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

4.5 Stars. This was so close to a 5 star read for me. There were just a few areas I wish we would have gotten more detail, but that is my only complaint. Minor spoilers in the review below.

Vienna Roots ran. Ran from Salem, ran from her mother, and ran from her legacy as a Roots family witch. But when her mother dies she is forced to come back and face it all.

I really enjoyed her as a character. Spunky and never taking attitude from anyone, she is how I hope I would act when faced with so much hatred. I also enjoy that she fought so hard against the expectations and traditions. I just wish we would have gotten a little more back story and history of her and the other families. We may get more in book 2, but not sure.

They also included a fascinating look at how covens and witches could react to a trans witch. Traditionally in this book men are not allowed anywhere near coven business and secrets. They don't have magic and they are mostly there to carry on the line. This book dug into what a trans girl had to go through in her transformation and deal with the ridicule of witches using her dead name and not letting her participate in all the activities. That allows them to form a friendship that is really lovely.

I would have liked to see more interactions either the cop as well as her old hoodoo friend that works at the shop. I hope we see them both OK book 2.

I would 100% recommend this book.

This book marks the first ever ARC I read, and what a way to get started. There's a definite spooky vibe from page one when we're introduced to the house upon Vianna's return. She's been gone from Salem a long time, desperate to leave her witchy heritage behind. But she has no choice but to return for her mother's funeral, which leads to Vianna uncovering a mystery perhaps best left alone...

I wasn't exactly certain what to expect from this book, but it was a fun ride. For a horror book, I'd say in some ways, it's horror-lite, in that many things are tempered by humour and the fact that Vianna can fight back. That being said, the beginning is definitely unsettling and there are dark moments throughout that really ramp up the tension.

The characters are a lot of fun! There's more than enough witches to go around, but they're all distinct enough that it's pretty straightforward to keep track of them. Vianna's our lead, of course, and she's a fun one, getting over her instinctual desire to leave quickly when she realises she wants to learn more about what's been going on in Salem while she's been gone.

Dee is an awesome character too. She's a little mysterious at first, and quirky, but proves to be a strong ally for Vianna when it comes to dealing with all that's going on. We've got some great antagonists in the book, as well, and when all the plot comes together, it leads to a climax that I think would be as fun to watch as it was to read.

There's some great world-building too, with the covens and magic and how Vianna fits into it all. It feels realistic enough that it could be something happening in modern-day Salem; it's just that people haven't bothered to notice.

Obviously, the book is set up for a sequel – potentially a series – which means there are a couple of threads left loose, but the plot in this one doesn't suffer for it. I think that's also why I'd go for horror-lite as a genre (maybe mystery?) because it's for sure darker than your regular cosy mystery, but the longevity of the storyline and power our protagonist has does blunt a lot of the darkness.

(Note: this is true of many horror-adjacent series, in my opinion. The more time you spend with a horror concept, the less scary it becomes. YMMV, of course.)

Again, no spoilers, but Vianna's mother's house definitely deserves its own mention. I love the concept of a slightly sentient house and it's a little bit sassy, which is so fun.

Plus, haunted!

Albeit, it's haunted by Grandma (not Vianna's direct grandmother; an older matriarch), who is a judgmental pain in the arse, but still, it's great! The house had me absolutely delighted and is fully a character alongside Vianna and everyone else, just as it should be.

The world-building and character work in this book makes for a really fun read! It's definitely trying to edge into darker territory, and I think that works in some ways, but I don't see that lasting through a whole series, which is not necessarily bad. There's enough humour to take the edge off and the plot is well-paced and interesting.

Definitely a fun Spooktober read!

Rounded up to 4 stars

Vianna Roots comes from a long line of murderous witches and swore she would never become the same. When her mom dies, she inherits the Root's family 'haunted' house. While going through junk in the house, Vianna discovers the ghost of her old best friend and decides to figure out what happened. In the midst of all of this, she meets Dee-a transgender witch who is also an outcast. A story of friendship, creepy men, cliques, and a witch on a power trip.

This book felt really slow to me until the half way point and then I didn't want to put it down. I love that it felt both cozy and gory at the same time. The whole idea of the house being the familiar is so fun, especially when Vianna starts to use it to her advantage. It KIND OF reminded me of the True Blood series, but not as extra. I really liked Dee. I think that is enough to keep me reading whenever the next one comes out.

