The Bone House (Bright Empires Series #2)

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Overview

Kit Livingstone met his great-grandfather Cosimo in a rainy alley in London where he discovered the truth about alternate realities.

Now he's on the run-and on a quest-trying to understand the impossible mission he inherited from Cosimo: to restore a map that charts the hidden dimensions of the multiverse. Survival depends on staying one step ahead of the savage Burley Men.

The key is the Skin Map-but where it leads and what it means, Kit has no idea. The pieces have been scattered throughout this universe and beyond.

Mina, from her outpost in seventeenth-century Prague, is quickly gaining both the experience and the means to succeed in the quest. Yet so are those with evil intent who, from the shadows, are manipulating great minds of history for their own malign purposes.

Those who know how to use the ley lines have left their own world behind to travel across time and space-down avenues of Egyptian sphinxes, to an Etruscan tufa tomb, into a Bohemian coffee shop, and across a Stone Age landscape where universes collide-in this, the second quest to unlock the mystery of The Bone House.

The Bright Empires series-from acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawhead-is a unique blend of epic treasure hunt, ancient history, alternate realities, cutting-edge physics, philosophy, and mystery. The result is a page-turning, adventure like no other.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Lawhead's second Bright Empires time-travel tale (after May's The Skin Map) is an incoherent collection of storylines populated by an unwieldy cast of thinly drawn characters. Series protagonist Kit Livingstone wanders through early 19th–century Egypt and an alternate timeline populated by cavemen in the still-incomplete quest for the Skin Map, which holds the secret of the ley lines that make time travel possible and is the key to a further mystical secret involving the mysterious Well of Souls. Kit is a passive victim, spending much of his time lost or confused, while his girlfriend Wilhelmina, an improbably competent ley-traveler, makes excursions from 17th-century Prague to offer cryptic guidance. The threat of the villainous Archelaeus Burleigh fades, as he makes few appearances outside childhood flashbacks. Succeeding only at frustrating the reader with the jumble of unresolved mysteries and subplots, Lawhead leaves an initially promising series in utter disarray. (Sept.)

Library Journal

Kit Livingstone met his great grandfather and discovered the truth about ley lines in The Skin Map. One part of the map has been found, and Kit is on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of those who would bring the pieces together for dark purposes. The race takes him across space and time as both good and evil forces vie to discover the secrets of the bone house. VERDICT This taut thriller is full of rich imagery and will appeal equally to readers of suspense and fantasy. For fans of Ted Dekker.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781595548054
Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date: 9/6/2011
Pages: 416
Sales rank: 78,262
Series: Bright Empires Series , #2
Product dimensions: 6.50 (w) x 9.30 (h) x 1.50 (d)

Meet the Author

Stephen Lawhead

Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include the first two books of the Celtic Crusades, The Iron Lance and The Black Rood, Byzantium the Pendragon Cycle, The Song of Albion, and Dragon King trilogies, as well as the science fiction novels, Empyrion I and II and Dream Thief.

Read an Excerpt

THE BONE HOUSE

By STEPHEN R. LAWHEAD

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2011 Stephen Lawhead
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4016-8649-9

Chapter One

In Which Some Things Are Best Forgotten

From a snug in the corner of the Museum Tavern, Douglas Flinders-Petrie dipped a sop of bread into the gravy of his steak and kidney pudding and watched the entrance to the British Museum across the street. The great edifice was dark, the building closed to the public for over three hours. The employees had gone home, the charwomen had finished their cleaning, and the high iron gates were locked behind them. The courtyard was empty and, outside the gates, there were fewer people on the street now than an hour ago. He felt no sense of urgency: only keen anticipation, which he savoured as he took another draught of London Pride. He had spent most of the afternoon in the museum, once more marking the doors and exits, the blind spots, the rooms where a person might hide and remain unseen by the night watchmen, of which there were but three to cover the entire acreage of the sprawling institution.

Douglas knew from his researches that at eleven each night the head watchman retired to his office on the ground floor to make tea. He would be duly joined by his two underling guards, and the three would enter their observations in the logbook and then spend an enjoyable thirty minutes drinking their tea, eating pies, and exchanging gossip.

While they were thus occupied, he would strike.

The pub was quiet tonight, even for a damp Thursday in late November. There were only five other patrons in the place: three at the rail and two at tables. He would have preferred more people—if only so his own presence would not be so noticeable—but he doubted it would make much difference. In any event, there was nothing he could do about it.

"Everything all right, sir?"

Douglas turned from the window and looked up. The landlord, having little to do this evening, was making the rounds and chatting with his customers.

