The Witch of Willow Sound is a beautiful witchy, gothic mystery with equal parts cozy and daunting, wrapped in truly stunning atmospheric prose. The prologue was unsettling in the right way. I thought that was how the rest of the story would be, and the fact that it didn't, I was afraid it would take away from the rest of the story. But in a pleasant surprise, it didn't take away from the story. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves gothic vibes and anything witchy.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Vanessa F. Penney, and ECW Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.”

Trigger Warning:
*Bigotry
*Death
*Misogyny
*Murder
*Violence

The Witch of Willow Sound by Vanessa F. Penney is a chilling modern gothic tale steeped in East Coast witch lore, atmospheric worldbuilding, and themes of family, superstition, and regret. When Fade returns to Nova Scotia in search of her missing aunt, she finds herself in a village living under the shadow of a massive rock—and under the weight of fear, paranoia, and mob mentality. The looming rock is a brilliant symbol, its psychological pressure as palpable as the hurricane approaching the coast.

Penney blends suspense with emotional depth, exploring how silence and unresolved conflict can steal years from us, and how unexpected friendships can bloom even in the darkest circumstances.

Read my full review on my website for a deeper dive into the book’s haunting imagery, unforgettable setting, and standout themes: https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/the-witch-of-willow-sound-is-a-haunting-tale-of-memory-superstition-and-the-danger-of-silence/

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Witch of Willow Sound" is a book about something I do not wish to describe. It is best to let it charm you blindly, step into the rotting cottage in the middle of nowhere and follow Fade, as she attempts to unravel the reality somewhere in Nova Scotia.

I must admit, this book took me by surprise. Its story is unexpected, not afraid to take a wild turn when needed. It's about magic, old and misunderstood, and monsters, which wear human faces. Sometimes the story shifts so much I thought it ridiculous, but believe in Vanessa F. Penney, let her guide you. She knows her ways.

The prose is striking, I adored how the reality mingle with fiction, how you can never be sure whether it's supernatural or perfectly scientific. Penney has a wonderful ability to write terrifying scenes, the horror is there when needed, and it is bone chilling. What could be improved is the casual side of the story, especially at the beginning, when Nish and Fade meet, however it is something to forgive, as this is a debut novel. It's not a drawback, only an area for growth.

I am extremely glad I gave this story a chance, because it was nothing of my expectations, yet strange enough to my liking. I loved the touch of historical reference, as well as grace with which Penney handled it. Do, please, give it a chance if the blurb tickled your interest. You won't regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book: from the offset I felt like it had the potential for whimsy, witchcraft, and wonder. Yet, the very literal and blunt description, the use of words like “cripe” and “frig” in the narration, and the sheer… protests (?) of Fade when confronted with any other character ever meant that I just had to admit defeat.

This feels like a novel that, with some editing, could be lovely - but right now, it just comes a tad short.

Thank you, NetGalley & EWC Press, for a copy of this ARC.

Reading this book was an experience I loved from cover to cover. There is so much history and heartbreak surrounding this story, and I physically could not stop myself from reading on. The atmosphere was equal parts eerie and feverish with some well-placed humour.
The theme of how easily small communities can spark a mob mentality, and the persecution of people who don't fit into a societal mould, had me thinking about 'Year of Wonders' by Geraldine Brooks.
Highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I really enjoyed this one! It’s a cozy yet suspenseful story that blends small-town charm with just the right amount of witchy intrigue. Penney’s writing makes Willow Sound feel alive—full of secrets, quirky characters, and a touch of magic that keeps you turning the pages.

The main character is relatable and engaging, and I loved watching her navigate both the mystery and the magical elements in her life. The pacing is solid, and while some parts of the story were a bit predictable, the atmosphere and character dynamics more than make up for it.

Overall, it’s a fun, enchanting read that balances cozy mystery with supernatural elements. I’d definitely recommend it if you like small-town witch stories with a bit of heart. Solid 4 stars from me. ✨🔮📚

DNF @ 20%.

I’m so sorry. I really wanted to love this book. It has everything I usually want in a book, but unfortunately the execution was poor. It seems like this book is in serious need of editing. The short and choppy sentences become increasingly irritating to read and made it feel harder to immerse myself in the story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this book for free in exchange for an honest review!

