Book Review
of The Bone Knife
Sponsored by Enchanted Book Tours
Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books. I am pleased to share my review of this book
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Title:
The Bone Knife
Author:
Intisar Khanani
Genre:
YA Fantasy, Short Story
Blurb
:
Rae
knows how to look out for family. Born with a deformed foot, she feigns
indifference to the pity and insults that come her way. Wary of all things
beautiful, Rae instantly distrusts their latest visitor: an appallingly attractive
faerie. Further, his presence imperils the secret her sister guards. But when
the local townspeople show up demanding his blood, Rae must find a way to
protect both her sister’s secret and their guest. Even if that means risking
herself.
About the
Author:
Intisar
Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in
five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She
first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and
vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo
when she was five. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband
and two young daughters. Until recently, Intisar wrote grants and developed
projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department,
which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her
time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. Her approach
to writing reflects her lifelong love for stories from different cultures. Her
next project is a companion trilogy to her debut novel Thorn, with Rae as her new heroine.
Contacts:
Intisar’s
website & author newsletter: http://www.thornthenovel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/booksbyintisar
Twitter: @IntisarKhanani
Excerpt:
It
doesn’t occur to me until much later, as I make my rounds assuring all the
doors and windows are barred against the night, that the faerie might notice
the strangeness of our absence, the careful withdrawal of the women from his
presence.
I pull
the shutters closed in the dining room and draw the curtains to hide them,
grateful that the men have finally retired for the night. But as I turn back to
the room I realize I am not alone. The faerie stands in the doorway, watching
me. I start with surprise, and at his slight smile, I make an awkward curtsy.
“Can I
help you, master—” I stumble to a stop, realizing belatedly that I never
learned his name.
“Genno
Stonemane,” he supplies, his voice lilting, deep and sweet. I find myself pressing
my back against the wall. Whatever is the miserable fellow doing down here? And
why does he have to be so lovely? At least Niya is safe in our bedchamber.
“Master
Stonemane,” I amend. “May I help you?”
“I have
noticed something curious. I thought you might explain it to me.” He steps into
the room. In the candlelight I can see that he has had a chance to wash the
dust from his face and hair; the result is an exquisite and frightening beauty.
His hair shines darkly, falling smoothly over his shoulders, setting off the
luminescence of his skin, the midnight shadows
of his eyes. I drop my gaze to the low table, grateful for its presence between
us.
“I am
not very good with explanations,” I say. “Perhaps my father can help you?”
“Not
unless he does the sewing in the house,” Stonemane says.
“The
sewing?”
“Those
are lovely curtains behind you,” he remarks genially, walking towards me. I
retreat to the other side of the window, my turned foot making every movement
doubly awkward. He smiles as he reaches me, the space between us made up now of
only two narrow panels of embroidered cotton. “Did you sew them yourself?”
“No,” I
answer gladly.
“Ah,
then it was your younger sister who served us dinner.”
“No,
I’m afraid not.”
“Of
course. Then it was the third sister, the one who has stayed hidden.” I take a
quick step back—how could he know? His teeth glint in the candlelight. “She has
a fine way with stitches. Just here,” he reaches out a long-fingered hand to
tap a flower, “she has caught the scent of a spring day when the daffodils
first turn their heads to the sun, and here,” his fingers follow a tracery of
blue, “flows the warmth of a late summer breeze.”
We are
caught.
Book Review:
What a charming introduction to our
characters. My only complaint was that
the story was too short, so I was glad to hear that it was an introduction to a
longer trilogy of books staring the main character. I look forward to learning more about Rae and
seeing how she grows and progresses.
I give this little short story 4 out
of 5 clouds because it was too short to be as it.detailed as I would like, but I’m sure the trilogy
will be fabulous and I can’t wait to read
This
product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my
opinions or reviews.
Hi Mindy,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your review! I'm so glad you enjoyed meeting Rae, even if the story seemed too short. Maybe next time I should do a novella :) I hope you're having a wonderful fall,
Intisar