"Grief and I are old friends. If it’s not my own, it’s the sorrow of the dead I carry."

Hills of Heather and Bone is the new book by K.E. Andrews, a cottage-core novel following the story of Percy and Morana, a married couple of bloodgifteds, hiding and trying to have a peaceful life in Errigan, as Morana's gift, boneweaving, is despised and feared due to the ability to talk and raising deaths.

They were well established, with Percy using his gifts to take care of the people and heal their neighbours, and Morana keeping hers in secret. But when a group of Fallinis tasked with capturing rogue bloodgifteds arrives, the couple is forced to run in order to avoid being captured, starting a really difficult journey in the company of their chicken (which for moments steals the spotlight to our couple), in order to find a new safe place where they can find the peace lost.

“I’m sure this won’t take long. And if I don’t come back, I hope you and Morhenna have a wonderful life together.”
“The chicken doesn’t kiss nearly as good as you do,” Percy says.

With this premise, we have a slice-of-life story, with our marriage trying to find a new place for them. Andrews has made an excellent job creating characters that grow with you along the journey, showing her strength in giving them deepness.
Morana suffers anxiety due to her condition as boneweaver, and it is reflected perfectly; but she can also learn to trust in people after time, as we can see in her relationship with Anstice.
Percy has a bit more confidence, and his ability as a healer is really appreciated by the people. We see how he's the "strong" of the relationship, trying to help Morana as much as he can; he's really in love with her, and proves it at any time it is possible.

How this marriage relationship evolves is one of the main points of the plot, being a great portrayal of how a sane relationship has its highs and downs, but in the end, love is what matters, even if a crazy chicken might get your spouse down.

Anstice takes my flour-caked hand and squeezes it. “I know you carry much sorrow in your heart, Morana,” she says, “but don’t mourn what isn’t dead yet.”

While this book can be called slice-of-life, in reality, it is darker than usual in the genre, as Andrews is not afraid of exploring pain and grief. The contrast between those tenser moments and the slice-of-life passages works marvels to create an enjoyable book.

If you are looking for an original proposal, with a huge emphasis on the relationship between a couple (and their crazy chicken), give a try to this book. Andrews has proven once more her skill as an author.