THE Hanging Bones
Out May 12, 2026
From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy about a girl who enters a dangerous, magical hunt with the goal of winning the death of her predatory overlord. Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab.
Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.
Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize—if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.
Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.
When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies.
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Praise for THE HANGING BONES
Vicious, lethal and refreshingly unique, Tesch has crafted a richly imagined world brimming with danger and unforgettable villains. Be warned - the Forest Folk will drag you into the depths of Wielinde from the very first page.
E.V. Woods, author of Girls of Dark Divine
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where would THE HANGING BONES be shelved?
BONES is a young adult dark fantasy with horror elements and would be found in the teen section of your local library or book store.
Can I read it now?
Not yet! Bones will be released May 12, 2026 from Feiwel and Friends. It is available to preorder from any book retailer, or request it at your local library.
How long is BONES?
It is 352 pages long. For the writers out there, about 94k words.
Are there any content/trigger warnings to be aware of?
Yes. Everyone’s comfort level is different, so it is important to note that BONES includes rape (mentioned), sexual assault, nonconsensual touching, blood/gore/violence, animal death, and self-harm for ritual purposes.
Is it a series?
No, BONES is a standalone with a beginning and end in one book.
What kind of queer representation is present in BONES?
The main character, Katrin, is on the ace-spectrum and identifies as aro/ace.
Is there any romance in BONES?
Yes, but not for the main character.
What tropes/themes in BONES might be of particular interest to readers?
You will find an aro/ace main character, a mythical stag and a legendary hunt, marriage-minded trees and murder mushrooms, a cousin bff, a highly questionable monster, hedge maze pursuits, feminine rage, a villain that’s like Gaston but worse, and an awful lot of bones.
Are ARCs available?
Not yet, but come back for news later!
Is there an audiobook?
Come back for news later!
Are there any foreign editions/translations of BONES?
Come back for news later!
Is there a playlist for BONES?
Yes. The full version is can be found on Spotify here.
Who is the cover artist?
Coey & Shy are the fabulous artists of BONES’ stunning cover.