This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be, it was more creepy than scary. I really just wanted to know what the hell the witch was actually doing, which was motivation enough to finish it in just a few hours. And in the end I was slightly disappointed as there was one scene that made it pretty clear as to why the Witch was there earlier in the book. That being said it was one hell of a ride getting to the end so that's forgiven.
There are a couple of things that were sadly standard horror fair. The whole "Omfg don't go back in there!" was yelled a lot and the "Why are we disregarding the guy who clearly knows what's going?" was pondered every time the action slows down. But other than that I don't have any complaints.
Overall this was a solid horror story with a creepy (the Witch was incredibly creepy) villain with just enough violence that you knew you were dealing with something no human could hope to defeat.
For a horror novel, I thought it was a little too static, and most of the time the witch does nothing, and is almost like a statue.. The atmosphere is indeed eerie and glum, but the characters often chose to do stupid things, the witch’s backstory didn't impress me, and the ending felt rushed.

3.5 rounded up.

I think I just had higher expectations and hopes for this book that weren't fulfilled. It's not that it's a bad book, I just had a hard time getting into it and it holding my interest. I really wanted something that gave me the creeps, and it just didn't fit the bill. I'm definitely going to be checking out Delaney's other work as I found the story to be captivating, just not what I wanted at time of reading.

The premise sounded intriguing but I'm sorry, this is some of the worst writing I've ever come across. Did not finish. Forced myself to get halfway through. Granted I'm not the target market, but still. Have some standards. Was it even proof read?

I was hopeful to read a queer horror book that I can recommend for Halloween.

I won’t be recommending this book by Patrick Delaney anytime soon – or at all, really. Where to start, where to start?

You know those books where a seemingly male author writes about a woman and you just feel… ugh by it? Yeah, that happens here. Sterling’s body gets so much unnecessary focus that leaves me feeling uncomfortable with it, and it really doesn’t bring anything to the story.

I mean, is that really necessary: “with eyelids etched as dark as an Egyptian pharaoh, her almond-shaped eyes were stark upon first glance. Cracked, plum-colored lips and skin that glistened with an olive sheen[…]” (Kindle pos. 174)? The damn woman was just on the treadmill. One, from which she “gracefully swung off” “with a thump”. Also, what has the softness of her stomach and jawline to do with the story? Huh?

That brings me to another thing I was really bothered by. Fucking adjectives everywhere! That way of forcing stuff into my mind’s eye left me rolling my eyes and made me so annoyed I couldn’t focus on the story.

Something which was hard enough on its own, because it doesn’t flow at all. We’re getting drowned in unnecessary information that stops the plot from developing and becoming alive.

As a little side note, the witch wearing a black pointy head so that everyone knows at first glance she is a witch is a little bit too stereotype, don’t ya think?

But yeah, With 13 is supposed to be a horror book with a queer MC. The only horror I encountered was unintended and I finally gave up 45 % into the story when their tortured hearts beat in unison. (Kindle pos. 1965). I even marked it with a “sorry, I’m done”. Good gracious. There was nothing I enjoyed and I actively disliked the MC. Actually, every single character.

For a horror novel, I thought it was a little too static, and most of the time the witch does nothing, and is almost like a statue.. The atmosphere is indeed eerie and glum, but the characters often chose to do stupid things, the witch’s backstory didn't impress me, and the ending felt rushed.

* Plot: 2.5★
* World building: 3.5★
* Characters: 2.5★
* Enjoyability: 3★

It was the cover that drew me to this. Especially for this time of year, it just adds extra spooky to it.
However, the book didn’t give what I was expecting or wanting.
I was expecting an atmospheric, gothic horror novel, that would keep me up into the wee small of hours of the morning with a hint of being afraid.
Unfortunately, I struggled to actually stay awake reading it and couldn’t really get engrossed in the story as I would have liked,
I’m so sorry, but I’m afraid this one just wasn’t for me,
I would never tell people not to read this, as everyone has different tastes. It just wouldn’t be high on my recommendation list.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book.

thanks to Oblivion Publishing for providing me an arc through netgalley!

overall, i really enjoyed this book but it's definitely not what i was expecting. i guess the best way to describe what I thought this would be is a horror fantasy about a witch but it was more a crime thriller with fantasy/magical components.


