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Sourwood
Reed and Leighton never imagined they would meet their grandparents or discover the place their family came from. The roots of their family tree had been concealed by their parents and all their secrets died with them. That is until the siblings received a call from their estranged grandmother, Violet.
After years of searching Violet finally found them, but she gives them surprising news. Their grandfather Royce will pass soon and a sizable inheritance awaits them on one condition—they pay a visit to Ashfeld Manor, their ancestral home.
The siblings, each with their own hidden motivations, agree. But nothing at Ashfeld Manor is as it seems: the house is falling apart, a humming noise fills the stale air, the sourwood trees around the property are rotting, and a strange creature roams the night sky.
As they uncover the roots of their family tree, Reed and Leighton unveil horrific secrets that will forever transform them. Together they must save each other from their cursed bloodline.
After years of searching Violet finally found them, but she gives them surprising news. Their grandfather Royce will pass soon and a sizable inheritance awaits them on one condition—they pay a visit to Ashfeld Manor, their ancestral home.
The siblings, each with their own hidden motivations, agree. But nothing at Ashfeld Manor is as it seems: the house is falling apart, a humming noise fills the stale air, the sourwood trees around the property are rotting, and a strange creature roams the night sky.
As they uncover the roots of their family tree, Reed and Leighton unveil horrific secrets that will forever transform them. Together they must save each other from their cursed bloodline.
Unknown Binding
Published March 24, 2026
7 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Logan Spurgeon
5 books25 followersLogan Spurgeon is a speculative fiction author living in Lexington, Kentucky. After leaving a doomsday cult, he revived his dream of being a writer. He is the author of HINTERLAND (December 6, 2025), SOURWOOD (March 24, 2026), and THE HOUSE ON GARENT HILL (December 2026).
When he’s not crafting new stories, Logan loves spending time hiking, taking care of plants, cooking, making art, or having good conversations around the table.
When he’s not crafting new stories, Logan loves spending time hiking, taking care of plants, cooking, making art, or having good conversations around the table.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 19, 2026
I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, it wasn't entirely what I got, but I'm not mad at it. The opening to this story gave me existential dread that I hadn't had for a while. I love that it opens up in the present day from the POV of one of the main characters, and then it jumps back into the past to show us what happened at the house.
At times it was hard to remember that the bulk of the story was set in the 70s because Spurgeon did a fantastic job at just immersing you in the story that I personally would be randomly reminded that it's set in the past. The writing was fantastic and I loved the narration of the story. Spurgeon does a great job at really setting the scene of an old, rundown house that has seen better days, and I felt like I was choking on dust particles frequently. The story is told through alternating points of view between the brother and sister, and I think this did a great job at really rounding out the story.
The characters were really interesting, and I really enjoyed the main characters of the siblings. It was great to see their relationship and get an inside look into how both of them ticked and how they felt about different things. I loved their relationship so much, and I really felt for the brother with the trouble he'd found himself in. The interactions between the grandmother and the siblings were unsettling and her character really made me feel uncomfortable which I feel is a testament to Spurgeon's abilities as a writer. The grandfather was also a very interesting character, even though he's not on page much.
I was expecting one type of story, and I got something else. It worked really well and I wasn't expecting it to go the way that it did. I absolutely loved the flashback and that the entire story was told like this. I find that I'm still thinking about different portions of this book even though I finished it a couple of weeks ago almost. I did find that the pacing fell short in a couple of places and that the story was feeling a little bit dragged out towards the climax, but overall, this was an unsettling story with a creepy setting that really leveraged family secrets.
At times it was hard to remember that the bulk of the story was set in the 70s because Spurgeon did a fantastic job at just immersing you in the story that I personally would be randomly reminded that it's set in the past. The writing was fantastic and I loved the narration of the story. Spurgeon does a great job at really setting the scene of an old, rundown house that has seen better days, and I felt like I was choking on dust particles frequently. The story is told through alternating points of view between the brother and sister, and I think this did a great job at really rounding out the story.
The characters were really interesting, and I really enjoyed the main characters of the siblings. It was great to see their relationship and get an inside look into how both of them ticked and how they felt about different things. I loved their relationship so much, and I really felt for the brother with the trouble he'd found himself in. The interactions between the grandmother and the siblings were unsettling and her character really made me feel uncomfortable which I feel is a testament to Spurgeon's abilities as a writer. The grandfather was also a very interesting character, even though he's not on page much.
I was expecting one type of story, and I got something else. It worked really well and I wasn't expecting it to go the way that it did. I absolutely loved the flashback and that the entire story was told like this. I find that I'm still thinking about different portions of this book even though I finished it a couple of weeks ago almost. I did find that the pacing fell short in a couple of places and that the story was feeling a little bit dragged out towards the climax, but overall, this was an unsettling story with a creepy setting that really leveraged family secrets.
March 12, 2026
the writing felt a little too YA for my liking, but at times it did manage to strike the right tone for building the atmosphere effectively, so it wasn’t all bad. I’m also not sure why some authors I’ve read recently feel the need to repeat and spoon-feed the reader every piece of information, repeating things and recapping what happened a moment ago, but it really ruins the pace and breaks the immersion.
things only start to pick up around 40% into the book, before that not much happens. I figured out the family secret very early on, even before it started to be heavily hinted at, and after that the rest was fairly predictable. the story really picked up around the 60% mark, and I did enjoy the action once there was finally some action. the problem is, it escalates quickly, and I wish the pacing was more balanced instead of going pretty much from nothing straight to the resolution. but the book was also pretty short, so maybe that strengthened this feeling of imbalance.
another issue was the grandmother and the relationship between her and Leighton. it felt so cartoonish, I couldn’t take it seriously, and that was ruining the atmosphere. on top of that, the siblings were not alarmed enough and not asking enough questions. and they didn’t think. at all. until it was too late. their passivity was frustrating and I found their behavior pretty unbelievable. they’re also supposed to be close, but they never truly work together or talk about what’s happening and what they’re experiencing or finding out. they just hang around waiting for things to go bad.
it’s a nice premise, and there were parts I enjoyed, but it could have been developed more. instead of having the characters sit around and argue with their grandmother, I wish more was happening, or that the story itself was more complex and the mystery more difficult to solve. like that, it simply failed to grip me.
thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
things only start to pick up around 40% into the book, before that not much happens. I figured out the family secret very early on, even before it started to be heavily hinted at, and after that the rest was fairly predictable. the story really picked up around the 60% mark, and I did enjoy the action once there was finally some action. the problem is, it escalates quickly, and I wish the pacing was more balanced instead of going pretty much from nothing straight to the resolution. but the book was also pretty short, so maybe that strengthened this feeling of imbalance.
another issue was the grandmother and the relationship between her and Leighton. it felt so cartoonish, I couldn’t take it seriously, and that was ruining the atmosphere. on top of that, the siblings were not alarmed enough and not asking enough questions. and they didn’t think. at all. until it was too late. their passivity was frustrating and I found their behavior pretty unbelievable. they’re also supposed to be close, but they never truly work together or talk about what’s happening and what they’re experiencing or finding out. they just hang around waiting for things to go bad.
it’s a nice premise, and there were parts I enjoyed, but it could have been developed more. instead of having the characters sit around and argue with their grandmother, I wish more was happening, or that the story itself was more complex and the mystery more difficult to solve. like that, it simply failed to grip me.
thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2026
Thoughts:
I think southern gothic is such an underrated genre. I just love the macabre, decay, and the unsettling nature of it all.