There is a slavery comment in this book that I think needs to be removed. I understand what Cass Kay is trying to do with it, but it's in poor taste and upsetting to read.

Thanks Netgalley and Cass Kay for the chance to read this one!

This is my first ever witch-centered book, and Cass Kay really blew me away and started a new addiction to witchy reads.

Who knew witches could have so much deep-rooted DRAMA?! Legacy Witches is laced with dark drama, secrets, and backstabbing. The MC, Vianna, was BA and really came into her own by the end of the book. I was worried for a bit that she would be a little weak until the end, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a quick 180.

You know that meme of the guy with the drawing board and red string all over it, looking crazy trying to explain stuff? That was me reading this book.

I also absolutely love that the author snuck in an ancestor into the story. It made the character even more intriguing. (Not saying who, you’ll have to find out for yourself.)

Overall, I’d recommend this book to witch lovers. There were so many twists and surprises that I never saw coming that made a great story.

The first book in a new series, The Legacy Witches is a fantastic supernatural fantasy. Full of magic and mayhem, with wonderful characters and an engrossing story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Vianna thought she escaped her legacy witch roots ten years ago when she ran away from Salem, leaving behind her wicked mother and the evil Original Blood Coven. But when her mothers dies, Vianna returns to Salem to make sure her mother’s ghost stays in its grave. Vianna decides to stay just long enough to figure out what happened to her childhood friend and prepare her house for sale, but she finds herself in the middle of some nasty coven business.

Legacy Witches is the perfect book to get you ready for the Halloween season. The urban fantasy story with a touch of paranormal horror is engrossing and dark, yet leaves a touch of hope in my soul. I’m not a fan of horror, and this book isn’t horror, but it’s not fluffy either. The setting and storytelling reminds me a lot of CW’s paranormal version of Nancy Drew (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10313176/), bringing horrifying ghosts and paranormal activity together with an engaging mystery.

Vianna is a complicated heroine who just wants to forsake her legacy as a witch from a generations-old, powerful coven and family. She goes against the grain, denying the passion to kill and amass power, instead she wants to heal. Yet in order to protect herself and friends, she must take on the mantle of the Root family’s power. She is conflicted, and I love how Vianna finds balance in her own way.

Not only is Vianna an amazing character, but the world is interesting and exciting. The story is filled with intricate details which help set the scene and mood. I like that the author doesn’t overbuild her world, instead she allows readers experience things as Vianna does. I love how Vianna asks herself good questions and probes the facts as she tries to puzzle out what’s going. I want to know more about the world and what is happening because the story is written so well.

The plot is well thought out and leaves room for future stories. The author balances world-building and storytelling with expertise. While some of the characters are molded by stereotypes, they serve their purpose to further the plot. Additionally, there are some amazing supporting characters in Dee, Grandma Susannah, and Shuck.

In the end, Legacy Witches is a fabulous story and the start of what promises to be an entertaining series. While the timing of the story is perfect match for the crisp autumn air and upcoming Halloween season, I hope I don’t have to wait a year for the second book!

My Rating: A

This is a very good debut, a horror featuring witches that I enjoyed and kept me on the edge.
There's an interesting world building, fleshed out characters, and a well plotted story.
I want to read other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a good story with like able characters. Vianna doesn’t want too be like the witches in her family so she leaves home, only to come back when her mom passes. Vianna wants too leave but something is holder her there. It was an interesting story, some parts seemed like they dragged on but overall it was a good read.

I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this! I'm not usually one to read or watch stories about witches so I'm not even sure why I picked up this book - it was probably the gorgeous cover. I started reading and took a bit to get into it - bratty protagonist can be a bit of a turnoff. HOWEVER I'm so glad I kept reading. Vianna and witchy-Salem both gained so much depth throughout the book and in the week since I finished it, I keep hoping to find something similar to keep me entertained until the sequel is available. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about 'real' witches and trying to piece together the mystery throughout the book, but the author did a good job of unveiling it.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because it kept me up way too late on a work night.

Despite a slow start where I found myself unable to care much for the characters or understand their motivations, this book turned around about halfway through and had me hooked. I loved the friendship between Vianna and Dee - it felt natural, not forced like it would have in a lot of cases. I'd have liked a bit more follow up at the end on why Rose ended up in the position she did, but since this is apparently the first book in a series, I hope the following books will give us a peak into before.

