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Bright Empires #2
The Bone House
Kit Livingstone met his great-grandfather Cosimo in a rainy alley in London where he discovered the truth about alternate realities.Now he's on the run--and on a quest--trying to understand the impossible mission he inherited from to restore a map that charts the hidden dimensions of the multiverse. Survival depends on staying one step ahead of the savage Burley Men.The key is the Skin Map--but where it leads and what it means, Kit has no idea. The pieces have been scattered throughout this universe and beyond.Mina, from her outpost in seventeenth-century Prague, is quickly gaining both the experience and the means to succeed in the quest. Yet so are those with evil intent who, from the shadows, are manipulating great minds of history for their own malign purposes.Those who know how to use the ley lines have left their own world behind to travel across time and space--down avenues of Egyptian sphinxes, to an Etruscan tufa tomb, into a Bohemian coffee shop, and across a Stone Age landscape where universes collide--in this, the second quest to unlock the mystery of "The Bone House."The Bright Empires series--from acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawhead--is a unique blend of epic treasure hunt, ancient history, alternate realities, cutting-edge physics, philosophy, and mystery. The result is a page-turning, adventure like no other.
386 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2011
About the author
Stephen R. Lawhead
106 books2,599 followersStephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
December 1, 2012
This second volume of the Bright Empires series (which, as I discovered since finishing the series opener, is planned to consist of five novels) is very much of a piece with its predecessor --though, to be sure, the plot advances in certain ways, and more bits of information are revealed. The same strengths and flaws noted in my review of The Skin Map are clearly evident here.
On the positive side, Lawhead continues to hold this reader's interest. There's a lot of cutting to and fro, back and forth among numerous characters, who are often at wildly different parts of the multiverse. The main characters are easy to root for, or against; in the latter case, though, we get to see Burleigh's formative years, and realize that he's a human being who's partly shaped by not-too-pleasant circumstances (though he's also shaped by self-serving choices). With plotting that's generally interesting and exciting, the storyline and style make for a quick, easy read. I've grown to basically like Kit, though I consider him something of a bumbler. (Maybe, in his situation, I wouldn't acquit myself any better; he does have kind of a hapless Everyman quality. :-) ) Mina and Haven are strong, smart women who command respect (and Haven's had some of her arrogance in the first book leached out of her by events), and Arthur and Xian Li's interracial marriage conveys a good message that's all too rare in evangelical fiction.
Of course, Lawhead wrote this at a time when his mental and physical energies were being sapped by his battle with cancer (I'm not sure what the present status of this is). He was also not well served by the editorial staff at Thomas Nelson, who obviously thought that since he's a best-selling author, his books would sell whether they edited them competently or not; so they decided to save money by not bothering with it. :-( None of this can be said to be Lawhead's fault. The fact remains, though, that the standard of quality in the literary craftsmanship is negatively affected; so far, this series is not Lawhead's best work. He occasionally appears to forget things he wrote earlier, which creates inconsistencies; there are plot points that have logical problems; the principal extended action scene is, IMO, somewhat awkward and clumsy in execution (it was difficult for me to imagine it actually taking place the way it was described); and both the characters and the alternate-world situations aren't developed with this author's usual depth. (Much of the appeal of alternate-world fiction draws from comparison and contrast between the fictional world and our own; but here we have virtually no points of recognizable difference.) There isn't any differentiation between the speech patterns of different past eras (they all sound vaguely like Regency), and except for certain occasional turns of phrase, the differences between any of these and modern speech aren't very marked -which gives a false note to comments in the narration that they are. Also, Xian Li's possibilities as a character aren't developed to anywhere near her potential, which to me was somewhat disappointing. Both Bright Empires novels I've read so far could easily have been twice as long as they are, to incorporate more texture and needed information and to develop the characters and settings better; there are some great descriptive scenes in places here, but they're pretty few. (This wouldn't have required sacrificing the fast pacing; longer books CAN still be fast-paced.) The development of the Stone Age setting was an exception to this (partly because Lawhead spent enough chapters on it to do a really good job), and that was my favorite part of the book.
Quantum physics here isn't just a premise evoked for the purpose of creating an alternate world, or getting a character there, and then dropped. The whole thing is very much an exploration of quantum physics ideas, in which, as the epigraph from Albert Einstein states, "The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion --albeit a persistent one;" and in which interdimensional realities are virtually endless. This theory strikes me as counter-intuitive and dubious, and I usually avoid SF that's premised on it. So reading (and liking) this series is something of a change of pace for me. And it is prompting me to do some thinking (always a plus, whatever one's reading!). Though I've always been inclined to embrace the Newtonian theory of absolute time, I've had to admit that, if one posits a God who's outside and above time and not limited by it (and being an evangelical, that's precisely something that Lawhead himself posits!), then the concept of relative time, viewed in that context, suddenly begins to make sense --as much as humans can make sense of it. Truth to tell, I know very little about quantum physics; and I'm inclined to think that I should, at some point, utilize the resources of the college library where I work to learn more! But meanwhile, it's on to the third volume of this series, The Spirit Well.
On the positive side, Lawhead continues to hold this reader's interest. There's a lot of cutting to and fro, back and forth among numerous characters, who are often at wildly different parts of the multiverse. The main characters are easy to root for, or against; in the latter case, though, we get to see Burleigh's formative years, and realize that he's a human being who's partly shaped by not-too-pleasant circumstances (though he's also shaped by self-serving choices). With plotting that's generally interesting and exciting, the storyline and style make for a quick, easy read. I've grown to basically like Kit, though I consider him something of a bumbler. (Maybe, in his situation, I wouldn't acquit myself any better; he does have kind of a hapless Everyman quality. :-) ) Mina and Haven are strong, smart women who command respect (and Haven's had some of her arrogance in the first book leached out of her by events), and Arthur and Xian Li's interracial marriage conveys a good message that's all too rare in evangelical fiction.
