A very atmospheric and eerie horror story.

For the first half of the book I couldn’t stop reading, the evocative writing and the dark and brutal setting worked really well. After a while I felt the story became a bit repetitive, mainly because the horrors never stopped and the despair only grew, but I eventually understood the reason for this.

I have to say I had mixed feelings about the ending at first, but I cannot deny any other ending wouldn’t have been nearly as satisfying.

Overall I really recommend this one for lovers of folk horror, witches and a fair amount of gore, I had to read some light and fluffy romance after I finished reading this 🤣

This was my first experience with L.V. Russell's work, and am eager to read more. "The Bone Drenched Woods" is a vividly dark and atmospheric novel that captivates and immerses you completely.

"Carve the bones. One for the gate, one for the door, two for the mantel, and three for the floor" Hyacinth is well aware of the horrors beyond her village and the insatiable hunger of the teeth. These entities demand blood sacrifices, and if they are not offered, they will take their fill. Hyacinth has listened to the Elders wearing hare-skin masks, witnessed the hanging of heathens and watched witches burn. She knows what is expected of her: be good, be quiet. Yet, she neither. Following series of tragic events, Hyacinth marries and is taken to settlement by the sea, where more than just the teeth are ravenous. When the outspoken Hyacinth begins spending time with the outcast Morgan, she is blamed for the arrival of monsters that have to feed. The villagers demand her death, but Hyacinth seeks a life—or a death—of her own choosing.

I found her writing utterly captivating. The's darkness and her exquisite style were irresistible; I devoured every word.

Sentient forests with insatiable hunger? Check. Deep seas haunted by leviathans? Check. Body horror? Check. Deliciously complex characters whom you couldn't possibly form a proper opinion on until the last few pages? Check.

In a world surrounded by the endless Teeth and Deep, we accompany the strong-willed and outspoken Hyacinth Turner as she struggles to find her own place in life, where decisions are always made for her, and any act of defiance would result in a slow, painful death. Following the tragic events that transpired after her nameday, she was forced to be wed and sent off to a gloomy town nestled between the forest and the sea. Here she remains unyielding, refusing to be chained down by the town’s cultist leaders, or be tamed by her own ill-fitting, insufferable husband.

There was a part at the end that seemed incredibly rushed and unnecessary—the goal could have been achieved with much less of whatever had happened. There is also my concern about the lack of details or explanations thereof; we could have used a couple more chapters that delved deeper into the story’s folklore. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time reading this book, and I certainly wouldn’t mind returning to its world, should we be blessed with a sequel, perhaps in Mistress Yarrow’s point of view next time.

Coming across this novel felt like finding a needle in the haystack. Fast-paced and dripping with folklore, The Bone Drenched Woods dragged me face first into its pages with its lush world-building and eerie atmosphere. Folk horror is usually a hit or miss for me, but thank the gods for L.V. Russell for doing it justice. I also loved the bisexual representation, of course! What a ride, truly. A recommended one, at that.

Trigger warning for animal deaths and cruelty, but I can at least assure that all of them were quick and equivalent to what we could say as an "off-screen death". My sincere thanks to L.V. Penner, Quill & Crow Publishing House, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

L.V. Russell's "The Bone Drenched Woods" is an atmospheric folk horror tale with sumptuous prose that creates a world of genuine dread and unease. The story follows Hyacinth, a defiant woman who refuses to bend to the will of the Elders and their hare-masked religion, as she's sent away to a coastal settlement where new horrors await.

The worldbuilding is incredible! Russell crafts a deliciously oppressive environment where ancient terrors called the Teeth lurk in the woods and leviathans swim in the Deep, both held at bay by grim offerings. The prose is patient and richly evocative, creating a slow-burn experience that perfectly matches the setting's bleak nature.

Hyacinth herself is a compelling protagonist—flawed, cynical, and wonderfully complex. Her sharp tongue and unwillingness to conform make her stand out in a world determined to silence women like her.

While the first 50% is absolutely captivating, the novel struggles somewhat in its latter half. The romantic subplot with Morgan lacks the chemistry it needs, and the ending feels a little rushed with moments of confusion that detract from an otherwise intriguing conclusion.

"The Bone Drenched Woods" creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after reading—a bleak, fairytale-like experience for readers who enjoy literary horror with beautiful prose and world-building that hints at deeper mysteries beneath its surface.

Thank you NetGalley, L.V. Russell, and Quill & Crow Publishing for this ARC!

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.

Hyacinth Turning knows to stay clear from the woods that have teeth to tear into any who venture into their midst. Hyacinth Turning knows to keep her voice low and her head bowed, to respect the Elders and follow the rules they have laid out for her salvation. Hyacinth Turning knows she must not question the way things are lest she sway with the other hanged heathens who broke the many rules. Hyacinth Turning does none of those things.

Folk horror is not a sub-genre I was previously aware of but is definitely one I have an interest in exploring now! The way Russell invited the natural world into the story was both sharp and sensuous. But it met its match in protagonist, Hyacinth.

Hyacinth was everything a bad woman in a worse world ought not to be. She was too loud, too brash, too... everything! And I adored her! Her fighting spirit and large heart, all cocooned beneath her harsh demeanour, made me instantly love her character and I ardently longed for her freedom from this world of false piousness and incessant rules.

I had no idea which direction this story would take and was breathless with anticipation from the outset, so imbued with a creeping sense of unease and dreaded tension was this, from the very first page. This is a relatively short fantasy story but every word is precise and cutting, carefully places for ultimate impact and the most beautiful of prose. This is definitely an author, a world, and a genre I will return to!

Folk horror is a strange one for me. When it clicks, I really enjoy it…but I often had to wade through a bunch of DNFs to get to that point. Thankfully, the Bone Drenched Woods was excellent.

Several things stood out with this eerie, gloomy, dread-laden tale…none more so than the writing. The prose here is lush - highly evocative, patient, and atmospheric. It doesn’t rush itself, it’s certainly a slowburn book, but that meandering, plodding pace feels in keeping with the horrible monsters of The Teeth too.

That’s something else that impressed me; the world building. It’s often an area where I struggle with this kind of folk horror, but we’re thrown into these cursed woods from the off and quickly learn the ways they work. I could really sense how nasty, vicious and scared these villages were, I could picture their modest houses trembling in the shadows of the woods with nothing more than a few bones and blind faith to keep them safe. It was evocative and effective.

I also really liked the main character, Hyacinth. She was painfully flawed and felt thoroughly real. Her cynicism and sharp tongue, her street smarts, and her unwillingness to conform…all excellent. She was a messy, complicated hero and I rooted for here.

The scares here came largely from the dread and what was in the shadows just beyond what you could see. The narrative did enough to chill you, but also let your imagination get involved too, resulting in something truly unnerving.

Like a Dark Tower spin-off story but with no gunslingers to save the day, this is a bleak, slowburn of a fairy tale that will linger with me for a while.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars. I really liked this book for the first 40%. Any issues I had were tiny and easily overlooked. ...And then we got to Morgan.

But I digress. I overall did enjoy this book, it is a book I would very well read again someday! I was just repeatedly disappointed in the latter half.

The pros: The atmosphere and worldbuilding in this book are fantastic. I love how strong the world is and how vague a history it has. I might've been reading into it too much but I feel like there were little hints here and there to this being technically post-apocalyptic??? Regardless, it's fascinating, and I loved every bit we got of it. The prose succeeds in making these places feel tense and oppressive, from the towns to the Teeth to the Deep, and I was super hooked-in. I also really loved the characters! My only real complaint about Hyacinth is that she's blonde when the rest of her family is dark-haired, lol. I found her interesting and believable and I was always curious to see what she'd do or think next. I never thought she was stupid or anything, at least not in a way that the story didn't want me to believe. I also found the plot to be overall gripping, although...

The cons: I think the plot got quite lost in the end. I guess it could be argued there wasn't really a plot to begin with, which would have been fine, but it certainly felt like things were ramping up and then weren't really resolved. Furthermore, I think this horror novel had a bit of an identity crisis. Once Morgan was introduced, it frequently felt too much like a romance novel. Speaking of, Morgan is a whole beast on his own - I loved him (except for in literally the last chapter, I'll get to that), but I really didn't like his and Hyacinth's romance. I felt FAR more chemistry between her and Abelia, her and Mistress Yarrow, and hell, even her and Sorrell! Her and Morgan's romantic relationship never really came across to me very convincingly, and I was honestly disappointed because again, I really liked Morgan. But with *that* being said, I have to talk vaguely about the ending. The last 20% or so feels very sloppy and half-done. Plenty of beautiful prose, but I just felt yanked all over the place and had no idea where this plane was landing. I also found *significantly* more errors in that last 20%; characters in a scene and then being retconned out of it by a later scene, repeated typos, characters being (repeatedly!!!) called the wrong name, and just a general lack of clarity that the earlier parts of the book did not have an issue with. A lot of these things could easily be resolved in a quick revision, so I certainly hope they were before the book went to print (I recognize that I'm a little late to finish this book, lol). And then the last chapter... I really liked the concept of the ending, but once again it suffered from a serious lack of clarity that I don't feel was purposeful - and I mean this both in a general sense of not understanding what I was to take from it, and a more particular sense in that there were times where I literally could not understand what actions were happening due to how things were described - and Morgan in particular really suffers from this. I can't tell what he did or what happened or why.

Again, I overall liked this book. Pretty much all of the issues I had with the last 20% or so are easily resolvable with editing, so maybe they don't bother other people as much. So at the end of the day, my real gripe is that if there was going to be a romantic subplot in this, I just wish it had better chemistry.

Absolutely loved this and I read it at a time when I needed a good read. Haunted forest, creepy horror, and human sacrifice are all elements that are throughout this book and this author executed this story well.

From the very first page. This book sweeps readers into a vividly imagined world where magic pulses beneath every shadow and destiny hangs in the balance. With a rich tapestry of lore and an unforgettable cast of characters, this fantasy tale offers everything fans of the genre crave: adventure, heart, and high stakes.

At the center of the story is a compelling hero grappling with inner demons and outer threats alike. Their journey from humble beginnings to a confrontation with fate is as thrilling as it is emotionally resonant. Along the way, a diverse ensemble of allies and enemies deepens the narrative, each one distinct and integral to the story’s unfolding.

Wow. Just… wow. The Bone Drenched Woods by L.V. Russell is a dark, chilling, and absolutely mesmerizing read that pulls you into a twisted world of eerie forests, haunted towns, and deeply buried secrets. From the very first page, the atmosphere is everything. The town itself feels oppressive, almost like a living, breathing entity, while the woods surrounding it hold a sinister promise of something much darker lurking just out of sight. Russell has created a setting so vivid and immersive that you’ll feel like you’re walking through the fog with the characters, heart racing, every step uncertain.

What really stands out for me, though, is the emotional depth Russell layers into this supernatural mystery. The protagonist’s internal battles — tied to grief, guilt, and the weight of the past — are so well written that they give the horror a more human touch. It’s not just about the creepy happenings in the woods; it’s about the people trying to survive in a world that’s closing in on them. You feel their fear, their struggles, and their pain, and it makes every eerie moment hit that much harder.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this book is not without its flaws. There are moments where the pacing slows down a little too much, especially with the flashbacks and lengthy descriptions. But honestly? I was so hooked by the story and the atmosphere that I didn’t mind too much. The ending might also leave you with more questions than answers — it’s intentionally open-ended — but I personally loved how it left me thinking long after I’d finished. Some readers might find it frustrating, but I thought it was the perfect way to leave that lingering sense of unease.

All in all, the Bone Drenched Woods is a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and psychological thrillers. If you’re someone who loves stories that dig deep into the human psyche while delivering spine-chilling supernatural elements, this one will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Russell has created a world you won’t soon forget, and I highly recommend it.

In-Depth Review:

When I saw the cover for The Bone Drenched Woods by LV Russell, I was intrigued. Such a visceral title and cover. Then, we get the eerie synopsis and I was sold. I was so excited to read this, which makes the letdown so incredibly disappointing. Weak worldbuilding and a consistently punished protagonist were too much for the aesthetic of horror to overcome for this to be enjoyable.