This book did remind me a bit of Mexican Gothic, which is one of my favorite books and is probably why I easily connected with 'Sourwood'—The family secrets, the incest, using nature for nefarious reasons.
Now... I didn't think this book would hurt me, but it did! 😭
It felt inevitable that the siblings would fall into the hands of their grandparents.
When Reed decides to ignore Lei's warnings it felt like something out of a horror movie, because everything that happened after that was reminiscent of the classic trope: male character makes poor choices and suffers the consequences, and the female character becomes the final girl.
And while Leighton and Reed may have escaped their fate, they lost so much along the way.
I rooted for these characters when they fought against a generational curse, and I mourned them when it tore them apart in the end.
The thought of doing 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 to a sibling, to end their suffering and prevent them from becoming everything that they hate, is hard. That scene was the one that broke me.
(“𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦” should be the tagline for this book lol)
I really enjoyed 'Sourwood'! The author has a knack for invoking a feeling of dread, queasiness, fear and sorrow.
& I will definitely be reading more of his works!
I think southern gothic is such an underrated genre. I just love the macabre, decay, and the unsettling nature of it all.
This book did remind me a bit of Mexican Gothic, which is one of my favorite books and is probably why I easily connected with 'Sourwood'—The family secrets, the incest, using nature for nefarious reasons.
Now... I didn't think this book would hurt me, but it did! 😭
It felt inevitable that the siblings would fall into the hands of their grandparents.
When Reed decides to ignore Lei's warnings it felt like something out of a horror movie, because everything that happened after that was reminiscent of the classic trope: male character makes poor choices and suffers the consequences, and the female character becomes the final girl.
And while Leighton and Reed may have escaped their fate, they lost so much along the way.
I rooted for these characters when they fought against a generational curse, and I mourned them when it tore them apart in the end.
The thought of doing 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 to a sibling, to end their suffering and prevent them from becoming everything that they hate, is hard. That scene was the one that broke me.
(“𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦” should be the tagline for this book lol)
I really enjoyed 'Sourwood'! The author has a knack for invoking a feeling of dread, queasiness, fear and sorrow.
& I will definitely be reading more of his works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
March 4, 2026DNF at 50%.
Here are my thoughts of the book until the point that I read it:
It has an interesting beginning and premise, I liked the ouroboros-and-breaking-cycle vibes and the decaying nature aspects of the book. It's very slow paced, though, and it has long descriptions of mundane activities which was sometimes frustrating to read, the writing felt very YA and oh god every time i read it I zoned out so hard I ended up not paying attention at all. Still, thank you so much for the ARC, Netgalley, and Quill & Crow publisher! This was my honest and unbiased opinion.
Here are my thoughts of the book until the point that I read it:
It has an interesting beginning and premise, I liked the ouroboros-and-breaking-cycle vibes and the decaying nature aspects of the book. It's very slow paced, though, and it has long descriptions of mundane activities which was sometimes frustrating to read, the writing felt very YA and oh god every time i read it I zoned out so hard I ended up not paying attention at all. Still, thank you so much for the ARC, Netgalley, and Quill & Crow publisher! This was my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 27, 2026
4.5⭐️ review to come
March 5, 2026
4.5 🌟💫
“There was something different about the sourwood honey. . .”
Unmissable, unforgettable, depraved and tragic, rotting from within.
Thoroughly enjoyable gothic horror 🍯
“There was something different about the sourwood honey. . .”
Unmissable, unforgettable, depraved and tragic, rotting from within.
Thoroughly enjoyable gothic horror 🍯
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am extremely reluctant to ever give too harsh a review to books. Film is a bit different, especially given that I’m usually reviewing something produced by a Goliath studio with more money than sense, with books it’s very different. Whether you’re Stephen King or Stephen Smith there is one commonality amongst all authors – it takes effort to write a book and no part of me wants to be the cynic who comes along with a sledgehammer to tarnish all that work. I say all this so it is clear that the issues I raise with in this review only stem from a desire to be constructive in my criticism and I should clarify right up at the top here that I do recommend this as a read, just not as strongly as I wish I did unfortunately.
Sourwood finds our two leads Reed and Leighton traveling to meet their grandparents for the first time. They had been raised to know nothing about them, their father even going as far as changing his surname to remove all association with them. My immediate vibe reading this took me to M Night Shyamalan’s The Visit (one of his more underrated films in my opinion) and for the early parts of the book I was really enjoying the sinister underbelly I could feel permeating throughout, though I had some trepidation around what I thought was an obvious conclusion. Still, even stories with the most wrote and cliche plot beats can still be enjoyable and well written reads.
Where the cracks started to appear for me was with the mid section of the book. We fairly quickly understand that all is not right with these grandparents and then we have to take the typical detours such as finding some small bits of detail from the locals etc. Again, these are typical plot beats and can be absolutely fine but it is in a revision sense that they affect the book, mainly that once Reed and Leighton return to the house for the first time after being given these strong indications that all is not ok, I felt that the character behaviours were not believable from there on. A lot of what unfolds from about the 100th page on stems from two characters who are laid out as being extremely close and protective of each other suddenly seeming to chose separation instead in a very uncharacteristic fashion. A big complaint I often have with books and other content in the horror genre is that often the thrills and scares are conjured via poor character choices. We have that issue here too.
Related but relatively minor to the above, I felt that Reed goes without a lot of development for the most part. He seems to singlemindedly exist to protect Leighton and that’s that. Some more fleshing out would have helped my bonding to him as a character. Leighton does get a bit more attention in that regard although I will point out that a particular character detail regarding Leighton that gets introduced felt a little perfunctory and gratuitous. Were it to have ended up as a significant plot point I would revise that assessment but as it is it seemed to serve no purpose in character or plot progression, even though it was revealed and references as though it would.
But that’s enough with the negative, and again I need to stress that it is only intended as constructive criticism through observations. What I liked about this book I liked a lot. The setting, some (most) of the descriptive imagery, the mythology established. All really good points for me. I could see, feel and hear Ashfeld Manor and it really helped me get absolutely absorbed in the book at times. In particular some descriptions around the…darker side of the house…are extremely vivid and adeptly delivered.
Where I’d ultimately land in assessing Sourwood is that it certainly does more well than it doesn’t. Whilst my complaints might be strong they are in the minority. My main observation really would be that I felt I needed more, particularly in the mid section, even more context via flashback etc. At ~200 pages we sit in that midpoint between novella and novel and whilst a 200 page novel is perfectly fine, for me it has to achieve all that is required in terms of giving characters and plot depth and I feel that this is where Sourwood fell a little short. Were it to have been a slightly shorter short story, or a slightly longer novel with more meat on the bone then I probably would have been able to see it more favourably.
As always massive thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
2.5/5
Sourwood finds our two leads Reed and Leighton traveling to meet their grandparents for the first time. They had been raised to know nothing about them, their father even going as far as changing his surname to remove all association with them. My immediate vibe reading this took me to M Night Shyamalan’s The Visit (one of his more underrated films in my opinion) and for the early parts of the book I was really enjoying the sinister underbelly I could feel permeating throughout, though I had some trepidation around what I thought was an obvious conclusion. Still, even stories with the most wrote and cliche plot beats can still be enjoyable and well written reads.
