This book at times had me gagging for this Gothic thriller. I will say I have read some gross things, but I have never gagged so much in revulsion like I have with this book. Even though there was gagging and I almost did not finish, I still enjoyed this book. A true gothic horror.

This was a lot of fun’. It’s delightfully hard to put in a box. It’s gothic supernatural romance/horror. Every single character is unhinged in the best possible way.

This is definitely a book for a specific audience. I'm not saying I'm not that audience, but... I'm also not saying that I definitively AM that audience. It left me feeling a little bit unsettled overall.

No spoiler synopsis- Sarah and Lucy are twins and very close. Sarah marries and Lucy remains single due to no dowry situation after their parents pass on. A bog body is found on the property where Sarah resides. It's buried in a curious way, and while it is being unearthed, curious Sarah is essentially bitten by this body and thus begins a terrifying and horrific illness. Lucy travels to her side, but Sarah indeed worsens. As Sarah's body sickens, secrets are revealed and Lucy must contend with these secrets and also with the two overbearing men involved in the novel, Sarah's husband, and the friend of the family - the doctor. As Lucy navigates a quite tricky situation- she becomes protector and investigator rolled into one- roles she's not feeling particularly prepared for nor skilled at.

The writing is fantastic. Tight and well put together. I did note a few very modern kind of terms popped in here and there. A phrase "it is what it is" was used and seemed quite out of place for the setting and time frame, but in general- the scene was set and I could feel the dreary- eerie quality of the Zwartwater Estate where much of the novel is set. In face, both my buddy and I decided that the book was making us feel quite distressed and unsettled - which is a little odd as it stuck with me even after I set it down.

Emily Tucker narrates the book and I appreciated the clear narration that did not detract from the story. She doesn't do any particularly memorable special voices in the story, but given the nature of this novel, I think the clean clear narration was plenty!

This would be a great book for summerween, spooky season, and for fans of Gothic Horror (with a capital G!)

This book was just an all around lovely little experience to read. But to listen to? Somehow even better.

The narrator was absolutely perfect and somehow took the atmosphere up a level, which was impressive as the writing on its own does a fantastic job of really taking you and plopping you in the middle of whatever the hell these people have going on.

And, my god, what they have going on is a lot. This book is filled with just mess. Mess all around. Messy situations, messy people, messy choices, and enough gore to make all of it that much messier, stickier, and somehow smellier because everytime we started hearing about the smells going on I was like, 'mhm no thanks.'

This is a gothic tale set in the middle of some pretty well researched boggy goodness. I went into this book blind, based solely on the vibes of the cover alone (which I love) and was happily surprised when the characters started going on about bog bodies. Less happily surprised when the men were doing and saying annoying man things from the past. Yes yes you're right, you random man should be the one to give blood because your blood, as a man, is so much stronger than I, a woman who is the twin to the one needing the blood. *eye roll* I wanted to pop several of these characters several times because there's some not so wonderful people lurking about this bog.

And the twist of what is actually going on with dear sister? Was not expecting that at all.

Not a terribly long story but definately one I suggest for some light, not so light reading.

🎧Audiobook/ Book review 📚

Huge thanks to @recordedbooks @tantoraudio #partner for the #gifted copy.

Blood On Her Tongue
By @johannavanveen1997
🎧Audiobook narrator - Emily Tucker
Audio - 9 hours 1 minute
Publisher- @poisonedpenpress
BOTH- Out Now

This was fantastic! I have really been enjoying historical horror and loving it in audio. Emily Tucker does an amazing job with the narration. The descriptions she gave had me immersed into the story.

The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy’s twin sister, Sarah, is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband’s grand estate.

What is happening to Sarah’s body? Will Lucy be willing to save her?

Gothic and historical horror that I ate right up! I believe fantasy and horror lovers should definitely devour this! Plus, just look at those edges will ya?

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A richly gothic and grotesque horror story where a newly revealed bog body unleashes a parasitic, vampire-like being upon a lonely wife, and how her twin sister tries to save her. Beneath the gore lies a haunting tale of sisterhood and twisted love, told with vivid, unsettling imagery that lingers long after the last page.

I obtained this audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.

I thought this was a great gothic horror about the complex relationship between two twin sisters, Lucy and Sarah. The writing was superb, and set a dark stage for the story. Gory at times and suspenseful at others, this plot really captured my interest. The narrator was perfect for telling the tale. I will certainly read from this author in the future

Thank you to Tantor Audio for an ALC, and Poisoned Pen Press for an e-ARC of this novel. Here are my thoughts!

Sarah and Lucy are twins in the Netherlands in 1887. Sarah has fallen ill so Lucy travels to her home to try to help take care of her. But this isn’t the usual illness, she refuses to eat and doctor’s want to send her to an asylum. Lucy must figure out what’s wrong with her sister before she is sent away forever. But Sarah learns this isn’t just sickness, something is in her sister and it’s hungry for blood.

Do you ever read a new to you author and think, “how did I not know about this author earlier?” That was the case for me with Johanna van Veen. I love books, especially horror, that take place in the late 1800s. It’s such a crucial time in literary history for horror, the grotesque and feminism. Van Veen took all of that and wrapped it up with a nice little blood-red bow and called it Blood on her Tongue.

There is just the right amount of blood and gore, with some uncomfortable body horror moments that fit the plot and setting just perfectly. I liked the aspect of Sarah ‘s investigating what is possessing her sister’s body and how it is affecting those around her. I was intrigued to the very end to see how everything would play out and it truly did not disappoint.

The narrator’s voice was perfect for the story and helped to immerse me into the world and story. I can’t recommend this one enough, perfect for spooky season!

4.5 stars

This was fantastic, and I won't soon forget it.

