A visceral, gothic plunge into body horror and codependency that is perfect for the spooky season 🎃🦇

Lately I’ve been trying to branch out from my usual romance bubble, and Blood on Her Tongue sounded like exactly the kind of dark, twisted story I’d love. I ended up doing a mix of audiobook and ebook, and the combination of narration and lyrical writing conjured such vivid visuals that I could easily picture it as an A24-style horror movie

What you can expect:
* Intense body horror 🫀👁
* Obsessive sisterly love and trauma 👭
* Gothic, atmospheric setting 🖤
* Slow-building psychological dread 😨
* Lush, immersive “show-don’t-tell” prose ✍️

At its core, this is a story about the toxic, codependent dynamic between twin sisters. Our FMC is completely consumed by her love and obsession for her twin, and it pushes her into some wildly stupid, vicious, and unhinged decisions. I physically paused the audiobook a few times just to say, “huh???” She puts herself and others in danger because she can’t let go, and it’s both infuriating and fascinating to watch unfold.

The writing style was the absolute star for me. The author nails that rich, atmospheric vibe that makes you feel like you’re standing ankle-deep in muddy water while fog curls around your ankles. I could smell the wet earth, feel the cold creeping in, and hear the grotesque sounds of body fluids. It’s dark, immersive, and appallingly enthralling.

If I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t wait to read this in the fall. This book is begging to be read wrapped in a blanket, with a crisp breeze sneaking through the window, and a halloween candle flickering nearby. It’s moody, haunting, and just the right amount of stomach-churning. This one will be a definite fall reread.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

ARC provided by Poisoned Pen Press

Johanna van Veen’s Blood on Her Tongue is a chilling, atmospheric triumph that completely consumed me from beginning to end. Set against a harsh, frozen wilderness, this story doesn't just flirt with dread—it sinks its teeth in and refuses to let go.

What impressed me most was how effortlessly van Veen blends grounded, character-driven drama with visceral, creeping horror. The isolation is more than just physical—it gets into your bones, your mind, your sense of safety. The prose is tight and evocative, drawing out tension with a careful hand, and letting the fear simmer just below the surface before boiling over at exactly the right moments.

I loved the horror elements here. There’s a psychological edge to the terror—paranoia, survival, guilt—but also moments that push into more primal, skin-crawling territory. It’s never overdone or gratuitous; instead, it feels earned, organic, and deeply rooted in character and place. That balance between natural threat and almost supernatural unease kept me completely hooked.

The characters are flawed, hurting, and so believably human. Watching them navigate both external threats and internal fractures added layers of emotional depth that made the horror hit even harder. I found myself genuinely caring about their fate, even as I dreaded what might be waiting for them in the cold.

Dark, poetic, and unsettling in the best way—this is the kind of horror I crave. Quiet and creeping, but with claws. Highly recommended for readers who want their thrillers bleak, biting, and beautifully written.

Honestly the vibes are immaculate in this book, peak Gothic Lesbian Yearning™ with teeth. Eerie and darkly atmospheric, you just know that the manors are crumbling and the cold breeze carries more than just a chill.
The heroines are both haunted and haunting, and honestly? It makes me want to throw on a sheer white nightgown and wander candle-in-hand down twisting hallways because I swear I heard someone whisper my name... Again.

This was such a great read set in 1887! A historical horror with shocking scenes. I loved how strong and bold Lucy became. Sarah is her twin sister and falls Ill. In a time where any sign of emotional outburst could land a woman in an asylum, Lucy has to protect Sarah at all costs
She is so protective over her sister, even when it proved that it could end up running or even ending her life.
I did not expect that ending.

Holy Cow! I don't even know how to write an appropriate review for this book. It was amazing on all the levels. I will be reading it again and again. Her type of horror is very unique in her way of storytelling. All I can say is that for this one you just have to dive head first into it and get lost along the way.

Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read #BloodonHerTongue by #JohannaVanVeen in return for a fair and honest review.

I actually did not finish it because I wasn't enjoying it that much. I'm so sorry for this but the more I forced myself to read, the more I found out that this book is not something I like.

This book was a compelling and enjoyable read from start to finish. The writing was engaging, the pacing kept me hooked, and the characters felt authentic and well-developed. It struck a strong emotional chord and left a lasting impression. Highly recommend to anyone looking for something thoughtful and impactful.

