I want to give this more than 5 stars. This book had be absolutely hooked. I loved all the different perspectives of all the characters and how there is magical realism sprinkled into lies and rumors and superstitions and how this is a horror and a family drama and a supernatural folk tale all woven into one spectacular story.

I tried to get into this one, but I really struggled with the dialogue in the beginning. I am still really thankful to Catapult Books, Kay Chronister, and Netgalley for granting me advanced digital access to this one before October 1, 2024.

The formatting was a mess. If publishers are going to offer a book for Kindle download then format it so it's readable. Aside from that this book was so full of purple prose I continually lost interest and skipped around.

I think this was just wasn't for me because it was so literary -- ie very big descriptive words that just detracted from the story for me. So if you are a fan of flowery language, this might resonate more, but I just found it to be really clunky to read.

For generations, the Haddesley family has relied on a covenant with a cranberry bog, sustained by the ritual sacrifice of their patriarch, which produces a "bog-wife" to continue the family line. When the bog fails to honor the bargain, the grieving Haddesley siblings face an uncertain future.

Wenna, returning home amid her crumbling marriage, believes they should abandon their legacy. Eldest daughter Eda wants to salvage the covenant by extreme measures, while Percy ventures into the wilderness to summon his own bog-wife. Nora struggles to keep the family together, and Charlie discovers a secret that challenges their beliefs.
I’m drawn to anything Appalachian, so the gothic, spooky, and secret-filled nature of this book had me hooked. The characters, though isolated from the outside world, are deeply complex. I didn't find myself loving or hating them, but rather felt the intense power of being trapped by one's past and familial obligations. Having grown up in a small town in West Virginia, I recognize many unspoken truths in Chronister’s work—fear of outsiders, a deep reliance on tradition and the land, and the pressing need to break free and evolve in order to survive and thrive, despite the fear that holds us back.

Although I usually prefer books to have a tidy conclusion, I didn't mind the open-ended nature of this story. That said, I might feel differently in a few days! There's plenty for the reader to interpret, and I've spent hours pondering how much of the story was real and how much was influenced by the characters' mental states. "The Bog Wife" is a compelling read that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Nora and Percy have an interesting relationship that plays out. I thought this was going to be a different kind of book with a type of witch narrative that was more action-oriented. This one was more a slow burn and there’s things in it like characters consulting ‘Field guide to Flora of the Highland Fens’ and it’s more literary whereas I was wanting something more fast-paced and genre-informed. It’s still a fantastic book! The writing is very good! I would recommend it for someone who has a reading taste where you like historical fiction that has some speculative elements. Maybe fans of Outlander would like this. It takes the central conflicts a long time to play out and the book is more “quiet” in tone, so if you are into that then this is the good choice for you.

Mixes so many new and old Gothic elements--crumbing house, eco-horror, twisted family mythology--into a fresh and inventive read.

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.