The premise was fascinating, and for some reason we all seem to treat twins like we would not be surprised by any oddity they exhibited, ramping up the curiosity factor of this story. Victorian Netherlands also is a setting I'm not used to reading about. Add horror and buried alive and cannibalism, oh my! This didn't disappoint. I was on pins and needles by the last few minutes, afraid of the direction it was going in, but the author pulled it off beautifully.

If you're a fan of horror and not afraid of gore or particularly eye traumas, I highly recommend. Have a snack handy. A crunchy one.

I really liked the idea of this book overall. The creepy unknown of finding the body in the bog, the difference between the twins, both competing and trying to support one another. This has a lot of outdated beliefs, which makes the book that more impactful. Some of the horror and gore, which is the point, was a little much for me as an audiobook.

Rounded up 3.5

This is my first experience with Johanna van Veen's writing. And though there are some aspects of the plot that didn't quite hit for me the way I wanted them to (mostly the final act), that doesn't change the fact that goodness gracious, this woman can WRITE.

Gorgeous prose, a haunting and weighty atmosphere, fantastic pacing, and such a fresh and interesting portrayal of vampirism. Not to mention, she did not shy away from the Gothic Horror genre and all the twisted morality/gruesome content that implies. I will absolutely be seeking out Johanna van Veen's other works as soon as possible.

I was hooked right from the beginning, but due to some strange/disappointing narrative decisions and a few moments of logical dissonance, that momentum didn't carry through to the end and I was left a little dissatisfied.

Still, the themes of sisterhood, womanhood, and the (I cannot overstate this) truly awe inspiring prose made this an overall enjoyable read.

“Finally,” she said. “I’m fucking starving.” God forbid a girl is hungry!

I was on the fence about this book based on the description and some early reviews, but so grateful I had the chance to listen to it because I really enjoyed this one. I am loving the trend of books in the vein of "I support women's rights (and wrongs)" - and gothic sapphic vampire novels being the trend of summer 2025 was not on my bingo card, but I am here for it.

I did not read van Veen's debut novel, but based on this I will have to give it a shot. She proved herself excellent at creating tension, intense atmosphere, the sense of dread and foreboding, and the body gore was not over the top but just enough to shock a horror fan. One thing I wished I knew going in, as it is one of my weaknesses when it comes to gore is there is a LOT of eyeball specific body horror. I was so brave and strong though - lol.

What I really loved about this is that it explored themes like the bond between sisters, feminism, mental health, grief, and codependency without skipping a beat in the horror. I thought if there was a bit more meat (pun intended) to get more depth from the characters, this could have been bumped up in rating.

I'll also mention that the audiobook narrator did an excellent job and I think it really added to the experience of this book, especially the name pronunciation accounting for the story taking place in the Netherlands.

Blood on her Tongue is a haunting gothic horror the explores the bonds of sisterhood between Lucy and her unwell twin sister, Sarah. I was drawn in from the start wanting to know what was wrong with Sarah, and as the story plunged deeper and deeper into the supernatural I was hooked. Lucy is deeply devoted to her sister and throughout the novel we see the shocking lengths she will go to save her.

There was body horror, psychological aspects, building dread, eerily beautiful and atmospheric writing, all which are some of my favorite things. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and paired with the narrator's performance it was really brought to life. I also read My Darling Dreadful Thing, and its safe to say I will continue to devour (pun intended) anything Van Veen publishes. Highly recommend!

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGally for the ALC! I went into this book thinking it was a gothic romance. I was in for a surprise! This book was very creepy and unforgettable! It was a wild ride and I did not know what was going to happen next! The narrator did an amazing job at bringing this story to life!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio the the ALC of Blood on Her Tongue in exchange for my honest review.

4.25 stars

Creepy and captivating. Very unpredictable. I had a hard time putting it down. the narator Emily Tucker did a great job narrating this story. Highly recommend you listen to the audio of Blood on Her Tongue.

This is exactly what I want from a vampire novel. They tend to get so romanticized that I love what Johanna van Veen did with this one. It was gross and creepy and disturbing. I felt immersed in the setting and world. I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters and how everyone was awful in their own way. I was surprised but pleased at the feminine rage that I wasn't expecting. And more than that, I loved how it became slowly obvious that Lucy would choose her sister over everything else, no matter what. Lucy was a little delusional and crazy when it came to her sister, but at least she was dedicated!

Well that was certainly a different take on the vampire lore! Very great read! Highly recommend!

........................................

Did not finish. I was looking forward to this audiobook because I love gothic fiction. The writing was good but I could not get into the plot. Thank you for the early copy!

**Review: *Blood on Her Tongue***
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

This unfortunately wasn’t quite what I expected. I was initially drawn in by the promise of gothic horror and vampiric lore—elements I typically enjoy—but the execution didn’t fully resonate with me. The setting and time frame felt slightly mismatched with the themes, and I found myself struggling to stay immersed in the story.

That said, there were certainly moments of intrigue and atmosphere that stood out, and the audiobook was particularly well done. The narration added a haunting quality that elevated some of the slower sections. While this one didn’t entirely work for me, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy a more subdued, character-driven approach to supernatural horror.

2.5⭐️

The urge to DNF this was so strong at the 50% mark... while I was interested in where it was going, it felt like I was waist deep in a bog it was such a struggle to cary on.

While my intereat was piqued once we found out what was going on, I quickly lost interest again. It felt like most of the plot was Lucy agonizing over every little thing... the plot and Lucy's thoughts ended up being repetitive and didn't add much except to the word count.

Would I say it's a worthwhile read? Yes, I just don't think it was for me. The creature aspects were well-developed and so were the relationships. I can't quite put my finger on why, but something about it just left me feeling dissatisfied. I'd say give it a try if you like sibling dynamics and body horror!

Thank you Tantor Audio for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.