Maggie Drakeford's family has been under a curse for centuries and over the years The Drakefords have given up hope that it will ever be broken. They have reached a point that they know that no matter what they do they will eventually turn into monsters, honest to goodness monsters because an angry witch was interrupted while casting a spell. Little does Maggie know that a new Curse Keeper has been assigned to her family's curse, Lazlo, probably the laziest demon in all of hell but he's determined to break the curse, or kill Maggie trying.

Was this exactly what I expected it to be? Yes, yes it was. Do I care? Not even a little bit. It was absolutely hilarious and completely heart-warming. Maggie was absolutely a badass while also trying to just be a 19 year old kid, Lump was the most adorable little brother, and even though Lazlo is an absolute jerk I still love him.

Overall, if you are looking for a fantasy adventure with smart ass characters that'll keep you from crying in public with their well timed jabs this is definitely the book for you!

As always thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the eArc!

4.25 stars!!

What do you get when you invite Lazlo from What We Do in the Shadows to work at the Bad Place? The Witchstone!!! This comedic fantasy quest was just an absolute delight from page one!

Maggie Drakeford and her family have been cursed for centuries- cursed to turn into monsters and cursed to always have children to pass that curse along to so that it never dies off. Laszlo is supposed to be the demon in charge of the curse, but his laissez-faire attitude has left him pretty hands off- until a new demon boss comes in and gives him 6 days to make some changes or get turned back into goo. This kicks off an epic journey that crosses the ocean, crosses borders, engages with demons of all kinds, as Maggie, Laszlo, and her little brother Lump (George) have to collect the objects needed to break the curse...or are they en route to break themselves?

Everything about this was delightful, and it felt like a nice little refresher of a book to pop into and escape my Monday! The manipulation and the planning all our characters got a chance to do kept me engaged throughout, and all of Laszlo's nonsense had me giggling. I'm guessing based on the epilogue there's a chance for a spin-off series and let me tell you, I am IN.

Thank you so much to Henry H Neff and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

This was so much fun! I've been in the mood for a genuinely funny fantasy for a while now - my last few attempts at reading fantasy have been let-downs, and it was such a treat to read an urban fantasy that absolutely nails it. One review I read describes this book as "George Costanza, the kid from Up, and a highly unimpressed teen girl with a mean right hook go on a road trip" and I think there's really no other way to describe it. The characters are charming, funny, and delightful. The plot is fantastic, but it's a real credit to the author here that the foundation of these characters is so strong that I can easily think of several ways the plot could've been altered to focus on other aspects of the characters' personalities. An absolute gem worthy of the Good Omens comparisons. I loved this book.

I inhaled this book. I laughed, I cried... it was such a good time. Urban fantasy, road trip, curse breaking, time constraints, comical demons, hell is an office.... what's not to love?

Laszlo and Maggie are brilliant characters. Laszlo brings the perfect amount of humor without taking away from the urgency of the plot. The book is well paced and always interesting. I seriously need a 7 book series with these characters and this world (get to work Mr. Neff).

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.

Honestly, I requested this because of the cover and didn't really dive too deep in to the premise, but I must say The Witchstone was absolutely fantastic.

I can’t remember why I requested this book, demons aren’t usually my thing. But this ended up being a lot of fun. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and the treasure hunt style adventure they had to go on to find all the objects to break the curse. The end left the door wide open for a sequel and I’d love to see what happens next.

Interesting world, characters were funny, but overall I just ended up feeling meh about it. I do think it was very clever to have these demons work in a corporate lifestyle, part of the entire reason I requested an ARC in the first place of this!

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY GOD. I have to start off hollering, I enjoyed this immensely! The hierarchy of demons in this curse keeper was so interesting! I loved following our MDC (main demon character), Laszlo, and seeing how he got things done while trying to play that he doesn't care about our two main human characters. Maggie and Lump are fantastically written as well! They are so opposite in how they appreciate the world they never had a chance to explore outside of their remote home. It was lovely seeing their growth in those experiences. Maggie, I think, in particular, was so wonderful to read. I can't say too much without spoiling things, but it just hit me right in my feelings. I personally can't wait to pick up a physical copy of this and absolutely recommend everyone get their hands on this book when it comes out!

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t cozy horror. I’m glad I gave The Witchstone a try. The dynamic between Maggie and Lazlo was a highlight and offered a refreshing dose of camaraderie and humor. Their interactions added warmth and depth to the storyline.

