Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

Laina | Holmdel High School, Grade 10

Rating: ****

Nita’s mother murders supernatural beings and sells their bodies on the Internet. Nita helps the family business by dissecting the bodies her mother brings to her. She’s comfortable with her life and doesn’t really want out until her mother brings her a live specimen: a scared boy. That’s when she decides to draw the line. She helps the boy escape, but in an unforeseen turn of events, Nita somehow ends up being sold instead. And she is a coveted item on the black market. She isn’t exactly human after all, and her unnatural ability makes her a sought-after product. Now, to get back her freedom, Nita must be prepared to cross lines she’s never had to cross before.

I thought the book was quite enjoyable and thrilling. I liked the fast-paced storyline and plot twists. I admire how Rebecca Schaeffer is able to create morally gray characters with such skill. There is a character named Kovit in the story, and readers learn early on that he is not a good person. He is evil. At the same time, Schaeffer gives him such humanity that readers can’t help but root for him. Even Nita, the protagonist herself, is revealed to have some macabre tendencies. Schaeffer makes sure that none of her characters are purely good. Despite the heavy focus on action, there are also many scenes depicting Nita questioning the probity of herself and the people around her. I enjoyed the balance of action and introspection because it made the book serious without being too heavy and deep. It’s a fun read that teens can finish in one day (it’s just that addicting).