This was a pretty quick witchy read. This had so much to be such a dark and compelling story full of revenge and poison and power, but it just didn't follow through for me and I didn't click with it or the characters. I didn't feel that pull or interest.

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.

I found some elements of the story to feel a bit clunky. The pacing felt a bit off at times and some of the witchy details didn't come to full conception. Overall, I enjoyed the concept and the characters of the story. I felt like the execution was lacking.

A thrilling and suspenseful book that captured my attention right away. I really enjoyed the story plot and characters, and can’t wait to see you at what else Ava Morgyn has planned in the future.

This book was good. I love magical realism and this was an enjoyable tale. I didn't love the characters and I thought that a few things could have been fleshed put more, but I liked that it wasn't too hard to read and didn't demand all of my attention. It was a little lighthearted despite the subject matter. I thought it was a nice balance and a good quick read.

This was a solid read, good, but it didn’t quite reach great. The premise drew me in and held my attention, but I found the plot a bit too predictable. The writing style was clear, but the pacing was uneven, dragging in some places. The main character was relatable, her decisions felt grounded and not overly frustrating. The relationships around her were lacking there just wasn’t enough chemistry or emotional depth. I was expecting more witchy elements, instead, it leaned more into the theme of power abuse by awful men. I'm still glad I read it, but I wish it took things a bit further.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the advance copy.

I had a hard time getting into this one at first with the slower build up. About 100 pages in is when I was hooked!

“A very little poison can do a world of good.” -Aunt Myrtle

“Bad things happen to good people all the time, we just don’t think about it.” -Piers

“The hunt is beginning, and my prey is out there, hunting me in return.” -Piers

I’m still reeling after finishing The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn, a unique genre mash-up I didn’t know I needed in my life. This book combines witchy fantasy with serial killer suspense in a way that feels fresh and addictive.

The opening chapters pulled me right into Piers Davenport’s desperate attempt to fake her death and frame her abusive husband Henry for her murder. It’s dark, yes. But it sets up a premise that goes far beyond your typical thriller. As Piers works to shed her past and rebuild her identity away from Henry’ control, she finds long lost Aunt Myrtle, who introduces her to a family philosophy. “In this household, we don’t fear men. Men fear us.”

As an avid fantasy reader, I’ve come across countless magic systems, but Morgyn’s concept of scorned female witches who are immune to deadly poisons that actually fuel their magic to hunt male predators? Absolutely brilliant and unlike much I’ve encountered before. The lore surrounding the original bane witch was a fun addition too.

The narrative structure deserves special mention. Piers POV is written in first-person limited and focuses on her present actions and growths, with some backstory on past traumas or childhood. Investigator Reyes’ POV is in third person limited and keeps Henry’s presence alive throughout the story, all while learning what life events motivated his career path. There’s a cat and mouse dynamic that had me flipping pages as I followed the moves of Piers, Investigator Reyes, Sheriff Brooks, Henry and the serial killer. Despite juggling multiple character perspectives, Morgyn never let the narrative feel cluttered or overwhelmed. Morgyn delivered a blend of supernatural elements and psychological suspense and I can’t recommend this book enough.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and written by me.

"𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝."

Its always the books I'm intimidated by that end up being some of my favorites. I have been putting this one off for quite some time and I'm actually kind of sad I didn't pick it up sooner.

I love the premise. I love feminine rage. I love witchy-ness and natural magic system. Everything about this book I thought was quite well done. It was a little bit darker than I initially expected it to be (absolutely check trigger warnings please - there is a lot of domestic violence and sexual assault involved), but as it came together, it fit very well with the story being told. This book had me racing to finish it once I really got into the story...and tears were shed. I was so invested in both perspectives of the story that I couldn't put the book down, especially after about the half way mark.

I also think that the thriller aspect of this story was well done. I was slightly disappointed at one of the reveals, but otherwise it was fun to see that thread throughout the story.

Was this book absolutely perfect? No, there definitely were some little things that were slightly off. Was it an entertaining and emotional read? Absolutely. So much so that I probably will pick this one up again for a re-read just because I love the story so much. I'll definitely be checking out more by this author!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Griffin, NetGalley and Ava Morgyn for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Bane Witch combines fantasy with a thriller for an odd but amusing tale. It was a bit slow in the middle, and there were some plot holes, but overall this novel was a unique and interesting story. I think people who enjoy genre meshes like romantic thrillers will enjoy this one.

I am SO glad I finally got around to read it!! A solid 4 STAR that I would recommend to anyone who loves a thriller mixed with a little witchy action and even some ROMANCE gasp I know…I read a book with ROMANCE!

I loved everything about this book. The vibes and the atmosphere were bleak yet beautiful. Learning about the lore behind the Bane Witches and their powers was fascinating and a nice touch. I feel like some writers may not have chosen to go as far back in the history of the Bane Witch but it definitely added more to the story. Especially because one of the main things our FMC is realizing is how things have changed through the generations.

Their powers are remarkable, humbling and so important and I really wish they were real. Our society would probably be a better place!

This was a true testament to the idea that “just because it’s how we’ve always done it doesn’t mean it’s what’s best”.

I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up: A Bane Witch.

It was good but wasn’t my favourite read. The storyline was interesting but very slow paced with some unnecessary information.

