Reviews

Every Bone a Prayer by Ashley Blooms

jessjustreads's review

dark hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

starswallowingsea's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

gkelch's review

3.0

The author paints a vivid and descriptive picture of life in the hollers of rural Appalachia. I found the dialogue and relationships between Misty's family members to be especially believable. The writing was a bit too lyrical for my taste but
something to try for readers who enjoy that style and like magical realism.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

katiemcmahon's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

your_geekygf's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault

Minor: Death

If you're curious about this book but the subject matter turns you off, I encourage you to try to read the author's insert in the front of the book to help make your decision.

beckimoody29's review

5.0

This is one of the most original and beautiful stories I have read. I am glad I read the authors interview first because otherwise I might have put it down immediately. I don't like books that feature the paranormal and that's what it seemed like at first. Misty can talk to the things around her --not just animals but the trees, and water, and the trailer she lives in. But this is really an allegory about trauma and loss, and learning to live with the broken places inside of us. Misty was such an amazing protagonist -- brave and kind and empathetic and strong. Every character has a humanity that makes them --not likable certainly --but whole. We learn their name -- all of them the good and the bad.

Halfway through the book I started highlighting because the writing was so beautiful that I could no longer trust my memory to hold it. Its poetic, and spiritual, and magical. This is one of those books that will not be for everyone, but those who do read it will find themselves haunted by it.

cymshady's review

5.0

This book broke my heart but also helped me a heal a lot of childhood traumas. I didn’t get into it / understand the meaning until after the statues began showing up. Then I quickly saw how alike Misty and myself are in how we react to trauma. Childhood SA takes away autonomy from little ones and it is difficult to get that back.

stephfutch3's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

readingwithskye's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Murder, and Sexual violence

christinebeswick's review

3.0

3.5 stars. "A Word from the Author" at the start of the book provides a warning which may be unwarranted and could exaggerate the reader's anticipation of the story's trauma. The trauma, although very real, was not graphically described in itself; its effects were, but the whimsicality and magical realism gave it a dreamlike feeling. I found it difficult to get into story at first, but, once I did, I enjoyed it - the descriptions of Misty's holler and her family were gorgeous and Misty's vision and strength in the face of her trauma were memorable.