I wish we got to learn more about the witch and what she was doing in this town (aside from *spoiler* killing people) and more about the witches as a whole since there are multiple that exist in this world.

a good, spooky read fit for the season but I don't know that I'd read it twice.

This was an interesting story, about not just a witch, but people and their lives and how something otherworldly can reveal true face of humanity.
They were manipulated, but they weren't guiltless humans anyway, and reading about the unusually creepy witch who just appeared out of nowhere and came into their lives like a storm, was more of a psychological horror at times, but there's lots of blood and gore in there as well.
It did get a bit slow and dragged at times, but all of it went downhill really fast and there almost was no scene to catch your breath.
It's chilling, it's different, and it's definitely more a Halloween book than it is Christmas, (which still confuses me as to why the time is around that holiday instead of the usual Halloween) but it still doesn't take away anything from the story.
Witches and number thirteen are one of my favourite things, so I had to read this book, it has spooky and detailed covers and has illustrations inside that definitely add to the creepiness and help with imagination run wild.
The twist felt slightly underdeveloped, I wish we got to know more about the backstory and the reasons behind everything, but it still is a truly witchy book. The characters were all human and flawed, perfect puppets for a mysterious power unleashed upon unsuspecting town.

I sadly DNF'd this one, I didn't really vibe with the story it was a bit confusing for me which I get is the point in the beginning but thats why this is a two sentence review, I don't feel I have any right to review a book that I DNF'd. Its taken a long time for me to realize if I amnt having fun I don't have to finish a book. Beautiful writing and cover and maybe if I'd finished I'd like it, I can see who this is aimed for but it turns out It isn't me.

I'm rating it 5 because I'm in the middle, I didn't enjoy it and I don't want to lie and say it was a 5 star for me personally but I don't think it deserves a 1.

This was such a deeply insidious novel, a Southern Gothic with a strong horror pace. The characters are decidedly unlikable, which added to the dark narrative. I really liked the paranormal elements and will be interested to see other Delaney horrors.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the cover of this book I was really intrigued an it looked really spooky, and an interesting read. On looking at the synopsis it was described as a horror with a LGBT take which I thought would be a refreshing change.

The atmospheric build up was brilliant and you definitely get that dark vibe from the first page. The setting in a strange eerie town just adds to the build up. The book is full of twists and turns and very well paced, but unfortunately for me it was just an ok read. I do struggle with books that constantly switch between characters, which I found this did. Its a personal preference but this really effects how much I enjoy a book. First time I have read a book by the author but I would read another by him. And think this book is worth a look for any fans of horror.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok, I hate giving a bad review, but this book was such a big disappointment to me, a woman shows up wearing a black dress, and a pointy hat and she is obviously evil, come on dude, that is such a massive cliché! The main protagonist is annoying, and the author spent way too much time on her backstory. It did have some LGBTQ representation, but again as a backstory, unfortunately, it was a DNF for me.
While the story was not for me, I did like the illustrations.

Violent with wicked, wicked beings. For those who can truly manage ‘horror’.

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Locked In Madness
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: The Witch
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Normal
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Book
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Horror / Mystery
4/𝟱

𝘁𝘄: Kids are injured/killed

🤦 Why assume that in the probable MILLENNIA something has been alive you are the ONLY slice of bread who has considered setting it on fir3?!

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Great beginning & initial mystery👏
~ Excellent descriptions of events
~ Smooth writing
~ Interesting enough characters
~ 👏 great descriptions of deaths

Sterling, the badass who you wish was, but isn’t, is ready to stop being Sheriff of Drywell? Drywall? 🫣💁 She is tired of long days, of lost dreams, of unachieved goals. Her life weighs heavily on her & she is ready to unsubscribe - to quit her job & drive off into the sunset - so, naturally - it is on her last day at work that it all goes to hell.

