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The Bone House (Bright Empires #2)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 672 ratings · 112 reviews

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 Me...more

Hardcover, 386 pages

Published September 6th 2011 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

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Apr 14, 2013 Steve Trower rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first book in this series, The Skin Map, ticked a lot of my personal boxes - mainly by virtue of travelling through time and parallel universes by means of ley-lines - so the sequel had a lot to live up to.

It did seem to start off quite slowly, but the main plot soon kicked in and wouldn't let me go. Alongside the main storyline, which continues the adventures of Kit Livingstone as he continues his quest for the skin map, we get some unobtrusive back story, of Mina's hitherto unexplained tra...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Ownerofmars rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am a bit confused on the entire series. I think some of the things in this book should have been in book one but since I have not read all of them yet I can't totally judge it all. I know in the end that all of it will come together and some of it already has but all the jumping around in time and learning that people died but then they are alive again in the coming chapters gets me confused a bit until I realize that they are STILL dead but their story is told after they died not before or m...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Shawn Spjut rated it 4 of 5 stars

In The Skin Map, Lawheads 2nd book in the ”The Bright Empire” series, we find our characters once again zipping back and forth through time, popping in and out of each other’s lives, and thankfully standing still long enough for the reader to take a deeper look at just who they are.

I appreciate that the author spent more time developing his characters in this book than he did in the first, but I can’t say I like Kit Livingston any better …well maybe just a little; at least he stopped whining.

As...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Jaime rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: great-series, books-i-own

First, this second book was brilliant. Adding Mina into the loop was genius. It was exciting too, with many edge-of-the-seat moments. I craved to keep reading this story, wanting to know just as much as Kit and Mina do about the skin map.

The story continues to intertwine many more stories within the book. There are small glimpses in the live's of many of the characters, good and bad. Kit and Mina split off, for important quests which are essential to getting their hands on the skin map.

Burleigh...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Brenten Gilbert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-booksneeze, faith, fiction, reviews-netgalley

As I mentioned in my review of The Skin Map, which precedes the story captured here, my history with Stephen Lawhead has been shaky, but with the Bright Empire series, Lawhead is rewriting that history – and every other history imaginable. After a pretty interesting twist, book the second picks up where we left off, in the thick of the action.

Kit and company double and triple back through the dimensions as we fill in some gaps in the overarching story and blaze new narrative trails. Our travelle...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Rachel Thomson rated it 4 of 5 stars

In The Bone House, Book 2 of the Bright Empires series, the race to recover the fabled Skin Map — once tattooed on the torso of the greatest traveler the multiverse has ever known, and rumoured to contain the greatest secret of all — is still on. Kit and Giles have escaped from the disease-ridden tomb to which the Burley Men confined them, and the good guys are beginning to gain the upper hand. (Mostly thanks to Wilhelmina Klug, whose experiences in 17th-century Prague have transformed her from...more In The Bone House, Book 2 of the Bright Empires series, the race to recover the fabled Skin Map — once tattooed on the torso of the greatest traveler the multiverse has ever known, and rumoured to contain the greatest secret of all — is still on. Kit and Giles have escaped from the disease-ridden tomb to which the Burley Men confined them, and the good guys are beginning to gain the upper hand. (Mostly thanks to Wilhelmina Klug, whose experiences in 17th-century Prague have transformed her from stressed-out Londoner to time-ranging adventurer, equipped with raging confidence and above-average intelligence.)

But their attempts to find the map and keep it out of the hands of Archelaus Burleigh, the Black Earl, will send them careening into worlds and times they never dreamt of — and at cross-purposes with other ley travelers whose existence they know nothing about.

I have never found Stephen Lawhead to be an author who inspires the breathless turning of pages; his plots tend to unfold slowly, and the incredibly well-researched and authentically depicted settings of his books invite readers to soak themselves — when they do, the experience is usually rewarding. But in this case, the setting is not a culture or time period; it’s an idea: of the universe as multiverse, navigable by invisible lines that jump time, space, and dimension; and inhabited not so much by people as by immortal souls.

In my view, this is both a strength and a weakness. The whole concept of the multiverse and of ley travel is fascinating, definitely worth steeping yourself in. But at the same time, the idea isn’t always easy to grasp (just ask the characters); and the sheer breadth of this story makes it hard to steep yourself in any particular atmosphere or even get close to any particular character. I found myself getting blissfully lost in one place or one character’s story but then having little motivation to pick up the book again once I’d put it down. The nonlinear nature of the plot (which is totally appropriate for the setting of ley travel) also tended to work against any real tension or suspense. Add to that the omniscient voice, and we get the sense that we are watching a story unfold that is somehow predestined, that has already happened. The combined effect is to invite detachment from the story while encouraging engagement with an idea.

