Reviewed by Jay V.

TITLE: The Bones Beneath My Skin

AUTHOR: TJ Klune

PUBLISHER: TJ Klune

LENGTH: 375 Pages

RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2018

BLURB:

In the spring of 1995, Nate Cartwright has lost everything: his parents are dead, his older brother wants nothing to do with him, and he’s been fired from his job as a journalist in Washington DC. With nothing left to lose, he returns to his family’s summer cabin outside the small mountain town of Roseland, Oregon to try and find some sense of direction.

The cabin should be empty.

It’s not.

Inside is a man named Alex. And with him is an extraordinary little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader.

Artemis, who isn’t exactly as she appears.

Soon it becomes clear that Nate must make a choice: let himself drown in the memories of his past, or fight for a future he never thought possible.

Because the girl is special. And forces are descending upon them who want nothing more than to control her.

REVIEW:

Are we truly alone?

Nate Cartwright is at a juncture in his life – he’s lost his job, his parents have passed away, and the rest of his family (primarily his brother) have shunned him. The only things he has left in the world are a truck and the family summer vacation cabin by the lake that his parents have bequeathed him. He’s going to the cabin to retreat, take some time out, gather his thoughts, and work out his next steps. But what he’s planned is not on the cards for when he arrives at the cabin, he finds two people already in residence: a man named Alex, and a precocious little girl by the name of Artemis Darth Vader

Why can’t he be left alone? Who are these people? And why should they mean so much to him?

TJ Klune has written another amazing book. He returns to what I consider my favorite story type for this author – crazy and grandiose actions are happening all around and to the characters but the book is fundamentally a small, personal drama that hits home on so many levels, with some sci-fi and typical Klune humor thrown in for good measure. Part of the joy of reading Klune’s books is in the journey, so I’ll not be giving any of its secrets away – that’s for the reader to find for themselves.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is set in the mid-1990’s, which gives it a familiar air. Technology is starting to creep into people’s lives but it’s not yet overwhelming – there are cell phones but most still use pay phones, and research is done the old-fashioned way: through friends, newspapers and the library; the internet is not yet a thing. As the actions and reactions begin to happen, the book becomes a roller coaster of an adventure. TJ Klune writes on so many layers, one can choose to just enjoy the story or you can read into the various themes that permeate through the book. There is always a pivotal point in Klune’s books that create a true sense of profoundness and awe. It’s that one moment that invites you to sit and think about your place in the universe.  The story is never preachy but it leaves you with lots of concepts and ideas to ponder. This book contains several such spots and they are simply glorious.

For fans of Klune, there are several tie-ins with his other books (and a few Easter eggs to look out for). At its heart, it’ll make Klune fans think further about how his universes could all tie in with each other and if at some point they’ll interact. This is not the purpose of this book, but it’s fun to think about regardless. These points do not distract from the book nor do they draw the reader away from the story if you’re a new-to-Klune reader. The novel is quite cinematic in its scope – as Klune puts it, he gets to ‘blow sh*t up’ – but it still manages to be, at its heart, a concentrated story of three people trying to navigate the world. This book is easily read as a stand-alone story.

Klune has decided to self-publish this book, a first for him. This has no impact on its excellent writing and editing. TJ Klune has to be considered to be in the upper echelon of MM writers and this is probably going to be one of the last of his books that is initially only known in the MM world. With major publishers already signed on for future releases, Klune is on the precipice of being discovered by the larger world for the amazing writer we’ve already known.

It is always an honor and a delight to be able to read the new epic and awesome stories that Klune creates and I feel that the world is a better place with his books in our universe. With The Bones Beneath My Skin, as is with all of Klune’s other books, I walk away with a book hangover and wondering how I’m going to find another novel just as good.

RATING: 

BUY LINK:

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