I was completely enthralled by this book: not only the plot, but the writing and the main character.

I was quite surprised reading this, it was completely form what I expected in the best possible way. did not expect
this book to deal with issues of religious oppression and trauma and purity culture. But It was no well done. The constant imagery and symbolism of water throughout the book was done in such a genius move on Bovalino's part.

I love books with complex female characters and Leah was definitely one of them. The way she dealt with her trauma and the expectations placed on her, as a young woman, as an older sister, as a daughter.

This was my first time reading a book by Tori and I loved her writing style. The world building was fantastic and created a cosy whilst also creepy environment.

I wish the book leaned into the horror a little more but overall I enjoyed it and found that I couldn’t put it down.

3.5 stars

This was absolutely fantastic!! It was everything I had hoped for; I do wish we got a little more world building, dug a little deeper into the memory garden and the way the magic worked between the forest and the Lord! I think if the book was a little longer that would’ve been possible but I get that it was plot driven first and foremost.

The writing was achingly beautiful, as it always is with Tori- it was haunting and grotesque and romantic, and I loved every second of this! I love that there was some found family, and it didn’t shy away from any of the emotional experiences. The character arcs were fantastic and believable, I loved the resolutions- it didn’t feel too neat but still had a deep sense of yes this makes sense.

The biblical imagery paired with the horror of the forest, the tenderness and resentment around family was done so well, I felt these characters and their experiences so deeply. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I love this book. I loved the characters and the world building. I loved the dark gothic description. The ending was unpredictable and satisfying. Author has done a brilliant job by writing this book.

Fear, sacrifice, oath, bargain and secrets consumes the small town of Winston. No one knows who is the Lord of the Wood but people of the town are afraid of him and there are myths that he steal babies and he is the reason behind disappearance of girls. Leah never believed the myths but the trouble began when Owen is taken by the Lord of the Wood. Leah go to the forest and cross the river to bring back her baby brother but shadows lurk in the forest, ghosts appear from nowhere and she finds blood and gore. The lord is not what he appears to be. Finding Owen unveil the dark secrets and Leah starts questioning everything she has believed till now. To get her brother back, she has to make a bargain with the Lord or else she will have to stay in that realm forever, Will Leah able to fulfil part of her bargain? Will she be able to bring Owen back?

Thanks to Netgalley, Author & Publisher.

This is my first book by the author and I loved it, Bovalino’s writing style. Was fantastic, she has such a talent for creating such a gothic atmosphere. I loved how she merged the horror , fantasy and gothic romance, but most of all I loved how the story went in directions I wasn’t expecting at all. For me I’m a huge fan of Leah’s journey and all she learns about herself and women, their ‘place’ in life as dictated to by patriarchy, religion, shame, how it controls and the decision to be who she wants to be. Fantastic

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I just couldn't put this book down. Intrigued by the Labyrinth comparison, the promise of stolen baby and a quest to get him back, I was pleasantly surprised that the book is so much more! The continous theme of putting so much pressure on girls to be perfect (being good is the ultimate goal) and the punishment when it's impossible to achieve, hit close to home. And while the romantic plot line wasn't the main focus, it gave a much needed brighter side on this dark story. In addition, the discussion about motherhood and the myth of unconditional love was portrayed in a way that I wish to see more in various media.

Damn, My Throat an Open Grave is a powerful theme. Tackling themes of pro-choice, religious trauma, patriarchy, sex, Bovalino speaks to current issues of our time with pure brutal honesty.

I love how this mixed genres of horror, fantasy and paranormal elements to tell the story. Bovalino's use of horror elements was particularly excellent, boldly and obviously representing the horror, while giving space to explore these themes in all it's complexity and feelings.

I really love how this book explored motherhood, deconstructing the myth of what it is to be maternal and what that should look like. I loved how Bovalino represented that motherhood was not for everyone, and how that is okay - but also the consequences of motherhood being forced upon someone, particularly a young girl.

Bovalino approached the topic of shame, and how girls of all ages are often plagued by it. Shamed by society for having and enjoying sex, shame for not wanting to be a mother, feeling ashamed for just existing. This topic was well discussed and explored, and I loved the social and political commentary made by Bovalino - again, very timely.

This was a very powerful, wonderful written book. This was my first introduction to the writing of Bovalino and it will not be my last.

Thank you to Titan Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was unputdownable. Dark in ways I wasn't expecting with light when I needed hope. Another full marks from Tori.

