For such a short novel, Bones Picked Clean takes the reader on an expansive, heart-wrenching, and ultimately life-affirming journey. Jen Poteet combined poetry, gorgeous artwork, and prose to tell her story, and her descriptions created such a gorgeous atmosphere. It was clear to me how passionate she was about her characters and portraying them and the setting in a way that honors Appalachian culture. While the book is less than 200 pages, it covers a vast expanse of years and the journeys that life takes her characters on, while touching on how life can often be difficult and cruel and how that changes a person forever. Not to mention the inclusion of cryptids and folklore local to the area, which I loved!

I don't talk about this a lot, but I am a quarter Cherokee. I am extremely passionate about Cherokee culture and my family's experience, and it is something I am protective about. While I am not an expert on Cherokee representation by any means, I felt that Poteet did well to represent her characters in a way that was authentic and accurate. It was clear how much care she put into this aspect of her story and made sure that she portrayed Appalachian culture correctly. She also incorporates neurodivergence, and being neurodivergent myself, I connected deeply to the character of Chicory.

But what I loved most about this story was how real and flawed each character was, how they grew, and became who they were meant to be, despite what life threw at them. The overall tone was dark, but it was beautiful and shed light on a culture and people that are so often misportrayed or looked down on. Poteet, while being a gorgeous artist, also knows how to paint with words, and I cannot wait to read more from her. If you enjoy books with an atmospheric slow pace, characters who imprint themselves on your soul, and quick reads where every word written is intentional, you will love Bones Picked Clean.