"Never better," replied Douglas in a tone he hoped would dismiss further intrusion. But the man remained hovering over the table.

"Mr. Flinders-Petrie, is it not, sir?"

"Indeed so." He offered a bland smile to cover his annoyance at being recognised on this night of all nights. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage. I was not aware that my name would be common knowledge."

The landlord chuckled. "No, I suppose not. But do you not recognise me, sir?"

Douglas looked more closely at him. There was a vague familiarity about the fellow, but ... no, he could not place him.

"Cumberbatch, sir," the landlord volunteered. "I worked for your father, I did. Oh, quite a few years ago." At Douglas' dubious expression, he said, "I was his footman—Silas."

"Silas! Certainly, I remember you," Douglas lied. "Do forgive me. Yes, of course, now that you remind me."

"'Course, I was younger then, and you were away at school and university and whatnot." The landlord wiped his hands on the towel around his waist and smoothed it out as if this put the matter to rest. "Happy days they were."

"Yes, yes," agreed Douglas amiably. He was aware that the other patrons were watching them, and actually relieved now that the place was not more crowded. "Happy times, indeed."

"Pardon my asking, sir," said Cumberbatch, leaning nearer the table. He lowered his voice. "If you don't mind, there's something that I've always wanted to know. I'd be most obliged."

"I'd be happy to help if I can, Silas. What is it?"

"Did they ever find the man who killed your father?"

To buy himself a little space to think, Douglas took a drink of his ale, then, placing the glass carefully on the table, said, "I am sorry to say they never did."

"Oh dear, oh dear." Cumberbatch shook his head. "That's a right pity. Did they never have a suspicion, then?"

"Suspicions, yes," replied Douglas, "but nothing more. The coroner's verdict at the time of the inquest reads 'unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.' At this late date, I fear it is likely to remain a mystery."

"Ah, dear me," sighed Cumberbatch. "That is a shame, that is. He was a good man, your father—a very decent chap, if you don't mind my saying. A solid and upright fellow—always treated me well, and that's a fact, that is."

"Yes, well, as you say it was all a long time ago. Perhaps it is best forgotten."

"No doubt, sir. I'm with you there." Cumberbatch brightened once more. "But it is good to see you, Mr. Flinders-Petrie. Here, now, can I get you another pint?"

"Thank you, but no, I—"

"On the house, sir—for old time's sake. It would please me no end."

"Very well, then. Thank you, Silas. I would enjoy that."

"Coming right up, sir."

The landlord beetled off to pull the pint. Douglas drew his pocket-watch from his waistcoat and flipped it open. It was half past nine. In another hour he would make his move. Until then, he had a warm place to wait and watch. The landlord returned with his pint and, after another brief exchange, he was left alone to finish it and his meal in peace.

It was after ten thirty when he finally rose and, promising to return for another visit next time he was in the neighbourhood, retrieved his black cape from the coatrack and went out into the mist and drizzle. The weather was perfect for his purposes—a miserable night meant fewer folk around to notice any peculiar comings and goings. The gas lamps hissed and fluttered, pale orbs that did little to cut the all-pervading fog. Perfect.

He smiled to himself as he walked to the corner of Montague Street, turned, and proceeded along the side of the museum to where the service alley joined the street at the rear of the building. There he paused to observe the street one last time; a lone hansom cab rattled away in the opposite direction, and two men in top hats staggered along—one in the gutter, the other on the pavement—oblivious of their surroundings, singing their way home from an evening's celebration.

Satisfied, he ducked into the alleyway and hurried quickly and unerringly in the dark to the back of a town house opposite the rear of the museum. There, lying in the lane beside the house, was the wooden ladder. With swift efficiency, he placed it against the high iron railing, climbed to the top of the fence, balanced on the upper bar while he pulled over the ladder, then climbed down. Once on the ground, he hurried to a window near the corner of the enormous building where even the lowest windows were eight feet off the ground. Positioning the ladder, he climbed up and rapped on the glass, counted to ten, and then rapped again.

As he finished the second tap, the window slid open from inside and a pale face, round like a solemn little moon, appeared in the darkness of the opening.

"Well done, Snipe," said Douglas. "Hand me in."

The stocky boy reached out and, with strong arms, pulled his master through the open window.

"Now then," said Douglas, drawing a small tin from his pocket. He flipped open the lid and shook out a few congreves, selected one, and swiped the head against the roughened top of the tin. The slender stick of soft pine erupted with a pop and spluttering red flame. "The lantern, Snipe."

The youth held up a small paraffin lamp; Douglas raised the glass and touched the match to the wick, then lowered the glass and waved the spent stick in the air to cool it before placing it back in the tin. "Let us be about our business."

