This book felt unfinished. It was so inconsistent with either too much exposition or very little at all, and I was left wondering if I’d missed something more than once. There were also several inconsistencies with the magic, and a lot of elements seemed to be included for no real structural purpose, other than to heighten drama. I think the premise is good and I would love to see a version of this with a more fleshed out storyline and better editing. 1.5⭐️

I couldn't wait to get started on this witchy mystery, but.... it was a struggle. I was lost as to what the plot was actually about and what was happening. I truly did not care for the characters, and so I had a hard time emphasizing with their various struggles. Not from a human empath standpoint but that their struggles were glossed over. This just didn't sit well with me. I see that it is a series. Unfortunately, I will not be interested in reading any more from this one..
Thank you to NetGalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing for my honest review. Three stars (being generous) from me.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

I started reading this and was drawn in with the Ghost Whisperer, a missing girl, and witchy magic vibes, however, I found my attention quickly wandering with the tone of the speech between Leona and Jewel. Although I think it was meant to be friendly sibling banter the way they spoke grated after a while and felt more 'true blood' backwater style which I found annoying and took me out of the story.

I would consider other titles by this author in the future though as the world-building was good, and the magical lore was brilliant, hence the 3 stars.

This Appalachian murder magic mystery kept me on my toes! I enjoyed the dynamic between the witch sisters, but most of the other characters were very undeveloped so the world felt pretty insubstantial. I also felt that the sister's marriages to disrespectful simpletons didn't make much sense given their fierce attitudes and inherent power, but maybe that aspect is meant as commentary on how different things were in the past. Other than my issues with the side characters, I enjoyed following the sisters around and discovering just how strong their magic was.

I love the cover and description for this book. However, I am sorry to say I did not love the story so much. I saw Granny Women in the description and jumped at the chance to read this. I should've read the whole thing. I wouldn't call this Granny magic. I did not love the characters either. The sisters bicker and pick at each other constantly. While it is in jest, it's so annoying. I could not understand the reason Leona made most of the choices she did in the book, it seemed she wanted to make life harder for herself. I did skip a big section in the middle just so I could find out who was the culprit. I will not be continuing this series, but I would give the author another try.

Practical Magic goes Southern gothic. A wonderful novel about two magical sisters who try to stop a killer in their town. Readers see both the "normal" and supernatural world through the eyes of our main characters as they pursue the darkest of forces.

This is lovely and fun, it just isn't for me. Maybe I am too old and bitter for this one or maybe I am cranky. I don't know. It just didn't work for me.
I think other people will love it!

DNF'd at 30%
I was really looking forward to this book but I had a really hard time getting through through it. I struggled with the characters and overall plot. This just wasn’t for me.

This was a good read! First time reading this type of book and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the witch aspect and can’t wait for the next book. I’ll be honest it was the cover that grabbed my attention but I must say I’m glad I read it. This is a good way to start a series and hook you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy.

“Root and Bone” is a very well-written magic thriller book by Jessica Raney.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Magic: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What you’ll find in this book:
⭐️Magic spells
⭐️Sisterhood
⭐️Paranormal suspense
⭐️Paranormal romance (not spicy)

My Review:
One of the best witchcraft/magic books I‘ve read recently. The story is very well-written and fast-paced. There is a lot of suspense and drama going on as well as a mild romance between the main character and a ghost 👻 . It starts with a murder that Leona ( the main character) tries to resolve while trying to stay alive since the deceased is now an evil spirit trying to kill her. Her sister is there to help since they both possess different kinds of magic skills and they are such different characters. A thriller that will keep you guessing who is the killer—a very nice mix of witchcraft and thriller, two of my favourite genres of books. I would definitely recommend it to witches, paranormal and thriller lovers.