Of course, Lawhead wrote this at a time when his mental and physical energies were being sapped by his battle with cancer (I'm not sure what the present status of this is). He was also not well served by the editorial staff at Thomas Nelson, who obviously thought that since he's a best-selling author, his books would sell whether they edited them competently or not; so they decided to save money by not bothering with it. :-( None of this can be said to be Lawhead's fault. The fact remains, though, that the standard of quality in the literary craftsmanship is negatively affected; so far, this series is not Lawhead's best work. He occasionally appears to forget things he wrote earlier, which creates inconsistencies; there are plot points that have logical problems; the principal extended action scene is, IMO, somewhat awkward and clumsy in execution (it was difficult for me to imagine it actually taking place the way it was described); and both the characters and the alternate-world situations aren't developed with this author's usual depth. (Much of the appeal of alternate-world fiction draws from comparison and contrast between the fictional world and our own; but here we have virtually no points of recognizable difference.) There isn't any differentiation between the speech patterns of different past eras (they all sound vaguely like Regency), and except for certain occasional turns of phrase, the differences between any of these and modern speech aren't very marked -which gives a false note to comments in the narration that they are. Also, Xian Li's possibilities as a character aren't developed to anywhere near her potential, which to me was somewhat disappointing. Both Bright Empires novels I've read so far could easily have been twice as long as they are, to incorporate more texture and needed information and to develop the characters and settings better; there are some great descriptive scenes in places here, but they're pretty few. (This wouldn't have required sacrificing the fast pacing; longer books CAN still be fast-paced.) The development of the Stone Age setting was an exception to this (partly because Lawhead spent enough chapters on it to do a really good job), and that was my favorite part of the book.
Quantum physics here isn't just a premise evoked for the purpose of creating an alternate world, or getting a character there, and then dropped. The whole thing is very much an exploration of quantum physics ideas, in which, as the epigraph from Albert Einstein states, "The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion --albeit a persistent one;" and in which interdimensional realities are virtually endless. This theory strikes me as counter-intuitive and dubious, and I usually avoid SF that's premised on it. So reading (and liking) this series is something of a change of pace for me. And it is prompting me to do some thinking (always a plus, whatever one's reading!). Though I've always been inclined to embrace the Newtonian theory of absolute time, I've had to admit that, if one posits a God who's outside and above time and not limited by it (and being an evangelical, that's precisely something that Lawhead himself posits!), then the concept of relative time, viewed in that context, suddenly begins to make sense --as much as humans can make sense of it. Truth to tell, I know very little about quantum physics; and I'm inclined to think that I should, at some point, utilize the resources of the college library where I work to learn more! But meanwhile, it's on to the third volume of this series, The Spirit Well.
October 6, 2016
(Review originally posted on The Page Dreamer: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...)
It's a mind-baffling attempt, trying to figure out how to review this book... But I shall give it a shot so that I can capture some of my thoughts as they are at this point in the saga, before launching into reading book 3, The Spirit Well.
The Bone House picks up more or less where book 1 in The Bright Empires series, The Skin Map, left off -- I say more or less, since the time aspect makes such statements more complicated and... fluid than usual, and let's just say that "chronology" is a word I only dreamed of while reading this book, in the best possible way. ;) It makes me want to start an elaborate chart to map out the character threads, timelines, eras, and locations... That would be FUN! And mind-boggling, but hey.
This series (of which The Bone House is but the second part out of five) is a wonderful mental exercise, which I'm enjoying immensely. :) The myriad of character threads, localities, times periods, and relative time lines to each other, not to mention the way the story leaps between characters from chapter to chapter with abandon -- it all calls for a very elastic mind! Like I said, excellent mental exercise. :D
Not to mention that it makes me think and want to ask questions and to LEARN things. Which is just a lovely side-effect of this exciting timey-adventure (with many breath-taking parts, twists, and fascinating timey things which I LOVE), which I couldn't put down. I've never read anything quite like this series!
Let me just put it this way: If most novels are the equivalent of a jog for the mind, the Bright Empires series is like parkour... in zero gravity... through multiple universes. ;)
This delightful second book, which I enjoyed as much as The Skin Map, carries us through time and geography to Egypt, England, Prague... to the Etruscans, and even people of the Stone Age... as well as the 1200s, 1600s, 1800s, and naturally includes characters from our own 21st century.
Each place, each person or group of people we meet, is steeped in the fascinating and rich tones of cultures old and new, strange and familiar, and all equally skillfully penned. I felt entirely drawn into each place, and the details were fabulous and so gorgeously written. I just felt THERE the entire time. The bits of other languages scattered throughout -- Latin, German, some prehistoric dialect -- lent an even further air of rich immersion. I just LOVED being so fully inside these places!
