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dliterate's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thanks to @curseddragonship for making the ARC of 'Root and Bone' by Jessica Raney available on @netgalley
'Root and Bone' is a contemporary fantasy/horror story, focusing on two sisters, Leona Monroe and Jewel Spencer, whose magic allows them to see what's going on below the surface of their Appalachian home town. When a local woman is brutally murdered, and her ghost appears with murderous intent, the sisters are drawn into the search for her killer - and find themselves coming up against a series of increasingly dangerous foes along the way.
While I wouldn't say that Root and Bone is groundbreaking, I do think it's a solid new addition to this subgenre. The dynamic between Leona and Jewel is well-established, as are their relationships with Leona's ghost companion, Cale. They work well as a trio who are largely situated in contrast to the other characters around them.
Unfortunately, things get a bit messier once you start moving beyond the three main characters. You find yourself immediately dropped into a world where there are supernatural elements present, but the parameters of this world - and its interaction with the non-magical world - are never clearly established. This, combined with the fact that it's never quite made clear what time period the story is situated in (it seems to be the 1950s or 60s, maybe?), made it feel like, as a reader, I was always slightly off-kilter. I hope this is something that later books in the series can address.
Overall, despite some fuzziness in the details of world, I did enjoy the book more than not. I think there's a lot of potential here, if some of the issues with this book can be addressed in the sequels. I'd recommend giving it a go, and will be keeping an eye out for the next instalment in the series.
CWs: mild gore, domestic violence, misogyny, violence
Rating: 3.5
'Root and Bone' will be available for purchase from the 14th of May
'Root and Bone' is a contemporary fantasy/horror story, focusing on two sisters, Leona Monroe and Jewel Spencer, whose magic allows them to see what's going on below the surface of their Appalachian home town. When a local woman is brutally murdered, and her ghost appears with murderous intent, the sisters are drawn into the search for her killer - and find themselves coming up against a series of increasingly dangerous foes along the way.
While I wouldn't say that Root and Bone is groundbreaking, I do think it's a solid new addition to this subgenre. The dynamic between Leona and Jewel is well-established, as are their relationships with Leona's ghost companion, Cale. They work well as a trio who are largely situated in contrast to the other characters around them.
Unfortunately, things get a bit messier once you start moving beyond the three main characters. You find yourself immediately dropped into a world where there are supernatural elements present, but the parameters of this world - and its interaction with the non-magical world - are never clearly established. This, combined with the fact that it's never quite made clear what time period the story is situated in (it seems to be the 1950s or 60s, maybe?), made it feel like, as a reader, I was always slightly off-kilter. I hope this is something that later books in the series can address.
Overall, despite some fuzziness in the details of world, I did enjoy the book more than not. I think there's a lot of potential here, if some of the issues with this book can be addressed in the sequels. I'd recommend giving it a go, and will be keeping an eye out for the next instalment in the series.
CWs: mild gore, domestic violence, misogyny, violence
Rating: 3.5
'Root and Bone' will be available for purchase from the 14th of May
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Domestic abuse
Minor: Gore and Violence
abicaro17's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this book to review! Woah! This was soo good! For fans of Criminal Minds and Practical Magic, this is the book for you. Leona and Jewel Spencer are two witches who live and work in the same small town. Leona can see and talk to ghosts and Jewel can whip up curses and spells. When a girl goes missing and the sherif asks for their help, the sisters use their talents to find her. This book is gory, funny, and mysterious. There is a little romance but not a lot. My only complaint about this book other than one or two plot holes was the accents. The town in in Ames, Iowa but the accents written in are wildly all over the place. I have friends from Ames and I know they sound nothing like this 50s or not. It definitely threw me off and made me think the book was set in Louisiana and not Iowa. Otherwise this book was a great fast mystery perfect for a magic lover!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Vomit, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Gore, Grief, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
herdarklibrary's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This book was well paced and had dark and gritty themes. It was extremely dialogue heavy which for me isn’t what I look for in a book, a better balance between description and dialogue could go a long way. The relationship between the sisters was well established but I did feel surrounding characters weren’t fleshed out enough for me to grasp a full picture.
Overall I felt this book was ok, but I didn’t enjoy the abuse that takes place. Although I understand sometimes authors like to delve into abuse to get an emotional understanding. I just didn’t think it was written in enough context and reflection for me. It made me uncomfortable at times and that largely ruined the book for me.
novelopinions's review against another edition
5.0
4.5⭐️ um, wow!!! Such a GREAT book. This story mixes murder, mystery, magic, witches, and so, so, SO much more. It is the perfect blend of so many different aspects and keeps you engaged from the get go. Amazing!
classicsbooker's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you @netgalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing LLC for the arc copy of Root and Bone!
Root and Bone is like a 1950’s version of the tv show Supernatural but with sisters who are witches and a Branch Davidians cult twist. The sisters Leona and Jewel live in a small town where young women turn up brutally murdered. Leona decides that they need to help solve the murders because they can use their magic to find answers.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story of this book. The plot kept you wanting to read more to find out what happened in regards to the murders and to learn more about the sisters. I was actually more interested in learning about their magic sometimes than the plot! The banter between the sisters was cute, funny, and relatable. It was also entertaining to be the 1950’s time period with all the accents and colloquial language of that time. Every time Leona told Jewel “stop that dirty talk” I had to go find what the dirty talk actually was!
This is a great book for you if you like to read books that include: non-fantasy magic, paranormal, witches, mystery, thriller, a little bit of romance, and small town feels.