Moreover, the road trip aspect infused with hints of "Men in Black" vibes added an exciting dimension to the plot and kept me engaged throughout.

This was so so charming. Maybe it’s because I just binged Helluva Boss, but this was exactly what I needed it to be. The synopsis summed this up perfectly: merciless. A perfect blend of giggles and full body shivers. Hilarious and randomly horrifying (in ways that I can appreciate), I enjoyed every second.

This was a fun and humorous urban fantasy! Really interesting premise and likeable and unique characters

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I need to read more Henry H. Neff. The Witchstone is a spectacular scavenger hunt with a lazy con-demon, a cursed Catskill family, and a possible path to revocation.

So, I was feeling fairly positive about this book when I first requested it, as it was one of two, similar-sounding books that I had slotted for review this spring. Unfortunately, the other one was “How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying” which…I didn’t love. Even worse, that was the one I had more confidence in simply because I’d read other books by the author that I’d enjoyed. On the other hand, this one was largely an unknown. But I’m happy to report that this one came through in every way I wanted!

There’s so much to love about this book, it’s hard to know where to start! But let’s first touch on the world-building and overall tone of the story. I don’t want this review to turn into a 1:1 comparison between this and “Dark Lord,” but this was one aspect of the storytelling that was starkly different between the two. Where the latter was banging the reader over the head with “jokes,” this one had a much better balance between its humor and the other notes the story was hitting. And, notably, when it was funny, it was actually, you know, funny. There were numerous points where I was laughing out loud, even in the middle of otherwise horrifying scenes. Much of this comes down to Lazlo himself, who was an enigma of narcissism, snobbery, and secretly, a being who cared about those around him, despite himself, almost. He is the kind of character that is just a riot to travel through a story alongside.

But, importantly, while the comedic aspects were on point, the laughs, and Lazlo himself, were counterbalanced by the much more serious “straight man” character, Maggie. It is her story where the heart of the plot really lies, the curse that her family has suffered through, and her determination to finally bring it to an end. She was the perfect foil to Lazlo, as well as an avatar to the reader, seeing this world of demons and magic for the first time as well (curse itself aside).

There were also notable side characters, including a work colleague of Lazlo’s, a demon with a shark’s head, who was frankly hilarious. As well as Maggie’s younger brother, Lump, the sort of encyclopedic “smart kid” character who could have quickly fallen into clichés and not much else. Indeed, when we were first introduced to this character and his gimmick, I pretty much dismissed him. But as the story continued, the author included several very heart-felt scenes between brother and sister that solidified Lump as a fully-realized character in his own right. Even down to the simple, child-like fact that he didn’t like Maggie swearing.

The pacing and plotting were also tight throughout. The story drew me in immediately and we were quickly off to the races, travelling through New York and into Europe to track down the curse-breaking components. However, the action never overwhelmed the character arcs at the heart of the story, and the author always managed to neatly transition from focus to the other. And things ultimately came to a head with a true “final battle” type climax at the end of the book where the fantastical elements became larger-than-life.

I loved this book, and it was such a surprise! This is exactly what I was looking for in the realm of fantasy and comedy combined. Notably, while it was funny, it was also heartfelt, tragic, and touched on the twisted nature of different family dynamics. I definitely recommend this one to pretty much all fantasy fans, especially those who are looking for a good dose of humor in their story.

Rating 9: Fantastic! Fast-paced, hilarious, but full of heart!

(Link will go live on The Library Ladies on June 26)

Many thanks to @netgalley, @blackstonepublishing, and the author for allowing me to read this eARC. The opinions presented in this review are my own.
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⭐ 4 / 5

Mirthful, dark, and amusing!

The past year I have been hooked on the adrenaline high roller coaster that is epic fantasy - the call to action, the stumbles along the journey, the burgeoning relationships, the betrayals, the defeats, the darkest of days, the hero’s triumphant comeback, love conquerors all, etc. etc. Cut, paste, repeat.

Lately, I have needed a break from the nail-biting tension and realm-ending stakes. The Witchstone certainly was a different order. Sure, I didn’t stray far - demons, magic, a curse, and the journey to break it - and sure, it certainly has elements of the monstrous. The stakes seem undoubtedly high. Yet, the infusion of humor, irreverence, and straight-up silliness lessens the tension to a manageable level. It was the palate cleanser I needed.

