First of all, thank you NetGalley for providing me with this eARC!

I had some difficulty getting into this book at first, because of the descriptions and the different POVs. However, once I did, I loved the descriptions about the nature and the environment. The author clearly seems knowledgable about this topic. The one thing that didn't work for me was the romance. I just didn't feel the chemistry and any kind of relationship between the two characters just seemed a bit odd. Like someone else said, I also don't think this was just a witchy fantasy, but more a work of literary fiction with touches of fantasy and horror in it.

Overall, definitely an interesting and good book to read, so I would definitely recommend it.

There is something about this book that is sticking with me. Perhaps it's the subtle queer romance (w0w!) or the character development, or the timelines that introduce the reader to key plot points. All of it worked for me. I am not a fantasy reader by any means, so I was skeptical. Loved Bennie as a Black, curious, female looking to right some wrongs. Loved, loved, loved Motheater and her sense of humor and sense of doing the right thing. The connection to nature is so important! The conflicting ideas of advancement versus conservation is a great theme. When they went to Huckleberry ... so heartbreaking and powerful.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the editor for sending me an advance copy of this upcoming title. Your hard work and dedication to this project are truly commendable, and I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to review it before its official release.

The depth and quality of this work are a testament to your meticulous attention to detail and your passion for bringing exceptional stories to life. From the engaging narrative to the well-developed characters, it's clear that a tremendous amount of effort has gone into every aspect of this book.

I am genuinely excited about this title and eager to share my thoughts and insights. Having the chance to read it in advance has been a wonderful experience, and I am confident that readers will be just as captivated by it as I am.

Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity. Your support and trust in my feedback mean a great deal to me. I look forward to continuing to work together and witnessing the success of this fantastic book.

Environmentalist West Virginian mining horror fantasy. It's about greed and overconsumption, nature vs industry, old Appalachian magic against Mining Big Business. But then nature's also kind scary too, right? And it might hate us for hurting it? I bet a sentient mountain that has been mined for centuries is pretty upset.

Motheater's magic was *chef's kiss* Loved the Scripture mixed with nature and animalism, the spirits of the dead in the shape of moths, the snakes, even the green smears like "bug guts" in her hair.

Some parts of the book could have been pared down a bit and the sapphic romance built up more (though I did like what we got; "because she is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" hit me good, why recite love poems when we got the Bible yo). I think the characterization was a little uneven, with Motheater being the more realized character. Maybe because in Bennie's chapters it was her AND Motheater, whereas in Motheater's flashback chapters the focus was on just her.

This was an enjoyable and emotional read. Protect What You Love!

I ran for this book after reading the synopsis, it sounded complex and gave me high expectations for the queer romance, black FMC and oh so many mini tropes I swoon for. It exceeded my expectations, with a unique flair, story and brilliantly gloomy atmosphere.

A complicated and rich fantasy that will grab your heart and hold it there as the danger for the main characters drags out. Nicely woven with flashbacks and unravelling the past and future as you go, it felt a little long and slow at times but was well worth it. One that will play on my mind for a long while.

<i>’This right here, this was what she was made for. She was ready. Bloody and aching, she was a thorn in the paw of a lion.’</i>

The Appalachian themes were spot on, you already hear a lot of creepy folklore about them, and this book just sets that in stone. So intriguing and atmospheric, it’s all so unfair and the characters deserve better.

The characters had me in a chokehold, Motheater was just magnetic. Particularly for the last few chapters I was utterly gripped, but absolutely let down by the ending. I found it weak, predictable and unsatisfactory (and tore my heart out).
I’d love to know what other readers think of this strange book, and its end! (I’m absolutely begging the author to change it give me a happier ending for my favourite characters!)

<i>‘This was the grave she dug out of coal.’</i>

The synopsis read a lot more serious and mature than the writing actually seemed at the beginning, which was disappointing. It felt like a very YA style, which doesn’t fit the tone of the synopsis, and a lot more modern and casual than I was expecting. This did work out though as you go on, and I found that this youthful tone does actually suit the FMC perfectly, and shows the contrast in time and to Motheater.
The prose particularly toward the end improved as well, and there are many quotable, beautiful lines.

A brilliant, original idea that was a lot to take on and do properly. In places it did lack in description of scenes and characters, though I had no issue imagining them.
Really unique dialect and great depth to the characters.
Our wives under the sea vibes, but with actual answers to all of your questions, most of them at least.

