His name is Ellis and he is hoping for paid passage through the forest (a place the bone houses seem to emerge from). Ryn decides to aid him in order to pay off her uncles debts, and after a brutal attack on her family and village, by soldier bone houses, leads her to believe she needs to destroy their source of life (a cauldron from legends of the past located at the Otherkings old castle). Castell Sidi is far in the mountains, and each night bone houses spring to life around them. This is life or death, but both Ryn and Ellis have lots to fight for and determination to end the curse. A very interesting book about death, and the effects of grief and loss on the living. A look at families stuck after the loss of a loved one, their inability to move on. The loss still so potent, even years later. Ryn misses her parents desperately and works tirelessly to keep her family together. She also wants to save her home and keep her father's gravedigging business going. Ellis has never known his family, an orphan adopted by royalty, with everything given to him, but missing the undying love of a parent. The Prince is good to him, but he does not really see Ellis as a son, more as a charge in his care. Ellis also has an old injury, which causes him chronic pain (a broken collar bone that never healed right). Because of this, others in court viewed him as weak, when in truth he is capable, but just needs breaks in order to regain his strength. This aspect was handled well, and showed that even when he needed the strength, sometimes Ellis just could not push himself. So, there were times when Ellis and Ryn had to rest, so Ellis could heal. The book did seem to drag at moments, and the relationship between Ellis and Run was a little too easy and quick. It seemed more of a bonding during traumatic events love than an I know you and want you love. But, I really liked both of them as characters, so their insta-love did not deter me. I just had wished for a bit more chemistry between them. I did like that both of them were kind and understanding, that they did not push each other or try to heal. I really loved the mythology of the book, the uniqueness of the story, the bone houses were so terrifying. But as the story unfolds you begin to wonder their true purpose, if they are mindless, or if they somehow remember their life before. There were moments of sadness and a strong message about familial bonds and love. Very much about a parents love for their children and about parents having to let go and allow their children to live their own lives. Also, children learning how to always hold their grief in their hearts, but to also move forward and begin to live. Life and death play are so intrinsic to humanity. One must both face the grief of death, but also the reality of it. Everyone must one day die, but before that happens we cannot forget to live.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Currently ReadingGraphic Novel
Romance Audiobook
Archives
April 2024
|