Legacy Witches is a story of grief, self-discovery, and community.

What I enjoyed:
- I loved Shuck as a secondary character. The haunted by a demon house who also happens to be the family familiar was great. He had an attitude and was just a great element to the story.
- Loved Dee and the relationship between her and Vianna. Also, the aspect of found family and community.
- The magic.
- The coven politics
- Vianna's self-discovery and finding her worth and strength (also that it didn't revolve around a love interest!).

What gave me pause:
- I felt like the Nancy storyline was supposed to be a significant element, but it didn't come across that way. It was missing some of the urgency and need for answers I would expect after a good friend was killed in her house. I just would have liked to see this be built up more since it was an undercurrent through much of the story and what happened.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from Cass Kay.
Thank you #NetGalley for the digital arc!

This book was just what I needed to start off fall/spooky season

Urban fantasy with witches, say less.

As much as there are soo many Salem witch books this one def stood out on its own. I really liked the main character Vianna Roots, she's a no bullshit but fair woman. When she’s dragged home for her mother's funeral Vianna finds the ghost of her childhood best friend in her family bathroom on a death loop but everyone thinks she's just missing. Vianna makes it her responsibility to figure out what happened to her and why. I envision the house looking like the Adams family mansion but then think of the darker demon version of Encanto’s house. Vianna wants nothing to do with her family's “Legacy”, her family were not good people... I’m glad the author didn’t shy away from sharing and sticking by that, they were witch murderers for hire who enjoyed no loved it.

I loved Dee’s character and the friendship they form throughout the book. Also, without spoiling anything how she challenges the coven’s views… iykyk

I will say it was gorier than I was expecting and at times I was cringing for sure. Especially thinking she sees ghosts but in the most twisted ways at any time. As much as I appreciated there was a focus on the Covens and their politics, they briefly discussed the city and tourism and other magic practitioners which I was hoping she'd talk about more. They also briefly discuss Vianna's dream to have a “magic” Candle shop and I feel like that could have tied in more at the end or with the house or something. I believe there’s going to be a second book…? So maybe more will be explored in that hopefully

If you don’t scare easy from talks of maggots, visions of a murderous death cycle and severed hands then pick this book up!

Legacy Witches has my heart people! First of all, a big thanks to Netgalley and Cass Kay for this e-ARC../
People, interested in some witchy protagonists, urban fantasy, murder, mystery, thriller, adventure into graves, hexes, spells and Legacy Witches with some action? The this book is the right one!
Vianna Roots, a Legacy Witch who ran away from Salem 10 years ago
(due to her bad relationship with her mom) comes back again to Salem for her mother's funeral and sell their legendary demonic house.
But, she sees her friend's ghost there.. in her house! in her mother's house??! it was so obvious that her mother had killed her best friend.. *Not to mention, Vianna can see ghosts!*
Vianna must solve this mysterious case of her bestie. With her actions, she attracts Original Blood Coven.. How will Vianna solve this case? I'm not gonna spoil this people....
Speaking about the plot, Legacy Witches has one of the unique witchy plot. And the vibes.. OMG! You'll fall in love with the book and its setting! Also, coming to the characters, I love Dee and her friendship with Vianna in the entire book. Also speaking about Grandma Sussanah, man! I love her sassy and sarcastic personality. Also about Shuck - who is the demon familiar for the Roots Legacy - such a sweet demon dog (you'll get to know when you read the book) Such an amazing, thrilling, page turning, captivating book with an unique plot!
My Favorite Quote:
" IGNORANCE IS NEVER A BLISS"
Highly recommended people!!

Legacy Witches by Cass Kay

287 Pages
Publisher: Self
Release Date: October 11, 2022

Fiction (Adult), Sci Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Magic

Vianna Root has returned home to Salem. She comes from one of the original lines of blood witches. Her mother has just died, and the house needs to be cleaned and put on the market. Vianna has made a life for herself in Boston and with the sale of the house, she won’t have anything holding her to this town.

She sees a glance of a girl in the bathroom mirror but since she is late for the funeral, she doesn’t pay attention. The girl reminded her of her friend Nancy. She has been meaning to call Nancy but then puts it off. At the funeral, Nancy isn’t there and Vianna hears that she has been missing for a while. It is then she realizes the girl in the bathroom really was Nancy’s spirit.