Where the cracks started to appear for me was with the mid section of the book. We fairly quickly understand that all is not right with these grandparents and then we have to take the typical detours such as finding some small bits of detail from the locals etc. Again, these are typical plot beats and can be absolutely fine but it is in a revision sense that they affect the book, mainly that once Reed and Leighton return to the house for the first time after being given these strong indications that all is not ok, I felt that the character behaviours were not believable from there on. A lot of what unfolds from about the 100th page on stems from two characters who are laid out as being extremely close and protective of each other suddenly seeming to chose separation instead in a very uncharacteristic fashion. A big complaint I often have with books and other content in the horror genre is that often the thrills and scares are conjured via poor character choices. We have that issue here too.
Related but relatively minor to the above, I felt that Reed goes without a lot of development for the most part. He seems to singlemindedly exist to protect Leighton and that’s that. Some more fleshing out would have helped my bonding to him as a character. Leighton does get a bit more attention in that regard although I will point out that a particular character detail regarding Leighton that gets introduced felt a little perfunctory and gratuitous. Were it to have ended up as a significant plot point I would revise that assessment but as it is it seemed to serve no purpose in character or plot progression, even though it was revealed and references as though it would.
But that’s enough with the negative, and again I need to stress that it is only intended as constructive criticism through observations. What I liked about this book I liked a lot. The setting, some (most) of the descriptive imagery, the mythology established. All really good points for me. I could see, feel and hear Ashfeld Manor and it really helped me get absolutely absorbed in the book at times. In particular some descriptions around the…darker side of the house…are extremely vivid and adeptly delivered.
Where I’d ultimately land in assessing Sourwood is that it certainly does more well than it doesn’t. Whilst my complaints might be strong they are in the minority. My main observation really would be that I felt I needed more, particularly in the mid section, even more context via flashback etc. At ~200 pages we sit in that midpoint between novella and novel and whilst a 200 page novel is perfectly fine, for me it has to achieve all that is required in terms of giving characters and plot depth and I feel that this is where Sourwood fell a little short. Were it to have been a slightly shorter short story, or a slightly longer novel with more meat on the bone then I probably would have been able to see it more favourably.
As always massive thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
2.5/5
February 26, 2026
I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy through NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to be one of the first to read this Horror novel.
This is my opinion of my experience while reading this book via an EBook copy. I was not given any incentives to alter or sway my opinion. These thoughts are my own.
To start I was interested in this book because of the cover and the genre. I struggle with horror keeping my interest and feel that it is hard to write a true horror book that gives me the creeps or makes me feel like it's a page turner.
Well this book DELIVERED!!! This is easily a one day read (under 300 pages).
Let's start with the basics. This book is a dual POV between a brother (Reed) and a sister (Leighton). They were raised by their now deceased parents and were secluded from knowing anything about their parents past hometown. Their Paternal grandparents reach out because Grandfather is dying and there is an inheritance. The story unfolds from there. You have a brother and sister who only have each other and no other family since their parents death. Now they have an opportunity to know more about their parents and their extended family due the invitation to the Ashfeld Manor following their parents untimely death.
This starts the story with a sense of understanding the pressure of surviving day to day demands, the grief of loss, and the desperation of holding on to a little more of what you lost. The story grips you from the very start!!! Warning: the prologue did give away a little bit of the ending but I still did not expect the emotional rollercoaster I experienced in the last chapter and the epilogue!
The first half of the story felt repetitive to me in some parts of Reed's POV BUT it all makes sense in the end. He's the protective older brother and as the story continues you see a shift in their bond where they want two different things but it all makes sense in the end! No part of this was boring to me, it gave me the creeps in some parts, it made me ask myself if I read this already and if I myself had amnesia. There is blood and gore (which I enjoyed and winced while reading).
MY FAVORITE PART of this story was how the author described things in this book! The wording he used to paint the picture really made it easy to have a movie playing in my head. Something as simple as describing a sky or the manor or the field was done in such a descriptive way that it felt like I was looking at it on through the page. Very impressive!
The book had creepy, eerie, scary, gory moments throughout. Especially with the weird Grandmother.
WHAT I DID NOT EXPECT in this book was to get emotionally attached to the bond between brother and sister. I felt the shift in the bond as the story progressed but the bond is what had me CRYING in the last chapter and the epilogue.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: ****** I will hide this next part due to a small spoiler (which I believe is insignificant to the story but still a spoiler): *****SPOILER START
SPOILER END*****
overall I say this is a good 4 stars and will recommend this book to others. I liked that it was short and quick to the point. The author could have made it longer to give us more back story on the parents or the grandparents or the history of the family dating back centuries BUT I liked the length a lot because it made it bingeable.
This is my opinion of my experience while reading this book via an EBook copy. I was not given any incentives to alter or sway my opinion. These thoughts are my own.
To start I was interested in this book because of the cover and the genre. I struggle with horror keeping my interest and feel that it is hard to write a true horror book that gives me the creeps or makes me feel like it's a page turner.
Well this book DELIVERED!!! This is easily a one day read (under 300 pages).
Let's start with the basics. This book is a dual POV between a brother (Reed) and a sister (Leighton). They were raised by their now deceased parents and were secluded from knowing anything about their parents past hometown. Their Paternal grandparents reach out because Grandfather is dying and there is an inheritance. The story unfolds from there. You have a brother and sister who only have each other and no other family since their parents death. Now they have an opportunity to know more about their parents and their extended family due the invitation to the Ashfeld Manor following their parents untimely death.
This starts the story with a sense of understanding the pressure of surviving day to day demands, the grief of loss, and the desperation of holding on to a little more of what you lost. The story grips you from the very start!!! Warning: the prologue did give away a little bit of the ending but I still did not expect the emotional rollercoaster I experienced in the last chapter and the epilogue!
The first half of the story felt repetitive to me in some parts of Reed's POV BUT it all makes sense in the end. He's the protective older brother and as the story continues you see a shift in their bond where they want two different things but it all makes sense in the end! No part of this was boring to me, it gave me the creeps in some parts, it made me ask myself if I read this already and if I myself had amnesia. There is blood and gore (which I enjoyed and winced while reading).
MY FAVORITE PART of this story was how the author described things in this book! The wording he used to paint the picture really made it easy to have a movie playing in my head. Something as simple as describing a sky or the manor or the field was done in such a descriptive way that it felt like I was looking at it on through the page. Very impressive!
The book had creepy, eerie, scary, gory moments throughout. Especially with the weird Grandmother.
WHAT I DID NOT EXPECT in this book was to get emotionally attached to the bond between brother and sister. I felt the shift in the bond as the story progressed but the bond is what had me CRYING in the last chapter and the epilogue.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: ****** I will hide this next part due to a small spoiler (which I believe is insignificant to the story but still a spoiler): *****SPOILER START
SPOILER END*****
overall I say this is a good 4 stars and will recommend this book to others. I liked that it was short and quick to the point. The author could have made it longer to give us more back story on the parents or the grandparents or the history of the family dating back centuries BUT I liked the length a lot because it made it bingeable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sourwood is a gothic horror following siblings Reed and Leighton as they return to their ancestral home, Ashfeld Manor, and meet their estranged grandmother, Violet, and grandfather, Royce. Nothing is as it seems in the old house, but Reed is motivated by an inheritance to see the visit out, and Leighton is motivated by Reed. By the time the two begin to realize why their parents ran as far as they could from Ashfeld Manor, it might already be too late for them to do the same.
