Bones of a Saint

Grant Farley

2020 • 289 pages

Ratings2

Average rating3.5

Set in Northern California in the late ’70s, this timeless coming-of-age story examines the nature of evil, the art of storytelling, and the possibility of redemption. Fifteen-year-old RJ Armante has never known a life outside his deadend hometown of Arcangel, CA. The Blackjacks rule as they have for generations, luring the poorest kids into their monopoly on petty crime. For years, they’ve left RJ alone, but now they have a job for him: prey upon an old loner in town. In spite of the danger, RJ begins to resist. He fights not only for himself, but for his younger brother, Charley, whose disability has always made RJ feel extra protective of him. For Roxanne, the girl he can’t reach, and the kids in his crew who have nothing to live for. Even for the old loner, who has secrets of his own. If RJ is to break from the Blackjacks’ hold, all of Arcangel must be free of its past.

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Abby

It took me a couple of months to make it through the audiobook of Bones of a Saint, and I can't quite put my finger on why.

I enjoyed the story well enough but was never truly engaged in it or felt deeply about any of the characters. It was still entertaining, however.

The narrator gave a good performance, but, in my opinion, I don't think he was a good fit for the book. This is based purely on the fact that RJ, the protagonist, is supposed to be 15, and the narrator sounds like he's in his thirties. It brought me out of the story; I was always aware that I was listening to someone read this book – never genuinely engaged in the narrative.

The ending did not satisfy me. Again, maybe it's because I never really connected with the book. But I was left with the feeling that I will not remember this book at all in a month.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.