A violent storm, unlike any the town has seen, rolls in, children start dying & their ‘ONLY’ way in & out of town is blocked by massive top-sided trucks - all communication has stopped, & in the jail house a mystery man & a witch are slowly driving law enforcement insane. It’s now a matter of who will survive the night and HOW.

😌 But extremely stupid choices abound in - so beware your peace of mind.

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ Very tiring Sterling 😔
~ Mention of infidelity & a VERY hurt spouse
~ The hated lie & delay trope
~ The ‘listen to me’ while I say nothing trope 🤦
~ Really dumb choices 😬
~ Max somehow seems to think younger than is purported age of 7 🤔

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)

First, thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for an e-copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Now onto it all.

I wanted to like it; I really did. To me, it was, well, just okay. The premise is really cool, and the illustrations? Absolutely awesome to have in there-- they were wonderful! But the characters felt more like caricatures of something rather than fully fleshed out characters. Almost like exaggerated people rather than realistic. That made it difficult for me to really enjoy or, really, even like them. Additionally, the plot was also slow and very difficult for me to get into, and I really, really wanted to get into it. The foundations are there and strong, but the execution of the ideas behind the novel didn't really work for me. It all kind of fell flat.

I didn't hate the book, but also it was just okay.

Remember, though, just because I didn't find what I was looking for and didn't particularly enjoy it doesn't mean you won't enjoy it too. Overall, I'm glad I gave it a chance, but I probably won't pick it up for a second try.

3/5

I was really intrigued by the idea and concept of this book. However, once I actually got to read it, I was very underwhelmed. I found myself having a hard time keeping focus while reading the book. The intro scene was compelling, but it quickly declined after that. Unfortunately, there was very little to keep me interested in finishing this book.

Complete terror. I haven't read a horror book this good in a long time. Never boring.

The characters are well developed while still holding onto their secrets till the very last second.

dnf @ 50%

Where do I even start with this review? I've been getting more into horror novels, graphic novels, and media in general this year, so I was naturally very excited when I saw this shelved as both lgbtq and horror. I went into this expecting a paranormal, supernatural horror story but I decided not to finish this read at the halfway point.

This book follows Sheriff Sterling Marsh as she prepares to quit her job, and the night in question was supposed to be just a quiet going-away party with her coworkers. The night is interrupted by a fairytale-esque figure - a witch. She's an intimidating figure, refusing to speak or interact in any other way and a series of strange events in town make this seem like more than a coincidence.

I will start off with the things I enjoyed about the story, as there were some things I enjoyed. The prologue chapter was great, and I thought it was setting the tone for the rest of the story - it was a perfect blend of mysterious, creepy, atmospheric paranormal horror (and I was looking forward to the rest of the book based on that). I liked the idea overall, I think it had a lot of potential. The witch as a figure, as a character was also great, otherworldly beautiful and untouchable but absolutely terrifying. Her characterization was slightly too on the nose, with a black pointy hat but I was willing to forgive that.

Onto the things I didn't enjoy. First, and most importantly, the writing. I really didn't like the writing style and the descriptions the author used. The plot dragged immensely, I stopped reading halfway through and very little has happened to progress the witch narrative - we were mostly finding out about Sterling's life. The character descriptions, specifically for our main character, were really not my cup of tea. Sterling is described as:
"Sterling, a thirty-six-year-old woman born to an English mother and an East Indian father... With eyelids etched as dark as an Egyptian pharaoh, her almond-shaped eyes were stark upon first glance. Cracked, plum-colored lips and skin that glistened with an olive sheen left most strangers believing her of Middle-Eastern decent, but she never cared enough to correct them."