A lot is done well in this book. The writing is rich and atmospheric. The worldbuilding is strong, and Ashfeld Manor is a decadently grim setting. Violet is an especially interesting antagonist, with her history almost but not quite endearing her to readers and her grandchildren. I enjoyed piecing together her troubling backstory; that was one of several great reveals throughout the book. What haunts the halls of Ashfeld Manor was unexpected and offered some unique twists in a crowded genre. Overall, the book succeeds handily as a horror.
Where this book lost me a bit was the pacing. The POV alternates between Reed and Leighton. At the beginning of the book, when they were uncovering all the strangeness in Ashfeld Manor and we were exploring their motivations, this worked alright. As they explored more and grew farther apart in what they knew and were doing, the switches became somewhat jarring. Just as something interesting would happen to the one, the next chapter would come and there would be a different dilemma facing the other. This made the back half of the book a challenge for me, slowing the action when it should have been accelerating to the climax. The climax itself was somewhat undermined by the prologue, set decades after the body of the work, revealing that Leighton makes it out.
I picked up this book in part because it was listed as LGBTQ+. I believe the categorization comes from Leighton being trans. I'm hesitant to bring it up as some may consider it a spoiler (it's revealed about 40% through the book), but it has next to no plot relevance. I appreciate the inclusion and representation, but I'm frustrated by how it was handled. Other facets of the plot could make Leighton being a trans woman relevant, but it's never tied together that way. There's one scene where her estrogen pills become an issue with her grandmother, but there's never a payoff from that conflict. Given how short this book was, I don't think the scenes dealing with Leighton's gender earned their keep. I wish her identity was explored more fully and worked into the plot (which places a heavy emphasis on generations of brother/sister Ashfeld children).
Thank you to Quill & Crow Publishing House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
A lot is done well in this book. The writing is rich and atmospheric. The worldbuilding is strong, and Ashfeld Manor is a decadently grim setting. Violet is an especially interesting antagonist, with her history almost but not quite endearing her to readers and her grandchildren. I enjoyed piecing together her troubling backstory; that was one of several great reveals throughout the book. What haunts the halls of Ashfeld Manor was unexpected and offered some unique twists in a crowded genre. Overall, the book succeeds handily as a horror.
Where this book lost me a bit was the pacing. The POV alternates between Reed and Leighton. At the beginning of the book, when they were uncovering all the strangeness in Ashfeld Manor and we were exploring their motivations, this worked alright. As they explored more and grew farther apart in what they knew and were doing, the switches became somewhat jarring. Just as something interesting would happen to the one, the next chapter would come and there would be a different dilemma facing the other. This made the back half of the book a challenge for me, slowing the action when it should have been accelerating to the climax. The climax itself was somewhat undermined by the prologue, set decades after the body of the work, revealing that Leighton makes it out.
I picked up this book in part because it was listed as LGBTQ+. I believe the categorization comes from Leighton being trans. I'm hesitant to bring it up as some may consider it a spoiler (it's revealed about 40% through the book), but it has next to no plot relevance. I appreciate the inclusion and representation, but I'm frustrated by how it was handled. Other facets of the plot could make Leighton being a trans woman relevant, but it's never tied together that way. There's one scene where her estrogen pills become an issue with her grandmother, but there's never a payoff from that conflict. Given how short this book was, I don't think the scenes dealing with Leighton's gender earned their keep. I wish her identity was explored more fully and worked into the plot (which places a heavy emphasis on generations of brother/sister Ashfeld children).
Thank you to Quill & Crow Publishing House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reese and his sister Leighton are as close as two siblings can be, especially after the death of their parents. Reese has put aside his wants to make sure that his little sister Leighton has all the things she wants and needs. In doing that though he has gotten himself deeply in debt and no matter what he does he can't seem to pull himself out of it.
That is until he gets a phone call from Grandparents he never knew existed. Now they are on their way to the Appalachian Mountains to meet the Ashfeld’s and collect their inheritance.
Something though doesn't sit right with Leighton, there must be a good reason their parents never mentioned these relatives and even went as far as to change their last name to their mother's maiden name of Hawthorn. No matter what Leighton says though Reese is determined they have to go and see what inheritance awaits them and maybe learn more about their parents.
Ashfeld Manor sits way back off the road and what Reese thought would be a magnificent home looks more like a crumbling manor. Their grandmother Violet is to say the least odd and keeps confusing them with their parents, however she clearly had an issue with Reese and Leighton’s mother Summer whom she keeps mistaking Leighton for.
Something about the house is rotten, the smell of decay is everywhere. The only redeeming thing is the Sourwood trees, a tree that is only found on the Ashfeld property that is pollinated by the special bees that were brought to the land by long gone relatives. The honey is the only thing that will quench Reese's thirst. His thirst only grows worse and worse as things at the manor get stranger and stranger. Rumors abound about the Ashfeld's and what happens within those walls.
Townspeople mention that anyone who goes to Ashfeld Manor is rarely seen again. They say Ashfeld is protected by an Angel but not the heavenly kind.
I want to thank #Netgalley and #QuillandCrowPublishing for the chance to read #Sourwood by #LoganSpurgeon in return for a fair and honest review.
That is until he gets a phone call from Grandparents he never knew existed. Now they are on their way to the Appalachian Mountains to meet the Ashfeld’s and collect their inheritance.
Something though doesn't sit right with Leighton, there must be a good reason their parents never mentioned these relatives and even went as far as to change their last name to their mother's maiden name of Hawthorn. No matter what Leighton says though Reese is determined they have to go and see what inheritance awaits them and maybe learn more about their parents.
Ashfeld Manor sits way back off the road and what Reese thought would be a magnificent home looks more like a crumbling manor. Their grandmother Violet is to say the least odd and keeps confusing them with their parents, however she clearly had an issue with Reese and Leighton’s mother Summer whom she keeps mistaking Leighton for.
Something about the house is rotten, the smell of decay is everywhere. The only redeeming thing is the Sourwood trees, a tree that is only found on the Ashfeld property that is pollinated by the special bees that were brought to the land by long gone relatives. The honey is the only thing that will quench Reese's thirst. His thirst only grows worse and worse as things at the manor get stranger and stranger. Rumors abound about the Ashfeld's and what happens within those walls.
Townspeople mention that anyone who goes to Ashfeld Manor is rarely seen again. They say Ashfeld is protected by an Angel but not the heavenly kind.
I want to thank #Netgalley and #QuillandCrowPublishing for the chance to read #Sourwood by #LoganSpurgeon in return for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ Kindly provided by NetGalley 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
The book completely surprised me—in the best way possible.
From the very first pages, there’s this quiet, almost unsettling atmosphere that settles in and refuses to leave. Spurgeon writes with a kind of restrained intensity that makes everything feel intimate and personal, like you’re slowly uncovering something fragile and dangerous at the same time. The setting feels alive—heavy, humid, and layered with history—and it seeps into every interaction and decision the characters make.
What really stayed with me, though, was the emotional depth. The characters aren’t just going through events; they’re carrying grief, memory, guilt, and longing in ways that feel painfully real. No one feels flat or convenient. Even when I didn’t agree with certain choices, I understood them—and that’s always the mark of strong writing for me.