I enjoyed this read and absolutely recommend it, though I take no blame for any emotional damage, an eery and original story. With characters I absolutely fell in love with, and a world I was mesmerised by…

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

I was initially drawn to this book due to the cover and title as a witchy fantasy story seemed very intriguing. The environment and magic system are this story’s strongest points; however, the writing falls off in terms of characters. It is difficult to feel invested in the stakes when the characters come across as underdeveloped and I struggled to feel connected to them. The plot dragged at times and struggled to find its pacing.

I think the book is enjoyable, there are certainly interesting elements at play, but it did not grip me as much as I had hoped.

This queer fantasy wasn't what I expected, but I LOVED the comedic relief moments, and the delicate balance of on-page romance. It felt intentional, and when it was shown it was sweet, charming, and beautifully executed. Codega's passion for this piece bleeds through every page, and I was instantly drawn to Bennie. I wanted Bennie's connection to the past to be stronger, but I understand why it was at the level it was written. It felt like a tender spot from an author's perspective, and something that a region's past may have been too tender to delve deeper into. 12/10 will be recommending!

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

When I first stumbled on this book, I knew I wanted to read it ASAP. And I was not disappointed. This book is equal parts a testament to the general strangeness that is the Appalachian mountain region and the intricacies of doing something right for the wrong reasons—and doing something wrong for the right reasons.

Bennie, our first narrator, never hesitates from the moment she finds a woman face down in a river to the moment she lets herself take flight. Motheater, our titular character, is a wonderfully flawed human being flung out of time. Her motives are intentional but her journey through understanding that maybe she’s not doing things for the right reason is so deeply entrenched in what it means to be human. The love is there and it is flawed and sometimes life is about righting our well-intentioned wrongs. The way that her story wove together with Bennie’s made their gradual love and respect for each feel so much more wholly organic. Queer love is not the focus of this book, it plays a large, saving role.

I also need to be clear. This book is weird in the best way. It just goes deeper into Appalachian territory and never stops to apologize for the way that nature and man intertwine—and how one cannot exist without the other despite their individual best efforts to be free of the other. Snake handling and religion stand tall here, so be warned. And enjoy this book. I know I did.

Codega has such a unique voice and I found myself hooked from the first moment to the last. I was so satisfied with the ending and immediately found myself down a rabbit hole of the Appalachian mountain region, my dormant love for history woken up after reading this. Their writing style was clear and evocative and I am so looking forward to the rest of the world finding and loving this book.

DNF @73%

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

sigh.. where to begin? I feel the book had a lot of potential, but the characters didn’t allure me and neither did the story with how it turned out. While Motheater is a witch from the 1800s she already knows things about the current time which was annoying by someone who’s been reading a lot of history. However, I do want to give credit where it’s due regarding the author’s knowledge of Appalachian history and mythology.

With this said, I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this but for me it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me early access to this beautiful gothic tale!

I appreciated how we got straight into the plot and action of the story and enjoyed all of the descriptive writing which made me fall quickly into this fantasy.

At some points I felt disconnected with the characters and the plot but would get hooked again immediately!

I would 100% recommend this to anyone looking for a magical, queer and well written gothic story.

"Motheater" is an enchanting eco-fantasy about animism, Appalachian witches, and stories that cross generations and time. What I most loved was the magic system, heavily intertwined with animal spirits, and the land. Some chapters were very densely written, which slowed down the reading quite a bit. Overall, an enjoyable book.

A beautifully descriptive, queer witchy fantasy. Highly recommend reading this book if you’re looking for a dark, well written book.

In a startling and nuanced queer fantasy set amid the beauty of an Appalachian mountain, the last witch of the Ridge and a newcomer investigating the coal industry must choose sides in a clash between nature and development that’s been 300 years coming…
After her best friend died in the coal mine that employs half of Kiron, Virginia, Benethea Mattox sacrificed her job, her relationship, and her reputation trying to uncover what’s killing miners on Kire Mountain. When she finds a half-drowned white woman in the dirty mine slough, Bennie takes her in because it’s right—but she also hopes this odd, magnetic stranger can lead her to the proof she needs.
Instead, she brings more questions. The woman called Motheater can’t remember her true name, nor how she ended up inside the mountain. She knows only that she’s a witch of Appalachia, bound to tor and holler, possum and snake, with power in her hands and Scripture on her tongue. But the mystery of her fate, her doomed quest to keep industry off Kire, and the promises she bent and broke have followed her 150 years into the future. And now, the choices Motheater and Bennie make together could change the face of Kire itself…

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

When a woman is found inside the same mountain that Bennie is investigating in regards to her best friend’s death, she has to figure out what this means for her investigation and her life.