It was later said that when she was a child she had "cheeks rounder than tennis balls" and a child describes her as vaguely reminding him of Disney's princess Jasmine, but older (reiterating that Middle Eastern comment, I assume?). This entire characterization seemed to me a bit too much like a stereotypical woman written by a man, which is not something I personally enjoy.

Other than that, I mentioned how the plot dragged quite a bit. I expected more about the witch, her motives, and her character in general but I got very little. In general, the first half of the book deals more with Sterling's personal life and her private issues. Namely, it deals with the consequences of an affair she had with a married coworker (whose wife and child she knows), and it is pretty obvious there are some unresolved feelings left there.

I said the book is shelved as lgbtq, and that is because Sterling is presumably bisexual (during the first half of the book there was no label mentioned, but a previous relationship with a woman was referenced). I've seen some reviews mention that they didn't like how the book was shelved as queer when the queer woman pined after a man the entire time. Personally, I have no issue with that, the book is still queer if the protagonist is, no matter who they date. However, my problem is that we learn of her queerness through that mention of an ex-girlfriend, but also through another scene - the one where I stopped reading.
(Spoilers ahead)
So at that point, Sterling has arrested the witch, witnessed her coworker's wife die, lied to said coworker about his wife being fine, and drove home during an enormous storm. So she gets home and starts thinking about herself and her coworker having sex, starts masturbating while she pictures the witch's face, all while hysterically crying. I truly have no idea what the point of this scene was. Not a single clue. I really could not justify in my head reading further, because this book has just been a mess from chapter one, and I didn't understand how this scene benefited the plot in any way. I feel like it kind of feeds into the concept of bisexuals being slutty and cheaters with the whole setup of the story, but even if we ignore that stereotyping, the scene was entirely unnecessary. It was enough reading for me at that point.

All in all, I was quite a bit disappointed with this book. While it had great potential, it pushed its core, its main plot to the background for personal issues of the main character which I really found unneeded. If there were more scenes from the witch's POV this would've been much more enjoyable to me. It maybe picks up in the second half, I cannot attest to that, but I don't think I would recommend this. If you still are interested, don't expect much scariness in the first half. Again, not because the witch isn't scary, but because she isn't really in the forefront!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy for review.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I appreciate that the author didn't skimp on having a horrible scary witch, because this lady was terrifyingly cruel. However I do wish there was more information on her. The main character Sterling honestly drove me nuts a little. She was incredibly glass half full, which fine, but then she also made herself the victim in every situation including ones she created herself. Her partner (they're cops) Chase was just a typical, controlling alpha male it was annoying. He always had to be right and basically never listened to anyone else. I really wish we got to see more of "the prisoner" character. He was the only one with half a brain and I was actually really intrigued by the little of him we got. I liked the action and the tension that ran throughout the book. The end was definitely not what I was expecting and I'm still a little confused about the details.

As with another book I’ve read by this author I was absolutely blown away by the quality of this book. It was damn near perfection.

The writing was absolutely incredible and I cannot fault it, I was in complete awe. The characters, the plot, the atmosphere, the intrigue, everything was just perfectly crafted to create this story.

The entire book from start to finish was immersive, consuming and haunting. It was so atmospheric and at points I was terrified, it was eerie, dark and all encompassing. I’m pretty hard to scare, especially with books, so for this to scare me was no mean feat.

Hand in hand with the atmosphere that the author built was the intrigue that was littered throughout the story, while I didn’t want the book to end I almost did, because I needed to have answers to my burning questions…

And the plot itself was just mind blowing, it was immersive and confusing and it felt as though I was feeling and reading everything at once, but in the best way. The plot didn’t always make sense at points, but I feel that just added to the vibe of the book.

I also thought the pace of the plot was well done, considering it was set in one night in one tiny town, it just felt like so much happened, but it didn’t feel overly busy.

I loved the mythical element of the story as well, witches and legends and mythical stories, it was just so perfectly haunting.

On the whole, another incredible book from this author, that I cannot wait to reread.