There’s also a subtle tension running underneath the entire story. It’s not loud or overly dramatic, but it’s persistent. You feel like something is always just beneath the surface, waiting. And when moments finally unfold, they land with weight rather than shock value.
Spurgeon’s prose is lyrical without being pretentious. There’s a rhythm to it—almost melancholic at times—that perfectly matches the tone of the story. I found myself rereading certain passages just because they were beautifully written.
Sourwood isn’t a fast, flashy read. It’s immersive. It asks you to slow down and sit with discomfort, with ambiguity, with the complicated nature of people and place. And honestly? I loved that about it.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with atmosphere you can practically breathe in, this one is absolutely worth your time. It lingered with me long after I turned the final page—and those are always the books that matter most.
The book completely surprised me—in the best way possible.
From the very first pages, there’s this quiet, almost unsettling atmosphere that settles in and refuses to leave. Spurgeon writes with a kind of restrained intensity that makes everything feel intimate and personal, like you’re slowly uncovering something fragile and dangerous at the same time. The setting feels alive—heavy, humid, and layered with history—and it seeps into every interaction and decision the characters make.
What really stayed with me, though, was the emotional depth. The characters aren’t just going through events; they’re carrying grief, memory, guilt, and longing in ways that feel painfully real. No one feels flat or convenient. Even when I didn’t agree with certain choices, I understood them—and that’s always the mark of strong writing for me.
There’s also a subtle tension running underneath the entire story. It’s not loud or overly dramatic, but it’s persistent. You feel like something is always just beneath the surface, waiting. And when moments finally unfold, they land with weight rather than shock value.
Spurgeon’s prose is lyrical without being pretentious. There’s a rhythm to it—almost melancholic at times—that perfectly matches the tone of the story. I found myself rereading certain passages just because they were beautifully written.
Sourwood isn’t a fast, flashy read. It’s immersive. It asks you to slow down and sit with discomfort, with ambiguity, with the complicated nature of people and place. And honestly? I loved that about it.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with atmosphere you can practically breathe in, this one is absolutely worth your time. It lingered with me long after I turned the final page—and those are always the books that matter most.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There's a lot to like about Sourwood: the setting, the unusual (addictive) sourwood trees, the odd antagonists, and the creepy reveal. There are a few things I think could have made the surprises more "surprisey" and the more reflective moments shinier.
This is spoiler territory, so I recommend not reading this part. If you choose to ignore me and read anyway, you should still read Sourwood for yourself.
Overall, I liked Sourwood - the descriptions of the gothic home made me want to shower, and the honey pods reminded me of the cotton candy cocoons in Killer Clowns from Outer Space. I could almost taste the sourwood for myself. Any story that makes me react like that has done its job :)
This is spoiler territory, so I recommend not reading this part. If you choose to ignore me and read anyway, you should still read Sourwood for yourself.
Overall, I liked Sourwood - the descriptions of the gothic home made me want to shower, and the honey pods reminded me of the cotton candy cocoons in Killer Clowns from Outer Space. I could almost taste the sourwood for myself. Any story that makes me react like that has done its job :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
‘Sourwood’ is one of my most anticipated horror books this year after having the massively enjoying an ARC of ‘Hinterland’ last year by Logan Spurgeon. You wanna talk about underrated horror books/authors?!
If you have not read ‘Hinterland’ - do so! It’s the atmospheric mountain cult horror you didn’t even know you needed. I adored it. And ‘Sourwood’ sure as hell didn’t disappoint!
‘Sourwood’ follows two orphaned siblings who have been beaten down by every day life. Little did they know the dark past that their parents hid from them regarding their paternal ancestry….. when the promise of an inheritance and found family comes into play in the form of their long lost grandparents whom they’ve never met….how could they resist?
However their reunion with their grandparents proves anything but warm and welcoming. And as time passes the true horror of their family curse emerges to show its true face.
Unexplained sickness, missing memories, familial sacrifice, flesh-imbued honey, a Grandmother who haunts instead of cherishes, and a Grandfather who wants to…..well I can’t say - you will find no spoilers here!!
Are you thirsty for more of this tale? Be sure NOT to drink the sourwood tea as you partake in this grisly story….the consequences could be….dire.
✨If I had to describe this book in 10 keywords I’d use:
Sticky, unsettling, shadowed, heartbreaking, oozing, cursed, predatory, incestuous, emotional, dark. ✨
Huge thank you to Logan Spurgeon, Quill and Crow Publishing, and NetGalley for my ARC of this exquisite title! All opinions expressed here are honest and my own.
If you have not read ‘Hinterland’ - do so! It’s the atmospheric mountain cult horror you didn’t even know you needed. I adored it. And ‘Sourwood’ sure as hell didn’t disappoint!
‘Sourwood’ follows two orphaned siblings who have been beaten down by every day life. Little did they know the dark past that their parents hid from them regarding their paternal ancestry….. when the promise of an inheritance and found family comes into play in the form of their long lost grandparents whom they’ve never met….how could they resist?
However their reunion with their grandparents proves anything but warm and welcoming. And as time passes the true horror of their family curse emerges to show its true face.
Unexplained sickness, missing memories, familial sacrifice, flesh-imbued honey, a Grandmother who haunts instead of cherishes, and a Grandfather who wants to…..well I can’t say - you will find no spoilers here!!
Are you thirsty for more of this tale? Be sure NOT to drink the sourwood tea as you partake in this grisly story….the consequences could be….dire.
✨If I had to describe this book in 10 keywords I’d use:
Sticky, unsettling, shadowed, heartbreaking, oozing, cursed, predatory, incestuous, emotional, dark. ✨
Huge thank you to Logan Spurgeon, Quill and Crow Publishing, and NetGalley for my ARC of this exquisite title! All opinions expressed here are honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sourwood was an intriguing folklore horror that delved into themes of generational trauma, grief and acceptance.
Reed has been keeping a secret from his sister, one that has been eating at him for months and ultimately decides his fate. He is broke. And he desperately needs the inheritance his estranged grandparents promise in exchange for a visit. Curious, but unable to resist he packs Leighton in the car and they make their way to the ominous Ashfield Manor where Reed is greeted with warmth, and Lei with disdain. It is obvious that grandma Violet has a preference.
What waits for them in the house is dark and brooding, and the promises Violet makes never come to fruition. Where is that housekeeper anyway? Likelike statues of family members, collection rooms full of creepy crawlies and the sourwood trees that bleed blood like sap. Sourwood has it all.
My favourite part of the reading experience was certainly the atmosphere, it gets under your skin and leaves you feeling like you really don't want to spend a night in this house. There were also some oddly touching moments surrounding Leighton's character herself.
Unfortunately the rest of the story felt rather rushed. For the build up, I felt as the reader, I didn't get time to sit in the discomfort before the plot threads demanded you move forward before you look to closely at them. I wasn't able to get a great feel for the characters, the town (outside of the house) or even the myths that surrounded the Ashfields other than at surface level.
If you're looking for a quick, creepy read that you can consume in a day or two and love a haunted house, vampire, folklore mix this might be one for you.
Reed has been keeping a secret from his sister, one that has been eating at him for months and ultimately decides his fate. He is broke. And he desperately needs the inheritance his estranged grandparents promise in exchange for a visit. Curious, but unable to resist he packs Leighton in the car and they make their way to the ominous Ashfield Manor where Reed is greeted with warmth, and Lei with disdain. It is obvious that grandma Violet has a preference.
