⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

Poetic and powerful, this is a haunting exploration of trauma, recovery, and identity. Elspeth Wilson’s writing is lyrical and raw, and the narrative often reads like a meditation on what it means to live in a body that has endured. While not always an easy read, it is a rewarding one—deeply personal and emotionally resonant. Perfect for readers who enjoy literary fiction that sits with discomfort in a meaningful way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

As much as I wanted to hate Ivy, I (disappointingly) related to her experiences with Martha and George - except I cut my toxic friends out 🤣 she was annoyingly desperate for friends and it just led her to ignore EVERY red flag they gave.
Despite being the main character, we never see a background to Ivy’s home life (her mums illness, the friendship and loss of Cara). I felt detached from her, as the things that made her were never explored.
I was excited for some witchy vibes, but there wasn’t as much as I expected. It was an easy read, with minimal drama but I wanted more from this.

NetGalley ARC

These Mortal Bodies is one of those books that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Elspeth Wilson has woven a hauntingly beautiful narrative that mixes dark fantasy with deep emotional exploration, and it’s a story that stays with you long after you finish it.

The plot follows [insert protagonist’s name if you'd like], who finds themselves in a world that feels both magical and devastatingly real. There’s a strong undercurrent of grief and transformation throughout the story, and Wilson doesn’t shy away from the messy, painful parts of being human. The characters are complex, flawed, and very much alive in all their rawness. I found myself rooting for them even when they made choices I didn’t always agree with, which is a testament to how well they’re written.

The world-building is incredible—immersive and richly detailed without feeling like an info dump. Wilson creates a setting that feels both familiar and entirely otherworldly, with just the right amount of mystery and wonder to keep you hooked. The magic in this book is subtle, not overdone, but it still plays a huge role in the characters’ journeys.

What really got me, though, was the way the book explores the human body and the connection between our physical selves and our identities. It’s not something you often see in fantasy, but Wilson handles it with a delicate hand, making it both thought-provoking and emotional.

This book is dark, but it’s also beautiful in its exploration of life, death, and everything in between. If you're into character-driven stories, lush world-building, and fantasy with a deeply emotional core, These Mortal Bodies should be on your radar.

The blurb sounded like it would be right up my street. I went in to this expecting to love it, which may not have helped my cause here.
It fell so so flat for me.

I didn't quite expect all the friendship in this book to be so toxic. There was no comfort. No one to really root for... I just didn't care in the end.

I really wanted to love this.

Thank you to netgalley and publishers for providing this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited for this read, unfortunately it was really difficult to get into and I found myself bored for a lot of the book and wanting to pick up other things to read instead. I couldn't really get on board with the story, it seemed to drag for a lot of the book and I was unable to develop any connection to the characters.

I was really looking forward to this book - the blurb was very much up my street. But I honestly struggled with this book, I don’t think the writing style was for me. I just couldn’t like the characters and I felt I needed more from them, from the book. Just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it won’t be someone else cup of tea. Maybe I will try re reading it again at some point - maybe I wasn’t in the right reading mood for this kind of book.

I enjoyed the worldbuilding and rooted for Ivy, though I felt the book was a bit too juvenile to carry the full weight that it clearly wanted to.

It took me a while to get into this and when I did - I struggled. It wasn't an easy one to pick up. I feel like in some places it fell flat but I did enjoy some elements. I love a toxic friendship - of which there is plenty. Unfortunately, I expected more and felt like I was constantly waiting for something else to happen.

I think this fell a little flat for me. I felt the character and plot lacking and often drifted through the narrative without really taking much in. I thought there would be more supernatural elements and themes relating to witchcraft, and there was a little of that but it leaned more towards academia and toxic friendships. I try to review based on what was there rather than what wasn't but with this I think my expectations outweighed any of the content.
Some of the description was interesting and detailed, giving an idea of what Ivy was experiencing, but she was uninteresting as a character.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, the author and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. When I read the blurb, it sounded really intriguing. Dark academia, obsession and toxic friendship, but unfortunately I just didn't enjoy it at all. I would have almost DNF'd this at 50% if it wasn't an ARC and it took me well over a month to finish as I had little motivation to pick it up.

The book is very character driven and I didn't feel like there was any plot going on at all to keep me interested. The description was long and at times made my mind wander on to other things.

There is a feeling of anxiety and mystery running through the book with Ivy's ex friend, but this never amounted to anything which was disappointing and then the ending felt like it came out of nowhere.

I did enjoy getting to know the characters and the book at times gave me similar feelings to if Mean Girls met Saltburn, but overall just fell really flat and the relationships between everyone didn't feel very deep or connected.

This review will also be up on my Instagram and Tiktok @saraflowerbooks in the next few days.

Ivy leaves behind her childhood town, after her friend died in a tragic accident. Ivy is so desperate to fit in with the students at her new college, and is easily lead a stray. She becomes apart of a Sisterhood, which in my opinion leads her down the wrong path, where she makes the wrong choices. I enjoyed the links to the ancestral witches. That being said, I was left wanting more from this book. There were hints at Witchcraft - But nothing really came of it. I wish the mentions of the witches and their sisterhood could have evolved into something more supernatural, given the title of the book. I enjoyed reading this book, but wish it was less teen drama and heavier on the witch side of things. I hope to see another book, where Elspeth tells us more about the Witches mentioned.