If my review of The Skin Map (Book 1 of the Bright Empires series) was ambiguous, it was because I found it hard to express my feelings about a story that wasn’t over yet — one, in fact, in which the major themes and plot thrust were only beginning to emerge. The Skin Map laid ground, and I was interested to find out how The Bone House would build on it.

And now? The Bone House was more interesting, more exciting, than The Skin Map; more thought-provoking as well. But I still find it hard to review. The story and its themes are still emerging. Like Kit, the chief protagonist, I find myself observing this story, going along with its flow, being interested in its people and places, and yet still not really having a clue what is going on.

Becky Miller of the CSFF, in her review, wrote, “Instead of picking at the story to find something to fault, I’d rather give my thoughts on what might be coming or what it all might mean. The Bright Empires series is, in part, a mystery, after all. And part of the fun of mysteries is to try to make educated guesses, then see how close you came to the way things actually are, story wise. ” I prefer to keep out of the guessing game for now. This is an intriguing series, puzzling in many ways, frustrating in others, always pointing to an enlightenment that lies just ahead — in the next world, across the next ley line, and (hopefully), in the next book.

(A note to readers: Do not even try to read this book without reading The Skin Map first. I’ve seen some incredibly unfair reviews by readers who did just that — in no way is this book a standalone. And a disclaimer: A copy of The Bone House was provided to me by the publisher.)(less)

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Oct 25, 2011 Victor Gentile rated it 4 of 5 stars

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...more 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.

For more information on Stephen R. Lawhead please visit his website: www.stephenlawhead.com/

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

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.”(less)

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Oct 24, 2011 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-action-adventure, christian-fantasy-fiction, christian-science-fiction, christian-suspense-fiction, fantasy-adventure-fiction, supense-thriller-fiction

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...more

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Oct 06, 2011 J.M. LeDuc rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 t...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Markn12 rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 ma...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, paranormal-fantasy-sci-fi, review-books, time-travel

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 stay...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Books for Me - Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, free-publisher-review-copy

After finding on part of the Skin map, in the first installment of the series, our traveler Kit Livingstone must quicken the pace if he is to restore the map of the multiverse. Along the way he encounters the dreadful Burley men as well as the astute and resourceful Mina, both of whom are fellow ley travelers. Unsure of where the map leads or the meaning of his quest, he only knows that he can't let the Burley men beat him to it. With flashes into the life of Arthur, The Man Who is Map, and side...more

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Aug 30, 2011 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Bone House (Bright Empire Series #2)
Author: Stephen R. Lawhead

Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz

Synopsis: 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 Livingstone met his great grandfather Cosimo in a rainy alley in London where he discovered the reality of alternate realities.

Now he's...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Thelogo rated it 4 of 5 stars

One year ago, less one week, I posted my review of Stephen Lawheads The Skin Map, which is the first book in the "Bright Empires" series. Here, then, is the second book in that series. The Bone House continues the story of Kit Livingston in his quest for the skin map. One piece has been found, but the stakes have been raised. Kit has inherited this quest from his grandfather, Cosimo, but Kit is now on the run, and, except for the help of his surprisingly resourceful girlfriend Mina, on his own....more

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Dec 13, 2012 Frank Peters rated it 3 of 5 stars

“The Bone House”, by Stephen Lawhead is the second of a multiple book fantasy series, and provides a rollercoaster ride for the reader. It should not be read until the first part of the series “The Skin Map” is completed. Following from the first book, Lawhead continues to develop the characters, and while I had assumed that the complexities of the story would start to become a bit clearer; if anything the opposite is true. In the second book, more characters are introduced, the story telling ju...more

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Aug 31, 2011 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2011

The adventure from "The Skin Map" continues in the second installation of the Bright Empires series by Stephen Lawhead. Kit and his grandfather, Cosimo, resume their search for the missing parts of the map (the map that literally contains all of the ley lines), with Wilhelmina becomes very good at time travel. Each jump on a "ley line" brings adventure (i.e. Egypt) and danger (i.e. burly men), yet they continue on. The author gives more information about Lord Burleigh and how he became the perso...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.

