The old adage of “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” has been proven time and time again to be true. Sometimes the cover makes the book more attractive. Sometimes it makes it less attractive, and sometimes, like in the case of Slewfoot, it can be misleading. This cover is a woman hovering in front of the moon on a broom, holding a skull. Her feet and legs are cloven and furry, but the drawing looks peaceful and somewhat charming. This means I started this book thinking it was going to be whimsical, like most tales about witches. I was totally wrong.

The story takes place in 1666, where the puritans are punishing women for talking out of turn and anyone who does not obey the town’s reverends and the Word of God. One half of the story is about Abitha, a widow who has to repay the debts of her missing (presumed dead) husband. Her husband’s brother is a real villain, and he is only trying to save his farm by taking hers. The other half is about Slewfoot, who wakes from a deep sleep and is trying to figure out his place in the world. A few people from the village see him and call him what they think he is, Satan. All of these worlds collide, and the fallout is swift and severe.

I did not have a great amount of motivation to read coming into this novel. I had not read Brom before, and I expected something like my misconceived notions about stories involving witches, that it is going to be fun and light. The truth is that this is a horror novel. There are no arguments against it. This is dark and muddy. This is bloody and gory. This is a revenge story. This is a slasher. This is Slewfoot doing what Slewfoot needs to do to protect Mother Earth and his friends.. And it could not have had a better setting, a better main character, a better villain, and a better ending. Brom writes in a way that is cinematic and emotionally captivating. The feelings that I have for these characters, the attachment I have for the plot, and the love I have for the story really transcends more than just the page. I had not read Brom before, but I have now poked around his website some, and I realize that he is the one that drew the cover, that he has been writing novels and creating art for a long time. I will be reading some of his back catalog based on the strength of Slewfoot.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review will also be shared on my Goodreads page. Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy. I really enjoyed this one! The description reminded me of one of my favorite movies "The Witch" and it did not disappoint. Abitha lives with her husband Edward in the Colonial times in America. Abitha is the outsider in the village. She is not well liked by other village women. One day, Abitha discovers a mysterious pit in the woods. Abitha is at odds with her brother in law. Due to her disliked status in town and the contentious situation with her bother in law, Abitha is a target in the village. Without giving too much away, Abitha befriends a mysterious force who changes her life...but is this force a being of good or evil? This is a great horror story and does have some very genuinely scary moments. If you enjoyed The Witch movie or if you're a fan of The Crucible or of historical fiction dealing with Puritan times, this would be a great choice.

*I received this book as a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you NetGalley, Brom, and Macmillan for approving my request for this book.

Let me start this review by saying that horror is not my genre, so my review should probably be taken with a grain of salt by horror lovers. I requested Slewfoot largely because it was a historical fiction, which I generally love. I was also interested in reading a horror book since, as I already said, they aren’t usually my go to. Getting out of the comfort zone and all that.

Well, unfortunately this is one comfort line I’d rather have not crossed. Not only did I not find this book scary, I also found it very boring. While the writing style is fine, I found the blunt style of description left a lot to be desired, personally. Even during the bits with the devil lapping up the blood of people, I was just like “meh, what’s next?” I wasn’t scared or suspenseful at all, which seems sort of counter intuitive to the whole genre. This was a particular sticking point for me considering I am well known to get easily spooked.

As for pros, the writing style isn’t bad even if I personally don’t find it the most gripping. There was clearly a lot of research into Puritanical history put into this, which I applaud. I found myself learning a lot more than the basic middle school Puritans unit ever taught me.

I’m gonna go ahead and give this 3 stars out of 5 subject to change if they ever come out with an audiobook for this. I think an audio recording would be more helpful in getting into the ominous mood. This book just underserved when it came to stimulating my imagination.

Book Review✨ Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

Synopsis: Abitha is new to the Puritan lifestyle, an outsider. She attends church and plays her role like a good Christian. But Abitha is also from a bloodline of Cunning women, more known as a Witch. After her husband mysteriously perishes, she is left alone to fend for her land in a patriarchal, misogynistic society that is hellbent on keeping witches and devils away from their land. Enter Slewfoot (Samson). Samson is unsure who he is, he is told he is “The Devil” but that doesn’t feel right to him, he needs to know more. Together Abitha and Samson form a bond, using each other’s gifts in a world where Witchcraft means a death sentence, desperate to discover their true nature.

“You think me worried about my soul? “ She laughed again, loud and fierce, locking blazing eyes on Samson. “I’ve no soul left,” she growled. “They’ve crucified my fucking soul!”

Let’s talk Abitha our main character. I love her so much! Imagine that, characters written so well you become emotionally invested in them. She is a true badass. She speaks up despite the Puritan law, she takes no bs from any man, and she stands her ground at all times. Abitha is everything we want to see in a female lead. Strong, resourceful, brave, cunning, creative, intelligent and kind. Abitha’s growth shines through the story, becoming one powerful being.

