Im giving a three star as I felt lime I didn't read enoough of the book to give it a higher or lower rating.
I unfortunately lost my arc when I broke my phone as the audio didn't transfer over to my next device so I did not have the opportunity finish this book. I had gotten about 10-15% through and found the pacing to be a little but weird but the story was very intregueing. I think that this audio narrators is very talented and was doing a wonderful job.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

4.5 stars

Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova was not a book that had been on my radar prior to my seeing it on NetGalley. I was so glad to have found it as I ended up loving it and can't wait to pick up the sequel. The story follows Kosara, a witch who needs to trade her shadow for escape. What follows is Kosara's desperate search to retrieve her shadow before succumbing to sickness while also trying to fight for the people and city she loves. The setting of this story really drew me in - a city of monsters that struggles while walled off from the rest of society that is thriving. The villain in this story is well written and truly scary. Unexpected friendships and alliances develop as the story progresses. As is typical for me, these relationships and Kosara, herself, were some of my favorite parts of this story.

The narration by Zura Johnson was well done and helped increase my immersion in the story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this one! I loved the gritty, dark feel of the atmosphere throughout the book, it definitely set a mood. I also really liked the fact a ton of Eastern European folklore was drawn upon for monsters/figures. The idea of witches having shadows was an interesting one, as was the wall separating these two places and keeping people from crossing. There is a bit of a mystery element to this one too! Some of it came off as feeling a little tell rather than show but all in all, it's a good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel!

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was great! Definitely made doing chores more tolerable haha!

Content warnings: Grooming, toxic relationships, emotional/physical abuse, violence, murder.

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Witches and monsters steeped in Slavik folklore, with a slow burn romance--this debut was phenomenal and I loved every minute of it.
This is the first in a new duology, and is being pitched for fans of The Witcher and Naomi Novak, which couldn’t be more accurate. Thanks to TOR MACMILLAN for the opportunity to read and review.
The worldbuilding was excellent, the FMC was a wonderful, albeit flawed and distrustful character which made her feel wholly relatable. There were moments of vulnerability but I loved her determination and perseverance despite her traumas. Overall this was incredibly clever in so many aspects, and a joy to read.
Thanks also to the publisher for the audiobook, I was pleased to have the opportunity to listen and loved the narration. Regardless of how you choose to consume this book, I highly recommend in, and can’t wait for the second part of this duology.

Overall a solid read - I loved the monster, magical vibes and the slow burn was great.

It didn’t quite grip me or leave me reeling with wonder and I felt like there was a lot of info dumping that left me checked out a few times. but the writing was still very well done and I am still really looking forward to the next book!

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my ALC of this book; all opinions are my own. I think if you’re looking for a great witchy read for the season, this is the book for you!

This book was so weird, lol. In the good way! I came to enjoy it by the end, but getting there I wasn’t sure what the end goal was and the characters were hard to keep straight to start.

I really enjoyed Kosara’s character. A witch fighting off monsters during the Foul Days, her cunning and wit were interesting the entire time and the small little fact that her ex, the tzar of monsters, was hunting her was a twist on the story I thought gave it a lot more suspense.

I found the scientific aspect of the witches really interesting, and the practical guide to monsters at the end was really fun.

Excited to see how things continue to unfold in book two!

It it that time of year to read all the witchy spooky books. Foul Days was perfect. It has witches and monsters, mysteries and darkness. Kosara is backed into a corner with no choice but to trade her shadow for illegal passage across the Wall to Belograd. Her shadow is her witch powers though so she is giving up so much to escape her monster. Nothing is as it should be across the wall. No one can be trusted. Kosara has so many questions. I loved the story. The different mysteries and twists were so interesting. I cannot wait to read the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio arc in exachange for my honest review.

The Witcher meets Naomi Novik in the first book to a new fantasy series which by the way, all books are releasing this year which is just fantastic. We’re following Kosara who lives in this walled city and unfortunately it’s the foul days which is a period of time where monsters invade and you have to try to survive. Also our main character has some type of shadow magic and a deal with the enemy, her ex. I absolutely LOVED this. Made a whole video about it on my YouTube channel. PERFECT!

For fans of:
- Sherlock Holmes
- Masters of Death

This story follows a woman named Kosara who lives in a city divided by a giant wall, on one side we have a thriving community, and on the other we have a desolate community living among demons and monsters. Kosara is a witch living on the demon-infested side of the wall who is being hunted by the Tsar of Monsters. To escape him she is forced to give up her shadow which is not only the source of a witch's power, but also her life source. Desperate for escape she flees (illegally) across the wall in stubborn hopes of receiving her shadow and returns home before the end of the week. With a meddlesome detective in her way, she wonders if she will ever restore her shadow.

