Unfortunately, I DNF'ed this book after 75 pages.

I know the initial chapter was meant to be the "hook," however, the chapter relied too heavily on trying to shock the reader rather than trying to build an actual interest in what was occurring or in the story. Once the story joined the protagonist, it failed to build interest or pace. Without appropriate pacing or a reason to care for the main interest or her aunt, the novel unfortunately fell flat.

I very rarely DNF books, but could not bring myself to finish this one.

This book wasn’t what I expected. The writing style is fine, but unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the overall story. I liked the dark themes, but it is a very fantasy heavy story which is not my favorite genre. I was expecting a more feminist kind of story. I think a lot of readers will devour this book, but ultimately I just couldn’t connect to the finished product.

I find myself pretty torn on a rating for The Witch of Willow Sound. There were some things I enjoyed, but almost every good aspect is followed up with something I didn't like/was annoyed by, which made it difficult to stay engaged.

The opening is really strong and visceral, a gruesome scene of a witch burning, the narration kept purposely vague to avoid plot spoilers. It's equally interesting and horrific...it just doesn't hold that tone through the rest of the story. There are some eerie and disturbing moments throughout, like Fade investigating her aunt's home and going through the cellar, or fleeing Hurricane Lettie through the woods. I wish there was more consistency in tone and pace.

The biggest issue I have is likely a ridiculus one, but it was the supplementing of swear words with 'frig.' Apparantly this is a regional thing from Nova Scotia, but goddammit I hated it. Fade's inner self-censorship is annoying and makes the whole book feel YA. That, and the over-the-top caricatures that make up the cast. None of them were particularly fleshed out, and some, such as Nish and the Mayor, don't even read as real people. More like characters pulled out of a cartoon or comic book.

The Witch of Willow Sound isn't entirely terrible--I liked the quick, little chapters and especially the beautifully written scenes that describe Aunt Madeline's cottage. The story has a lot of great imagery, especially around the woods. I love the author's dedication and final message after the story detailing the sources of their inspiration. It gives the reader a little insight into the themes/events of the book, like: homelessness in Nova Scotia, treatment of those with mental health issues, and the ongoing trauma connected to the province's residential schools, among others.

I would say this book could use another round of polish, and maybe something to spice up the cover, but overall it makes for an easy-going, witchy read for those who enjoy horror elements with their cozy. Thank you to NetGalley, ECW Press, and the author Vanessa F. Penney for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to the author, ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

This book intrigued me, firstly by its beautiful cover and secondly by the description.

The witch of willow sound was hard to put down, in fact, I didn’t. I read it within hours of picking it up. It read like a YA fiction (when you’re an adult reader) in that it was quick, compelling and created to reel you in and not let you go. Each chapter was structured and ended in a particular way so that you were physically unable to put the book down for any given reason.

The story is gothic, but in a modern way, with a handful of likeable (and detestable) characters set in a small town that is festering in its own history and lies. Fade, at the behest of her mother, lands in this town to find out what has happened to her Aunt, someone she has not seen in many years. This book is not written to be scary as such, but it does have a sense of foreboding and keeps you guessing about what really is at play and what has happened to the reclusive family member that has gone missing. I found the writing descriptive, and I wove intricate details of place and spaces in my head whilst reading it.

Based on witchy lore and traditions from a very particular part of the world, it intrigues the reader into finding out more, beyond the confines of this book.

This was an entertaining modern gothic story. It was atmospheric and unsettling for the reader to follow the story of this missing person and the dark hidden truths. Although not frightening however the themes explored left an uneasy feeling. A great read that will appeal to many gothic horror fans.

I really enjoyed this book! I appreciate I
fictional stories inspired by historically accurate facts and culture, with a little twist. I typically don't read gothic-style horror, but I enjoyed the elements and descriptions of that contributed to the eeriness of the theme.

A little bit of a slow start, but REALLY enjoyed final third!

I loved the dark, gothic atmosphere of this book. It was powerful and raw yet there was a cosiness to it that was very homey and welcoming. I adored all the beautiful imagery and I wanted to step into the world with the characters. I am laughing at all the reviews that are annoyed about the use of “frig” repeatedly. As a Canadian I guess I never noticed how often we do indeed use that word, while I’m from Alberta, we also appreciate the occasional frig every now and then. Overall this was a great witchy story and I’m so thankful to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

I am an absolute sucker for a creepy gothic novel and everything about this one spoke to me from the cover, to the books synopsis.

Modern gothic witchy goodness based on real witch lore with a fast paced writing style that keeps you hooked.

The Witch of Willow Sound is exactly the kind of modern gothic novel I love sinking into on a stormy night — haunting, atmospheric, and full of fierce women and old secrets that don’t stay buried.

Fade is a fantastic protagonist — stubborn, sharp-edged, and so believable in her grief and anger. There’s folklore and family trauma woven together beautifully, and the hurricane barreling toward town makes everything feel even more urgent.

If you liked Our Wives Under the Sea or The Once and Future Witches, you’ll find the same blend of unsettling atmosphere, feminist heart, and lyrical writing here. The Witch of Willow Sound is both a page-turner and a story that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommend!

The Witch of Willow Sound is haunting, atmospheric, and beautifully strange in the best way. From the very first page, I was completely pulled in by the eerie atmosphere, dreadful mood and the slow unraveling of such an unsettling story.

Set in foggy Nova Scotia, the setting feels almost alive. Full of dense woods, a strange little town tucked under an overarching rock, and a lonely cabin that seems full of secrets and lingering scents of burning. Vanessa F. Penney’s writing paints every scene with such vivid, haunting detail that I could picture playing out like an old mystery film.

