This was a bit different than what i expected from this author. It was incredibly violent and graphic which i did not like at all. This turned me off from what could have been a heartwarming and bittersweet science fiction story. This felt like reading a Stranger Things type story, with a sprinkle of romance, but the spark between the main romantic characters wasn’t believable and didn’t have me rooting for them. The grumpy-sunshine connection was overshadowed by the violence and the main storyline

What genre does The Bones Beneath My Skin fit into? All of them, basically. T.J. Klune’s latest blends elements of the sci-fi, action, thriller, and queer romance genres (and probably a few more), which swirl together to create a compelling story about love, hope, acceptance, and humanity. (And an alien princess on the run from shady government agencies. That, too.) It also falls under the ‘Books That Will Likely Make You Sob in Public’ umbrella, which seems to be the author’s specialty. (I still haven’t properly recovered from reading The House in the Cerulean Sea tbh.)

As Klune explains in his author’s note, The Bones Beneath My Skin was initially deemed too “weird” for his previous publisher when he submitted it way back when, leading him to go the self-publishing route before re-releasing it now, in 2025, with his current publisher. And thank god for that, because this book is an action-packed knockout — thrilling and devastating, in equal measure. I’m grateful it’s out here in the world in any form.

The story kicks off in the spring of 1995, as former political journalist Nate Cartwright packs up his life in Washington DC following a humiliating incident that gets him fired, and heads to his family’s remote summer cabin in a tiny mountain town in Oregon. At this point, he’s got nothing to lose — his career is in shambles; his estranged, homophobic parents recently died; and his older brother, Ricky, essentially refuses to speak to him. He might as well hole up in the vacant cabin, which his parents left him in their will. It’s the one place he thinks he’ll find a sense of solace.

Alas, as soon as he arrives, he’s held at gunpoint by Alex, a gruff, growly Marine, and the extraordinary little girl, Artemis Darth Vader (yes, yes, the name, I know), he’s vowed to protect. They’re on the run and need a place to hide out. Not the homecoming Nate was expecting, to say the least. But, despite being pissed (and scared) (and maybe a little turned on, if he’s being honest — that giant, chiseled military man who’s crash-landed in his life is very giant and chiseled, OK?) he agrees to let them stay. Their futures quickly become intertwined in ways Nate never could have anticipated, especially since dangerous government agents seem to be willing to kill anyone in their path to get their hands on the girl.

I was actually highly, highly skeptical if this was going to be a book I’d enjoy, all because of one character: Artemis Darth Vader, the little 10-year-old girl who also happens to be a telekinetic alien on-the-run. (It’s a lot.) I was loving the first few bits of the book, fully invested, and then bam — precocious child character. And not just a precocious child character, but one named Artemis Darth Vader, who speaks almost entirely (at least for the first few chapters) as if she’s a old-timey western movie star. To quote one of the greatest poets of our time, “Immediately no.”

Exacerbating that issue was a little quirk in Klune’s writing style. He’s always been a master of description and setting a scene (things I love about his writing, for the record!) but the level of detail in this book is distracting. Nate doesn’t simply make a cup of coffee — he reaches his arm up to the cabinet and opens the cabinet door with his hand and grabs the bag of beans out of the cabinet and closes the cabinet door and places the bag on the counter and unrolls the top of the bag with his fingers and scoops out beans to put in the coffee maker and . . . you get the picture?

That style certainly has a place, and I’m definitely not saying I hated it. I really like Nate! I like this book a whole lot. But the highly-detailed narration of his every thought and action, combined with his more general neurotic tendencies, got just a liiiittle bit grating from time to time. I frequently had to keep my eyes from wandering to the next paragraph, wishing Klune would forfeit describing the minutia of a scene in order to move things along at a quicker pace.

Fortunately, once I settled into the story (and Artemis ditched her ‘yee-haw’ persona) those two nit-picky complaints fell away. Artemis grew on me, and the elements of Klune’s writing that I adore started to come through more. His books feel so worn-in and warm and comfortable, if that makes sense. Almost as if someone you love is reading them to you at bedtime. Just lovely, you know? Despite all of the exploding helicopters and top secret military experimental facilities and nefarious men with blonde ponytails (all of which make for fun thrills in an Escape to Witch Mountain kind of way), the real story in this novel — the love between its characters — is a quiet one.

