Title: The Bones Beneath My Skin
Author: TJ Klune
Publisher: Tor
Publication date: Originally published 2018; reissued February 4, 2025
Length: 416 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Purchased (Kindle); ARC (reissued edition)
Rating:

A spine-tingling thriller by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about a 10-year-old girl with an impossible power, her father, and an unlikely stranger, who come together to confront the dangerous forces that want her at all costs. A strange story of family, love, comets, and bacon. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things.

In the spring of 1995, Nate Cartwright has lost everything: his parents are dead, his older brother wants nothing to do with him, and he’s been fired from his job as a journalist in Washington DC. With nothing left to lose, he returns to his family’s summer cabin outside the small mountain town of Roseland, Oregon to try and find some sense of direction. The cabin should be empty. It’s not. Inside is a man named Alex. And with him is an extraordinary little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. Artemis, who isn’t exactly as she appears.

Soon it becomes clear that Nate must make a choice: let himself drown in the memories of his past, or fight for a future he never thought possible. Because the girl is special. And forces are descending upon them who want nothing more than to control her.

The Bones Beneath My Skin, originally published in 2018, is getting a gorgeous new hardcover edition this year for its re-release by Tor Publishing. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s a terrific book, and I’m only sorry I didn’t read it earlier.

As the book opens, Nate Cartwright has been fired from his DC journalism job due to a pretty major indiscretion. Long estranged from his parents, he learns that they’ve left him their remote cabin by a lake in Oregon. With nowhere else to go and no one in his life, he heads to the cabin to recover, spend time in isolation, and figure out what options he has left.

To Nate’s surprise, the cabin is already occupied by a gruff ex-Marine and a 10-year-old girl who introduces herself with the unlikely name of Artemis Darth Vader. Alex is injured, quick to point a gun at Nate, and highly suspicious and protective. Artemis (Art), on the other hand, is full of sunshine and questions and precocity, and seems to be obsessed with the large collection of Western paperbacks lining the walls of the cabin.

“Besides, Nate will be sad if we leave. He likes us.”

“I don’t like either of you at all,” Nate said.

“You made us bacon.”

“That doesn’t mean I like you.”

“It certainly seemed that way,” she said. “If you give someone something that good, it has to mean something. You can’t just give a gift without having feelings behind it.”

“It was just breakfast.”

Nate is tempted to flee — but doesn’t. As he spends time with Alex and Art, he recognizes that something mysterious and beyond his understanding is going on, but also starts to feel a strange connection to these intruders. Even when dangerous outside forces arrive and force them to make a desperate attempt at escape, Nate finds himself firmly on Alex and Art’s side. As the three hit the road, danger follows — and yet, as they spend time together, the loveliest of found families is formed.

I’m being deliberately vague. There’s isn’t much to say outright about the details of this book that won’t be major plot spoilers. I have a feeling many reviews will reveal exactly what’s going on with Alex and Art — but I enjoyed seeing the pieces come together, and want to leave that sense of discovery for others to enjoy as well.

The plot includes action sequences, but also lovely scenes of personal connection, humor, sharing, and meditations on the intricacies of life and emotions. Nate, Alex, and Art are all terrific characters — I dare anyone to read this book and not fall completely under the spell of Artemis Darth Vader.

There are intense moments that seems pointed toward tragedy and heartbreak, and also moments of calm and quiet beauty. The ending is very satisfying, and made my heart happy.

It’s interesting to read the author’s notes from the Kindle edition (from the original publication in 2018), and then see the author’s notes from the reissue. They’re different, but both explain how he decided to self-publish this book, which was a thematic departure for him from his previous, traditionally published books, and how the self-publishing process worked out.

With the re-release coming in February, The Bones Beneath My Skin should reach a much wider audience, and that’s a very good thing indeed. I loved this book, and already know I’ll want to do a re-read.

Fans of the Green Creek series will love this book too. And hey, the town of Green Creek even gets a mention! If you love quirky, emotional stories about found family, with clever, quippy dialogue and unforgettable characters, don’t miss The Bones Beneath My Skin.