As soon as I read the description of The Scald Crow, I was interested immediately, as someone who lives with chronic illness & pain I was immediately drawn to the character Brigid, who lives with chronic pain herself.

I think it says a lot about how much I related to this book that I’ve not been able to write the review for a week or so after finishing it, because my brain fog has been so bad I’ve not been able to think straight.

My goodness, I connected with and related to this book SO much. I didn’t know how much I craved having a horror book feature a character who’s chronically ill. Being chronically ill/disabled and being in a horror story comes with a host of new challenges. One that I related to very much, as someone who has dealt with bad nightmares and has a condition which means occasional paralysis like symptoms, were the times when she was visited by her nightmare mother, and the way in which she dealt with it, and reacted to it. It was also (this sounds so strange to say) lovely to experience a character in a horror story who deals with chronic pain, to the point that it is often on par with the horrifying things she’s encountering.

The horror in this story was such an ominous slow build, and had me guessing right up until the reveal — something I absolutely love in a horror story. It also features Irish mythology, and had a dark humour to the way it approached all the horrors in this story.

The disability representation in this book is brilliant, I love how you take us on a journey of each and everyday, and the way we experience her pain and symptoms alongside her. I truly related to this story, and loved every minute of reading it.

I cannot wait to read more from this author. The Scald Crow releases on the 14th October, and would be a PERFECT October read!

Pick this up if you like: Stories featuring Disabled/Chronically ill characters, Irish Folklore, Lone Girl/Final Girl Horror, LGBTQIA+, Creeping slow building Horror.

Thank you to the Grace Daly, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars for this delectable and gaslighting treat! A journey in believing yourself when you feel something is wrong, even if others can't, or won't, see it.

Brigid(pronounced Breej) is constantly in pain. She has been to specialist after specialist only to be told that there is nothing wrong with her...it's all in her head....she has a known history of mental illness so it must be a side effect of it. When Brigid's abusive mother goes missing, Brigid must return home to try to figure out what to do with her childhood home and come to terms with the fact that her mother may be gone. That's when things get weird....what's worse than not being believed about being in constant pain? How about body parts randomly replacing inanimate objects? A human finger as a doorstop in the bathroom, a tooth in a loaf of bread; all of which are just pebbles and doorstops after a good night's rest....well, as good as can be when you see your mother in the doorway at night, telling you she killed your mother and put her in the closet. Is Brigid's mental illness finally crippling her more than she can take? Or are there real supernatural forces at work?

Oh man this was a stellar read. On that rollercoaster with Brigid emotionally and physically(the author is so good at describing the pain I began to feel it) at breakneck speed....it's intense. And the twist at the ending? Oh my goodness....it was just....magnifico! Chef's kiss! Encore! When I finished I took a huge exhale and the relief and release that Brigid finds released me from the emotional and physical turmoil I felt with her. Closure, and true freedom from oppressive forces at work in her life. It was powerful and healing...even from wounds I didn't realize I had inside with my own mother. I can't recommend this book enough, the author is a genius and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Recommended for those 14+ as there is severe gaslighting, a tid bit of gore, and abuse on page. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“In the very darkest depths of my agony, I have felt pain so intense I was certain death was imminent… For a long time, I have been reaching a hand out into the darkness. If you have been reaching too, may this book serve as the joining of our palms.”

(I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for accepting my request to read this arc in exchange for an honest review ♡)

This book was such a delight to read! I first found it mentioned on Instagram and as soon as I read the premise, I was hooked. This book was something entirely different from all of the other horror media I’ve consumed in my life, and its originality was so enticing and refreshing.

This novel covers an array of topics, from Irish mythology (which I’ve been wanting to get into for the longest time!), Catholic guilt, childhood abuse, and some queerness, but even more noticeably and perhaps more importantly, invisible chronic illness rep and the impact of not being believed. Not only was I thoroughly creeped out by many of the small details and the constant questioning of whether this is actually all happening or if this is the result of Brigid having a mental breakdown, but I was educated on several women health conditions, specifically endometriosis but also another condition that I had never heard about before: adenomyosis. I’ve never seen either of these conditions portrayed so deeply before in media (film, tv, books, etc.), so it was an incredibly enlightening experience, and my heart goes out to every person who suffers from these terrible conditions. I can only hope that women’s health receives the attention, care, belief, and funding that it rightfully deserves all around the world.

While I personally haven’t undergone any kind of condition that affects my sexual organs, I too have experienced my fair share of disbelieving doctors and consultants, as well as just normal, regular people for my other chronic health conditions, and it almost never gets easier. It feels like you always have to prove to the eyes of society just how ill or disabled or affected you are; that is, at least, until you believe yourself. Believing in yourself and your lived experience can help set you free from this burdensome shackle, something that this novel also beautifully explores.