By lantern's glow they made their way through the darkened stacks of the Smirke Bequest—a small, shelf-lined chamber off the great cavernous hall of the Reading Room. This cosy enclave was given to certain exceptional volumes from the libraries of wealthy patrons who had donated or bequeathed their collections to the national archive for the general benefit of their fellow men. This ever-growing collection housed a particular volume that had long eluded Douglas Flinders-Petrie. It was this book he had come to acquire.

The Rare Books Room, as it was more commonly known, was strictly forbidden to all but the most eminent scholars, and then entry was granted only in the company of the Keeper of Antiquities or one of his assistants, who would unlock the chain at the doorway—there was no door, so that the books could be viewed from a distance even if they could not be perused—and usher the chosen one into the inner sanctum. White cotton gloves were to be worn at all times in the room, and no one was permitted to remain alone in the stacks at any time whatsoever. Douglas, having observed this exacting protocol on his survey trips to the museum, decided to forego the formalities and visit the room outside of public hours.

It had then been a matter of finding a place for Snipe to hide until well after closing: a storage cupboard in Room 55 on the upper floor was adequate to the purpose, and so, during a late-afternoon viewing of the Nineveh alabasters, Douglas had deposited his able servant in the closet with a cold pie and an apple to wait until the clock in Saint Bartholomew's chimed eleven. At the appointed hour, Snipe had crawled out and made his way down to the Rare Books Room to let Douglas in through the window.

So far so good.

"Go to the door and keep watch," Douglas commanded, directing the glow of the lantern towards the nearer stacks. As the servant moved to the doorway, Douglas began scanning the shelves. The books, he quickly discovered, were arranged in a loose chronological order—no doubt owing to their primary interest as artefacts rather than for the value of their contents. He found the proper historical period and started working down the line book by book. What should have been a task of moments, however, dragged on far longer than he planned, owing to the fact that many of the older books had no titles on their spines or covers and had to be drawn out, opened, and thumbed to their title pages before being placed back on the shelf.

He was only partway through the 1500s when he heard a sibilant hiss—like that of gas escaping from a leaky pipe. He stopped, held his breath ... waited. The sound came again and was repeated. He quickly turned down the lantern wick and put the lamp on the floor, then hurried to the doorway, where Snipe stood behind the doorpost, peering out into the great hall of the main reading room.

"Someone coming?" Douglas whispered.

Snipe nodded and held up two fingers.

"Two of them. Right." Douglas turned and retreated into the stacks. "Follow me."

They crept off to the farthest corner of the room, placing the main body of stacks between themselves and the door.

"Get down," whispered Douglas.

The two pressed themselves flat to the floor and waited. Voices drifted into the room, and then footsteps could be heard as the watchmen made their rounds of the Reading Room. Shadows leapt from the stacks as one of the guards paused and shone his lantern into the room with a practised sweep. Then the footsteps receded and the voices resumed. The watchmen were moving off.

"That's better," sighed Douglas. "Back to work."

The two returned to their respective places and began again. Midway through the 1500s, Douglas found the book he was looking for—exactly as he had pictured it from his researches. One glimpse of the strange cipher writing and he knew he had it.

"Come to me, my pretty," he whispered, carefully placing the light on the shelf beside him. With trembling fingers, Douglas opened the book to reveal page after page of tightly ordered script in the most fanciful-looking letters he had ever seen. "You little beauty," he mused, brushing his fingertips lightly over the script. He might have spent a happy hour or so paging through the old curiosity—and he would—but now was not the time. He slipped the slim volume into an inner pocket of his cape, retrieved the lantern, and hurried to fetch Snipe.

"I've got it. Come away—time to make good our escape."

They climbed out the window, closing it carefully behind them, and retraced their inward journey, replacing the ladder at the rear of the town house opposite before walking back down the alley to Montague Street. Douglas' mind was so filled with the book and the treasures it was certain to yield that he failed to see the policeman standing in the pool of light under the streetlamp. Emerging from the darkness of the alley like the guilty thieves they were, the pair naturally drew the interest of the policeman, who, raising his truncheon, called out, "Well, well, what have we here?"

"Oh!" gasped Douglas, spinning around to face the officer. "Good evening, constable. You quite gave me a start."

"Did I now!" He looked the pair up and down, his expression suggesting he did not care for what he saw. "Might I ask why you were lurking in that alley at this time of night?"

Douglas' hand went to the gun in his pocket. "Is it that late?" he asked affably. "I hadn't realised. Yes, I suppose it is." He glanced at Snipe beside him. The boy's lip was curled in a ferocious scowl. "It's the lad here," he offered. "He ran away earlier this evening, and I've been looking for him ever since—only just found him a few minutes ago."

