This book wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. It was advertised as sapphic, toxic, vampires. Yes it was those things, but they delivered as more like buzz words to drum up a mediocre book. This is not romantic, and there is almost zero spice. I was bored for a lot of this. It felt like I was reading Downton Abbey where you somehow keep watching/reading but nothing ever really happens. What felt like possible character arcs ended up being unnecessary parts of the story. I did enjoy the character's experiences across history and different pinnacle points in time (i.e. war times, rationing). I loved VE's method of writing and use of metaphors to describe the experiences of the characters. I think by reading this, I know what type of reader I am. This was sad, depressing, and tragic. Your girl needs something good to come from it and I just felt sad for every character and the overall vibe of the book. Some readers might like that but I wanna feel moved in a different way that has connotations of love, hope, or growth. I was graciously provided with an early copy of the audiobook and despite this not being my cup of tea, the narrators were absolutely spectacular! I felt immersed in the story and easily empathised with the characters through their strife. Thank you Netgally for the ALC, I will be looking up the other audiobooks from these narrators!

This is a story about hunger
This is a story about love
This is a story about rage

Masterful story telling.
A captivating audiobook with great narration.

This was a beautifully melancholic read. V.E. Schwab has a way with words that paints vivid pictures and evokes deep emotions, and this novella is no exception. The atmosphere is thick and haunting, and the premise is utterly captivating. I loved the exploration of grief and the ties that bind us to the past, even in death. My only minor quibble was that I wished it had been a little longer; some aspects felt like they could have been explored more deeply. Still, a wonderfully eerie and impactful story that will linger with you.

3.5⭐️
3 women, 5 centuries, and destructions in their wakes.

It all started with a girl who wanted to be free, and didn’t waste the chance she got. Her name was Maria, but she hated that name. So since she’s “changed”, she claimed the name of her first victim: Sabine. Centuries passed, she met new people of her kind and learned a lot of new things. She had no particular purpose in her life, at that point. Until she met a girl named Charlotte. Then centuries later, another girl named Alice also caught in-between them.

This isn’t a romantic story at all. It’s about obsession and insatiable hunger. It’s very slow paced and too long IMO, but I admit I was intrigued. I loved the vivid atmospheric setting and the strong characterization. Couldn’t say I like the characters, though. Maybe I slightly prefer Charlotte over the other 2. But anyway! I couldn’t connect with Alice’s backstory, I almost always zoned out each time she’s having flashbacks and by the time I reached the end I don’t think it’s that relevant to the plot either.

5 centuries is not a short time, I was skeptical at how easy they got away with what they did. Surely it’s long enough to make people wonder and talk? Especially since they didn’t change their names at all. The story was woven too closely around the 3 main characters personal problems, it’s like the other aspects didn’t exist. Like at least give some scenes when they’re having external problem? And what’s with the chapter numbers always restart for every POV?? What’s the reasoning behind this?

For the audiobook, generally it’s good. I liked Sabine & Charlotte’s narrators, but not Alice. IDK I felt like she’s too flat? Could use more emotions maybe?

So yeah. Generally it was just okay for me. At least it’s interesting enough to keep me reading & listening, clearly not a small feat considering it’s quite a long book.

This was such an interesting take on a vampire novel.
The multiple timelines converging into one was so engaging that I couldn’t put this book down.
VE Schwab’s writing is utterly captivating. This book is an exploration into life and death and womanhood and I adored every second of it.

With trademark Schwab lyricism, the book enchants the reader as it braids the stories of three different women centuries apart still continuing to face the same issues. The introduction of vampires into the narrative was gradual and beautifully executed. It feels like Schwab has paid homage to common and popular vampire mythos whilst also creating a lore that is wholly their own.

The narrators for this audiobook are utterly exceptional and all three do an incredible job of bringing the characters to life and creating a truly immersive story.

Schwab never disappoints and it was a real treat to consume this book!

WHAT. how is that the end????

