First I would like to thank Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity of accessing this book early.

This is a fun and compelling story. The premise is original, the stakes are high and the pacing is pretty fast.
It's funny and reads almost like a movie.

The main characters felt a little flat and archetypal, but I still managed to root for them.
It was a nice read but I expected a little more character development.

What a fun book! The story was well done, the characters were fleshed out, and I enjoyed the relationship between Maggie and Laszlo immensely. I was thrilled that their relationship stayed platonic throughout! I’ll definitely recommend to library patrons who are looking for something similar to Good Omens or any horror comedy.

It was a little bit of a slow start, and it took me quite a while to get attached to the characters but I overall enjoyed the plot and the action of the story pretty well. I would consider reading a sequel if such a thing existed, although I have no idea what it would be about. It was a tidily wrapped up ending, which is always nice.

This book was an easy 5 out of 5 for me! It was fantastic.

At the heart of this novel are Laszlo, a demon and The Curse Keeper, and Maggie Drakeford, a human next in line to become The Curse Bearer. It’s Lazlo’s job to maintain and ensure that there is maximum despair and hopelessness generated from The Curse. However — Lazlo’s been busy having fun in NYC and the Drakefords have pretty much accepted their curse as some terrible hereditary disease that they can do nothing about. The problem with resigned acceptance, is that it doesn’t generate as much despair as tortured hopelessness. Laszlo is tasked by his superiors to get back to work and figure out how to make the Drakefords be consumed in despair once again.

The Witchstone balances heartwarming character development, hilarious escapades, and a cleverly crafted plot that keeps the pages turning. The setting, rich with fantastical elements and adventures, serves as the perfect backdrop for the characters' journeys.

As a reader, I'm left eagerly hoping for more. The potential for this story to evolve into a trilogy is immense, with so many avenues left to explore.I’d love to see more of Signora’s tower. In the next book can we please go back in time through one of those windows with her? Also — want to see Maggie and Lump’s powers evolve…. and Lazslo get more powerful and battle it out with his dad. So many places that Neff could take the next book(s). Hopefully if he does write more, it will be a trilogy that has an overarching narrative!

Thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When this book first started I wasn't sure I was going to like it. It seemed a little overly silly. But it drags you in and corrupts you like a proper demon. The desperation of the main characters and their demon savior gets to you. The young brother is a nice foil with a good humor. While the suspicious main character and their crafty Demon keeper play well together. The adventure draws you in and takes you through an interesting story. Some of it is relatively easy to figure out but I didn't lose my interest in it. All in all a good story and well worth a read. Thanks Netgalley and the Author and publisher for allowing me to read this book to provide an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for this amazing opportunity to read rate and review this arc which is available June 18,2024.

This book was HYSTERICAL. I was gigglesnorting in public reading it. Honestly the most fun I have had reading a book in quite sometime. Highly highly recommend . I have it on preorder because I need to read it again and again. It’s imaginative and witty. Hysterically funny and fantastical.

How to describe... George Costanza, the kid from Up, and a highly unimpressed teen girl with a mean right hook go on a road trip.

Laszlo has a rather high opinion of himself, being the son of a relatively high up demonic noble, though he begrudgingly admits that he's only a level 3 demon. He is the kind of person who works in order to avoid working. He's a schmoozer. He's a car salesman. He's completely untrustworthy but also has a titch of conscience rounding things out. He'll borrow your car and return it with an empty tank and expect you to thank him for it.

Laszlo is gainfully employed as the curse keeper for the Drakeford curse. Ideally, he would be involved with the family, trying to build their hopes up so they can come crashing down and otherwise trying to maximize the misery the curse brings. However, he can't be assed to actually do his job, so he's been coasting by for years, having never met the family, looked at the details of the curse, or really given a single shit about the whole thing.

Then the management changes. We get a new guy, a keener who wants to make a name for himself, and he is whipping the department into shape. Laszlo has 6 days to bring his numbers up or he's getting placed into a scalding magical funnel which will slowly and painfully turn him into Laszlo jam.

We follow him as he meets the Drakefords and tries his best to fuck them over all the while convincing them that he's their saviour.

