Such a great book! Lovely use of magic realism and I loved the romance. This author has a way with words that will paint the picture right in front of you. I love that!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 3, 2023
Fans of Alice Hoffman’s “Practical Magic” will eagerly devour Ava Morgyn’s newest novel, “The Witches of Bone Hill”.
Cordelia Bone’s life is in pieces after her divorce left her penniless and more alone than ever. When her estranged sister, Eustace, a cannabis grower in Colorado, reaches out, stating that both herself and Cordelia are now the sole heirs to an estate in Connecticut, Cordelia wonders if her luck may be changing. When Cordelia arrives, she sees the aging, but significant, estate as the end of her money troubles. But Eustace doesn’t want to sell. In fact, the entire house seems to be resistant to the idea. Their neighbours shun them, and the legal representative who presides over the case is reticent to reveal any details about the house or their departed unknown Aunt, who left the house to them in an ironclad will. Through their investigation through the house and its property, the sisters soon learn the family secrets their deceased mother kept from them, secrets that connect them to each other, their ancestors, and the very house itself. As they begin to uncover more about their family, the Bone sisters soon discover their own power and are forced to use it when their inheritance- and their lives- are threatened.
“Bone Hill” is Morgyn’s third novel and, like her previous works, this one also focuses on the supernatural. The Bone sisters are witches (this is not a spoiler, as it’s pretty evident from the first few pages), with varying talents, who come from a long line of witches, who have lived a relatively normal life due to the fact that their mother ran away from her past and her talents. Cordelia was a real estate agent in Dallas, and the story is told from her perspective, in one flowing timeline and consistent plot arc. Although Eustace doesn’t narrate, she definitely shares the protagonist role, and her free-thinking, pot-growing personality is nothing like Cordelia’s, but she is just as likable, if not more so.
The Bone Hill House is terrifying, with ghosts literally in every corner, complete with dusty pictures of ancestors on the walls and deadly herbs growing in the garden. Morgyn can paint a heck of a picture, and she created the ultimate spooky setting for the sisters to concoct their magical plans.
The ending had two components to it; one, I completely guessed from the beginning. The other component is one I dislike for its lack of creativity and soap-opera predictability (I won’t give it away but if you are familiar with my reviews, you may recognize what it is). However, Morgyn did manage to tie up all loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the plot. Two witchy sisters, living in their deceased Aunt’s house (that is now their house), within a community who is curious and terrified of them in equal measure? Alice Hoffman fans, you’ve found a new author to enjoy.

This is the third book I’ve read this year with the word witches in the title. The first was a lighter paranormal romance, the second a little darker- more magical realism than fantasy, and lastly, The Witches of Bone Hill, a much darker fantasy, almost straddling the horror line.

Cordelia Bone’s life is spinning out of control. Her cheating husband left her nothing but debt, ruined credit, a house covered in black mold she needs to sell to pay her bills and a career off track. Oh, and a mobster threatening her life over a bad loan. Then she gets a call from her estranged sister informing her that their great aunt has died and left them her estate. This just may be the thing that saves her.

Cordelia and her sister Eustice are strangers to their heritage and the Bone legacy. Their late mother left home as a young woman and refused to discuss her family with her daughters. But Cordelia hears whispers, sees ghosts, and experiences the same debilitating headaches her mother had. When arriving at the Victorian mansion left to them, and seeing the creepy and weird contents, both sisters quickly realize that there is something quite different about their Bone ancestors.

This is a mix of mystery, suspense, and supernatural coming of age. Cordelia and Eustace have to decode the legacy of their family all while fighting many of their own personal battles, and a sinister intruder on their property that is threatening both their lives and their sanities. This was gorier than I expected- blood runes, dissected animals, and patches of skin removed from dead bodies- but, I like the horror genre so I kept turning pages. The mystery aspect was well done, but I will say the villain is one I suspected early on. I enjoyed Cordelia and Eustace’s coming into their powers very much. The history of the Bone witches was an interesting one.

There is a romantic element between Cordelia and the tattooed, ex-musician groundskeeper. Gordan helps the sisters as they acclimate to their new normal, and keeps them safe when all the BAD THINGS happen. The romance is subtle and closed-door, but it worked for this story.

The Witches of Bone Hill is an atmospheric, eerie read just in time for the Halloween season.

Content notes- Animal abuse, past death of a parent, blood, gore, mentions of cancer and cancer treatment

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC. I was a little skeptical about reading this when it was partly classified as horror. Horror is not a genre I go for, but I didn’t find it to be all that gruesome; only a few parts. Cordelia and Eustace inherit their aunts home and quickly find out about their troubling family history. I thought it was a bit drawn out because I was sure I had the ending figured out. Well… I was partly right and the twist at the end did actually surprise me. This would be a good fall/Halloween read for sure.

this was okay, but read a little juvenile and i didn't feel connected to the characters or what happens to them at all. i can see other reader enjoying this a lot tho!

— thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC.

This book was so unique and whimsical, and I really enjoyed reading this one. It was different and I loved that!

