The Bone Houses

Seventeen-year-old Ryn works as a gravedigger in the remote village of Colbren, running her family's burial business alongside her siblings. Her world changes when the dead begin rising from their graves as "bone houses" - reanimated corpses that threaten the village's safety and her livelihood. Ellis arrives in Colbren as a mysterious apprentice mapmaker seeking answers about his past, while managing chronic pain from an old injury. Together with Ryn and an undead goat companion, they embark on a quest to stop the bone houses and uncover the truth behind the supernatural occurrences. The novel combines Welsh folklore, dark fantasy, and romance in a tale about family bonds, grief, and the boundaries between life and death. The story explores themes of survival, belonging, and the price of magic in a harsh but enchanted wilderness.

Readers describe this as a unique zombie story with Welsh folklore elements and a cozy, atmospheric feel despite its dark premise. Readers appreciated: - The bond between siblings Ryn and Gareth - Owen's character development and the slow-burn romance - The memorable undead goat character - Rich descriptions of the forest setting - The fresh take on zombie mythology - The blend of horror and humor Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Limited world-building beyond the immediate setting - Some found the ending rushed - Romance felt underdeveloped to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (100+ ratings) One reader noted: "The bone houses themselves are terrifying but the story has heart." Another mentioned: "The atmosphere carries the story more than the plot."

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🦴 The Welsh word for zombie, "gwrach," actually means "witch" or "hag" - reflecting the Celtic folklore that influenced this novel's unique take on the undead. 🗺️ The author drew inspiration from real medieval mapmakers who would mark unexplored territories with warnings like "Here be dragons," similar to Ellis's cartography work in the story. 🐐 The undead goat character was inspired by the author's experience with real-life goats at a petting zoo, where she was impressed by their stubborn and mischievous personalities. ⚔️ Medieval Welsh folklore features several stories about the walking dead, including the tale of Bran the Blessed, whose severed head continued to speak and protect Britain long after his death. 🏔️ The novel's setting draws heavily from Snowdonia National Park in Wales, known for its rugged mountains, ancient forests, and rich mythology dating back to pre-Roman times.