This review is a bit tough to write because I didn’t finish the book. While Root and Bone has a beautiful cover and an intriguing summary that initially drew me in, I ultimately found it difficult to stay engaged. The relationship between the two sisters had potential but felt one-dimensional, while their granny stood out as the most compelling character. Her past, teaching the girls magic, offered the most interesting and memorable parts of the story.

However, I stopped reading because of the storyline involving the main character’s abusive husband. I felt this aspect was mishandled and lacked the nuance such a sensitive subject requires. Additionally, the language often felt clunky and juvenile, making it harder for me to connect with the narrative.

I believe the story might improve later on, so I may return to it when I’m in the mood for this type of story. For now, though, the initial promise of the book felt misleading, leaving me wishing for something different.

This is a fantastic and engaging story, loved the mix of witches, mystery, and crime. It’s a fantastic blend of genres.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Root and Bone was such a fun and magical read. I loved the setting and the placement of this book. There's just something about an Appalachian setting that makes the book even better. I can not recommend this book enough.

I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't hitting the mark for me and took me forever to finish. The atmosphere was there, with its creepy and dark vibes, but the rest felt bland. The world building was flat for me as well and when paired with the fact that Leona and Jewel could not stop bickering, and that was almost their entire dialogue. It really grated on my nerves after a while.

I hate Bob, the author did a stellar job in that aspect. My heart goes out to anyone who actually knows an individual like this.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to the book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book was a tough one. Two sisters live in a small Appalachian town and attempt to solve a brutal murder with their secret magic. It felt as though the author was going for a sort of Practical Magic vibe but it fell flat. The characters were hard to connect to and the writing was too slow for me to get behind the pacing. It seems like the author had an alright idea but the execution was off.

I really wanted to like this one because it sounded interesting and just my kind of suspenseful. However, I gave up around 35% or so into it, as I found myself not connecting to any of the characters and thus not caring what happened to them. I don't know if it was a plotting issue or a pacing thing, but I couldn't keep going on this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. It was quite hard to get into, and I didn't find it too compelling, or convincing enough to keep reading it. I gave up at around 25%, but it was just not for me.

I really enjoyed this book, the plot was well paced and the characters were well written. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This book has a stunning cover, and the storyline is compelling. I was hooked on this eerie dreamy read. Perfect for a cozy evening Autumn read. This fast paced book was filled with magic, darkness, and supernatural beings. I am excited to see what the future holds for this story, and the author,

I would recommend checking the trigger warnings before you dive in to this.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review; all opinions are my own.**

This was a DNF at about 10%. I really wanted to like this one, but something was lacking and I found it hard to continue to read. I hope others take a chance, though, because the premise is interesting!

The first book of the spencer sisters series.
A dark and twisted atmosphere, interesting characters and sparks of paranormal.
I did enjoyed the book, especially the atmosphere it created. Perfect for dark autumn evenings.
I wasn't a fan of the age gap, but well.

DNF at 25%. Just overall unpleasant. The characters are hard to care about and act more like teenagers than grown adults, I found the casual abuse to be unpalatable, and the story is far more gruesome than I had expected.

This book is non-stop action, full of magic and magical creatures and murder and mystery. This book is full of suspense, the kind that won't let you put this book down until the last page. I am looking forward to more by this author. This book appeals to lovers of mystery, magic, witches, and werewolves among other magical beings. While definitely hard-core on some topics, this book is definitely enjoyable and very page-turning. I highly recommend, and I've picked up all the other books by this author to read because I love her writing style. Definitely an author you need to check out.

Filled with magic and mystery, the first book of the Spencer Sisters series fills readers with a horror of what lurks within the woods.
A real spine-tingler of a tale set in the Appalachian, two sisters uncover a dark secret after a murder. Raney seamlessly weaves together magic and real-world insecurities found in women daring to break away from the status quo.

Leona Monroe and her sister, Jewel Spencer, live in Ames, a sleepy little Appalachian town where nothing much happens. When it does, everyone knows everything—at least they think they do.

This was good but it could've been great. It fell a little flat in the end for me.

Just what I needed to read. Loved this book and cannot wait for more. The plot was excellent and the word choice was right up there as well. I look forward to more from this author.

When I read Root and Bone, a dark fantasy novel set in a rural Appalachian village, I was immediately drawn in by the mix of paranormal creatures, horror, supernatural mystery, and magic. The plot was packed with dangerous challenges and mystical events, and I found the lore of the setting intriguing. The novel leans heavily on dialogue with a lot of conversational phrasing, which gives it an authentic feel. I followed the story of sisters Leona and Jewel, two very different witches who form a powerful magical team. Granny Kay’s earthy presence brought wisdom and grounding to their journey.

What stood out to me was the emotional undercurrent that ran through the story, though the dark imagery—like the violence, prostitution, and domestic abuse—could be triggering for some readers. Despite those intense moments, I found Root and Bone an enjoyable read, especially for fans of dark fantasy, horror, and supernatural mysteries. While it had a few shortcomings, it still delivered a compelling story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy for an honest review.

Story and writing was lackluster, characters were boring. Could not get into it. Was hoping for something spooky and witchy.

Root & Bone takes you deep into the Appalachian hollers, where magic is as much a part of life as moonshine and family secrets...

The Spencer sisters, Jewel and Leona, are witches of very different temperaments—one sharp and calculating, the other quietly powerful—making for a delightful and at times heated dynamic as they attempt to untangle a string of brutal murders while also struggling with their abusive husbands.

Set against the rich, moody backdrop of the 1950s, the novel deftly weaves post-war realities with supernatural creatures and a growing sense of unease. It’s the perfect blend of mystery, earthy magic, and gritty Southern Gothic atmosphere, and I was unexpectedly hooked from the get-go!

Root & Bone truly shines in its exploration of sisterhood. Jewel and Leona's complex relationship—filled with love, resentment, and dark humor—keeps you invested even when the pacing stumbles. They've both got hard shells but would each do anything for the other, even though their squabbling rivals the noisiest henhouse (the best part of the story imo).

Some plot elements do feel a tad rushed or underdeveloped, especially with characters like Levi and Galen and their potential as more realistic antagonists, but the story's heart remains strong. If you love witchy mysteries and small-town charm with a sinister twist, this is a spellbinding tale that will leave you wanting more (and I do so hope there's more)!