The story follows Fade, who returns to the forest of Willow Sound, after her mother calls to say her aunt Madeline has gone missing. What unfolds is quiet, unsettling, and mysterious in a way that makes you question what’s real and what’s imagined. You feel like you’re walking beside Fade through the town of Grand Tea, unsure of what you’ll uncover next. It’s moody and immersive, with just enough witchy weirdness to keep you on edge.

What I loved most was the tone. The creepiness comes from the quiet moments, the strange townspeople, the feeling that something is just slightly off. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin in a subtle way. You’ll get everything from unsettling folklore and ghostly woods to found friendships and buried secrets, that will keep you on your toes throughout the entire book.

The exploration of themes of mental illness, isolation, and how society tends to push aside the people it doesn’t understand are so ominous and chilling. It asks quietly profound questions about the stories we pass down, the ones we hide, and what happens when the truth doesn’t fit into the narrative we've been taught to accept. What is even more unsettling is the fact that the events that take place in this book are based on real instances of past witch lore traditions on the East Coast. It adds a spooky and sad layer to the story.

If you love a good modern gothic mystery with witchy vibes and thoughtful writing, The Witch of Willow Sound is for you. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Vanessa F. Penney & ECW Press Publishing for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book! I wanted to love this so much, it has everything that I love in stories, witches, a house in the woods, a mystery, but I don’t know why I can’t get into it.
I can’t connect with Fade the protagonist, and the writing just puts me off of the story every time I pick it up.

Drawing on genuine East Coast folklore and witch traditions, "The Witch of Willow Sound" is a contemporary gothic story that delves into themes of familial reconciliation and exposes uncomfortable realities about how communities deal with unwanted individuals and histories.

While the story had its strengths, it wasn't without flaws. It occasionally felt stagnant and drawn out, despite its appealing dark, mysterious, and surprisingly cozy atmosphere. The writing style was a highlight, being clear, descriptive, and immersive, making the reader feel present in the story.

Fade's character and her complex family dynamics, including her mother and aunt, were compelling, and her witty exchanges with a side character were enjoyable. The initial half of the book was captivating, but the latter half lost momentum. The plot slowed considerably, with some chapters feeling unnecessarily long or even superfluous, leading to a diminished interest in the story and its characters.

I had an incredibly difficult time with this book, and my initial takeaway is that it sorely needs an editor. While the premise of the story is very interesting, the language was repetitive and the story was so choppy that it was often hard to even understand what was happening. The term “Aunt Madeline” was used 308 times in this short book, as well as “Frig” which often didn’t make any sense. Readers are not given the chance to care for any of the characters as they aren’t given more than two personality points and one physical attribute with no character growth at all in the story. The story feels disjointed and much more like an outline rather than a full fledged book. It would be a shame to publish this work in its current state, as the premise is great and it could be a great story with more polishing.

i was super excited for this “modern gothic tale” with a supposedly “spooky atmosphere” but it honestly fell short for me. the writing felt very clunky and YA-like even though the main character was in her 30s. it was a cute story with a lot of potential but it just didnt hit the mark for me.
thank you netgalley and ecw for the arc in exchange for my honest and voluntary review

This book is atmospheric, powerful, and makes you feel at home. The imagery is beautiful, I wished I could have seen Madeline’s house and experienced the world she lived in. It’s steeped in history I knew very little about so it taught me something which I think all good books should. At times it was a bit overwritten and I don’t know if “frig” is a Canadian thing but my god was it used more times than it needed to be. But overall it was a wonderfully witchy book.

Rounded up from 4.5 🌟

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very quick and easy read that held my attention immediately. It sets up like a psychological thriller with twists but add in the witch lore and history and it is pretty rich and deep. The story did move a little too quickly in some spots and the dialogue didn’t always seem natural but overall I really enjoyed this debut from the author.

Read if you like:
📜 Witchy stories based on actual witch lore
📜 Gothic type horror/thrillers
📜 stories set in small Canadian Coastal Towns

Thank you ECW Press, Vanessa Penney and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The writing style successfully captures the energy of the setting. Creepy and mysterious details helped to enrich the reading experience.

Before anything else I love the name Fade.

Anyway.

I loved that this gothic tale take inspiration from actual folklore and local traditions to the area. It gives it a far more, 'real,' vibe in my opinion than the average straight up fantasy. I will say that I loved the beginning of the book, and while I did enjoy the rest of the book the prologue is a vastly different vibe than the rest.

This story was a good mix of horror and cozy and just moved right on along, not dragging at any point but also not speeding through things so quickly you're left wanting more. The ending was well worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

The Witch of Willow Sound is a modern-gothic novel by debut author ,Vanessa F. Penney. To be honest I was first drawn into this story because of the beautiful cover by one of my favorite artist, Teagan White. From there, the mention of witches had me wanting to read more.
Quiet and atmospheric, the story is set in a small, isolated town with a mysterious reputation located in rural Nova Scotia. This tale is ultimately about memory, history, lineage and nature, and is inspired by real Canadian folklore. It was an interesting read and I look forward to reading more from Penney in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, but it hooked me pretty quickly. Homeless Fade, receives a phone call from her mother insisting that she return to Willow Sound and locate her missing Aunt Madeline - whom locals believe is a witch.

The story showcases Fade as she grapples with her past, including her relationship with her mother, while she fights with the people of Grand Tea in an effort to uncover what has become of her estranged aunt. The story was fast-paced, eerie, and constantly left me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was coming next. Overall, it was a quick and easy read that I enjoyed.