Characters in the book are fully developed with their own personalities and morals. Brom writes Samson so well, introducing a new image of “The Devil” in the readers mind. A God of Mother Nature with human thoughts and conundrums. Despite characters with strong, stubborn beliefs, some do show remorse and sadness for Abitha’s fate, showing that not everyone was okay with the silly happenings of the church.

The story is beautifully written. The pacing starts slow, but stays interesting and engaging throughout. It’s hard to talk about certain parts without spoilers but the parts about nature are written so descriptive it’s like you’re there spinning in a field of flowers, drinking in the sun and witnessing mother nature’s growth and beauty. I specifically loved the wildfolk and the old gods. A certain bear that serves the beam may even make an appearance. 🐻

One of the main themes in Slewfoot is hysteria, and witchcraft in a Christian, Puritan society. Oh man once the first accusation was said, we tumbled into a whirlwind of hysteria. Fake accusations, lies, terror. His writing brought strong emotions out of me. I was angry at the townsfolk, and upset because for a work of fiction, it’s actually a reality we are all aware of. It was as if I were the one being persecuted. I don’t speak ill on any religion but Slewfoot highlights the problems within Christianity, especially during earlier times.

Samson and Abitha’s relationship grows into something so strong and wonderful. It’s not your generic love story here. At first Abitha is hesitant to dance with the Devil, but eventually she sees him for his true self.

For those who like a little gore in their horror, there is a satisfying amount throughout the ending but I can’t give it away.

My favorite part of Slewfoot is the positivity it brings to the Pagan/Witch community. More so how the author paints witchcraft for what it truly is; a craft with potions, charms, incantations etc, that offers help and worship for the old ways, not just evil sorcery and devilry.

Slewfoot is a perfect read for those who are interested in horror with some historical and religious elements, dripping with feminism and empowerment. It’s perfect for anyone of the craft, or anyone in general, and in my opinion a 5 star read.

“A hard grimace set on Abitha’s face. “If it is a witch they want,” she hissed. “Then a witch they shall have.” 🧹🌼

While I think the writing was great and I very much enjoyed the main character Abitha, the plot didn’t feel very original. To me. I’m still looking forward to the physical copy and seeing the art work

Abitha is trying her best to fit in to this strange new world, America where she is wedded to a man she never knew until her father sold her off from England. Though not necessarily in love with her new husband there is an affection there, and she does what she can to be a good wife. Her husband's brother is a selfish and greedy man while her husband is often too meek to stand up to him. The villagers are Puritans, and are more realistically portrayed in this work of historical fiction than in the actual history book I was made to study as a child. They are not people who believe in religious freedom, they are my way or the highway kind of people who would sooner shackle you and stone you than let you get away with being 2 minutes late for a sermon, and heaven help you if a lock of hair ever escaped from under your cap! When Abitha's husband is killed, his brother expects Abitha to become his servant. He tried to tell her she was weak, that she did not matter because she was only a woman, he tried to sabotage her efforts, however she was stronger and more powerful than he knew, and with some magical helpers she will have her revenge.

This book is so many things in one. It's horror, fantasy, historical fiction, and a harrowing tale of revenge. It begins in 1666 and has a perfect ending in a 1970s epilogue. It is at times hauntingly beautiful and at others graphic and gory. I loved the way Abitha awakened to her true self.

This is the first book by Brom that I have read. I really enjoyed the whole concept of it. I have been told by several people at the library not to order books that Tor has published. I gave this one a try because one of the webinars that I was mentioned Slewfoot. I loved it from start to finish, and ordered one for our library. I have been interested in witches for the last several months. Slewfoot was not only about an unlikely friendship between Abatha and Samson, but how hierarchies began and spread throughout the village.

I always enjoy Brom’s books, though they tend to be fairly slow. I liked the characters and premise of this book!

Slewfoot is the first book I have read by Brom and I 100% plan on picking up his previous (and future) works. To start, the character development in this book was amazing. I really enjoyed watching Abitha’s journey and growth as a character. It was so interesting seeing how Abitha navigated Puritan life in 1666 Connecticut and the lifestyle, beliefs, and hardships that accompanied those during that time. Brom did a great job setting the stage for the story and building to the climax of the book. The authors use of folklore and the Puritan beliefs was seamlessly woven into the story. It was great to see a story that stayed true to how the puritans spoke (for the most part) and how they viewed the world, including what they believed a witch to be. Brom did a fantastic job at building the paranoia and hysteria amongst the villagers and how it spreads like a virus.
However, this book is not without its faults. Towards the middle of the book, I felt the momentum come to a halt as the reader is introduced to a new, and rather brief, element. During this middle portion there are two moments where the author info dumps. This portion I found difficult to get through, but once you push through it, the last 30% of the book is wild. The climax of the book definitely makes up for the slow parts of the story.
Overall, this book was full of mystery, self-exploration, and dark magic. I would highly recommend this, especially for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy as well as to fans of the movie The Witch (2015). As my eARC didn’t include the beautiful and haunting images that accompany Brom’s books, I cannot wait to see what the final product looks like when it is released on September 14.