This book includes:
- FMC who is a full-grown woman
- great banter and wittiness
- monsters and demons from Slavic folklore
- fabulous witchy-ness
- very unwilling allies
- a city divided (think Berlin Wall)
- crotchety side characters
- "who done it" murder investigation
- TW: mentions of past abusive relationships

"Foul Days" is fun and witty. The writing style is a master class in bringing a world to life, resulting in a very atmospheric experience. Kosara is funny and flawed in a way that is so human, it almost feels like she is a real person I may meet at the market, rather than a character on the page. I loved exploring Slavic folklore and I thought the plot was engaging and fun, while still leaving space for more emotional moments. I also really enjoyed Kosara's dynamic with the detective. Their banter was so delicious.

All in all it's a great book and I am looking forward to the sequel. If you're looking for some fun and spookiness with a hint of moodiness, look no further.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Genoveva Dimova for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

I feel like a total outlier on this one, but it just didn’t work for me. I DNF’d at 33%. I wanted to love this book so badly. Slavic folklore, a mystery at the center of the story, slow burn romance. All buzz phrases that normal hook me. But I just was not connecting to the story or the characters. The narrator of the audiobook was fantastic. Unfortunately I just felt like the story was all over the place. I may revisit this one in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

The highlight of Foul Days absolutely has to be the way Dimova weaves Slavic folklore into her world building, and honestly I found the fantasy elements and setting to be super cool. I thought this was pretty well-paced (the middle felt a little bogged down, but nothing too bad) and I liked Kosara’s character arc a lot. This was a fun book with a great atmosphere, and I felt like Dimova did a great job at making her world feel lived in. The one thing I don’t care for in any capacity is the cop love interest, which I just… could have done without. I cared little for the romance, but that’s okay because there was a bunch of other stuff happening here.

Zura Johnson’s narration was great, and definitely helped contribute to the atmosphere. The choices she made during the narration felt appropriate and made the overall experience more immersive, which I thought was especially nice as someone who does not see a movie happening in my head when I read.

I enjoyed this unique story, the depth of the characters, and the worldbuilding. The narrator was absolutely fantastic - the accent was wonderful, and allowed for a deep immersion into the story.

Foul Days feels like a lighter foray into Slavic Folklore and somehow it works! The bones of the lore are there but the story doesn't take itself to seriously. The characters and world building don't feel overly developed here but readers are given enough so that they can fill in the gaps and enjoy the wild ride as the plot develops. Since Foul Days isn't bogged down with dense logistics the story has room to run and the pacing is breakneck! The characters and creatures were just delightful with there gritty and dark motivations.

Readers who love a page turner that strengths lies more in atmosphere than hefty world/character building will surely have a fun time with this one!!

I absolutely enjoyed this. I have both the Physical ARC and the ALC. I wasn't sure what to expect with this beyond Slavic monsters and a witch. I wasn't prepared for many of the twists and the secrets being held back. I really enjoyed that I couldn't predict what would happen, or it happened differently than what I expected. The writing is really lovely and easy to follow, and the narrator makes it fun to listen to and engage in the world. I cannot wait to listen/read the next book in the duology. I really want to know where it goes, especially with the ending occurring that did.

4.25 ⭐

"Foul Days" by Genoveva Dimova is a captivating blend of mystery and introspection that draws readers into a slavic inspired world of emotional turmoil and complex relationships. The story centers around Kosara, a witch, grappling with personal demons while navigating a series of unexpected events that challenge her perceptions of love and trust. Dimova's writing is rich and evocative, allowing readers to feel the weight of the character's struggles and the nuances of her journey. The exploration of human emotions is beautifully rendered, making it easy to empathize with the protagonist's plight.

What sets "Foul Days" apart is its ability to balance darker themes with moments of levity and hope. Dimova skillfully weaves in humor and relatable experiences, providing a refreshing contrast to the heavier elements of the plot. The interactions between characters are authentic and often poignant, adding depth to the narrative. Overall, "Foul Days" is a thought-provoking read that encourages reflection on the messiness of life while reminding us that even in difficult times, there is always a glimmer of light to be found. It's a compelling choice for anyone seeking a story that resonates on multiple levels.

The audiobook was wonderful and helped bring the characters to life while going through the story.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this ALC!

