Unbury the Bones

Ember Bones #1

by Coyote J.M. Edwards

Luck is NOT on their side.

When a series of bizarre coincidences leaves a man bleeding out in an alleyway, the Ember Guard call on their secret weapon: a takeout-fueled nonbinary vampire and their werewolf partner who's more puppy than beast.

Grim knows Embervein like they know their own skeleton -- a little too well. They may have a knack for sorting out the arcane, but their freak ability to see every body's bony insides has left Grim hiding from the one thing they really crave. If they can’t learn to accept their unique talents -- and the friendship of a good wolf -- how will they be able solve this mystery before someone else gets hurt...or worse?

The Ember Bones novellas feature an honest depiction of platonic intimacy, thrilling mysteries that won’t make you puke, and happy endings galore.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Novella, Vampires, Queer, LGBT, Urban Fantasy

77 pages, ebook

First published November 14, 2022

About the author

Coyote JM Edwards is a lifelong storyteller and aspiring author. Fascinated by emotion, Coyote seeks to bring a sense of depth and honesty to her work as she explores the stories of non-human people. Her upcoming novella, Boneless, comes out this year; if it makes even one person smile, she’ll consider it a success. She walks with a cane, enjoys copious amounts of sushi, and spends her nights preparing tabletop games for her friends. When she writes, it’s in bed with a tabby cat on one side and a Labrador on the other.

Reviews

[Autumn D’Auria | bookedbyautumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Coyote JM Edwards for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a short book! I read this in one sitting and only took about 45 minutes to read. This was an interesting read about a vampire and werewolf who were partners. This pair had to learn how to accept their unique abilities and come together to solve the mystery. I thought Grim was an interesting character to read about. This was a good read, I recommend if you like fantasy or monsters. Other novellas from Coyote are Tower Full and Coffee, Milk & Spider Silk.

[Amur Thera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good
+ Grim being themself, always
+ Grim being a good person, even when they don't think they deserve friends
+ Argyle not giving up on his attempts to be Grim's friend
+ Argyle telling Grim they're acting irrationally, even when risking Grim's wrath
+ Argyle's giant puppy energy
+ Grim's excitement for their first friendly hangout with Argyle

The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o I understand that the culprit was sick, and didn't cause the damage she did on purpose. However, she was now let off scot-free, without as much as a demand to seek treatment. I think treatment should be the least she should do

The bad
- The blurb says "happy endings galore", but this book ends on a cliffhanger!


I enjoyed this book a lot, and I'm very ready to read about the next step in their developing friendship. The cliffhanger threw me, but I'm curious about Grim's reaction and what will happen in the next book. I would recommend this book, but maybe wait until the sequel is out so you're not blindsided by the cliffhanger.

[V.ya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty interesting read where a nonbinary vampire pairs up with a werewolf to solve magical disturbances. It does feel like you’re thrown into the deep end though. There’s no intro about the main characters or the job or the world. I have to piece the puzzle together as the story progresses. And it ends with a cliffhanger.

[A.E. Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gumshoe detective is one of my favorite tropes, so I throughly enjoyed this mystery novella. We meet main character Grim, a rather grumpy nonbinary vampire, after a man is found bleeding in an alleyway. Hired by the Ember Guard, Grim and their werewolf partner Argyle follow a series of clues through a magic-infused world to solve the case. This is the first time I've read anything by Edwards and I really liked the characters and world building. Highly recommend! (Note: I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[maité · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw non-binary vampire with werewolf side-kick and I was convinced to read this hehe I loved the aro rep and the way the author wrote about platonic intimacy !!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was really cute, it was a really quick read, and I loved the concept! The town they lived in sounded amazing, I would live there! The main characters were so good individually and even more fun to read when they were together. Unfortunately because it was so short I didn’t feel the relationship had time to develop. It kind of felt like there was a lot left out that would have been helpful contextually. It really felt like it went from 0-100 really quick and sometimes their spats, or arguments came across as a little childish because of this. Overall a really cute read that I’d argue was a borderline cozy fantasy.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an enjoyable time reading this quirky short story. Our main protagonists are a vampire and werewolf who work together to solve supernatural crimes only, thank you. Not real crimes. All kinds of interesting creatures live in this funky world. They stubble upon a strange mystery, where luck magic has been used. But if there’s good luck, there’s also bad luck to keep the balance. It’s a fun romp following them as they check out clues and interrogate possible suspects. It’s also left on a cliffhanger. So I will definitely be reading the next book!