I loved this book so much! Sometimes with books like this (historical, women are fighting to be seen as equals, kinda weird) then the vibes take over the plot and it doesn't get as bloody as I want it to. But this book was perfect.

Unapologetic female rage and a sisters' bond that goes beyond posession. It felt unique and kept me hooked.

I'm in your blood, and you are in mine…"

This one quote from the novel says it all.  There are so many ways you can be joined by blood.  In this case, it is sisters who  are twins.
Not only did they share a life together as children and the blood of their parents, they also shared the same cell and embryonic sac.  The connections between twins are as mystical as any magic and author can make up.

Sarah falls ill after a "bog body"  is found on her estate.  Her sister Lucy comes to help nurse her as quickly as she. An only to find Sarah near death and seemingly out of her mind.

In the style of  a true Gothic  horror novel, clues to her illness are dropped as we watch her spiral deeper into madness and closer to death.  Sarah insists she must have blood and meat to heal, convincing her husband of her lunacy. When everything goes south, it does so quickly and brutally.

Blood on her Tongue is a masterful mystery and horror novel that could have been written by the great Daphne du Maurier.  Yes, it's that good.
Add a nice touch of queer romance, with an added definition of the title that I should have seen coming but didn't think the author would dare to go ,but she did and I'm all for it.

I loved this novel and was sorry to reach the end.
Highly recommended.   Blood on Her Tongue is available now.

Thanks to @netgalley and Poisoned PenPress,  for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Dark, moody, sapphic and a bit of unhinged humour too. Definitely a cosy winter read and a page turner

I had a bit of difficulty reading this book, but it was mostly on me branching out of my normal genres and feeling overwhelmed by the theme.

I’m into dark romance (think mafia, stalkers, etc) and the novelty of this one got me intrigued, but I just learned that kind of “dark” doesn’t translate to gothic and horror. It turns out I’m a coward, so as much as I enjoyed the writing, the letters and the pace, I would recommend this book to a certain type of reader.

I think this author is amazing and everyone interested in the synopsis should check this out!

This book was absolutely strange. But like in the best way possible? The descriptions, the atmosphere created was top notch. I looked more into this author and see that many of her books have great ratings and want to read more!

2.75

Picked it up hoping to be drawn into the story because a) vampires b) queer horror. Unfortunately, it lacked the content to carry through such a strong concept.

Points for the writing too.

Deliciously gory and gruesome with an undercurrent of strong sisterly vibes, this is a perfect Gothic horror to read in October. I was utterly engrossed (and grossed out).

Dripping with gothic atmosphere and heavy with a sense of melancholy, this haunting retelling of a vampire love story wrapped its claws around me from the first page. It’s not just a tale of blood and longing, but of loyalty—a poignant exploration of the unbreakable thread between siblings, even in the shadow of eternal night.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this evocative novel in exchange for an honest review.

Creeeeepy sisters doing creeeeepy sisters things in the Netherlands in… 1887. Won’t spoil the ending (obv), but, hands down, soooo validating. #girlpower

(Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

This story takes place in the netherlands, 1887 where Lucy’s twin sister Sarah isn't doing well. She isn’t eating and is becoming obsessed with a bog corpse. Lucy is trying to discover what ills her sister which makes it clear that Sarah is hiding something but what is it?

This was an amazing story. It’s well written and well executed with well rounded characters. It was quite satisfying to see the story develop. The body horror was really gross but in a good way. This also made for a nice conclusion to the story. Overall this was an great read which i would recommend to anyone with a love for horror and those with a strong stomach. ;)

Blood on Her Tongue is a gripping and darkly atmospheric novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. Van Veen crafts a compelling story with complex characters and an intense plot that explores themes of betrayal and redemption. The writing style is vivid and immersive, making it easy to get lost in this haunting world. While some parts felt a bit slow, the overall tension and emotional depth make up for it. Definitely a great read for anyone who appreciates atmospheric thrillers with a touch of mystery.

This book was an incredibly original read. It kept me guessing until the end. I loved this unique take on the supernatural.

A beautiful take on classic, gothic vampire literature. Very much a love letter to Dracula, Nosferatu and Carmilla, but still remains gripping and innovative. There were some clunky sentences here and there, but I really enjoyed my time with this book.