4 stars

What an incredible book. So detailed and beautiful. This is a near perfect gothic tale and I absolutely devoured it.

This was weird and beautiful all at once. The characters and the setting were so fully realized and had so much depth to them. I enjoyed each character in their own way - including the bog. At some points you guessed the validity of what the narrators were saying and I love that because it keeps you (the reader) guessing. This was sad and gave me the heebie-jeebies at some points, but overall I enjoyed it.

Very good southern gothic storytelling and atmosphere. I truly felt like the gothic elements were there and the story was immersive enough. 3 stars

What an absolutely splendidly strange book. I had no idea what I was in for when first starting this book, but I really enjoyed the folk horror vibes. The story was very atmospheric and I enjoyed all the siblings POVs. It’s always rare for me to read a multi- pov book (more than 2) and not have a specific character I wanted to read more about. I found all their storylines engaging and interesting in their own ways. I won’t lie, this book was so weird and I could not have predicted how it ended, honestly. About half way through I was certain I had the ending nailed and realized I was off- that’s one of my favourite things. The idea of the bog was fascinating and I found myself thinking about it a lot when I wasn’t reading it. Overall a very riveting read- I read through it eagerly, seeking out the truth of the Haddesley’s bog, their complex relationships with each other and the future of their dilapidated home.

"The Bog Wife" by Kay Chronister envelops readers in a haunting Appalachian gothic tale, where the Haddesley siblings of West Virginia are ensnared in the eerie tendrils of their family's ancient pact with the land. The Haddesley’s have long tended to their cranberry bog, a relationship steeped in sacrifice and supernatural reciprocity. In return for the ritualistic offering of their patriarch, the bog yields a "bog-wife," a vegetative entity destined to continue their lineage. Yet, when this mystical exchange is inexplicably severed, the siblings find themselves on the brink of an uncertain future, haunted by the enigma of their mother's disappearance.

At the heart of their turmoil is middle child Wenna, who, amidst her own marital disintegration, contends that the only path forward is to sever ties with their cursed inheritance. Her siblings, however, are drawn into darker attempts to mend or manipulate their doomed fate. Eda, the eldest, defies the old ways in a perilous bid to reform their covenant, while young Percy ventures into the wilderness, driven by a desperate hope to conjure a bog-wife of his own. Amidst these fraying bonds, Nora strives to keep the peace, and the new patriarch, Charlie, stumbles upon a chilling revelation that threatens to unravel their very understanding of family and tradition.

Crafted with a profound sense of place and the palpable weight of legacy, "The Bog Wife" delves deep into the heart of familial obligations, the painful allure of ancient rites, and the compelling call to forge one's path. This novel is not just a story, but a mesmerizing exploration of the eerie forces that bind us and the secrets that, once unearthed, can change everything.

I am a sucker for southern gothic fiction, and this book was definitely giving William Faulkner. The story was so atmospheric and rich with detail.