It’s not often you come across a book that leaves you in awe after closing the final page, but House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias is one of those books. House of Bone and Rain is a haunting and intense mixture of crime and horror that leaves a lasting impression.
For childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul, and Bimbo, death has always been close. Hurricanes. Car accidents. Gang violence. Suicide. Estamos rodeados de fantasmas was Gabe’s grandmother’s refrain. We are surrounded by ghosts. But this time is different. Bimbo’s mom has been shot dead. We’re gonna kill the guys who killed her Bimbo swears. And they all agree.
Feral with grief, Bimbo has become unrecognizable, taking no prisoners in his search for names. Soon, they learn Maria was gunned down by guys working for the drug kingpin of Puerto Rico. No one has ever gone up against him and survived. As the boys strategize, a storm gathers far from the coast. Hurricanes are known to carry evil spirits in their currents and bring them ashore, spirits which impose their own order.
House of Bone and Rain is a powerful coming-of-age tale that explores brotherhood, revenge and the supernatural. Gabino Iglesias gives us vivid characters dealing with the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and loss. From Bimbo’s relentless quest for vengeance to Gabe’s inner turmoil over his grandmother’s cryptic warnings about ghosts, the novel is filled with richly developed characters who leap off the page.
Iglesias’ writing in House of Bone and Rain has a genuine and passionate feeling to it. His writing is lyrical yet gritty, with vivid descriptions that bring the world of Puerto Rico to life with dialogue screams with authenticity. The story has such an amazing setting, vibrant culture and rich history that feels like Gabino is telling the story with his heart. He skillfully weaves together elements of crime, horror and folklore to creative a tale that is thrilling and thought-provoking. Including supernatural twists and turns, while also exploring deeper themes about fate, destiny, and the consequences of our actions adds so much depth to the story.
House of Bone and Rain is a rare gem that transcends genre boundaries, delivering a compelling story that lingers in long after you’ve finished reading. Gabino Iglesias delivers an unforgettable pulse-pounding tale that gives us Stephen Graham Jones vibes while combining crime fiction and horror in such a tremendous way.
House of Bone and Rain is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Jean-Marc Berne & Daya Mendez, is available at Libro.fm!
