3 stars. After being blown away by "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," I hate to admit being more than a little disappointed by "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil." It's a decent enough book, and once the book comes out in four months (June), my opinions will almost certainly be very much in the minority, but... this book was a solid enough read but could have been much more than that. I think my main complaint is that book dragged too much in its middle third.

Another problem had to do with one of the three main characters, Harvard freshman Alice, who is turned, violently, in 2019. (I don't think we ever hear the word "vampire" until almost the end of the book.) While the other two main characters, Sabine and Charlotte, move forward through time and the centuries, we hear more than I felt necessary about Alice's past, especially, annoyingly, about her older sister Catty. Without giving anything away, I think I understand part of why the author needed us to see the contrasts between Alice and Catty ahead of the eventual climax of the story, but... I don't think it worked.

I still recommend this story, as it will have many fans, both old and new, even if I wasn't satisfied myself.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a free digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

A few years back I discovered V.E. Schwab by reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. I, like many others, fell in love with Schwab’s beautiful prose. She wove an intricate story told over hundreds of years, pulling in elements of romance, historical novels, supernatural fare, and fantasy. While I read it, I certainly enjoyed it, but there was…maybe a little subdued…a little depressed -- which makes sense given the nature of Addie’s story. A woman who became invisible for generations, cursed to travel through life, but never fully participate in it.

Here though, in Schwab’s latest, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, the gloves are truly off. Reading it felt visceral. Primal. Almost like Schwab was tapping into something deep within herself to tell this story.

In some ways there are a lot of similarities with Addie LaRue. In both books, we have female lead characters who traverse centuries. Time is a central character in this book, as the reader sees the ways that women have been allowed to navigate society from the 16th century to modern-day. The hurt that happens in the 1500s is central to the plot of the book, but also comes from a key part of the women’s experience at a time when they weren’t considered citizens, had little in terms of individual rights and were better known for their relationship to the men in their lives.

OK…we’re far enough into the review, that I’ll mention what this book is all about. In fact…I went in virtually blind. I hadn’t read any reviews and as you can see above, the synopsis is pretty bare bones as well. As I was reading, I found myself wondering a bit when the fantasy elements would come into play, but then they show up and stick around for good about twenty percent into the novel. I do hesitate to say what the core of the book is, because Schwab herself only uses the word 4 TIMES in the course of the book. What’s the word? (SPOILERS -- TURN BACK IF YOU WANT TO GO IN BLIND…)

Vampires.

Or, more specifically, lesbian vampires.

Or, more more specifically, traumatized lesbian vampires.

Fine -- Toxic Lesbian Vampires.

There are definitely comparisons to be made here between this and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, in particular Lestat (played by Tom Cruise in the movie of the same name). Lestat carries with him the trauma of his past and inflicts that on those he chooses to harm and those that he tries not to. In Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, the Lestat comparison goes to the character of Sabine. She is our throughline in the book from early 16th century Spain to Victorian England and modern day America.

And Schwab really paints a picture of how the trauma just keeps compiling from one century to the next and the terror that comes at the end of the book is really more due to unresolved issues than the actual fangs in her mouth.

I really enjoyed Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. As always I’ll be thrilled to pick up her next book, whether she’s writing for adults or teens. Her voice is a needed one even more than ever in this world and I’m glad girls like my daughter have an author like her writing needed and necessary books.

I’ve been a fan of V.E. Schwab, and was so excited to see this one. Did someone say “toxic lesbian vampires”? Because I am all-the-way here for it!
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a beautiful, gothic exploration of immortality, desire, and the unbreakable pull of history. Did I mention the sapphic vampires?

Three women - Sabine, Lottie, and Alice - are at the heart of this multigenerational tale. They are all connected by fate, hunger, and their sinister ancestry. You will have a fantastic time reading this beast of a book (it’s nearly 600 pages long) and you won’t soon forget it.

Schwab's writing is lyrical and incisive, telling a story that is completely engrossing but more focused on the characters than the storyline. As the relationships between its protagonists grow closer like vines, the book lingers in its moments and develops gradually but profitably. This book is a captivating, unnerving experience that will captivate and captivate you with its sapphic longing, vampiric charm, and uncanny sense of inevitable fate.

