V.E. Schwab has always been a master of atmosphere, but this novella takes it to another level. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil reads like a ghost story told around a campfire—one that seeps into your skin and stays long after the last page.

At its heart, it’s a meditation on loneliness, memory, and the stories we bury (sometimes quite literally). The unnamed narrator, the quiet, grief-laced tone, and the almost folkloric rhythm of the prose made it feel like a dark fairytale written in candlelight. There’s a sense of decay and beauty holding hands on every page.

I wouldn’t call it plot-driven—it’s more of a mood, a feeling—but it works. This isn’t a book to rush; it’s one to sit with, to feel. You’ll finish it with more questions than answers, and that’s kind of the point.

If you loved The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue for its poetry and melancholy, or crave something quietly haunted, this novella is your next favorite thing.

Loved the preview and I can’t wait to be able to finish tbe story. Great narration. Captivating and entertaining storyline.

This is already sooo good! I am already quite invested in the story so early on. I’m enjoying the characters. The narrator is good. Cannot wait to read the rest.

Another book well done by Schwab. Highly recommend listening to the book. The narrator did a fantastic job at giving voice to the characters. Was an enjoyable experience listening to the story and wanted more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for a 12 chapter sneak peak of this book!

After one chapter I was hooked! After 12 chapters, I neeeeeed more.

If you love historical vibes, feminine rage, slowly unraveling mysteries, and multiple POVs - read this book!!

If you love well written stories with intrigue, a touch of the irregular, vivid descriptions, and female main characters- read this book!!

I am relatively unfamiliar with V.E. Schwab’s writing but this book is written so beautifully and the audio book was extremely well done.
The narrators for each woman were chosen so well, and I really appreciate that they have different voices and accents as it makes the story extra immersive and easy to follow. The narration was full of emotion and depth and each character impressively stands out as a complex individual.

The timelines fit together seamlessly and the pacing of the story was such a delight to my ears.

When recommending a book I usually have a clear opinion of a format for best enjoyment, but I can confidently say that this one will be a delight whether you’re turning pages or listening to it.

I will automatically read anything V.E. Schwab writes and have been a self admitted fangirl for quite some time. I can't say that it caught me right from the beginning, however. This started a bit slow for me but had my attention by the end of the 12 chapter sample. Looking forward to the full audiobook!

I just think maybe VE Schwab isn't for me. I can understand the appeal of the story, kind of. I personally didn't feel connected to it though and don't feel the need to read the entire book when it comes out. I might try to read it eventually but it's not at the top of my TBR.

Love the full cast who narrates the audiobook even though I have trouble with the non-US accent :)
I definitely want to know where this is going and will listen to the full audiobook once it's out

Good start, very excited to get to this book when it releases! As always, a sample is hard to rate. But promising so far.

Sapphic vampires? Sign me the fuck up!! This book has all the bite of female rage that I wanted from The Sirens. Multi timeline/multi pov books can sometimes take some time to get moving but I was hooked immediately with this story. The narrators all killed it. The accents were incredible and the distinctive voices for the side-characters had me absolutely immersed. I am hooked and I need the rest of this story now!!

For only 12 chapters, I’m hooked into the story! I want to know more and how these stories might connect. I think this book will be perfect for fans of Addie Larue.

V.E.Schwab writes with such a clear voice that I can instantly tell it’s her writing. It’s gorgeous! I also want to note that the narrators chosen for each woman is amazing casting! They each give the characters depth and really fit their personalities. The accents are also spot on!

I can’t wait for this book to release!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this sneak peak of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil in exchange for an honest review!!

This book has beautiful writing, though it is quite different than the writing style in any of her other books. Though in true V.E. Schwab fashion, this book will bring you to tears as it explores many forms of loss.

The pace is very slow going and it jumps through timelines like Addie LaRue did, which I always love that as long as it is done correctly!

This is great for readers who enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and A Dowry of Blood.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
🎧 Narrated by Julia Whelan, Katie Leung, Marisa Calin

If you’re into dark, slow-burning stories with tangled timelines and morally gray women—you need to get your hands (or ears) on this one. This early peek into the first 12 chapters has completely reeled me in. Schwab’s writing here leans fully into that “toxic lesbian vampire” energy the book’s been teased with—and it delivers.

We follow three women across different centuries—Maria in 1530s Spain, Charlotte in 1820s London, and Alice in 2019 Boston—each unknowingly connected by a bloodline laced with vampirism.

So far, Maria has absolutely stolen the show. She’s defiant, raw, and fully aware of the cage society expects her to live in—and she refuses. Her voice is magnetic, and her chapters had me completely locked in. Charlotte and Alice’s threads are slowly building momentum, and I can already sense they’ll tie in with a punch.

True to Schwab’s style, the pace starts deliberate but promises a slow crescendo. The way she layers the timelines is seamless—haunting, even—and the vivid, eerie atmosphere makes each setting feel like it’s breathing.

And the audiobook? Flawless so far. Whelan, Leung, and Calin each bring such a distinct energy to their roles, with pitch-perfect accents and emotional depth that adds even more richness to the narrative.

This sneak peek has done its job—I’m counting down until I can dive into the full version. Definitely one to keep on your radar if you love historical gothic vibes, female rage, and slow-unfolding mysteries laced in blood.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a sneak peak of Bury Our Bones by V.E. Schwab. From the sneak peak this is a great start! The narrations were perfectly done and create a very atmospheric read. I am definitely invested and want to continue reading this book!

Absolutely love the audiobook so far! Having 3 narrators is perfect! Excited to see how these women are connected and hope they get their revenge on men that they deserve.

I didn’t get the e-arc of the full book, so this audio snippet is holding me over! 😫

The audio is fantastic! If you love audiobooks, this will be a great one to add to your list!!! 3 different narrators for the 3 FMC’s, which they do a great job with.

As far as the story goes, multiple POV, spans centuries & places. I am so seated for the rest of the book.

Thank you for this sneak peek, it only got me more excited for release day. I cannot wait to read the rest! 🫶🏻

Nothing less than what you would expect from V. E. Schwab: intriguing setting, captivating characters, and beautiful writing. I am very excited for the full book to be published for full consumption!

This sneak peak was such a tease in the best way!! I was already excited to read this and now after the first 12 chapter, I’m dying to know what happens next! I’m especially excited to learn more about the widow and Lottie! Thank you so much for letting me listen to the beginning!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the sneak peek of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil! I can't wait for the 6/17/2025 release date! Maria is already a great character and I can't wait to see how the stories intertwine!

Thanks to Macmillian Audio for providing an audio version of this sneak peek.

I love V.E. Schwab's writing, so not surprisingly, Bury Our Bones is one of my most anticipated 2025 releases. After listening to this sneak peek, I'm now even more excited to read the full story.

From the very first line, Schwab immerses you in the settings of the story and makes you care about the protagonists. She writes about the 1500s with just as much grace and just as strong of a sense of realism as she does the recent past. Each of the three main characters, brought brilliantly to life by Julia Whelan, Katie Leung, and Marisa Calin in the audio, is complex and compelling. I felt like I understood them right away yet I had also just begun to scratch the surface of who they were. Schwab's elegant, thought-provoking prose is a delight as always. In Bury Our Bones, I recognize her distinctive writing style yet there is also something fresh about it that reflects her growth as a writer.

This is a story about vampires, yet in these first twelve chapters, there are only hints of the uncanny, the fantastical. Like everything else about this excerpt, these hints made me eager for more. I have no idea where this story is headed, but I am highly invested and eager to find out!