I — am glad it’s done and not sure how I’ll get over it. I loved this book. It wriggled between my thoughts, like it was trying to bury its own bones in the soil of my mind.

but it’s not midnight and I am not sure what will happen now it’s over. I just know I loved the journey.

Headlines:
Brutal power
Gory thirst
Glorious vampires

Schwab took the reader on a journey through the ages in this intersecting tale of three female vampires. It all started with Marie in 1500s Spain, it moved to Charlotte in England and to the near-present with (Scottish) Alice at Harvard in the US. This was a tale of power, greed, selfishness and survival.

Marie was perhaps the hardest of the protagonists to like and I didn't like her but I loved reading about her. Her metaphoric rise to the queen of her own world was a story to behold. She used people to suit her needs and lost her humanity quickly.

Alice provoked compassion from this reader due to her situation. There was a slow reveal of her past circumstances and an understanding of who she wanted to be began to take shape. Charlotte was the character I felt I knew the least but she was pivotal to the final quarter of the book.

This story was long in pages but quick to read. I part inhaled the book, like a bystander to a horrific crash, watching these characters live their vampiric lives and seeing their interactions with humans and other vampires along the way. There was plenty of gore and I would say this book edges around horror but it didn't feel difficult for this non-horror reader.

At the end, I felt satisfied with the culmination of these characters' existence. It was a story that encapsulated the hedonistic life of people who didn't have to worry about their mortality. I will forever wonder about one character's future.

What a thrilling and chilling read.

I listened to and read a physical copy of this book. Initially, I couldn't find my way with the audio because I was getting confused with the three characters. I then started my physical copy and switched between audio and physical. I ended up really enjoying the audio and the narration was excellent.

Thank you to Tor for the review copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and UK publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was epic! VE Schwab is simply a master of storytelling. Three equally captivating timelines which then crashed together explosively! I loved every minute.

A bit different from their usual type of book, but don't let that put you off. The way they describes things, gets to the feeling rather than just telling, could suck you into any story they told.

One of my favourite reads of the year and I'd recommend to anyone.

I half read and half listened to this one!

Loved it! The characters/ timelines/ everything. I'm a big Schwab fan.

Didn't feel like a long book either.

Great narrator too.

Thanks to the publisher for the aAlc and eArc received through NetGalley!

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil follows three women in three different timelines: María in 1532 Spain, Charlotte in 1827 London, and Alice in 2019 Boston. Throughout the book we follow all three women, their lives, the people the meet, and how their stories eventuallty converge. This is the slowest of slow burns, with a lot of rich detail and fleshed out backstories for each character. V. E. Schwab did a fantastic job with the characters in this book, with each feeling distinct and fully realised. I did feel that, because we were covering such a vast expanse of time, sometimes the jumps forward were a little jarring, especially with María's sections. Because of that I almost wish this was longer *and* slower?? Which I don't think will be a popular opinion, I'm just such a character-driven reader that I want all the juicy backstory possible lol. I love that this is the second sapphic vampire novel that's come out this year that I've read and loved. The gothic atmosphere and slow-burn sapphic romances worked so well and were full of obsession and yearning, which I think pairs so well with vampire stories.

The audiobook itself was also fantastic. All three narrators did a great job at bringing the characters to life and kept each section unique and engaging. I do plan on rereading physically to see if it changes my thoughts or enjoyment - I don't expect my rating to lower, but I do think reading physically and really engaging with the prose could bump this up to a 4.5⭐.

All in all, I think Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil was a deliciously slowburn and atmospheric queer vampire novel with beautiful prose and compelling characters, and I will definitely be reading more from V. E. Schwab in the future!

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a slow-burning, atmospheric read that rewards patience. While it took me a while to get through, and I occasionally found myself bogged down in the dense detail—particularly in the middle sections—I ultimately felt that the payoff was worth it. The book unfolds deliberately, and at times I wondered where it was all going. But by the end, the threads pulled taut and everything clicked into place in a satisfying way.