Also, the part with the "River City Clan" as Kit dubs them, in the Stone Age, was one of my favorite parts! I don't want to give anything away, but I simply loved how they were portrayed, in such a unique and intriguing way. They felt... right somehow; not bumbling backward cavemen of the cliche mentality moderns hold, but solid, close to the earth, with their own wisdom and close connection with each other, which we seem to have forgotten in this, our own "civilized" age. It was... refreshing to consider another perspective, to see these simple folk who are more complex than one might think. I also really loved the part with En-Ul -- it was fantastic. Love, love, love. I guess the whole cavemen thing and how Lawhead did it surprised me, in a good way. I just... really really liked it. :)
Time would fail me (in more ways than one) to discuss each facet of this book with all the different places and things that happened, plus I don't want to give it away and spoil the joy of discovering it yourself... So I think I will say a few words about the wonderful characters and then dash off to read the next book... ;)
As a general note, I ADORED how the characters in this book were mostly... nice people. That may sound strange, but it was refreshing to me to read about characters who are actually decent folks, with the good old ways of hospitality and cordiality even to strangers. Again, something this modern age may lack? There was by no means any shortage of suspense (goodness, no! ALL the suspense!) but it shows that there are more subtle ways of keeping us on the edge of our seat in books than through every person the main characters meet being awful people who are out to mess up their lives. ...I mean, there are obviously villains to do that still (in a serious way! O_O Eep to Burleigh and company... *shivers*) but the world(s) seemed to be inhabited by REAL people, not caricatures full of "flaws" and suspicion and general ill-will toward the heroes. And maybe no one else understands what I'm trying to say, or cares, but to me it was important, and again, it was a different take, which I really liked. :) I like when things make me think and make me feel welcomed, and when I can truly ENJOY them, which is definitely true of these books.
While thinking about villains (if I can call them all such... hmm... I shall look forward to more developments!), let me just say that even being in their points of view was really interesting; if slightly disturbing... There were a lot of different points of view, even among the heroes, and though some readers might not appreciate so many different viewpoints flipping back and forth throughout the book, yet I found the many perspectives quite bracing and intriguing, personally!
All the character-threads were so neat and I can't wait to follow them further through the rest of the series! Arthur Flinders-Petrie and his line, Lady Haven Fayth (what's her deal??) and even Archelaeus Burleigh himself, in his own shadowy way... Eep. Side characters such as Xian-Li, Etzel, Dr. Thomas Young, Giles, and all the rest, are still a delight to meet, follow, and learn more about... So real and varied. I just love them all! (All right, not such a fan of Snipe. O_O He scares me a little... I'm not sure what to think of some of the characters yet...)
My favorite main characters, though, are still Kit and Wilhelmina and their two different storylines. :) Kit is still such an enjoyable chap to read about -- I don't even know why, he's just... amiable and British, in whose mind it's something between fun and amusing to be in -- and I greatly enjoyed his escapades, even when he did blunder a little... but, well, we can't all be Minas. ;) Even if we wish to be... Wilhelmina is AMAZING, by the way. I loved her in The Skin Map already, but she takes another step in The Bone House, into a new role as one of my favorite characters ever. I basically want to be her. Or, barring that, at least be more like her. (She's also the only female character in a book that I've felt that way about since I was very young. This is big news.) I don't think I can even begin to accurately describe her in this small space, but she's brave and warmhearted and smart and confident and friendly and enterprising and she has that charming lively way with words and... I just feel like if she's around, everything might be okay, you know? It's a feeling I can't quite put my finger on, but she's definitely a favorite character, and one I'd like to be more like myself. She's really fitting in fabulously in 1600s Prague, like a duck to water, and has come so far from the beginning of the first book -- and so has Kit, at that, in his own way. Anyway, I can't wait to read more about all of these characters!
Even the little things add fabulous touches to this book: clever and/or amusing chapter titles; the helpful (and witty) list of characters and the "Previously" summary at the beginning which did wonders to refresh my memory of the happenings in book 1 (I wish I'd re-read The Skin Map before embarking on The Bone House, since it was over a year between readings for me, but the summary was very helpful and I think I did okay); and the essay at the end which was fascinating... Even little things like Etzel's muffins (I want some now!) and such thoughts from Mina as: Plus, of course, she would have chocolate. A girl after my own heart. ;)
(One final note: it's "clean" and age appropriate for teens. :) I'd class it as Young Adult, content wise, though adults will enjoy it as well. So, all you young people who care about such things, this series is not actually Adult, even if the main characters are in their twenties. I think young adults will love reading these. I may have left the ranks of teenagerdom somewhat recently, but I'm still a teen at heart and there was nothing that bothered me. :))
I think I can safely say that I greatly enjoyed The Bone House (in fact, I can't think of a single complaint I have about it!). Another excellent read from a masterful author. I have a feeling that, as only part two out of five, this far-reaching and intricate tapestry has only begun, and I can't wait to follow the ever-more-tangled threads into the next part!
Onward, to The Spirit Well!
It's a mind-baffling attempt, trying to figure out how to review this book... But I shall give it a shot so that I can capture some of my thoughts as they are at this point in the saga, before launching into reading book 3, The Spirit Well.
The Bone House picks up more or less where book 1 in The Bright Empires series, The Skin Map, left off -- I say more or less, since the time aspect makes such statements more complicated and... fluid than usual, and let's just say that "chronology" is a word I only dreamed of while reading this book, in the best possible way. ;) It makes me want to start an elaborate chart to map out the character threads, timelines, eras, and locations... That would be FUN! And mind-boggling, but hey.
This series (of which The Bone House is but the second part out of five) is a wonderful mental exercise, which I'm enjoying immensely. :) The myriad of character threads, localities, times periods, and relative time lines to each other, not to mention the way the story leaps between characters from chapter to chapter with abandon -- it all calls for a very elastic mind! Like I said, excellent mental exercise. :D
Not to mention that it makes me think and want to ask questions and to LEARN things. Which is just a lovely side-effect of this exciting timey-adventure (with many breath-taking parts, twists, and fascinating timey things which I LOVE), which I couldn't put down. I've never read anything quite like this series!