Kosara is a witch in Chernograd, fighting off monsters during the Foul Days following the New Year. As a witch, she has no problem using her shadows, spells, and wits to defeat the onslaught of monsters... except the Zmey, who also happens to be her ex. When he finds her early in the Foul Days, she's forced to trade her shadow, the source of her power, to be transported to the safety of Belograd on the others side of the Wall.

Full of Slavic folklore, FOUL DAYS is the witch book I've been waiting for this year. Not only is the magic system unique and solid, but I just loved Kosara. She's stubborn and strong, but also a bit hesitant because she's been burned by those close to her a few too many times. I loved the sense of adventure in this book, the twists and turns, subtle love story, and sense of redemption for an MC who didn't always make the best choices in her former days.

The audiobook was spectacularly narrated by Zura Johnson - highly recommend doing a mix of audio and print on this one!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Tor for providing both an eARC and an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Witcher meets Naomi Novik? Say less. I need it now.

Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova is a fantasy novel set in the walled city of Chernograd. As a witch living there, Kosara has plenty of practice treating lycanthrope bites, bargaining with kikimoras, and slaying bloodsucking upirs. There’s only one monster she can’t defeat: her ex, the Zmey, known as the Tsar of Monsters. She’s defied him one too many times and now he’s hunting her. Betrayed by someone close to her, Kosara’s only choice is to trade her shadow—the source of her powers—for a quick escape. Unfortunately, Kosara soon develops the deadly sickness that plagues shadowless witches—and only reclaiming her magic can cure her. To find it, she’s forced to team up with a suspiciously honorable detective. Even worse, all the clues point in a single direction: To get her shadow back, Kosara will have to face the Foul Days’ biggest threats without it. And she’s only got twelve days. But in a city where everyone is out for themselves, who can Kosara trust to assist her in outwitting the biggest monster from her past?

What isn't there to love? There's monsters, magic, and a slow burn romance. Foul Days redefines the very genre it inhabits. And so much more!

Loved this one! In Foul Days we follow Kosara, a Chernogradian witch, as she tried to track down her shadow, the source of her magical powers and the only thing preventing he from disappearing, after she is coerced into trading it to be kept safe from the Zmey, Tsar of monsters and her abusive Ex Fiancé. While navigating a city hostile to Cheenogradian’s like herself she ends up reluctantly teaming up with Asen a police investigator who is looking for a murderer.

I was hooked into this story from the starting poker game, and it didn’t let me go till the last sentence. I loved getting to see both the bright and colorful city of Belograd, and the harsher and more brutal city of Chernograd. Seeing both cities really helped underscore the differences between Chernogradians like Kosara, and the wealthier Belogradians that looked down on her. I loved Kosara and her characterization, and how the effects of her past relationships have caused her to respond to her budding relationship with Asen in sometimes less than logical ways. Asen was also a delight, he starts out as a character that could be very one note but the longer we spend with him and getting to know him the more he shows himself to be just as interesting and complex of a character as Kosara. I also adored all the side characters and their little idiosyncrasies.

The narration of the audiobook was also top notch.
Zara Johnson does a wonderful job bringing the world to life, and her accent is well suited to this type of world. I enjoyed her various voices for the different characters and the accents employed.

Overall one of my favorites of the year so far, can’t wait for the sequel and to see what else is instore!

[4.5/5 stars!] One of my favorite things I’ve picked up this year – Foul Days is worth a second look!

One of those genre-bending novels, I loved this as both a fantasy and urban fantasy reader. Rich in Slavic folklore, it had an abundance of monsters and great cultural infusion. The marketing was pretty accurate when it advertised “Witcher meets Naomi Novik,” with a similar moodiness and feel of Novik’s works (especially Spinning Silver) and an loads of dangerous magical creature encounters. I found it wildly entertaining.

The book had great pacing, with plenty of exciting moments but also enough slow stretches to form connections with the characters. The characters! All fun profiles, and the relationships between them were especially well done and realistic – I actually felt the connections, which doesn’t happen often.

I also thought the staggering of certain reveals was particularly well-paced. There were several times throughout the book where I went, “oooh, okay, one more chapter.” It made the pages fly by, and had enough substance to the plot to make me feel like I was getting something satisfying. The writing was superb.

Foul Days was oozing with fun-factor. This is one of those books that makes it easy to talk about and recommend. I loved it – with so many great elements and a good sense of humor, after only one book I’m already convinced Dimova is going to be an auto-buy author for me.

There honestly wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it. The second half of this duology, Monstrous Nights, comes out October 22, 2024, and you’d better believe I’m already hounding for a copy!

Recommendations: for a fun-filled, culturally-infused, monster-tastic story, look no further! Foul Days was one of the best debus I’ve read in ages. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next!

Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller