I am in AWE. Schwab has cemented herself as one of my auto-buy authors.

”Bury my bones in the midnight soil, plant them shallow and water them deep, and in my place will grow a feral rose, soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth.”
I’m absolutely certain that this poem, of which the novel shapes itself around, will haunt me for the rest of my life.

This was such an INCREDIBLE novel. The prose was beautifully written, I love her style so much! It’s the kind of storytelling ability that grips you and never lets go.

The story, heartbreaking and breathtaking, as can be expected from Schwab. I knew this book was going to wreck me just a few pages in, and it did.

The characters are dark and complex and I love the way their stories, much like the characters in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, unravel and intertwine.

You can bet I will now be collecting multiple editions of this book.

I sat with this book for hours before sitting down to write my review, and I still don't feel ready. This book wrapped a tight fist around my heart and wouldn't let go the whole way through, I still feel the lingering grip of it now.
It's no surprise that a @veschwab book has knocked it out of the park for me, I knew going in that I would love it, I just wasn't prepared for how much.
A story of life and death, empowerment and freedom juxtaposed with cages and fear.
Schwab's writing is visceral, evocative, and enveloping. I feel like I have walked through these pages with these women, felt their pain and their elation, and journeyed through the changing centuries with them.
This is a book I will be returning to as often as my fragile heart will allow me 🖤
Thank you @bookbreakuk for the absolute honour of reading this book early, and for introducing me to new feral friends 🫶🏼

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is poised to become one of the standout sapphic novels of 2025, and its exploration of romance and desire is truly exceptional. The way these themes are portrayed is sure to resonate with women, making it abundantly clear why this book is set to capture such wide acclaim.

However, speaking personally, I found myself yearning for more action and a stronger plot to keep me engaged. At times, the pacing felt sluggish, and I struggled with moments of boredom.

What I did love, though, was the ambitious concept of multiple timelines spanning centuries. This was both imaginative and interesting, and the main characters were wonderfully crafted—easy to empathise with and deeply relatable. That said, some of the side characters lacked dimension and felt a little flat in comparison.

In conclusion, while I liked Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, I didn’t quite fall in love with it. Still, I have no doubt that others will absolutely adore this book, and its success will be well-deserved.

I absolutely ate this book up.
This story starts with Mary our young rebellious girl who doesn’t want to fit to society’s norms. She marries a Viscount in order to leave her small village. Mary ends up becoming Sabine, a vampire who basically gives no fucks. Sabine kills and hunts humans with little to no care about who or what she’s hunting. We also flip to Alice, a modern day girl who is struggling to find her footing in her new uni life, usually a quiet subdue girl who is hoping to find ‘New Alice’. We follow Sabines life as a vampire and we see how she goes from witty and humour filled to a darker slightly unhinged Sabine. Bored with being alone Sabine finds Lottie. From there we learn about the relationship between Sabine and Lottie, whilst simultaneously finding Alice’s relationship with Lottie in the future.
This book has sex, sapphic vampires and just the right amount of female rage. I loved it and I would as always with Scwarb, recommend for everyone to read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil follows three women, three timelines, and how their fates collide.

There are plenty of familiar elements of classic vampire tales but even more that keeps this story fresh. I loved the three timelines, the different settings. I really enjoy historical fiction, a particular favourite being Victorian England so I was overjoyed to read Lottie's pov with its society balls and dreary London backdrop.

It's hard to pick a favourite character, and it may change with time, but I definitely resonate with Alice most. I loved reading about an anxious character, and the flashbacks to her sister were so touching.

The pacing is one of my points of contention; where we primarily follow two of the three main characters for a very large portion of the story, the third is introduced in what can only be described as a lore dump that disrupts the flow somewhat. This is a pretty minor gripe, and I imagine it was done to build suspense about her identity.

There really isn't much to dislike about this book. The prose is absolutely wonderful, V.E. Schwab's writing painting the most beautiful landscapes and visceral depictions of vampiric hunger. There is plenty of death, and plenty of love; obsessive and otherwise.