I deeply enjoyed this book, the cover, the prologue the mention of two of my favourite books in the description, I was ready for this to knock my socks off. I enjoyed the gothic tone taken, although at points that slips in an almost awkward way, the setting was rich and inviting and the historical elements were a great touch.

I really enjoyed this modern gothic tale, The Witch of Willow Sound. The story follows Fade, a protagonist who is forced to return to the remote and mysterious Willow Sound to investigate the disappearance of her aunt. The nearby village is filled with superstitious townsfolk who whisper rumors and blame Fade's aunt for all their misfortunes, branding her a witch. This book masterfully weaves together a gothic, cozy, and creepy atmosphere that draws you in from the first page.

If you're a fan of atmospheric stories with a touch of the supernatural, compelling characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, I highly recommend you check out The Witch of Willow Sound.

Nothing like a killer cover and a knockout prologue to pull this reader in!

The book opens with a witch-burning—deliciously dark, atmospheric, and haunting. While this scene resurfaces later in the story, we quickly shift into what feels more like cozy horror territory, following our badass heroine, Fade. At her mother’s urging, Fade heads to her estranged Aunt Madeline’s cottage after reports surface that Madeline has gone missing.

Set in a small Nova Scotian town, rumors of the Witch of Willow Sound swirl around Fade, who’s instantly pegged as an outsider and, inconveniently, the spitting image of her aunt. The locals aren’t exactly welcoming. They blame Madeline for everything from bad luck to the ominous storm brewing just offshore.

When Fade arrives at the cottage, things feel... off. The house is crumbling, coated in dust, and the guest room she remembers from childhood has been torn apart. The bookshelf that once lined the wall is gone—replaced by a strange, terrifying door that definitely wasn’t there before.
Where does the door lead? And why is everyone so convinced her aunt was a witch?

Determined to find Madeline before the authorities start tearing things apart, Fade teams up with a visiting archivist named Nish. Together, they begin to unearth buried family secrets, hidden cellars, and the burned remains of... someone.

Cozy horror meets creeping folklore in a tale that’s strangely addictive, layered with chummy banter ('go 'way!' 'I will not!') and just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing up to the very end.

The epitome of gothic literature - if that's your thing, definitely give this one a read! The atmosphere and setting are the highlights for me. The murder mystery plot was engaging. It was a little too cozy feeling for my personal tastes and I struggled to connect with the character.

When I turned the final page of The Witch of Willow Sound, I was trembling from the eerie beauty of it all. Fade's journey into the forested heart of Willow Sound to find her missing aunt unfolds like a whispered legend: the prose is lush, haunted, and poetic; the atmosphere a fog-soaked masterpiece that clings to your bones. The gripping blend of gothic mystery, feminist resonance, and eerie East Coast folklore builds to a deeply emotional reveal. Fade’s sharp wit and the warmth of her connection with Nish add vital light to the dark. This novel isn’t just a debut—it’s a spell, weaving resignation and resistance, memory and grief, into something unforgettable.

DNF @ 22% and then a skim to the end. What a beautiful cover and interesting blurb, and what a bummer for me.

The writing lacks any nuance. It’s nonstop short, choppy sentences, entirely lacking a narrative flow. Descriptions are also repetitive and clunky. I found the dialogue to be stilted and the character development nonexistent. There are attempts to engage with issues like misogyny and indigenous land rights, but there is no depth to the concept. This was a big miss for me.

*I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review*

The cover of The Witch of Willow Sounds is truly beautiful and immediately caught my attention. However, I found the reading experience a bit challenging due to the choppy, short sentence structure, which made it harder for me to stay immersed in the story. At times, the style felt more like it belonged to a YA novel, which wasn’t what I was expecting. While the premise was intriguing, the writing style wasn’t the right fit for me.

