T.J. Klune has made a name for himself with books that blend heartfelt emotion, humor, and deep explorations of love, identity, and belonging. The Bones Beneath My Skin is no exception. Released as a more niche offering compared to The House in the Cerulean Sea or Under the Whispering Door, this novel takes a more subdued yet deeply intimate approach to storytelling. It follows Nate Cartwright, a washed-up journalist who has lost everything, as he stumbles into a world far stranger than he ever imagined. In the middle of the Oregon wilderness, he meets Alex and Artemis Darth Vader—a mysterious man and an extraordinary little girl who seem to be hiding from something far greater than themselves.
Klune delivers a genre-bending story that blends science fiction, found family, and quiet queer romance against the backdrop of 1995’s cultural landscape. But does it live up to its four-star reputation? Let’s dive in.
Plot Summary: A Stranger, a Child, and a Secret
Nate Cartwright is at rock bottom. After losing his parents and being fired from his job in Washington, D.C., he retreats to his family’s abandoned summer cabin in Roseland, Oregon, hoping to escape his failures. But instead of solitude, he finds Alex and a strange little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader.
It quickly becomes apparent that Artemis is no ordinary child. Her mind is sharp, her wit even sharper, and there is something not quite human about her presence. She possesses an “impossible power”—one that has attracted dangerous forces determined to control her. As the novel unfolds, Nate is forced into a reluctant but necessary alliance with Alex, a hardened protector who is fiercely dedicated to keeping Artemis safe at all costs.
What follows is a gripping yet tender exploration of identity, love, and sacrifice as the trio navigates a perilous journey to protect Artemis from those who would exploit her abilities.
Character Analysis: The Heart of the Story
Nate Cartwright: The Broken Idealist
At first, Nate feels like an everyman protagonist—disillusioned, world-weary, and unsure of his purpose. However, Klune’s deft characterization makes him compelling. His inner conflict over his past, his estranged relationship with his family, and his own self-worth make him an interesting lens through which we experience the story. His slow transformation from a man drowning in his failures to someone who finds meaning in protecting Artemis is one of the novel’s strongest elements.
Alex: The Protector with a Dark Past
Alex remains a mystery for much of the book, and that’s both a strength and a weakness. His role as Artemis’s protector is clear, and he exudes the kind of reluctant, hardened masculinity reminiscent of classic noir characters. However, we only get fragmented pieces of his backstory. While this enigma makes him intriguing, it sometimes leaves the reader wanting more—especially regarding his motivations outside of Artemis.
Artemis Darth Vader: A Child Unlike Any Other
The real star of the novel is Artemis. She is written with Klune’s signature blend of quirky intelligence and heart-melting innocence. Her perspective on the world—equal parts wonder and wisdom—feels like a blend of E.T. and Stranger Things. However, the novel occasionally leans too heavily on making her precocious, which risks turning her into more of a plot device than a fully realized character. Nonetheless, she remains the emotional anchor of the story.
Themes and Symbolism: What Lies Beneath the Surface
1. Found Family and the Meaning of Home
At its core, The Bones Beneath My Skin is about people finding one another in unexpected places. Klune excels at writing about “found family”—those bonds that form not through blood but through choice. Nate, Alex, and Artemis are three lonely individuals who, through their shared struggle, discover what it means to belong.
2. Power and Exploitation
Artemis’s abilities make her a target. Throughout the novel, we see how those in power seek to control things they do not understand. This theme resonates in an era where science fiction often serves as a metaphor for marginalized groups and the way society tries to control them.
3. Redemption and Self-Worth
Nate’s arc is ultimately about healing and redemption. He begins the novel believing he is worthless, but through Artemis, he finds a reason to fight. It’s a powerful message about the way love—whether familial or romantic—can pull us back from the brink.
Writing Style and Narrative Execution
Klune’s Signature Prose: Strengths and Weaknesses
Klune’s writing style is as evocative as ever. He has a gift for natural dialogue, particularly when it comes to Artemis’s speech, which is a mix of childlike innocence and eerily adult wisdom. The novel’s strongest moments come when Klune lets his characters breathe, allowing them to have quiet, intimate moments that resonate deeply.
However, the book does have its flaws.
- Pacing Issues: The novel starts strong but slows in the middle. Some scenes feel repetitive, especially when it comes to Nate’s internal monologue.
- Overuse of Quirkiness: Klune’s signature humor is present, but at times, it feels a bit too much, especially with Artemis’s dialogue. Some moments that should be poignant are undercut by humor that doesn’t always land.
- Science Fiction Elements Are Underdeveloped: While the mystery of Artemis’s abilities is intriguing, it often takes a backseat to character interactions. The novel raises fascinating questions but doesn’t always answer them in a satisfying way.
Praise and Critique: Balancing the Scales
What Works Well?
- Emotional Depth – The relationships between Nate, Alex, and Artemis are heartfelt and beautifully written.
- Atmosphere – The setting of a remote Oregon town adds a hauntingly quiet, almost cinematic quality to the story.
- Engaging Character Dynamics – The trio’s chemistry feels real and carries the novel.
- Strong LGBTQ+ Representation – Nate’s queerness is not a plot point but an intrinsic part of his character, handled with the nuance and respect that Klune is known for.
What Could Have Been Better?
- Inconsistent Pacing – The middle section drags, and the resolution feels rushed.
- Underdeveloped Sci-Fi Elements – The book sets up a compelling mystery but doesn’t explore it fully.
- Some Character Depth is Lacking – Alex, in particular, feels like a missed opportunity for deeper exploration.
- Overuse of Quirkiness – Artemis’s dialogue, while charming, sometimes veers into caricature territory.
Comparison to Klune’s Other Works
Readers who loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea might find The Bones Beneath My Skin a bit darker and less whimsical. It shares thematic similarities—found family, a misunderstood child with extraordinary abilities—but trades the cozy fantasy for a more thriller-esque, sci-fi-tinged narrative. While it doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of Under the Whispering Door, it still delivers a satisfying story.
For those who enjoy Stranger Things, E.T., or The Guncle (Steven Rowley’s heartwarming novel about unconventional families), The Bones Beneath My Skin will resonate.
Final Verdict: A Heartfelt, If Flawed, Sci-Fi Journey
With its gripping premise, deeply human characters, and T.J. Klune’s signature emotional depth, The Bones Beneath My Skin is a touching exploration of what it means to find love and belonging in unexpected places. However, inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped sci-fi elements, and moments of overly quirky dialogue keep it from being a five-star read.
Perfect for those who love character-driven stories with a touch of sci-fi, heartwarming found-family dynamics, and Klune’s distinct blend of humor and heart.
Would you pick up this book? Let me know in the comments below!