Let me just put it this way: If most novels are the equivalent of a jog for the mind, the Bright Empires series is like parkour... in zero gravity... through multiple universes. ;)
This delightful second book, which I enjoyed as much as The Skin Map, carries us through time and geography to Egypt, England, Prague... to the Etruscans, and even people of the Stone Age... as well as the 1200s, 1600s, 1800s, and naturally includes characters from our own 21st century.
Each place, each person or group of people we meet, is steeped in the fascinating and rich tones of cultures old and new, strange and familiar, and all equally skillfully penned. I felt entirely drawn into each place, and the details were fabulous and so gorgeously written. I just felt THERE the entire time. The bits of other languages scattered throughout -- Latin, German, some prehistoric dialect -- lent an even further air of rich immersion. I just LOVED being so fully inside these places!
Also, the part with the "River City Clan" as Kit dubs them, in the Stone Age, was one of my favorite parts! I don't want to give anything away, but I simply loved how they were portrayed, in such a unique and intriguing way. They felt... right somehow; not bumbling backward cavemen of the cliche mentality moderns hold, but solid, close to the earth, with their own wisdom and close connection with each other, which we seem to have forgotten in this, our own "civilized" age. It was... refreshing to consider another perspective, to see these simple folk who are more complex than one might think. I also really loved the part with En-Ul -- it was fantastic. Love, love, love. I guess the whole cavemen thing and how Lawhead did it surprised me, in a good way. I just... really really liked it. :)
Time would fail me (in more ways than one) to discuss each facet of this book with all the different places and things that happened, plus I don't want to give it away and spoil the joy of discovering it yourself... So I think I will say a few words about the wonderful characters and then dash off to read the next book... ;)
As a general note, I ADORED how the characters in this book were mostly... nice people. That may sound strange, but it was refreshing to me to read about characters who are actually decent folks, with the good old ways of hospitality and cordiality even to strangers. Again, something this modern age may lack? There was by no means any shortage of suspense (goodness, no! ALL the suspense!) but it shows that there are more subtle ways of keeping us on the edge of our seat in books than through every person the main characters meet being awful people who are out to mess up their lives. ...I mean, there are obviously villains to do that still (in a serious way! O_O Eep to Burleigh and company... *shivers*) but the world(s) seemed to be inhabited by REAL people, not caricatures full of "flaws" and suspicion and general ill-will toward the heroes. And maybe no one else understands what I'm trying to say, or cares, but to me it was important, and again, it was a different take, which I really liked. :) I like when things make me think and make me feel welcomed, and when I can truly ENJOY them, which is definitely true of these books.
While thinking about villains (if I can call them all such... hmm... I shall look forward to more developments!), let me just say that even being in their points of view was really interesting; if slightly disturbing... There were a lot of different points of view, even among the heroes, and though some readers might not appreciate so many different viewpoints flipping back and forth throughout the book, yet I found the many perspectives quite bracing and intriguing, personally!
All the character-threads were so neat and I can't wait to follow them further through the rest of the series! Arthur Flinders-Petrie and his line, Lady Haven Fayth (what's her deal??) and even Archelaeus Burleigh himself, in his own shadowy way... Eep. Side characters such as Xian-Li, Etzel, Dr. Thomas Young, Giles, and all the rest, are still a delight to meet, follow, and learn more about... So real and varied. I just love them all! (All right, not such a fan of Snipe. O_O He scares me a little... I'm not sure what to think of some of the characters yet...)
My favorite main characters, though, are still Kit and Wilhelmina and their two different storylines. :) Kit is still such an enjoyable chap to read about -- I don't even know why, he's just... amiable and British, in whose mind it's something between fun and amusing to be in -- and I greatly enjoyed his escapades, even when he did blunder a little... but, well, we can't all be Minas. ;) Even if we wish to be... Wilhelmina is AMAZING, by the way. I loved her in The Skin Map already, but she takes another step in The Bone House, into a new role as one of my favorite characters ever. I basically want to be her. Or, barring that, at least be more like her. (She's also the only female character in a book that I've felt that way about since I was very young. This is big news.) I don't think I can even begin to accurately describe her in this small space, but she's brave and warmhearted and smart and confident and friendly and enterprising and she has that charming lively way with words and... I just feel like if she's around, everything might be okay, you know? It's a feeling I can't quite put my finger on, but she's definitely a favorite character, and one I'd like to be more like myself. She's really fitting in fabulously in 1600s Prague, like a duck to water, and has come so far from the beginning of the first book -- and so has Kit, at that, in his own way. Anyway, I can't wait to read more about all of these characters!
Even the little things add fabulous touches to this book: clever and/or amusing chapter titles; the helpful (and witty) list of characters and the "Previously" summary at the beginning which did wonders to refresh my memory of the happenings in book 1 (I wish I'd re-read The Skin Map before embarking on The Bone House, since it was over a year between readings for me, but the summary was very helpful and I think I did okay); and the essay at the end which was fascinating... Even little things like Etzel's muffins (I want some now!) and such thoughts from Mina as: Plus, of course, she would have chocolate. A girl after my own heart. ;)
(One final note: it's "clean" and age appropriate for teens. :) I'd class it as Young Adult, content wise, though adults will enjoy it as well. So, all you young people who care about such things, this series is not actually Adult, even if the main characters are in their twenties. I think young adults will love reading these. I may have left the ranks of teenagerdom somewhat recently, but I'm still a teen at heart and there was nothing that bothered me. :))
I think I can safely say that I greatly enjoyed The Bone House (in fact, I can't think of a single complaint I have about it!). Another excellent read from a masterful author. I have a feeling that, as only part two out of five, this far-reaching and intricate tapestry has only begun, and I can't wait to follow the ever-more-tangled threads into the next part!
