When a girl is brutally murdered in the sleepy Appalachian town of Ames, it's clear that the local police force have no idea what's at play and it falls on Leona and Jewel, two local witchy sisters to dig deeper into the mystery. In the midst of the investigation two strangers come to Ames who are both powerful and dangerous setting Leona and Jewel at odds with dark magic and vengeful spirits.

This was a gripping read when I actually got a second to sit down with this I flew through it. The beginning was slow but once you get past the first 20% it feels like theres so much going on. There is DV throughout this as a warning to anyone wanting to pick this up. This was filled with paranormal romance, family bonds and dark magic. This was very character driven and I'd have liked to see more of the world and supporting characters. There's also snippets from the girls past and hopefully we'll see more of that in future books.

I really enjoyed Root and Bone! It’s a beautifully written mix of mystery, magic, and family, set in the heart of Appalachia. The story follows sisters Leona and Jewel, who have inherited their family's magical abilities, as they deal with small-town struggles and dark forces creeping into their lives.

The Appalachian setting is so rich and atmospheric—it really pulls you in. The magic feels natural and deeply tied to the land, which makes it even more compelling. But what I loved most was the relationship between the sisters. Their bond feels real, full of love and tension, and you can’t help but root for them.

I wish some parts of the story had been explored in more depth, but overall, this book completely drew me in. If you love stories about witchy family ties, small-town secrets, and a touch of the supernatural, Root and Bone is definitely worth a read!

I actually quite enjoyed Root and Bone overall! The vibes in this book are fantastic, with a gripping narrative centered around two strong witches working to uncover the murderers haunting their small town. The mix of supernatural elements, like magic, witches, werewolves, and other magical beings, creates an atmospheric world that I couldn’t get enough of.

The suspense in this book is relentless – it's the kind of story that keeps you hooked from start to finish, refusing to let go until you reach the final page. It’s an intriguing blend of fantasy, horror, and mystery, with just the right amount of supernatural tension to keep you guessing.

Though the book tackles some hardcore themes, it’s still incredibly enjoyable, and the plot never lets up. If you’re into witches, mystery, magic, and all things paranormal, this book is definitely for you. I’m definitely looking forward to more from Jessica Raney. It’s a page-turner for sure!

A haunting and evocative Southern Gothic tale that is a captivating blend of fantasy, horror, and mystery. The writing is atmospheric painting a vivid picture of the Appalachian setting. A spellbinding read.
Many thanks to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

An incredibly rich and warm story filled with magic. Elements of love, power, ghosts and other creatures before a background of the Appalachian past.

Appalachian territory has always piqued my interest with all the different mysteries surrounding it. Add in a witchy murder mystery and I was hooked.

It was incredibly fast paced and unputdownable. I couldn't; wait to get my hands on a finished copy and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

The characters in this book had a lot of depth and that being said I had a hard time relating to them. I thought the plot was pretty standard for a witch book. Overall it was a nice read.

Root and Bone by Jessica Raney is a hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric novel that blends themes of family, healing, and the complexity of human nature. The story follows a young woman returning to her roots in a small town to confront her past and the secrets that have shaped her. Raney’s writing is lyrical and evocative, with a strong sense of place that draws you into the narrative. The characters are deeply flawed yet incredibly real, making their journeys toward redemption and understanding both poignant and powerful. Root and Bone is a novel that lingers long after you finish it, making it perfect for readers who appreciate stories rich in emotion and atmosphere.

⭐️: 2
DNF. I tried to get into it, but it didn’t hold my interest Maybe I’ll give it another chance at a later time.

Listen, the cover is gorgeous and i truly thought this was going to introduce me to a fantasy world, instead I fail how to see it as due to a murder that happens where both mystery and fantasy are mashed up together in a not so quite interesting way to say the least

This review is a bit tough to write because I didn’t finish the book. While Root and Bone has a beautiful cover and an intriguing summary that initially drew me in, I ultimately found it difficult to stay engaged. The relationship between the two sisters had potential but felt one-dimensional, while their granny stood out as the most compelling character. Her past, teaching the girls magic, offered the most interesting and memorable parts of the story.

However, I stopped reading because of the storyline involving the main character’s abusive husband. I felt this aspect was mishandled and lacked the nuance such a sensitive subject requires. Additionally, the language often felt clunky and juvenile, making it harder for me to connect with the narrative.

I believe the story might improve later on, so I may return to it when I’m in the mood for this type of story. For now, though, the initial promise of the book felt misleading, leaving me wishing for something different.

This is a fantastic and engaging story, loved the mix of witches, mystery, and crime. It’s a fantastic blend of genres.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Root and Bone was such a fun and magical read. I loved the setting and the placement of this book. There's just something about an Appalachian setting that makes the book even better. I can not recommend this book enough.

I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't hitting the mark for me and took me forever to finish. The atmosphere was there, with its creepy and dark vibes, but the rest felt bland. The world building was flat for me as well and when paired with the fact that Leona and Jewel could not stop bickering, and that was almost their entire dialogue. It really grated on my nerves after a while.

I hate Bob, the author did a stellar job in that aspect. My heart goes out to anyone who actually knows an individual like this.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to the book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book was a tough one. Two sisters live in a small Appalachian town and attempt to solve a brutal murder with their secret magic. It felt as though the author was going for a sort of Practical Magic vibe but it fell flat. The characters were hard to connect to and the writing was too slow for me to get behind the pacing. It seems like the author had an alright idea but the execution was off.

I really wanted to like this one because it sounded interesting and just my kind of suspenseful. However, I gave up around 35% or so into it, as I found myself not connecting to any of the characters and thus not caring what happened to them. I don't know if it was a plotting issue or a pacing thing, but I couldn't keep going on this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. It was quite hard to get into, and I didn't find it too compelling, or convincing enough to keep reading it. I gave up at around 25%, but it was just not for me.

I really enjoyed this book, the plot was well paced and the characters were well written. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This book has a stunning cover, and the storyline is compelling. I was hooked on this eerie dreamy read. Perfect for a cozy evening Autumn read. This fast paced book was filled with magic, darkness, and supernatural beings. I am excited to see what the future holds for this story, and the author,

I would recommend checking the trigger warnings before you dive in to this.