This is much less polished than A Fistful of Sky, which is understandable for a first novel, but it's still good. I do feel the end resolution is a tad bit too easy; it seems like everything just wraps up a bit quickly when really it's going to take a lot of work to "fix" everything. I think that another chapter or so added to the conclusion talking about the ramifications of the events of the novel would have made it more satisfying.Also, Maggie's story also seems unfinished - or maybe there's such an easy resolution that it seems like there's not one there. I do think that there'd be more emotional scarring than is shown after being abused for the majority of her life.Despite this, it does have the lyrical qualities I'd expect from reading A Fistful of Sky.My favorite part of the book is that it takes the emotional/mental relationship between Tom and Laura slowly even though they have a "connection." They acknowledge that they don't know each other at all yet, and that getting to know the other takes time. It's a welcome change from the typical "soul mate" or "love at first sight" spin where people act as if they've known the other party for their entire lives.This novel is worth tracking down (it's been out of print for years) but isn't at the level of her later works, so if you're new to Hoffman's work, start there before trying this one.
One of my favorite books. Very interesting magic. Interesting people, especially apparently ordinary Tom Renfield who stumbles on Chapel Hollow not knowing of the strange people who live there and their ways with magic. However, it turns out he has some magical talent of his own, and he's welcomed by the ghosts who live there, though the living residents are mostly more negatively inclined toward this outsider. Things have changed in the relations between the Hollow and the nearby town, in ways that the townspeople find difficult to live with. Tom is a breath of fresh air, and a needed antidote for some of what ails the area.I wish I could find my copy, or another copy. I'm just glad the library still has a copy, though it's not in very good shape. I'm pretty sure I first read this in the '90s when it was new.
The Thread That Binds the Bones is a pretty hard novel to find. (It is slightly easier to find related novel The Silent Strength of Stones and so far, Spirits That Walk in Shadows has not made an appearance at the local used book store.) I had originally sought this book out because I had read and liked The Silent Strength of Stones and from there started looking for the Matt Black books and reading her short stories. (I also eventually discovered the LaZelle Family books when they came out, which I also enjoyed.)Read this review on Rena's Hub of Random on WordPress.
—Rena McGee
Tom Renfield, janitor-cum-taxi driver, has always had some weird abilities - seeing ghosts, perceiving other 'currents' of energy... but he's always tried to ignore them. Running from himself seems to be a large part of how he ended up in the tiny town of Arcadia. However, when he picks up a beautiful model from the big city in his taxi and sets off to take her to her brother's wedding at an obscure house in the woods, little does he know what he's in for. Laura's extended family are an ancient clan of witches(?) who make a habit of terrorizing and enslaving the townspeople. However, that doesn't stop Tom from instantly falling in love with her. With the help of a ghost, things are about to get shaken up in the town of Arcadia...
—Althea Ann
I love this book. It just warms me up from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. This is the proverbial warm blanket.It the best example of Urban Fantasy in all of its most lyrical splendor. If I could, I would give copies of this books to everyone that comes into my library. Nina Kiriki Hoffman, turns a typical Romeo and Juliet type story and infuses it with warmth, heart and a magic so bright and beautiful, it will leave you breathless in the end, with a smile on your face.In the light of Urban fantasy explosion of late, this is an original classic, that is worthy of a lot more attention than it is currently getting.
—Rudi