This was a wild ride when I was able to get into it! I didn't know what to expect going in but once it got going, it wasn't so bad. I struggled in the beginning and sometimes getting back into the book was hard, I kept putting it down, but I enjoyed most of the elements that were at play. I enjoy a dark fiction book, be it fantasy, academia, etc and that scratched the itch and the suspense worked mostly, so the surprises were nice for me. Overall, it was an okay read. If you like dark witchy vibes with revenge and murder and suspense, this might be for you!

The Bane Witch is the kind of book that feels like it was written for girls who collect antique apothecary bottles, drink their coffee black, and have a deeply specific Spotify playlist titled "revenge, but make it romantic". Ava Morgyn has crafted a haunting, atmospheric novel that reads like folklore with blood under its fingernails... a modern witch tale soaked in poison and power.

There’s something oddly comforting about a book that fully leans into its darkness, and The Bane Witch does exactly that. It’s quiet and eerie, but also sharp and weirdly empowering in the way only stories about vengeful witches and generational curses can be.

Piers Corbin is one of those characters who feels like she’s already lived nine lives before the first chapter even starts. She’s been through things most people wouldn’t talk about out loud, and her past is soaked in poison... literally and emotionally. After faking her death to get away from her violent husband, she ends up in the mountains with a great aunt she barely knows and starts discovering the truth about herself and her family: she comes from a long line of Bane Witches. Women who eat poison. Women who kill the kinds of men who think no one ever will.

What really struck me is how grounded the story feels, even with all the magic. The world is soft around the edges but never safe, which works so well for a story about surviving and then deciding not to just survive anymore.

Piers is complicated in a way that doesn’t ask for sympathy. She’s tired. She’s angry. And once she finds her power, she stops trying to play nice about it. Her journey isn’t about healing, exactly... it’s more about reclaiming what she was always meant to be. And there’s something really powerful in that.

The writing is lyrical without being flowery, with these lines that sneak up on you and just stay there. It’s the kind of book that feels like it was written during a thunderstorm, next to a candle that smells like crushed violets and old paper.

It’s not a loud story, but it is a haunting one. If you like books that feel like walking alone through a forest and not being sure if the thing behind you is danger or destiny, this one’s worth your time.

Final thoughts: quietly devastating, beautifully strange, and exactly the right amount of poisonous.

I loved every page.

An original concept based on old tales, fear, and fantasy. A gripping narrative and satisfying conclusion. This was one of the most interesting stories I've read this year.

Thank you Netgalley and SMP for the ARC!

The Bane Witch is the perfect blend of thriller and fantasy. Morgyn weaves a story of a woman learning to stand up for herself, embrace her destiny, and make change happen. But also, she continues to attract monsters who won't leave her alone.

Each character in this story is well thought out and done. Even the good men in this story are still filled with male ego, and don't see the forest for the trees. I loved the character of Myrtle and Piers, each one with their own interests and history that leads to them to do what they do.

I want to read more books sit in this world, and learn more about Bane Witches. What about the one from Brazil? AHH it was just so good, I need a second book.

I adored this book. I loved the characters and the character growth throughout the book. I loved discovering the protagonist’s secrets with her and uncovering the mysteries of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery, strong female characters, and a touch of magic.

“We don’t fear men in this house… Men fear us.”

Poisonous witch assassins? Um heck yeah. Do not be deceived by this cover, this is not a cozy fantasy, this is DARK.

This story follows a woman fleeing her abusive husband; but there is a lot to uncover about herself and what she is along the way. This book brought out my feminine rage, because it sheds light on what many women face in our world. The Bane Witch covers some very dark topics, but ultimately felt like a story to help empower women.

This was a fairly easy read that I made it through in a single sitting. It's not exactly fun as it is quite dark at times, but overall this was a brain-off sort of read which is what I needed right now. I think some of the sex scenes were a bit odd in how they were written, but I usually overlook that sort of stuff in a lot of books. Watching women kill bad men is one of my favorite things in books, so this was right up my alley! I really enjoyed it, thank you so much for an ARC.

Thank you so much Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and St. Martin's Griffen. I truly do appreciate it so much.

Piers Corbin has always had an affinity for poisonous for two things, plants and men. She consumed pokeweed berries when she was just five years old, that led to the accidental death of a stranger, it then led to a husband who dark have become concerning. Poison has always been at the heart of her story. When she fakes her own death in order to escape her marriage and then she goes to stay with her estranged great aunt in the mountains, she soon realizes it's more than hunger, it's a birthright. Piers come from a long line of people that eat poisonous plants. They are called Bane Witches, witches who eat poisonous plants and use their magic to get rid of the evil men in the world. During the time of living with her great aunt she attracts the attention of someone else. A serial killer operating in the area.

I finished this book which is a good sign, I just don't think that I liked this book. The cover of this book is absolutely stunning I love the colours, and the illustration's on it. I would say that this book is more fantasy than anything, it has the murder mystery aspect but it was kind of in the background. This book gave cozy vibes, but it just wasn't interesting to me. The book felt slow, I felt like this was going at a snail's pace. I wanted to DNF this book, I probably could have guessed the ending but I wanted to be able to get to the ending. I did love the feminism in this book, and how powerful the women were. There were no trigger warning with this book, I am hoping that when the book is published that their will be some trigger warnings so that no one is taken by surprise. I just didn't enjoy this book, as much as I thought it would.

Happy Reading!!!!