Nate and Alex’s slow burn romance was the high-point for me (that dancing scene, like?!?!? 😭💖), followed closely by the bond that grows between Nate, Alex, and Art as a family unit. I wasn’t crazy about the ending, to be totally honest, but even so I was still rooting for them the way I would my own real-life friends. Maybe that’s because the foundations of Klune’s stories are built so strongly around hope and tenderness. His characters always seem to be on a journey to discover what it really means to be human, whether they’re little girls who happen to be aliens from far-flung corners of the galaxy, or little boys who happen to be the Antichrist. Klune reaches down into the beating, red heart of humanity and holds it out for you on the page.

And last, but not least: thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"We’re not alike. Not really. We’re separated by time and space. And yet, somehow, we’re all made of dust and stars."

I loved this book!! This was a weird, charming, and heart pounding story about family, love, and what it means to be human... oh, and bacon (iykyk)

I didn't know what to expect, but the mashup of genres in this book created something so special! I would call this a sci-fi thriller with a slow burn romance (spice included)

Nate has lost everything so he retreats to his family's old cabin. When he gets there, though, the cabin is not empty. He finds Alex and a 10-year-old girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. It soon becomes clear to Nate that he'll have to make a choice because Artemis is special. And there are forces who will stop at nothing to get to her.

If you've read Klune's work before, you'll have an idea of what to expect. Found family, LGBTQ+ rep, a message of tolerance, quirky but totally lovable characters, and the power to make me cry!

The Bones Beneath My Skin was a wild, nail-biting, suspenseful thrill ride with sweet, sometimes heart-wrenching, often hilarious moments sprinkled in! I can not recommend this book enough!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. As I read this, I didn’t realize it was an earlier book being republished, so the different feeling makes sense now. The story is interesting and the questions of what makes someone human and what happens when the “other” isn’t the one to fear but the fear of each other.? I struggle with why the need for the explicit scenes. They don’t add anything to the story and are more likely to put off readers than draw them in to what is a fascinating storyline. Klune’s later Cerulean Sea series balances the intimacy better without the details - perhaps as Klune matured as an author. Worth the read but be prepared for a very different framing of “other” than his later novels. Artemis does still tug at your heartstrings every bit as much as the children on Marsyas.

TJ Klune, best known for the cult-hit “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” has veered away from his usual fantasy and romantic romps featuring LGBTQ+ characters to deliver a story with soul, humor and a pinch of cosmic chaos.

In “The Bones Beneath My Skin” (Tor Books, $29.99), when down-on-his-luck journalist Nate stumbles upon a gruff protector, a quirky little girl named Artemis Darth Vader, and a whole lot of government secrets, his quiet cabin retreat turns into an intergalactic road trip. Packed with found-family feels, laugh-out-loud banter, and just enough danger to keep the tension nice and taut, this book is a wild ride that is as thrilling as it is deeply moving. Warning: Side effects may include emotional attachment and an uncontrollable urge to hug this book.

Gah. This book was GOOOOD.

As usual, Klune writes the most beautiful non-toxic male relationships.
As usual, Klune writes the wittiest dialogue.
As usual, Klune writes the most engaging, non-preachy social commentary.
As usual, Klune makes CATCH EVERY FEELING.

My only complaint is Chapter 16.

I hesitate even to mention it because of the ridiculous #sickofsmut (not to mention all the anti #rainbowmafia) bullshit going around, right now.

My complaint isn't the scene itself, but with the fact I can't share this fantastic book with a wider audience.

So, I've come up with what I believe is the perfect business idea.

My Gen X, Xennial, and older Millennials will remember watching G versions of all our favourite movies, cut for cable. What if, just like this, or like how we can choose between Pink's versions of "You're F**king Perfect", we could purchase abbreviated versions of our favourite books, that we could then pass on with impunity?

Dragons? Sharks? Bueller? Anyone?

