Editorial Content for House of Bone and Rain
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Time stops for Gabe and his childhood friends when they learn that their friend Bimbo’s mother, Maria, has been murdered. Words are only a token of comfort in the wake of such an enormous loss. Gabe, Paul, Tavo and Xavier know they have to be there for Bimbo in his time of need. Upon arriving at his side, they can see how anger has consumed him. A void has been left in his heart, and now he wants revenge. There is little question of Gabe and the others being all in for Bimbo as they have been a strong group for years.
Maria had worked as a doorperson at a nightclub owned by local organized crime figures. Bimbo informs his friends that the first inquiries will need to be posed to the man who assumed Maria’s duties. The quintet knows they will have to be furtive in their maneuverings so as not to tip off the gangsters and risk violent reprisals. Once they have their target in their grasp, a ferocious interrogation begins, and Gabe finds himself floored by Bimbo’s violent outburst.
"Iglesias’ gift as a storyteller is undeniable in HOUSE OF BONE AND RAIN, which combines mystery, horror and psychological drama."
Bimbo’s inquiry leads to a few names being dropped and a dead doorman. The friends have a tough time coming to grips with the initial bloodletting. Paul swore that he saw someone as the unlucky thug was being detained and questioned. This presumed paranoia is seemingly vindicated when Xavier is found dead shortly thereafter, and Gabe's mother is assaulted in their home.
The danger that Gabe and his friends are facing is soon from forces beyond drug runners as a strong hurricane threatens Puerto Rico. When Bimbo reaches out to Gabe and requests his assistance in handling the next suspect, Gabe is there for him. The violence of Mother Nature is only exceeded by the violence committed by a newly orphaned son.
As Gabe and Bimbo draw perilously close to the shot callers who conspired to murder Maria, Puerto Rico goes dark. Strange entities begin to appear and let loose with unspeakable carnage. Gabe starts to question if he and his friends will emerge alive from this mission of payback. If they do survive, he knows that life will never be the same again.
In this compelling novel, Gabino Iglesias takes the revenge tale to the outer limits as elements of the supernatural begin to blend into Bimbo’s righteous journey for justice. Gabe is the primary narrator of the story, an initial moral compass who finds himself caught adrift in the visceral desire for vengeance. The bond of friendship inextricably links Gabe to Bimbo and his other pals to the point where Gabe would sacrifice anything to protect those he considers family. The narrative progresses steadily from start to finish, and the conclusion is exceedingly rewarding.
Iglesias’ gift as a storyteller is undeniable in HOUSE OF BONE AND RAIN, which combines mystery, horror and psychological drama.
Teaser
For childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul and Bimbo, death has always been close. Hurricanes. Car accidents. Gang violence. Suicide. Estamos rodeados de fantasmas was Gabe’s grandmother’s refrain. We are surrounded by ghosts. But this time is different. Bimbo's mom has been shot dead. We’re gonna kill the guys who killed her, Bimbo swears. And they all agree. Feral with grief, Bimbo has become unrecognizable, taking no prisoners in his search for names. Soon, they learn Maria was gunned down by guys working for the drug kingpin of Puerto Rico. No one has ever gone up against him and survived. As the boys strategize, a storm gathers far from the coast. Hurricanes are known to carry evil spirits in their currents and bring them ashore, spirits that impose their own order.
Promo
For childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul and Bimbo, death has always been close. Hurricanes. Car accidents. Gang violence. Suicide. Estamos rodeados de fantasmas was Gabe’s grandmother’s refrain. We are surrounded by ghosts. But this time is different. Bimbo's mom has been shot dead. We’re gonna kill the guys who killed her, Bimbo swears. And they all agree. Feral with grief, Bimbo has become unrecognizable, taking no prisoners in his search for names. Soon, they learn Maria was gunned down by guys working for the drug kingpin of Puerto Rico. No one has ever gone up against him and survived. As the boys strategize, a storm gathers far from the coast. Hurricanes are known to carry evil spirits in their currents and bring them ashore, spirits that impose their own order.
About the Book
In the latest from Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker award-winning author of THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME, a group of young men seek vengeance after one of their mothers is murdered in a Puerto Rican slum.
For childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul and Bimbo, death has always been close. Hurricanes. Car accidents. Gang violence. Suicide. Estamos rodeados de fantasmas was Gabe’s grandmother’s refrain. We are surrounded by ghosts. But this time is different. Bimbo's mom has been shot dead. We’re gonna kill the guys who killed her, Bimbo swears. And they all agree.
Feral with grief, Bimbo has become unrecognizable, taking no prisoners in his search for names. Soon, they learn Maria was gunned down by guys working for the drug kingpin of Puerto Rico. No one has ever gone up against him and survived. As the boys strategize, a storm gathers far from the coast. Hurricanes are known to carry evil spirits in their currents and bring them ashore, spirits that impose their own order.
Blurring the boundaries between myth, mysticism and the grim realities of our world, HOUSE OF BONE AND RAIN is a harrowing coming-of age-story; a doomed tale of devotion, the afterlife of violence and what rolls in on the tide.
Audiobook available, read by Jean-Marc Berne and Daya Mendez