I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune Published by Tor Books on February 4 2025
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 416
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Found family, tense action and otherworldly elements combine in this engaging and funny story with big ideas.
For my first T.J. Klune book, I think this was a great place to start. Of course, I have nothing to compare it to, but I absolutely loved The Bones Beneath My Skin, even though Klune’s loyal followers are saying this isn’t “typical” for the author. This is a genre mash-up story with thrilling action, hysterically funny dialog, beautiful depictions of love and found family, and a couple of intriguing mysteries. And wonderful characters who I couldn’t help but love and cheer for. I’ll keep the details as spoiler free as possible, but honestly, the graphics at the beginning of each chapter give everything away.
Nate Cartwright is grieving the recent horrific deaths of his parents. He’s also just been fired from his job at the Washington Post. Not sure what to do with himself, he decides to visit the old family cabin in Oregon that his parents left to him in their will. Nate thinks the secluded location by the lake will be the perfect place to think about his next move, plus he has good memories of spending time there as a child.
But when he arrives, he’s startled to find that a gun-toting man and a little girl have broken into his cabin. Alex is an ex-marine and appears to be protecting the girl, who introduces herself as Artemis Darth Vader. After some confusion, Alex explains that he and Artemis are on the run from someone, and they are simply hiding out in Nate’s cabin. Artemis, or Art as Alex calls her, is “special,” and he’ll do anything to keep her safe.
As the days pass and Nate gets to know Alex and Art better, they begin to tell him their secrets, secrets that Nate finds impossible to believe. Until Art shows him what she can do. And then they’re attacked at the cabin, and Nate must make a choice: stay behind and forget he ever met Alex and Art, or trust them and join them on the run.
This was such a well told story, one that I could barely put down. And I find that to be rare these days, for some reason. Klune immediately grabs the reader by introducing Nate and his sad backstory. Nate is gay and estranged from his parents because of it (that alone is heartbreaking), and when both parents die in a horrible way, it makes his situation even more tragic. When he stumbles upon Alex and Art, his whole world is turned upside down. He’s immediately attracted to the rugged, angry Alex, who has his own past tragedies, and eventually their dislike of each other blossoms into a deep relationship, although that isn’t really the focus of the story.
Then there’s Artemis, a ten-year-old child who talks like an adult and loves to read Louis L’Amour westerns, adores bacon and seems way wiser than her years. Art was adorable, and the relationship between Art and Alex had a wonderfully sweet father/daughter dynamic. Eventually Nate becomes part of their found family and the relationships get even better. One of my favorite things about The Bones Beneath My Skin was the dialog. It’s funny and sweet at the same time, and Klune isn’t afraid to delve into tough, sensitive subject matter.
If you’re looking for some comparisons, I’d say Stranger Things is the closest one, with a little bit of E.T. thrown in for good measure. In fact, Art reminded me a lot of Eleven, and that’s not really a spoiler for those of you wondering. There are government secrets, a doomsday cult, life and death chases, military helicopters, crackpot conspiracy nuts and a boat load of mysteries. What is the Mountain? What does Seventh Sea mean? Where has Alex been for the last ten years? All of these questions are eventually answered, and some of the reveals are pretty mind blowing. Despite knowing what was going on with Art, the author managed to surprise me more than once.
I really enjoyed the combination of action and quieter moments as well. Klune’s pacing was excellent, and he has a good grasp on all the many elements of his story. Even the romance between Nate and Alex is perfectly done, a slow build enemies-to-lovers romance that just felt right. There is one pretty spicy sex scene later in the book that surprised me at first, but it actually fits in well with the rest of the story.
Klune explores several heavy themes, like family and belonging, and loss and grief, but also what it means to be human. Art adds many words of wisdom on these topics, which might sound strange, but you’ll understand when you read the story. Ultimately, there’s a lot of food for thought within these pages, and I find myself still mulling over some of Klune’s ideas.