Motheater was a very fast read, though I felt it fell apart the closer I got to the end. I wanted a happy ending for the MCs, though the downer ending was telegraphed at numerous points in the story. I just felt an affinity to Esther, since that was my grandmother’s name, who came from Appalachia. Also, I felt that the magic system wasn’t as fleshed out as it should have been, especially since Bennie was such a sceptic for most of the story. All in all a four star read, and I might read Codega’s next book when she publishes it.

Magic, queer and great characters.
A very unique read

I like the premise of the story.
I wished the characters got more development but I enjoyed the story.

The language is facinating and beautiful. Love how we are directly into the plot on the first page, no slow warm up here. The main characters are well fleshed out and many elements show a lot of research into Americas past done by the author. I knew nothing about snake handling priests in Appalachia previously. The flow of the book is very goood exept for the part where the two main characters go from strangers to feeling passion for each other. That part is just slighhtly out of rythm for a second before it again becomes part of the natural flow in the story. Part of the backstory is our exploitation of the earth in minig and how capitalism seems to win over nature. All in all a very promising debut novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the privilege to read an E-ARC for Motheater. Codega’s work is immediately joining my list of “favourite books of all time”. My roommate, who also reviews ARCs, originally recommended I apply for this one because “it’s gay and has witches” and I was excited from that alone, but it only got better.

I am so thoroughly impressed by the clear labour of love that has culminated in a phenomenal piece of work. Codega’s prose is captivating and beautiful. There were a few times that I had to take a beat to just let their writing roll over me. They masterfully weave together magical descriptions in with expert storytelling to convey a mystifying adventure. My roommate and I were constantly saying we couldn’t believe this was a debut novel?! It’s so well written.

Beyond Codega’s phenomenal writing, I am astounded by their devotion to research and accurate storytelling. It’s clearly evident that they’ve spent hours upon hours researching and collating information to create the most authentic fictional story. Between their depictions of Appalachian history and folk magic practice, I can tell that Codega holds so much passion for the world they’re representing through Motheater and I am so impressed by the work that has been done here.

Finally, I just have to comment on how captivating Codega’s characters are. Through Bennie’s eyes, I fell in love with the enigma that is Motheater and all her little quirks, between teasing Bennie and terrorising her adversaries. I adored the gradual progression of trust between our main girls and how this is reflected in their mannerisms and jesting. I also really appreciate the way Codega handled Bennie’s connection with Zach and how he develops across the story.

Just wow. Can’t wait until January so I can buy myself and everyone I know a hard copy of this masterpiece!i

Codega! What a debut novel! This queer fantasy was not what i expected at all, although, I don't really know what I expected to be fair.
It was wonderfully written, strong and powerful.
The characters were three-dimensional and emotionally resonant with their accents and the two timelines.
I was wholly endeared to Bennie, she was realistic, compelling and deeply layered.

I'd almost describe it as Gothic Fantasy. A mashing of genres so beautifully achieved and refreshing... well, refreshing in a terrifyingly witchy way.

There wasn't an overwhelming amount of romance in this book, but what there was, was artfully done. It was sweet and charming, and although I wanted more (because I always want more romance), I did love how it was done.
The romance and comic relief throughout the book was elegantly curated to balance the much darker elements.

I watched a documentary once about the effects of mining in the Appalachian mountains. Whilst that is the only reference I have to the irreparable damage done to the ecosystem there, I felt an authenticity in this book for the place and the lost and remaining beauty and mysticism.

Overall I found Motheater to be a very unique and immersive read.

Truly thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book had a queer romance, esoteric magic, and horror elements. I enjoyed the connection of the magic system to nature and the general witchiness of the story. I didn't connect with the ending, but did enjoy the read overall.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! I thought this was well written and loved the nature themes and atmosphere throughout. That being said, I think it was a bit slow and repetitive at times, and I was a little confused by the biblical references and quotes. I had a good time with this and am very excited to see what the author does next!

This book was really hard to get into. The beginning was so chaotic and hard to follow. However, at about 30% it started to kind of pick up and make more sense. I loved how they took us back and forth between present day and past in order to get the whole picture of what was happening. Will I re read or recommend this book? No. That being said, I did find it entertaining.