An Adventure To The Underworld // The Bone Way

The Bone Way was a beautifully written story that examined grief through a narrative inspired by Orpheus and Eurydice’s time in the underworld. I loved how vibrant the setting and imagery was in this book, but it was slightly too straightforward of a story. I like books that surprise me, and as much as I enjoyed it, this one didn’t. Regardless, I’d recommend this one because everyone needs more sapphic fantasy in their life.

Teagan’s wife, Cressidae, is missing. She has left for the Shadow Realm, a kingdom of the dead filled with untold nightmares—and the only place that can save Teagan from a lethal poison that’s killing her slowly. It is ruled by a princess said to make powerful deals with those brave enough to find her, and Cressidae has gone to bargain for Teagan’s life. Cressidae has forgotten one very important thing: no one makes it out on their own.

Despite the risks to her own safety, Teagan is determined to save her wife—and perhaps even herself in the process. The princess of the Shadow Realm, however, doesn’t let mortals roam her territories without opposition. In this thrilling tale inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Teagan and Cressidae must face both the horrors of the Shadow Realm as well as their own past.

Teagan is running out of time as a lethal poison flows through her veins. Her wife, Cressidae, has been searching for a cure, and the only hope lies in the Shadow Realm. After an argument, Cressidae set off alone, desperate to save her wife. Teagan is determined to track her down, but the Shadow Realm is a dangerous place, and it won’t be an easy journey.

If you’re someone who loves adventure stories, this book might be for you! A lot of the story revolves around Teagan travelling through the Shadow Realm and facing various challenges along the way. From skeletons hungry for life to a river that will drown you in sorrow, I loved the descriptions of the settings. They have that mythological feel to them, highlighting how Holly J. Underhill took inspiration from Greek myths.

Teagan and Cressidae’s relationship is complex, wrapped up in the grief and desperation of not wanting to lose each other. Cressidae is so desperate to find a cure for Teagan’s poisoning. If she fails their final days wouldn’t be filled with happiness and time spent together, but instead with frantic research. It adds a level of desperation to the story, knowing that their relationship has suffered in the face of looming tragedy, and perhaps they’ll never get the chance to rebuild it. I loved the way this was depicted; you can’t help but root for these characters happiness.

The Bone Way focuses on the effects of trauma and grief. Not only is Teagan facing her potential death, but she’s also still grieving her mother. This book shows how grief stays with you and how difficult it is to move forward. Teagan has turned her whole life around to feel closer to her mother. If you’ve ever experienced the loss of someone close to you, I think you’d resonate with Teagan’s feelings in this book. Especially in the face of her own mortality Teagan is left wondering what could be different.

Despite loving certain aspects of the book, I did find it a little bit too straightforward. No particular plot points surprised me, and the journey was pretty linear even alongside the various threats Teagan and Cressidae faced. It was a thoughtful, character-focused read, but sometimes I wanted a little bit more.

Overall, The Bone Way is an excellent examination of grief and how to survive it. The sapphic relationship was complex, and I loved the Greek mythology inspirations. I’d recommend this to people who love a good novella and feel as if they’d resonate with the themes tackled.

CW: life-threatening illness (poisoning), death of parent, grief, violence, blood.

(Thanks to Nyx Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review)

Holly J. Underhill was born into a family of writers and readers, so stories have always been a part of her life. She spends most of her time spinning tales about angry girls, queer acceptance, and mental health. She received a B.S. in psychology from Central Michigan University before she realized she wanted to be an author more than anything else. When not writing she enjoys finding new TV shows and books to fall in love with, nerding out over history, and going on adventures. She currently resides in Michigan with her family, one dog, and an abundance of rescue cats.

THE BONE WAY will be her first published work.