Leah Jones is realistic about her future prospects; she knows there’s no getting out of Winston, Pennsylvania. Not for her. The town makes it clear there are consequences for bad behaviour, and when her little brother Owen is taken by the Lord of the Wood, Leah must venture in after him, bargain to get her brother back and return home, a feat no girl before her has managed. But the Lord is not what she expected, and while she writes her song to win Owen back, Leah starts looking for the truth of the woods, Winston, and the girls who have come before her.

The book took some dark turns that I really appreciated. Through Leah, we see the role religion and the patriarchy forces on women, and the influence it exerts over the way Leah sees herself. She admits she is not loved by the town, feels unloved by her mother, and holds herself responsible for what happens to Owen. It’s not a straight up horror, but instead mixes Fantasy, Horror, and Paranormal Romance for an examination of society in a really well-handled way.

Leah finds herself drawn to the Lord of the Woods, and her internal conflict revolves around her upbringing versus how she actually feels, knowing there are things she wants to do that the town would frown upon. She wrestles with the idea of belonging, feeling like she doesn’t truly belong anywhere and unable to see herself as others see her, viewing herself only through the lens of Winston.

The imagery, plot and Leah’s character all come together for a truly engaging novel that gives the reader plenty to chew on. It’s definitely one for older teen and adult readers, tackling themes of societal isolation, religion, the patriarchy, control, and sex, as well as a complicated mother-daughter relationship. It was my first read book of 2024, and has set a really high bar for anything I read for the rest of the year.

This was just great. Loved the labyrinthe vibes and the exploration of family vibes. Really enjoyed it. Weird, but brilliantly readable.

My Throat an Open Grave is my second book by Bovalino, and I think it might be my favourite so far. She has this knack for writing these realistic, broken yet incredibly strong heroines and I absolutely fell in love with Leah. Leah is someone whose whole life is whittled down to one town, one town she knows she wont escape. She is someone wholly resigned to her fate, but then one day something happens that throws all her plans in chaos. She feisty and resilient in a town that has tried their hardest to breed it out of her, where girls are valued for their purity and little else. It's not until we get later in the story that we realise she is somewhat of a unreliable narrator, giving us readers plenty of little hints as to her truth, but when the plot twist hits, and boy does it hit, we realise that there is more to Leah than we originally thought.

This is one of those stories for all the girls and women who were told they weren't good enough, the ones who were called whore and slut, the ones who grew up in religious communities who were punished when they attempted to break the mold. It isn't an easy story, it deals with some heavy topics, but I thought Bovalino dealt with them all well. Throughout the book we learn that the residents of Winston are told to fear the Lord of the Woods, that he would come and take those 'not worthy,' those who had debased themselves, and when Leah's little brother is taken, it is she who is tasked with going into the Woods and bringing him back, something no other girl has done successfully. I liked how Bovalino twisted this portion of the book, showing us that the monsters we are brought up to fear aren't always the ones who will do the most damage. That's it isn't always the 'other' that we should fear, but the living, breathing, humans who reside with us.

My favourite part of the book was Leah's time in the wood. She enters it scared, yet determined to bring her brother back, but the more time she spends there, the more she realises that these people aren't evil, they aren't going to kill her. They are people who desperately long for somewhere to belong, and that longing leads them to the Woods and the Lord who resides over it. It's a haven, a safe space for people who no longer fit into the 'real world' and the longer Leah's there, the more she starts to question her space in the world. I also loved the magic that featured in these parts, when we come to realise the Lord of the Woods power, as well as that of those who live under him. As much as it's a beacon of hope for Leah, it's also the place where she learns the truth of where she comes from, the people she has grown up with, and the scenes here are as harrowing in parts as they are heartwarming.

Bovalino gives us a tight knit cast of side characters, most of whom I loved. From Jess, Leah's best friend, and the one person who knows and fully accepts her truth to Tristain, the Lord of the Wood himself. Every character has their part to play, whether that comes in allowing Leah to understand the truth of where she comes from, or allowing her to understand her own truth, but they were all brilliantly portrayed, even the ones who I would quite happily have stabbed myself.