The constable, frowning now, stepped closer. "That your son, then?"

"Good heavens, no," replied Douglas. "He's a servant. I'm taking him home with me." As if to underscore this fact, he put his hand to Snipe's collar.

The policeman's brow furrowed as he caught a glare of almost pure hatred playing over the boy's pallid features. Certainly, there was something odd about the youth that he could never have been mistaken for anyone's beloved son. "I see," concluded the police officer. "Does he run away often, then?"

"No, no, never before," Douglas hastily assured him. "There was a bit of a kerfuffle with the housekeeper, you see, and the lad took umbrage. A simple misunderstanding. I think I've straightened it out."

"Well," said the policeman, "these things happen, I suppose." He returned the truncheon to the hook on his belt. "You best get yourselves home. It's high time all respectable folk were abed."

"Just what I was thinking, constable. A pot of cocoa and a biscuit wouldn't go amiss either, I daresay." Douglas released his hold on the pistol, but maintained his grip on the boy's collar. "I will wish you good night." Douglas started away, pulling the glaring Snipe with him.

"G'night, sir." The policeman watched them as they moved away. "Mind how you go," he called. "There are thieves and such about. It's weather like this brings 'em out."

"You're not wrong there, matey," murmured Douglas under his breath. "Come away, Snipe. Tonight we let him live."

Chapter Two

In Which a Wander in the Wilderness Is Good for the Soul

Kit stood staring down the Avenue of Sphinxes feeling very much alone. It was early yet, and there was no one else around. He drew the clean, dry air into his lungs. Deeply relieved to have been rescued from looming death by Wilhelmina's unexpected yet timely intervention, he nevertheless could not help feeling slightly bruised by her brusque manner. In fact, she had socked him on the arm as soon as they were free of the wadi and the tomb that had held them captive to Lord Burleigh's whims.

"Ow!" Kit complained. He had not seen the smack coming. "What was that for?"

"That was for abandoning me in that alley back in London," she told him. "That dark, stinky alley in the rainstorm—remember?"

"I remember, but it wasn't entirely my fault."

She smacked him again. "It wasn't very nice."

"Sorry!" Kit rubbed his upper arm.

"I forgive you." She smiled, then hit him once more for good measure.

"Yikes! Now what?"

"That is so you remember never to do it again."

"Right. Okay. I get it. I'm sorry, and I won't desert you ever again, I promise."

"Good. Now pay attention. We've got some ground to cover, and we don't have much time." She had then told him about Luxor and what he was to do there.

He had been instructed to go to the Winter Palace Hotel and ask for a Mr. Suleyman at the front desk. Upon presenting himself, he would be given a parcel and a letter with further instructions. Wilhelmina had been very precise: don't stop to think or look around, hit the ground running, get to the location, secure the parcel. "It is imperative that you retrieve the package and follow the instructions to the letter."

(Continues...)

Excerpted from THE BONE HOUSE by STEPHEN R. LAWHEAD Copyright © 2011 by Stephen Lawhead. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Important People in the Bright Empires series....................xi
Previously in the Bright Empires series....................1
The Bone House....................5
Essay: "Quantum Physics and Me" by Stephen Lawhead....................381

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markn12

Posted September 19, 2011

Lawhead doesn't disappoint in Bone House

The second in the five-book Bright Empires Series, The Bone House lives up to Stephen Lawhead's reputation as one of the finest science fiction/fantasy writers today. An ambitious work, it is filled with vivid descriptions of foreign lands, gripping action and a plot that moves through multiple worlds. Lawhead sculpts a believable universe and peoples it with memorable characters that come to life as you read. Following Kit Livingstone, the story tracks his progress in trying to locate the skin map, a map that supposedly shows the connections between multiple dimensions and worlds. But his steps are dogged by the ruthless Archelaeus Burleigh, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the map. Written with characteristic sweeping panoramas, The Bone House is never static. A wonderful sense of movement and change pervades it from the very first page. The characterizations are never dull, and Lawhead has a way with description that, once read, provokes an accompanying flash of recognition and personal recollection that realizes "yes, that's it!" Become like Coleridge and willingly suspend your disbelief as you turn the pages of this book to enter into an interdimensional race! Put your feet up, lean back in your favorite chair and let this author's words take you on a journey that won't disappoint.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted May 18, 2012

One word. Awesome.

Awesome. Book 2, Love the characters, love the story, I cannot wait for the third book! I finished this book a while ago, and I still find myself thinking about the characters.
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DeedeeFlippen

Posted April 30, 2012

Exalent read, cant wait for the next one!