I just finished and I want to go back and read it again!

This book was gripping. “Toxic Lesbian Vampires” is definitely the perfect description of this book. If you appreciate a book with beautiful prose, this one is for you! A story that spans centuries, grapples with immortality, the longing for love and acceptance, and the concept of a soul. This story follows three different women across their lives and time periods and the threads that connect them all. This book is definitely a bit on the slower side, more character than plot driven, and while I think some parts dragged earlier on in the story - it was beautiful to see connections and threads being tied together in the end.

I am a huge fan of VE Schwab and I have been waiting for this novel for a while! It was so amazing and romantic and I love the sapphic romance and vampiric elements. So so good!!

This book was not what I thought it would be, but that’s not a bad thing. In VE Schwab I trust as should you. I highly recommend going into this book blind with no spoilers. The three lesbians I’m in love with and I think you all will be too.

V.E. Schwab has once again looked us in the eyes, whispered, “What if stories were teeth?” and left us to sit with that deeply unsettling thought. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a haunting, lyrical exploration of immortality, hunger, and the way history plants us in the dirt—whether we like it or not.

Three women, three timelines, one dark thread pulling them together. The way Schwab layers their lives—stretching across centuries, entangling their fates like roots in the midnight soil—is nothing short of masterful. Her prose is as sharp as ever, cutting straight to the bone (pun intended), and the atmosphere? Drenched in creeping dread.

If The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue had a gothic, feral little sister who never learned to play nice, it would be this book. It’s unsettling, it’s mesmerizing, and by the end, you’ll be questioning what’s growing beneath your own feet.

Thank you NetGalley & Tor for the advanced copy! I'm a huge fan of VE Schwab and loved Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, but I struggled a bit to read it. My only complaints are about the length and the pacing - it was a lot longer than other eARCs - compared to their ~300 pages, this one was almost 600. The first half of the book felt like I was dragging myself to read, but then the last 20-30% of the story felt very rushed and it was over before I knew it. I understand why the story was structured as it was, but I'm not sure if some parts needed to be as long as they were. Otherwise, the story was beautiful and tragic, with some twists that were both expected and not. Each character felt well-rounded and were unique from one another, but you also see how they overlap in their stories. Disregarding my feelings about pacing, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for more from Schwab.

Finally a vampire book that deals realistically with how one would react if one woke up and discovered that the girl you spent the night with turned you into a vampire!! What do you do? How do you feed? Schwab once again wows with her attention to details.
This is the story of three women who find freedom with their fangs- Sabine in the 1500s , Lottie 1800s, and Alice in the present. Their futures are intertwined. If you are into a fantastic toxic lesbian vampire story- this is the one for you.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC- LOVED IT

Loved this one. I didn't think Schwab could improve her craft after Addie but... my god, this blew Addie out of the water. Looking back, I can see cracks in the foundations of Addie but this book was super. The characters had voice, motive, and there was a POINT to the story.

This book was a truly enjoyable read. The writing flows effortlessly, drawing you into the story from the very beginning. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their experiences feel authentic and heartfelt. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, with moments of reflection that keep you engaged without feeling rushed.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
by V. E. Schwab
Pub Date: Jun 10 2025

Santo Domingo de la Calzada, 1532.
London, 1827.
Boston, 2019.

Three young women, their bodies planted in the same soil, their stories tangling like roots.

One grows high, and one grows deep, and one grows wild.

And all of them grow teeth.

TOXIC LESBIAN VAMPIRES! Does it get much better than that? I love this author and will read anything she writes. This one did not disappoint and I had HIGH hopes. So pleased for the ARC.

V.E. Schwab delivers another haunting masterpiece with Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, a story that lingers like a whispered secret in the dark. Spanning centuries and continents, the novel follows three women—Sabine in 16th-century Spain, Charlotte in 19th-century London, and Alice in modern-day Boston—each marked by a dark gift that ties them together across time.

