Who Would Like This Book:
If you love dark fairy tales, witchy lore, and historical settings with a supernatural twist, this is your kind of book. "Slewfoot" delivers a tense, atmospheric ride through Puritan New England, brimming with creeping dread, strong female rage, and a nuanced friendship between an outcast woman and a horned forest spirit. Brom’s chapter illustrations and lush artwork are a beautiful bonus, and his blend of horror, folklore, and vivid characters makes this one easy to devour. Fans of movies like "The VVitch" or readers who crave moody, bewitching stories about fighting against unjust societies should absolutely check this out.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers were disappointed with the lack of authentic period atmosphere and found the historical details lacking. The pacing can be a bit slow, especially in the beginning, and if you’re after non-stop horror, you might find this more of a dark fantasy than a true scare-fest. There’s also a touch of predictability and some might not vibe with the writing style or the more modern character dialogue. Plus, animal lovers should brace themselves - there are tough moments involving a cat.
About:
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom is a dark and intense tale set in Colonial New England in 1666. The story follows Abitha, a strong and layered protagonist who faces puritanical oppression and the horrors of witch hunts. As she navigates a world of religious trauma and patriarchy, Abitha meets Slewfoot, an ancient spirit who becomes her only ally in a battle between pagan and Puritan forces. The book weaves together elements of magic, mystery, and horror, creating a gripping narrative that delves into themes of power, resilience, and the fight for survival in a time of darkness and ignorance.
The writing style of Slewfoot is described as superbly written, captivating, and gripping. Readers are drawn into the story from the beginning, with its imaginative spin on the historical backdrop of witchcraft accusations in the Puritan American Colonies. The book features stunning artwork that enhances the reading experience, adding an elegant touch to the dark and mystical atmosphere created by the author.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of grief, violence, animal harm, and the oppressive atmosphere of witch hunts, but the level is considered medium rather than extremely graphic.
From The Publisher:
Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.
Connecticut, 1666.
An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector.
The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil.
To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help.
Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan - one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.
"If it is a devil you seek, then it is a devil you shall have!"
This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom's haunting paintings, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world.
Ratings (124)
Incredible (44) | |
Loved It (43) | |
Liked It (23) | |
It Was OK (9) | |
Did Not Like (4) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (341):
Read It (126) | |
Currently Reading (6) | |
Want To Read (177) | |
Did Not Finish (6) | |
Not Interested (26) |
7 comment(s)
Моя перша зустріч з цим автором, і вже такий успіх. Ця книжечка з тих самих жанрів типу “I support women's rights and women's wrongs”. Захопливо темна історія про протистояння сучасності та минулого, людини й природи, яка повертає нас у часи абсурдних судів над відьмами, що ламали цілі сім’ї та людські долі через несправедливий страх суспільства перед невідомим.
Хоч книга й не передає повністю той страх і відчай, які панували в добу Інквізиції та пошуку «диявольських» ознак у найпростіших речах, вона все одно втілює цю чорноту й безвихідь, яка панувала в той час.
#бінго_іншого_культу
This book was my first book for creepy season. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. Creepy, 1666 Pagan vs Puritan. It hooks you as the FMC goes through the struggles of becoming a widow and trying to navigate through the issues that her brother-in-law unleashed upon her after his brother’s death. She turns to a powerful demon for help and the tension grows, causing the reader to be on the edge of their seat until the very end. Not to mention, the art inside this book is SPOT on & the stuff of nightmares.
Really didn't like where this was going. Strong reactions to drop this one.
Such a fun little read.
Merged review:
Such a fun little read.
I lost interest because Abitha’s BIL was an annoying AH and I was getting frustrated by the happenings.
The perfect good for her story
I have never felt more aligned with my self than when I read this book. This has been the first and only book I’ve read so far that had me seeing a movie as I flipped the pages. So much happens in such little time and I never wanted it to end. Fantastic book, definitely a must-read!
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Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery?
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