Onward, to The Spirit Well!
September 21, 2015
Three and a half stars.
Just when I'd decided that there were far too many disparate threads and far too much hopping from one character to another across the multiverse, the story settled down for several chapters to follow Kit Livingstone for a considerable while.
The story jumps, as abrupt and dislocative as the ley leaps themselves, which is a nice literary touch but doesn't lend itself to deep satisfaction with the reading experience. I began to warm to the story when it settled into the world of the cavemen with their empathic/telepathic communication - an ability that Kit does not share. The startled delight of the cave children when they teach him words is a fun touch. It is in this era that Kit sees the Bone House of the title (at last!) and eventually drops through a ley point to the Spirit Well.
Here he observes a critical incident; but here the story also felt at its most 'wrong'. To be a passive observer at this point who just walks away unseen didn't feel 'right'.
The writing is lovely and the philosophical points deep but it always felt as if there were far too many balls in play for the story to cohere in a way that made my heart zing.
Just when I'd decided that there were far too many disparate threads and far too much hopping from one character to another across the multiverse, the story settled down for several chapters to follow Kit Livingstone for a considerable while.
The story jumps, as abrupt and dislocative as the ley leaps themselves, which is a nice literary touch but doesn't lend itself to deep satisfaction with the reading experience. I began to warm to the story when it settled into the world of the cavemen with their empathic/telepathic communication - an ability that Kit does not share. The startled delight of the cave children when they teach him words is a fun touch. It is in this era that Kit sees the Bone House of the title (at last!) and eventually drops through a ley point to the Spirit Well.
Here he observes a critical incident; but here the story also felt at its most 'wrong'. To be a passive observer at this point who just walks away unseen didn't feel 'right'.
The writing is lovely and the philosophical points deep but it always felt as if there were far too many balls in play for the story to cohere in a way that made my heart zing.
March 15, 2016
This author hovers in the 3 star zone for me. I've read a few of his novels. There are things I like about his writing, and equally, things that I don't.
I loved the whole time travel element in this one. I also liked most of the characters, but there seemed to be a whole parade of them. I kept questioning the many different story lines.
I was a little disappointed in the ending.....because there wasn't even a tiny bit of resolution. I feel that was abandoned in lieu of the hook.
I loved the whole time travel element in this one. I also liked most of the characters, but there seemed to be a whole parade of them. I kept questioning the many different story lines.
I was a little disappointed in the ending.....because there wasn't even a tiny bit of resolution. I feel that was abandoned in lieu of the hook.
April 26, 2022
Such a fun/wild adventure! I am completely hooked on this story and heading right into book 3!
June 15, 2021
Initial Response
O__O
THAT WAS INTENSE.
High Lights
- This...is really hard to review. Like, how? XD
- I love love love all the characters so much! Kit seems to be manning up a bit, which I approve of. Mina's still her spunky, awesome self. And can I just say, her relationship with Etzel just makes me SO HAPPY. <3
- This second book was definitely more action-packed than the first, as things move along and the chase continues. The last half was especially INTENSE. I couldn't put it down.
- THE RIVER CLAN. *dies* I just love them so much!
- We see through a lot of POVs, which is cool because I like that kind of thing. Though, that was so in the first book too.
- I'm just...I can't find words to describe this book. Help.
Low Lights
- As in the first book, the beginning was a bit slow for me, but it soon picked up to a pace I enjoyed.
- I was a little disappointed that
- Yeah...so, nothing really?
Conclusion
I LOVED IT. It's got me HUGELY pumped to read the next book and this is just such a fun series so far! I highly recommend it! :D
5/5.
O__O
THAT WAS INTENSE.
High Lights
- This...is really hard to review. Like, how? XD
- I love love love all the characters so much! Kit seems to be manning up a bit, which I approve of. Mina's still her spunky, awesome self. And can I just say, her relationship with Etzel just makes me SO HAPPY. <3
- This second book was definitely more action-packed than the first, as things move along and the chase continues. The last half was especially INTENSE. I couldn't put it down.
- THE RIVER CLAN. *dies* I just love them so much!
- We see through a lot of POVs, which is cool because I like that kind of thing. Though, that was so in the first book too.
- I'm just...I can't find words to describe this book. Help.
Low Lights
- As in the first book, the beginning was a bit slow for me, but it soon picked up to a pace I enjoyed.
- I was a little disappointed that
- Yeah...so, nothing really?
Conclusion
I LOVED IT. It's got me HUGELY pumped to read the next book and this is just such a fun series so far! I highly recommend it! :D
5/5.
August 5, 2012
The first book in the Bright Empires series intrigued me, so I wanted to continue my journey with this tale. Like the ley lines of time and dimensions the characters travel in this story, the plot is a fascinating twist of layers. Where I would be confused one moment, the “Ah ha…” was never far behind. There are many point of view characters, which is distracting at first, but I got used to it. This book gave many answers to questions posed in book one, but introduced just as many new questions that will, hopefully, be answered in book three. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s a different kind of way to tell a story, and I want to know what happens next.
September 29, 2022
3.5⭐
I'm terrible at trying to finish series lately 🤦♀️. I let 2 years go by before reading the second book, but thankfully I remembered quite a bit of what was going on and they did a recap in the beginning of the audiobook.