While this is certainly a horror book that has its own fair share of freaky, creepy moments, the real horror of this world is the agony of not being believed, not being supported, and being told time and time again that you’re perfectly fine when you know for a fact that you’re most definitely not. Brigid’s story is painful for so many reasons, as not only are you confronted with the every day physical suffering that she experiences, but also the distress she is constantly feeling, because at this point, even she doesn’t really believe herself anymore. She has been so thoroughly lied to and discouraged that she’s even begun to gaslight and shame herself internally. This, unfortunately, doesn’t just apply to her illness either, as it also makes an appearance when she’s confronted by her therapist and her best friend that the emotional abuse she suffered as a child is, in fact, abuse. Throughout her whole life, from the abuse she suffered from her mammy to the countless doctors she’s seen for her unbearable pain, she has been told that she’s wrong and that her mind is working against her, imagining and conjuring up an imaginary pain; this factor ultimately accumulates and adds to the more “traditional” horror elements of the novel.

Without going into too many specifics (seeing as this is an arc and all), this novel has such an eerie feeling to it. Whilst having a brilliant wit and humour, which effortlessly creates a sense of irony and also comfort, the dark, disturbing details were so interesting to read and had me theorising numerous times about just what was going on.. I only wish that there had been more of these kinds of moments.

While I did have an overall positive experience with this novel, I did find a few things that did disengage me (a little) from the experience. There were a few pacing issues, mostly towards the end, that had me a little disappointed, but it’s also important to note that this is a debut book and that this is very common for debut authors. Also, the relationship between Brigid and Emma (while having my complete encouragement — I was like a little cheerleader for these two, I swear) felt a little underdeveloped. I really loved the two, but I couldn’t help but feel as though I wanted to see more of their relationship and their dynamic with one another.

Ultimately, this novel was a brilliantly fun, nightmarish experience (even though I was mentally screaming at Brigid to take pictures and videos of all the creepy happenings in the home). The fact that it’s been written by a debut author is mind-blowing to me. Daly apparently has a fantasy novella coming out in spring next year and I’m definitely interested in reading it, so I’ll 100% be returning!

(Also, the quote that I used at the very start of this review comes from the author’s note and I found it so so comforting; it felt like the perfect emphasis of this book.)

Mixed feelings on this upcoming new release (expected Oct 2025). I enjoyed the Irish folk horror elements and the story itself, but I could not stand the main character. I get it, she has this "mysterious pelvic pain" that has, unfortunately, come to define her very existence, but the constant repetition of it, in nearly every other paragraph, was exhausting. It overshadows everything else in the story.

And yeah, I know folks are gonna say I'm heartless (because the author has gone through something like this and I guess I should have more empathy but I just can't) and probably tell me I'm missing the point or something (but look! she eventually overcomes it all!!) but it kept me from enjoying the actual story.

It seems the MC has exactly three elements to her entire personality: pelvic pain, crush on her best friend, mother trauma.

That's it. There's a great deal of feeling sorry for oneself, and a little bit of dark humour that just wasn't enough to overcome the relentless "I need to curl up in a ball again, mid-morning, because - you guessed it - pain!"

I give it a 2/5 for the folk horror aspects and the for the plot being ok. But this was just not for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[NetGalley Read #37]
4.5 ⭐️

"What can you believe when you can't believe yourself?"

Excellent.

These kind of psychological thrillers with one character losing their mind over the course of the story and then, hopefully, getting their shit together by the end really... intrigue me.

It's a great story with great themes and solid characters, especially the main character. Delightful side characters as well. The lady at the resale shop. The guy at the charity shop/cat shelter. No names but memorable, charming characters.

Good handling of the themes of mental health issues and childhood trauma, interspersed with Irish Mythos and personal experiences of the author with the healthcare system and mysterious illnesses that affect people both physically and mentally.

I like the genre tropes this story did and didn't follow. Whenever I was expecting a bland twist, I was rewarded with an interesting one instead. There is also a surprising amount of humour in this dark story. It's welcome, though. All kinds: Self-deprecating, dark, normal. All of it well-integrated into the dialogues.

It's easy to read. Short (200+ pages). And that's a brilliant cover. The image of a cat with a bird in its mouth makes you think the story is going in a certain direction in the third act and then it doesn't. In the most wonderful way.

Highly Recommended. 👍

Thank you to Creature Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a really strong, creepy build-up. It was done in such a way that you start to question whether the main character is just losing her mind and maybe needs to schedule another session with her therapist.

But then strange things start happening, described in a way that makes you go, wait… something really is off here. And from there, it just keeps escalating until you’re fully in a horror story.

