I really wanted to like this book more. The description sounded so good, and I love historical fantasies, so I did like that it takes place in the past. Overall it seemed like a good storyline, and I really liked the idea of using witchcraft to help solve a murder, but I had some issues getting into reading it. I ended up dnf-ing about a third of the way through, since I just couldn’t connect with it, but I might try reading it again in the future since I like the premise.

I felt that there were things missing that would have made it a better and more captivating read. One of the things I had trouble with was the setting - there were a lot of aspects of the setting that weren’t explained super detailed, but seemed to be important to know about in order to fully understand the context of the story. (This could be due to me not being super familiar with Appalachian lore/stores, but I do wish there was a bit more context in general). I also had trouble connecting to the characters. It felt like I didn’t really know much about them, or about how they fit into the town.

This book was a cute read. It takes place in the mid 1900's and is 3rd person, which I typically stay away from but this book kept my interest. The dialog was accurate for the south (assuming that's where the story takes place) back then and I found it added a lot of depth to the story.
The sisters investigate a string of murders that appear to be caused by a supernatural entity. They're faced with many challenges and while the sisters are night and day, they use their differences to overcome them.
I do think they use their magic a little too freely, especially given the time period, and the ending seemed a bit rushed. But, all in all, this was a good read!

The dialougue in this book is what made it worth reading. The accent was very pronounced and I feel that helped make the characters. The story did feel a bit rushed at parts, but overall it was enjoyable. If the author could have given a better idea of the time when this takes place it would have made the story that much better.

It was a surprise that this book takes place in the past. I generally don’t like books that do, and I didn’t know that when I requested this one. One of the reasons that I don’t like it is present in this book. Women are not treated well, and they mostly must take it. It angers me, and sometimes takes me out of the story. This is all very much a personal preference. It is a testament to this author that I enjoyed this anyway. Jewel and Leona are interesting characters who I don’t agree with sometimes in the decisions they make, but I do understand why they do. This is a fascinating and different look at folkloric/country magic, and while there were a lot of missing details i.e. where in the country, when in the past, and more physical details about the characters, I really did enjoy this. I will probably pick up the next one, if there is one, which says something. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you, NetGalley, Jessica Raney, and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing for the eARC copy of Root and Bone.

This is a good witchy read set in the time around the 1950s in a small town. Women start going missing and murdered. In comes our two female main characters, Leona and Jewel, who are witches and also sisters. The vibes of those two gave off Practical Magic vibes, and I was loving it!

Leona and Jewel knew that something wasn't right with these murders and decide to investigate it and find that there is a supernatural force behind them.

While investigating these murders they run into multiple dangers.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I hope in the next book we get to see more of Cale and Leona and Peggy. I would really like to know the backstory of Peggy. I would really like to know if Peggy can see ghost and talk to them like her mom or if she can just sense them like her aunt Jewel. Eager to find out!

Closer to the end of the book, I felt like things were flying at us (the readers), and it was a bit hard to stay focused with so much coming at us at once and became confusing.

Also, please read the CW's before diving in. ♡

Overall found it a good starting point to a series, as there's many aspects that need deeper/more detailed building, as do the characters in general, which maybe will develop as the series advances.
This book left me curious throughout, but I felt like the curiosity was never sated.

The main thing I struggled with on this book was the pace, which feels too slow and too fast at different times in the book.

The actual rating is 3.75 ⭐️

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the setting and the storyline, especially the relationship between Leona and her sister Jewel.

The plot was engaging, kinda thrillery. I hope to be able to continue the series to see where it will end up.

I loved the witchy vibes and the folkloric elements involved.

Definitely check the trigger warnings before.

Thank you Net Galley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read it in advance 🙏

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

So this was a book I was really excited for but didn’t fully hit the mark for me.

I think a main pitfall for me was that none of the characters were likable - except Cale. Everyone was hateful, even our heroines. The way people and places were described was just negative. I didn’t attach to or care about anything. Except the one ghost.

Some aspects felt rushed while some were a bit drawn out. I often got to a point where I understood the world created and then something changed. This did read and end like a first book of a series, so that may be why things felt unfinished. If it’s a series then there will be space for the unanswered questions to be wrapped up!

