Who Dies First In 'Not Even Bones'?

The first major death in 'Not Even Bones' hits hard and fast—it's Kovit's handler, a ruthless black-market dealer named Fabricio. This guy's demise sets the tone for the entire series, showing just how brutal the supernatural black market really is. Fabricio gets taken out by Nita in self-defense during their first encounter, and it's a graphic scene that establishes her as someone who won't hesitate to kill when backed into a corner. What makes this death impactful is how it immediately flips the power dynamics—Nita goes from potential victim to someone capable of extreme violence, while Kovit realizes he's dealing with an unpredictable wild card. The body disposal scene afterward is equally chilling, with Nita methodically dissecting Fabricio like one of her specimens, proving she's not just book-smart but terrifyingly practical under pressure.

In 'Not Even Bones', the first death isn't just a plot point—it's a character-defining moment that reshapes everyone's motivations. Fabricio, Kovit's handler, gets stabbed through the neck by Nita within the first few chapters, and the aftermath is more fascinating than the act itself.

Nita's reaction fascinates me because it's equal parts clinical and horrified. She's studied dissection for years but never killed a person before, and you can see her oscillating between scientific curiosity and visceral shock. Meanwhile, Kovit's response reveals his true nature—he's almost impressed by her efficiency, which says volumes about how he views violence. The way Rebecca Schaeffer writes this scene makes it clear that death isn't glamorous here; it's messy, consequential, and permanently alters Nita's self-perception.

What's brilliant is how Fabricio's death becomes a recurring thematic element. His body gets used as bait, evidence, and eventually a bargaining chip, showing how little the black market values lives. Later deaths in the series mirror this pragmatism—bodies are never wasted, whether for information, intimidation, or profit. This first kill establishes that 'Not Even Bones' operates in a moral gray zone where survival justifies almost anything.

Fabricio's death in 'Not Even Bones' isn't just about who dies first—it's about how his murder exposes the story's core themes. When Nita kills him during their chaotic first meeting, it forces readers to question who the real monsters are. Here's this teenage girl with zero combat training who outmaneuvers a professional criminal, using his own knife against him. The scene plays out like a dark inversion of a hero's first kill—there's no triumphant music, just Nita shaking while covered in blood, realizing she's capable of homicide.

Kovit's reaction is equally telling. Instead of being angry, the zannie seems almost delighted by her brutality, which foreshadows their twisted dynamic. The book constantly contrasts their moral compasses—Nita rationalizes killing as necessity, while Kovit sees violence as art. Fabricio's corpse becomes their first collaboration, dissected not just to hide evidence but as a perverse bonding activity. It's this unflinching look at morality that makes 'Not Even Bones' stand out in the YA horror genre—the series doesn't shy away from showing how easily people can cross lines when survival's at stake.