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Mystery

This one started off a bit slow but picked up fairly quick. It really is very interesting and that ending has me looking forward to the next book.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this and need to read the next book immediately! The characters and world were wonderful and I just adored the friendship between Grim and Argyle!

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to like about this story: the world building is thoughtful and creative and deeply interesting— it weaves together the magical and the mundane in ways that emphasize the people who inhabit it. Grim is kind and vulnerable and bruised, emotionally, so very, very deeply that it’s hard to watch them sometimes, especially when they make things worse for themselves, and others, because they just can’t let themselves do otherwise. They have a lot on their plate here as well— there’s a mystery to solve and a slowly but sweetly deepening friendship to develop, in spite of their fears. Things do seem to make progress, which is great, although the cliffhanger ending was a gut punch I was not prepared for and am, if I’m completely honest, a bit salty about. Overall, however, I’m invested in the world and the characters, and I’d like to see more of both.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick but rewarding fantasy read that follows Grim, a non-binary and aromantic vampire private investigator with a rather disconcerting special talent they wish they didn't have and a lot of self-doubt, as they try to solve the puzzle of why so many people in their town are suddenly experiencing a run of very bad luck. Helping out with his werewolf-gifted physical skills is Argyle, a literal loyal puppy dog of a friend when not in human form. Really appreciated the exploration of a budding platonic relationship, and the lack of a romantic subplot was a refreshing change. This may be on the shorter side, but the author packs in a lot of action and a truly intriguing mystery with a sweet humanity at its center. Would describe as a kind of cozy urban fantasy with some darker elements. Warning that it does end on a cliffhanger that sets up the sequel, I assume, but I look forward to reading more in this series so that was not a problem for me.

[Tabitha O’Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely novella! The setting is vibrant and alive; I loved discovering new parts of the city and new aspects of the magic and the people who live there. In a different and refreshing take, none of the situations Grim encounters on their way to solving the central mystery are malicious; while people are getting hurt, that hurt isn't being caused on purpose, which made for a hopeful read.

The highlight of the story for me was Grim; for all their outward hardness, they're ultimately so kindhearted but are afraid to accept kindness for themself--a character trait that will always get me. Their (non-romantic) relationship with Argyle was lovely, developing similarly to the way a romance might be written but staying explicitly non-romantic, as Grim is aro and Argyle knows and respects that. The giant puppy of a man just wants to be friends!! ;_; I would love if more books explored the development of close platonic relationships the way this one did. In all, Unbury the Bones was a quick, delightful read. (Do mind the CWs below, though, as it gets intense at points.)

Also, a note on the ending: At the very end there's a sudden cliffhanger that sets up for the sequel, which undercut the warm fuzzy feelings I'd had at the end a bit, but ymmv!

CWs: Multiple mentions/descriptions of blood, significant injury of non-POV characters, reference to past traumatic injuries, reference to parent death, minor character death.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ash D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels as though I have so much to say yet so little words to express how I feel about this book — but we all have to start somewhere.

This book drops you head-first into a brand new magical world. From the first words you read, you are holding onto the edge of your seat to find out what happens next. Grim takes you through their thought process, and we get to see this world of magical realism through their eyes.

Incredibly queer without the need for a romance, with loveable characters, this book wound up being an endearing read.

This book wound up drawing me in, but to any potential readers, I will have to say: have faith, pick it up, and continue reading. Grim's perspective began as a difficult-to-read stream of consciousness series of events. Though later proved to be humanising, drawing us into the story even more, and immersing us into the incredible world of Unbury The Bones.

Coyote has written in such a unique way. One in which i myself rarely ever discover.

Take what you love from a murder mystery, marry it to magical realism, allow it to be unapologetically and unconventionally LGBTQ+ and you find yourself with Unbury The Bones by Coyote JM Edwards.

(recieved an arc for an honest review)

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I would like this one when I first started reading it, but I was wrong. It started off slow and slightly confusing, as a lot of fantasy/world building books do, but once I read more it made sense. Then, I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what happens next.

Grim is a mystery solving vampire, though not the vampire from my teen years.

“Unlike in human movies, real vampires didn’t get supernaturally perfect hairstyles; nor did they get to sparkle, run fast, or stay young forever. No they just got a faster rate of healing, good skin, sharp canines, and a perpetual hunger for blood on top of normal food.”

