Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a book that I can best describe as a historical fantasy, although it really crosses genres and romance is essential to the storyline, too. In this novel, we meet María in 1532 Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Charlotte in 1827 London and Alice in 2019 Boston, whose lives become interconnected through the centuries. Over time, we get to experience their all-consuming feelings of obsession, rage, hunger and, of course, love. And while the characters are certainly flawed (and downright infuriating at times), I couldn't help myself from wanting to know every detail about them and what makes them tick. Without giving too much away, it's a story that will leave you thinking about our own mortality and what it means to start new stages throughout life.
But don't just take it from me, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil has received some impressive early reviews on Goodreads, too. "If you love a story that sinks its teeth into you and refuses to let go, this is exactly that kind of book. It’s intoxicating, toxic and beautifully haunting—a perfect mix of sapphic desire, obsession and ruin wrapped in Schwab’s lyrical prose that feels both dreamy and gut-wrenching all together," wrote reviewer Rowan. Another reviewer, Heather, said, "I feel like words can’t do it justice. I just loved it…plain and simple as that. Her writing made me feel like I was there with the characters. I felt their rage their love, their grief, I felt it all." And if that's not enough, it's even a Book of the Month pick this month.
To wrap things up, I'll share with you one fun fact about myself: One semester in college I took a semester-long course on vampires (which, TBH, is all you need to know about me). While this obviously doesn't make me anywhere near an expert on literature featuring the undead, I have to say that this book has all the makings to become such a classic that I could see it being taught in that class (assuming it still exists—and if anyone at the University of Pittsburgh is reading this, it definitely should). And, honestly, I feel completely comfortable recommending this read to anyone, no matter which genres and themes you're normally drawn to, because it's just that good.
(BTW, all first editions come signed, but they're sure to go fast, so I'd suggest getting your hands on one sooner than later.)