I think I enjoyed the first book more than the second, but I'm intrigued to find out what happens to our time travelers. I hope to get to rest of the books a lot sooner than this one. 😂
I'm terrible at trying to finish series lately 🤦♀️. I let 2 years go by before reading the second book, but thankfully I remembered quite a bit of what was going on and they did a recap in the beginning of the audiobook.
I think I enjoyed the first book more than the second, but I'm intrigued to find out what happens to our time travelers. I hope to get to rest of the books a lot sooner than this one. 😂
October 15, 2017
The series continues on multiple stages, with the addition of new cast members. I'm still tracking with the overlapping, looping timelines ... and curious about certain "impossibilities" given the events of Book 1. Lawhead continues to intrigue. Still very much enjoying the complexities of the quest. On to Book 3!
December 9, 2017
For the most part the story is well written. The Character development is very well done along with the imagination of the concepts used in the book. However, I rated the book a four because the plot jumps around as someone would do with lay travel, so at times it was hard to follow.
June 30, 2024
This book is a sequel to "The Skin Map".I'm not going to tell much of the plot as it will give away to much from the former book which left off on a cliff hanger. This book also left off on a cliff hanger so I'm eager to read part 3 of 5. Great continuation of characters with some new introductions. Again, lots of twists and turns in time travel. This book continues to be a clean read, which is always appreciated!
September 13, 2014
I purchased the Hard Back copy of this book along with the audio copy. I listened to the audio book to and from work (I have a long commute). When I got home I would read the book. I was hooked from the first book in this series. I adored the narrator of this series. He has a great accent and is very talented and creative in how he did the different voices for each character in the novel. I loved it. I brought this novel to life in a whole new way.
The Skin Map (the first book in this series) introduced me to this imaginative author. The author said this was a book he’s been wanting to write for a long time. In the first book the author sets up the concept of ley-traveling. Readers are introduced to a wide range of quirky characters and a few you are meant to despise. Many of them are in search of the same item, the “skin map.”
Book two, The Bone House’s first page has a list of important people and who they are. I appreciated the list because it has been a while since I’d read the first book. In looking at the list I noticed he added a few new characters making a grand total of 17. I liked how this author takes his time in giving each major character time to shine in their own adventure.
I liked how the author explains the concept of time and how he used it in this series. Stephen Lawhead says, (in author notes to reader) “Albert Einstein’s observation…”the distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion,” speaks directly to one of the central devises of The Bone House, as characters struggle with the diverse yet interconnecting realities of a universe unlimited by space and time…
The author continues, “For characters enmeshed in the Bright Empires quest are not time-traveling explorers – but merely running backwards and forwards along chronological train tracks, confined to rails permanently fixed in a singular direction. Rather Kit and company are bouncing around a multidimensional universe in the equivalent of a helicopter that can travel in any of a thousand different directions. And if hypothetical helicopter is a vehicle that can also zoom off into hidden dimensions and lands in any possible alternate would – with a dose of time slippage thrown in for good measure – then we have the situation I am trying to describe in Bright Empires.
The Skin Map stretched my mind to take in the concept of ley-travel. In The Bone House, the author helps readers understand more about time and how ley-travel works. This is done thru Wilhelmina a girl I admire and liked.The author does an brilliant job of setting up a world Kit goes to which blew me away as to the authors creativity and talent.
I was stunned at how this author connected the characters and their adventures. I hadn't a clue at how amazing this author was. There was more suspense and drama in this story. Loved that. I didn't rush through this book I wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything and it helped me keep characters and travels straight. I was as memorized as Kit was at the new primitive people he stumbled onto. They take him in and teach him a new language. He fits in! The author doesn't complicate things but keeps it simple with the language and village people. I felt as if I were with Kit on this journey. The author does a brilliant job of describing the sights, sounds, and smells of this new world, along with the wide range of emotions that ran through Kits body. Fun.
I was engaged from the start and caught up in this search for the map. This author is a well-educated, creative man with diversified interests. He writes imaginative fiction I adore. This is a GREAT book club pick and just a fantastic read I highly recommend.
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
The Skin Map (the first book in this series) introduced me to this imaginative author. The author said this was a book he’s been wanting to write for a long time. In the first book the author sets up the concept of ley-traveling. Readers are introduced to a wide range of quirky characters and a few you are meant to despise. Many of them are in search of the same item, the “skin map.”
Book two, The Bone House’s first page has a list of important people and who they are. I appreciated the list because it has been a while since I’d read the first book. In looking at the list I noticed he added a few new characters making a grand total of 17. I liked how this author takes his time in giving each major character time to shine in their own adventure.
I liked how the author explains the concept of time and how he used it in this series. Stephen Lawhead says, (in author notes to reader) “Albert Einstein’s observation…”the distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion,” speaks directly to one of the central devises of The Bone House, as characters struggle with the diverse yet interconnecting realities of a universe unlimited by space and time…
The author continues, “For characters enmeshed in the Bright Empires quest are not time-traveling explorers – but merely running backwards and forwards along chronological train tracks, confined to rails permanently fixed in a singular direction. Rather Kit and company are bouncing around a multidimensional universe in the equivalent of a helicopter that can travel in any of a thousand different directions. And if hypothetical helicopter is a vehicle that can also zoom off into hidden dimensions and lands in any possible alternate would – with a dose of time slippage thrown in for good measure – then we have the situation I am trying to describe in Bright Empires.
The Skin Map stretched my mind to take in the concept of ley-travel. In The Bone House, the author helps readers understand more about time and how ley-travel works. This is done thru Wilhelmina a girl I admire and liked.The author does an brilliant job of setting up a world Kit goes to which blew me away as to the authors creativity and talent.
I was stunned at how this author connected the characters and their adventures. I hadn't a clue at how amazing this author was. There was more suspense and drama in this story. Loved that. I didn't rush through this book I wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything and it helped me keep characters and travels straight. I was as memorized as Kit was at the new primitive people he stumbled onto. They take him in and teach him a new language. He fits in! The author doesn't complicate things but keeps it simple with the language and village people. I felt as if I were with Kit on this journey. The author does a brilliant job of describing the sights, sounds, and smells of this new world, along with the wide range of emotions that ran through Kits body. Fun.
I was engaged from the start and caught up in this search for the map. This author is a well-educated, creative man with diversified interests. He writes imaginative fiction I adore. This is a GREAT book club pick and just a fantastic read I highly recommend.
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
July 14, 2015
I've loved Lawhead's storytelling since I was in my early teens. So far I'm not as wrapped up in the Bright Empires series as others, but it's still a good tale.
It had been a while since I read the first book in the series, but The Bone House had a quick review of the pertinent points before delving right into the plot. There were a few things that I didn't quite remember correctly and some things I'm still hazy on, but overall I don't think the gap was too detrimental. I did feel that this second book was a little scattered and I'm not clear on who a few characters are or what point some twists will play in the grander scheme. I'm sure I'll keep going in this series, so we'll see how it all comes out in the end.
If you like dimensional travel, adventure, and mystery I would recommend giving the Bright Empires series a try.
It had been a while since I read the first book in the series, but The Bone House had a quick review of the pertinent points before delving right into the plot. There were a few things that I didn't quite remember correctly and some things I'm still hazy on, but overall I don't think the gap was too detrimental. I did feel that this second book was a little scattered and I'm not clear on who a few characters are or what point some twists will play in the grander scheme. I'm sure I'll keep going in this series, so we'll see how it all comes out in the end.
If you like dimensional travel, adventure, and mystery I would recommend giving the Bright Empires series a try.
December 22, 2011
'The Bone House' is the sequel to 'The Skin Map' and while I loved the intriguing book cover, I can't very much say the same about the story in this sequel. I very much preferred the first book, 'The Skin Map'. I believe I've reviewed it quite some time ago and I was really hooked on the story.
While this book have the same thrilling factor in it, I can't seems to pay attention to the story because there's too much scenes shift. I struggled to read this sci-fi book and I find it difficult to finish.
Perhaps this book is just not for me. If you're into sci-fi, however, don't let my opinion stop you from reading it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson Publisher and I was not required to write a positive review for it
While this book have the same thrilling factor in it, I can't seems to pay attention to the story because there's too much scenes shift. I struggled to read this sci-fi book and I find it difficult to finish.
Perhaps this book is just not for me. If you're into sci-fi, however, don't let my opinion stop you from reading it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson Publisher and I was not required to write a positive review for it
May 27, 2022
The Skin Map finished on a huge cliff hanger so I was keen to get stuck into this book. Unfortunately The Bone House doesn't pick up where The Skin Map dropped off, which was a little disappointing. That being said, this was still a great read even if it felt a bit like a slog at some points. This book was easier to read with the constant jumping between characters, times, scenes etc as I knew what to expect but I also find that tends to slow down my reading a bit. Needless to say I'm hooked, The Bone Map ended on another cliff hanger and I want to know what happens and how all these stories are resolved.
March 2, 2024
Excellent editing supports this imaginative plot
Fiction meets quantum physics and beyond. I just wish I had the time to go back through and trace all the character relationships and connections. The is more here then meets the eye.
Fiction meets quantum physics and beyond. I just wish I had the time to go back through and trace all the character relationships and connections. The is more here then meets the eye.
April 16, 2016
The plot thickens! I like it even more now. You learn more about the characters and their backgrounds, and there are some very compellingly imaginative situations.
April 15, 2022
Like many others have said, the five books in the Bright Empires series is really one long book that was sliced into five more digestible parts. There really isn’t a discernible point where splitting the books makes sense other than that each book is one fifth of the whole. Lawhead is a good story teller and there are some characters that I really like. Mina is my favorite character by a long shot, with Kit being more bland but okay. There are a number of things I don’t like so much. First, I think that there is too much packed into the story. There are too many characters too keep track of, and I think that this series could have been half the length of less. Too many characters and too much unnecessary parts that bog things down. I often feel like I am overwhelmed by there just being too much. Second, Lawhead seems to pitch his writing to young adults. There is nothing wrong with that, but just be prepared for it. In the Bone House, the plot advances the various storylines started in the first book, but focusing on the search for the skin map, and Kit’s discovery of the Stone Age folk and the bone house. This series is okay, but probably best for Lawhead fans only.
February 9, 2018
The Bone House (Bright Empires, #2) by Stephen R. Lawhead is the sequel to the Skin Map - it continues the story of Kit and Mina - swept from modern London to different times, places and alternative realities - in the search for the Skin Map while outwitting the murderous Lord Burleigh.
In the Bone House more is revealed about the past of Burleigh and Arthur Flinders-Petrie (the man that is the map) and the antics of Douglas Flinders-Petrie (Arthur's great, grandson), while our reunited heroes win a victory, escape from Egypt only to be run into danger and find their paths have parted again - yet despite the unplanned journeys, perhaps another hand is directing them.
While this is somewhat a meandering tale, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it with the great characters and richly detailed settings - Egypt, Ancient Etrusca, Medieval Oxford, Prague, and Ice Age Europe, while the book ends on an intriguing note. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
In the Bone House more is revealed about the past of Burleigh and Arthur Flinders-Petrie (the man that is the map) and the antics of Douglas Flinders-Petrie (Arthur's great, grandson), while our reunited heroes win a victory, escape from Egypt only to be run into danger and find their paths have parted again - yet despite the unplanned journeys, perhaps another hand is directing them.
While this is somewhat a meandering tale, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it with the great characters and richly detailed settings - Egypt, Ancient Etrusca, Medieval Oxford, Prague, and Ice Age Europe, while the book ends on an intriguing note. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
September 22, 2017
This book is really good and I'm just becoming acquainted with this author. So far I like the way he writes. It feels a bit like Jim Butcher to me based on writing style. That being said, the first Bright Empires book was better. This one felt like it was just a bridge between important stuff that happened in the first book and some important developments that are about to happen in book 3. Somewhat slow without much of a climax. Despite that it gripped me enough to finish it with enough intrigue left over to make me go check out the third one.
June 7, 2018
This is such a great series, engaging, fascinating concepts, and wonderful characters. The chapters sometimes move through time and worlds somewhat randomly but always building on a bigger picture, a bigger story. And they all tie together nicely. A couple of jumps in the story confused me and I went back to see if my Nook jumped ahead but eventually the missing pieces get filled in beautifully. It works out just fine, my hubby is reading this as well and loves it. I am looking very forward to the next book.
March 4, 2020
The Bone house is the second in the Bright Empires series. The principal character is Kit Livingston, a hapless and helpless young man who (through his grandfather who had disappeared a century earlier) finds himself travelling between different dimensions and different times.
In book #2, we hear more of the arch enemy's story, Lord Burley, as well as getting a little more understanding of the map they are chasing, which was once the tattooed chest of a "lay traveller".
It's not Lawhead's best work, and the books don't resolve anywhere near enough, but it's an enjoyable enough read/listen.
In book #2, we hear more of the arch enemy's story, Lord Burley, as well as getting a little more understanding of the map they are chasing, which was once the tattooed chest of a "lay traveller".
It's not Lawhead's best work, and the books don't resolve anywhere near enough, but it's an enjoyable enough read/listen.
April 1, 2021
The first book was pretty much just a small introduction to the characters and plot.... but this one was so much more. The addition of some fascinating conversations on quantum physics, philosophy, science, archaeology, and history made this such an intriguing book that I flew through it. I had never before thought of the idea of tombs and burying the dead as an explanation for a creator and/or a soul. Reminds me of the Enders game series except add the concept of the multiverse theory and a bit of time travel
April 8, 2021
I felt the stinging heat while my feet sank into the sand with every step as I tread through an Egyptian desert. I fought the creeping cold and bleakness of London by gaslight. I savored the aroma of coffee and pastries and the relaxing ambience of the first cafe in Prague. I felt the mingle of fear and curiosity and excitement of exploring the unknown.
The Bone House has such an immersive story, vivid imagery, compelling characters, unique and fascinating ideas, and such detailed experiences. I had not felt so fully transported to another world in so long. Hats off to Stephen Lawhead.
The Bone House has such an immersive story, vivid imagery, compelling characters, unique and fascinating ideas, and such detailed experiences. I had not felt so fully transported to another world in so long. Hats off to Stephen Lawhead.
May 17, 2023
I did not care for this second book in the series as much as the first one. Very slow going. I particularly didn’t like some parts dealing with an abusive relationship, detailed descriptions of a sacrificial ritual to make magic happen, cavemen, and such. The whole last quarter of the book stopped switching between POVs and only focused on Kit. I missed the others, even the confusing ones. I will be continuing the series, however, as I’m still fascinated by the characters and the alternate dimensions theory of time travel!
July 24, 2020
Book 2 is in no way any less than book 1.
The richness of the story and text is mesmerizing.
We continue with our tale, in which, we find Mina to have coerced a device to help with ley travel. Ingenious if you ask me!
Kit is still exploring. However, together, the whole gang found one piece of the map.
Unfortunately, there is yet another story line that was introduced. Someone is hiding pieces of the map!
There are so many plots milling around, I am excited to continue the series!
The richness of the story and text is mesmerizing.
We continue with our tale, in which, we find Mina to have coerced a device to help with ley travel. Ingenious if you ask me!
Kit is still exploring. However, together, the whole gang found one piece of the map.
Unfortunately, there is yet another story line that was introduced. Someone is hiding pieces of the map!
There are so many plots milling around, I am excited to continue the series!
January 5, 2021
Not quite as strong a sequel as I would have hoped. This series feels a little chaotic; I'm having trouble following what there is of a plot. I missed the Cafe House in this one! Wilhelmina's plot was my favorite in the first book, but her role was completely changed in this book. Etzel practically was a non-character. :( Still planning to give the next installment a go, but likely not right away.
April 12, 2019
It’s a second book in the series. So it has some of the trappings of the middle of a trilogy. The inciting incident for this story happens at the end of book one — and while the ending is pretty satisfying (Lawhead is great at the satisfying ending) this is a book that fills in a lot of holes.
Nevertheless — I’m moving on to the next one. It’s still a fun series.
Nevertheless — I’m moving on to the next one. It’s still a fun series.
July 26, 2023
3.5 stars. Second book in the Bright Empires series. It may be slightly better than its predecessor, The Skin Map, in terms of writing; the story is really interesting in some parts but just weird and boring in other parts. All the same, I want to know what happens, so on to the next book in the series.
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