The introduction to Lazlo hooked me immediately. Lazlo is a mid-level, pencil-pushing, slacker of a demon who is the “Keeper” of a four-century-old curse on the Drakeford Family. He is witty and charming when he wants to be but also entitled and indolent. I loved his sarcasm and the idea of Hell as a bureaucratic corporation and I have to be honest, I was kind of hoping for the demon version of The Office, but when Lazlo gets a new overseer who promptly “crucibles” a few of his co-workers, I had my moment of “WTF am I reading?” It was gruesome, yet somehow funny??

Then the story pans to Maggie Drakeford, a nineteen-year-old showing early signs of her family’s curse. The curse upon the family is unique, grotesque, and devastating. Their experience living as outcasts outside a small country community in the Catskills is harrowing. However, soon after Lazlo shows up on her family’s doorstep, Maggie’s character seems to flatten. If it weren’t for the back-and-forth bickering with Lazlo and her brother Lump’s child exuberance, I’m not sure she would hold her own weight. Certainly, she is dealing with some gnarly sh*t, but her personality is plain white toast comparatively.

The trio’s escapades around Europe are amusing, and even if the story drags a little at times, it definitely holds interest. I really enjoyed the ending, not just the action-packed finale, but the epilogue. It was perfectly fitting. I would totally read what comes next if the story were to continue.

The Witchwood is a humor-infused urban fantasy with a lighthearted take on some dark themes. It is a fun read and if you need a break from the heaviness of standard epic fantasy or the heart-wrenching drama of romantasy, you should give it a try. It may be the reprieve you are looking for.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
This is the most fun I’ve had with a book in a long time. This tale of a family curse and a race against time is dark, witty, and incredibly funny. Main protagonist Lazlo, a slacking demon forced to pick up said slack on a centuries old curse or face his own demise, ends up on a race against time alongside the current generation of curse bearers. Lazlo’s snarky attitude reminded me a lot of Chris McClain from the Total Drama Island cartoon (if that makes sense). If you like American Gods and Supernatural, I’d highly recommend this book.

I love the cover of this book, and it has a very fun premise. It has a humorous voice, which makes it feel almost cozy. I can imagine lots of readers enjoying this. Unfortunately, humor is very subjective, and I'm not sure a Deadpool-like voice translates well to European sensibilities. I just didn't vibe with the humor enough to continue past the opening chapters.

5 star read! The Witchstone was the funniest book I’ve read in years. It is witty, intelligent, and takes you on the most exciting adventure with a Curse Keeper, Laszlo, and his clients, the cursed.

I immediately fell in love with all the characters and their personalities. This book starts off strong and it remains captivating until the very last page. There are books that you can just see being made into a movie and I can clearly see this one on the big screen. To me it was a blend between Good Omens and the Paramount+ series Evil.

Do yourself a favor and read this book!!

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion! WHAT A FUN AND CRAZY READ!!!! All the reviews I've seen for this book are phenomenal, and it is SO deserved!!! This book is so "Good Omens" coded, if you enjoyed that novel you will go crazy for this one too. I will definitely be reading more books by this author, every aspect of this novel is just amazing and I hope the book is a roaring success when it releases!

I absolutely ate this book up, loved the plot and the humor. The sass and jokes were done so thoughtfully where they didn’t subtract from the storyline or story.(sometimes authors are good at writing humor but it takes away from the plot) I would recommend this to LITERALLY anyone

The Witchstone had my attention from the moment I started it to the moment I finished. The switching of perspectives to build a double layering of dramatic irony of what is kept from the characters and what is kept from the reader was intriguing. It allowed us to see the characters caught by surprise while still remaining in suspense for the end result. While nothing happened in the story that I found truly unpredictable, it was still exciting to see how everything panned out.

I will say, I found the several tone shifts from the classic "YA teen girl and her younger brother against the world" to intense body horror and right back to be quite jarring. While I loved having Lump, and I think he added some sorely needed joy to the trio, the age gap between him and Maggie tended to draw the age of the story telling down, making the more intense elements of the story seem out of place. I'm not certain who the exact target audience is, as I feel that many readers would be somewhat alienated by one tone or the other.

Despite this, Witchstone is an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry H. Neff for a copy of The Witchstone in exchange for my thoughts on it.