Cozy meets suspense/thriller in this novel by Klune, leading readers on one adventure after another, with major Stranger Things vibes. In 1995, Nate is returning to his family’s cabin in Oregon after the death of his parents, when he realizes he’s not alone. He encounters a strange man named Alex and and even stranger little girl named Artemis Darth Vader, both hiding out there. He’s quickly caught up into their lives as the people after them catch up. While it feels like he has the absolute worst luck, Nate realizes he was meant to meet this extraordinarily special girl and together, the three become a sort of family of their own as they work to save their futures.
It’s unclear if this is a re-release with a new cover or new content by Klune, but either way, this was a beautiful story that is typical of their storytelling, pulling at the heartstrings, with high stakes along the way. The ending confused me some but I otherwise enjoyed reading this!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of this book. I was so excited to receive this as I love TJ Klune. Maybe Sci-Fi isn’t really my thing, but this book fell flat for me.

I love this authors writing & they always manage to get me to fall in love with the characters to quickly! I was devouring this book when I first started it. It started off quick and so interesting. About 40% in I had struggled to keep going. It got very boring to me and it took me a long time to finish it.

Overall I gave it 3 stars because I do really love the writing. This book however was just not for me.

I enjoyed this book overall. While it technically fits into the typical genres that I enjoy, it also has thriller vibes which is a bit outside of my comfort zone. The writing was pretty typical TJ Klune which I really enjoyed, but some parts were definitely repetitive. It was intense with high stakes and anxiety inducing action, while still being somewhat cozy and full of found family. Art's character was strange, but endearing. Nate and Alex were both characters who grew on me as the story progressed. I do wish there was a little bit more romance between the MMCs because that piece felt a bit rushed. Overall, it was an interesting read that kept me invested in the storyline.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

This is the best thing I’ve read by TJ Klune. It’s full of humor and hope. Artemis, Nate, and Alex are now one of my favorite found families. Art’s quirky personality and child-like wonder are endearing, and I laughed at her lack of filter and response to some very adult situations. It has some reflection on human nature without sounding didactic. Just an enjoyable read.

This was such a fun supernatural road-trip thriller featuring an extraordinary young girl and her two unlikely protectors on the run from cultists and the government. Swipe to see the naked cover (#bacon) and the beautiful character art. Klune's writing never fails to balance humor/witty prose with vulnerability, intimacy, and heart! It is hard to review this one without spoilers, but I had a great time in this standalone release.

The Bones Beneath My Skin T.J. Klune

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Liked it - might read it again

Trying to review this without spoilers! I spent the first third wondering what the heck is going on, suspecting certain things (without proof). There is a wonderful mystery surrounding these characters. Was I right? Yes.

Nate is in a rough patch. His parents are dead, he lost his job as a journalist and he has nowhere else to go. So he goes to the cabin his parents left him. Only it isn’t empty.

What I loved:
Artemis Darth Vader - Need I say more?
Alex and Nate - slow burn
Such witty dialogue

I’m not sure it’s the spine-tingling thriller mentioned in the description. The mystery behind why people are hunting for Alex and Art and then there are little scares throughout the book as they try to get where they are going. I love T.J. Klune and love his characters and the relationships he builds. Together they slowly build a family.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely LOVED this book. I couldn't stop turning the pages and could feel the suspense in my stomach.

It is Spring 1995 and Nate has lost everything. He's been fired from his job and his family have all cut him out. One day, he hears from his brother that their parents have died and they left him their cabin and his dad's truck. Nate decides to take some time at the cabin to think and figure out what his next move should be. However, when he arrives at the cabin, he finds a man named Alex and a little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader-or Art for short. Nate soon finds himself swept up in a fight to protect Art from dangerous forces who want her for her extraordinary qualities.

why am i crying?

the x-files meets cozy sci-fi in this absurd, heartfelt story about the family we choose. nick just lost his job and his parents, and his brother wants nothing to do with him. he heads to his family’s old cabin to be alone, but the cabin isn’t empty—inside he finds a man and a girl on the run, and finds himself with a choice to make.

i loved this book and will be picking up a copy for my shelves asap. the bones beneath my skin is lovely and hopeful and really, truly absurd—very much a “four stars in my head, five stars in my heart” book. i fell head over heels for nick and alex and artemis dark vader; the x-files vibes (the perfect combination of aliens and small towns and secret government conspiracies) were the cherry on top.

perfect for fans of found family, slow burns, ‘90s sci-fi, and bacon (iykyk).

