The Hanging Bones - by Elle Tesch (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this YA fantasy inspired by Celtic folklore, a resourceful girl enters the hunt for a legendary stag in a desperate attempt to win the death of her lecherous overlord.

Book Synopsis

From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy steeped in Celtic 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.

Also by Elle Tesch
What Wakes the Bells

Review Quotes

Praise for The Hanging Bones:

"Vicious, lethal and refreshingly unique, Tesch has crafted a richly imagined world brimming with danger and unforgettable villains. Be warned--the Forest Folk will drag you into the depths of Wielinde from the very first page." --E.V. Woods, author of Girls of Dark Divine

Praise for What Wakes the Bells:

"Set in a sentient city built upon the bones of a dead god, What Wakes the Bells is a wonderful exploration of complex family dynamics, self-determination, and first love, all set against the backdrop of an ancient battle generations in the making." --Kalyn Josephson, New York Times-bestselling author of This Dark Descent and The Storm Crow

"An action-packed debut about duty and divinity, with layered family dynamics, a lovers-to-enemies romance to sink your teeth into, and a setting so vivid, you can feel the cold--and the toll of the Vesper Bells--in your bones. Moody, fun, and wholly original." --Allison Saft, New York Times-bestselling author of A Fragile Enchantment

"An utterly fresh tale you'll want to read over and over again, What Wakes the Bells stuns from the first page to the last, reverberating through your heart like a vesper bell--without the doom, of course. Mina is the demisexual heroine of my dreams, whose love--for her family and friends, for her duty and her heart--creates its own powerful, world-shaking magic." --Kamilah Cole, bestselling author of So Let Them Burn

"What Wakes the Bells is a haunting, page-turning mystery set in an exquisitely wrought gothic city, where ancient beauty and eldritch horrors walk side by side. The lush prose, immersive world building, and ominous atmosphere make for a thrilling and unique YA fantasy debut." --Nicki Pau Preto, bestselling author of Bonesmith

"Tesch's debut is rife with imaginative worldbuilding that renders Vaiwyn with as much humanity as headstrong and likable Mina. ... There is much to love in this inventive adventure, including the clever setting, ominous atmosphere, and complex character relationships." --Publishers Weekly

"In this gothic, gory story, the central conceit of worldbuilding is the core attraction. In a metaphor made literal through strong writing, Vaiwyn is a living, breathing, changing city with a mercurial personality. ... A fun, creepy read with a surprisingly gentle end." --School Library Journal

"Darkness abounds in almost all directions here, as issues of grief, consent, addiction, and toxic love are explored, and readers looking for some action with their melodrama will be delighted by expansive fight scenes. A love that is anything but instant (Mina is clearly described as demisexual) and a setting that comes to life around characters with complicated relationship dynamics all combine for a satisfyingly atmospheric fantasy." --Booklist

"Riveting ... Teen readers hungry for dark academia and complex magical lore are sure to devour What Wakes the Bells. --Cristina Iannarino, Books on the Square, in Shelf Awareness

"A stunningly atmospheric debut that is both wildly imaginative and wholly unique. Tesch crafts her world with utmost devotion and delivers a sweeping fantasy brimming with dark romance and infused with gothic flair." --Skyla Arndt, author of Together We Rot

"A can't-miss debut! With What Wakes the Bells, Tesch has created a fantasy world that is both completely absorbing and utterly new. Your heart will race as her winning cast of characters navigate a maze of city streets shadowed by enigmatic gods, terrifying gargoyles, and intensely personal stakes."--Christine Calella, author of Liar's Kingdom

"What Wakes the Bells is stunningly atmospheric and wholly original ... a clever, intricate gothic fantasy that's as brilliantly built as the sentient city where the story takes place." --Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge and Tenderly, I am Devoured

"Gripping and atmospheric, What Wakes the Bells resounds with action and angst and echoes with the complexities of grief, family, connection, and belonging. Tesch's epic storytelling of a living city seized by fear of murderous statues, ticking clocks, and waking saints delivers the demisexual love story we've been waiting for." --Leanne Schwartz, author of A Prayer for Vengeance and To a Darker Shore

About the Author

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. She is the author of What Wakes the Bells and The Hanging Bones.