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A review by offservicebookrecs
The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press / Griffin, and Ava Morgyn for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!
ARC Book Review: #TheBaneWitch #NetGalley | 5 Stars | Witchcraft, Magical Realism, Family Drama
A very little poison may do a world of good - unless you're Piers Corbin, of course. From the poisonous (but not deadly, at least to her) pokeweed berries she ate by the fistful throughout her childhood, to the poisonous man she finds herself bound to in matrimony (and who she'll only leave in death, if his current proclivities continue), poison has always been the heart of the matter. When she manages to pull off an elaborate scheme to fake her own death and head for the hills - and, hopefully, her last remaining family member - Piers discovers that poison isn't just the past running to greet her - it's her birthright, and the culmination of generations of women who fought back against the world by ingesting poisons and using them to pull a (Dixie) Chicks on the Earls of the world. As Piers settles into her new incognito life, she must work to earn the right to her family's legacy while also avoiding the handsome town sheriff who has more than a few questions about the bodies she's been leaving in her wake. And to top it all off, Piers has caught the attention of a local serial killer, who seems to be moving in ever-tightening circles towards her. Can she find her place as a black widow before she becomes the prey in his spider's web?
A very little poison may do a world of good - unless you're Piers Corbin, of course. From the poisonous (but not deadly, at least to her) pokeweed berries she ate by the fistful throughout her childhood, to the poisonous man she finds herself bound to in matrimony (and who she'll only leave in death, if his current proclivities continue), poison has always been the heart of the matter. When she manages to pull off an elaborate scheme to fake her own death and head for the hills - and, hopefully, her last remaining family member - Piers discovers that poison isn't just the past running to greet her - it's her birthright, and the culmination of generations of women who fought back against the world by ingesting poisons and using them to pull a (Dixie) Chicks on the Earls of the world. As Piers settles into her new incognito life, she must work to earn the right to her family's legacy while also avoiding the handsome town sheriff who has more than a few questions about the bodies she's been leaving in her wake. And to top it all off, Piers has caught the attention of a local serial killer, who seems to be moving in ever-tightening circles towards her. Can she find her place as a black widow before she becomes the prey in his spider's web?
Another absolutely thrilling witchy business-meets-female-empowerment read from Ava Morgyn! If you like "The Witches of Bone Hill", "The Bane Witch" feels like that book's older cousin who grew up hard in the sticks (in a good way) - the themes here are darker, there's more adult content (murder, spice, death in general), and the stakes are certainly higher for not only Piers, but the mountain community she calls home. But there are still also elements of grassroots, homespun witchcraft (this time, of a garden variety, pun absolutely intended) that you probably loved in her past works mixed with a story of a woman who overcomes the oppressive forces in her life to become something new - and in this case, even more powerful and deadly. If you were intrigued by the idea of a book that combines "Practical Magic" with "Gone Girl", you'll absolutely get that here, along with a healthy supper serving of that one TikTok with the Paris Paloma "at least I've got to try" audio; Lady Tofana/Aqua Tofana vibes; small-town investigating and small-town romance; mycology lessons; having the den of harpies come to you; women who are the human equivalent of Gila monsters; the Nicole Kidman divorce picture but make it in a log cabin; and the vibes of "Goodbye Earl", if you're feeling coy. I had a super craving for mushrooms after reading this and a super craving for more by the excellent Ava Morgyn - congrats on another fantastic novel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit