DNF: 25%

Another book where it is me and not the book itself.

*Sigh*

So. Basically. These past few weeks, I have gone from a huge reading slump to being able to read two books back-to-back only to DNF the next 3 to 7 that come along. And, unfortunately, this one just happens to fall into a DNF…

Let me just say: (1) this cover is ABSOLUTELY beautiful. I am a cover reader. If I find the cover REALLY attractive, I will IMMEDIATELY request or order the book. And because of this cover, it is the first reason why I selected this from the “Read Now” category. (2) The synopsis sounded amazing. Who wouldn’t enjoy a book that features the premise “Gone Girl” (both an excellent book and movie by the way). However, this past year, I have come realize that any book that features “a witch” doesn’t really fit my reading style. Honestly, I don’t know what it is, because a lot of these witchy stories are PERFECT for spooky season. And the reader in me wants to learn how to enjoy this reading aesthetic (both the witchy vibe and spooky season). I guess this book just won’t be the one to help me enter this stage. Which is truly okay.

However,

If witchy stories/vibes are your aesthetic/favorite read then this book is MOST DEFINITELY for you!!!

Side Note: 3⭐️ (for both the cover & the vibe. I may not have been able to finish it but I believe it is still a good story.)

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for making this available for NetGalley readers!!!!

4.75⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This was a perfect read for October so I am surprised that it is actually for publishing in March. The cover, setting and storyline are very fall like.

This is the first book I have read from this author but I very much enjoyed it. She did a wonderful job of setting the scene, character and world-building, and keeping to the plot with a smaller plot included. I loved the bane witch focus and the magic that came with it. I was fully engaged in this story.

There were just a few small things that kept me from giving it a full 5 stars. Some work needs to be done with the sex scenes and the descriptions...“He takes my breasts in his mouth like candied apples …??” <eyebrow raise> Really? That was the best comparison that could be written in?

Plus there were a couple of points in the police investigation that felt far fetched and unrealistic to me. This took a little tiny bit away from the story. I won't detail them so I don't give anything away but unrealistic procedural details do make a difference to me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was such a great story! This book had so many of my favorite things: quirky little town, strong female characters, justice with a side of magic. It was the perfect spooky season read.

4.5 stars! This story was original and compelling. There was so much depth to it. The characters were realistic. I was hooked. Brilliant writing. It definitely needs trigger warnings though. This story deals with a lot of sensitive topics.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought it was a good book, interesting writing style and plot. It was written well, although some descriptions were a little strange. Overall I think people will like it if you’re into witches.

Was a good read for the spooky season. The pacing for slightly weird for me but the story was gripping. Loved the setting and all the plant knowledge as well. Hard to like any of the characters which I feel like was the point of the book.Kept me guessing till the end.

gorgeously unique story that's filled with the most beautiful poisons and very interesting vibes. dark and fun in every aspect. 5 stars, would recommend. tysm for the arc.

Here is my confession…

“The Bane Witch,” had a promising premise, but could not deliver. I really wanted to like this book, bu I did not.

The chapters were fractured, and the main character was discombobulated and you couldn’t figure out what she wanted. It made no sense. I would also like to mention the numerous trigger warnings, this book can and will be uncomfortable for some.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

If you love Practical Magic-You will love this book.

It has everything and then some. I had such a fun time reading this.

TW-SA and DA and killing. So it might not be for all.

But I loved it and enjoyed the journey Piers took. She found her voice and found healing in the amazing journey.

Thank you Netgalley and Ava Morgyn

Overall, I really enjoyed The Bane Witch and felt like it was the perfect "spooky time" read this October. "Practical Magic meets Gone Girl" was definitely spot on - and reading that tagline made me REALLY want to read this novel.
From the first paragraph, I was hooked. The pace at the beginning of the book was exactly what I wanted and I was so invested in finding out just how far the protagonist would go with her Gone Girl-esque crime. However, around the middle of the book I started to feel like the plot slowed way down (around the time the romance plot picked up) and I had trouble reading as fast as I did during the earlier chapters. The romance between Piers and Regis left much to be desired in my opinion; I didn't feel like their connection was truly that strong.
I did really enjoy meeting the other bane witches and especially loved learning the lore of the bane witches in general. I would LOVE a book about Azalea in particular. Quite frankly, I found her more interesting than Piers.
The ending of the story was also a little anti-climactic. I appreciate how Henry and Piers' storyline was woven back in, but the main point of action that the entire story was leading up to seemed to be over and done with in just a few pages. I suppose I wanted more drama and intrigue.
All in all, I would recommend this book and would love to read more about the bane witches! Fingers-crossed for an Azalea book!

Unfortunately I will not leaving this book a full review. I did not realize how many trigger warnings there were when I requested it, and that is completely on me, and therefore feels very unfair to leave any review. I simply cannot finish due to said trigger warnings at this time. The FMC and the concept of poisoning/the magic are both very intriguing and I feel that this could be a great read for someone else!