There isn't a particular reason I can pinpoint as to why this didn't get five stars, just a gut feeling. I felt as if I knew the characters intimately and yet there was something missing by the end. Nevertheless this is an amazing story and I feel like it warrants a reread to pick up on all the quotes and themes I want to remember.

Oh how I loved this book! What a gorgeous, tragic, mesmerising read this was! I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I’m not as well versed with this author as other readers but I have read Gallant and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and I’ve been so impressed thus far. However, this was the best book yet!

What an incredible exploration of vampires across time. I loved that this was completely female led and sapphic. We follow three women in this book across a period spanning centuries. We see their connections, their learning and their tragedy. We start in Spain in the 16th century with Maria, meet Charlotte in 19th century England and finally Alice in modern Boston. The skill of the author for interweaving these three timelines was just fantastic. The pacing was perfect, everything unveiling at exactly the right moment. The decision made as to when to introduce certain connections was so clever.

I love a vampire novel. This felt really special. There was such beauty in this novel. The vampire mythos feeling more poetic in spite of the carnage they wreak. We don’t see nice, gentle vampires here, nor do we see mindless beasts. Instead we have something not quite human, with a ravenous appetite and their flaws as humans only exacerbated by their immense strength and power. We don’t see them bursting into flames in the sun, but we do see a subtler change to their physiology, one that makes them less extravagant but something more tangible.

I was so impressed with this book. I was completely engrossed. The writing was so beautiful and I was so torn in how I felt about the characters. I had sympathy for them but we do see them changing, becoming something harder to forgive. It felt very nuanced.

Now time for me to go find everything else this author has written than I haven’t read yet!

Toxic lesbian vampires? Obsessed!!!!

This book was EVERYTHING I wanted from it and more. I love a book which takes us through somebodies life and we got that with all 3 main characters. I don't think I can do this book justice with anything that I write so PLEASE just go and read it.

'𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘪𝘭
𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦
𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩'

Rating: 4.5

as well as this book was and how it made me cry twice, i don’t feel like it’s a 5 star read and i don’t know why.
each character we follow are so different from one another but their stories are truly so intertwined. i found it fascinating how victoria was able to make me root/love a character then the more i got to know them and one other, the more i came to love the other character and see how imperfect and honestly morally reprehensible the other is.
i started off this book attached to sabine and really thought i would love her the whole book but by the time i hit the 200-something mark, i just couldn’t anymore and it made sense with the passing of time in the book being decades-centuries. alice was a character i related to immediately after meeting her but the tone and the ambiguity regarding a part of her story really made me anxious reading her pov chapters. i did really appreciate seeing her be a newly turned vampire in the modern day and seeing her deal with it whilst trying to find out how she was turned and why. charlotte was such a mystery for half of the book and then when we got to know more about her, i really came to love her. objectively i loved her the most of the three but in terms of who i was rooting for the whole time, it would have to be alice. the side characters we meet over time from all three points of views were fantastic and so different. we not only get an insight into the types of vampires these three protagonists are but also with all these side characters which really helped build the lore. if i had to pick alessandro and matteo were my favourites but ezra seemed like such a fun time.


spoiler section: i had hoped to see more of alice living more of her life after what happened with sabine and lottie, specifically in regards to ezra as he seemed close with lottie. but also these other creatures, much like the psychic we meet at his cafe. i do hope we get another stand-alone book set in the same world but maybe focusing on other characters (with a little alice cameo or her being a side character?).

If I could rate Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab higher than five stars, believe me, I would. I fear I’m nowhere near articulate to put into words how magnificent this story is, but I’ll try!

With Bury Our Bones, Schwab hasn’t just told a vampire story, they have fully immersed the reader in a timeline of events spanning entire lifetimes, centuries and beyond. Never within the space of 500 pages have I felt like I know characters so deeply as I did with this book.

The character development in this book is SO beyond next level, with characters shifting and changing so subtly before your eyes that it’s almost undetectable until the story arc is fully developed. That’s the moment you realise Schwab has been laying incredibly clever signs and hints.