What waits for them in the house is dark and brooding, and the promises Violet makes never come to fruition. Where is that housekeeper anyway? Likelike statues of family members, collection rooms full of creepy crawlies and the sourwood trees that bleed blood like sap. Sourwood has it all.
My favourite part of the reading experience was certainly the atmosphere, it gets under your skin and leaves you feeling like you really don't want to spend a night in this house. There were also some oddly touching moments surrounding Leighton's character herself.
Unfortunately the rest of the story felt rather rushed. For the build up, I felt as the reader, I didn't get time to sit in the discomfort before the plot threads demanded you move forward before you look to closely at them. I wasn't able to get a great feel for the characters, the town (outside of the house) or even the myths that surrounded the Ashfields other than at surface level.
If you're looking for a quick, creepy read that you can consume in a day or two and love a haunted house, vampire, folklore mix this might be one for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reed and Leighton are orphaned when their parents die together in a car accident. Reed struggles to support his sister, working several jobs and taking out loans, for the two of the to survived. All they have is each other since their parents refused to tell them anything about their grandparents. Out of the blue Reed receives an invitation from his father's mother inviting her grandchildren to the family estate, Ashfeld Manor. In exchange for a visit Reed will become the inherit the entire estate....which would solve all of their money problems and get loan sharks off his back.
As the siblings arrive at the estate Reed is overcome by an unquenchable thirst. HIs grandmother, Violet, fawns over him. She treats Leighton with disdain. Suspicion and distrust grows within Leighton, while Reed develops an odd craving for the Sourwood tree sap, the Sourwood Honey and the well water. Inheriting Ashfeld Manor comes with a steep price.
Sourwood is an excellent tale of greed, curses, monsters and devotion, love and promises. The writing is excellent and it creates an effective ambience for the storyline, Excellent character development is evident for Reed, Leighton and Violet. I would recommend #Sourwood to readers who enjoy tales of transformation, both good and bad. Some people transform into monsters, others transform into their true selves....like a butterfly from a chrysalis.
Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read #Sourwood. I enjoyed this book very much.
As the siblings arrive at the estate Reed is overcome by an unquenchable thirst. HIs grandmother, Violet, fawns over him. She treats Leighton with disdain. Suspicion and distrust grows within Leighton, while Reed develops an odd craving for the Sourwood tree sap, the Sourwood Honey and the well water. Inheriting Ashfeld Manor comes with a steep price.
Sourwood is an excellent tale of greed, curses, monsters and devotion, love and promises. The writing is excellent and it creates an effective ambience for the storyline, Excellent character development is evident for Reed, Leighton and Violet. I would recommend #Sourwood to readers who enjoy tales of transformation, both good and bad. Some people transform into monsters, others transform into their true selves....like a butterfly from a chrysalis.
Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read #Sourwood. I enjoyed this book very much.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved Hinterland by this author so when I saw he had a new book coming out I couldn't wait to read it. I wanted to love this one just as much, but unfortunately it didn't work so well for me. There were a few chapters near the end that I enjoyed that pushed my rating up a bit (I am really like 2.5, but rounded up) and I wish the rest of the book would have been as much fun.
One of the big issues I had with this story was the prologue. You know what does/doesn't happen to one of the main characters so when you get towards the end and it is like oh no! What will happen to them?? There is no tension because you already know. So that was an odd choice as I wanted tension! But the rest of the story also was missing that tension for me. I should have felt more intrigued by the things that were happening and I didn't really. Something with the writing of this one didn't work for me. It felt more YA I guess? I don't know. I don't really know why it was just meh for me.
The other issue is the characters were not very deep. Like I don't know much about them except their parents died, Reed is really thirsty and has debt so he needs this inheritance, and he is determined to take care of his sister. The sister Leighton was a tad better as she was so cynical about this whole thing so it was more fun to read her chapters, but still not great. It wasn't awful, I did finish the book and like I said a few of the later chapters were fun, but overall it was just okay.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book
One of the big issues I had with this story was the prologue. You know what does/doesn't happen to one of the main characters so when you get towards the end and it is like oh no! What will happen to them?? There is no tension because you already know. So that was an odd choice as I wanted tension! But the rest of the story also was missing that tension for me. I should have felt more intrigued by the things that were happening and I didn't really. Something with the writing of this one didn't work for me. It felt more YA I guess? I don't know. I don't really know why it was just meh for me.
The other issue is the characters were not very deep. Like I don't know much about them except their parents died, Reed is really thirsty and has debt so he needs this inheritance, and he is determined to take care of his sister. The sister Leighton was a tad better as she was so cynical about this whole thing so it was more fun to read her chapters, but still not great. It wasn't awful, I did finish the book and like I said a few of the later chapters were fun, but overall it was just okay.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book
February 14, 2026
If you enjoy creepy suspense where the tension is so thick you can practically feel it, Sourwood delivers. From the moment Reed and Leighton, two siblings visiting their grandparents, arrive at the manor, you know something is deeply wrong, and the fun lies in hunting for clues alongside them.
The story is told through dual perspectives, which was a brilliant choice. Getting into both Reed’s and Leighton’s heads helped me understand their individual motivations and secrets, making the stakes feel much higher. I was also incredibly impressed by the plot twists. This isn't your run-of-the-mill "creepy grandparent" story. The author subverts those tropes in ways I truly didn’t see coming.
The world-building is immersive and atmospheric. The sinister bees making sourwood honey and the rotting trees create a perfect sense of dread. At its core, this is a dark exploration of greed and family loyalty. Unlike many horror-thrillers that leave you hanging, this book has a highly satisfying ending. It ties up the mysteries without leaving them frustratingly open, which made the final page feel earned.
Sourwood is a gripping, atmospheric horror-thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. If you want a "haunted house" story that feels fresh and genuinely unsettling, put this on your TBR.
Thanks to NetGallery and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the Advance Reader Copy.
The story is told through dual perspectives, which was a brilliant choice. Getting into both Reed’s and Leighton’s heads helped me understand their individual motivations and secrets, making the stakes feel much higher. I was also incredibly impressed by the plot twists. This isn't your run-of-the-mill "creepy grandparent" story. The author subverts those tropes in ways I truly didn’t see coming.
The world-building is immersive and atmospheric. The sinister bees making sourwood honey and the rotting trees create a perfect sense of dread. At its core, this is a dark exploration of greed and family loyalty. Unlike many horror-thrillers that leave you hanging, this book has a highly satisfying ending. It ties up the mysteries without leaving them frustratingly open, which made the final page feel earned.
Sourwood is a gripping, atmospheric horror-thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. If you want a "haunted house" story that feels fresh and genuinely unsettling, put this on your TBR.
Thanks to NetGallery and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the Advance Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review: Thank you to NetGalley and Logan Spurgeon for the advance copy!
Sourwood is one of the most inventive twists on a timeless premise I've encountered in a very long time, and I literally could not put this book down!
- Reed and Leighton are likable and believable siblings, intelligent but human in their decision-making
- Violet is a suitably unsettling presence, and her vacillation between "kindly grandmother" and "looming matriarch" is genuinely terrifying at times
- The atmosphere of Ashfeld manor and the surrounding property is beautifully realized, both oppressive and enticing
- Spurgeon's writing is quick and well-paced, moving the plot along quickly without feeling rushed
- My absolute favorite part of this book is the theme of not allowing your outward appearance or "bloodline" to determine who you are as a person. Leighton's journey as a trans woman and Reed's fight against the role thrust upon him by his grandparents were emotional and fleshed out nicely
I absolutely loved this book, and am grateful to have been provided an ARC by NetGalley and Logan Spurgeon! That being said, I did find myself wanting more Ashfeld lore and particularly a better explanation/deep dive into the family lineage. Maybe that's a good thing, though; there's room for more story here, and I would love to read anything else about the Ashfelds.
