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.

This was a perfect spooky read for fall!

I ended up finishing this in one sitting because i couldn't put it down! I loved Vianna and her sass and Dee as well! i hope there's a sequel! because i adore this world!

THE VIBES! This book delivered on everything I was looking for Covens, friendship, witchy, ghosts, demons, murder, and set in Salem! I loved Legacy Witches so much. Most witchy books lately have been about these light and sweet witches tackling some unknown situation, but Kay's witches are dark and twisty, and I loved it!

Vianna was such an amazing character, and I loved the friendship between her and Dee! Both characters were so lovable and entertaining. The way Vianna tackles the demons of her past, and present, was interesting to read. The book is really just filled with so much magic and I enjoyed it so much.

Vianna is a solidary witch who wanted nothing to do with her family's legacy with the Blood Coven. When her mother pasts away she is pulled back home to deal with that and is also pulled back into the witchy world she was determined to avoid. The characters are diverse and amazing. The small town and magic will pull you right in. If you are looking for a book that is more than just a cute witchy read, that has some amazing characters, magic, and murder then this is the one for you.

Vianna has a special ability, she sees ghosts. This made her run away from her house, the house of horrors, giving up everything to make a new life, denying her heritage as a witch.

Her mother was a member of the Blood coven, the death squad as they call them, killers for hire. Viena refused to join the coven and now she has to face the consequences of her decision because an event forces her to return to that house, the death of her mother.
While she doesn't want to go back at all, she is forced to because no ghost scares her as much as the ghost of her mother. In order not to be haunted by her mother's ghost for the rest of her life, she had to bind the ghost to the grave... But her mother will not allow it so easily..

And just when she thinks that by doing that she will leave and live free, without her legacy, another ghost will disturb her life.. A ghost she never expected to see...

I really liked this story because it's not another ordinary witch story. It is an original idea, very well written with strong descriptions of scenery and rituals. It is a riveting horror story full of suspense, rituals, demons and witch battles, but also a story about true frienship and finding a family. I recomend it to everyone who loves true which stories and good thrillers.
I really want to read more stories written by Cass Kay.

Vianna is from a long line of witches, but she’s special, because she can see ghosts. As a teenager, she ran away from home to flee her overbearing mother. After returning to her hometown of Salem for her mother’s funeral, she discovers that her childhood friend is dead. Things pretty much go downhill for her from then.

There is a lot of description in this book, so if you like the plot to kick off right away, maybe pass take a pass on this one. Once the story gets started, it does tell an interesting story. The world building is excellent. There are characters I loved to hate, and one character that I just loved.

Just a warning, there is a bit of cruelty to an animal and a description of a dead cat.

I want to thank #Netgalley for letting me have access to an eArc of #LegacyWitches by #CassKay.

First off this book does contain triggers such as Graphic Violence, Assault and Murder. If you can handle those things than you must read Legacy Witches.
Vianna Roots is part of a long and powerful line of Legacy Witches that are part of the Blood Coven. They are part of a line of Witches that have existed since the first coven was formed in Salem. Vianna's mother Angeline is a stout and loyal witch who has always followed the very strict, very old school rules that all Witches live by. Sadly Vianna does not agree with that lifestyle and one day after a tragic insident in her home she leaves to hide from Salem and her Legacy Mother.
News eventuallly comes from Salem that her mother has died and as Vianna is the last Legaacy Witch in her line its her responsibility to go home to bury her mother with the proper rights, afterwards her intent is to sell the house. Not long after arriving at the house the ghosts of her past and everyone else's start to bombard her.
Vianna is one of the only Witches who can also see the dead. While going through her families conjuring room she finds a rotting hand which vanishes when the house or should be say her familiar Shuck, the demon who has bonded with the house, takes it. The ghosst of her Grandma Susanna tells her that the hand belongs to Vianna's childhood friend Nancy. Her mother Angeline removed it as torture and retribution. Retribution for what? Vianna watches as Nancy's death loop plays itself out in her bathroom andd swears to find out exactly what happened to her.
She never imagined that trying to find out what happened to Nancy would begin the war that it does between Vianna a Solitary Witch who refused to take on the mantle of her family and The Reigning Covens.

Something strange is happening with the Witches. Rose who took on the name of a Legacy Witch to help continue the Barton line has somehow become very important to the coven. As a first generation Witch and not truly by blood a Legacy something doesn't seem right. But with the help of Shuck who has bonded to Vianna whether she wanted it or not she works to unravel the mystery of whats happening in Salem with the Covens.

However without her family mantel will she be strong enough to take on all of the covens?

I loved this book so much, I had it finished in less than 24hrs. Its interesting in all of its details and pulls you right into the story. There isn't much of love story except that between a woman and her family, of course that is perfectly fine although they do hint at something with a cop named Grayson. I was so sad when the book was done because I enjoyed all the charactes so much. The book is filled with Hexes, Voodoo, HooDoo, Conjuring, familiars and so much more!
I truly hope that you pick up Legacy Witches and get lost in its fantastic pagees!
I am eagerly awaiting the next book!