The author ends his epic story with a lovely, hopeful epilogue, which might be my favorite part of the book. When I wasn’t worried about the characters, I had a huge smile on my face. The Bones Beneath My Skin made me ridiculously happy, and I cannot wait to read more of T.J. Klune’s books.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. His books often have the theme of found family, and have generally made me feel hopeful for people. He is a comfort read for me, well, except for the wolf series which I think I picked up at a bad time for me and ought to revisit. Also, I gather he grew up in my small town, which can’t have been easy, so well done to him for making it out and finding his voice.
That’s so cool that he grew up in your town. I’m very interested in the wolf series, but I also want to read his other books too.
I’ve never read this author before either. The characters in this sound very good, especially Art, and I like found family stories. Seems like this one might be one to consider reading
He does relationships so well, especially friendships. So I’m anxious to read more of his books.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, I love Stranger Things.
Me too, and I’m actually doing a rewatch of Stranger Things right now, which is one reason I loved this so much.
I haven’t had luck with this author so far. One book of his I didn’t love and another that was a DNF. Maybe he just isn’t for me. But I’m glad your first TJ Klune was a hit for you. Thanks for sharing, Tammy!
Interesting, which books did you try to read?
This sounds so good! I need to read my other Klune books first, but I’m glad this is a stand-alone I can add to my TBR!
If you like the comparisons I mentioned, you’ll love this too:-)
I adored this!
It was such a fun, feel good story:-)
Love your review! Funny, you mention that some have said that this book isn’t typical for this author, but I don’t see that at all. Maybe the action sequences? But the relationships, the humor, the depth of the characters’ backstories, the pain they deal with… those all feel like what I’d expect from a Klune book (in the best possible way). Your review captures so much of what I loved about this book! I didn’t notice the graphics at the beginnings of the chapters — now I have to go back and look!
I think it was all the action and thriller aspects that were supposedly different. Which I loved, so I’m wondering if most people are comparing it to the House in the Cerulean Sea?
Could be — more similar to the Green Creek books, I suppose, but still, the way he portrays people and relationships remains consistent across his books. (I wonder, too, if it’s the “spicy” scene that threw people off, since that’s also not something that comes up in quite that way in Cerulean et al)
Great review! I’ll have to check this out since I want to read more scifi. (Also what happened to the Bluesky icon you had under Related posts which I used to share your posts a few weeks ago until it disappeared?)
I have no idea where that icon went. I’ll check into it, Anne. Thanks for letting me know!
I am so happy this was a success for your first foray into his work! I can’t wait to read it.
It was so much fun to read!
I can’t wait to read this one. It sounds really great and wonderful review. I thought for sure you had read The House on the Cerulean Sea. You simply have to! I think you will love Lucy as much as I do and it is hand’s down, my favorite found family book ever. The sequel is awesome as well.
I have to go back and catch up with his other books. I may start with the wolf series though.
Awww, this sounds soooo good! So glad you enjoyed it, and shared that … so I can put it on my tbr list!
Yes, read it!
Always nice to end with a bit of hope. And can’t think of a better compliment to a book than to say you had a smile on your face for the majority of it.
I really need to try this author myself. Although the length is a little daunting for a first time read. Glad you enjoyed this one so much. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/02/11/e-galley-review-the-kiss-lottery-by-ilsa-madden-mills/
Oh yay I am so glad you enjoyed this one! I got it for my BOTM, but I was a little on the fence despite enjoying his other books, but now I am excited!
I’m glad you enjoyed your first book by this author so much. It certainly sounds like it has it all: action, emotions, intrigue etc along with some unusual dynamics that I’m admittedly curious about now. I’m not sure exactly where I’ll start with this authors books but I majorly hope to get to at least something by them this year and this is in the running. Initially I think the bizarre character name put me off but a couple of recent reviews, yours included, have really intrigued me.
I am so glad you had fun with this one! I generally like this author and I was curious about this one, but now I am even more curious!! Thanks for sharing!!
Sounds great and I still haven’t managed to read this author – his covers are always so gorgeous.
Lynn