Thank you NetGalley and Brom for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

i…huh. this book went a very different way than i was expecting it to, but i liked it. a lot.

taking place in a small, puritan village in 1666 connecticut, this book paints a picture of daily life amongst these religious zealots that’s so toxic and unbearable that in the end, i was rooting for ol’ slewfoot to take them all out.

set in the junction of time where ancient, pagan religions meet the relatively new-world idea of organized religion, this book begs a set of deep questions - what is ‘evil’? what makes something ‘bad’? what even is ‘the devil’ and what if he’s actually an unlikely hero of the story? what if everything is just one huge misunderstanding?

unsettling, dark, and bloody, this book goes to show that hell hath no fury like a woman whose cat you just murdered.

"Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.

Connecticut, 1666.

An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector.

The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil.

To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help.

Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan - one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.

"If it is a devil you seek, then it is a devil you shall have!"

This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom’s haunting paintings, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world."

As fall comes upon us, be sure to pick up this book by Brom!

Abitha hadn't planned to be married to Edward, she hadn't planned to be betrothed to him either, or to travel here to the new world and all the restrictions of Puritan life, but she was doing her best to live her life all the same, She hadn't chosen Edward, she hadn't been raised to be married into Puritan life, nor was she suited to all of these rules and hardships, but she felt like she might be happy here if she could make do just a little longer. Except every time she thinks she has things figured out, that she's made just a little more room in the world for someone like herself, that she's gotten Edward to stand for them and their needs despite his meekness, everything seems to fall back into the harsher places they always do- particularly just when she needs it least and especially when the choices they make carry them out of the control of Edward's controlling and spoiled elder brother Wallace. Especially now that Edward, a good man she was just beginning to love a little bit more, is dead and she's all alone.

Or is she?

Someone in the dark of the cavern where Edward died there is a new voice and the whisper of something new, something that picks at her past, the mother she lost, and the hope she has to finally live her life for herself and no one else. Soon she'll find herself discovering so much about herself, the woods, the animals, the men all around her, and the religion that binds them all-if she lets it.

There is a lot to enjoy about this book and I hope that you'll agree it's more than worth the time invested to let it unravel word by word, revealing more and more about it's characters, the setting, the people, fate, and destiny. This could've been a book that followed all the same paths, told the same old stories about women who choose freedom, men who bend others to their will, the nature of religion and power, and all the old myths about what it is to be human and all too imperfect., instead we have so much to understand, fresh perspective, interesting connections, self-exploration, and a very well crafted narrative that is anything but what you're expecting as it plays out. Highly recommended for fans of myth, magic, mystery, and the nature of good versus evil.

This is very much a case of a book that is not for me. I rarely read historical fiction and the Puritan Era has never interested me. Despite that, I was actually impressed that I liked it at all. I liked that the main character was a strong independent woman. The writing was also quite strong with detailed descriptions of the monsters. So despite my personal underwhelming reading experience, I would still recommend this one to readers who enjoy fantastical horror and witch stories.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Very creepy historical horror sets in puritanical colonial America. Fans of the movie The VVitch (like me!) will really enjoy this book!

A very interesting read. Overall it was able to keep my attention but did have a few bits of slower pacing that were harder to get through. However, the imagery and imagination in this story is great! The dark tone and the setting are both familiar but distinct.

This book was so unique. I've never quite read anything like it. The heroine Abitha was so strong, she was an outcast but not because she was odd. It was more that everyone else around her was so starkly religious that it made her seem so outlandish for simply showing her hair or reading a book. Every chapter was full of heartbreak and rage. The progression of the characters was really the main point of this book. The plot was just a device to get them to the end where they were resplendent rageful forest gods. I really had no idea what to think of this story, I was so curious when I picked it and I'm so very glad that I did because it was amazing. Abitha and everything she went through was heartbreaking, beautiful, and let me feel her strength. Im going to heartily recommend this one.

Seven years ago I saw the film THE WITCH and became obsessed. I wanted to live deliciously, too. When I read the synopsis and saw the cover of SLEWFOOT: A TALE OF BEWITCHERY by Brom, I knew this book was for me. I devour stories about strong witches, but SLEWFOOT was so much more!

Set in Colonial, New England, this novel follows two characters: Abitha, a young woman with a mind of her own, and a reawakened ancient spirit trying to remember who he is. They become friends; Abitha goes on trial for witchcraft, and all hell breaks loose.