The book has a fast pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in third person point of view. I enjoyed reading this book and getting a peek into the lives of the Legacy families. If you like books with magical families, you will enjoy reading this.

I can’t wait for the sequel!!!!! This was so good. Drama. Suspense. Witches. Incredible. Enthralling from the start! I seriously couldn’t put it down. Sorry to my household for the neglect today while I was entranced by the Legacy Witches. Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC.

"Leaves rustled in the tree where Grandma Susannah hung. The hem of her brown peasant dress swayed with her legs as she swung backward, then forward, making the branch bow before the tip of her pointed boot hit the trunk. "

Vianna is the last of a long line of Salem witches. But when her mother dies and she inherits the family home, she decides to go back to Salem one last time to sell the house and get rid of all the painful memories from her childhood. When Vianna finds the ghost of her childhood friend Nancy, she’s drawn into the mystery surrounding her friend’s death. Her meddling attracts the attention of the oldest coven in Salem. In order to get her out of town, they make an offer on the house, but Vianna hesitates. She’s no longer sure she wants to abandon the demon familiar who possesses her home, the transgender outcast witch and her high school crush. Vianna must find a way to solve the case of her murdered friend, stay out of the hands of the most powerful coven in Salem, and face the past she’s so desperately tried to run away from.

The VIBES! The vibes Im getting when reading this book is like you mixed AHS Murder house and Coven with The Craft and a dash of Practical Magic. Its dark and witchy and spooky and perfect for the spooky season. You need to read this book! It gives you covens, firndship, ghosts, murder, demons and witches. Vianna is definitely a bad bitc, and I loved the friendship between her and Dee! Both characters were lovable and I enjoyed hanging out with them. The way Vianna confronts the demons of her past, and present, was also interesting to read.
The demon familiar Shuck was so adorable for some reason, I love him. It was a nice twist on the familiar-trope, I havent read anything like it before. This book was filled with magic and witchy vibes and Im looking forward to the second book already!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving e the opportunity to read this book!
TW: death, vomit, deadnaming, animal death, body shaming, blood, racism

As someone who loves all things supernatural, witchy, and having to do with Salem, I couldn't read this book fast enough. It's a little darker than some witchy books I've read, but that just added to the book itself. The plot was great, the story intriguing, and who wouldn't love the main character and really, really hate her mother.

I've never read anything by this author before, but look forward to reading more in the future. Five stars all the way around for me!

I really enjoy reading books like this one. The story is so well developed and the characters are so well thought out that one can envision getting to know them. Vianna is such an interesting person. She begins as an insecure witch, not wanting to take her place as new head witch; to a completely capable witch that takes on another powerful witch. Throw in a demon familiar, a protagonist that can see ghosts and you have one heck of a fun read.

Vianna comes from a long line of legacy witches, magic being passed from one daughter to another. She has never wanted to participate much in this, running away to Boston to start her own life. The story starts with Vi going back to Salem for her mothers funeral, inheriting her families demon house on the way.
Along with being a witch, she is also able to see ghosts. When she sees her best friends ghost in the bathroom she sets out to find out what exactly has happened to her.

The synopsis of this book sounded amazing and like something that I’d really enjoy! Sadly, this was not the case for me. I struggles a lot with getting through the first few chapters and ended up DNF’ing it around 50% in. I didn’t really feel a connection to the characters and didn’t really want to read further. This does not mean that this was a bad book! I really liked the way it was written. But I simply missed some things like dialogue. The plot was moving really slow and that simply wasn’t for me.

I would like to thank #NetGalley for giving me the chance to read an eARC of this book! #LegacyWitches

Writing: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5
Dark Themes: 2/5

Warnings: Death, Violence

Themes: Witches, Mystery, Family

I really enjoyed this book. The way Cass Kay meshed witches, magic and a mystery to solve made me not want to put it down. Vianna was fun to watch grow as a character and try to fight her family legacy of death. All the side characters added a hilarious punch to Vianna’s gloomy moods and I loved them all; from Dee the awsome friend to Vianna’s butt kicking grandmothers and even their demon familiar house.

This book is great for those who love a witchy mystery with crazy sidekicks and a house with an attitude.