If I could rate Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab higher than five stars, believe me, I would. I fear I’m nowhere near articulate to put into words how magnificent this story is, but I’ll try!

With Bury Our Bones, Schwab hasn’t just told a vampire story, they have fully immersed the reader in a timeline of events spanning entire lifetimes, centuries and beyond. Never within the space of 500 pages have I felt like I know characters so deeply as I did with this book.

The character development in this book is SO beyond next level, with characters shifting and changing so subtly before your eyes that it’s almost undetectable until the story arc is fully developed. That’s the moment you realise Schwab has been laying incredibly clever signs and hints.

With a take on vampires that’s both classic and refreshing and a cast of characters that you’ll love and hate all at once, Bury Our Bones is an epic and lyrical addition to a well loved fantasy sub genre. I absolutely adored every second and this’ll be one I reread for sure in future!

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil has been the most amazing holiday read. I saved this for Easter Break - I had a hunch I’d not be able to put it down - and I’m so glad I could give this all my time.

I grew up on Anne Rice and Lestat was always my gothic favourite, and in my opinion few in modern literature have come close to reaching the same vampiric status (Eric Northman maybe?), but now there are three (THREE!) new undead icons I’ll not forget in a hurry.

This book is a journey through time, places, spaces and cultures; twisty, immersive and highly emotive. Think Addie LaRue meets Interview With the Vampire meets Jane Eyre with a dash of Bridgerton, Gatsby, Florence + The Machine (yes, really!), love, hate and everything in between.

The playlist in my head for this book is 👌✨

I have too many thoughts and don’t want to spoil it, so no more right now. I have preordered a copy - June hurry up already - and suggest everyone does, the first editions will all be signed. I also cannot wait for the audio edition!

Many thanks netgalley for the arc. I love you. Thank you again V.E. Schwab for another simply incredible book!

5 ⭐️
Publication Date - 10th June

This is my first ever time reading a book by V.E.Schwab and wow! This was incredible, absolutely stunning poetic writing.

This books follows three main characters, over split timelines. They are all so well written and the way V.E.Schwab wrote them was incredible, so much depth, so immersive and how their stories came together and interlinked was so clever and well done. The way each character was written, the way their stories were told really allowed you to build a connection with them. Despite the book being about three main characters over three different timelines, the book was well paced and we move between characters enough so that you aren’t reading about one for too long.

Following each character as they navigate through the world, through the YEARS for two of them, reading about their ways, desires, their hunger.. I didn’t want to put this book down!

They’re toxic, they’re messy, they’re feral and I loved every moment and I absolutely devoured this book! 🥀🩸

Okay, so Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is definitely a strong 4-star read for me. Schwab’s storytelling is always so captivating, and this book is no exception. It’s dark, atmospheric, and beautifully written – just what you’d expect from her. I loved the way she weaves together the lives of Maria, Charlotte, and Alice. Despite the different time periods and settings, there’s this underlying connection that ties them all together, and that’s what really drew me in.

Each character is well-crafted, and while Maria, Charlotte, and Alice are all dealing with their own unique struggles, their journeys felt real and relatable. Maria’s complicated marriage, Charlotte’s battle with societal expectations, and Alice’s grief each pulled me in emotionally, even if some of their choices frustrated me at times.

The prose is lyrical and lush, which I really enjoyed, but I did find it a little slow in some parts. Schwab’s ability to set the tone and atmosphere is unmatched, but there were moments where the pace felt like it could’ve picked up a bit. The tension slowly builds, but there were sections where I wanted more action to keep me hooked.

The vampires in this story are complex and have a lot more depth than your average bloodsuckers. I loved how Schwab made immortality feel like a burden rather than a blessing. The themes of love, loss, and identity are explored in such a way that I found myself thinking about them long after finishing the book.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with mixed feelings. It was satisfying, but I was hoping for a bit more of a punch at the conclusion. Still, it’s a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves Schwab’s work or enjoys dark, atmospheric stories with complex characters.

All in all, I’d say it’s a solid 4-star read. There were a few slow moments, but the emotional depth, the world-building, and the characters made it a really enjoyable book. If you’re into stories that linger in your mind after you’re done reading, then this one is definitely worth picking up.

Huge thank you for the ARC of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, but unfortunately this was a DNF at 47%. I really really tried to push through this one but it's hard to do when you don't enjoy one of the POVS (Alice) at all, and are starting to dislike another (Maria) with no sight of the promised third POV?
The writing is beautifully done, I just really struggled to connect with any of the main characters. The secondary characters of Hector and Renata were interesting enough, given what little we see of them, and I'm sure I'd have felt the same was about Matheo and Alessandro if I had chosen to continue but knowing that they were probably going to be dropped at the wayside for character development didn't feel productive.

“Bury my bones in the midnight soil, plant them shallow but water them deep, and in my place will grow a feral rose, soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth.”

This was outstanding, absolutely brilliant!

Will I buy a physical copy once it’s released? Definitely!

Vampires have always been a favourite of mine since I was young, from Dracula to Camilla to even Twilight, I have loved vampire stories.

The storytelling itself felt as if the narrator had broken the fourth wall by telling us directly what had happened as if they had witnessed it all.

The characters themselves all had their strengths and weaknesses and played them so well, it showed that being immortal is not what it all seemed and that it can eventually take its toll on you and almost make you mad, it may sound fun but it becomes boring and not everyone wants it in the end but there is no way out. (unless a stake threw the heart of course).

The relationship that Sabine and Lottie share is a toxic one, starting sweet but then the partner shows their true selves and there is no escape.

Reading the stories of each character felt like little books themselves and how being queer back in the 16th century, 19th century or even today has its toll whether being accepted or not. It also shows that women aren’t weak, that they can be strong and independent and that men can be cruel in their nature.

This is one I will definitely be recommending again and again to anyone and everyone.

VE Schwab: Good
Vampires: Good
Lesbian love story: Good

What is there not to like?

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is another hit for VE Schwab. The timeline in the book is needed - you want to know how all the pieces fall into place with the characters. VE Schwab has been a hit or miss for me. This book reminded me of why this author is an automatic buy. Thank you for providing me with an ARC.

An absolute MASTERPIECE! 🤌🏻 I honestly don’t know where to begin with explaining how god damn incredible this book is. VE Schwab is a phenomenal writer. I literally have no words

I JUST CANNOT. THIS BOOK. I’m not sure I am ever going to be able to write a coherent review. This book was just everything I wanted and more. Such an incredible work of art. V E Schwab is one of my all time favourite authors and I have loved everything that she has written, and I have read everything that has been published however this is definitely one of my favourites if not my actual favourite. The characters were beautiful. I built such a strong connection with each and every one of them and I just love them so so much. The story had me hooked. There is something about Schwab’s writing that has me absolutely mesmerised, I could not put this book down. I could have devoured it in one sitting but I forced myself to take my time because I just did not want this to end. It is one of those books that I could literally start again immediately after finishing. A work of art. I cannot wait for the world to read this book. I am even more excited now to attend Bath to Schwab’s event for this book. I like my reviews to include things to improve, but I can’t. This book filled a hole I didn’t know I had in my heart and I would not change anything about it. I cannot wait to get my physical copy so I can annotate and devour this story all over again. I cannot thank you enough for granting me access to an early copy of this book.

"The world will try to make you small. it will tell you to be modest and meek. But the world is wrong. You should get to feel and love and live as boldly as you want"

this was one of my most anticipated books this year, and I'm so excited to have received an arc. it was a beautifully written book that I think fans of Addie Larue will love

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 beeb 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.

“𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒊𝒍, 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒑 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉.” 🥀🖤🩸

This was my first V.E. Schwab book and it will absolutely not be my last.

A toxic sapphic vampire romance with the most hauntingly beautiful prose, the way this book intertwines multiple timelines (spanning 500 years no less) yet manages to tie them together with a blood red ribbon was masterful, with intricate storytelling that oozes in feminine rage, tragedy and euphoria.

There was no character in this book that I could pull myself away from, they were beautifully fleshed out from the very first page to the very last, I felt as if I could channel every ounce of their emotions - their grief, yearning, obsession, angst, and pain.

I was utterly captivated by this book and I am eternally grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy. I hope everyone loves this book just as much as I did.