Schwab’s writing is as immersive and lyrical as ever, weaving themes of obsession, freedom, and the deep, aching hunger to be seen. The atmosphere is intoxicating, the characters unforgettable, and the tension builds in a way that keeps you spellbound. If you loved The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but crave something even darker and more visceral, this book is an absolute must-read. Schwab once again proves why she’s one of the best in the genre.

Like all of V.E. Schwab's work, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil was emotional, evocative, and beautifully written. The story is told from three perspectives in three different timelines, which is confusing to begin but trust the process! It doesn't take long before you settle into the story. Three vampire women from three different times are tangled together in a vast story about what it means to be undead and thirsty, always thirsty. Each of these women has a vastly different relationship with their situation, and that's part of what drives the story. Finally, the story of a centuries old vampire meets that of a newly turned vampire in a melancholy, but brilliant conclusion. This book is about breaking toxic cycles and embracing female empowerment. Excellent work!

I wanted to read this since I so loved Addie LaRue, but I didn't find this story nearly as enchanting. Sabine's story intrigued me, and Charlotte's too, to an extent. But Alice's chapters felt like a slog, and like they didn't make much logical sense. <spoiler>It is so unlikely that she was able to silence her thoughts the entire time with Sabine to be able to kill her. And what we learned about her thus far makes the ending feel disappointing. I don't see how she can be happy or feel like she has a life to live. </spoiler>The book is long and felt long for much of it, especially in the beginning.

I do still enjoy Schwab's writing, and that made it easier to read. And I appreciated the women's perspectives over time. But I had a hard time rooting for anyone, and was a bit disappointed by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the ARC.

Felt very reminiscent to Addie LaRue, but darker. Not usually into the vampire lore, but loved this. All the place setting, the visuals, the ambiance, so good. Just a vibe all around that I am here for.

This book is a raw and powerful exploration of feminine rage, beautifully crafted with every page. The unique blend of lesbian vampires and unapologetic female empowerment kept me hooked from start to finish. I absolutely adored it—an absolute must-read!

Thank you, NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books, for the chance to read and review this amazing book.

Maria, Lottie and Alice are the incredible heroines/villaines in the new awesome book written by V.E. Schwab, in a genre-defying novel about love and immortality, female rage, vengeance, blood, hunger, passion and queer love.
Set in three different eras and cities, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, 1532., London, 1827., Boston, 2019., Bury our bones in the midnight soil is one of the best book I've ever read. I've devoured twice in a few days and I couldn't get enough of it. It tackles history, misogyny, female rage, violence, abuse, control, loss, grief, love, queer love, possession and it's written so poetically, in a such intense way I would love to tattooed so many quotes on my body.
It's a book with vampires, but not only that. It's a book about freedom and loss, grief and love, sex and horror.
Schwab is truly a brilliant and genial writer and I couldn't even know how to start this review. Talking about the plot, about the wild Maria, the caring Charlotte, the sweet Alice, would be not enough. This book is a fine wine, a delicious plate, a piece of chocolate you have to savour it and enjoy with all your heart. It's filled with morally grey characters, who we so love, with cities and events, with sexy and sweet moments, with friendships and queer love and you can't get enough of it, I swear!
I LOVED every single word!

Female rage. Vampires. A heartbreaking Sapphic love story. VE Schwab's latest book to me for a ride I was not expecting. I went into this not knowing anything other than the title and that I usually love VE Schwab's writing. I adored how many different historical settings we got to experience. How each time I thought I had a grasp on where the story was going, it took a turn. Each woman was likable and entirely unlikeable in her own way. I will say that Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is another slow burn. In that way, it is similar to the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. This time it didn't build up as much as I had hoped it would, but none the less I had a great time reading it and would recommend it to those looking for a book that shows 3 women across history setting themselves free and taking what they desire in a way that is both a breath of fresh air and infuriating at times. Reading it felt like the epitome of supporting women's rights and women's wrongs. It explores what makes us human and what happens when we slowly lose those things.

I could go on for longer. Perhaps, just read it and find out for yourself.