The parallels drawn to living with chronic illness and chronic pain felt incredibly raw and honest. They made the story feel truly authentic and highlighted how living with that kind of struggle can sometimes feel like a horror story in itself

Irish folklore, PTSD, and lesbians, The Scald-Crow is a unique tale. I enjoyed the narrative, especially it's look at invisible disabilities and women's reproductive health. The fact that it takes so long for Brigid to find a practitioner that is more focused on her pain than her fertility is almost as insane as what the titular crow is capable of. Horror is such a great lens to explore other themes and dealing with grief and childhood traumas.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel.

I, like this book's protagonist, manage my trauma by cracking jokes. I loved the storytelling in this book: the characters all feel full and fleshed out, even those who we don't fully see; the setting was equal parts sloggingly-suburban and spooky (though those two things often go hand-in-hand); and the pacing was fast yet the readers is given enough time to take in the scenery. The language is visceral, with many scenes making me actually gag, and the humour is dark and deadly. Overall, a great read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, 5 out of 5 for me. I love folklore-based books, and this was no exception. This book was a page-turner; the pace was perfect. It felt thrilling and funny, and of course, Cú. I decided to preorder a physical copy as soon as I finished the book. Would highly recommend.

3.5.

i really enjoyed it and thought it was well-written, funny, original, and dark. definitely for the chronic pain, body-horror, and mommy issues girls. also, i love cú.

thank you creature publishing and netgalley.

This was amazing. It sheds a spotlight on invisible illness and chronic pain in the realm of a horror novel mixed with Irish folklore. The scene where Brigid’s telehealth doctor gives her a diagnosis just stopped me in my tracks. This was incredible, and I’m so thankful to the author for writing this.

This was a fun read, definitely a more humorous take on horror. I think that the concept; blending Irish folklore with the idea of childhood trauma, religion, delusion, and women's health held a lot of promise. I loved the parallel between Brigid's health journey and the strange things she was experiencing. The ultimate switch when she finally found a doctor to support her and answered the question of 'is it all in my head', and how this flowed through and was reflected in the rest of the story felt really well done.
I wish the novel had leaned more heavily into the horror aspect. I found myself really drawn to the parts about folklore. Some parts felt a little disconnected or rushed to me particularly the relationship between Emma and Brigid towards the end, and I do have to say that some of the dialogue didn't quite hit the mark for me, but i think that just comes down to personal taste and preference.

3.5/5

Love! Love, love, love! I read this in one sitting, absolutely devoured it. Thank you Daly for this food.

I actually only have positive things to say about this book! As a chronic illness girlie myself, I was blown away with how accurate and close to home reading our main character's experiences were. It's accurate down to every little bit; and Daly doesn't refrain from showing those gory and gross details, which I greatly appreciate. It's refreshing to read a book that doesn't censor what living with a chronic illness is really like. I really enjoyed moving through the story with this character and I was cheering for her the whole time.

The horror itself is creepy and suspenseful, and the interweaving of Irish folklore into it works well. The humor doesn't take away from any of the horror either. In fact, the main character's use of humor really brings to light how her experiences with her family shape her reactions to (and dismissals of) the horrifying things happening to her.

Amazing characters, great horror, and also a lovely cat. Can't forget to mention the cat! An actual 11/10 with no notes. I adored this!

Thank you NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC!

Absolutely hooked from start to finish! This book dives deep into darkness with a chilling, spine-tingling vibe that stays with you long after the last page. Brigid isn’t just a character — she is the beating heart of the story, raw and real in her struggles, grief, and the messy maze of identity she navigates. The moments of horror hit like a punch to the gut, forcing you to pause, rewind, and soak in the intensity. Beyond scares, this novel masterfully explores themes of pain, invisible illness, and the complexities of being a woman with nuance and heart. A stunning, unforgettable read that lingers in your mind and soul.

Brigid's (pronounced "Breej")'s mother has disappeared and she is now living in her mother's house. Her mother's body was never found though her car was found in a river and since it's been a month, her mother has been declared legally dead. A picture of Jesus is haunting Brigid along with a mysterious bird. The scald crow of the title is one of the goddess Morrigan's forms.

Brigid suffers from an untreated mysterious chronic illness. This book is really well written. Brigid is a very sympathetic character with her past abuse by her mother, the picture of Jesus and bird that won't leave her alone and her constant pain. She's just so broken, you want to hold her and tell her everything is okay. There are a lot of creepy parts in this book. It seems like some kind of supernatural force is doing a really good job of gaslighting Brigid and she is so broken down that she's letting it happen.

I was rooting for Brigid to get it together, find a doctor who can treat her and kick the supernatural entity in the teeth. Brigid is so passive through most of this book, she was frustrating me so much at times, I just wanted to shake her. Her mother reminded me of Carrie White's mother, super religious and a horrible monster except Brigid's mother might be an actual monster. It took awhile for Brigid to show some backbone but when she was I was cheering and applauding her. You go Brigid!