This was... not for me. It felt very YA -- the MC is supposed to be in her thirties, but she reads like a petulant teen. She's also supposed to be this intriguingly Damaged with a capital D character who ended up homeless (because reasons), but that whole angle felt hollow and borderline romanticized to me, to be honest, like the MC's whole Super Tough Broad mindset.
It all just didn't ring true; to me it all felt like some juvenile fantasy. I mean we're told the MC is like this because she was irretrievably broken "hunt[ing] monsters who hurt children. Tracked them down online so they could be brought to justice."
You see, she had a job in "Cybercrime". Unfortunately without health benefits, it seems, even though you'd think those "Cybercrime, child protection division" guys would know a thing or two about stress, burnout and job-related mental health problems, but, well, the thought of seeking support never crossed our MC's mind, and apparently in "Cybercrime" there are no colleagues or superiors to look after you, so when you walk out, you're heading straight off a cliff. (Just imagine that work environment. "Hey Jeff, Mary not coming in today?" -- "Nah, she broke her brain or something, she's homeless now." -- "Ah, shoot.") It's like, this is the way the author wants the world to be, so that's how it is. No nuance, no logic, no ambivalence, everything is either black or white, good or evil. This felt very, very young to me, with no real relation to the real world.
And it doesn't even make sense half the time. The novel starts out with MC "Fade" (hated that name -- "Fade Luck", like, seriously? So YA) sleeping/trying to sleep in a frosty graveyard. Out in the open, just a sleeping bag and a tarp. WTF? This is played out like something out of Dickens, hungry raccoon crawling all over her and all, but really it's just dumb. I mean, being a homeless woman, alone, without a partner, is not exciting or adventurous, it's an invitation to SA. So why exactly is the MC sleeping rough in some godforsaken graveyard when, get this, she owns a car? Wouldn't you be much better off in your locked vehicle, away from predators, the elements and hungry wildlife? But of course this way it's much more edgy. *eyeroll*

Then, the prose. The author is very fond of short, choppy sentences. Probaby meant to give the prose a gritty feel. Or make things sound ominous. Spooky. Dark. Did not really work. Got old very soon too. Simply felt YA to me.
The characters, well. I don't know, those people and Aunt Madeline's super messy spookshack and that town with the rock hanging over it (huh?) just reminded me of a Gravity Falls episode, or rather what that show would look and feel like if its quirkiness fell flat and was replaced by lame stereotypes and an unironic sense of self-importance.

I could go on, but for once I don't feel like it.
This book really needs some editing, or maybe another draft, I don't know... it definitely reads like a debut novel.
Nice cover, but that's about it.

Haunting, eerie, mysterious, gothic and all the things I needed coming in to spooky season.. this is an absolute must for your spooky TBR!

This book was moody, dark, and far-fetched and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the acknowledgements at the end that tied the story to very real historical events. There were a lot of twists and turns that I never saw coming, so it was easy to lock in and finish it in a day and a half.

I’m also glad that Nish and Fade didn’t end up falling in love. I like a good romance just as much as the next person but sometimes I think it takes away from the story, and I think it would have in this case. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

I so badly wanted to love this book, but I just could not connect with the characters, especially the main character Fade. She felt incredibly one dimensional despite us hearing a lot from her and spending lots of time with her. I also really struggled with some of the language choices to use half-swears over and over again. That said, it was very spooky and atmospheric in setting!

Wow. The witch of willow sound has a place in my heart. The prologue is incredible. Then following Fades story kept me hooked. The twist and turns were beautifully written. I dont know why, but I had to read the Rye bread chapter multiple times. I kept tearing up at the beautiful segment from Aunt Madeline.

I absolutely loved this story and read it all in one sitting, which is rare for me. a modern gothic horror inspired by events that have taken place in Nova Scotia. its not scary, but when you realise where the stories inspiration comes from, that's unnerving.

Thankyou Netgallery for letting me have this ARC copy. I will be getting a physical copy of this story when it releases for a reread!

I couldn't gel with this book or the writing, so I ended up dnfing it at 20%.

I was incredibly intrigued by the cover art and the synopsis that I promptly added it to my Kindle via NetGalley, but all I ended up getting was confused and underwhelmed.

I think this story really could've been amazing if there were editors on board with this project, trimming around the edges and helping with formatting.

I can see where people enjoyed the atmospheric gothic writing from, but I felt that this book suffered a bit with an identity crisis of what it wanted to be and I felt that an editor could probably help narrow this down. But I also believe that it was just weird formatting on the Kindle, and it made it very difficult to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for a proof of this book to honestly review.