Description:
Leona Monroe and her sister, Jewel Spencer, live in Ames, a sleepy little Appalachian town where nothing much happens. When it does, everyone knows everything—at least they think they do. The Spencer sisters have more insight. They come from a long line of Granny Women—healers, confidence keepers, and powerful magic wielders—able to see into the future, manipulate the natural world around them, and commune with the dead.
When a girl is brutally murdered, it’s clear that local law enforcement has no idea what’s really at play. So it falls on Leona and Jewel to dig deeper into the mystery. In the middle of the investigation, strangers come to Ames who prove powerful and dangerous, setting Leona and Jewel at odds with dark magic, vengeful ghosts, and each other.
With the help of a friendly spirit, the vast knowledge of their mentor, Granny Kay, and their own powerful magic, Leona and Jewel must work together to counter the evil descending upon their town. But their insecurities and fears prevent them from stopping another murder. They need to get it together. If their magic and sister bond isn’t strong enough, their town will fall to darkness along with everything they hold dear. 

Writing style:
Simple, fast pacing but so much dialect that spun my head as I was correcting English in my mind by default. I hoped to see a little bit more magic and a bit more in-depth characters. I felt the end was a bit rushed.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my early copy. All opinions are mine and sincere.

Root and Bone by Jessica Raney is a delightful blend of Southern charm, witty dialogue, and supernatural intrigue.
The story centers around the Spencer sisters, Leona and Jewel, descendants of a long line of magic wielders. When a brutal murder rocks their sleepy Appalachian town, the bumbling local authorities leave the investigation wide open. Enter Leona and Jewel, who must rely on their unique magical talents and sisterly intuition to crack the case..
The author excels at crafting banter that feels genuine and laugh-out-loud funny., the sisterly dynamic between Leona and Jewel is the heart of the book, with their contrasting personalities creating a delightful tension. Leona, the responsible older sister, grounds the narrative, while Jewel, the free-spirited younger one, injects a dose of chaos and keeps things lively.
The Appalachian setting adds a layer of authenticity and uniqueness. Raney paints a vivid picture of this close-knit community, where everyone knows everyone's business. It's a perfect backdrop for the story's blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary.
While Root and Bone shines in its characters and setting, the plot itself could benefit from a bit more complexity. At times, the mystery unfolds a tad predictably. Additionally, some of the secondary characters felt a little underdeveloped, leaving room for further exploration in future installments.
Overall, Root and Bone is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's a perfect pick-me-up for those seeking a light and entertaining urban fantasy with strong female leads and a dash of magic. The witty dialogue, charming setting, and engaging sisterly bond make this a series opener that leaves you wanting more.

This was a very interesting read, quite different to what I am used to, however I was deeply intrigued and hooked from the first page, I loved the plot and characters, definetly tecommending to others ✨

Such an odd story to say the least. Didn't expect what had happened and went in completely blind! I believe that is the best way to read this story.

I found rating this book a difficult task. I settled on 3.5 because, honestly, I would most likely want to read the next book as I grew to love the characters of Leona and Jewel; and the ending opens the box of possibilities for the next book in the series.

The story follows sister witches of different skills and abilities, thrown into a murder case. But there so much more going on in the background.
Ghosts, witches and werewolves, vampires, ghouls... you name it, its lurking in there somewhere! A complete kaleidoscope of fantasy beasts.

The pacing was interesting. Sometimes it felt rushed and a bit "skip-to-the-end" but the concept and characters were so much fun, I couldn't stop reading it. The tension and plot built up steadily and I loved that there was some gripping, shock moments that kept the story moving.

There is a lot in Root and Bone to keep the reader entertained. The characters of the sisters were well thought out as strong female leads supporting each other through the story. They each had their own strengths, weaknesses and unique voice. Leona felt the stable, grounded one with something simmering below the surface. Her relationship with her ghost boyfriend was emotional and sweet - with some of their history explained in well crafted memory/flashback scenes.
Jewel was a contrast - in that she was louder, more crass but with a heart of gold and would often ground Leona when her magic started to twist out of her control.

All in all, a fun story, a mash up of witchy- crime solving "kickass -ness" where I could see this as a TV series. (That's how it kind of played out in my mind, the chapters being like episodes.)

I would like to thank author Jessica Raney and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Root ad Bone - it was an absolute pleasure to read.

I was drawn in immediately by the concept of this being a witchy, magical murder mystery. It isn't something I've seen very often in mystery books, so I was intrigued right from the start.

Three stars for the overall plot in general, I really enjoyed how strong Jewel and Leona were in their own ways. Despite the fact that this takes place in the 1950s or 1960s, the two sisters aren't afraid to stand up for themselves which I admired.

I felt many details could've been fleshed out more. For instance, how did Jewel and Leona become witches? Why did they have powers but no one else in their family did? And where did Ida Mae come from? Although she was their other sister, the relationship between her, Jewel, and Leona never seemed to be expanded on very much.

That leads me to my biggest question, which in this case is Cale. The concept of having a ghost buddy/lover/partner was interesting, and I really wanted to know more than what the reader was given. I would've loved to read more about how Leona and Cale grew closer over time. I'm still confused about the whole ghost-baby thing though.

In all, this was a fun book from the perspective of it being a murder mystery that overlaps many literary genres. It's a unique concept that I was quite impressed with the author for taking on; incorporating that many genres into one (fairly short) book isn't easy. That being said, I was left with so many questions about characters, plot holes, and other interactions that were only briefly touched on, that I felt I finished this book feeling confused and wanting more context.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book which was just published last week. Root and Bone by Jessica Raney.

The Spencer Sisters both witches with very different powers but work together and help the sheriff to rid their little town of some evil forces. Witches, Ghosts, Vampires and Werewolves what more could you want in a book!
Took me a little while to get into but I preserved and overall was a good book.

I enjoy a good book that includes witches, folklore, female empowerment and twist endings. This book covered all of these subjects. I quickly grew to like sisters; Jewel and Leona. When girls started going missing and then being found with horrible injuries, the sisters quickly used there witchcraft to discover who the murderer was. Soon, the girls had to deal with much more than they expected. Even though they were warned off the case in several ways, this did not stop the sisters from continuing to stand up for those who had no one on their side. There was plenty of danger, courageous women and despicable creatures. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I enjoyed the elements of the crime mystery, the sisters with supernatural powers, and the atmosphere of the whole novel, set in a small, somewhat dark town. I also love strong female characters! However... that's about it for the positives. Unfortunately, there were a lot of repetitions, sometimes the exact same phrases repeated after just a few lines. The beginning was extremely chaotic, and I felt that the roles of some characters and who they really are were not explained for too long. Maybe the novel was just too short to fit everything that needed to be included. Because of this, some situations seemed absurd, and instead of focusing on the action, I wondered if I had missed something. Despite everything, the ending was interesting, and if the opportunity arises, I will give the second part a try, because I hope that maybe everything just needs time to develop.

The storyline for Root & Bone was entertaining but the old time language, I felt was unnecessary and made it much more difficult to read. I wanted to finish the book because I wanted to see how the story finished but it took me a lot longer to finish that I had hoped.
Lorena and her sister Jewel are “witches” and both have different strengths. Lorena can see ghosts and Jewel is a spit-fire that doesn’t holdback. Lorena falls in love with a Ghost named Cole who is only a breathe away and always by her side. When gruesome murders start to occur in Ames and the local sheriff Ed doesn’t have the understanding to solve the murders; Lorena and Jewel follow the clues and the magic and of course end up finding out who was murdering those poor girls.
The forbidden love story of Lorena and Cale is what really pulls the book together.
Am I glad I read it? Maybe - I’m always a sucker for a good love story. This absolutely could be a good book for someone who likes reading this writing style; I just wished I could have enjoyed it more.

This had so much potential to be four or five stars. However, the author had so much going on in their head that they couldn’t condense it down nor could they flush some of the content out to make for a better. It took me a while to get through this one as I felt like a writer with ADHD a dump it is hard to keep up with it all.

The supernatural elements in the story really worked, however, that author really needed to give the story a good shake and see what it fell out in order to make sure everything else for me. I think it needed a much better edit before being published.