As Piers fakes her own death to escape an abusive husband, we learn about her ability to eat poisonous plants with no impact to her own health and her plan to make her way to the only remaining family she knows of. After she makes her way North from Charleston, she learns of her family's secret - that the women of her family are witches, bane witches to be exact, and they have a calling to protect the innocent by dispatching violent, horrible men. Piers has to prove her worth after being apart from the family her whole life, and they only way to do that is to track and kill the serial killer that's been circling her because of her allure.

While I really liked this read, the pacing felt a little off towards the end. There was an awful lot of build up towards the big climax which then wrapped up so quickly. I wish there had been a little more explanation of the gifts that came with the power Piers had. She went from getting flashes to being able to touch evidence (or not even evidence!) and get so much information about what happened/thoughts/memories from those involved.... Didn't feel like Myrtle or the venery did a good job of explaining all of that to the readers.

Definitely recommend if you like a story with strong, complex women, dark magic, and suspenseful thrills, with a unique blend of witchy mysticism, and vigilante justice!

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for a review!

I don't know where to start with this novel. The imagery of the natural landscape is phenomenal, and the character arcs are breath-taking. I was rooting for Piers and Regis the entire time, and not only for that reason, could not put the novel down. "Magical thriller" is the perfect way to describe this plot-propellant book. I absolutely fell in love with the prospect of vigilante/underground society of female witches assassinating deserving men for their crimes against humanity--because this book is about so much more than an angry woman seeking justice against a man who has wronged her. It is about female community, the beauty and healing of the natural world, the controversy of our justice system, and the big-hearted men who are proof "they aren't all bad." I adored this book for the way it challenges justice and vengeance. I found myself laughing right alongside Piers when she finally confronted her abusive husband, her self-awakening that he has no power over her anymore. I cannot wait to have this book on my shelves for others to read. This is a must-have for every library.

I loved just about everything in this book. Morgyn writes some of the best prose I have ever read. It draws you in and tells a compelling and unique story. I was hooked the entire time.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the romance it seemed forced and really shallow. The story is complex and powerful, the romance however comes out of nowhere and detracts from the impact.

That being said I loved this book. It was unlike anything I had read before. Morgyn explores many dark and complex themes, tying them together to make a compelling narrative. Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. I look forward to it's realize in spring 2025.

This is a really heavy book that touches on a very heavy topic while adding a touch of magical vengeance into it that I loved. Super face-passed writing and I never felt like I was bored.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book. I am in love with it.

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

I don't think I can say enough great things about this book. Dark whimsical characters trying to rid the world from the evil of man had my full attention. The pacing and flow were very steady. The concept is so clever and creative and kept me intrigued throughout the story. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole wild ride. Such a wonderful read.

My only complaint, which doesn't determine my 5 star rating, is that the chapters weren't long. I wish they were broken up a little more.

I can't wait for this book to come out so I can share with family and friends.

“A very little poison can do a world of good.”
Wow. This was dark and beautiful and full of feminine rage. Piers escapes her incredibly violent husband only to discover she is a bane witch - one who can eat poison and kill others, particularly those who harm women. Piers grapples with this new reality all while learning to be her own person- not a victim. The prose is beautiful. The descriptions are lyrical but not overly done. The character growth is fantastic.

This story is hard - I teared up more than once. Despite the heaviness, it is a page turner full of mystery and thrill. It is a poignant tale of the strength of women in a misogynistic world.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the egalley!

Piers has had a hard life; one she’s never really understood, tinged with murder, pain, and heartache. But when she meets Henry, the bad days seem behind her. So when things quickly go South before the ink is dry on the marriage license, she spends two years dealing with more fear and pain at the hands of her husband.

How do you survive an abusive, controlling, sadistic marriage to a wannabe killer? You DIE… sort of. Piers Davenport is done. Done with being meager to suit her controlling husband’s demands. Done with accepting his cruelty and impatience. Done with being the invisible wife. That’s why she’s decided to die.

Where Piers sets up an elaborate plan to disappear, she can’t believe she’s free. To lay low, she’s got to make it to a remote location where a long lost relative will hopefully give her the fresh start she so desperately needs. But death is never that easy. Something in festering in her very core- a literal poison she can’t ignore, and the only way to pacify the burning need may be her second death.

I absolutely LOVED the author’s writing style and her talent with character depth! Piers’ strange, dark family clan became my own, and I fell in love with the characters she built in the little remote forest town. The story was engaging and had me by the ponytail, forcing me to take this quest right along with the main characters. I found myself making assumptions, predictions, solid statements all through the plot, and then realizing I had no idea what I was talking about. That is FANTASTIC writing when an author can have that effect on a reader! Kudos to Ava Morgyn and St. Martin’s Griffin Press on this masterpiece. Thank you to both and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ava Morgyn is a truly talented author! I loved the combination of witchcraft and mystery, and this book crosses genres for a wider appeal. The writing is descriptive and beautiful. It’s also quite spicy! Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance!

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC! I had a lot of fun reading this. It truly did feel like Gone Girl meets Practical Magic. I admit, it took me about 20% of the way through to get hooked because I’m not usually a thriller/mystery kind of girl. But once the witchy/magic stuff came into play, I was IN. I’m giving this a 4.5 stars just because the beginning dragged a little. Overall though, highly recommend!

