Disclosure: I received this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Before I launch into a review of The Feathered Bone, the characters in this book deserve a moment of silence.

After you read this book, you’ll see what I mean!

As mentioned in previous book reviews, Christian fiction doesn’t always mean a happy-go-lucky story. The Feathered Bone is a phenomenal example of an author who went beyond the limits, bringing reality to the pages of a fictional story.  Julie Cantrell was a new author to me, but her writing style reminded me of some of my favorite authors (Erin Healy, Cynthia Ruchti, and William Sirls).  She was unafraid to tackle the best and worst of humanity, while giving her characters the dimensional effects that made them seem so real.

Within the first few pages of The Feathered Bone, the foreshadowing begins to seep through the reader’s consciousness.  My mother’s intuition was on high alert as Cantrell’s main character, Amanda, described the scenes of a middle school field trip.  As the story takes on new life, so many social issues compounded one another.  Child abduction, human trafficking, depression, domestic abuse……it’s all in this story.  Like I said, Cantrell doesn’t hold back!  I felt very connected to the characters, and imagined their world even when I closed the pages.   The changing scenarios had me laughing, gasping, tensing, and reeling.  Amanda’s love for her family and friends just saturated each page.  The Feathered Bone is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come.

The only thing I found lacking from this incredible journey was a call-to-action for those who suffer.  The author’s note at the end of the book does this in a way; however, more direct assistance is needed.  At the very least, I thought the final pages would include hotline numbers for domestic abuse.  The story reaches out to survivors of sexual abuse, and could truly be a balm to  those who don’t know where to turn for help.   If The Feathered Bone could be more than just a story of hope and strength — if it could actually save a life — wouldn’t that be the true gift of love?