I did guess at the big twist in this story, but that didn't make it hit any less, if anything it was worse because I kept trying to convince myself I was wrong. But Bovalino doesn't shy away from the true horrors in this world, the people who believe that women are only valuable when pure, and anything less than that is an affront to God and the town they grew up in. Seeing Leah slowly start to shed the rhetoric she was brought up with, to realise that she was valuable as she was, as a person, was pretty special, and this was all helped along by the relationships she makes in the Wood, the most special one being the romance between herself and Tristain. It was a wholesome romance, one that comes from two people learning to know and accept each other and I enjoyed seeing it develop throughout the book. Though it is prevelant in the story, I never felt like it detracted from the horror of the overall plot, rather intensified it in it's own way.

Bovalino's writing is the kind that grips you from the first line and slowly drags you into the story, she has this way of writing gothic horror that makes you absolutely horrified in parts, but also allows you to feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It might not end nicely, neatly, but it will be satisfying all the same. I can't tell you how much I loved this book, and her writing as a whole. This is absolutely my favourite so far, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

4.5 stars.
Loved it.
If Labyrinth was remade by M.Night Shyamala and Ari Aster
Dripping in gothic language reminiscent of spinning silver and a house of salt and sorrow mixed with folklore and gore I think someone else reviewed it as the epitome of cottagegore and I have to agree. But it's also very angsty YA but I think if I was a gothy goth teen I would ADORE this book.
Although I own another book by Tori I haven't read it but I will be putting that right immediately.
Part folklore and part mystery, culty, sprinkled with horror.

I’m not sure horror can ever really be cosy but this definitely straddles that line!

Somewhat of a retelling of Labyrinth (though without all the tights), this book is a really interesting look at purity, what it means to “be good”, our responsibilities as both children & parents, with a little fairy tale magic thrown in. Leah is offered to the Lord of the Forest in order to retrieve her brother taken from their home in the middle of the night, as it tradition in her home town. No girls who have done the same have ever returned. Can Leah be the first?

For fans of fairytales with modern twists, gentle horror & epic fantasy movies.

At this point, Tori Bovalino is basically an auto-buy author for me. I have read almost everything she has written and loved them all. So I was not surprised when I found myself loving My Throat An Open Grave . It's a lush and atmospheric read, one that will send chills down your spine. From the first page itself, the writing flows beautifully and pulls you into this frighteningly amazing story. I was utterly engrossed. This was full of twists and turns that I was not expecting at all and they left me staring at the page, gaping. Bovalino always writes such amazing, complex and well-rounded characters and Leah was no different. Truly, it was so easy to fall in love with her.

As for the Lord of the Wood? I will say, without spoilers, all is not as it seems. The Lord of the Wood pleasantly surprised me as a character and I am sure it'll be the same for others. So, I will end by saying, go read this book!!

I enjoyed this book but only after getting about half way through. I thought it started a little slow and continued on at a steady pace. The writing was consistent and kept me engaged.

I loved the concepts and themes included. I thought that this really kept my interest and by the time I reached the ending I had found myself really invested in the characters and the mystery of the town.

I thought that the idea of the Lord of the Wood was great. The sections in the forest were my favourite parts of the story and the reason I kept reading until the end.

Although the scenes were limited, the relationship between Leah and Jess was really moving. In a town where Leah felt neglected, she knew she had a true friend in Jess. I love when friendship in centred in a story and this felt very real to me.

Overall, I didn't feel any strong pull to get through the story but by the end I was glad that I did. Not the most fast paced story but I enjoyed the characters and the sense of justice that Leah held on to.

I was interested in this book the moment I read it was Labyrinth inspired with added spookiness- ancient woods, a mysterious deity and missing girls - and it fidnt disappoint although it definitely took a different turn to what I expected.

We follow Leah, a young woman who is sent into the woods to find her baby brother after the Lord of the woods takes him in the middle of the night. This book is all about her and her struggles around things such as acceptance, religion and family.

Leah ends up in the Lord's relm and ends up trying to solve the mystery of the girls who came before her, and save her brother, before the month is out

The themes are handled well, particularly the ideas of what a good girl should be and the religious aspects, and it had me turning pages late into the night. I particularly enjoyed the delve into what is expected of young girls and the perception of being "good" and living up to unreachable expectations.

What I didnt expect was the romance side and at times this did drag. Dont get me wrong, i was cheering for our lovers by the end of the book and desperate to know if they got a happy ending but at times i wanted more focus on the mystery element that was unfolding.

The mystery plot was handled well, but i did see the twist regarding Leah from very early on and had to wait a while for it to be confirmed.

