This book is non-stop action, full of magic and magical creatures and murder and mystery. This book is full of suspense, the kind that won't let you put this book down until the last page. I am looking forward to more by this author. This book appeals to lovers of mystery, magic, witches, and werewolves among other magical beings. While definitely hard-core on some topics, this book is definitely enjoyable and very page-turning. I highly recommend, and I've picked up all the other books by this author to read because I love her writing style. Definitely an author you need to check out.

Filled with magic and mystery, the first book of the Spencer Sisters series fills readers with a horror of what lurks within the woods.
A real spine-tingler of a tale set in the Appalachian, two sisters uncover a dark secret after a murder. Raney seamlessly weaves together magic and real-world insecurities found in women daring to break away from the status quo.

Leona Monroe and her sister, Jewel Spencer, live in Ames, a sleepy little Appalachian town where nothing much happens. When it does, everyone knows everything—at least they think they do.

This was good but it could've been great. It fell a little flat in the end for me.

Just what I needed to read. Loved this book and cannot wait for more. The plot was excellent and the word choice was right up there as well. I look forward to more from this author.

When I read Root and Bone, a dark fantasy novel set in a rural Appalachian village, I was immediately drawn in by the mix of paranormal creatures, horror, supernatural mystery, and magic. The plot was packed with dangerous challenges and mystical events, and I found the lore of the setting intriguing. The novel leans heavily on dialogue with a lot of conversational phrasing, which gives it an authentic feel. I followed the story of sisters Leona and Jewel, two very different witches who form a powerful magical team. Granny Kay’s earthy presence brought wisdom and grounding to their journey.

What stood out to me was the emotional undercurrent that ran through the story, though the dark imagery—like the violence, prostitution, and domestic abuse—could be triggering for some readers. Despite those intense moments, I found Root and Bone an enjoyable read, especially for fans of dark fantasy, horror, and supernatural mysteries. While it had a few shortcomings, it still delivered a compelling story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy for an honest review.

Story and writing was lackluster, characters were boring. Could not get into it. Was hoping for something spooky and witchy.

Root & Bone takes you deep into the Appalachian hollers, where magic is as much a part of life as moonshine and family secrets...

The Spencer sisters, Jewel and Leona, are witches of very different temperaments—one sharp and calculating, the other quietly powerful—making for a delightful and at times heated dynamic as they attempt to untangle a string of brutal murders while also struggling with their abusive husbands.

Set against the rich, moody backdrop of the 1950s, the novel deftly weaves post-war realities with supernatural creatures and a growing sense of unease. It’s the perfect blend of mystery, earthy magic, and gritty Southern Gothic atmosphere, and I was unexpectedly hooked from the get-go!

Root & Bone truly shines in its exploration of sisterhood. Jewel and Leona's complex relationship—filled with love, resentment, and dark humor—keeps you invested even when the pacing stumbles. They've both got hard shells but would each do anything for the other, even though their squabbling rivals the noisiest henhouse (the best part of the story imo).

Some plot elements do feel a tad rushed or underdeveloped, especially with characters like Levi and Galen and their potential as more realistic antagonists, but the story's heart remains strong. If you love witchy mysteries and small-town charm with a sinister twist, this is a spellbinding tale that will leave you wanting more (and I do so hope there's more)!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. The main character, Leona, is a small town girl who can see ghosts, and does magic. She reminded me a lot of Sookie Stackhouse from The Southern Vampire Mysteries books. As much as I wanted to love this book, it fell flat in some parts, and seemed rushed in others. Overall, it was an enjoyable story, but I felt it could have been a little more polished.

3.5 Star

Root and Bone weaves a captivating tale of two sisters, Leona and Jewel, as they navigate a world filled with supernatural creatures like ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and more. The book blends themes of witchcraft, murder mystery, and romance into its 300+ pages.

The sisters, trained in witchcraft by their Granny Kay, each uphold their own vows about how to wield their magic, which tests their bond throughout the narrative. The depiction of the sisters’ relationships with their husbands sometimes feels unsettling, particularly as the narrative glosses over serious themes of abuse, making it seem like an accepted part of marriage. This shallow treatment can detract from the overall impact of the story, especially for readers familiar with such issues.

While the writing is generally well-crafted and the plot addictive, the book occasionally feels rushed. Scenes meant to build suspense often conclude in just a paragraph or two, leaving readers wanting more depth in those moments. The world-building could have benefited from more detail, especially regarding unexplained supernatural elements.

Despite its flaws, Root and Bone excels in portraying the strong connection between the sisters and presents intriguing moral questions related to their magical practices. The dialogue, which hints at a southern accent, can be jarring and occasionally distracting, but it adds a unique flavor to the narrative. Overall, while some aspects felt underdeveloped, the book offers a dark, gritty experience filled with moments that resonate. If the author decides to expand this universe, I would eagerly welcome a sequel; however, the standalone ending leaves readers satisfied without a cliffhanger.

I'm pleasently surprised by this fall read. It served a refreshing (dark) setting and use of language with interesting and diverse characters - both human and mythological. While it did touch on very heavy topics, such as domestic violence, I would have preferred a deeper dive into the emotional world of our protagonists - though I expect it might be represented in further installments of this series. The mystery aspect interwoven with the magical aspects of the book was great and I especially appreciated that our protagonist's abilities weren't overpowered like they often are in fantasy books.
I highly recommend giving this book a chance if you want a dark, witchy book with fall vibes.

If you enjoy dark fantasy then this one could be for you. I enjoyed this story to no end. I do wish that it would have been just a tad deeper but overall I could not put it down. The characters were wonderfully done and I could not stop reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for permitting this book to be a Read Now to help members develop their Feedback Ratio in exchange for an honest review.



Review Summary:
This is a paranormal horror-thriller, with a dash of romantasy. The story is set in the fictional town of Ames inspired by the Appalachian region. We follow sisters Jewel and Leona, who are witches known as ‘Granny Women’. Although they are sisters, they couldn’t be more different. Leona is the warm, kind-hearted diner waitress in an unhappy, abusive marriage that all the men are in love with. While Jewel is the larger-than-life, flirtatious and bored housewife who all the men are in lust with. Both sisters are under the watchful eye of Granny Kay, a powerful and experienced Granny Woman who took them under their wing as children to guide them in their powers. Leona has a special power - she can see the dead. And one particular ghost has stuck around. His name is Cale, and is Leona’s best friend and confidant. Jewel can hear him, but cannot see him. Jewel and Leona secretly become involved in a missing person mystery, under the nose of the local constable, which before long escalates to a serial murder investigation. The sisters discover dark, powerful magic at play. And the brunt of it is aimed at Leona. The arrival of two charismatic, mysterious visitors raise the sister’s suspicions and the pair must work together, with the help of Cale and Granny Kay, to destroy the evil threatening to overwhelm Ames.

Positives are that I thought the story was excellent. Intriguing, engaging and exciting. The gothic/horror aspects were written very well, creating vivid imagery and atmosphere. The romance elements evoked genuine emotion of longing, angst and sadness. The action sequences were enthralling. The dialogue was for the most part very natural and organic and lacking exposition. Flashbacks were used as a good narrative tool.

Negatives are that the lore and world-building potentially needed more development and context. There were some inconsistencies. Some of the supporting characters needed more development to make them more interesting and to create more emotional investment for the reader.


4 stars. Nice prose, interesting story and intriguing main characters. It appears that the book is being turned into a series, and I hope they won’t be written as standalone and will be used to develop the supporting characters and the world the author has built. I’m genuinely surprised by some of the lower ratings of this novel as I think the writer has excellent potential. It was an easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

FULL REVIEW BELOW. AVAILABLE WITH THE ADDITION OF HIDDEN SPOILERS ON GOODREADS



World-building:


The history of the Granny Women and the other paranormal creatures was a little bit unclear, as was their existence in society. There seemed to be occasional implications that regular humans were aware of them but then at other times it all seemed to be secretive. It would have been nice to have learnt about the first Granny Women, or theories as to how they have the powers they do. The same for the other creatures we came across. The spells and the magic we were shown were really interesting, such as the brewing of potions, creation of hexes and location spells. The lore surrounding Cale, and as a consequence the other ghosts, was a little bit confusing or inconsistent at times namely regarding his own use of paranormal abilities and the effect it had on his apparition. Any time he seemed able to interact with the physical human world the lore started to become muddy. The ghosts of the murdered victims were genuinely terrifying. I also think the author did an excellent job at conjuring the rural American environment. I’m not American myself so I’m not familiar with a lot of its history or the culture of the different regions, but the ‘everybody-knows-everybody’ sense of smallness/isolation in the village was captured well. The dialects, the idioms, the treatment of women and especially the intense religious overtones gave an idea of the region and older time period we were in. It felt like the author had a genuine knowledge or experience of life in this region which inspired the writing.