With a take on vampires that’s both classic and refreshing and a cast of characters that you’ll love and hate all at once, Bury Our Bones is an epic and lyrical addition to a well loved fantasy sub genre. I absolutely adored every second and this’ll be one I reread for sure in future!

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil has been the most amazing holiday read. I saved this for Easter Break - I had a hunch I’d not be able to put it down - and I’m so glad I could give this all my time.

I grew up on Anne Rice and Lestat was always my gothic favourite, and in my opinion few in modern literature have come close to reaching the same vampiric status (Eric Northman maybe?), but now there are three (THREE!) new undead icons I’ll not forget in a hurry.

This book is a journey through time, places, spaces and cultures; twisty, immersive and highly emotive. Think Addie LaRue meets Interview With the Vampire meets Jane Eyre with a dash of Bridgerton, Gatsby, Florence + The Machine (yes, really!), love, hate and everything in between.

The playlist in my head for this book is 👌✨

I have too many thoughts and don’t want to spoil it, so no more right now. I have preordered a copy - June hurry up already - and suggest everyone does, the first editions will all be signed. I also cannot wait for the audio edition!

Many thanks netgalley for the arc. I love you. Thank you again V.E. Schwab for another simply incredible book!

5 ⭐️
Publication Date - 10th June

This is my first ever time reading a book by V.E.Schwab and wow! This was incredible, absolutely stunning poetic writing.

This books follows three main characters, over split timelines. They are all so well written and the way V.E.Schwab wrote them was incredible, so much depth, so immersive and how their stories came together and interlinked was so clever and well done. The way each character was written, the way their stories were told really allowed you to build a connection with them. Despite the book being about three main characters over three different timelines, the book was well paced and we move between characters enough so that you aren’t reading about one for too long.

Following each character as they navigate through the world, through the YEARS for two of them, reading about their ways, desires, their hunger.. I didn’t want to put this book down!

They’re toxic, they’re messy, they’re feral and I loved every moment and I absolutely devoured this book! 🥀🩸

Okay, so Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is definitely a strong 4-star read for me. Schwab’s storytelling is always so captivating, and this book is no exception. It’s dark, atmospheric, and beautifully written – just what you’d expect from her. I loved the way she weaves together the lives of Maria, Charlotte, and Alice. Despite the different time periods and settings, there’s this underlying connection that ties them all together, and that’s what really drew me in.

Each character is well-crafted, and while Maria, Charlotte, and Alice are all dealing with their own unique struggles, their journeys felt real and relatable. Maria’s complicated marriage, Charlotte’s battle with societal expectations, and Alice’s grief each pulled me in emotionally, even if some of their choices frustrated me at times.

The prose is lyrical and lush, which I really enjoyed, but I did find it a little slow in some parts. Schwab’s ability to set the tone and atmosphere is unmatched, but there were moments where the pace felt like it could’ve picked up a bit. The tension slowly builds, but there were sections where I wanted more action to keep me hooked.

The vampires in this story are complex and have a lot more depth than your average bloodsuckers. I loved how Schwab made immortality feel like a burden rather than a blessing. The themes of love, loss, and identity are explored in such a way that I found myself thinking about them long after finishing the book.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with mixed feelings. It was satisfying, but I was hoping for a bit more of a punch at the conclusion. Still, it’s a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves Schwab’s work or enjoys dark, atmospheric stories with complex characters.

All in all, I’d say it’s a solid 4-star read. There were a few slow moments, but the emotional depth, the world-building, and the characters made it a really enjoyable book. If you’re into stories that linger in your mind after you’re done reading, then this one is definitely worth picking up.

Huge thank you for the ARC of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, but unfortunately this was a DNF at 47%. I really really tried to push through this one but it's hard to do when you don't enjoy one of the POVS (Alice) at all, and are starting to dislike another (Maria) with no sight of the promised third POV?
The writing is beautifully done, I just really struggled to connect with any of the main characters. The secondary characters of Hector and Renata were interesting enough, given what little we see of them, and I'm sure I'd have felt the same was about Matheo and Alessandro if I had chosen to continue but knowing that they were probably going to be dropped at the wayside for character development didn't feel productive.

