A dark delicious blend of witchcraft, revenge, and self discovery. Piers’ journey is thrilling and deeply satisfying..A spellbinding read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Bane Witch in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about a young woman named Piers Davenport who fakes her own death to escape her abusive husband. All her life, she has had a mysterious immunity to poisonous plant matter, but a deep craving to consume it. When she does, someone around her usually dies - and those who die usually are terrible human beings. Piers discovers that there is a reason for this, one that turns her reality upside down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this dark, witchy book. It was fast paced, beautifully written, and it kept me up late every night I picked it up. The subject matter in this book is heavy. It includes domestic abuse, sexual assault and violence, rape, suicide, murder, death, grief. I don’t recommend this for readers who are currently struggling with any of the above, but being a survivor of sexual assault, I found the writing to be powerful and realistic. However, there is a lot of man hating in this novel.

I wish there were more decent male characters represented because even though many men are monsters, not all of them are. Besides Ed, Regis, and Emil all men in the world apparently suck, which isn’t accurate. This book was very black and white, and I think most people exist within the gray. I get that the field of work Piers and her family are in attract horrible people to them, but I just wish it was a bit more balanced for regular non-law enforcement male characters (I.e. Regis and Emil).

I also didn’t understand how the poison she consumed for the mercy kill didn’t spread to her sexual encounter she had immediately after. I didn’t think the poison wore off that quickly so I found that to be an oversight. Third act break up felt forced, and the entire ending with her Aunt just was miserable. If Myrtle was feeding, I find it difficult to believe she couldn’t defend herself at all even being prone.

Other than these few things, I loved the book. 4 of 5 stars.

The Bane Witch is a seductive, sinister, and spellbinding tale that sinks its thorns into you and doesn’t let go. Ava Morgyn has crafted a gothic feminist fantasy that feels like Practical Magic took a walk on the darker side of the woods—and I was completely here for it.

Piers Corbin is not your typical heroine—she’s a poison eater, born into a legacy of Bane Witches who use their deadly gifts to rid the world of dangerous men. From a young age, her life has been entangled with toxic things: plants, people, and pain. When she fakes her own death and escapes to her great aunt’s remote mountain town, it becomes clear—this is not just survival. This is destiny.

The writing is lush and lyrical, dripping with atmosphere and deliciously dark magic. I loved the contrast between Piers’ quiet days helping in her aunt’s cozy café and the sharp, visceral tension of her secret nighttime justice. Her flirtation with the local sheriff adds a playful layer to an otherwise gritty, haunting story—but don’t be fooled. There’s real horror here, and real heart too.

As a serial killer begins to circle closer, Piers must embrace the full weight of her power. This novel is about transformation, legacy, and the quiet fury of a woman reclaiming control—and using it with deadly precision.

Morgyn delivers a powerful, empowering, and wickedly satisfying story that blends folklore, suspense, and feminist rage into a modern witch tale that will leave readers spellbound.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was pretty good. Was it my favorite book ever? No but it was a decent “hallmark movie” experience. A decent palette cleanser. I didn’t find the main character really relateable so that might have been the issue. I did enjoy the big plot points like faking your death to get out of an abusive marriage, moving back home and suddenly having magic powers, etc. This was cute and I loved the girl power theme though!

Ava Morgyn crafts a heroine in Piers Corbin who is equal parts damaged and dangerous—fueled by poison, purpose, and a twisted sense of justice. As she unearths her true nature among a lineage of deadly women, the story pulses with dark magic, moral ambiguity, and just enough wicked humor.

The pacing is brisk, the atmosphere lushly eerie, and the premise refreshingly original. While some plot points feel a bit rushed, Morgyn’s prose and bold narrative choices keep the pages turning. A thrilling feminist revenge fantasy with bite—literally.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the early copy!

The Bane Witch is intense and atmospheric, blending magic, mystery, and revenge. The premise is great, with witches using poisonous plants to take down awful men. The world-building is rich, and the themes of feminine rage and empowerment are powerful, but the execution feels uneven. Some moments in the book felt rushed while others dragged out. Piers is an interesting character, but her naivety can be a little frustrating. The book tries to juggle mystery, self-discovery, and dark fantasy, and while it mostly succeeds, some parts feel messy. If you like witchy stories with strong female leads and don’t mind a bit of chaos, this one might be worth a read.

This book was amazing! This is my first book by Ava Morgyn and it won't be my last.

Piers is in an abusive relationship that she can't get out of until she decides to do something about it. She remembers her Aunt Myrtle and fakes her own death as she escapes her husband Henry. Only on her way to meet her aunt she has some trouble and decides that she needs to get to her aunt's house like ASAP because something is going on and she has no idea what it is until she gets to her aunts house and her aunt explains everything to her.