It was decently paced and didn’t lull much, which makes it a fairly easy read. I did enjoy the little bit of romance involved - that was a lovely piece of light in an otherwise darker backdrop. There was a lot of blatant abuse and mistreatment of women that was likely consistent with the time period but it was a bit much for me.

I enjoyed aspects and am glad I read it but I’d suggest checking trigger warnings and maybe combing through some reviews before picking this up for yourself!

Root and Bone, Spencer Sisters, book 1
By Jessica Raney

Summary:
Leona and Jewel Spencer are magical sisters from the small Appalachian town of Ames. They are descendants of women sages versed in healing, guardians of secrets, and wielders of potent enchantments—Leona and Jewel possess a unique connection to the dead.
When a grisly murder shatters the town's peace, it becomes evident that conventional authorities are ill-equipped to unravel the true depths of the mystery. Thus, the burden falls upon the shoulders of the Spencer sisters, who find themselves entangled in a web of malevolent magic and restless spirits.

Review:
It is clear that the author is from the Appalachia area. The Granny Kay character used several sayings unique to the story's setting that made me laugh out loud. There was a large cast of characters, and a few were underdeveloped, but knowing this is a series, the characters could be explored deeper in later books. I enjoyed Jewel and the townspeople's description. Jewel and Leona's banter sounds like sister squabbles, but love is behind the words. The magic system was an extension of the sisters' background and fit well within the story.

Certain story elements were glazed over, and there are a few trigger warnings you need to be aware of before picking up this book. I found the theme of sister/family bonds to be well-written, and the relationships were believable. The other theme of good vs evil was multifaceted, and almost all the characters had flaws. I enjoy a story where characters are not entirely saints or saviors. This detail creates more depth and lends to the plot structure. This story just threw in various creatures/monsters, and considering they were critical to the storyline, the book needed more low fantasy worldbuilding. Overall, I enjoyed this enchanting book of magical sisters who solve mysteries. The writing was descriptive and took you on a dark trip to the hollers of Appalachia.

In exchange for my honest review, I received an ARC copy of the ebook from Netgalley and Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing. Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and read it in 2 days! If you want an action packed book with mystery and magic, this is the book for you. In the beginning of our book, a woman goes missing. Our two main characters Jewel and Leona come from a long line of witches, and each have magical abilities. When it’s clear the police will need extra help, the two sisters step in to find the missing woman. As the story unravels, we meet evil and vengeful ghosts, and with the help of a friendly spirit and their magic, Jewel and Leona help their town.
I absolutely loved Jewel and Leona! Their strong personalities and them being women who aren’t afraid to stand up to a man made them so lovable! I also loved that the topic of abuse in relationships was covered in this story to show that sometimes it isn’t so easy for someone to leave. The magical element of this story was amazing, and the action had my heart racing so fast.
If you like mystery’s, magic and strong female characters, I highly recommend you read this!

I love this book!! I wasn’t sure what to expect except a witchy book, but it was so much more! There were witches and werewolves and love and heartbreak and spells and murder and mystery! I read it in one sitting and cried more than once. It was spookier than I expected, and I loved that, I felt satisfied at the ending and even though I wanted something to happen I still felt a sense of closure.
Thank you so much to Jessica Raney and NetGalley for this ARC!!

A little root and bone magic and I absolutely LOVED it!

First, a young girl is found murdered. The Spencer sisters are two strong, female witches and they feel it is their responsibility to help when they find that magic is at play.
But Leona and Jewel Spencer are not alone.
There are ghouls, werewolves, vampires all hiding amongst the people in town. Not to mention, ghosts full of rage that no one but Leona can see!
More people are getting murdered, curses are going around, and Leona and Jewel Spencer are the ones capable of saving their small town.
Will the whispers in Leona’s head get in the way and be their demise?
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This book completely broke me at the end. I did not expect to be heartbroken over anything, but there I was, crying! I’m praying for a sequel. 🙏🏼😭

The only downside for me was that the ‘big’ anticipated battle was a bit anticlimactic. But everything else was just, WOW. 😭

This was a good novel , however, I felt it could have been great. It wasn't long enough, I felt, to tell the whole story that it could have told. You are strung right into things too quickly. It was a good novel, just could have been better

A surprisingly cozy read, in a dark magic cozy kind of way.