Cordelia Bone finds her meticulously constructed life and successful career in Dallas unraveling before her eyes, all thanks to a cheating husband burdened with criminal debts. Just when she feels like everything is falling apart, a call from her carefree older sister, Eustace, a cannabis grower in Boulder, brings unexpected news. Their great aunt, whom they've never met, has passed away, leaving behind an estate in a quaint Connecticut town. Seeing this as a chance to dig herself out of this hole, Cordelia jumps at the opportunity to unload the house.

Once they arrive, the sisters learned they were getting much more than they bargained for. The Victorian mansion they just inherited is tangled in a dynasty trust controlled by their late aunt's attorney who insists they inhabit the house. Not to mention the sexy, tattooed groundskeeper with a mysterious past and a crypt full of their dead relatives on the property line.

Navigating their challenging circumstances, both women confront a haunting family secret, unravel the mystery surrounding their mother's fate, and confront an age-old adversary lurking in the shadows. In a chilling whirlwind of terror and turmoil, the sisters must tap into their inner strength to mend their fractured bond, reverse their unexplained health issues, and embrace the lineage they once sought to escape. Survival at Bone Hill hinges on their ability to uncover their hidden power and claim their rightful place.

This book has a sprinkle of everything. Ghosts, mystery, blood magic, witches, murder, romance, and a house that is described so vividly, you'd think it was alive. This book was fascinating. It was a bit hard to follow, mainly at the beginning, but it was honestly an amazing book. The story is so intricate and very well written.

I would be really interested in a sequel to see more of Cordelia and her sister settling into their powers and their creepy old house. I'd also like more of the groundskeeper. It was a bit easy to figure out who the antagonist of this story would be in my opinion, but the ending and the story overall made up for that. I truly enjoyed this and would love to read more from this author. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was certainly spookier than I was expecting! I was drawn to it for it's fantasy elements so I was a little surprised with how dark things got at times. This story definitely has some horror elements and I will have to keep that in mind when recommending to customers.

It's a real credit to the author though, to have taken elements that have bored me in other stories and arranged them in such a detailed and compelling way. The story is fleshed out really well. It feels complex without being convoluted. The main characters are interesting, as is their relationship. I feel like Eustace deserves to shine more, however, as a lot of her development happens off screen. There were parts where I felt a little bit frustrated by what I felt to be unrealistic reactions or behaviors (like a glaring under reaction or characters failing to ask important questions in the moment.) but I can be nitpicky about that kind of thing.

There is only one scene in the book that the writing itself felt weak to me, and that was in the carriage house when Cordy finds a notebook. The resulting conversation needs work in my opinion. The tone just felt off.

Besides that, I enjoyed reading The Witches of Bone Hill and will happily recommend it.

This is a fabulous mysterious paranormal read that will keep you turning pages into the night.
Two sisters inherit a estate that is haunted, spooky and has a Nordic witch family history. They soon find that the house, the family history and the crypts on the property have opinions about them and don't hesitate to show them through hauntings. Its is a gritty horror novel in parts. i admit to skipping some pages as some parts are far to gritty for this reader and not my cup of tea. But as a reader you are entralled to keep reading to conclusion. its a fun read and wonderful writing. I enjoyed all the different paranormal aspects of this book . The author wrote strong women characters that perserve throughout their difficulties and join together to find out who they truly are.

Thank you to the publisher, to Net Galley and to the author for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

So dark, so twisty, and oh so good. I'm so glad I was able to read and advanced digital copy. Thank you NetGalley! Dont miss this one.

The perfect read to kick off the spooky season. Eustace and Cordelia’s lives are pretty much in shambles when notice arrives that they’ll receive an inheritance from a distant aunt. The women were kept from contact with other family while raised by their mom. When the sisters arrive at Bone Hill, they begin to unearth the many family secrets.

This was a delightfully creepy story that I couldn’t put down. I’d love to see more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was not expecting to like this book this much! I enjoy mysteries and thrillers, but this was bordering on horror. I typically don't like horror books. I'm so glad I didn't shy away from it!

The Witches of Bone Hill is a captivating story of two sisters who inherit an estate from their great aunt. Cordelia, on the cusp of a messy divorce and is having financial troubles, and Eustace, her free spirited older sister head to Connecticut to find out what awaits them. They find more mysteries than answers at their great aunt's dark Victorian mansion.

They must work through these mysteries and family secrets to uncover what is really in store for them. Mysteries about their mother, their health, and generations of women in their family.

What I liked:
All of it. Everything. I could not put this book down. It drew me in. The author revealed just enough to keep you guessing, but kept all of the details close to the vest until the very end.

What I didn't like:
Other than some of the horror elements that I don't normally prefer (but willingly chose to read here), I didn't really dislike anything!

