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 A Ship of Bones and Teeth 

by Karina Halle



“The Ship of Bones and Teeth” by Karina Halle is a monster-filled fever dream in the best way possible, and I am absolutely hooked.

This was my first time diving into Karina Halle’s work, and if this book is anything to go by, it certainly won’t be my last. I finished it late last night, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. From the first page to the last, it’s an action-packed, high-stakes, gloriously unhinged ride through dark waters teeming with danger, desire, and the kind of monsters that make you question your morals, in the best way.

Imagine if The Little Mermaid got tangled up with Pirates of the Caribbean after a blood pact with Van Helsing, and then someone cranked up the spice and dialed the horror up to eleven. That’s the vibe. There are krakens. There are vampires. There are pirate ships full of the undead (yes, plural). Sea witches. Curses. And did I mention the Scottish vampire pirate captain? Because yeah. He exists. And I’m still recovering.

Maren, our main character, starts off soft and meek, she’s spent her life playing it safe, but watching her evolve and reclaim her power was so satisfying. She grows teeth, spine, and fire, and she does it in her own time, in her own way. Bones, our monstrous leading man, is exactly what you’d hope a vampire pirate would be: dangerous, magnetic, morally grey, and completely unhinged in the best way. Their chemistry? Off the charts. The spice in this book isn’t just there for flavor, it’s woven into the emotional tension and character arcs in a way that makes it feel earned. (Also, it’s hot. Really hot.)

The world Halle has created here is rich and chaotic in the most captivating way. It’s gothic, salty, soaked in blood and magic, and filled with lore that makes you want to know more. I had the privilege of reading along while listening to the audiobook, and let me just say: it elevated the experience tenfold. The narration is phenomenal, immersive, intense, and absolutely perfect for the tone of the story.

One thing I will note: there are definitely trigger warnings in this book, so please be sure to check them before diving in. But if dark fantasy, morally grey monsters, fierce heroines, and a boatload of spice sound like your thing? Run, don’t walk.

This was a five-star, “keep-me-up-all-night,” scream-into-a-pillow read, and I can’t wait to dive into more of Karina Halle’s books. If The Ship of Bones and Teeth is any indication, I’m in for one hell of a journey.






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