Brom's novel is rich and dark, with a streak of impishness. I was captivated by the world in SLEWFOOT. The story is enthralling, the characters are fantastic, and the writing is superb. I didn't want this book to end!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for a chance to read this ARC! I can't wait to buy a copy when it's released this September. I need to see Brom's paintings in context with his story! SLEWFOOT: A TALE OF BEWITCHERY is going to have a special place on my witchy book shelf!

“If it is a devil you seek, then it is a devil you shall have!”

Set in Colonial New England, the story follows the journey of one woman in a society that is hell bent on destroying her and her fight until her very last breathe. Abitha is very against the puritan ways, but endures it since she was essentially sold off and wed to a gentle man named Edward. However Edward’s brother Wallace is determined to force Abitha to become his servant and steal back the land that is her husbands. After an incident Abitha finds herself newly widowed.... and suddenly she is given the freedom of owning the land and she will fight tooth and nail to keep it out of Wallace’s hands... except his greed goes beyond what she could imagine and soon his devious plans will become more dangerous until her own life is at risk. While this is all happening, a ancient spirit awakens in the woods, and the wildfolk call him Father, Slayer Protector, while the colonists call him Slewfoot, Devil, Lucifer... but he does not recall who he is and finds himself drawn to Abitha. Now Abitha and Father (or as she calls him, Samson) find themselves intertwined. Samson offers to make Abitha’s dreams come true and Abitha offers to help Samson recover his memories, and in their relationship they find true friendship and understanding between two people who are so lonely. However, in a society where a woman is so restricted, and even the slightest sense of will will cause her to be punished, Abitha will soon be faced with many challenges that maybe not even Samson can protect her from. This is a story of witchcraft, of pain, of will, and of endurance in a unforgiving world. I absolutely loved this story. I was so fully invested and my god did I enjoy it when Abitha finally gets her revenge. That ending was perfection. I absolutely loved the relationship between Abitha and Samson, their bond and friendship was just so endearing. I felt Abitha’s pain, her anger, her hatred, and the injustice she felt. She never backed down and stood her mark, regardless of what society demanded of her. She was resilient and strong, but kind and sweet. This was a story that I would absolutely recommend!

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Slewfoot by Brom is the tragic tale of Abitha a young widow trying to survive in colonial Sutton, Connecticut in 1666. In the opening of the novel Abitha still has her husband, Edward, but not long into the story Edward tragically dies leaving Abitha to try to fend for herself and their farm.

Abitha comes from a long line of cunning women. Her mother was a cunning woman that showed her the healing properties of herbs and making tinctures and charms. Unfortunately, in colonial Connecticut any type of "healing arts" was frowned upon and looked at as a form of witchcraft, no matter how much it might have helped the receipitent. Abitha continues to practice her herbal remedies just very secretly and passes them off to young girls as charms. When Abitha tragically loses her husband she must rely heavily on all her cunning to save herself from his brother Wallace trying to take her and Edward's farm. Unbeknownst to Abitha she has had the magic in her blood the whole time she just had to learn to call upon it.

I greatly enjoyed Slewfoot. The combination of Native American folklore mixed with colonial witch hysteria was a winning combination for a fantastic story line. Stories about witchcraft in colonial America are always heartbreaking and Slewfoot was no exception. The extent that "the righteous" tortured men, women, children and animals was pure evil, there is no other way to describe it. Those times in our early history need to be remembered forever as a lesson to all of us to make sure to examine each situation for ourselves and not jump on the opinions of others, leaders or not, as solid truth. So many individuals lost their lives during our countries early history just because of the hystieria that was whipped up by religious leaders not understanding early herbal remedies/medicine.

If you enjoy a good folklore story Brom has created a magical tale with Slewfoot!

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an advanced copy for an honest review.

As a HUGE fan of Brom, it doesn't surprise me that I loved this book. In typical Brom fashion, Slewfoot is dark, and the story is sometimes painful; nobody's feelings are spared (including the reader's). Brom has a way of showing you the harshness of humanity, but at the same time threading a deep connection between the reader and the characters, which is one reason I love his books so much. This particular tale was extremely timely for me, as I've been developing my witchy path over the past few years, and I've recently been studying the Horned God(s). Watching Slewfoot's self discovery and his growing relationship with Abitha (as well as her own personal growth) was just beautiful to behold, and I appreciated that this reflected the shadow and the light within ALL of us (including gods). I enjoyed the mystery of some characters, and at the same time I enjoyed hating the villains (omg they were AWFUL, as expected). I'm a chandler by trade, and I will be creating a candle inspired by Slewfoot! I truly can't wait for my pre-ordered physical copy to arrive, so I can see all of the illustrations inside, and display it in my home library on the shelf with all of my other Brom books!