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Member Reviews

I love everything about VE Schwab’s writing and this book is no exception. Her turns of phrase are so exquisitely written that I just want to have them on repeat around me all day! The story grapples with so many big questions while also being a really engaging and enthralling read. I can’t recommend it more highly. Go forth and read it!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the sneak peek!!

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Sci-Fi fantasy is not my typical genre but I was curious to see what this book was all about. I enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie Larue so I figured it was worth a shot.

Overall, the narration was well done and it definitely piqued my interest enough that I'd like to continue listening to the full version. It was immersive and moody with a sweeping premise.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the sneak peek sampler in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

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This sneak peek already captivated me and makes me eager to keep reading. I am already in love with Sabine's character and look forward to the book exploring her journey and development more. Like their other books, V.E. Schwab has done an excellent job of setting the mood and atmosphere through her stellar writing. The narrator for this audiobook was also fantastic. The engaging narration brought the characters to life. This was a great sneak peek that excites me to read the rest of the book.

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Haunting, lyrical, and achingly beautiful — Schwab delivers another masterpiece.

I was beyond thrilled to receive an early copy of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil from NetGalley, and it absolutely exceeded every expectation I had. V.E. Schwab once again proves why she’s one of the most compelling voices in speculative fiction. This story is steeped in melancholy and quiet magic, weaving a tale of grief, legacy, and the things that linger in the dark long after we’ve buried them.

Schwab’s prose is nothing short of breathtaking. Every sentence feels deliberate, every image hauntingly beautiful. The characters are raw, flawed, and deeply human, navigating a world where the past clings to the present like restless ghosts. The setting itself feels alive — eerie, oppressive, and endlessly fascinating.

While this story leans into its darker, gothic elements, there’s a thread of tenderness and hope stitched through the narrative that balances the sorrow. Schwab handles themes of loss, generational trauma, and belonging with such care, making it impossible not to feel emotionally invested.

This isn’t a book you rush through; it’s one you savor, letting the language and atmosphere settle over you like mist. By the final page, I was utterly spellbound and already longing to revisit its shadowed world.

A must-read for fans of gothic fantasy, lyrical writing, and stories that linger long after the last word. Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Books, for the opportunity to experience this unforgettable novel early.

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Brilliant! I love pretty much every that Schwab has published and this one just might become a new favourite.

cantwaitcantwaitcantwait for the novel!

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Thank you for the Sampler NetGalley & Macmillan Audio 🎧

The writing and narration is really immersive and distinct. I appreciate the individual narrators interpretation of each character, really bringing the 3 women to life. We get to know a bit about each character and their day-to-day. It will be interesting to see how things escalate as their Y.O.D approaches - so far Maria is my favorite.

I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the rest of the story and see how it intertwines.

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This is one of those books that I was more excited to hear it read to me than to read it for myself. The great Julia Whalen is always a treat to hear, especially in such emotionally heavy writing like Schwab's, but the other two voice actors, Katie Leung and Marisa Calen, filled out the cast and made it much easier to distinguish between the characters. Fantastic.

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The audiobook really brings this book to life. These characters so far in these first 12 chapters have developed immensely and I am so excited to get to know them more as the story progresses, as each of their stories progress and continue to intertwine with each other’s. My first V.E. Schwab book and I am not disappointed!

The introduction of the lives and hardships of these 3 characters - Maria, Charlotte, and Alice have already emphasized themes of survival and desire despite the vast differences in time and place.

What an astounding start to a hauntingly beautiful novel. Cannot wait to finish this book, 4 stars so far!

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This was a great preview that has me excited to read the rest of the book! I liked that it includes a full production of multiple voice actors and music to set the tone for the story.

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Thank you to the publishers for the sneak peek of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab—what a gift to get an early listen to such a haunting, lyrical tale. Narrators Julia Whelan, Katie Leung, and Marisa Calin each bring a distinct and powerful presence to this richly atmospheric story, weaving magic, memory, and melancholy into every line. Even in this brief glimpse, Schwab’s signature storytelling shines through: eerie yet intimate, dark yet deeply human. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to experience the full audiobook!

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Maria’s pov really entrapped me! But I’m not sure I’m invested? It’s an interesting start and I’m interested to see where it goes. It think mainly because the build up is so slow build up but it’s somewhat enjoyable I honestly think that goes to the narrators because I really enjoy listening to them!

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This sample is GREAT - I can't wait to listen to the whole thing! The narrators do such a great job in getting this story and the tone of the story across.

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Review for the sneak peak audio-

Absolutely breathtaking so far. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.
The narrators are outstanding. I love here that we are introduced to the three characters- whom each have their own distinct voices.

VE Schwab has a style of writing that makes me feel like I've fallen into the world shes crafted- wrapped in a warm bed with the scents of stews and fresh bread. Homey, patient and worthwhile.

I have already sourced out the full audio now that it has been released. I have no doubts that I will absolutely love the whole story by its end.

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I was so thankful that a sneak peek was available for this book. This is an audio version that will go down as one of the best audio versions of a book that I have personally read. The three narrators do an amazing job captivating the POVs. The story is entrancing and beautifully written. Once I receive my physical book I will be immediately marking some of the beautiful quotes that have come from this book. I have been intrigued by the story of the women that are in this book and where their stories will go and where they will intersect. This is a beautiful story about being a woman and written in a fun vampire tale. Since this was just a sneak peek, I have not finished this book, but it is shaping up to be a 5 star read.

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V.E. Schwab is one of my all time favorite authors. She has such a dynamic writing style where she can interweave genres and surpass expectations. This new release is no different. The prose and world that Schwab creates in this new story is unlike her other books but yet distinctly her voice. A melancholic and eerie tale. I’m thankful for the preview Netgalley & Tor Publishing granted me and excited to continue reading this gorgeous novel.

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I'm not sure if this is the story for me.

I DNFed at 21% of the sneak peak. I had a hard time following when we switched to Katie narrating (a me problem, not a Katie problem!).

I found the story and characters so far weren't pulling me in. I am somewhat interested, but not invested. I may give the book another try at some time and see if I connect with it more.

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So this is only the first 12 chapters, but I am loving the narrators. Julia Whelan is always amazing but both Katie and Marissa are caring strongly too. The beginning is a slow build and I definitely have not gotten to the meat of the story, but the build up so far has been fantastic. I love toxic people in stories because it really shows the flaws that most people have, but the fact that they are toxic vampires is even better. I can not wait to read the book and listen to the book.

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I didn’t think I could be more intrigued and excited for Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. But now that I’ve had a taste I simply can’t wait. The characters leap off the page and the voices are so distinct. I empathize with Alice and am enraptured by Sabine.

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This was only a sneak peak at the audiobook, but the several chapters that I was able to preview were incredible. This has convinced me that I will be purchasing the audiobook and consuming the story asap.

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I have loved all of V.E. Schwabs books. This book blends three women whose lives intersect at different parts in time. Mix of Romance, thrillers, horror. Another fantastic book from a fantastic author.

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