“Bury my bones in the midnight soil, plant them shallow but water them deep, and in my place will grow a feral rose, soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth.”

This was outstanding, absolutely brilliant!

Will I buy a physical copy once it’s released? Definitely!

Vampires have always been a favourite of mine since I was young, from Dracula to Camilla to even Twilight, I have loved vampire stories.

The storytelling itself felt as if the narrator had broken the fourth wall by telling us directly what had happened as if they had witnessed it all.

The characters themselves all had their strengths and weaknesses and played them so well, it showed that being immortal is not what it all seemed and that it can eventually take its toll on you and almost make you mad, it may sound fun but it becomes boring and not everyone wants it in the end but there is no way out. (unless a stake threw the heart of course).

The relationship that Sabine and Lottie share is a toxic one, starting sweet but then the partner shows their true selves and there is no escape.

Reading the stories of each character felt like little books themselves and how being queer back in the 16th century, 19th century or even today has its toll whether being accepted or not. It also shows that women aren’t weak, that they can be strong and independent and that men can be cruel in their nature.

This is one I will definitely be recommending again and again to anyone and everyone.

VE Schwab: Good
Vampires: Good
Lesbian love story: Good

What is there not to like?

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is another hit for VE Schwab. The timeline in the book is needed - you want to know how all the pieces fall into place with the characters. VE Schwab has been a hit or miss for me. This book reminded me of why this author is an automatic buy. Thank you for providing me with an ARC.

An absolute MASTERPIECE! 🤌🏻 I honestly don’t know where to begin with explaining how god damn incredible this book is. VE Schwab is a phenomenal writer. I literally have no words

I JUST CANNOT. THIS BOOK. I’m not sure I am ever going to be able to write a coherent review. This book was just everything I wanted and more. Such an incredible work of art. V E Schwab is one of my all time favourite authors and I have loved everything that she has written, and I have read everything that has been published however this is definitely one of my favourites if not my actual favourite. The characters were beautiful. I built such a strong connection with each and every one of them and I just love them so so much. The story had me hooked. There is something about Schwab’s writing that has me absolutely mesmerised, I could not put this book down. I could have devoured it in one sitting but I forced myself to take my time because I just did not want this to end. It is one of those books that I could literally start again immediately after finishing. A work of art. I cannot wait for the world to read this book. I am even more excited now to attend Bath to Schwab’s event for this book. I like my reviews to include things to improve, but I can’t. This book filled a hole I didn’t know I had in my heart and I would not change anything about it. I cannot wait to get my physical copy so I can annotate and devour this story all over again. I cannot thank you enough for granting me access to an early copy of this book.

"The world will try to make you small. it will tell you to be modest and meek. But the world is wrong. You should get to feel and love and live as boldly as you want"

this was one of my most anticipated books this year, and I'm so excited to have received an arc. it was a beautifully written book that I think fans of Addie Larue will love

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a book I’ve been dreaming of reading for about 2 and a half years, and it absolutely lives up to expectations - and then smashes them. I loved the short story ‘First Kill’, and have beeb dying for more of Schwab’s vampires.

VE Schwab’s writing feels different in every book, and I think this may be my favourite of hers. The story is captivating, the characters both loveable and hate-able, just … This delivers on EVERY point. I cannot wait for everyone to read this world, and meet these characters. I wanted this to go on endlessly.

“𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒊𝒍, 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒑 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉.” 🥀🖤🩸

This was my first V.E. Schwab book and it will absolutely not be my last.

A toxic sapphic vampire romance with the most hauntingly beautiful prose, the way this book intertwines multiple timelines (spanning 500 years no less) yet manages to tie them together with a blood red ribbon was masterful, with intricate storytelling that oozes in feminine rage, tragedy and euphoria.

There was no character in this book that I could pull myself away from, they were beautifully fleshed out from the very first page to the very last, I felt as if I could channel every ounce of their emotions - their grief, yearning, obsession, angst, and pain.

I was utterly captivated by this book and I am eternally grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy. I hope everyone loves this book just as much as I did.