Along with their guard, Argyle, they have to solve why magic is running amuck.

Not only that, Grim is balancing their relationship with Argyle. Is their relationship strictly professional, or is it more?

The end was a twist I didn’t see coming, which is rare, and now I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what happens.

If you like fantasy and mystery, this one is for you, it’s a happy mix of both.

I received a free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every work by Coyote JM Edwards that I read, I come away going "I wish this was longer!" Thankfully, they are part of the shared Embervein world. (On that note, go read Edwards' other works!)

Grim, a non-binary vampire with a sensitive soul, and Argyle, a werewolf with an enormous heart, are paired together as Grim is a civilian detective and Argyle their assigned companion from local law enforcement. Grim's journey, in particular, is as much about getting out of their own way as about solving a mystery that's impacting the city. Grim not only uncovers clues, but confronts their own internal biases and learns how to accept support and kindness from others. Really heart-warming, and Argyle is an absolute puppy in the best way.

One of my favorite things about the Embervein stories is how much queer and neurodiverse representation there is, and how natural it feels. It's never forced, but rather just a part of a complete character.

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiny Elf Arcanist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one caught my attention in the first scene. Coming from someone who usually doesn't like urban fantasy, I didn't expect to enjoy it this much.

The world feels alive and like every character has a story to tell. This time, it's Grim's, an aromatic vampire with trouble opening up for friendship.

All that, and Grim had only managed to cry, ask for sugar in their coffee and take a shower.

It’s a short read but full of wit, lovely characters, and pure wholesomeness. I'm keeping an eye on this author's future works.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book along with the other 3 books of this author when I saw them during a book promotion. They sounded like the type of cozy fantasy I enjoyed and as they were all free or cheap I got all 4 books then. I already read Coffee, Milk & Spider Silk earlier this year and decided now was the time to check out Unbury the Bones and see if I enjoy this series as well. Unbury the Bones is set in the same world as the Embervein Emporia series, which was a fun surprise.

Unbury the Bones is told from the point of view of Grim, they are a vampire and have white sight which has isolated them and makes it hard to connect with others. They're investigating a weird series of coincidences. So there is a sort of investigation/ mystery plot line as well as a strong plot line surrounding Grim's struggles with opening up and making friends. I liked how these two intertwined and it hit some emotional notes with Grim's struggles. And the investigation plot line was interesting and kept me curious to figure out what was going on, I thought it was an interesting reveal and also made sense.

I really liked side character Argyle and how he wanted to be friends with Grim. He's so eager and excited to be friends, but also is hurt by Grim's reluctance to be friends and I liked there is some depth there too. Argyle's instant shifts to werewolf form were pretty cool and I liked how often Argyle shifts in this book. The world is pretty fun with lots of unique monster species and I liked reading about the sky soul as well as the jumper-host.

I had a really good time reading this one and just wanted to keep reading. The story is broken up in shorter chunks and made for easy reading. My only complaint is that there are no actual chapters, which meant I couldn't see how long each chapter was as formatting wise they are just scene breaks. I also was a bit disappointed with the ending as I was really anticipating a certain scene, but while it ends on a hopeful note it introduces the plot for the next book and I just really wanted that other scene. I hope to get to book 2 soon as I want to continue the series.

To summarize: This was a great start to this cozy fantasy series. I really enjoyed this one with an engaging plot and some emotional notes as well. It's set in Embervein like the author's other series and features a variety of monsters, which are fun to read about. This book follows Grim as they investigate a strange series of coincidences as well as their struggles opening up and being vulnerable and letting someone be close to him as a friend. I liked side character Argyle who worked together with Grim and he wants to be friends. They both are interesting to read about and have some emotional depth with their struggles and feel real. And there are some of the interesting characters they meet on their investigation. I liked the world and the interesting monster creatures. The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but sets things up for the next book and I hope to read that one soon.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella features everything that I love – fantasy worldbuilding with some fresh mythology, paranormal investigators, a murder mystery and some great non-binary and aromantic/asexual representation – and yet I struggled to shake off the feeling that I was missing some backstory that would give the characters and their relationships more context within the story. As if there was a previous book introducing them all that I had somehow missed.

There is loads of story potential here in the various paranormal races and the systems of magic – lizard people, winged people, luck magic, White sight, chimeras and more – but as nothing was explained fully, I kept stumbling over lack of detail that would make the story world live for me.