This is my first time reading folk horror and I think I really want to try more book sin that genre. The horror aspects were the highlight of the book. There was this world that seemed so very frightening, these mysterious beings/creatures that kill indiscriminately. Townsfolk fallback to using charms and talismans to keep themselves safe and sacrifice whomever doesn't abide by the rules. It definitely was atmospheric and eerie. However, the worldbuilding was almost non-existent. I still don't know what was going on, what these creatures/things were or if these rituals actually worked or not. Was this how the world has always been? Is this how the world is, or just their area of the world? It was frustrating never knowing the rules of this world outside of what the male leaders said they were. And while I understand that puts us in the shoes of the protagonist, that only makes what happens with her even worse.

Where the horror was well-written and enjoyable, everything that had to do with Hyacinth completely left me angry and upset. It felt like this was just an exercise in misery and misfortune. I don't find it fun or enjoyable to read about main characters, especially women, solely existing in a narrative to suffer. That's what it felt like here with Hyacinth. There was not a single joy and she is just so torn down throughout. I kept waiting for things to get better for her. I kept reading thinking okay, this is when she'll prevail and get something good. And then I reached the end and was so incredibly livid, I threw my e-reader on the bed and had to leave the room to calm down. Spoilers for the story and ending: [spoiler] for her to be forced to marry, then for her to CHOOSE to have sex with him only to find out he has been having an affair with the woman who has been play acting as her best friend the entire time, for that woman to end up having his baby and being treated so well by the village, and Hyacinth to then try another avenue for her happiness only to have that man kill her? Unforgivable. This was unforgivable. [/spoiler] Not a single good thing happened to her and I don't count that ending as a positive one.

This was such a hard review to write because as a horror, The Bone Drenched Woods by LV Russell was intriguing and well-written with beautifully descriptive writing. It also had a protagonist who was mistreated throughout without a single victory or win. I guess if you're reading for plot and vibes alone, you'll enjoy this. If you're a character reader, I think this might not be for you.

Retailers:
This is a really hard book for me to review. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the horror aspects. There was this world that seemed so very frightening, these mysterious beings/creatures that kill indiscriminately. Townsfolk fallback to using charms and talismans to keep themselves safe and sacrifice whomever doesn't abide by the rules. It definitely was atmospheric and eerie. However, worldbuilding wise? Barest of bones. I still don't know what was going on, what these creatures/things were or if these rituals actually worked or not. That was the positive.

On the flip side, we have the part I hated. Everything that happened to Hyacinth. It felt like this was just an exercise in misery and misfortune. I don't find it fun or enjoyable to read about main characters, especially women, solely existing in a narrative to suffer. That's what it felt like here with Hyacinth. There was not a single joy and she is just so torn down throughout. I kept waiting for things to get better for her. I kept reading thinking okay, this is when she'll prevail and get something good. And then I reached the end and was so incredibly livid, I threw my e-reader on the bed and had to leave the room to calm down.

I would not read this again and would not recommend this to readers who need more substance or readers that want the protagonist to have even a single victory.

review links to be posted as they go live 4/30/25

I saw a book cover that looks creepy and immediately clicked request on netgalley. I got it and jumped in.

Weird cover and gothic folk horror I didn't know i needed in my life. I knew this book would be a jam. This was a book was nightmare fueled everything. The people and what they did to "sinners", the town and the traditions, the monsters in the woods and the ocean. This was dark and creepy in all the right places. This follows Hyacinth who was told her whole like to be silent and obedient and she is anything but that and I devoured this.

The way I devoured this book. What an interesting and eerie concept. I loved the story and the characters. It was very well written, keeping me absorbed and the pacing was perfect. The ending was also completely perfect and I must have read it several times. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who just wants a good book.

Thank you Quill & Crow Publishing House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

As someone who loves horror novellas, this was a hit. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher, Thrum by Meg Smotherman, or Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White.

Hyacinth is a young woman who has just reached the age of marriage. After being exposed to the horrifying possibilities other than marriage, she resigns herself to a fate she does not want. While the concept of the Teeth and the Deep were very vague, I believe Russell kept it mysterious but cultivated an aesthetic and mood that explained it better than perhaps an outright explanation could have.