Characterisation:



Leona and Jewel were contrasted really well. Leona is a devout pacifist, obsessed with using her magic exclusively for good and feeling anxious and afraid of her own abilities, especially the mysterious ‘bad voice’ that speaks to her when she conjures her magic. She is unassuming, reserved, pragmatic and the typical ‘girl next door’. She is married to her bolshy drunkard of a husband, Bob with whom he has a daughter Peggy. On the other hand her sister Jewel has no reservations of her powers, using them regularly to drug her husband to then float around the town flirting with every man she sees. She is blunt and hot-headed. Basically Curly’s wife in Of Mice and Men with her bright red lipstick and tight dresses. I really liked how they were both shown to be deeply insecure, but in opposing ways. Jewel would brag and demean Leona about any ability she was better at, but none of that was enough to stop her being jealous about Leona’s powers with the dead. Whereas Leona was in many ways afraid of her own powers and abilities, holding them back where she could lest the ‘bad voice’ persuade her to let loose. Leona was quite frustrating and contradictory at times, when she would avoid doing the obviously smart choice because she didn’t want to kill or cause harm… but then avoiding that choice often increased the risk of harm coming to her loved ones? She seemed to struggle with the bigger picture whereas Jewel was always thinking of the greater good, even if she tried to come across as ruthless and heartless. The bickering and banter between Jewel and Leona was great, very sister-like. Granny Kay could have been a great character, but we didn’t really get to see much of her own personality other than being their matriarchal teacher. She only really gave warnings and advice. Cale was a little bit of a missed opportunity as well. All we really saw of him was his dedication to Leona. He would appear, give whatever advice kept Leona the safest or help her out, then be off. It would have been nice to see his sense of humour, his interests, his beliefs and values. Even the supporting characters Leona served at the diner had a bit more personality. The most pointless character in the whole book was Leona’s daughter, Peggy. Half the time Leona seemed to forget she even existed. I don’t even remember hearing her speak really, all I ever seemed to hear about her was that she’d been given to Isa Mae (the girls’ sister and Peggy’s aunt) to be looked after. She only seems to exist to give justification to Leona staying with her horrid husband Bob, but their relationship was so sparse it seemed like a pretty poor motive. Speaking of motive, the villains motives seemed to be lacking too. They just seemed to be being evil for the sake of being evil - the same could be said about Leona’ husband Bob. We discover why the murders are happening, but not why they are happening in such a brutal and horrific way.

Story:


Forbidden love, ‘whodunnit’, lots of witchy goings-on. Plenty of paranormal and mythological creatures. Magical action scenes and infiltration tropes.

Prose:

Only two issues really. Describing a penis as a ‘carrot’ is just dumb. Old-timey dialogue or not, nobody called it that. The other is during the main action scene later on the word ‘rage’ was repeated one too many times. It was almost like the adrenaline the author was feeling writing the scene made the vocabulary narrow down somewhat. Other than that? Loved it.

I was quite excited to read this book, however I fear it fell into the hole of oversaturation. A small town murder mystery set in an ambiguous time period, we follow sisters Jewel & Leona as they take it upon themselves to solve the case (because naturally, the police aren't equipped to solve it).

But wait! Mysterious men enter the small town and to our shock and awe they have magical powers! With the help of a ghost mentor, the sisters must figure out how to defeat the evil encroaching on their town.

I feel like I've heard this story time and time again, unfortunately this spin on it missed the mark for me.

Book Review: Root and Bone by Jessica Raney

Rating: 3.5 Stars

As someone who loves a good "witchy" book, I was thrilled to dive into Root and Bone by Jessica Raney. The moment I saw the gorgeous cover, I was hooked—not just by the imagery but also by the promise of a tale woven with magic and mystery.

The story centers around Leona Monroe and her sister, Jewel Spencer, who reside in the quaint Appalachian town of Ames. At first glance, Ames seems like the kind of place where nothing ever happens, but as we delve deeper into the narrative, we find that appearances can be deceiving. The Spencer sisters hail from a long line of Granny Women—remarkable women with the ability to heal, harness magic, and commune with the dead. When a brutal murder rocks their sleepy town, it becomes clear that the local law enforcement is way out of their depth. This leads Leona and Jewel on an intense journey to uncover the truth behind the chaos that has abruptly disrupted their lives.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the atmosphere Raney created. The blend of witches and and other creatures intertwined with small-town dynamics made for a captivating read. The fast pace kept me turning pages, eager to see what would happen next. This book is rich in dialogue. As I read, I could easily hear the regional accents. What I really loved about this book was the characters. The bond between the sisters felt genuine and reminded me of the relationship I have with my own sister! I also found Cale to be quite intriguing. I hope we will be seeing more of him (fingers crossed).