All in all an enjoyable YA urban fantasy that i would recommend.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me the arc!

This was very average in my opinion. There wasn’t enough character development for me to care enough about them.

I enjoyed the concept although the twists were quite predictable however, the creepy setting made up for those.

I found that there was things mentioned that ended up having no relevance and in a short book they were just unnecessary.

I do have to give bonus points because I read it in one sitting but I don’t think I’d reread it.

I have been counting down the days to this book.

Having loved the creepy book demon and the Haunting Goblin market of Tori's previous stories, I knew I would need whatever came next, and to have it Labyrinth inspired... sold, Jareth was one hundred percent my intro to Morally Grey male love interests

In this story, we have a mysterious Lord of the Woods, who terrorises the town under the threat of stealing babies. Leah doesn't want to believe in him... until her baby brother, Owen, goes missing one night she is watching him

Her mother blames her for this and Leah is taken to the local church, where she is offered a chance to make things right... but it could cost her everything

Leah cannot imagine what she will encounter on the journey to save Owen, and she may even just save herself along the way too....

This was a book that sucked me right in. Literally couldn't put it down and finished it the night I started. There is something about Tori's writing that is so beautiful, and haunting and keeps you reading.

I predicted a little of where the story was going along the way but it didn't stop me wanting to know more and keeping turning pages

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for the early review copy! Book will be out on 20 February

Tori Bovalino’s newest release follows Leah, a young girl who spends much of her time looking after her baby brother Owen. In their small town there is legend about the Lord of the Wood, who steals away babies. One night Leah offers her brother to the Lord, not believing anything will happen – until he disappears. Leah is forced by her town to cross the river into the forest to bring her brother back. What she finds isn’t what she expected and the secrets she uncovers will have her questioning everything she thought she knew about the people of her town.

I really loved Tori Bovalino’s The Devil Makes Three so I was really looking forward to picking this one up. The story is well paced and I very much enjoyed Bovalino’s writing style. She’s terrific at creating atmosphere and bringing the eerie sights and sounds of the forest to life. There were moments in the story that I thought were a little predictable, but overall the story went in directions I did not expect, and overall was a really engaging read. From the initial chapters, I had expected it to be a really dark and creepy tale but that lessened as the story progressed.

Leah is a really interesting protagonist and she is dealing with a lot of trauma and the expectations of her family. I found it fascinating the way relationships were explored in this story as well as looking at the effects of religion can have on a small community. My Throat an Open Grave is a compelling YA tale and if you’re looking for a quick read that’s full of vivid and beautiful writing, this one should definitely be on your TBR.

»My Throat An Open Grave« was my second book by Tori Bovalino and I enjoyed it even more than her debut »The Devil Makes Three« - which makes me really excited about her sophomore book that I still have on my tbr. Glad I’m always procrastinating picking up books I want to read.

»My Throat An Open Grave« follows Leah who lives in a very religious and narrow minded small town. The whole town believes in this mysterious creature called The Lord of the Wood that supposedly kidnaps their children and when Leah’s little brother Owen goes missing she has to enter the creepy woods and bring him back.

According to the synopsis the book is based on the XY which I didn’t watch and I can’t say if it adds anything to the story to know it’s inspiration. I found the whole plot to be pretty predictable anyway but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story at all.
At it’s core the book talks about religious trauma and how women often can get mistreated in society especially in very religious small towns. Leah’s journey was very heartbreaking to read because I assumed from the beginning what her story was and I was right and that hurt. However, I wish the book would have had a bit more depth. I felt like there was a lot written between the lines and I totally get what the author was trying to do with this book - I just wished it was also discussed a little bit more in the book, especially because it’s YA.
I also found the book to be a lot less horror-like than the synopsis and my expectations from reading Bovalinos debut made me think. There were one or two scenes that were a bit gory but apart from that it’s more real-life horror and not supernatural. Especially for younger teens this may be a really good book to ease into reading horror in my opinion.

»My Throat An Open Grave« is also pretty romance heavy which I not expected and didn’t necessarily love. In my opinion the book would also have been great without but I also know I would have ate this romance up as a teen so I also don’t want to complain about it. I just personally as an adult would have thought the story may have been even stronger without the romance but I also appreciated how it was handled especially at the end.

Overall a really fast paced - despite not a lot happening actually - book that had me hooked from the first chapter that I would highly recommend.