As wonderful and charming as her "Hollow Kingdom" Trilogy, Clare Dunkle weaves a tale of a shy young warewolf (who doesn't actually turn in a wolf) and a compassionate highland lass who gives him her heart and would give her life to save both him and her tiny Scottish village. This story is full of fun and fantasy, but also has a strong moral. It gives full voice to the injustices caused buy prejudice and assumption; as well as shining examples of what a little love, compassion and courage can do to bring out the greater good in all - even a warewolf. I loved this story, and highly recommend it to anyone with a 6th grade reading level or higher. . . but don't let the Young Adult stamp fool you. This book is a great read for young and old alike!

I bought this book because I LOVED Dunkle's 'The Hollow Kingdom.'
This was a nice, quick read, but I think it fell a *tiny* bit short of 'The Hollow Kingdom.' I don't know why I feel that way, but I think 'By These Ten Bones' doesn't have as much detail, and doesn't have as colorful a setting. I also think it could've been longer.

I DID like the setting (a small village in ancient Scotland), and the cover art is beautiful. I also liked Dunkle's descriptions of the werewolves, how it is like an evil spirit--or, shadow--that takes over a living body.

I definitely recommend buying this book, but my favorite by this author is still 'The Hollow Kingdom.'

Clare Dunkle's book, By These Ten Bones, deserves ten stars! Here is a breath of fresh air in a genre that otherwise, and by other authors, dehumanizes and taints the soul. It has been a long time, at least since Tolkein and C. S. Lewis, that someone has been able to appeal to young and old alike with such keen creativity and without actually bringing glory to the evil that the author portrays. Here is demonstrated the deep and complex wisdom of G. K. Chesterton but in a form that is accessible even to young children. I love the J. K. Rowling's work, but that `certain something' that seems to be missing for me in all of her characters is easily found within the rich tapestry of Clare Dunkle's world.

Clare Dunkle's star is definitely rising and I suspect that it is only a matter of time when it is her work that others will try to compare to. If you suspect that I am overstating my case, then you have not yet read the book!

Buy this book if you want to be transported into a world where love in its purest form can redeem and evil is not venerated. You will be scared, but you will absolutely be refreshed and renewed in the end. It's finally fun to be scared again. Thank you Ms. Dunkle!

I loved it! It has just the right mixture of romance, self-sacrifice, and hair-raising parts to be absolutely perfect! I am a die-hard Tolkien fan, but I would definitely put this book on the same level as his work. It was very well done! A great read for children and adults alike.

By These Ten Bones is by far the most enchanting, spellbinding and engrossing tale you will ever read. I was so absorbed in the book that it only took me a minimal three hours to read it. Carver, Maddeleine's love, though silent and shy at first, is an affectionate and sincere character. Maddeleine is courageous and practical and together they form a most inseparable bond. I absolutely fell in love with Carver, later known as Paul, for the detailed description the author gives him. There is almost an innocence to him, though he hides a terrifying secret. Dunkle's characters seem to come to life. Read These Ten Bones to unlock the perplex mystery, suspense, horror and romance hidden just beneath the cover. And I must warn you, it will leave you wanting to read more... I myself am a victim...

Clare Dunkle has once again given her readers a real page-turner, one that you will want to read in one sitting. What I truly like about Clare Dunkle's books is that I can see the story taking place - she shows me the story; she's not just telling it to me. As a school librarian, I would highly recommend this book - it is an excellent choice for adolescent and young adult readers. If you like the Hollow Kingdom trilogy so far, as I do, you must read this book, too!

I am not ususally a big reader of books about creatures of the night, but this one drew me in right away with its vivid medieval village setting and sensibility. The village people believe in the supernatural, yet resort to very natural ways of dealing with the evil they sense around them. The violence in the story is largely the work of the villagers themselves as they try to expel the dark presence lurking in their valley. But the creature seeks revenge, and only Maddie can stop him once and for all. This short book will attract readers of historical and supernatural fiction alike through skillful characterization and suspenseful pacing.

This book got me into Dunkle's writting. And I stumbled across Hollow Kingdom. IN the long run I became a huge fan. I display hardcovers of my favorite books around my room. Currently there are only five. Two of them are Dunkle books.

By These Ten Bones is not fantasy at all. It feels very real. Like this may have happened and Dunkle was channeling when she wrote this. The cultural references are very good, and I cen see the valley quite clearly in my mind.

I read books in cycles. Romance, fantasy, mystery, ect. And By These Ten bones usually ends up being last since I save the best for last.

Reading this book was a complete treat for me. By These Ten Bones has a way of completely submerging you into a world of fantasy, of which you never want to let go of. I think all readers- werewolf fans or not :) - will immensly enjoy this book, I know that I did.