I was so excited to read this and alas i could not. The chapters were all over the place. I couldn't understand what was happening. She wanted to die? She wanted to poison herself and that's why she couldn't be around pokeweed and then her husband fantasied about having intercourse with a dead women?! Genuinely confused and disappointed.

This book was interesting. I really enjoyed how it had a paranormal/mystery mix. I thought that the idea of witches who killed their victims by eating toxins to be a unique approach. I also enjoyed the lore of the witches and how it was pretty much something they were unable to avoid becoming. I just felt like this book was a little long. It caused me to get bored at certain points because the plot was a little slow.

Snapped up this book for the season (it’s Halloween week) and I was looking for all the witchy vibes!! I really enjoyed this! The author’s writing style is immersive, and I really loved how she set me up to get lost in her story. The characters we meet feel like real people and I really loved how our main character told her story. Throughout her journey, learning along with her what her “peculiarities” and early childhood experiences really meant. Watching her grow and come into her own was really well done! It also was a nice wrap up in the end and I was not left wanting but instead just satisfied and confident this ending was right for the character (in my humble opinion).

Thank you to Net Galley for granting me an ARC to read! It was exactly what I wanted for this week!!

THE BANE WITCH, Ava Morgyn

Female rage but make it witch.

I randomly found this book on NetGalley and was immediately drawn to the synopsis: Gone Girl x Practical Magic.

The best way to describe my experience reading this book was as if I could feel Piers’ power and self actualization grow from a slow slimmer to a powerful, rolling boil. In a metaphorical cauldron set in modern day.

While there is a bit of romance and found family, you’re really getting a badass love letter from Piers to Peirs. You see her at her
smallest, most vulnerable self to a figure who stands on her own and paves her own journey. You see her run from fear to becoming something to fear.

If you’re looking for a book with a truly unique take on magic & witchery, a woman coming into her own, and suspense this is for you.

Big thank you for St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

Tw: sexual assault, death
Release date: March 18, 2025

"The Bane Witch" by Ava Morgyn is a captivating read that kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot unfolds with a thrilling hunt that draws you into a world of magic and intrigue. Morgyn's writing is immersive, and her characters are well-developed, making it hard to put down. A solid four stars!

Cue Taylor Swift’s Vigilante Shit because Ava Morgyn has done it again! The Witches of Bone Hill was one of my favorite books of last year and this one was just as perfect! I legit couldn't stop thinking about this book and how perfect it was for at least a week after reading it.

What I liked: ALL OF IT! Seriously though, this was such a cool take on a witch story. I loved the whole concept! The setting was fantastic and I could perfectly picture the cabin and diner in my mind. The characters really made it though. I felt so invested because of their stories. I really hope we get more stories about these incredible women!

What I didn’t like: *those* deaths. They hurt me too! Side note, make sure you read the TWs before this one. There is a common theme centered around DV and SA and it can get heavy. (Don’t worry, Bart the dog doesn’t die)

Read if you like: Vigilante femme fatale, a different type of witch story, and characters who come alive on the page.
Would I recommend?: yes, yes, hell yes!

Star rating: 5 stars

Ava Morgyn’s The Bane Witch is a wickedly enchanting blend of dark fantasy, suspense, and revenge. From the first page, you’re hooked by Piers Corbin’s eerie connection to poison and the haunting choices that define her story.

When Piers escapes her toxic marriage (quite literally) and discovers her birthright as a Bane Witch, things spiral deliciously out of control. Morgyn creates a rich world where poisonous plants, witchcraft, and small-town secrets brew into a perfect storm. Watching Piers navigate family legacies, her flirtation with the sheriff, and her pursuit of justice against evil men is both thrilling and empowering. But it’s the looming presence of a serial killer that brings the real tension—will Piers be predator or prey?

This book was incredible! A thriller with witches, romance and lots of suspense! The first couple chapters were hard to read for some reason, maybe it was just me getting used to the authors writing style. I looked forward to sitting down and getting to indulge in a few chapters and enjoyed this one so so much! I loved all the characters and the ending kinda has me hoping for another book? Maybe! Fingers crossed.

I really enjoyed this book, it was so good! Very atmospheric and cozy, a perfect read for those chilly autumn nights. It combines magic and fantasy with elements of a crime thriller in a way that makes for a very gripping read. I especially loved the fact that the author presented such a new and interesting concept of an old familiar favorite topic of witches, by using fungi and plants as a source of their magic/powers. The way that the author writes is very beautiful as well.

I loved the main characters of this book, however, I felt like around the halfway point, some of the characters did and said things that I felt were not fitting with their personality traits leading up to that point. The ending shocked me and I thought that I had predicted what was going to happen and it went a completely different route than I was expecting and I was satisfied with it. At the same time, I did feel like it was slightly anticlimactic because the encounters that the entire book led up to felt rushed and over with quickly. I would have liked to see a little bit more of an explanation or backstory.

Overall, I loved the book and it was the first book that I have read by this author and I look forward to reading her other novels as well!