This is a really good book. I liked it a lot.

Brigid’s story is one of raw vulnerability. She’s haunted by childhood trauma, estranged from her closest friend, and forced to return to a house full of memories she wishes she could forget. As she struggles with chronic pain and self-blame, the world around her seems to twist and warp—crows that won’t leave her alone, a painting of Jesus she can’t throw away, and nightmares that feel too real.

What really hit home for me was how this book captured Brigid’s fear that no one would believe her—that her pain and confusion were somehow her own doing. It’s a deeply unsettling read, not because of the eerie events themselves, but because it taps into the doubt and isolation so many of us have felt at our lowest moments.

This isn’t just a ghost story; it’s about what it means to be believed, and how hard it can be to trust yourself when the world tells you not to. A beautifully crafted, haunting tale that lingers long after you close the book.

Scald-Crow immediately caught my eye when I saw Creature Publishing's post for their new on NetGalley books. This story follows Brigid, who lives with chronic pelvic pain, as she moves into her now missing mother's home. She tries to find answers not only as to her mother's whereabouts, but also the cause of her chronic pain and illness. Irish mythology also plays a heavy part in this story.

Brigid has a difficult relationship with her mother who abused her as a child and made her believe everything was always her fault. This has lead her to doubt herself in everything. Doctors don't make anything easier when they would rather brush her off than find real answers.

On top of all that, Brigid starts experiencing the strangest things upon moving back into her childhood home. A crow that used to harass her comes back into her life, a painting of Jesus keeps reappearing no matter how many times she throws it out, and frozen body parts keep popping up in the weirdest of places.

Everything is in her head though, right? That's what everyone's always told her and made her believe. So why start questioning it now?

The chronic pelvic pain is what caught me, because it's something I've lived with for years and years. IC and Adenomyosis have both been parts of my story, and both are a part of Brigid's as well.

The chronic illness representation in this book is so well done. I can't thank Grace enough for writing this deeply needed story. Anything I can see myself in will have a deep impact on me, and I love that horror is becoming this for so many of us more and more. It's a safe way to see and experience the very real things we live with in real life. Before this, I don't think I've ever seen IC or adenomyosis mentioned in fiction, so thank you for helping to bring awareness to both of these diseases.

Thank you Grace Daly, Creature Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced E-book.

The Scald-Crow publishes October 14th. Be sure to read this one!

4.5 stars
I loved this! What a creative, creepy and horrifying book. Brigid was a well written character to base the entire story on. I felt for her, her pain and grief and confusion around herself and her life. There were moments of pure terror that had me rereading certain parts in shock and disbelief. This was a clever and powerful commentary on pain, invisible disability and womanhood. A triumph of a novel with real depth and emotion.

4.5 stars

Unsettling, dark and painful (quite literally, shout out to my chronic pain ghoulies woop woop)

As someone with endometriosis I really reallllly appreciated seeing it represented when so often I hear so little about it. Brigid's story allows us access to the reality of what it can be like to live with a chronic condition. The narration through Brigid's self-deprecating humour and somewhat glum outlook on life was actually very captivating, because I felt it and could relate to it. I also valued the exploration of how absolutely "insane" some health professionals can make you feel (I know I've left majority of phone calls and visits if you can somehow get one in tears). All I can really say without giving too much away is that this felt so real.

The focus on Irish folklore was also very interesting! I now want to delve deep into it and research it all!

While I enjoyed it, I did feel that the pacing felt slightly stilted at the beginning compared to how quickly it ramped up in the final 25%. It was still enjoyable though but I perhaps wanted a bit more of that ending pulled forward a little to enjoy it for longer.

ALSO there is a quote that I will not share as I read an arc and will check it when it's published! But it's about Catholic guilt and it HIT ME!!

I will definitely be recommending this!

I love some creepy folk horror and The Scald-Crow did not disappoint in the slightest. The horror elements were balanced well with a good amount of humor, which I was definitely a fan of.

Brigid has returned to her childhood home after her mother has passed away. Suffering from an undiagnosed chronic illness, Brigid is faced with the mounting task of emptying her mother's home of unwanted belongings, including a Jesus painting that keeps reappearing in different spots throughout the book. Through this clean out, we learn about Brigid's past with her parents and that what she believed were hallucinations and more undiagnosed issues, might not be that way at all.

I loved how Daly was able to give the reader a creepy story, yet keep it lighthearted with a dabble of self-depreciating humor. There was also the intertwining of Irish Folklore, which I'm not at all familiar with, but Daly was able to explain it easily for the reader to understand and link.

Plus there's a cat, so that's always a plus.

Thank you Netgalley and Creature publishing for a copy of this ARC.