Hyacinth, you are an IT girl to me.

This was eerie, unnerving, and SO good. I was hooked from the first page. There’s nothing I love more than stories about creepy cult-like villages and strange entities in the woods, it gave The Witch vibes (which is one of my favorite movies), but with its own beautifully haunting way. The writing is so poetic and atmospheric, I felt like I was right there with Hyacinth the entire time. I wish it had been a little longer just so I could get even more into the strangeness of this world but I really loved this from start to finish.

I haven’t read much folk horror before, but it’s very much my thing now and I will 100% be tuning into this author’s work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This story certainly gave off “The Watchers” by A.M. Shine and “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” by Carrie Ryan vibes!

Follow Hyacinth as she traverses The Teeth to start a new home on the edge of The Deep, bride to a terrible man. There are ancient beasts surrounding the town and they are hungry and angry. Women are always blamed for the problems of men, and Hyacinth has drawn the ire of the Elders. Will she burn? Be lowered into the cold waters on a hook? Will her bones be carved to ward the paths? Or can she finally find a way to be free…

“Flowers and bone, girl and woman, maiden and mother.”

“The Bone Drenched Woods” was a dark, horrifying and hopeless story. Following a main character who is bound by rituals and tradition, hemmed in by monsters human and eldritch. From trees to the deep waters, it was a fascinating world the author created. More backstory/history would only enhance the tale, as I was left curious about many things, like how the towns communicated between themselves.

“Carve the bones. One for the gate, one for the door, two for the mantel, and three for the floor.”

I really loved the creepy factor and darkness of the overall plot. Each scene had me captivated, from the intense moments when the creatures are near as well as the day-to-day activities of the townspeople.
The ending felt a bit rushed, I was hoping for more based on how the rest of the book took its time with each transition.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Quill & Crow Publishing House for a copy!

Thank you NetGalley, LV Russell and Quill & Crow Publishing.
The vibes of this book are amazing. Great atmosphere.
Gothic folk fantasy horror- a genre niche I can definitely get behind.

Our main character Hyacinth is flawed and not perfect and I adore her.

I was confused at times, and there is some pacing issues but for the most part I had a really good time.

The atmosphere was 5 stars.

This book doesn’t coddle—it confronts. The Bone Drenched Woods grabs you with moss-stained hands and pulls you into a myth-soaked fever dream where rage is sacred, the forest breathes, and women aren’t victims—they’re vengeance.

It doesn’t whisper revenge. It howls.

This is no tale of survival. It’s a reckoning. A lone, fierce woman stands against a god-fearing village that should’ve feared her instead. Gritty, eerie, and unflinchingly bold, this story burns with righteous defiance.

Read it if you like your feminism wild, your folklore haunted, and your fire slow and smoldering.

3.5 rounded 4

I've seen this book floating around several shelves on Goodreads, so I was quite happy to be able to request an ARC and read it.

The Bone Drenched Woods reads like a horror tale, and there is no fairy tale, but Teeth and Deep. Hyacinth - the FMC - is unapologetic and does what she wants. She might do it scared, but she does it anyway.

It took me a few pages to understand 'the concept' of what was happening in the book. It has witch trials, cult, and overly zealous vibes. It works. At times, the hunger from the Teeth and Deep might not be justified or really understood (or maybe it's just me). I was surprised by the end, but I liked it. I did not see it coming, not this way.

Make sure you know what you get into before picking it up. It has blood, bones (duh!), gore, decay...

Thank you to NetGalley, Quill & Crow Publishing House and L.V Russel for the opportunity to read this book. This review is my own and I'm leaving it voluntarily.

3.5

this is a gothic folk horror. very creepy and unsettling. it gave cult/witch trial vibes with this settlement’s leadership (the “elders”) and sacrifices

the atmosphere and descriptions in this were amazing. i could literally feel the dirt and grit and saltwater and blood as it was being described… disgusting. & the body horror was creepy and effective

there were parts of this that were slightly confusing but i find that common with most folk/forest horror

this was a fast and intriguing read and i found myself looking forward to picking it up and getting back into the story

honestly my only complaint is that this might have had a little too much romance for my liking. it wasn’t bad but i feel like it was not necessarily needed to the extent that was in the end of this

but overall i really enjoyed this and would recommend to people who like creepy ominous horror with a strong-willed female protagonist

"Do not be foolish, Hyacinth.” Don’t be foolish, or wicked, or loud. Don’t be brazen, wild, hopeful, hungry. Be pretty, be quiet, be good. Obedient.

A BIG BIG thank you to Quill & Crow Publishing House for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I even start??
I randomly requested this book on Netgalley because the premise sounded interesting, and I liked the cover and what do you know? I've started reading it, and I was instantly HOOKED. This book is seriously underrated, and I can't wait to read more from this author. Easily one of my favourite books now.

The writing was beautifully descriptive, immediately immersing me into the story. I fell in love with the world building, the folklore, and the dark atmosphere the story takes on right from the very beginning. Trust me when I say this story will have you hooked from the first page.

The book is about a cultist like village where a great terror lurks in the woods. Heathens hang and witches burn, of which our main character is neither, but she is defiant, and that is enough to look suspicious to others.

If sacrifices, female rage, wicked girls, and Eldritch horrors are your jam or you loved the movie "The Witch," then you'll love this book.

I'm giving it 4.5 stars in total. Would have been a 5 star read, but I got a little lost towards the ending, and I think this could have been improved if the book was a little longer.

The Bone Drenched Woods by L. V. Russell is a dark and gothic tale with a fierce heroine who reminds me of Addie LaRue. This world is rich in mystery and folklore with morals and that traditions that you are both unique and horrific. If you are looking for a mostly world/plot driven tale, then this book is for you!

