The Boneshaker

My 13 year old son and I both really enjoyed this novel. I bought it for him but he liked it so much that I wanted to read it too. It's a fun and exciting plot with interesting characters who have some real depth. One of the themes of the novel is that no one is all bad or all good (reminiscent of Hawthorne), and that plays out in satisfying, thoughtful ways. I'm not usually a fan of the supernatural, but it's an element here, not the main focus. Even with the supernatural, the novel has a nice skeptical bent that I appreciated, particularly with its suspicion of patent medicines, phrenology, and other early 20th century pseudo-scientific nonsense, which have their own troubling descendants today. In both youth and adult novels I appreciate thematic depth and resonance that is not too heavy-handed, and that is exactly the case here. It's also worth mentioning that though the main character is a young girl, this is not a "girl book" by any means - there is plenty of action, danger, and mystery for any teen boy, and, to echo The Princess Bride, there is "no kissing."Overall, I think this is a terrific novel for kids and adults both. I look forward to seeing what the author does next.

This is the best book I've read in a while! I've recommended it to my 10-year old and am excited for her to enjoy it, too. It was a refreshing take on heroism with the protagonist being a young girl who must face her fears and overcome obstacles in order to fulfill her fate. As many great tales of heroes are, this story is about love, but not any cliched romantic love - it's the hero's love for her family and community that give her strength. The fantastic/supernatural aspect was fascinating, and challenged and engaged me as a reader. There's also a wonderful tale of unexpected redemption that I greatly enjoyed and am still marvelling over. This reminded me of another childhood favourite - Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, which I've been inspired to go back and re-read thanks to Milford's novel. The Boneshaker is epic in scope and all about the human condition - loved it!

I read this book with eight of my advanced middle school students as they worked their way through the 20 Georgia Children's Book Award nominees. Of all the books we read, this was far and away their least favorite.Although the concepts of the book were well within my students' grasp, they found the book difficult to read. Even the most avid reader in the group had trouble finishing it. When asked why, all the students responded that it was "boring." They found it difficult to get into the story due to the slow development during the exposition and found that they cared little for the characters.On a positive note, they were interested in the concept of a traveling medicine show and enjoyed researching similar fairs that actually existed. They also liked the fantasy elements of the story, although they found them bogged down in overlong descriptions and tired characters. I must admit that even as an adult reader, I found the novel boring and slow.This certainly offers some refreshing new elements in a played-out genre, but the writing style makes it less accessible than it could have been with a more deft hand.

This novel certainly held ones attention. I found myself holding my breath at times wondering if our young heroine will escape the clutches of such an evil being. All the while trying to learn to ride a bicycle that her father had gotten her, A very unique Bicycle I might say.

I thought this was an excellent book. Great writing, interesting characters and storyline. Such a refreshing change from the cookie cutter YA that is out there these days.

I love the Greenglass House books, so I was eager to read this story from the same author. Unfortunately, it devolves so far into horror that I couldn't finish it. There's enough gruesomeness in the real world -- I don't need to add any more to my mind.

This book is genuinely suspenseful with incredible imagery. I am quickly becoming a Milford fan! After reading Greenglass House and now Boneshaker, I am convinced that she is emerging as one of the best authors of this genre.

An amazing, wondrous book about crossroads, the devil and even growing up in the best tradition of both Ray Bradbury and Neil Gaiman. Read and enjoy!