This was a dark, feminist, horror short book that I'm not sure how I feel about.

On the one hand, I loved Hyacinth and her "wickedness". She wasn't so much wicked as she just didn't conform to the patriarchal society she was expected to live in. She wanted to be wild and free, not get married, and be with her best friend. She didn't choose an easy life in the ways she fought back with her rebellious nature. But her actions affected those around her, bringing death to loved ones.

I also liked the worldbuilding of the Teeth and the Deep, but I felt like there could have been so much more. There's literally no real explanation as to what these ancient, eldritch brings are. I would have liked to have had some understanding of them, even if that was given at the end of the book.

There were definitely deeper meanings to this book. I got some of them, but I also feel that I'm missing the point a bit. Maybe I'm a bit too neurodivergent to understand whatever it is I'm supposed to understand from this book. I feel like there are hidden layers to this that I'm just not grasping or something is just eluding me.

Some of the pacing was slow at times, which would drag my interest away, so it took longer to read than it should have.

4.5⭐

This book transported me into a wonderfully eerie and dark fantasy world. The perfect setting for a delicious little tale of horror. The characters were perfection and I was never quite exactly sure what was going to happen next. I was hooked from the first chapter though and hungrily ate this book up. During the short lapse in which life intervened on my reading time I had only this story on my mind. It has rooted itself in my little brain as surely as the Teeth themselves and I will likely continue to tease out all the little nuanced commentary on our own world. Loved. It.

Probably not going for a hike anytime soon though!

I loved this, folk horror is one of my favourite sub genres and this was executed really well. The setting was haunting and atmospheric and the characters were engaging and relatable. Their motivations and problems made sense to me and I could understand the actions they took. I really enjoyed this, my only issue was the pacing slowed in the middle section

The Bone Drenched Woods is dark, gritty, and visceral. I do love a folksy story with ancient beings stalking the forest.

However, I would've liked this a lot more if things were explained. As it is, it relies on, "this is the way it's always been" as any explanation or world building. It had the vibe of a story with a significant metaphorical undertone, but I've never been good with those so I feel like I'm missing out on something.

There were a few plot holes or inconsistencies that could've benefitted from another editing pass. But overall it's a decent story with some real creepy vibes.

A chilling tale of hardship and heresy, with a "good for her" protagonist, monstrous folk rituals, and hungry eldritch creatures.

The vibes of this book were absolutely perfect, from the Teeth and the Deep, to the bone carving and the people who lived under a dominion of fear and hate. I also loved that the mc is not soft and gentle and is willing to speak her mind despite it being heresy

A deliciously creepy and dark folk-horror which had me hooked from the very first page. This story is so atmospheric you can almost feel the cold and the loneliness, the damp all around you and the moss beneath your feet. You can almost smell the rot that’s lingering and taste the blood that has been spilled. It all feels deeply unsettling with no hope or better future in sight.

The author did an amazing job at the world building, depicting the macabre imagery and making sure I was all consumed by the story. I was sucked into Hyacinths brutal and terrifying world, almost able to reach out and touch the characters.

As someone who loves folklore, this was perfect for me. I give it 4.5 stars, because there are still a few questions unanswered. But overall this was a magnificently dark and dreary read.

I went back to read the synopsis before reviewing and I feel like it more summarizes 60% of the book than gives you a preview. Which leads to my bugbear about the book: it feels longer than it is when you’re reading it, but I also think it needed to be a longer book to really explore things.

It was very just creepy folklore with no exploration of social dynamics or morals that I could sus out, and I think that was a big missed opportunity. Honestly in general I feel like it had a lot of potential and was great but didn’t feel finished or felt like a chunk was missing.

Creepy and atmospheric, this reminds me of the TV Show, Salem. I wish it expounded more on the lore and dug deeper into that and the Puritanical community they live. Some of the scenes are kind of soapy, and inasmuch as I love Hyacinth’s feistiness, she comes across very bratty at times.

Fable: https://fable.co/review/87b3cd7f-b257-4b96-9e6c-db36b8e276c5/share

4.0/5.0

I ate this book up! I wanted to be bad-mouthed Hyacinth running feral through the woods. The gothic atmosphere was fully immersive.

I’d first like to thank NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.
L.V. Russell’s The Bone-Drenched Woods is a dark, lyrical gem that plunges readers into a haunting, folklore-rich world brimming with atmosphere and quiet terror.

What sets this novella apart is its emotional depth. Beneath the gothic horror and eerie tension lies a poignant exploration of loss, trauma, and the ways we confront (or run from) our past. The horror here is subtle but effective—it lingers, creeps in slowly, and leaves an impact long after the final page.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric horror, dark fairytales, or stories that blend emotional resonance with supernatural dread, this book is for you. At first I was unsure of what to expect but I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. I’d absolutely recommend this to friends

The Bone Drenched Woods is one of those stories that creeps under your skin in the best way. L.V. Russell blends gothic vibes with dark fairy tale elements, creating a world that feels eerie, poetic, and deeply personal. The story follows a young woman returning to the shadowy woods tied to her family’s past, and what unfolds is both unsettling and beautifully written.

