When Hop awakens in an ancient labyrinth, he has no memory of his life, or how he got here. He does not recognise the mysterious girl trapped with him. And he certainly cannot identify the shadowy figure stalking him, whispering terrible things…

But there is one thing he is certain of: He must escape.

The only way out of the labyrinth is through The Bone Door. But it lies behind a series of locked doors hidden across an array of strange realms. To open the way, Hop must complete impossible tasks before his time runs out.

As Hop travels deeper into the maze, he discovers that he and his companions may be more connected to the place and its horrors than he could ever imagine.

Unless Hop is able to unravel the true mystery of the labyrinth, and his own role within it, the Bone Door and any hope of escape will be lost forever.

The Bone Door by Frances White is dark fantasy at its best, full of imagery, mysteries, and friendship. The story has love hidden in unexpected places and impossible tasks. Hop is hopeful and undaunted but also haunted by trauma as are his companions. And it is the revelations of their place within the labyrinth that is the most wondrous element of all.

I love the complexity of the story, the friendships and characters of each of the companions. I love the way Hop struggles but keeps moving forward, at first for himself but for his friends as well. This is a story of darkness but also light, death and life. It is a story about love, friendship and the acceptance of self and like all the best fantasies, it will move you in unexpected ways.

If you like dark fantasy, The Bone Door is emotional, heartwrenching but also hopeful and wondrous as Hop learns truths and solves the mystery of who he is as well as trying to find a way home for himself and all his friends. This is a powerful story that is ultimately all about love.

Rating: 5 out of 5 skulls. ~~ Andrea Rittschof