Maggie is fucking done. She's had to watch her dad slowly turn into what I picture as a human cow pie/jabba, knowing all the while that this is a fate which awaits her as well. She's had little to no exposure/experience with the outside world aside from the hateful townsfolk of the immediate area who pay her family to eat their sins upon their deaths. Let's just say, I'm surprised the family had electricity. They have a drop down shitter in the back yard. She's bitter, jaded, and suspicious, all of which are completely reasonable given her situation.

Together, they set off to try and track down all the items required to break the curse. Unfortunately, Maggie's little brother stows away to come with. So, they're stuck with an impressionable 11-year-old with encyclopedic knowledge of utterly random things who doesn't like swearing. He is fucking adorable, and I picture him exactly as the kid from Up.

They go on a grand adventure around the world, meet many different types of demons, nearly die several times, and Laszlo is shoehorning in as much hedonism as he possibly can all the while.

I loved this world. It's set in the modern day, but there are magical aspects and beings hiding in plain sight, which gave me some Men in Black vibes. You have your magical pawn shop, glamoured khlav kalash vendor, etc. Laszlo can barely open his mouth without cracking some kind of a dead-pan joke, which was delightful, though honestly I had to skim some parts because the Costanza cringe was deep in him, and I struggle with cringe.

I chuckled throughout, but it was at the 99% mark that I laughed out loud.

Consulfants.

Do recommend.

The Witchstone was a great combination of urban fantasy and humor. Our MC Lazlo is a sarcastic, bit lewd and vain demon that at first comes across as having the mentality of “every man (or demon) for themselves” but deep down he cares for others. He devises a plan to save his skin after slacking on the job and that’s where our other main characters come in. Maggie and her family have been isolated their whole lives due to a curse and she’s willing to do everything in her power to break it.

That’s when she teams up with Lazlo and her stowaway brother Lump (George) in search of all the magical objects needed to break the curse. The dynamic between Lazlo and Maggie was hilarious, they’re both very strong headed and that made for very entertaining banter. As for Lump, he brought heart and sweetness to the story while providing himself to have been a very integral part of their quest. There were a bit of body gore descriptions that made me shudder a bit as Maggies curse started to manifest and one slight dubious content scene (no s*x on page or anything) so proceed with caution. Overall I really enjoyed this book and it's type of humor.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC and leave an honest review.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

The Witchstone had a compelling premise and an entertaining protagonist, but it also failed to feel unique, reminding me strongly of books like Good Omens and Prosper's Demon. I wish the characters had been fleshed out in more detail: the author's style lends itself to a humorous narration that tends to prioritize snappy dialogue and clever descriptions over substance. The humor also tended towards the Millennial, which, while not a death sentence, made me cringe as frequently as it made me giggle. I do have an enormous fondness for the "failed Demon" trope (hello, Crowley) and therefore had great fun with Lazlo as a protagonist.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Oh. My. God. When I tell you this is the most fun I've had with a book in a while? It's making me reconsider every other book I've crowned 5 stars. This book is in a league of its own. I review ARCs with the intention of offering constructive criticism to authors before the book is officially published, but after finishing this book (and promptly yelling about it in the DMs of several friends) I can't think of anything that I could genuinely provide criticism on.

The Witchstone is an exciting urban fantasy that follows well-fleshed-out, deeply imperfect characters in an easy-to-read and page-turning manner. I adored all of the characters and found them unique and interesting, and set in a super intriguing worldly backdrop. Neff finds the perfect balance between dialogue and exploring the surrounding scene and offers witty dialogue and descriptions that make this book humorous and a fun read.

I was SUCH a fan of the fact Laszlo and Maggie remained an entirely platonic friendship. Too many books push romantic relationships on their FMC and MMC and I wouldn't have been here for the weird power dynamic Laszlo/Maggie would have had. I just had to talk about it for a second. I loved their friendship so much.

Ultimately, The Witchstone has become one of my favourite reads of 2024. I wish Neff nothing but success on release day.

Curses, demons, stowaways… this book was so much more than I was expecting!

An old family curse is rapidly overtaking Maggie’s father and she seems to be soon behind, until a centuries old demon, Lazlo shows up, informing her they have six days to break the curse. It is completely self serving for the demon, considering he is a lazy Curse Keeper who is more concerned with leisure than being productive. Now, he has less than a week until he is decimated unless he can help Maggie break the curse.