I'll be rereading this story and recommending it to many of my friends!
Sourwood is one of the most inventive twists on a timeless premise I've encountered in a very long time, and I literally could not put this book down!
- Reed and Leighton are likable and believable siblings, intelligent but human in their decision-making
- Violet is a suitably unsettling presence, and her vacillation between "kindly grandmother" and "looming matriarch" is genuinely terrifying at times
- The atmosphere of Ashfeld manor and the surrounding property is beautifully realized, both oppressive and enticing
- Spurgeon's writing is quick and well-paced, moving the plot along quickly without feeling rushed
- My absolute favorite part of this book is the theme of not allowing your outward appearance or "bloodline" to determine who you are as a person. Leighton's journey as a trans woman and Reed's fight against the role thrust upon him by his grandparents were emotional and fleshed out nicely
I absolutely loved this book, and am grateful to have been provided an ARC by NetGalley and Logan Spurgeon! That being said, I did find myself wanting more Ashfeld lore and particularly a better explanation/deep dive into the family lineage. Maybe that's a good thing, though; there's room for more story here, and I would love to read anything else about the Ashfelds.
I'll be rereading this story and recommending it to many of my friends!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I grabbed this off Netgalley and it was pretty good, this does feel very YA and the pace is slow, but it's a good story.
It starts with a strange call from a distant relative, Violet.
She's been searching for them for a long time and of course someone will die soon living them a inheritance.
I love this trope but I'm like, if anyone ever leave me anything in a will, I will be on high alert lol. I'm not staying overnight no where thanks.
But of course when your in a situation like Reed and Leighton, it's hard to say no. When they arrive though, everything is a bit off.
The POV swaps back and forth between the brother and sister, as both have different reasons for agreeing to come back to the estate and this inheritance situation.
I did not expect to get emotional in this one but the way the author describes the siblings and their bong, loosing their parents and everything else really had me heavily invested in what was going to happen, also a very big reason I'm looking forward to more books by this author, he can paint a picture.
The house was very creepy and with everything looking run down it really made the Gothic horror vibe strong and things more sinister then they might have seemed.
I think I'd have liked this more if it had more background and plot, I know a lot don't want filler but that wpukd have really fleshed out some things and made this a more rounded story. Something really deserved way more time and attention..
But still a nice read.
It starts with a strange call from a distant relative, Violet.
She's been searching for them for a long time and of course someone will die soon living them a inheritance.
I love this trope but I'm like, if anyone ever leave me anything in a will, I will be on high alert lol. I'm not staying overnight no where thanks.
But of course when your in a situation like Reed and Leighton, it's hard to say no. When they arrive though, everything is a bit off.
The POV swaps back and forth between the brother and sister, as both have different reasons for agreeing to come back to the estate and this inheritance situation.
I did not expect to get emotional in this one but the way the author describes the siblings and their bong, loosing their parents and everything else really had me heavily invested in what was going to happen, also a very big reason I'm looking forward to more books by this author, he can paint a picture.
The house was very creepy and with everything looking run down it really made the Gothic horror vibe strong and things more sinister then they might have seemed.
I think I'd have liked this more if it had more background and plot, I know a lot don't want filler but that wpukd have really fleshed out some things and made this a more rounded story. Something really deserved way more time and attention..
But still a nice read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for my eArc copy of Sourwood.
I enjoyed the overall story and aesthetic of this book immensely! The house itself was creepy and the atmospheric descriptions of the dilapidated home embedded themselves in my mind like I was inside the book, or better yet the house itself. I loved all the details about Ashcroft manor and the surrounding grounds including the Sourwood trees, which are incredibly beautiful and added to the overall creepiness of the property. I especially like when insects are present in horror so the entomological displays and Sourwood honey bees were a favourite element for me, as well as the butterfly illustrations on each chapter!
There was an underlying sense of tension and dread that I appreciated, it reminded me a lot of the movie The Visit. Although this was a slow read for me, I still appreciated everything that went into this story and found it immersive and haunting. It’s definitely a slow burn and not a lot happens for the first half of the book.
Potential spoilers below:
I would have loved if the prologue didn’t give away the ending. Perhaps this could have been placed at the end of the book or not mention certain elements that give away how it’s going to end up for Reed. I kind of felt like I knew what was going to happen to him before it happened and I might have enjoyed having some more mystery around this.
Other than that, I enjoyed the read a lot and will look forward to reading more from this author :)
I enjoyed the overall story and aesthetic of this book immensely! The house itself was creepy and the atmospheric descriptions of the dilapidated home embedded themselves in my mind like I was inside the book, or better yet the house itself. I loved all the details about Ashcroft manor and the surrounding grounds including the Sourwood trees, which are incredibly beautiful and added to the overall creepiness of the property. I especially like when insects are present in horror so the entomological displays and Sourwood honey bees were a favourite element for me, as well as the butterfly illustrations on each chapter!
There was an underlying sense of tension and dread that I appreciated, it reminded me a lot of the movie The Visit. Although this was a slow read for me, I still appreciated everything that went into this story and found it immersive and haunting. It’s definitely a slow burn and not a lot happens for the first half of the book.
Potential spoilers below:
I would have loved if the prologue didn’t give away the ending. Perhaps this could have been placed at the end of the book or not mention certain elements that give away how it’s going to end up for Reed. I kind of felt like I knew what was going to happen to him before it happened and I might have enjoyed having some more mystery around this.
Other than that, I enjoyed the read a lot and will look forward to reading more from this author :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity!
Did I guess most of the twists? Yeah, I did. Was it super scary? Not particularly, no. Did I enjoy it? Yes!! This wasn't the horrific family history story I was hoping for, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The inclusion of a trans character without making a huge deal of her gender is one of my favorite parts of this. It didn't normalize being trans per se, but it normalized the existence of trans people. And I loved that so, so much.
The plot itself definitely would've worked better as YA possibly. There wasn't anything super insanely scary or horrifying, and it honestly seemed like a really good intro to adult horror for younger audiences. A really good first step into nastiness of some adult horror without any of the gnarly details. Maybe even new adult? But really, this is a very good horror novel for people who don't want extreme horror, anything that is too much for someone squeamish, etc. but want some of the deeper horror cuts that make you grimace anyways with scarier-than-fantasy supernatural happenings.
I'd recommend this for fans of trans people (wahoo!), A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher, Flowers in the Attic (are there... fans? of Flowers in the Attic? Well, if there are, this is CERTAINLY for you), or We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
Did I guess most of the twists? Yeah, I did. Was it super scary? Not particularly, no. Did I enjoy it? Yes!! This wasn't the horrific family history story I was hoping for, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The inclusion of a trans character without making a huge deal of her gender is one of my favorite parts of this. It didn't normalize being trans per se, but it normalized the existence of trans people. And I loved that so, so much.
