This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I’m reluctant to admit I was almost unable to fit it into 2019. I’m going to lead off saying I will be rereading this at some point. There is just so much substance packed into 200 pages of ultra-violent, fever dream insanity. There is simply no way I could have caught every nuance in one go.

Nicholas Day treats us to four interweaving vignettes littered with philosophy, religion, violence, and gore. We’re introduced to monstrous creatures that should be mundane, but instead hunt with a terrifying intelligence and insatiable appetite. We meet decent people who we know won’t be spared. Our primary antagonist is truly one-of-a-kind. It’s all too tempting to say he’s evil incarnate, but it doesn’t quite go far enough. The heinous deeds contained within almost come as an over-the-top caricature of evil, minus any trace of humor.

I think of the different parts of Grind Your Bones to Dust vignettes because although there are a number of connections, they read as separate events. Part four does such a nice job of bringing all of the events we’ve been privy to so far, to a conclusion that satisfies. One of my favorite parts was the oft repeated mantra “and he/she would never be any deader”. It reminded me of something one might see in a Vonnegut or Palahniuk book, and I found myself consistently anticipating the next instance.

Grind Your Bones to Dust is not a beach-read type of book. This is a story that unceremoniously demands your undivided attention, and shan’t hesitate to reach out and grab it if it’s not offered.