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From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy steeped in Germanic folklore about a girl who enters a dangerous, magical hunt with the goal of winning the death of her predatory overlord. Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab.
Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.
Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize―if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.
Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.
When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies.
"Tesch has crafted an enthralling dark fantasy that immerses readers in inventive descriptions, intriguing analogies, and rich folkloric elements. ... A delightful and terrifying read." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A strong, compelling voice will draw readers in from the very beginning, and an easy-to-hate villain combines with an easy-to-love heroine for an unputdownable Germanic adventure with interesting side characters to boot. The magical and densely atmospheric Wielinde Forest, Katrin's wonderful canine companion, Rudi, and aro-ace representation top off a well-balanced, slowly building tale." ―Booklist (starred review)
"The strength of Tesch's fantastic imagination lies in its commitment to animism. ... Vivid and suspenseful, this is good choice for older teens hungry for a balance of coziness and horror." ―School Library Journal
"Tesch has written an unforgettable gothic gem that you can't help but become swept up within. With lush, evocative worldbuilding, and a delightful cast of characters, The Hanging Bones is required reading on a rainy day with a cup of tea." ―Xan Kaur, New York Times-bestselling author of When Devils Sing
"Monstrous and sharp, The Hanging Bones will ensnare you with its richly immersive world, lush prose and compelling characters. A refreshing and wholly unique spin on the genre, Tesch's gothic sophomore novel is a bone-chilling delight." ―IV Marie, New York Times-bestselling author of Immortal Consequences
This information about The Hanging Bones was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Elle Tesch has lived just east of Vancouver, British Columbia her entire life. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it was inevitable that she would daydream about what might lurk in those trees. She twists places she loves and writes what she knows best: hungry monsters, casually cruel villains, and ace-spec girls in the stories they deserve. When not writing, Elle can be found reading whatever she can get her hands on, wrestling with her current cross-stitch project, or re-watching Pride & Prejudice (2005) for the 72nd time. What Wakes the Bells is her debut novel.
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