Marrow is an atmospheric, taunt debut suspense novel from new author Samantha Browning Shea. The blurb for the novel drew my interest - witches? Oh yes. An isolated island coven where appearances could be deceiving? Sign me up. Strong themes of femineity, motherhood, sisterhood, and fertility. Those are right up my alley. I'm pleased to say that the sypnosis did not fail me - Samantha Browing Shea's novel makes good on all of these promises.

Oona Walker was once part of Bare Roots coven on Marrow Island, off the coast of Maine. Sure she wasn't a practicing witch yet, as one cannot become such until you have both started your menstrual cycle and had the goddess Persephone appear to you, it really is just a matter of time until she can also call herself a full member of the coven. To both Oona's delight and consternation, her only friend on the island - Daphne - also wants a coveted spot in the coven. A series of events one summer sees Oona losing her best friend, and life on Marrow after her mother, Ursula, head of the coven, banishes Oona from Marrow for her part in the events. Set in the present day, and interspersed with detailed recollections from Oona's past, we see Oona returning to Marrow in disguise fifteen years after her banishment in the desperate hope that the coven's fertility magic can help her finally achieve a successful pregnancy.

Sensitive readers should note that this book contains descriptions of child loss, including miscarriage, infertility and treatment thereof, and childbirth. These things are viewed through the eyes of our protagonist, Oona, who is definitely an unreliable narrator. Oona has a lot of trauma from her past that returning to Marrow seems to exacerbate. As a mother who has also had multiple pregnancy losses and also suffers from infertility, I could definitely relate to thoughts and emotions that Oona has during her stay on Marrow. Even with Oona's biased thoughts and perceptions being given to us, the plot twist of the book was pretty easily deducted beforehand. It didn't stop my enjoyment of the novel, and I was interested in seeing what kind of spin Samantha Browning Shea was planning to put on it. "Marrow" is an enjoyable debut novel that asks the question: 'How much are you willing to sacrifice to be able to realize your greatest desire?'

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons NY publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Shea's debut take on femininity and witchcraft was a lengthy but enjoyable read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This is a book like no other. Literary agent Samantha Browning Shea takes on patriarchy and feminism in one fell swoop in Marrow, a haunting and mesmerizing tale of power, lineage, and dark magic.

Oona, once cast out from her mother’s secretive coven, returns years later to the isolated island off the coast of Maine—a place where childless women become mothers through ancient rituals. She comes in disguise, determined to claim the island’s mystical power for herself. She longs for motherhood, and she knows the island’s magic will make it possible. But with that transformation comes something more—the power her mother has spent a lifetime wielding.

But not all secrets are meant to be unearthed. Oona’s mother has buried something dark beneath the coven’s rituals, and she will stop at nothing to keep it hidden.

A spellbinding, emotional, and chilling story about motherhood, power, and the weight of secrets, Marrow will stay with you long after you turn the final page. #marrow #samanthabrowningshea #penguingroup #dutton

A much different take on conception and fertility than what I have come across in books. It was interesting to get lost in this story. I think the book will find the correct audience and do well. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.