Those who know me, or those who follow my blog and reviews closely, know that I am not a big fantasy or sci-fi reader. There are a few exceptions, but normally, something about the fantasy genre rubs me wrong. I took a chance with reading Stephen Lawhead’s newest release, The Bone House, and in the end, was glad I did! It probably would have been less confusing at the beginning had I read the first in the series, The Skin Map, but all in all, I enjoyed...more First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.

Those who know me, or those who follow my blog and reviews closely, know that I am not a big fantasy or sci-fi reader. There are a few exceptions, but normally, something about the fantasy genre rubs me wrong. I took a chance with reading Stephen Lawhead’s newest release, The Bone House, and in the end, was glad I did! It probably would have been less confusing at the beginning had I read the first in the series, The Skin Map, but all in all, I enjoyed this book!

Normally, I read fiction/novels that have about two main characters—four tops. But Stephen Lawhead takes the plunge with many more than that! And the amazing thing about it (at least for me) is that he pulls it off so well! With such a wide and colorful cast of characters, I was pleasantly surprised with the way each one uniquely came alive, chapter by chapter, in this story. It took a while to get used to the continual shifting of character POV, but once I got used to the cadence of Stephen’s writing, I loved the uniqueness of it!

Description was awesome. From start to finish, whole scenes sprung from the pages of The Bone House. Scenery, time period, people…Stephen’s words pulled me into the book. Personally, I felt the story took a while to actually get going, but because of Stephen’s awesome writing abilities, I found that even though the plot might be moving slow, the words kept me reading.

Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was the way Stephen Lawhead’s book made me think. I mean really think! Throughout the whole book, the subject of how immortal a person’s soul is was often discussed. It’s amazing how, throughout all the character’s ley traveling, each time period ultimately was on a quest for the same thing—knowledge on what happens after we die. They knew and realized how fragile our bodies are and were concerned about what comes after. That was just an interested fact that I really loved how Stephen brought home to his readers.

So, all in all, I did enjoy reading this book and never found my interest wavering. The first half of the book I was pretty confused, but I contribute this to the fact that I haven’t read The Skin Map. (Because of this, I tried not to bring my confusion into consideration when rating this book.) Stephen Lawhead is a talented author with an eye for description that created a fantasy world for me, right before my very eyes. I wouldn’t call this a suspense book, as only once or twice toward the end did I clutch the book in tension, wondering what would happen next, but it is a great adventure story. And one that is to be continued in a third book next year. I’ll have to keep my eye out for that one—I’m curious how this amazingly complex story is going to play out! (less)

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Nov 30, 2012 Werner rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of adventure-oriented science fiction

Shelves: science-fiction

This second volume of the Bright Empires series (which, as I discovered since finishing the series opener, is planned to consist of five novels) is very much of a piece with its predecessor --though, to be sure, the plot advances in certain ways, and more bits of information are revealed. The same strengths and flaws noted in my review of The Skin Map are clearly evident here.

On the positive side, Lawhead continues to hold this reader's interest. There's a lot of cutting to and fro, back and for...more This second volume of the Bright Empires series (which, as I discovered since finishing the series opener, is planned to consist of five novels) is very much of a piece with its predecessor --though, to be sure, the plot advances in certain ways, and more bits of information are revealed. The same strengths and flaws noted in my review of The Skin Map are clearly evident here.

On the positive side, Lawhead continues to hold this reader's interest. There's a lot of cutting to and fro, back and forth among numerous characters, who are often at wildly different parts of the multiverse. The main characters are easy to root for, or against; in the latter case, though, we get to see Burleigh's formative years, and realize that he's a human being who's partly shaped by not-too-pleasant circumstances (though he's also shaped by self-serving choices). With plotting that's generally interesting and exciting, the storyline and style make for a quick, easy read. I've grown to basically like Kit, though I consider him something of a bumbler. (Maybe, in his situation, I wouldn't acquit myself any better; he does have kind of a hapless Everyman quality. :-) ) Mina and Haven are strong, smart women who command respect (and Haven's had some of her arrogance in the first book leached out of her by events), and Arthur and Xian Li's interracial marriage conveys a good message that's all too rare in evangelical fiction.

Of course, Lawhead wrote this at a time when his mental and physical energies were being sapped by his battle with cancer (I'm not sure what the present status of this is). He was also not well served by the editorial staff at Thomas Nelson, who obviously thought that since he's a best-selling author, his books would sell whether they edited them competently or not; so they decided to save money by not bothering with it. :-( None of this can be said to be Lawhead's fault. The fact remains, though, that the standard of quality in the literary craftsmanship is negatively affected; so far, this series is not Lawhead's best work. He occasionally appears to forget things he wrote earlier, which creates inconsistencies; there are plot points that have logical problems; the principal extended action scene is, IMO, somewhat awkward and clumsy in execution (it was difficult for me to imagine it actually taking place the way it was described); and both the characters and the alternate-world situations aren't developed with this author's usual depth. (Much of the appeal of alternate-world fiction draws from comparison and contrast between the fictional world and our own; but here we have virtually no points of recognizable difference.) There isn't any differentiation between the speech patterns of different past eras (they all sound vaguely like Regency), and except for certain occasional turns of phrase, the differences between any of these and modern speech aren't very marked -which gives a false note to comments in the narration that they are. Also, Xian Li's possibilities as a character aren't developed to anywhere near her potential, which to me was somewhat disappointing. Both Bright Empires novels I've read so far could easily have been twice as long as they are, to incorporate more texture and needed information and to develop the characters and settings better; there are some great descriptive scenes in places here, but they're pretty few. (This wouldn't have required sacrificing the fast pacing; longer books CAN still be fast-paced.) The development of the Stone Age setting was an exception to this (partly because Lawhead spent enough chapters on it to do a really good job), and that was my favorite part of the book.

Quantum physics here isn't just a premise evoked for the purpose of creating an alternate world, or getting a character there, and then dropped. The whole thing is very much an exploration of quantum physics ideas, in which, as the epigraph from Albert Einstein states, "The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion --albeit a persistent one;" and in which interdimensional realities are virtually endless. This theory strikes me as counter-intuitive and dubious, and I usually avoid SF that's premised on it. So reading (and liking) this series is something of a change of pace for me. And it is prompting me to do some thinking (always a plus, whatever one's reading!). Though I've always been inclined to embrace the Newtonian theory of absolute time, I've had to admit that, if one posits a God who's outside and above time and not limited by it (and being an evangelical, that's precisely something that Lawhead himself posits!), then the concept of relative time, viewed in that context, suddenly begins to make sense --as much as humans can make sense of it. Truth to tell, I know very little about quantum physics; and I'm inclined to think that I should, at some point, utilize the resources of the college library where I work to learn more! But meanwhile, it's on to the third volume of this series, The Spirit Well.(less)

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Dec 22, 2011 Cleffairy rated it 2 of 5 stars

'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 fini...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Candace Evans rated it 4 of 5 stars

As with The Skin Map, I had a hard time getting through the first few hundred pages of this because I find Lawhead's descriptions circular and confusing. Despite that, I give this 4 stars because, again like The Skin Map, the last hundred pages redeem the whole book! The beginning of the book felt like a homework assignment I had to complete but the end is the unexpected extra credit I received for a job well done! When Kit meets the River Clan I found myself staying up late past my bedtime to d...more

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Sep 10, 2011 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

The second in the "Bright Empires" series, this book finds the main characters traveling around various universes and times, still in search of the Skin Map and a better understanding of the power of ley lines, portals to other places and eras. This book gave some background to the story in the first novel and also opened up new aspects of intrigue.

My sister-in-law once pointed out that books in a series should only be read after the entire series is available, since in the time between books,...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Ashley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I received a copy of The Bone House thanks to Goodreads' first reads, and before I cracked it open I went out and read the first in the series, the Skin Map. As others have noted, The Bone House does come with a quick summary of the Skin Map, but it really doesn't do the first book justice, so I'd strongly recommend reading the series in order.

I really enjoyed the Skin Map, it was a fast moving adventure and a really quick read. The Bone House, however, didn't quite live up to me expectations. A...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book. Not as much as the first book, but it was still good. I was getting nervous that the author wouldn't tell me how Aurthur's wife regained life, but he did at the end. There were a bunch of new characters that I had no idea who they were for awhile, but figured it out in the end, plus he did give a character guide at the front, but I didn't read that right away because I had literally just finished the book and didn't think that I would forget who they were. Well, I didn't forge...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Kipi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, fiction, read-in-2011, time-travel

Book 2 in The Bright Empires series. Many other second books in series I have read are a bit of a let down after the first, but I did not find this to be the case in The King Raven Trilogy, and it is not true here. The Bone House benefits from the scene setting that took place in The Skin Map, the first book in the series, and so is a much more captivating read. Many other reviewers have given details of the story, so I won't do that all again. I'll just say that my main complaint with The Skin...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Ruth Hill rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, e-books

I have to admit that I had no idea what to expect as I began to read this book. I cannot complain about the level of writing, description, and characterization. All were exceptional. Sometimes I even found myself mildly intrigued.

Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea. I was interested in reading a Christian book that dealt with time travel, but I found this story lacking quite a bit. Granted, I have not yet(nor do I intend to) read the other books in the series, but I was not impressed....more

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Aug 25, 2011 Raya Whitehouse rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: booksneeze

This book has a small summery in the beginning to remind you of what had recently happened in the last book (The Skin Map), but if you never read the last book, it is advised you do not read this, as it is a sequential series (means it must be read in order).

I have to say that the beginning of the book really does help draw you back into the story line, and that it continues to do so through the book.

I know there are those out there that do not like a book to go between characters for each chapt...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Jill Williamson rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first book in the Bright Empires series intrigued me, so I wanted to continue my journey with this tale. Like the ley lines of time and dimensions the characters travel in this story, the plot is a fascinating twist of layers. Where I would be confused one moment, the “Ah ha…” was never far behind. There are many point of view characters, which is distracting at first, but I got used to it. This book gave many answers to questions posed in book one, but introduced just as many new questions...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Conrad rated it 4 of 5 stars

Delving in to quantum physics and the concept of a multiverse where interdimensional travel is possible using the Ley Lines of England as a jumping off point, Stephen Lawhead takes his readers on a wild ride across time and space in pursuit of the elusive and highly sought after Skin Map. The Bone House (Book II in the Bright Empires series) picks up where The Skin Map left off - in ancient Egypt and bounces around the multiverse once more including a really well-crafted visit to a Neanderthal c...more

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Sep 21, 2011 David rated it 2 of 5 stars

Not done yet but. The Skin Map was Lawhead's best book ever. The Bone House is the first book I have ever pre-ordered. So far I have been disappointed by the lack of continuity with the first book and the accelerated jumping between story lines. Not sure who's when and where anymore.

Not much time to read now so just maybe the short bursts of reading make this harder to follow. Just disappointed it doesn't grab me like the first one. Like the publisher pushed him to hard. Or his story line jumps...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Lisa Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Titles: The Skin Map
The Bone House

Author: Stephen R Lawhead
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year: 2010 & 2011

How does one define such novels that have many diverse genres? Are the novels based on science, history, Bible, archeology? There are authors who write in the fiction genre that seem to have to basis in either reality or facts, just the imagination is involved it seems. Then there are others who write novels that include a host of facts and various fields of known study. So what...more Titles: The Skin Map
The Bone House

Author: Stephen R Lawhead
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year: 2010 & 2011

How does one define such novels that have many diverse genres? Are the novels based on science, history, Bible, archeology? There are authors who write in the fiction genre that seem to have to basis in either reality or facts, just the imagination is involved it seems. Then there are others who write novels that include a host of facts and various fields of known study. So what about this series known as The Bright Empires?
I bought both books simultaneously and now can’t wait till book three comes out in September of 2012. Generously weaved in these novels are aspects of distant lands, science, archeology, past ages, scientists, and characters who out to do both good and evil. Within these novels are many threads that the author uses to weave together a captivating story.
At the end of Bone House the author shares which character was based on an actual person with a specific field of study. Stephen Lawhead shares what is on his reading table and why he wrote these novels. If I told you what he wrote would you read it? I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you so I won’t reveal what Stephen did write.
The moment I picked up Skin Map, I couldn’t put it down. I kept trying to figure out where I was being led in the story. There are several climaxes in the books, many themes, captivating ancient places and people, and lives interweaved in different ways. In the midst of it all, there is the aspect of time travel. The main characters travel through time seeking understanding of that period, learning to blend in all of whom are in search of the key which would break the code of the map. What map? All I can tell you is this is no ordinary map. These novels are not just the run-of-the-mill at all! They excel in captivating the reader and tell an excellent story.
I can’t recommend this series high enough. Buy them, get your favorite beverage and settle in for the ride of your life. The journey is awaiting; it is inviting; are you coming along? I hope so because it is awesome!

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About Stephen R. Lawhead

Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.

Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...

Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned...more

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