I felt deeply for Hyacinth, and I came to care about other characters as well, though most were highly unlikeable. She is stuck in a place she can never belong and even when trying to be “good,” it’s never enough. Russell’s descriptions of how Hyacinth felt inwardly were very relatable as someone who grew up religious and never felt that it was worth believing in. I always felt sinful and wrong, too sharp and hard to like.

I think my only issue was the passage of time. I know certain places it was meant to be ambiguous and floaty, but many times I was left wondering how long Hyacinth has known what she does and how long she has had in the places she is.

Content warnings for gore, child abuse, child neglect, blood, bodily mutilation, death of human and animal.

Creepy and atmospheric with some major cult/witch trial vibes! I loved the strength and resiliency of the main character and the folklore-feel of the story.

I have been needing a creepy book for ages and I am so glad to have finally found a book to have scratched that itch!

This book gave me massive The Witch and The Village vibes, but darker and more intense. I loved the tension of never feeling the safety of the characters, between the Teeth and the Deep, it felt like danger lurked all around!

I loved Hyacinths character, and how she was looked at for being a strong outspoken gal! I love a good book with a witchy feel, Which this brought to the table and I love the fact that the creepy cult /religion feared witches so much but they’re very prayers and carving of bones gave me the biggest of witch feels.

How do you know when it’s a creepiest enough read? When you explain the plot to your colleagues and they just ask “are you okay?”

This book was deliciously dark and culty.

“Are we truly little more than delectable flesh to ancient beings with insatiable appetites?”

From the minute I saw this cover I knew I had to apply for it. After getting back-to-back rejections on NetGalley, this popped up on my shelf, and I was so happy because I actually really wanted this one. Strangely enough, this dark and eerie book was a little light in the darkness of my NetGalley curse. So thank you to the publishers and author for letting me read this early (even though I think it's available now?).

Anyways, let's get down to business. *cracks knuckles* Hyacinth is our fierce FMC, and although she was constantly referred to as a witch for her vile thoughts, she always managed to escape death. (Or did she?) Her world is terrifying and brutal. (The forest eats people, okay?) L.V. Russel used such descriptive writing that I felt real fear for those damn Teeth, even though I don't know that I completely understand what they are??

The forest surrounding the village is filled with the worst horrors imaginable and they demand blood sacrifice, whether animal or human, and if it does not receive enough then it will find a way to sate it's thirst. (In case you didn't hear me earlier, the forest eats people.)

Even though this book is less than 250 pages, it definitely packs a punch. And don't worry, if you just recently got some botox that might be little too strong, the ending of this book will have your eybrows moving freely in no time. This book is filled with gothic vibes, darkness, and fear as Hyacinth faces her new life with an unwanted husband where horror is constantly lurking close by.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend to friends!

(3.5/5 stars)
The Bone Drenched Woods is rich with atmosphere and packed with nightmarish imagery, but for me, it landed somewhere between compelling and just okay.

There’s a lot to admire here: the eerie folklore, the haunting sea-side setting, and a protagonist who refuses to be silenced in a world built on fear and obedience. The Teeth, the sermons, the offerings of bone—it all oozes dread in a way that’s both creative and deeply unsettling. And I did enjoy Hyacinth’s fire; her defiance in the face of violence and dogma was one of the strongest threads running through the story.

That said, I found myself distanced at times. The prose, while beautifully written, occasionally felt overwrought and made it hard to connect emotionally with the characters or the stakes. Some pacing issues also crept in—there’s a lingering, dreamlike quality to the storytelling that suits the tone, but slowed down the momentum for me.

Ultimately, it was good, just not entirely my thing. Fans of dark, witchy folklore and gothic horror with feminist undertones will likely fall hard for this one—but I left feeling more chilled than truly moved.

A deep, dark, pulsating read with up and downs that sometimes feel like they bring you right back where you started. This book was a slow one to get through for sure, but that's only owing to my own time-constraints in trying to read. This is a book where you must sit down and sink in and read big chunks at a time in order to really immerse yourself in the book. It's easily likened to the atmosphere of Antichrist, The VVitch, and in book form more Grimm Fairytails.

Looking for a creepy cult like village setting for your next folk horror read? Look no further. This was creepy and dark and kept me turning pages until the end.