The novel Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer is a science/fantasy fiction thriller. The main character Nita lives in a world where various types of supernatural beings called “unnaturals” are entwined into the public, presenting themselves as normal people. Some of these unnaturals are registered as dangerous in nature under an organization called INHUP, which strives to create harmony in the ever-growing chaos. Nita herself is one of these beings, honing the ability to alter and heal her body. However, her status does not stop her from operating an illegal business with her parents where they obtain and sell “unnatural” body parts. Nita’s job in this scheme is to dissect and package the bodies in order to be sold on the black market, a process that brings her serenity despite being severely unethical. All was smooth until one day when Nita’s mother brought home another specimen, except this one is alive. For comfort, Nita tries to remain ignorant to how the bodies wind up on her table, but dissecting a live specimen crosses those boundaries she sets for herself and she fights the urge to help. After a struggle with her morality, Nita frees the specimen and sets him off to contact INHUP and be placed under protective custody. Returning home, Nita finds her mother on the counter instructing Nita to pack her bags as they will not be returning, but before the two reach safety, Nita is drugged and sold to unknown captors. Upon her awakening, she finds that her new home is that of the death market, a town in the Peruvian jungle where body parts of unnaturals are illegally bought and sold. The novel as a whole touches on the thematic concept of morals, as the main character struggles to identify the line of good versus evil. The plotline is significantly memorable, through Scheaffer’s use of horror-filled imagery along with several intense action scenes. The character development throughout the novel is impressive, and I feel very fondly towards Nita and the side character Kovit, who she meets along her journey in the market. Schaeffer has a way of making you feel for both of them through the complexity of their stories. Nita is courageous and comes from being a socially awkward girl, hidden away dissecting dead bodies in a basement, to adapting to the dark world of the death market. Putting the book down after finishing it was a difficult task since it ended on a cliffhanger, the most painful conclusion of a book. Along with having a memorable and exciting plotline, the novel touches on severe real-world issues through its plot. There are references to the black market and corrupt governments, both things more prevalent in society than hoped. In the end, my view on morality has altered to how fragile the boundaries one is willing to cross around it is. Not Even Bones, is not the lightest read and the more you think about it, the more there is to unpack. However, it is not a piece of Shakespearean literature, and there is no hidden message behind each paragraph. If you are looking for a slow but effective science-fiction horror or even an ethics-based novel, I recommend this book.
Alle B.
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