It is a small town Piers now calls home that things start to happen and Piers doesn't know what to do about it. Can she stay with her aunt and be protected or will she become the huntress?

Thank you to Net-Galley for allowing me to read this arc copy.

This cover makes you think that it will be a cozy, whimsical mystery but I found this book to be heavy and raw in so many ways. I loved the main character and her journey to learn who she is. There were so many amazing things about this book and the writing was top notch. Just a solid witch story that will make you think!

It felt very atmospheric and I liked the premise. I really liked Piers Corbin but I am not sure about the execution.
There was too much happening with the serial killer investigation and the MC discovering herself - it was not a great reading experience.

I think I am very curious to see where the author goes next. She clearly has a lot of talent but execution is not my cup of tea.

A family of women using poisonous plants to take out awful men?? I was SAT. This book was dark, a bit graphic, and totally unhinged in the best way.

I had to suspend my disbelief a few times and the main character felt a bit too naive, but honestly… I didn’t care. I was hooked and stayed up way too late finishing it. If you’re in the mood for female empowerment but make it ☠️ - this is for you.

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn reminded me of The Mindf*ck Series by S.T.Abby but with magic to add to the improbable circumstances and horrifying adult trauma. The feminine rage was satisfying but the character growth seemed stunted and slowed down the pace of the entire plot at times. Overall, it was fine and I liked it enough to finish, but the beginning is the best part and then it gets mildly messy.

Until Next Time,
MC

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for access to this eARC.

I was so ready for all the feminine rage with this book. Sadly it fizzled out for me way before the end of the story. What I loved: The world building was rich and atmospheric and really set the tone for the whole story. It was really well done. I liked the characters, I thought that Piers was compelling and I liked that she really embraced her birthright and her rage. I thought that the magic system was interesting and something that I haven't come across in my witchy reads before. Unfortunately the pacing is what really threw me off on this one. I kept finding myself losing interest and setting the book down. I do look forward to Morgyn's next book to see if it will be more my speed.

I was in the mood for a good witchy read when I remembered I had The Bane Witch waiting for me. I loved Ava Morgyn's first book, but boy, was this one a doozy (in a good way!) Piers Corbin decides to fake her own death to escape her dangerous husband and finds herself at her aunt's remote camp in upstate New York. While there she learns she comes from a long line of poison eaters, who use their power to rid the world of evil men.

While witchy and fun, it's also extremely powerful. The book features heavy themes of violence against women and how these women use their power to protect others. I loved every minute with this book and truly left me thinking when it was done.

If you love witchy, magical realism, and powerful women, read The Bane Witch.
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

This book is sensational is so many ways. Not only is it quite dark in atmosphere but the subject matter is a challenge to the reader and explores real issues people, particularly women, experience. While I am lucky enough not to be able to identify where physical harm is involved, I appreciated the quality of the exploration. It was terrible and credible and I’m am so glad this book exists. The writing I also found wonderful and entrancing. I am recommending this book right left and center but please do pay attention to the content warns.

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn, releasing on March 18, 2025, is a story that blends the allure of Practical Magic with the tension of Gone Girl. While the storytelling starts slowly, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged through the first half, the latter part of the book ultimately delivers with compelling mystery and emotional depth. It’s a story that feels both expansive and intimate, drawing readers into the protagonist Piers's journey of discovering her identity as a bane witch amidst dark secrets and a lurking serial killer. Though it may not be a standout among my favorite dark fantasies, the atmospheric settings, mysterious magic, and focus on family make it a worthwhile read for fans of witchy tales. If you enjoy a story that builds slowly but rewards you with rich, unpredictable moments, The Bane Witch might be just the book for you.

I enjoyed this even more than I expected to. I was very invested in the story and found it a very easy read. This was a great blend of genres: mystery, romance, contemporary fiction, magical realism.

This book was dark, mysterious, and had many heavy subjects as elements. Before reading, I would definitely check out the trigger warnings. It was too much for me, too much plot, too many characters. It was hard to follow at times, but it was still ok.

