Synopses & Reviews
June Hur's elegant and haunting debut The Silence of Bones is a bloody YA historical mystery tale perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Ren e Ahdieh.
I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eyes, but I mustn't see.
1800, Joseon (Korea). Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: "May you live in interesting times." Indentured to the police bureau, she's been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.
As they delve deeper into the dead woman's secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder.
But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.
Praise for The Silence of Bones
ABA Indies Introduce Selection
"At once haunting and evocative, June Hur's The Silence of Bones is a gorgeous, tightly-woven debut. Prepare to delve deep into the lush and dangerous world of Korea in the 1800's for a page-turner you won't soon forget." —Hafsah Faizal, New York Times-bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame
"An emotionally gripping journey. The Silence of Bones is a suspenseful, thrilling read, and readers will be swept away by Hur's meticulous weaving of historical detail and the depth of her characters' family ties." —Elizabeth Lim, author of Spin the Dawn
Review
"Gripping....An exhilarating thriller, pitting the powerful against the power-hungry, endowing the powerless with affecting agency." Shelf Awareness
Review
"In this striking debut, Hur has crafted an intriguing historical mystery set in a time period often overlooked in YA....A compelling mystery for lovers of Victorian murder cases." Booklist
Review
"The Korean concept of han, as well as customs, language, and politics, are woven flawlessly into the narrative....a memorable and worthwhile read." Publishers Weekly
Review
"This book is beautifully written, and moves at a brisk pace....Engaging and dynamic. Hur's first novel does an excellent job of exploring a topic that isn't found widely in YA literature." School Library Journal
About the Author
June Hur was born in South Korea and raised in Canada, except for the time when she moved back to Korea and attended high school there. She studied History and Literature at the University of Toronto. She began writing her debut novel after obsessing over books about Joseon Korea. When she's not writing, she works as an assistant for the public library or can be found journaling at a coffee shop. June is the author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, and currently lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter.