3.5/5

It took me a minute to get into this, but once I did, I really enjoyed it! I loved the magic aspect of this book, and I love a badass FMC. I can’t wait to read more from Morgyn.

Overalls i enjoyed most of what I read in this book, but ultimately had to dnf at 45%. It was a lot darker than I had gone in thinking it was, and I was not at all in the headspace needed for me to complete the book at this time. It is one that once im feeling better I will go back to, but as of now it is not going to happen.

I loved the characters, and the plot felt very unique. However, again, the content was just too dark for my current state I'd mind.

I have hand sold this a few times! It is a fun, atmospheric mystery that surrounds witches and has the PERFECT dash of feminism. I had a great time with the spice too!

I was not sure what to expect from this book but I was highly impressed. I really loved the story line and how the woman came together but also how the main character found a way to change the story for herself. I will be recommending this to others who like morally grey women.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this Arc for my honest review.

The Bane Witch was an intense, atmospheric ride with rich magic and a dark edge that kept me hooked. The world-building was immersive, and I loved the morally gray vibes of the main character—flawed, powerful, and compelling in a way that really pulled me in. The pacing had a few uneven spots, but the tension, magic, and stakes made up for it. If you like your fantasy a little dark, a little dangerous, and full of witchy power plays, this one’s a strong pick. Definitely excited to see where the story goes next!

🖤🌒 Book Review: The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn 🌒🖤

Dark magic. Cursed bloodlines. A witch caught between power and destiny. The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn is an atmospheric, spellbinding fantasy that drips with gothic tension, fierce femininity, and a heroine you won’t forget.

What it’s about:
When Elspeth discovers she’s the last of a feared witch bloodline, she’s thrust into a deadly world of ancient curses, forbidden magic, and enemies who would kill to control her. As she uncovers long-buried secrets and awakens dangerous power, Elspeth must decide: embrace the darkness—or let it consume her.

Tropes & Themes:
🖤 Dark witchy magic
🌕 Chosen one / legacy heroine
💔 Forbidden romance
🩸 Cursed bloodlines
🏰 Gothic fantasy vibes

Ava Morgyn’s lush writing and haunting world-building make The Bane Witch a must-read for fans of Serpent & Dove, The Bone Witch, or anything with morally gray witches and slow-burning stakes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TheBaneWitch #AvaMorgyn #DarkFantasy #WitchBooks #GothicFantasy #WitchyReads #Bookstagram #DarkRomance #MoralGrayCharacters #BookReview #FantasyReads

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.