This is the second Lawhead book I have read. The first being the Skin Map the first book in the Bright Empires Series. I enjoy how the writer is constantly changing the story line with adventures to far-away lands. I love it when I cant put a book down.
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boookwurm

Posted April 23, 2012

Excellent fantasy.

Lawhead is one of my favorite authors. Even in this series he works in the Celtic concept of 'between times'. Sometimes it is a bit confusing when the various 'locations' have different time RATES. Looking forward to #3!
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Anonymous

Posted February 20, 2012

will make you crave for the next

The first thing that I liked about this book is the author's conscientious effort to provide valuable information at the beginning for both new and old readers alike. I found the recapping of the events in the first book, Skin Map, really helpful in reminding me where I have previously left the characters in this book, who have become quite familiar enough for me to care about what happens to them next--yes, even those evil Burley men.

Stephen R. Lawhead's writing and placing of the events in this book couldn't have been better. I found it hard to get into the first few chapters of the first book, but as i progressed, I found myself getting roped into the fascinating idea of ley travel and the infinite possibilities that open up to anyone who learns its secrets. The second book, though, held my interest from start to finish with its easy dialogues, intriguing storyline/s, and characters that have furthermore become dear to me.

You may need to have read the first book, though, to really be able to appreciate this one. Again, nothing is concluded in the last chapter, but it efficiently paves the way for the last book in this series. I can hardly wait!

Thank you, Booksneeze for my free review copy!
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Anonymous

Posted January 8, 2012

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0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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cleffairy

Posted December 22, 2011

more from this reviewer

The Bone House

¿The Bone House¿ is the sequel to ¿The Skin Map¿ and while I loved the intriguing book cover, I can¿t very much say the same about the story in this sequel. I very much preferred the first book, ¿The Skin Map¿. I believe I¿ve reviewed it quite some time ago and I was really hooked on the story.

While this book have the same thrilling factor in it, I can¿t seems to pay attention to the story because there¿s too much scenes shift. I struggled to read this sci-fi book and I find it difficult to finish.

Perhaps this book is just not for me. If you¿re into sci-fi, however, don¿t let my opinion stop you from reading it. I¿m sure you¿ll enjoy it.
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D_Nare

Posted November 26, 2011

more from this reviewer

House of thrilling fiction

The Bone House is the second book in Stephen Lawhead¿s The Bright Empires Series following The Skin Map.
In this episode the race to find missing pieces of the map continues to explore the uncharted dimensions of the multiverse, with enthralling action. Kit has found one piece of the skin map but others are still left, which will give a complete understanding of the Ley lines enabling him to travel through time and space. The sub plots are also gaining advancement, where Kit¿s girlfriend Mina, caught in the Seventeenth century Prague developing her knowledge of Ley lines, Burleigh has also raised his stake and willing to go on any terms to get the map.
There are only a handful of series in which a novel gets better than the previous one, and this is that novel. This book is fast paced since the first chapter and keeps the reader hooked till the end and craving for more. Apart from developing more depth to the characters, the writing has also been eased in the flow, to tag along new readers.
At the end of the book there is an essay which depicts the research work done by the author to make this story such intriguing. The Spirit Well coming in September 2012 will mark the next installment in the series.
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Chhaya_Basu

Posted October 26, 2011

The Bone House

"The Bone House", by Stephen R. Lawhead, is the second book in the Bright Empires series. The Bright Empires series is a trilogy starting with 'The Skin Map' (That I've already read). It is important to mention at this point that one should read the Skin Map before the Bone House and plan to read 'The Spirit Well' - the final installment due out in September 2012, since the story line flows. "The Bone House" continues the story of Kit Livingstone and assorted others as they journey through the multiple realities and different relative times using mysterious ley lines. The reason -they are trying to find the Skin Map, the ultimate prize in the universe.
This is an excellent book on fantasy and thrill and every Stephen Lawhead fan must read it.
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VictorG

Posted October 25, 2011

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I Also Recommend:

A Highly Entertaining Sequel

Stephen R. Lawhead in his new book "The Bone House" Book Two in the Bright Empires series published by Thomas Nelson continues the search for the Skin Map.

There is a concept known as Ley Travel. This is not the same as Time Travel, which is movement between the past, present and the future. No, Ley Travel, which involves lines of electromagnetic force embedded in the Earth can cause jumps not only in time but in space and reality as well. Explorer Arthur Flinders-Petrie used these Ley Lines and recorded his trips by tattooing his map on his torso. When he died this map was divided up in various places and times. Kit Livingstone is still on the quest given to him by his great-grandfather, Cosimo, to restore the skin map. This is not an easy task as not only is he in search of it others are as well. Others that want the map for selfish purposes and do not want Kit to succeed and will stop at nothing to accomplish this.