That said, I did have a few issues. While I enjoyed the main characters, I felt they could have used a bit more fleshing out. Their motivations and backgrounds could have been explored further to make their journey even more compelling. Additionally, I found myself yearning for a richer world-building experience; the magic and lore surrounding the Granny Women were intriguing, yet I wanted to dive even deeper into that fascinating universe.

Despite these minor critiques, my overall enjoyment of Root and Bone remains high. The story's charm and suspense outweighed its shortcomings, and I am genuinely looking forward to what Jessica Raney has in store for us in future installments. If you're in the mood for a captivating tale filled with magic, dark secrets, and sisterly bonds battling against evil forces, then this book is definitely worth picking up!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

To be honest it was the cover that piqued my interest but I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this one! However I really did. It had all the makings of a good book on a dark rainy night . It was a bit magical a bit creepy and a bit backwoods myth. I loved it and hope it becomes a series.. or at best a trilogy cause I would like more.

Appalachian, magic, murder. I loved this book! Sisters Jewel and Lenora need to band together and utilize their magic in order to save the sleepy town they grew up in from evil.

3/5 stars
CW: domestic violence, abusive men, (off page) sexual violence, murder/blood

Overall, this story offers an interesting small-town murder mystery but with witchy vibes, strong willed and brave women and relateable family dynamics. The story is dialogue heavy and I appreciate the way that Raney used dialect and word choice to really add locational ambience to the story. Leona and Jewel are complex main characters, with the story told from the perspective of Leona. The plot moves forward at a good pace, with lots of folkloric horror vibes.

That said, it feels like something is missing from this book. While we are given a location in the midwest, with small town vibes, we are never given a specific time period for when this might be taking place. While not central to the plot, this kind of world building would help frame more about how and why both the main and secondary characters act certain ways. The magic used by the witches is presented as pretty straight forward, but it is unclear if and how other characters interact with that magic. It seems like the average townfolk both know that the main characters practice magic, but also don't understand that they do. The MCs also use magic all the time and are very bad at hiding it, so its really unclear. I also felt like some of the interactions with side characters (Leona's relationship with her husband and her daughter) feels thrown in just to give extra character flavor with no real purpose. These characters also just conveniently disappear from the story when necessary (like Leona goes days without really talking about where her daughter is?). I also found the subplot with Cale to be both confusing, disappointing and somehwat unnecessary. I didn't realize until after reading that this may be the first in a series, which could explain some of these potential question marks.

A book about witches, yes, please! This book was so enjoyable, it was difficult to put down.

Thanks to the publisher Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and Netgalley for this ARC.

A warm and exciting tale of magic and sisterhood. Leona and Jewel are sisters who discover their magical trait of connecting to the dead. Without spoiling too much, it is a riveting Appalachian story that builds character, story and setting through great detail. I have already started to recommend it out for the autumn reading weather, as it has a little ‘Practical Magic’ feel to it.

This book is like a mash-up of Nancy Drew and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, set in a post WWII small town. It follows Leona and Jewel, two sisters who are witches. Leona and Jewel confront prejudice and fear from those who misunderstand their abilities as they help the town in crisis. Despite the challenges they face in their daily lives, the sisters are good at navigating both the mundane and supernatural.

When a local girl vanishes without a trace, the town's sheriff turns to the sistsers for help, knowing of their unique abilities. As the sisters delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover dark secretsistersg beneath the town's quaint facade, unleashing chaos and turmoil.

While the plot is interesting, the pacing falters, with some elements feeling rushed or underdeveloped. In particular, the world-building needs more depth and exploration, providing greater context for the supernatural beings. Additionally, character development feels somewhat surface level, with secondary figures lacking depth and complexity. There is also the issue of abuse and the sisters reactions to it that I found confusing.

Despite its problems, the novel has an enchanting blend of witchcraft and mystery. I found myself drawn to the sisters and wanting another book. Hopefully a bit more fleshed out though.