My favourite quote from this book was;
"Leaves fall around us. We dance as they fall, knowing that we will see them in bud again soon enough."

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I really struggled with this one... Unfortunately I found the writing try-hard and boring. While the concept intrigued me with some familiar themes, overall I found this quite lacking with an unlikeable main character, weak narrative voice, and irritating use of non-specific settings and markers. I appreciate the ARC from the publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

The characters were intriguing but perhaps lacking in detail at times, even Ivy as the narrator. The toxic friendship and obsession stuff is enjoyable, reminding me of things like The Craft in which there's a blurry line between this kind of obsessive female friendship and ideas of witchcraft. I loved the concept but but for me it lacked substance

The book was okay, I thought there was going to be more of a supernatural witchy element to it. It was filled with teenage angst and drama.
I

I was very excited for this book (as a huge fan of Leigh Bardugo and anything categorised as dark academia) but I'm afraid it just didn't resonate the way I was hoping it would. I struggled with the pacing and the plot, and I didn't particularly believe and/or like any of the characters—they characterisation didn't feel compelling enough for me. I'm sorry to say this one just wasn't one for me.

This felt very juvenile and did not delve into the witchy aspect of the plot as much as I would have expected/liked it to. It felt like it just dragged on for too long and didn't delve into the interesting part of the story which was the secret sociteties.

These Mortal Bodies is a new dark academia story by Elspeth Wilson. With themes of obsession, academic pressure and class it has much in common with other books set in a university. But there is a witchy twist as we learn about Ivy’s strange connections to magic.

I think that one of the reasons I struggled to get into this book was the characterisation of Ivy. As the main character, she should be understandable and sympathisable but she came off as too juvenile to me. As a university student, she should really be a young adult but she felt like a very young teenager who acted impulsively and often cruelly. I usually like an unlikable main character, but I think that her personality and friendships leant towards toxic rather than complex.

I also found it hard to get absorbed into the story because of some of the writing choices. For instance, the lack of information about the university and the setting. When it comes to an academic story, I want to know aout all the little quirks of the institution- which teachers to be wary of, the strange name the students call the cafeteria, where they go to talk in private on campus and what the surrounding area is like. But I couldn’t get a clear picture and everything seemed underdeveloped to me.

I’m sad to say that I didn’t love the book because the premise seemed so fun and promising to me. But, it may just be that I can’t relate to young adult fiction as well as I used to? After being out of university for 2 years it becomes a little harder to care about some of the drama. But if the concept interests you, you should still give it a try!

These Mortal Bodies by Elspeth Wilson is an entrancing and dark exploration of obsession, identity, and the complex dynamics of sisterhood within the world of secret societies. Ivy Graveson, a neurodivergent young woman from coastal Scotland, steps into the elite world of a prestigious university with the hopes of belonging. Thrust into a world of privilege, Ivy's determination to fit in leads her to embrace the secretive, enchanting world of a powerful college society — the Coven. As she becomes more involved with this exclusive group, she uncovers chilling parallels between the college's past and her own life, particularly as she begins to feel a deeper connection with the water and a mysterious talisman: a heron.

The story is rich with intrigue as Ivy navigates a year at the university, grappling with the intense bonds of sisterhood, her growing involvement in the Coven, and the unravelling legacy of the Saint Clair sisters, whose deaths during the witch trials echo throughout the plot. Wilson weaves a narrative filled with dark, intoxicating themes of toxic friendship, betrayal, and obsession, where the lines between loyalty, power, and personal growth become increasingly blurred. Ivy is drawn to the allure of the Coven, but as she delves deeper, she must reckon with the potentially destructive forces at play within these bonds.

The tension of Ivy's internal struggle — wanting to be part of something bigger than herself, yet questioning the moral underpinnings of the society she has joined — creates a gripping atmosphere that keeps the reader turning the pages. The world-building is immersive, especially in its exploration of contemporary witchcraft, secret societies, and the eerie connections Ivy uncovers. The exploration of sisterhood is particularly compelling, as Ivy grapples with the question of whether these relationships are genuinely supportive or are instead marked by treachery and toxicity.

However, while the novel excels in its atmospheric tension and compelling central mystery, there are moments where certain plot lines, particularly that of the character Cara, leave the reader wanting more depth. Some aspects of her character and her role in the story feel underdeveloped, which slightly diminishes the emotional impact of her journey.

Overall, These Mortal Bodies is a gripping, page-turning read that combines elements of dark academia, witchcraft, and psychological suspense. Wilson's portrayal of Ivy’s journey into the world of the Coven offers an enticing and unsettling look at how much we’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of belonging. It’s a story that will leave readers reflecting on the nature of friendship, power, and the weight of the secrets we carry.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Felt very true to the university experience with an interesting character voicing the story. The title felt grander than the story itself and I wish we got more of the secret society aspect because, to me, it was the most engaging part of the plot. The characters and their choices felt juvenile at times and the story became stilted as I realised nothing was really happening.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC