A truly powerful and riveting story of poetic justice that needs to be read by all! This gritty, raw tale of grief and vengeance sank its teeth into my heart and completely devoured it. I fell in love with those boys and the brotherhood that they shared. Their unconditional loyalty to each other was moving and depicted beautifully by the author. I couldn't even begin to imagine the horrors that these boys faced in their community. It's sad that kids have to grow up way too fast in order to survive. It was interesting to learn more about Puerto Rico and its culture and spiritual folklore. The supernatural aspect to this story was really cool! I'm also glad that the author translated most of the Spanish dialogue for us readers. My Spanish is a little rusty, but I was able to follow along without a hitch. The book was compared to Stand by Me in the synopsis, but I feel like it's more a cross between a Latinx S.A. Cosby book and the movie Four Brothers. Yes, my fellow readers, this book is that good!! I loved every minute of it and I'm really going to miss these characters. I highly recommend that you read this as soon as you can! It's sure to be a strong favorite in 2024.

Thank you to the author, Mulholland Books, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

Wow, that was a great book. I haven’t yet gotten a chance to read The Devil Takes You Home, but I’ve definitely heard the hype and was ecstatic for this one.

This book is BLEAK. It’s a rough read at times, but I couldn’t turn the page fast enough. I felt the characters were fleshed out well and there was a lot of depth to be found within them. The supernatural elements were super intriguing and I vibed hard with the story.

I also was fascinated by the Puerto Rican voice of the story. I haven’t read many Puerto Rican authors, and really appreciated learning a snippet of what it must feel like to be the neglected colony. I’ve never been to PR but this definitely helped shaped my view on the struggles of the country, but also the beauty of family within.

There were a few points where the story felt a bit cyclical while simultaneously being heavy on the violence, so I think those parts could be fleshed out a bit better.

Overall, I look forward to reading more from Iglesias. The Devil Takes You Home has absolutely shot up my tbr list.

Definitely don’t miss this one!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gabe is trying to make his way in a rough part of Puerto Rico. His girlfriend is hoping to become a nurse in America with the intention of moving them to a better place. But when Gabe’s best friend Andrés’ mother is gunned down outside a local bar, a group of friends, fresh out of high school, make a pact to take down the ruthless drug lords responsible, and discover an evil lurking just below the shadows that has been keeping the entire island in fear.

Iglesias’ previous novel, THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME, was such a high-charged, non-stop thriller I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to top it, but he surely has. By combining a realistic crime story with a fresh take on a classic horror trope, this HOUSE invites the reader inside with its gritty street drama, and by the time the supernatural element exposes itself, the reader is so invested in the happenings it’s easy to accept the almost fantasy side of the author’s bleak underworld.

Packed with brutal violence and a real sense of terror at every turn, the lightning fast prose pulls the reader to the last page as quickly as a bullet to the temple. This is a coming of age tale for those who like their horror on the hardcore side, and is yet another kick ass offering from a writer whose ink will permanently scar you.

This book was so incredible! Definitely a five star for me. I learned more about my Puerto Rican heritage than I previously knew about. I enjoyed the history and folktale aspect. Makes me want to research so much more! For now I will never see the island the same and maybe that’s a good thing! Can’t wait to pick up my copy and gift it to my Puerto Rican family. Will a reread for me!

What a wild ride!! I thought it couldn't get better than The Devil Takes You Home. But it clearly can.

Dripping with dread and darkness from the occult, House of Bone and Rain takes you to the dark underbelly of a post hurricane Puerto Rico where the only light to be found is from your brothers and family. Set out on a quest for vengeance, a group of close friends test their resolve, their friendship and their sanity.

When Bimbo's mother is brutally gunned down, him and his friends decide to avenge her death. They discover a dark and mystical side of La Perla that existed right underneath their noses and have to kill their way up to the head boss who ordered the kill.

This novel is amazing. I couldn't tear my eyes from the page. The mix of English and Spanish was perfect and it was so nice to see conversational Spanish accurately being used in a text. I also loved how this novel depicted the dark underbelly of Puerto Rico, but also highlighting the joys and family that can be found even in the darkest of times on the island. This author is somebody who I will always trust and buy and read their books. Because as of right now, not one miss to be found.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this upcoming release!

This book is Inglesias’ follow up to the Bram Stoker award winning novel “The devil takes you home” and let me just say, if you thought he couldn’t encapsulate the same magic that he did in book one, buckle up! Weaving a tale of grief and dark vengeance, Iglesias writes so unapologetically Puerto Rican. It’s magnificent. He does such a great job at his scene and setting that most times I ended chapters with a bizarre sense of longing. Not for violence but for the island itself.

He writes about the island just as beautifully as he touches on the depths of grief. The characters feel real, some all too real. And the narration style doesn’t miss a beat. Gabino mentions everything from La cultura, the slums of La Perla, and that infamous cemetery all boricuas know and are intrigued by. He touches on religion, but never once preached it. Religion, like the island, and the vengeance, serves a purpose here.

Bravo Gabino

Just a damn good book: gritty, instantly gripping, a true spectacle. It doesn't matter what genre is your favorite or if you even like thrillers. I think everybody can appreciate this because of how good the writing and the characters are. Highly recommended.

This book has drained me of all of my energy. It grabs you from the first page and twists you every way but loose! 5 boys growing up in Puerto Rico swear to always be there for one another. When Bimbo’s mother (Maria) is shot dead on a street in San Juan, they decide to get revenge. Maria had crossed the line in some of her business dealings and was murdered for it. These teenage boys had no idea what they were up against. A big drug lord, a corrupt government and now a cat 5 hurricane is about to hit the island! Your heart will pound and break into pieces. I dont think there will ever be a book that will effect me like this again! House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias gets too many stars to count! Due out in August 2024.

This was such a unique reading experience. I don’t typically gravitate toward books with supernatural elements but I did enjoy this. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This mixed grief and love with the perfect level of supernatural eeriness. This is the first book I have read from this author and I am so enamored. It will definitely not be my last!!

Danger has always surrounded them, this group of friends we follow... but when the mother of Gabe's best friend is killed, Bimbo lets his desire for revenge get the best of him. Bimbo will stop at nothing to make those responsible for her death pay for what they have done, bring Gabe and the rest of them into the melee.

When these boys really learn what is going on, that Maria's death was at the behest of a Puerto Rico kingpin, a storm approaches. Growing up learning that hurricanes bring spirits to the land on their ocean currents, these boys quickly see that it isn't just the untouchable criminal they are up against, but another darker presence, brought in with the storm.

Blending a high octane gritty thriller with a deep rooted and spiritual evil, House of Bone and Rain was such a unique experience. I couldn't stop thinking about this book, and don't think it will leave my brain for a long time.