By These Ten Bones by Clare B. Dunkle

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (April 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805074961
• ISBN-13: 978-0805074963
• List Price: $16.95
• I finished this book on Feb. 10

I sat around for quite a while before writing this one trying to cook up something definitive to share with you. Honestly, I've got nothing. So, here goes: let me set the scene for you: it's the Middle Ages. Our heroine is not that attractive. She meets a boy who has a secret. Guess what? He's a werewolf. She decides she's gonna let that slide. Chaos ensues. There is a lot of "I love you" action being thrown around here, but not even kissing. Lame-o.
Here's what I liked about it: the historical fiction-y aspects of it were interesting and very well researched, according to the author's webpage; here. I liked the werewolf lore in the story okay, including the "cure".
Here's what I didn't like: the character development wasn't as deep as I had hoped. I wasn't particularly attached to anyone of them. The story didn't feel particularly solid to me.
But mostly, I'm just feeling kinda "eh" about this one. I'm not mad at it, but I don't want to date it either, you know? Werewolves are second in my heart after vampires, and I can really get behind a monster who doesn't want to be a monster, but for some reason, I am not really feeling this book. Yes, it's a YA book, so I am trying to put it in that context in my head. But another YA werewolf book, Blood and Chocolate, keeps coming to mind, and it is overshadowing this one, big time. I would suggest that one over this one, and if you're interested, check out this werewolf site here.