Still, I really did enjoy this short read and would love a longer novel that allows for a greater exploration and development of the world and the characters, so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Coyote JM Edwards and the Ember Bones series.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Beca Royale | BookSiren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4 stars 🌟

Reading this book was a happy accident. I found another book by the author, Coffee, Milk, and spider silk' and I intended to read that; however, Kindle delivered this book to me with the cover art of the intended book. I'm not sure why, but I was already invested in the story before I realized the mistake.

I thoroughly enjoyed Argyle as a character. His child-like exuberance was refreshing. There were stakes, but I felt a nice coziness to the relationship between Grim and Argyle. And it was so nice to see 2 individuals just striving to be friends, NOT lovers, just friends. It's so annoying to read a story like this, and there always has to be a "romance." But this kind tinder friendship was beautiful. Will be highly recommending this book.

[Comiziale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prepare yourselves for a weird review.
I didn’t buy this book. I actually bought ”Coffee, Milk and Spider Silk“. I was very confused when I started this book on my kindle, because I was wondering when I was going to get to the coffee part. At some point I looked at the synopsys of the book and realised I way reading a completely different book. Apparently I was reading ”Unbury the Bones“. At least it’s by the same author? I still want to read ”Coffee, Milk and Spider Silk”, but I don’t know how. I could just buy this book and hope it’s the other one…

And then I broke the screen on my computer and have had multiple anxiety attacks. :) Love that for me.

Book was cute though. When I stopped being confused and waiting for the coffe and milk part to start…

[Mc Chanster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

A super quick yet completely engaging read!

I actually really liked this vampire / werewolf combo working together. Grim was stubborn, but endearing, and I loved how Argyle was compared to the excitable puppy just wanting a friend – I could literally picture this giant black tail wagging like a fan. This novella was short (only about 40 pages in my copy), and while I do wish it was longer, I was impressed with how much it covered. I’m not a huge fan of it ending in a cliffhanger, but I do want to see what comes next!

Thank you Coyote JM Edwards and Voracious Readers for my copy! I received an ARC of this novella and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining quick read

An entertaining quick read. A great start, loved the opening sequence. The story was good throughout creating an interesting world of creatures and humans co-existing. Grimm the non binary vampire investigator and Argyle his werewolf partner become involved in strange cases of bad luck. Magic and a decent mystery make this an excellent quick read. I even liked the Cliffhanger. I originally received a complimentary copy from the Author but then bought a copy and the next one in the series.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grim is a non-binary aromantic vampire who believes they don't deserve any kindness or any kind of love. Such a touching character. Argyle is a werewolf who wants to be closer to Grim in any way they can accept. Lovely world building and a very interesting plot. The cliffhanger at the end was a bit abrupt just after having warm fuzzy feelings for Grim's revelation. Really looking forward to the next story.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This was so good!! I adored it! Book 2 promises to be very interesting. Grim needs Argyle so he's got to be found!
I'm not going to lie in that I hate how it ended lol. BUT it was so good. I love From & Argyle both so much. And they do fit lol. So book 2 needs to bring them back.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lady Biblio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and idea. I would love to live in their world. The characters were good individually and complimented each other well. However with it being a short, quick read. I felt that the characters didn't have time to build real relationships. Which made their disagreements seems childish as well as pointless.

On the edge of a cozy fantasy. While it is cozy, it just feels too short which makes it feel too quickly finished to really give the cozy vibe.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful world

There is a lot going on in this novella: deep character motivations, disparate and quirky clues to an overarching mystery, all overlaid on a rich urban fantasy world that's a delight to behold.
It ends on a rather spectacular cliffhanger but that won't stop me from waiting on tender hooks for the next book.
Highly recommended.

[Coralie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but good mystery with a cliffhanger. I liked the relationship building between the main characters and the development of the mystery. I also liked the vampire is part of the LGBTQ+ community, which is quite rare, and that romance is not the point here! A good start of a series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read written by Coyote JM Edwards; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Ember Bones Series; it is the beginning of a new series and ends in a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Riz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was supposed to read Coffee Milk and Spider silk which was the book that i downloaded from kindle unlimited but instead of that story i got this unbury the bones story inside the one i downloaded instead. The cober was coffee milk and spider silk but the content was unbury the bones. but anyway i still enjoyed this book..and look forward to reading the next book Boneless.