A fantastic read with a richly immersive atmosphere and intricately written, complex characters. The storytelling shines through its depth and tone, though the pacing felt uneven at times, dragging in some sections and rushing through others. Still, a compelling and worthwhile experience overall

Bury Our Bones In the Midnight Soil was my most anticipated release of 2025. I screamed when I got an ARC. But when you put so much pressure on a book I find it can often disappoint, and so I went into this one tentatively. Mind Blown. This book did not disappoint. It was reminiscent in many ways of Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, rekindling that spark that I felt had been missing in many of other works. The book follows three lesbian Vampires through different points in history. The worldbuilding is a little wishy washy in parts, and the pacing a little messy with the middle struggling. However, the character work in this book is truly masterful. I love a morally grey character, and the substantial timeline the book covers really allows Schwab to show how her characters change over time, weaving in and out of morality, and finding different coping mechanisms for dealing with being a vampire, and the constant thirst for blood. Despites its fairly evident flaws, Bones evokes such strong emotions within its reader and has such well written themes that these flaws are forgettable. Not to mention, Schwab’s prose in this novel is on another level, poetic and evocative in a way that draws you in even during narrative lulls. Like it’s characters, this book is imperfect, but it’s also really really really powerful and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished it.

Toxic lesbian vampires meets dark, lyrical masterpiece in all the right ways

I went into Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil blind and if only I had known the ride I was in for! From the very first page, I was completely hooked. This book didn’t leave my side until the final word.

Spanning three timelines - Santo Domingo de la Calzada in 1532, London in 1837, and Boston in 2019, Schwab weaves a haunting and unforgettable tale of three women whose stories are as fierce as they are fragile. Where others often stumble with multiple timelines, Schwab excels. Each narrative is rich, emotionally charged, and seamlessly interlaced.

I felt each woman’s journey in my bones, and their stories will stay with me for a long time.

This was my first V.E. Schwab read and it certainly won’t be my last!

Thank you to BookBreakUK and the team at Pan Macmillan for the advanced copy 💗

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab is a dark, lyrical tale that weaves together the lives of three women across centuries—each story rooted in pain, power, and a hunger that transcends time.

Set in Santo Domingo de la Calzada in 1532, London in 1837, and Boston in 2019, the book braids these timelines together in a haunting narrative where each woman’s life blooms and decays in its own way. Their stories are deeply entwined, layered with longing, vengeance, and an almost feral kind of love.

Schwab’s writing is as hypnotic as ever. There’s a feverish beauty to the prose that makes every page feel like you’re sinking deeper into a dark, mossy forest. The sapphic elements are rich with intensity and complexity, offering both tenderness and toxicity in equal measure.

Personally, I found this book unforgettable. It’s the kind of story that lingers, gnaws at your thoughts, and begs to be reread. A lush, eerie triumph.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Another brilliant book from VE Schwab. I was hooked from the very beginning, and I loved reading about the relationships between the women and how they crossed over and intertwined.
My one criticism would be the pacing felt a bit off at times, some parts felt really slow and drawn out but the ending felt very quick and almost surprising.

Overall a fantastic book that I would absolutely recommend!!!

[...] “Once there was a girl afraid of growing up,” [...]
In short, I could just tell you that the book is about vengeful female vampires trying to find ways to indulge their bloodlust and to best enjoy their immortality. And while these things do come up, I feel that the story is much more about the question of what makes us human.

[...] "Time makes poets of us all" [...]
I just adore the V.E. Schwab's writing and the way she seamlessly weaves beautifully written prose about love, loss and loneliness into the stories of our main characters. This is what makes Bury our Bones a timelessly poetic book that itself tells a story spanning across centuries.

[...]“She didn’t know it then, but it turns out a soul is what makes the sun feel warm against your skin, what gives food taste, what makes you feel full."[...]

In many ways, this has all the markings of a good vampire novel and while I usually don't mind and sometimes even enjoy a multigenerational story, something about this just didn't click for me.

Schwab is clearly a very competent writer. A lot of her prose and characterisation is lovely to read but the way this novel is broken up and paced feels very off. Most of the first half is spent exploring the life and undeath of one of our three main characters, but then just as we properly begin to read about the other two, she falls entirely by the wayside. There is a bit of tonal disjointedness throughout because of this multi-POV narrative, and in some ways I wish this was a book about just one or two of these characters. The finale also feels a little underwhelming because of this.

Still, I enjoyed many of the secondary cast and wished we shared a little more time with them. Schwab's prose is very pleasant to read, too, and I did love many elements of each individual protagonists' stories.

Three women from three time periods, learning to embrace their new life in the midnight soil. The characters in this book are toxic. If you need likeable characters then this is not a book for you. I found it a compelling read. I did not want to look away. Those who enjoyed Addie LaRue will probable also enjoy this as it felt tonally similar.