This was definitely a slow paced novel, but had interesting characters. I wish I enjoyed this one more than I did, but I just never fully connected into the story or characters. Nonetheless, it was a quick read despite the slow pacing.

3.5/5 stars

Root and Bone is creepy, weird, and full of Southern gothic vibes — basically everything I love in a book. It’s about Annie, who goes back to her spooky hometown in Louisiana only to find out her family tree has way more ghosts, curses, and weird magic than she signed up for.

The writing was super atmospheric, but some scenes ended so fast I barely had time to be scared — like, let me panic a little longer, please.

Annie was awesome, the family drama was messy in the best way, and the small-town horror vibes were chef’s kiss. If Jessica Raney writes more in this world, I’m absolutely coming back.

Perfect for fans of haunted woods, family secrets, and books that feel like a ghost story told around a campfire.

DNF @9%

It's set in an older time period and with some redneck southern speech that made me want to pluck my eyeballs out and I could not keep going.

"ain't"
"You was"
"Some people is sour"

Thank you to Netgalley for the after published copy. My thoughts are entirely my own.

I didn't get around to reading this title, but I am thankful for the e-ARC noetheless. Appalachian gothic/horror stories are some of my favourites, so I defintely do want to get my hands on a copy of this.

"Root and Bone" by Jessica Raney is a gripping blend of Southern Gothic, mystery, and magic. The story follows sisters Leona and Jewel, descendants of Appalachian healers, as they navigate a brutal murder in their small town. The setting is richly atmospheric, and the sisterly dynamic is both heartfelt and humorous. While the plot could use a bit more depth in places, the book's charm and supernatural intrigue make it a compelling read. If you love folk magic, family bonds, and a touch of darkness, this one’s worth picking up.

I didn’t have this but it wasn’t a love either. I had a hard time connecting and it indeed took me a LONG time to finish. It was slower and kept losing my attention. The premise going into it sounded so good so it’s a bit of a bummer and I’ll definitely try to revisit it at a later time. Maybe it was my mood, but it didn’t click with me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Root and Bone by Jessica Raney in exchange for an honest review. This was a fantastic book about two sisters with magic. An evil comes to town and they need to work together to save everyone. I loved Leona and Jewel's relationship and how true it felt.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like one of the books greatest strengths was the cosy town setting. That with the magic/paranormal just felt like a great combination.
I found myself really invested in the murder mystery and I am looking forward to the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing for the ARC.

I love mystery novels mixed with genre fiction. Investigating horrific murders with folk magic? Sign me up! Especially these murders, the description of the crime scenes were graphic and absolutely my thing. But the execution was so-so. The culprit was the obvious choice, and we don't really get the details about the dark god they serve, even when hints are dropped all throughout the book. I don't hate Leona and Jewel, but I can't say I loved them. And the relationship between Leona and Cale was cute... until you read about how they met, then its a little creepy. It was a quick read, a decent way to pass the time, but it wasn't the best.

When a girl is brutally murdered in the sleepy Appalachian town of Ames, it's clear that the local police force have no idea what's at play and it falls on Leona and Jewel, two local witchy sisters to dig deeper into the mystery. In the midst of the investigation two strangers come to Ames who are both powerful and dangerous setting Leona and Jewel at odds with dark magic and vengeful spirits.

This was a gripping read when I actually got a second to sit down with this I flew through it. The beginning was slow but once you get past the first 20% it feels like theres so much going on. There is DV throughout this as a warning to anyone wanting to pick this up. This was filled with paranormal romance, family bonds and dark magic. This was very character driven and I'd have liked to see more of the world and supporting characters. There's also snippets from the girls past and hopefully we'll see more of that in future books.

I really enjoyed Root and Bone! It’s a beautifully written mix of mystery, magic, and family, set in the heart of Appalachia. The story follows sisters Leona and Jewel, who have inherited their family's magical abilities, as they deal with small-town struggles and dark forces creeping into their lives.

The Appalachian setting is so rich and atmospheric—it really pulls you in. The magic feels natural and deeply tied to the land, which makes it even more compelling. But what I loved most was the relationship between the sisters. Their bond feels real, full of love and tension, and you can’t help but root for them.

I wish some parts of the story had been explored in more depth, but overall, this book completely drew me in. If you love stories about witchy family ties, small-town secrets, and a touch of the supernatural, Root and Bone is definitely worth a read!

I actually quite enjoyed Root and Bone overall! The vibes in this book are fantastic, with a gripping narrative centered around two strong witches working to uncover the murderers haunting their small town. The mix of supernatural elements, like magic, witches, werewolves, and other magical beings, creates an atmospheric world that I couldn’t get enough of.

The suspense in this book is relentless – it's the kind of story that keeps you hooked from start to finish, refusing to let go until you reach the final page. It’s an intriguing blend of fantasy, horror, and mystery, with just the right amount of supernatural tension to keep you guessing.

Though the book tackles some hardcore themes, it’s still incredibly enjoyable, and the plot never lets up. If you’re into witches, mystery, magic, and all things paranormal, this book is definitely for you. I’m definitely looking forward to more from Jessica Raney. It’s a page-turner for sure!

A haunting and evocative Southern Gothic tale that is a captivating blend of fantasy, horror, and mystery. The writing is atmospheric painting a vivid picture of the Appalachian setting. A spellbinding read.
Many thanks to Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

An incredibly rich and warm story filled with magic. Elements of love, power, ghosts and other creatures before a background of the Appalachian past.

Appalachian territory has always piqued my interest with all the different mysteries surrounding it. Add in a witchy murder mystery and I was hooked.

It was incredibly fast paced and unputdownable. I couldn't; wait to get my hands on a finished copy and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

The characters in this book had a lot of depth and that being said I had a hard time relating to them. I thought the plot was pretty standard for a witch book. Overall it was a nice read.

Root and Bone by Jessica Raney is a hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric novel that blends themes of family, healing, and the complexity of human nature. The story follows a young woman returning to her roots in a small town to confront her past and the secrets that have shaped her. Raney’s writing is lyrical and evocative, with a strong sense of place that draws you into the narrative. The characters are deeply flawed yet incredibly real, making their journeys toward redemption and understanding both poignant and powerful. Root and Bone is a novel that lingers long after you finish it, making it perfect for readers who appreciate stories rich in emotion and atmosphere.

⭐️: 2
DNF. I tried to get into it, but it didn’t hold my interest Maybe I’ll give it another chance at a later time.

Listen, the cover is gorgeous and i truly thought this was going to introduce me to a fantasy world, instead I fail how to see it as due to a murder that happens where both mystery and fantasy are mashed up together in a not so quite interesting way to say the least

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.