This is a survival story, but whose survival should we truly be caring about? 

 

To the Bone takes place in James Fort, Virginia, between the years of 1609-1610. I’d tell you exactly how we know that, but it’s kind of a spoiler. James Fort was the first village established at what eventually would become the Jamestown Colony, the first complete English Colony in what would one day become America. 

 

It’s here in James Fort that our protagonist, Ellis, has found herself in a quandary. She came to America as an indentured servant to the Collins family, knowing her father had already made the crossing some years prior, but he’s not in James Fort and she can’t simply go and find him. Her mistress is miserable, her master both intrigues her and makes her uncomfortable, she isn’t comfortable with the way her fellow Englishmen treat the indigenous peoples, and she knows there’s no way she can be with Jane, the girl she loves. Ellis only wants to be a good girl, but it seems every choice she makes only leads her further and further down paths of wickedness. 

 

Bruzas uses the weather as an effective metaphorical storytelling tool to help move the plot along in this book: The story starts in summer, with long days, sunshine, and food to eat. There’s never an abundance of food, because they have to ration, but with the sun and the river and her friends Ellis is never too miserable. As the days grow shorter and colder, the characters and their circumstances change, bringing on the direst and darkest of circumstances toward the very end of the book. 

 

What makes this book a five star read is not only Bruzas’ impeccable storytelling talent and her dedication to telling as authentic of a story set during the “starving time” winter as possible, but also in making the reader think of this philosophical quandary: was this survival story ever truly about Ellis? Or was this survival story about the indigenous people of America, whose lands were being raided, crops were being stolen, livestock were being butchered, families were being torn apart, and whole histories were being destroyed with every month that passed by and with every English ship that landed on the Atlantic Seaboard? 

 

The ending of this book is very much up for interpretation. I have my own thoughts. The pacing in this book is implacable, just like colonization is. It’s merciless, just like genocide is. It pulls no patience for the young adult audience it's targeted to, and I’m glad, because someone has to tell young people the truth and they sure don’t teach it in school. 

 

Horrifying, but beautifully written. An unexpected but satisfying five star read. 

 

I was provided a copy of this title by the publishers and the author via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you. 

 

File Under: 5 Star Review/Body Horror/Historical Fiction/LGBTQ Romance/Literary Fiction/Standalone Novel/YA Fiction/YA Historical/YA LGBTQ Romance