3.5 Stars

I went into this knowing almost nothing about it, and am not 100% sure how I feel about it! it was a slow-burn (maybe too slow in places!?), gothic vampire story full of poetic storytelling and queer longing. I can't get past a feeling of it being more focused on setting the right tone, rather than developing the plot, but it did keep me reading. Not what I expected, but I’m glad I read it... I think!

Actual rating 4.5.z

I finally read my first V E Schwab, and I loved it! This is such a rich, compelling novel set across centuries and travelling across the world. Whilst some of the themes feel familiar (a controlling, dangerous partner for one), applying them to lesbian vampires certainly adds a different twist! It’s dark and gruesome at times, but beautifully told and captivating.

I also thought the narrators were brilliant and the perfect voices for these characters.

I am broken I can’t stop thinking about this book. It emotionally destroyed me in all the best ways. I cannot put into words the way this book makes me feel.

All I will say is toxic lesbian vampires. Read this book, or listen because the narrators are next level. A love multiple narrators and these captured each individual character so well it felt immersive.

A beautiful stunning rebirth of the vampire trope and I’m here for it.

This was absolutely fabulous! It’s a long, slow character-driven book that is so beautifully written and only further elevated by the narrators. Each one was so distinct and really heightened each character — it helped flesh them out even more, the innocence of Lottie, the grief of Alice, the predatory nature of Sabine.

The exploration of vampirism in this book was also incredibly unique — the themes of trauma, grief, abuse, love, lust, queerness, just everything, was written such poignancy. Schwab’s writing style too is just in a league of its own. Oftentimes, the detailed superfluous writing style can come across as pretentious and unnecessary but Schwab weaves this beautiful tapestry of language to paint a vivid picture that makes you feel like you’re walking through the streets of 16th century Leon, 17th Rome, 19th century London… just brilliant.

I think this book will stay with me for a long time.

I now identify as a feral rose please thank you.

When I saw that this book was about toxic lesbian vampires I was SO intrigued but I don't think anything could have prepared me for this book.

This is a work of art weaving the stories of these three women across the vast timelines and places of 1532 in Santo Domingo, 1837 in London and finally 2019 in Boston. You start not knowing how the three stories are intertwined but in a slow burn across centuries you see how tangled the roots of these roses buried in the midnight soil really are. V.E Schwab's writing is so descriptive and poetic. She not only writes complex characters but sets the scene so well. Some themes explored in depth are how women are treated differently to men (and how that changes, or doesn't throughout the centuries), grief and loneliness,

I was given the opportunity to review this book with an audio ARC with the superb narration by Julia Whelan, Katie Leung and Marisa Calin. The audiobook format really lends itself to the book as it's very "Interview with a Vampire"-esque. I was so immersed in the characters and their lives going through the various stages of vampirism. As this book spans across a large length of time I think my interest was held with the audiobook where it might have faltered through the slower sections of the book.

It left me thinking, if I was given a chance to be immortal, would I? Is it a blessing to live forever of a curse? Is our humanity tied to our mortality?

I have so many more thoughts on this book but the rest are not coherent, I will be thinking about this book and its characters for a long long time.

Toxic lesbian vampires… need I say more!! This book spans centuries following 3 different POVs and how they all weave together. I listened to the audio and absolutely loved it!

Okay, I LOVED this book. Absolutely adored it from the depths of my soul.
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 been 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.

VE Schwab’s writing is intoxicating, and her use of time periods in this book is masterful. I am in love, and I may just read this on a loop forever. The chance to listen to this as an audiobook was GROUNDBREAKING. I’ve never listened to a book after reading it or vice versa (read after listening). The narrator choices for Sabine, Alice and Lottie are perfection, and I am absolutely enamoured with this. I didn’t think anything could top reading Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil … well, listening to it can.

This book is fantastic, and these narrators bring Schwab’s writing to life in a mind-bending, life-altering way. How do I continue on?

(** audiobooks absolutely ARE reading.)