I like a good adventure not only where there is action but where we are forced to think as well. In "The Bone House" Stephen R. Lawhead not only provides us adventure he also gives us much to think about. Kit and his fellow adventurers are placed in deadly danger time and time again, much like the heroes from the movie serials. Mr. Lawhead gives us such great characters that we are always rooting for them to succeed and get together with each other. Stephen R. Lawhead has given us an admirable sequel and I look forward with much anticipation to the next book in this series.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Heart2Heart

Posted October 24, 2011

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Another great book and can't wait for the rest! MUST READ!

Kit Livingstone has once again stepped out of one Ley line and into trouble as he faces his arch enemy Lord Burleigh who will stop at nothing to claim the Skin Map. Little do they know that plans have been made, quite genius my I add to reclaim one of the pieces of the Skin Map by none other than Kit's own girlfriend Mina.

The Bone House is the second installment in a 5 book series called the Bright Empires by Stephen R. Lawhead . This book takes you deeper into the story of the first book called the Skin Map in which Arthur Flinders-Petrie (the Man who is Map) has found a way to travel not only back in time, but can jump from place and time according to Ley Lines that are marked throughout our world and others in a multitude of Earth's which could be called a multiverse. Kit Livingstone is once again battling fro his life with some his friends he found along the way and is on the run from Lord Burleigh. A man with many talents and teams of men at his disposal which is on the hunt for the Skin Map. Little do they all know what treasure awaits them and what monumental life changing force they are about to discover!
Please take the time to read The Skin Map before you read this book as you will understand more about the storyline and the characters. The Bone House can stand alone as a solo read, but with such a great storyline why would wouldn't you want to read The Skin Map as well. Thus book have many twists and turns so hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride! I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and would highly recommend young readers to delve into this great Sci-Fi series. Stephen R. Lawhead has a great and imaginative mind to be able to suck you into the book from the moment you open the cover! Can't wait to see what happens in the next novel!

I received this book with no monetary value attached and only for my honest review compliments of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Tours and Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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phantonJL

Posted October 11, 2011

great combination of fantasy and mystery

Stephen R. Lawhead has the unique ability to combine fantasy with mystery, stir them up and produce a spellbinding read. "The Bone House," the second in the Bright Empires series, is no different. You will be reacquainted with the characters that were introduced in "The Skin Map," the first book in the series.
Kit Livingston met his great grandfather, Cosmo in a rainy alley in London. There he discovered the truth of alternative realities. Along with Wilhelmina, he is now deeply entrenched in a treasure hunt for the skin map and the answers to life that it holds. Using ley lines, they travel through astral planes to other lands and times. Their adventure will take you from present day London to seventeenth century Prague, to nineteenth century Egypt all the way back to the stone age and then forward to the future.
As they search for the map and the secrets it holds, they must constantly be on guard for their nemesis, the Burley Men. They are constantly lurking in the shadows and manipulating great minds from the past for their own malign purposes as they too search for the elusive Skin Map.
Every step along this journey will bring Kit closer to the climax of unlocking the mystery of The Bone House and ultimately closer to finding the next piece of the map.
"The Bone House" combines ancient history, alternate realities, philosophy, and mystery. Lawhead has truly woven a page-turning adventure that continues to ramp up the excitement right until the very last word.
Reviewed by J.M. LeDuc, author of "Cursed Blessing," published by Suspense Publishing an imprint of Suspense Magazine
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DeMeulenaere

Posted October 9, 2011

Great read...slower start, but pulls you in.

I have always been a big fan of Lawhead, i have read all his books...this book continues where the Skin Map left off, but i had a little trouble getting into the book initially due to the fact that the book was jumping between four to five characters so i had a tougher time relating to the characters because i was trying to remember who they were. Plus Lawhead was building stories between the characters, so towards the end he was tying the various storylines together which is why overall I really liked is book.