So I just realized that this is an older book of TJ Klune’s that was originally self
published and is now being rereleased under a major publishing house.

I started this book and the first few chapters had me HOOKED. I couldn’t wait to get into the story. And then we get to the cabin and…just…what is even happening? I have skim read to about 25% and I couldn’t possibly be less interested because it’s tens upon tens of pages of essentially the same dialogue over and over. Boring!

So I am dnf’ing at 25%. Although I absolutely adored Cerulean I can’t seem to find that same magic in his other works.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Publishing Group, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

We're all made of stars and dust. It's a wonder humanity even exists. We live on a rock floating in space. And here I was thinking I'd read a book about two men and a little girl without realizing I'd come across a story of unconditional love, family, and what it means to be human. Klune's writing captivates me every time; The Bones Beneath My Skin is no exception. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat. Absolutely loved it.

I just finished The Bones Beneath My Skin, and with no surprise TJ Klune has brought another incredible book into the universe. This story had stranger things vibes, with a side of Jim Jones culty energy. I was here for every moment of it! Not to mention a sweet little love story between two unlikely fellas and the Apple of their eye, Artemis Darth Vader. The little extraterrestrial being who stole every piece of my heart. This was unlike Klunes other books. It was more action packed, but with the usual magic you love from his other books. Including the magic of love! I very much appreciated that Klune wanted to create a love story that didn’t focus on the physical aspect we usually see in romances, but it was still just as beautiful and powerful 🫶

"We’re not alike. Not really. We’re separated by time and space. And yet, somehow, we’re all made of dust and stars."

Y'all I don't know how TJ Klune does it but he keeps delivering on emotional, heartbreaking stories that somehow leaves me smiling at the end. The Bones Beneath My Skin is very different from his previous books. It's part sci-fi, part action with some romance and of course, a found family. At first it was giving me X-Men vibes, particularly Logan, but instead of the future this took place in the past, and instead of a mutant child, there was an alien. But there's so much more to this book than just two guys on the run with a super-powered child who can change the world.

This book goes from a small town in Oregon to well, another small town in Virginia. But along the way there's action and grief and love, so much love. Alex and Art have this amazing bond, and it takes barely any time before Nate is pulled into their circle. They're all struggling in the own ways but together they share something trule special.

Though Nate is the narrator of this book, Art was the true highlight for me. She's smart and genuine and so endearing. You can't help but fall in love with this pint-sized extraterrestrial who sees beauty in everything and finds joy in the mundane. She speaks her mind with a fearlessness that I think more people could do with, but she also cared with her whole self. I loved everything about her and her family.

Alex and Nate are just as amazing. They've both felt unimaginable loss, but they're still willing to do what's right and let go of the person they love most in the world. The three of them are so different from each other but that's what makes them work so well. Together they balance each other and bring out the very best in one another.

I thought I'd make it through this book without crying but I should have known that wouldn't be possible. These three had me bawling my eyes out and had my heart pounding so many times, but every second of it was worth it. I love everything about this story, from the old westerns to the blooming flower fields to all the bacon. But it all comes down to Art, Alex and Nate. They're what makes this book special and I'm so glad I got to go on this journey with them!

“Sometimes you need to take things on faith,” she said quietly. “Even if you think you have no faith left, I promise you, you do. All of you do. It’s easier, I think, to stay lost. But when you’re found, when you open your eyes, you can finally see the truth for what it is.”

Loved this book ❤️
While it wasn't written for me - I am not the 'target audience' - I loved the story told, and I love that there are people out there who need this story. TJ klune never fails to add diversity to the literature world through beautifully told stories, and this is one of them.
It does all start off a little strange - aliens, evil government (hmm...not that strange, I guess) - but it's easy to fall right into it.

This is another TJ classic. It's a good sci fi starter book, with the right amount of people to add suspense but kot be too confusing for those new to sci fi.

Always, TJ has good quuer representation. The people feel whole and not flat.

Recommed for those new to sci fi or new to TJ.