Root and Bone is like a 1950’s version of the tv show Supernatural but with sisters who are witches and a Branch Davidians cult twist. The sisters Leona and Jewel live in a small town where young women turn up brutally murdered. Leona decides that they need to help solve the murders because they can use their magic to find answers.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story of this book. The plot kept you wanting to read more to find out what happened in regards to the murders and to learn more about the sisters. I was actually more interested in learning about their magic sometimes than the plot! The banter between the sisters was cute, funny, and relatable. It was also entertaining to be the 1950’s time period with all the accents and colloquial language of that time. Every time Leona told Jewel “stop that dirty talk” I had to go find what the dirty talk actually was!
This is a great book for you if you like to read books that include: non-fantasy magic, paranormal, witches, mystery, thriller, a little bit of romance, and small town feels.
forniah's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review:
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up! This Appalachian paranormal fantasy gives ALL the atmosphere you need. It’s cozy, yet spooky. I love the witchy sisters and the magic that is involved in this book. Although I do wish for a little more backstory on the sisters and their Granny when it comes to their magic. The ending leaves off on a cliff hanger which leaves me wondering about a second book?
Overall it was an enjoyable read and would be PERFECT for fall.
Pros: Atmosphere, banter, magic
Cons: Plot holes (cursed stones? and what becomes of the cursed ghosts?)
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up! This Appalachian paranormal fantasy gives ALL the atmosphere you need. It’s cozy, yet spooky. I love the witchy sisters and the magic that is involved in this book. Although I do wish for a little more backstory on the sisters and their Granny when it comes to their magic. The ending leaves off on a cliff hanger which leaves me wondering about a second book?
Overall it was an enjoyable read and would be PERFECT for fall.
Pros: Atmosphere, banter, magic
Cons: Plot holes (cursed stones? and what becomes of the cursed ghosts?)
simonlorden's review
3.5
I received an ARC through NetGalley.
Now listen, I signed up for the gory murders and creepy ghosts, so that's fine. But the domestic abuse and awful barely-consensual marital sex was just... too bleak.
Leona and Jewel are two of many siblings, and they have been learning to be witches since they were children. Leona can see ghosts - most of them only need a kind word, and they come to her for comfort and reassurance. Then a woman gets murdered in a horrific violent way, and Leona and Jewel have to figure out what happened before whatever it is catches up to them.
The murders and the ghost scenes were more than enough to freak me out, and I liked the ongoing theme of light and dark magic and what that means. But I really, really would have been happier without the two violent husbands, and the constant violence being threatened against a little girl.
I liked the side characters (the ones that weren't awful), including a romantic ghost and a shy, kind ghoul who just wants to eat dead people but wouldn't hurt a fly. I felt that Leona and Jewel were a bit too casual about their magic, talking about private things and talking to ghosts in public where anyone could hear, which was a bit strange because that sounds like a good way to get killed in a small town like this.
tldr; The horror was horroristic. The plot was interesting. But it was definitely more than a bit depressing, too. Poor Peggy.
Now listen, I signed up for the gory murders and creepy ghosts, so that's fine. But the domestic abuse and awful barely-consensual marital sex was just... too bleak.
Leona and Jewel are two of many siblings, and they have been learning to be witches since they were children. Leona can see ghosts - most of them only need a kind word, and they come to her for comfort and reassurance. Then a woman gets murdered in a horrific violent way, and Leona and Jewel have to figure out what happened before whatever it is catches up to them.
The murders and the ghost scenes were more than enough to freak me out, and I liked the ongoing theme of light and dark magic and what that means. But I really, really would have been happier without the two violent husbands, and the constant violence being threatened against a little girl.
I liked the side characters (the ones that weren't awful), including a romantic ghost and a shy, kind ghoul who just wants to eat dead people but wouldn't hurt a fly. I felt that Leona and Jewel were a bit too casual about their magic, talking about private things and talking to ghosts in public where anyone could hear, which was a bit strange because that sounds like a good way to get killed in a small town like this.
tldr; The horror was horroristic. The plot was interesting. But it was definitely more than a bit depressing, too. Poor Peggy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
meggallenn's review against another edition
1.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Raney for this ARC.
I had high hopes for this book; the cover art was beautiful, the synopsis was something right up my alley as well. I really struggled with this book though. The time frame of the story was very difficult to understand, I needed a bit better understanding of the societal views and how things functioned for the story to make more sense. I found myself half way through the book struggling to make sense of most of what had happened. I figured I would push through and hopefully it was an “ah-ha” moment at the end but unfortunately the confusion remained. The novel has a heavy dialogue which often can become confusing at who is speaking to who. Finally, I just really struggled with the grammar; I understand most of it was expected and required for the accents in the book, but even the narration in a lot of points had me rereading sentences several times trying to make it click.
I had high hopes for this book; the cover art was beautiful, the synopsis was something right up my alley as well. I really struggled with this book though. The time frame of the story was very difficult to understand, I needed a bit better understanding of the societal views and how things functioned for the story to make more sense. I found myself half way through the book struggling to make sense of most of what had happened. I figured I would push through and hopefully it was an “ah-ha” moment at the end but unfortunately the confusion remained. The novel has a heavy dialogue which often can become confusing at who is speaking to who. Finally, I just really struggled with the grammar; I understand most of it was expected and required for the accents in the book, but even the narration in a lot of points had me rereading sentences several times trying to make it click.
shaeslibraryy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25
this book was an e-arc i received from netgalley, and my rating and review is not affected by this. this book was…okay. my biggest, BIGGEST problem is detail and background information. i didn’t feel connected with the characters and story as much as i would of loved to. the lack of those made the story seem bland and flat. but…if you like a cozy fantasy with witches, ghouls, werewolves, and other magical creatures, i would recommend this! i could definitely see this as a young adult tv show, and sometimes it gave me riverdale vibes.