I would read this book again, and definitely recommend it to anyone, but make sure you read the first book, The Skin Map.
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shayrose

Posted October 2, 2011

Fast Paced

*This is the second book of the Bright Empires series*
Kit and Mina have become allies in the search of the skin map in this book. Neither understands exactly what they are looking for or where it will lead them. Mina's having a firmer grasp of traveling the ley lines will give them an advantage to more successfully evade their enemies, who also want to get their hands on the map.
There are a lot of elements to these books so far. There's adventure, time travel, multi dimensions, and mystery all rolled into one. I did enjoy the first book slightly better, only because it didn't seem as hard to keep track of everything going on. I found myself back tracking a couple of times to orientate myself. I like the fact that I am not sure about where all of the characters stand in the sense of good or bad guy. The pacing is pretty fast and the pages turn quickly. I do recommend this, but with the reminder that this is the second book. I don't think that this is a series you can read out or order.
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mmary

Posted September 21, 2011

The Bone House by Lawhead - a wonderful read!!!

I have read Lawhead before and he is a wonderful writer. This book has every element to keep those teenage readers on the edge of their seats!
The Bone House is the second book in the Bright Empire series. Read The Skin Map first. There is a cast of characters and summary of The Skin Map at the beginning of The Bone House, but you realy do need to read them in order.
This second book in the 5 book series is all over the map, no pun intended but seems to focus on England and Egypt.
The hardest part about the book was how slowly it reads. It has taken me several weeks to read this book, whereas I normally read through a book in a day or two.
Let me stress again that book one, The Skin Map has to read prior to reading The Bone House or you wont be able to get into the story line at all.
It has far more sci-fi aspects than the first book, so I enjoyed that but at the same time it really jumps around alot and without announcement - still, it does not take away from or necessarily distract a great deal from the story.
It is a wonderful Christian written series for teen readers and I think it is shapping up into a great use of time! I give him 4 out of 5 stars!!
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Myka234

Posted September 22, 2011

very hard to read, written strangely

From the book description:

"One piece of the Skin Map has been found. Now the race to unravel the future of the future turns deadly. An avenue of Egyptian Sphinxes, an Etruscan tufa tomb, a Bohemian coffee shop and a stone age landscape where universes collide.Kit Livingstonemet his great-grandfather Cosimo in a rainy alley in London where he discovered the rarity of alternate realities. Now he's on the run and on a quest, trying to understand the impossible mission he inherited from Cosimo: to restore a map that charts the hidden dimensions of the multiverse while staying one step ahead of the savage Burley Men. The key is the skin map but where it leads and what it means, Kit has no idea. The pieces have been scattered throughout this universe and beyond. Mina, from her outpost in 17th century Prague, is quickly gaining both th experience and the means to succeed in the quest. Yet so are those with evil intent, who from the shadows are manipulating great minds of history for their own malign purposes. Across time and space, through manifest and hidden worlds, those who know how to use key lines to travel through astral planes have left their own world behind in this, the 2nd quest: to unlock the mystery of the Bone House."

So with that embarrassingly long book description (taken from the BookSneeze description), I thought "man, this book is gonna be awesome". History and mystery and a little sci-fi thrown in for the mix. Well.the first thing I discovered is that this was the second book in a series, the first being "The Skin Map". So I decided I should probably read that first. Honestly, I could barely make it through either of these books. The story just dragged in my opinion and the style in which it was written was very hard to follow. I'm not even 100% sure what really happened. I just found myself getting lost a lot. I would not recommend this series of books simply based on my experience with it.
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Arkatox

Posted September 14, 2011

The Bone House by Stephen R. Lawhead

I reviewed The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead about a month and a half ago, and I said that I couldn't truly judge whether it was worth reading until I read the book that it leads up to-The Bone House.

First of all I would like to point out that this book is a DIRECT sequel to The Skin Map. I highly recommend not reading this book out of order, as it starts exactly where the last let off. The first chapter could be considered the very next chapter, after the last chapter of The Skin Map.

First of all I'll point out what I disliked about the novel. It had numerous plot holes, though not as many as the last book. The characters are still quite less intelligent than you'd expect modern-day characters to be, though I'm thinking mostly of the main protagonist, Kit Livingstone. In addition, every other chapter seems to jump between perspectives, characters, and even times. The story could go straight from modern day to a hundred years ago without warning-without giving the readers any hint that it just did so. Overall, in other words, it's impossibly confusing.

But don't worry, the book isn't all about inconsistencies and confusing the reader to the point where they have no idea what's going on-or if what's going on even relates to the story in any way whatsoever. The book is jam-packed with all sorts of culture and it's overall... an intriguing book. It's very slow-paced, but makes you want to keep reading, though slowly. The fact that it draws you in but makes you want to read slowly at the same time was quite my downfall, and the reason why it took me so long to read.

If not for the intriguing nature of the book and the story that finally got good by the end of The Skin Map, I wouldn't like this book. But I because of these things I can say that I really enjoyed it and hate that I had to super-speed-read through the entire last half.