It was giving practical magic vibes with sisters who are opposites but work together, possession, ghosts, and other paranormal entities.

The two sisters work together using witchcraft and their specific skill sets to solve and hunt something supernatural that’s is killing the local townsfolk- like a paranormal whodunnit.

It’s was a great fun easy read

I really struggled to get into this book. I found the writing style difficult to get on with, with much of the dialogue seeming to be he said she said, but there were other aspects of the book where i was left wondering on the back story.

A good premise, with lots of potential.

I found it difficult to get into and my rating reflects that.

I really wanted to get into 'Root and Bone,' but I ended up dropping it at about 30%. It just wasn't clicking with me.

The biggest problem? The way the story kicks off. You're tossed right into the middle of things without much clue about the setting or the time period. The characters' way of speaking hints at maybe the 1940s or '50s, but you don't get any clear confirmation until much later. Plus, the whole deal with magic is super confusing. It's not clear who knows about it or what the deal is with magical creatures, which just adds to the confusion.

By the time I hit the 30% mark, nothing had really grabbed me—not the setting, not the characters, and not the plot.

Just a heads up for those planning to give it a shot—make sure to check the trigger warnings. I didn’t rate it since I didn’t finish, so it wouldn't be fair. But Netgalley system doesn't accept it, so my rating is for the potential of the plot.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jessica Raney for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Root and Bone coming out May 14, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really wanted love it because I love witches and ghost stories. There were just some parts that felt out of place. Some of the motivations for the characters didn’t make sense to me. It felt like women were being sexualized but also the girl power theme. There was a religious theme. And then there was a murder mystery. I’m not sure how it all fit together. I didn’t quite understand the rules of magic either. I just thought things would go differently based on the summary. I enjoyed the dialogue. I really wanted more of the Appalachia feel because I think it’s an interesting culture and I’d love to learn more about it. I would check out other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Overall, I thought this book was good, but it really wasn’t my cup of tea. While I enjoyed the storyline itself there were certain elements that I didn’t enjoy as much. I felt like there was a lot of time spent where Leona is just reprimanding Jewel for her language, which got distracting. There were also just a lot of conflicts in such a short story that I maybe could’ve been reduced down. One of the things that really didn’t sit well with me was the domestic violence - I don’t remember seeing a warning about that but I probably wouldn’t have read it if I had known. Overall I gave it a 3 star rating because it was good story with a lot of promising pieces.

I really wanted to love this book, but it was just an OK read for me. It came across to me as a mix of spooky horror, mystery, romance, paranormal or urban fantasy... but none of them were felt fully fleshed out outside of the two sisters and their witchy powers. The plot felt a bit all over the place.

I finished the book and still had questions, especially about Cale. It felt like every time I thought I understood the world and what was happening, some new element got introduced and the previous one didn't feel finished. More world building would have helped. I wanted to know more about the mysterious creature and voice that wasn't fully named and we never found out more information on. I also didn't fully understand what was going on with the revival priest and his brother and how they got to be the way they were.

The relationships between the two sisters and their husbands just felt icky to me. I have read a lot of books that mention abuse and what it was like for the victims... this was all the actions with only shallow feelings mentioned from the sisters. It was as if the abuse was just an expected part of marriage and that was not my cup of tea. The dialogue was also a little jarring for me. Were the sisters supposed to have an accent? Maybe southern US? That's kind of the feeling I got from the way it was written, but it was a bit distracting for me. The final conflicts also felt a bit rushed.

However, despite the confusion and flaws, I didn't hate it. It was dark and gritty and there were parts I loved. The relationship between the sisters was wonderfully done. The magic in the book was also interesting as were the questions about morality the book brings up.

A thrilling fantasy.
Enticing plot and powerfull characters.
I was obsessed with the story and the characters