Even though it’s a short read, it packs a punch—full of atmosphere, quiet tension, and a sense of something ancient lurking just out of sight. If you love moody, folklore-inspired tales that read like a dream (or a nightmare), this one’s definitely worth picking up.

When I say I devoured this book…..I devoured it like the Teeth demanded sacrifice. What a delicious gothic horror of a novel. This is my first book by L.V. Russell and it won’t be my last. I flew through this one waiting for my flight and I’m glad I finished it before airplane mode went on else I’d be tortured wondering how it ended.

The atmosphere was dark and creepy - perfect for the world Hyacinth lives in. There is lore here, but we don’t spend a lot of time learning it except through our protagonists experience. At first I almost thought that it was a horrible cult for the heck of it. But as we quickly find out - monsters are real. And they will take you gleefully in pieces.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. And for inspiring me to read more from this author!

#dark #gothic #cult #sacrifice

This is a book for all the wildling women, whose spirits want to fly freer than they’re allowed.

I haven’t read that much horror, so when I saw the description of The Bone Drenched Woods and it just had all the perfect components of nature, strong women and oppressive societies, I felt like I needed to read it. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed!

Hyacinth is a middle middle child in a family who lives in a connected system of villages that are threatened by creatures living in nature. The woods, the sea, everything is dangerous and hungry. And it feeds on sins and delicious darkness, and oh, sacrifices help. Lovely. Hyacinth can’t follow rules because she is a free spirit so she ends up being married off to one of the Elders, who are the upkeepers of tradition and law. It’s not great.

There are no redemption arcs here, and no happy endings. If this is what you came for, reset your mind immediately. This is Hyacinth’s story and it’s shrouded in mystery. But it’s all about the journey, and I like the journey!

If you like dark, mysterious and folklore, you will love this!

This was an ARC provided by Quill & Crow and the author through NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to review this book!

Living in the middle of a world that revolves around fear. Were everything is done to keep the evil in the forest and not in the village. The villagers live a life of sacrifice and fear to survive. But who is the true evil? Is it in the woods? Is it those who question and are deemed witches or blasphemous? Or is it the elders?

This novel has the most desolating descriptions of darkness I have read in a while. Atmospheric like a void. A feeling of emptiness or vastness. A sense of being lost or disconnected. It started off strong for me. I was all in. Then we get to the new village and I found myself loosing interest. It began to gave me a witch trials feel that became a bit predictable. Luckily the storm came. Renewing my interest in full force!

Hyacinth Turning has always been a wild child; playing in the dirt and giggling during sermons. Her mother tells her to quiet down, to be pious and hope the Teeth don't take offense. Hyacinth knows what happens to those that offend the Teeth, knows what happens if you take the wrong path and end up on The Farm. She tries to be a good girl, carves the bones right and stays in the circle of her town. But the woods calls to her, and after a move with her new husband she has the Deep to worry about as well.

This book was insane. I can honestly say that at every twist I was surprised. This was a perfect quick read, you're given just enough information that you can understand what's happening while also hoping for another 200 pages. The characters are well thought out, the Deep and the Teeth are so insanely interesting. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, knuckles white around my kindle.
The pacing at the beginning was a little slow, but that's the only negative. Also, justice for Morgan! I loved that guy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the eARC. Published date: April 11th, 2025

Happy Release Day! Thank you to Netgalley and L.V. Russell for the opportunity to read this and to leave an honest review.

I loved the atmosphere of this story and how dark the premise was with the cult like behaviours of the villages. The first half captured my interest quickly and I was deeply invested in the lore and its impact on the life of the villagers.

Unfortunately, for me, I felt like the second half lacked further detail in the conclusions to make the story feel complete and well rounded. I feel like this could have been achieved with the book being longer; giving space for some deeper developed plot points and relationships. I didn’t truly feel connected to Hyacinth and Morgan, nor did I fully grasp Hyacinth’s distaste towards Miss Yarrow. Even the plot twist regarding Sorrell and Miss Yarrow didn’t seem developed enough. Also, there was a big plot hole regarding her dog Faolan. When the Boatmen were out trying to appease the Deep, Faolan was with Hyacinth when Miss Yarrow came to collect her from her house to bring her to safety from the storm. However, when the Boatmen returned, Hyacinth was upset that Morgan left Faolan at his house during the storm, which led to the dog’s rescue and turning point of the village Elders against Hyacinth.

Though I loved the dark, gothic vibes of the story; overall, The Bone Drenched Woods needed more detail and explanations regarding the lore and the conclusion.

This book is so so dark, possibly darker than One Dark Window, but I loved it. Things don’t really get better for the main character per se, but she gains more strength and we watch her change. There are small moments of what I think are happiness or contentment for her at times though. I really enjoyed the world building in this book that the author did for us. It wasn’t overly complicated or hard to follow but it was still very deep. I actually wish there was more of it! Truly enjoyed this read, so much I finished it in a day!