The two start their journey with some surprises, and continue on to battle constant monster attacks. I don’t want to give anything away, but it is the dynamic between the two of them that made this so amazing for me… that and Maggie’s little brother, who provides so much warmth and humor to the story.

If you’re looking for quirky fantasy, a ridiculous rakish demon and a woman quickly succumbing to deviant tendencies due to curse that is generations old, where the unlikely duo must learn to trust one another, considering their individual fates rest solely upon each other, this is the book for you!

This book is a little all over the place-



The random body horror? The comedic monents? The bizarre and unclear depiction of demons?

None of it really amounts into a coherent whole.

There are parts that I enjoy. the body horror in particular is incredibly written and disturbing to an extent I appreciate- however that does not excuse the disjointed presentation or graphic SA content.

Laszlo gives Kuzko energy but make him less likeable.

The parts of the novel that I deem far too uncomfortable for the tone are when a certain aspect of the curse take over the character Maggie.

The constant "kidlike" sibling grouping of Maggie and Lump was initially endearing but Maggie's developement feels gross and unwarranted. The bathroom scene did not need to happen. It simply didn't. Do I get why the author included it? Yes. Does that make it good? No, absolutely not.

Having an entirely sheltered character have a scene like that for shock value and horror is gross!

One thing this book makes fun of is partaking in systems not because you want to but rather because of societal expectations. Saririzing the compulsion to join heirarchal systems only to be limited by their structure is a really productive topic but it's lost in the sea of nonsense.

Especially when they include this "need to breed" in the book. It's not scary, it's nauseating and adds nothing! Most sane minded readers can and will dip out at thay point.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an eARC of The Witchstone.

The Witchstone blends humor and fantasy in this epic adventure of Maggie and George "Lump" Drakeford, as they emback on a journey with Curse-Keeper demon Laszlo to remove a generational family curse.

I truly did not know what to expect coming into this novel, and I ended up loving the heart and humor it has. The action scenes are exciting and fast-paced, and the lore behind the Witchstone added a lot to the story. There was even a fair amount of gore/body horror which I didn't really expect but enjoyed. The characters were all fantastic as well, I loved all of them for different reasons and was completely invested in what happened. Honestly I would love a second installment, as the ending would either be perfect as it was for a single novel, but open enough that I'd be interested in the sequel.

2.5 rounded up

This book was not for me. I ended up speed reading though it. It felt very amateurish and immature.
It kind of sucks because I was really looking forward to this. The story sounded so good.

As a reader, I was drawn in by the promising premise of "The Witchstone" by Henry H. Neff, but unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired. The book, which revolves around an ancient curse and an unlikely duo's quest to break it, failed to captivate me due to several shortcomings.

One of the most glaring issues was the immaturity of both the characters and the narrative style. The characters felt remarkably juvenile, lacking depth and failing to elicit any genuine connection from me. Rather than being relatable or engaging, they came across as shallow and uninteresting.

Moreover, the plot fell flat, lacking the depth and complexity needed to sustain a compelling storyline. The quests intended to infuse suspense and action into the narrative ended up being tedious and uninteresting. The attempts to create tension and excitement during these moments fell short, leaving me feeling disengaged.

The excessive use of profanity added to the overall feeling of immaturity, feeling forced and unnecessary. Instead of adding depth or authenticity to the characters, it came off as a gratuitous attempt to appear edgy, ultimately detracting from the reading experience.

The writing style itself left much to be desired, failing to evoke any emotional response or investment in the story. Overall, "The Witchstone" felt like a missed opportunity, with a promising premise overshadowed by immature characters, a lackluster plot, and subpar writing.

Disappointment lingers as a result of the unmet potential within the book. Despite its intriguing description, "The Witchstone" failed to deliver a compelling narrative, leaving much to be desired in terms of character development, plot execution, and overall writing quality.

Rating: ⭐️ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (1/5)
Spicy Level: 🌶 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (1/5)

This was a review for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Henry H. Neff for letting me read and review this title. The Witchstone is set to be published June 18th, 2024.