The Hanging Bones

Quotes

Praise for The Hanging Bones:

★ "Tesch has crafted an enthralling dark fantasy that immerses readers in inventive descriptions, intriguing analogies, and rich folkloric elements. ... A delightful and terrifying read." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A strong, compelling voice will draw readers in from the very beginning, and an easy-to-hate villain combines with an easy-to-love heroine for an unputdownable Germanic adventure with interesting side characters to boot. The magical and densely atmospheric Wielinde Forest, Katrin’s wonderful canine companion, Rudi, and aro-ace representation top off a well-balanced, slowly building tale." —Booklist, starred review

"Tesch has written an unforgettable gothic gem that you can't help but become swept up within. With lush, evocative worldbuilding, and a delightful cast of characters, The Hanging Bones is required reading on a rainy day with a cup of tea." —Xan Kaur, New York Times-bestselling author of When Devils Sing

"Monstrous and sharp, The Hanging Bones will ensnare you with its richly immersive world, lush prose and compelling characters. A refreshing and wholly unique spin on the genre, Tesch’s gothic sophomore novel is a bone-chilling delight." —IV Marie, New York Times-bestselling author of Immortal Consequences

"Haunting and atmospheric, The Hanging Bones has everything I love in YA fantasy: a richly developed world, a cast of compelling characters, and a distinctive gothic flavor. Steeped in folklore, Tesch’s sophomore novel is a stunning contribution to the genre." —Keshe Chow, bestselling author of For No Mortal Creature

"The Hanging Bones lures you in like a bough spirit and devours you whole. ... And even when the forest around them shudders and snarls, her characters stand sharp, soft, and true. I'd follow them into the trees any day." —Mikayla Bridge, author of Of Flame and Fury

"Heart-wrenching and full of fury, Tesch brings Germanic folklore to terrifying life in this exploration of what makes a monster and the choices we face when confronted by them. Fierce protagonist Katrin and the chilling monsters she takes on—both man and otherwise—will have readers racing to reach the thrilling conclusion of the Breimar Hunt. A tale as brutal and beautiful as the bones strung throughout Wielinde Forest." —Crystal Seitz, author of Inheritance of Scars and Beast Becomes Her

"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

"The strength of Tesch’s fantastic imagination lies in its commitment to animism. ... Vivid and suspenseful, this is good choice for older teens hungry for a balance of coziness and horror." —School Library Journal

"An intriguing premise, clipped pace, and atmospheric tone ... make for a fun, suitably gory folk horror with a heroine dead set on an extremely satisfying murder at its center." —The Bulletin

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