Where do I even start with this deliciously creepy, folk-horror gem? It’s like stumbling into a haunted forest with a gorgeous guide who whispers, “Don’t worry, it’s only mostly terrifying.” It had me hooked, spooked, and swooning, though it didn’t quite rip my heart out and carve it into a ritualistic bone totem. But, like, it came close.

First off, let’s talk about the vibes. Picture yourself in a misty, isolated village where the trees loom like they’re plotting your demise, and the air smells of damp earth, woodsmoke, rot, and secrets so old they’ve fossilized. Russell’s prose is like a velvet glove wrapped around a dagger: lush, poetic, and sharp enough to make you flinch. The story follows Hyacinth Turning, a heroine who’s a defiant spitfire while also being a vulnerable lost soul. She’s not your cookie-cutter “strong female lead” (ugh, that phrase makes my eyes roll). Hyacinth is messy, raw, and so relatable I wanted to hug her through the pages. When she’s shipped off to a creepy seaside settlement after a last minute arranged marriage and her father hanged, you feel her dread, like that time I moved into a sketchy apartment and swore the walls had eyes.

Russell crafts a folk-horror tapestry that’s both nostalgic and nightmarish, like a Grimm fairy tale got a gritty reboot. The Teeth and the Deep are both monstrous entities lurking beyond the village. The rituals, with their bone carving chants (“One for the gate, one for the door…”), gave me actual chills. I mean, I was reading this at 2 a.m., wrapped in a blanket burrito, and I still felt exposed. The Elders in their hare-skin masks? Nope. Hard pass from that culty nonsense. They’re the kind of creepy authority figures who’d make you confess to stealing cookies you didn’t even eat and will hang you or burn you if you look at them wrong.

Hyacinth’s journey is a wild ride. She’s stuck in this oppressive, witch hunt obsessed community, and her only ally is Morgan, the outcast who’s got that brooding, “I’m trouble but also maybe your soulmate” energy. I dig the bisexual vibes when Hyacinth loves Abelia who haunts her dreams after she disappeared into the Teeth, and now Morgan. (We can always use more bisexuals in fiction!) Russell knows how to tease a slow-burn romance without making it feel like a slog.

The snark comes in with the villains. Hyacinth’s husband and the Elders are so insufferably sanctimonious, I wanted to yeet them into the Deep myself. They’re the kind of people who’d scold you for wearing mismatched socks while ignoring the literal monsters at their doorstep. Russell nails the hypocrisy of rigid, fear-driven societies, and it’s so satisfying watching Hyacinth flip them the metaphorical bird.

So why not five stars? Okay, confession: the pacing tripped a bit in the middle. There’s a stretch where Hyacinth’s inner turmoil feels like it’s on a loop, and I was like, “Girl, I get it, you’re stressed, let’s move!” Also, while the lore is haunting, I craved a smidge more clarity about the Teeth and the Deep. Are they gods? Demons? Really cranky squid? I’m nosy, and I wanted answers. Still, these are tiny gripes in a book that had me so immersed I skipped sleep to keep reading. Sleep, people. That’s love.

In short, this story is perfect for anyone who loves their fantasy with a side of gothic gloom and a sprinkle of rebellious girl power. L.V. Russell, you’ve got me under your spell, and I’m already counting down to your next book.

The Bone Drenched Woods got me because I saw the cover and read the title and immediately needed to read it. And then I started reading and it fully got me with its atmosphere - it's a bleak setting, full gothic immersion - from the woods, villages to the sea. The descriptions are just enough to make you feel unsettled (the scene with the poor Woodsmen is etched into my brain) and everything feels dangerous and creepy, stifling your breath at times. The vivid impression of a sodden seaside village, with nary a sunlight beam, with the mist and the smell and the bleak feelings dripping from everyone involved. Oh, I loved it so.

I really liked Hyacinth as a character and the first part with her family, specially with her father made me well up with emotions. Sorrell even though he is who he is, was a much more interesting character to me than Morgan, to be honest. And beneath all of the ugly - there is even more ugliness if you consider the underlying and the obvious themes of the story - the oppression of women, the making of men and the worlds we live in. Just like Hyacinth asks her husband, is that all there is, and sometimes sadly, the only possible answer is yes.

As for the rating - four stars only because at the beginning I thought this can only end one way, and it turned out I was right.

The Teeth, The Deep and the call of the witches. Hyacinth struggles to find her place in a world of social unrest and religious fervor determined to be her true self knowing she may be skinned, hanged, or burned.

This book held such a grip on me. The macabre atmosphere and rich, elaborate details created a world I wasn't simply reading about, but I was there. I was in the wood with Hyacinth, on her front porch, as the edge of The Deep. L.V. Russell used folklore, gore, and gothic elements to create a perfectly sublime horror fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for this eARC.