I absolutely loved the vibes of this, it was so creepy and felt so immersive. I absolutely loved Hyacinth as well. I just think my issue with this was that it felt both too short and too long at the same time, and I struggled to get on with the pacing here. I’d love to read more from this author in the future, this particular book just wasn’t really for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

Now this is gothic horror! What an absolute MARVEL of a fairy tale. In the tradition of the grim brothers, Russell delivers a creeping forest tale of intimate scares and unmerciful community. This will appeal to the readers of woodland horror, religious fervor, and the dark, deep witchcraft.

There’s something ancient—and angry—waiting in The Bone-Drenched Woods, and I was fully under its spell.

The Bone-Drenched Woods explores the horror in the woods and beyond. It’s a story about what lurks in the dark, but also about the quieter horrors of being trapped in a life shaped by others’ choices. If you’re into folk horror, feminine rage, and dark fairytales, this one’s for you.


Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3.75 stars

I loved everything about this book. A grotesque story written in the most beautiful way. This is one of those books that sinks its teeth into you and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. I must-read for anyone who loves horror and supporting women's wrongs. One of the best horror books I've ever read, and a contender for fave of the year.

It's dark, gruesome, creepy, and captivating. The ambiguity surrounding what They look like and are only heightens the tension and fear.

Hyacinth is a fantastic FMC, and you truly find yourself rooting for her (no pun intended). The way she deals with all the injustices thrown at her is unbelievable.

The cast of character and story in general was phenomenally written. Honestly, I hated everyone but Morgan. Even Mistress Yarrow, which I now know was a justified feeling. Everyone got what they deserved.

I was gripped from start to finish and ended up finishing it in less than 24 hours. So gripping, and I easily could have read a hundred or so more pages.

My hardest recommend so far.

From the very beginning, the entire premise was intriguing, and it turned out to be a perfect slow-burn folk horror that I simply couldn't put down.
While I enjoyed the book immensely, I was left with several unanswered questions, particularly concerning the Teeth and the Deep. While the middle section was a bit slow, it ultimately delivered an overwhelming sense of dread right up to the very end.

Thank you, Net Galley, for providing the ARC.

What a ride! I'd rate it 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review!

The Bone Drenched Woods was creepy and atmospheric. I loved the setting and the focus on folk horror. The story had a constant feeling of uneasiness and chaos to it that really added to the ambiance.

I wish there was more explanation on the Teeth and the Deep. I feel like I spent 80% of the book confused on what these creatures were and then when you finally get more information, it still doesn’t really explain it. The pacing felt a little slow at times but I think that’s a me problem, because I’m not usually a fan of slow burns.

If you like folk horror and slow burns, I’d definitely recommend this book!

“Blessed am I for the small mercies of men” This quote from chapter 24 perfectly sums up my thoughts on this chilling story. A tale as old as time where the patriarchy reigns supreme claiming sin and witchcraft to calm the nerves from unexplainable circumstances and excuse their uncontrollable desires. Hyacinth shines as a spirited FMC while still battling with her inner conscience and morality. I wasn’t sure if this was going to be something though would hold my interest and I quickly found it to be very engaging.

This book is perfect if you want to read something quick that will keep you rooting for the FMC who is strong and determined to not end up like others. Throughout the story she keeps fighting for what she wants no matter the consequences and how others view her actions.

The Bone Drenched Woods is a dark and gritty portrayal of religious and patriarchal control.

It illustrates the weaponising of religion in a beautifully, gruesome way. It prioritises the notion of “doing good for good” and that acting on instructions is the only way forward.

It is definitely the type of story that has you thinking more about your own life after the book ends. It is enriched with messages that stick with you after you’re done reading.

“𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴.”

Hyacinth is a young woman with a wild soul, that’s not meant to be kept within the confines of a community controlled by fear. And her story is hauntingly poetic.

It’s a dark, atmospheric and morbidly gothic folk story about the monsters that lurk in the shadows that feels oh-so familar to the scary stories we’re told as children— You better behave, or else…

But it’s also so much more than that as it tells a story of a world where religion is weaponized and fear is used to control the people. It depicts the erasure of women’s individuality as they succumb to the wants of controlling men, and what happens to those who don’t bow to the threat.
Needless to say, this story will stoke the flames of your inner female rage.

The writing is absolutely amazing and Russell’s use of imagery really transports you right into the ‘bone drenched woods’. I found the clever use of names and their meaning to be additional tools in her storytelling. The symbolism and other small details are always fun to catch and really add depth to the story.

Overall, I loved this book. It left me wanting more, in the best way. I received this as an ARC read via NetGalley. This was my first from this author and I can confidently say that I will be looking forward to reading more of her work!

The Bone Drenched Woods is the kind of book that seeps under your skin. Set in a world shaped by superstition, sacrifice, and violence cloaked in ritual, it’s as much about survival and defiance as it is about monsters—both human and otherwise.

Hyacinth is a standout protagonist. Fierce, restless, and unwilling to accept the roles laid out for her, she carries the narrative with a mix of righteous anger and aching vulnerability. Her voice is clear and compelling, and the horrors she faces, both in her village and on the isolated coast, are rendered with eerie, almost folkloric beauty.

The writing is strong, atmospheric without being overwrought. The imagery of bones, fire, and deep-sea terror sticks with you, and the rituals and rhymes woven through the narrative give it the feel of a dark fairytale passed down over generations.

If I had one critique, it’s that the pacing occasionally falters, especially in the second half when the various horrors begin to converge. Still, the emotional core remains strong, and the ending is deeply satisfying in its refusal to offer easy answers.

Fans of folk horror, feminist rage, and stories where women choose themselves no matter the cost will find a lot to love here. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever this author does next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!