Thank you to author Ava Morgyn, St.Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Title: The Witches of Bone Hill
Author: Ava Morgyn
Publisher: St Martins Press
Publishing Date: Sept 26, 2023
Pages: 416
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: ☆☆☆

A wonderful story that I would highly recommend to my spooky, witchy bookish friends!
The story was pretty immersive and well written. I really enjoyed the characters and there was great development! The story wasn’t necessarily action packed but it was plot packed (if that’s a thing?). There was always a lot going on. It got a lot darker than I anticipated but that was actually one of my favourite aspects about this book! I really liked the dark corner it went into and got really into the thriller/horror of the story.
I didn’t find myself overly excited about this book, even though I enjoyed it. The romance kind of fell short for me and I wasn’t really into it. I know it’s just me as a reader, and my personal style, but it just didn’t have IT that really hooks me in!
I would actually re-read this book around October time when I’m really in my spooky element and would really love it then!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for sending this book for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

Masterful storytelling creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension, with twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end. The well-developed characters are complex and intriguing, adding depth to the thrilling plot. The pacing is relentless, never giving you a moment to catch your breath, making this book an exhilarating and addictive reading experience for all fans of the genre.

Thriller/horror/witches are not genres I would typically gravitate toward, but holy cow, I’m so glad I did this time! The Witches of Bone Hill is dark and creepy, disturbing and uncomfortable; at the same time it’s uplifting and full of love (both familial and romantic). At its core, it’s a story of two sisters learning to accept themselves for who they are, and becoming who they hope to be. Also, Gordon is hot and amazing.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin.

The Witches of Bone Hill begins with Cordelia, one half of the Bone sisters, in financial ruin after her husband took off with her assistant and left her with a mounting pile of debt—oh, and a loan from the mob. Then, out of the blue, she gets a call from her estranged sister Eustace, whom she hasn’t spoken with for the past five years, to tell her they’ve inherited their aunts estate.
Cordelia assumes she’ll go to Connecticut and make a quick sale, but nothing is that simple when it comes to Bone Hill. Reconnecting with her sister they delve into the family secrets and find much more than they bargained for—witches.
The Witches of Bone Hill was full of mystery, horror, familial connections, humour, and a dash of romance. I loved how rounded this book was with all its rich descriptions and spooky happenings. The ghosts, the ancient Norse magic, and two sisters trying to navigate their past and their family history.
This was a book I didn’t want to put down! Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the arc and the chance to read early!

Thanks to author Ava Morgyn, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m always down for a good witchy book, but sometimes witchy books just aren’t witchy enough. That was not the case with The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgyn.

Cordelia Bone’s life is crumbling around her. Her cheating husband ran off, leaving her with massive debts and her carefully cultivated life in shambles. Cordelia soon receives news that an estranged aunt has died and left an estate to her and her sister, Eustace, who Cordelia hasn’t spoken to in years. Facing unfortunate financial trouble, Cordelia decides to travel across the country to see the estate – and figure out how much she stands to gain from its sale. Once she arrives, she begins to unravel the unexpected family secrets hidden on the property.

I love a good story about sisters. Cordelia and Eustace have an interesting relationship, and that development was one of the stand-out elements of the book. I also liked the witchy elements of the story. The use of magic in the book was very well-done, and I enjoyed the way the magic system was revealed. This book is dark and a little spooky, making it the perfect addition to an October TBR. It is well-written, nicely paced, and full of twists and reveals to keep the reader engaged!

Thank you to NetGalley, as well as the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I do want to say if you are going into this book, please be mindful that there are some trigger warnings. This is a very intense book especially with animal abuse. With that being said, if you are looking for something this spooky season, I would definitely pick this book up especially because it has a lot of twist and turns that you don’t see coming.

Full disclosure; I don’t think this book was the right fit for me. I don’t mind spooky and the supernatural, but this book became much gorier and darker than I anticipated.

While it was a bit too much for me, if you enjoy a darker slower-paced horror ghostly tale, this one may be for you.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an early electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

Following a difficult childhood with a mother clearly on the run from something, Cordelia prefers her tidy life on her quiet street as a real estate agent. Except her husband has made off with her assistant, drained her bank accounts, ruined her business and now she is forced to sell the only home she has ever known. However, when her sister Eustace calls to advise that their Great Aunt died, life presents a perfect monetary opportunity. When they arrive at the estate things are not what they expected, the townspeople hate their family, there’s something off about their aunt’s lawyer, and weird occurrences are happening.

This book is releasing just in time for the height of the fall season. The Witches of Bone Hill presented a real family drama exploring not only generational trauma but also sister relationships. Yet it did so with elements of romance, paranormal and frankly dipped two (I promise two… maybe three at the most) toes into the horror territory. At times it was gross but not disturbing to the point where I was kept awake at night thinking about it. I mean they aren’t called the witches of Bone Hill for nothing. In fact at one point even the sisters themselves are disturbed and ask themselves why they couldn’t be chocolate witches and at that point I was snickering in total agreement.

The characters are atypically charming and relatable and the heightened drama and need for answers builds in such a way that I found this book hard to put down.

There are some historical references and influences from Hela. Frankly, any witch book that manages to set its foundation in mythology of any kind gets bonus points in my books.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.