A Witch Digresses About All the Evil Men She Killed
Ava Morgyn, The Bane Witch: A Novel (New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, March 18, 2025). Softcover: $19. 384pp. ISBN: 978-1-250835-45-1.
**
“Piers Corbin has always had an affinity for poisonous things—plants and men. From the pokeweed berries she consumed at age five that led to the accidental death of a stranger, to the husband whose dark proclivities have become… concerning, poison has been at the heart of her story. But when she fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her volatile marriage and goes to stay with her estranged great aunt in the mountains, she realizes her predilection is more than a hunger—it’s a birthright. Piers comes from a long line of poison eaters—Bane Witches—women who ingest deadly plants and use their magic to rid the world of evil men. Piers sets out to earn her place in her family’s gritty but distinguished legacy, all while working at her Aunt Myrtle’s cafe and perpetuating a flirtation with the local, well-meaning sheriff to allay his suspicions on the body count she’s been leaving in her wake. But soon she catches the attention of someone else, a serial killer operating in the area. And that only means one thing—it’s time to feed.” Another unique premise. There are many books and shows about witches that show them murdering evil or monstrous men, but usually it is done with swords or other violent weapons that put the witch in danger of death (even if she instigates an attack). In this case, the witch secretly poisons men to death who she judges to be evil, acting as the unappointed judge over them. There is hardly anything more “evil” than poisoning people one perceives as “evil”; so this revenge for the sake of humanity plotline is one that I think is overdone give its moral irrationality.
This is another case where the cover interested me in this novel because of my current explorations in digital art. This artist uses a curious combination of realism and cartoonish simplicity that also makes a curious case in need of imitation. The hallucinogenic mushrooms at the bottom of the cover are especially well-done, with great lighting, and detail. The dripping blood of a top flower leads the eye to the title. Just a masterly design.
The first chapter opens with a poetic rhythm. Modern literary fiction frequently uses this trick: rhythm is used to make the words seem more highbrow and intense. Rhythm is achieved through repetition, such as starting two sentences with the same phrase: “A well-designed…” Another element is using vague descriptions that confuse the reader, before offering explanations that seem to reveal something mystical. A character is crossing the Cooper River, noting, “It dazzles, this bridge, like something from a spaceship…” The “it” is clarified to be a “bridge” in rhythmically matching two-syllable phrases. There are also many similes, and relatively detailed descriptions of juice seeping into the “white crescents of my nails.” There is a fuzzy line between the attempt to be highbrow succeeds in achieving well-written prose. So, these are good elements.
Another trick this opening semi-succeeds with is introducing a dramatic incident that was mentioned in the blurb: the narrator as a child of five eats poisoned black berries. The description focuses on her own hallucinogenic trip, but ends with the note: “leaving the dead man behind.” There was no clear explanation or mention of who this guy could have been or why he would die from the kid eating berries. But this is the mystery that readers are invited to be curious about as they start reading this novel. Ah, the next paragraph explains that this guy had given her the berries: this clarifies things a bit. If there was no further mention of this dead guy until the middle of the book, when this mystery was “solved”, it would not have been good.
After describing the painful parts of the poisoning, she mentions eating these berries again willingly at nine. Instead of explaining why she became suicidal at nine. The narrator then moves on to how her husband believes she is a drama-queen: “He always found my reactions exaggerated, even comical.” These hops between times, places, events, and traumas are too difficult to stay interested in. I must leave this book here. Stream-of-consciousness books are rather common today. It must be freeing for a writer to just write about this-and-that, as thoughts appear, and you just write them down, with a bit of poeticizing to make it all sound artsy. But for the reader, a writer’s lack of self-control, or careful pre-plotting means they probably cannot sink into the story: it is like an abandoned house with a half-fallen ceiling: you don’t want to go in there even if there is a witch beckoning you in with hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Pennsylvania Literary Journal: Spring 2025 issue: https://anaphoraliterary.com/journals/plj/plj-excerpts/book-reviews-spring-2025

"We don't fear men in this house,” she tells me. “Men fear us.”

I loved this book! From the very beginning, it hooked me and didn't let go. The whole premise of this book was so persuasive - witches who can eat poison and inflict that poison on a man who has already hurt women to prevent him from continuing to hurt women.
Morgyn had these bane witches well thought out! While our MC, Piers, is coming out of an abusive marriage, she is a strong woman in her own right.
We follow her as she grows into her own and struggles to find her place in a life that has never been a place she felt she belonged.
This is a dark tale, filled with intrigue, murder, covens, snippets of botany, and a little romance thrown in.

I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience and liked this novel even more than Morgyn's first! But, I know what I can expect from her novels - strong women who take no BS.
I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

Unexpected and beguiling, but also dark and sinister. A story about revenge and legacy, but with a witchy twist. I loved this. The magic system is so original and creative, and the suspense/serial killer aspect was creepy and left with a sense of foreboding as I read. Definitely very dark themes so check trigger warnings, but I loved seeing everything come full circle. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!