So back to the question I asked a month and a half ago: Would I recommend reading The Skin Map? Yes. Yes I would. The whole book feels like it's leading up to the story, and the story finally starts when it ends, but The Bone House is faithful and starts where it stopped. This series is turning out to be far better than I ever thought in the beginning.
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purplerose75

Posted September 13, 2011

more from this reviewer

Great follow-up to The Skin Map!

The Bone House is the second book in the Bright Empire series. This is not one of those series you can just jump into. You need to read The Skin Map first. There is a cast of characters and summary of The Skin Map at the beginning of The Bone House, but I encourage you to read them in order.

In this book, we get more background on Lord Burleigh, as well as the Flinders-Petrie family. There is a lot of action in this story and there definitely aren't any dead spots... Well, maybe when Kit is staying with the cavemen. I could have used a little less detail there.

This is a fun book that always keeps you guessing. You never know who is going to turn up or when or where they'll be. We're also not sure about the motives of a couple characters. I like the historic aspect of the story, but that's not really the focus, so it's not as much of a draw for me. I think what I like best is just the mystery of not knowing what's coming next. I'm looking forward to the third book, but not thrilled that I have to wait a year for it.

I received an copy of this book for free from the BookSneeze review program.
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hawkpierce

Posted September 13, 2011

more from this reviewer

Excellent Continuation

With one piece of the skin map found, the race to find the other pieces gets all the more serious. With Wilhelmina's suspicious new mastering of ley leaping, Kit gets an extra step ahead. But if there is one thing he is learning in this reality of alternate worlds- you can run, but you can't hide. He must leap through the worlds on a quest to unlock the mystery of a house made all of bones, a place shrouded in mysticism.

Meanwhile Mina has a journey of her own in Prague, and Burleigh and several others plot a way to win their prize in this ultimate race of greed.

Number one, you must read The Skin Map first. No exceptions, the book will not make sense. If you have read The Skin Map, then: The Bright Empires is very unique in several ways. It does not follow the normal structural line of modern novels, it focuses on a group of individuals, each uniquely, and it dives into the present realities for many in different places at different times. All of which makes it very intriguing, though makes it difficult to review. I enjoyed book one in the series, The Skin Map, an I found the more time went on after having read the novel, like an enchantment, the more I realized that I truly loved the story, and the same appears to be happening with this book. The majority of the two books are not intense chase and suspense, no. But they are filled with side stories taking place at various points in history, and each one pulls me in deeply without fail.

That said, I need to for-warn you of something. The Bone House, even more than The Skin Map, is filled with the following: Egypt, England, Egypt, Prague, England, other country, Egypt, England, Egypt, other country, Egypt, England, Egypt. They are a lot of countries, but predominately, England. And even more so, Egypt. If you love the two countries, as I do, than you are in luck. But if you have some sort of distaste (shame on you!), then you may get tired of hearing about the two cultures. Don't be concerned, though. It is called the Bright Empires for a reason, these are peaks of civilizations. Excellent novel, and I am anxiously anticipating the next installment.
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Lilibet_King

Posted September 10, 2011

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Bright Empires, Part 2 - Make Sure You Read The Skin Map First.

"The Bone House", by Stephen R. Lawhead, is the second book in the Bright Empires series. It continues the adventures of Kit and Mina as they travel through alternate realities to stop the evil Lord Burleigh. The Bright Empires series is a wonderful mix of suspense, fantasy and history as Kit, Mina and other characters travel between different time periods. One of the great things about this book is that it inspired me to go online and learn more about some of the historical characters featured, such as Roger Bacon and Thomas Young. Most of all, "The Bone House" is a fast-paced, action-packed read. The characters grab you and keep you wondering what is happening as you switch between time lines and stories. This is not a stand-alone book. It will not make much sense to you unless you have read "The Skin Map", the first book in the Bright Empires series. In fact, at times I wished that I had waited for all three books to come out before reading them, so to better keep track of the many plot twists. I think before the third book comes out next year, I will reread the first two. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Lawhead doesn't disappoint in Bone House

One word. Awesome.

Exalent read, cant wait for the next one!

Excellent fantasy.

will make you crave for the next

!

The Bone House

House of thrilling fiction

The Bone House

A Highly Entertaining Sequel

Another great book and can't wait for the rest! MUST READ!

great combination of fantasy and mystery

Great read...slower start, but pulls you in.

Fast Paced

The Bone House by Lawhead - a wonderful read!!!

very hard to read, written strangely

The Bone House by Stephen R. Lawhead

Great follow-up to The Skin Map!

Excellent Continuation

Bright Empires, Part 2 - Make Sure You Read The Skin Map First.