Ava Morgyn's "The Bane Witch" is a mesmerizing and magical novel that explores the complexities of identity, power, and the human condition. This darkly enchanting tale is a must-read for fans of fantasy, magical realism, and feminist literature.

Grabbed by the cover, I just knew this was going to be a great read, and it was! I am very stingy with 4-5 stars...and I would give this one 4.75 stars easily! Definitely crossing the territories of psychological and domestic thriller, awakenings, unique witchy-ness that brings a bit of a cozy vibe at moments, and then so suspenseful as we follow our main character through this story! I definitely plan to buy the print version for my shelf, can see myself re-reading at some point, and will spread the word on this one! Really enjoyed it!

This plot is clever and interesting. It had me at the edge of my seat. I could not put it down. Morgyn does a great job building suspense. The Bane Witch is one that I will not soon forget. Give it a read! Thanks for the advanced copy!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

2.75 stars

The blurb for The Bane Witch did not prepare me exactly for what I was getting into. Upon reading the opening lines I could already tell this was going to be a hard read as there was mention of domestic abuse which included strangulation, rape, and physical abuse. All things that are extremely difficult for me to stomach and read about. The Bane Witch never let off on this particular matter and continued to make my stomach turn the further I read into it.

For the first 50% I felt that I could persevere as overall, the story aimed to be a revenge fantasy and setting up a world in which women naturally evolve to hunt dangerous and volatile men. As a concept, this is really flippin cool, however the execution fell short.

Piers, our main character, was not a character who I particularly understood why they made their decisions, and while the story progressed she appeared to become more irrational and difficult to empathize with. When the reader feels disconnected from the narrator, it becomes an utter slog to complete which unfortunately happened in The Bane Witch.

I also felt that adding in a romance to a newly escaped victim of domestic abuse was unrealistic with how it was portrayed in the novel. It felt too convenient in the story itself and took away the agency that the main character was attempting to regain. For a revenge fantasy, it kind of ignores what revenge does to a person: consumes their existence and leaves no room for anything else.

ARC Reader Book Review 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A wonderful blend of Urban Fantasy & Thriller. Although the pacing/plot can be a up & down, this was an intriguing read filled w/ so much mystery & ancient magic. The touch of romance was just enough as well, but the female rage is what hooked me 👏🏽
I love a good witchy read full of twists!!

Read if you like:
Witchy vibes on the darker and spookier side
Some tough subject matter such as DV, trauma and survival.
Lore and supernatural elements
Female rage
A journey of self discovery and empowerment

“The bane witch” is a modern day witchcraft story full of magical elements but also components that tie into the psychological thriller genre. If you like a blended mix of genres like this then give it a go! There is lots of suspense to satisfy your thriller cravings and definitely enough witchy context for your whimsical side.

This book includes dark subject matter so make sure you go into it checking your TW and not expecting a happy fairytale. The main character fakes her death to escape a toxic and abusive relationship and in doing so finds herself embracing her magical heritage and coming into her own strengths and powers.

Thank you to st martins press and Ava Morgyn for the EARC!

Publish date: March 18th 2025

If you are looking for your next witchy read, your search is over! The Bane Witch is an incredibly fun witchy thriller exploring female rage and empowerment in a violent man’s world. While the story does deal with heavy topics (TW for domestic abuse), it is also fun and fast-paced; it’s urban fantasy meets true crime fiction as we follow a secret society of witches who use their poisonous powers to take out bad men. It is so so good, and I know many readers are going to love this book!

I would recommend The Bane Witch to readers who enjoy books about witches, female rage, vigilantes, and true crime. You will not want to miss this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc! All thoughts and options are my own.

This book will be sitting with me for a while. Beautifully written and compelling. I thought the topic of domestic violence was handled very well.

I absolutely loved this book. It definitely lived up to the gone girl/practical magic vibes. I like the different take she had about finding yourself/hope. It was a wonderful concept.
The different stories she had going on at once kept me totally entranced. I had to keep going and keep flipping the pages. Such feminine power in this book!

I would definitely reread this book when it comes out in March.

I love, love, love this book! If you love all things witchy, tarot, and bad-a** women, then this book is for you! This book grapples over the nature of humanity and your shadow self.

This story follows a woman named Piers Corbin. She has always felt different and doesn’t understand why. She is in an abusive relationship and fakes her death to escape her abusive and controlling husband.

Piers travels North to find her mother’s long lost sister, Aunt Myrtle. Myrtle explains that she is different and that the women in the family are bane witches and their existence is to rid the world of evil predatory men that are a danger to women and children. After finding out the family secret, Piers finds out that there is a serial killer in the area preying on women. She uses her ‘family secret’ and goes out to find him.

At this time, according to NetGalley, this book is being marketed at general fiction (adult)/Sci-Fi/Fantasy. I am definitely getting more mystery/thriller/fantasy type vibes and simply put, this is why I did not enjoy the book. I DID NOT hate the actual book or writing style. I am not a mystery/thriller reader and it made it very difficult for me to finish because it was so far from what I was expecting. If you enjoy dark witchy vibes with mystery and suspense, this book is for you! It is very engaging and keeps you on your toes the entire time.

Triggers: Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/Rape

I want to thank Ava Morgyn, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this book.