The plot itself definitely would've worked better as YA possibly. There wasn't anything super insanely scary or horrifying, and it honestly seemed like a really good intro to adult horror for younger audiences. A really good first step into nastiness of some adult horror without any of the gnarly details. Maybe even new adult? But really, this is a very good horror novel for people who don't want extreme horror, anything that is too much for someone squeamish, etc. but want some of the deeper horror cuts that make you grimace anyways with scarier-than-fantasy supernatural happenings.
I'd recommend this for fans of trans people (wahoo!), A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher, Flowers in the Attic (are there... fans? of Flowers in the Attic? Well, if there are, this is CERTAINLY for you), or We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing for the ARC of Sourwood
by Logan Spurgeon.
The book opens with siblings Reed and Leighton receiving a call from their estranged grandmother, Violet, informing them they are about to come into a large inheritance as their grandfather is near death. All they have to do is visit Ashfeld Manor, which seems rather intriguing, as it will give them a chance to learn about their family and upbringing. The siblings each have their own secrets and reasons for wanting the money, but everything feels wrong from the moment they arrive at the manor surrounded by sourwood trees.
This book had some issues and didn’t work for me, but it may not be as problematic for other readers. While the book provided great atmospheric vibes, I wish the pacing were equally as enjoyable. It felt as though we were halfway (or even further) into the book before anything really happened. I just felt bored and found the writing style a bit simplistic.
There is a “twist” in the book that I found completely unnecessary and felt did nothing to add to the story. I didn’t see a problem with it, but it just felt added just to be able to check a box. I do not want to say anything else, as it would spoil the twist.
Book opinions are completely subjective, so I would recommend this book as it may work for other readers. It just wasn’t my favorite.
by Logan Spurgeon.
The book opens with siblings Reed and Leighton receiving a call from their estranged grandmother, Violet, informing them they are about to come into a large inheritance as their grandfather is near death. All they have to do is visit Ashfeld Manor, which seems rather intriguing, as it will give them a chance to learn about their family and upbringing. The siblings each have their own secrets and reasons for wanting the money, but everything feels wrong from the moment they arrive at the manor surrounded by sourwood trees.
This book had some issues and didn’t work for me, but it may not be as problematic for other readers. While the book provided great atmospheric vibes, I wish the pacing were equally as enjoyable. It felt as though we were halfway (or even further) into the book before anything really happened. I just felt bored and found the writing style a bit simplistic.
There is a “twist” in the book that I found completely unnecessary and felt did nothing to add to the story. I didn’t see a problem with it, but it just felt added just to be able to check a box. I do not want to say anything else, as it would spoil the twist.
Book opinions are completely subjective, so I would recommend this book as it may work for other readers. It just wasn’t my favorite.
March 22, 2026
Thank you netgalley for this arc, for an honest review of my thoughts.
Firstly, the story itself was rather intriguing. The details that went into this intricate story really amazed me. There were so many levels to uncover. I liked that it was dual pov and the prologue really had me wanting to figure out why this manor was so awful.
The dual POVs gave insight to both Leighton and Reeds experiences at the house. They were vastly different. Both of them knew something wasn’t right but Reed just fell into the trap.
The grandmother was odd from the beginning but took a liking to Reed immediately which ended up making sense. Violet said so many awful things about their mom which made sense too as the story continued. Once we learned about their father and his sister Hazel, it made me feel heartbroken for those them as kids.
I do think the story had good bones but lacked some things. I think it lagged at some spots for sure. It was easy to figure out what the “curse” was. I also think the trans representation was just out of place. It was like it was just in this one place and that was it. It really didn’t serve any purpose in the story. I think if the parents pov was added instead of those lagging sorts this story would have been better. But overall I did like it.
Firstly, the story itself was rather intriguing. The details that went into this intricate story really amazed me. There were so many levels to uncover. I liked that it was dual pov and the prologue really had me wanting to figure out why this manor was so awful.
The dual POVs gave insight to both Leighton and Reeds experiences at the house. They were vastly different. Both of them knew something wasn’t right but Reed just fell into the trap.
The grandmother was odd from the beginning but took a liking to Reed immediately which ended up making sense. Violet said so many awful things about their mom which made sense too as the story continued. Once we learned about their father and his sister Hazel, it made me feel heartbroken for those them as kids.
I do think the story had good bones but lacked some things. I think it lagged at some spots for sure. It was easy to figure out what the “curse” was. I also think the trans representation was just out of place. It was like it was just in this one place and that was it. It really didn’t serve any purpose in the story. I think if the parents pov was added instead of those lagging sorts this story would have been better. But overall I did like it.
March 27, 2026
After Reed and Leighton lost their parents in an accident they work very hard to protect and care about each other. Leighton getting a higher education and Reed working hard as an electrician to support them both. They never knew anything about their extended family, but hearing from their dad's grandmother one day to come visit puts thoughts of inheritances and financial help in Reed's head. So off to Ashfeld Manor they go!
They arrive to find the property falling apart, their grandfather too sick to speak to them and their grandmother, Violet, acting strange and fawning over Reed. Now, when I tell you I would have never agreed to stay on that property if that were me...
I really liked that the story was duel POV between Reed and Leighton. My one complaint about that is that Reed seemed a bit devoid of personality beyond big brother, peace keeper and protector of Leighton, even in the chapters that were his own POV. Perhaps this was intentional for how the story eventually unfolds, but Leighton had much more personality and was a much more interesting character overall.
I appreciate that the story sprinkled hints throughout of what was really going on, I like the foreshadowing and small sprinkled in details that come into play later. The story is sad, gruesome and dark. Perfect if you're looking for an unsettling read!
Thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
They arrive to find the property falling apart, their grandfather too sick to speak to them and their grandmother, Violet, acting strange and fawning over Reed. Now, when I tell you I would have never agreed to stay on that property if that were me...
I really liked that the story was duel POV between Reed and Leighton. My one complaint about that is that Reed seemed a bit devoid of personality beyond big brother, peace keeper and protector of Leighton, even in the chapters that were his own POV. Perhaps this was intentional for how the story eventually unfolds, but Leighton had much more personality and was a much more interesting character overall.
I appreciate that the story sprinkled hints throughout of what was really going on, I like the foreshadowing and small sprinkled in details that come into play later. The story is sad, gruesome and dark. Perfect if you're looking for an unsettling read!
Thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very predictable from the beginning. Still an entertaining quick read, but very YA feel and wasn't shocked at any of the 'twists' or plot points.
Reed has been supporting his sister Leighton since their parents died, and a phone call from an estranged grandmother, Violet, serves two purposes, to answer their questions about their family and to receive a sizable inheritance once their grandfather dies. Violet has only one catch, the two must come visit Ashfeld Manor, the ancestral home, and meet her and their grandfather before he dies. The two are intrigued, as their parents never shared much of their family history and they were unaware they even had living family.
When they arrive however, they find a decrepit home with rotting trees, a dead garden, and a seemingly senile grandmother. They aren't allowed to see their dying grandfather who is bedridden. The two begin to make discoveries around the house and spend time with their grandmother who dotes on Reed and can barely stand to look at Leighton. As secrets unfold the two must find a way to survive their past and live for the future.
Reed has been supporting his sister Leighton since their parents died, and a phone call from an estranged grandmother, Violet, serves two purposes, to answer their questions about their family and to receive a sizable inheritance once their grandfather dies. Violet has only one catch, the two must come visit Ashfeld Manor, the ancestral home, and meet her and their grandfather before he dies. The two are intrigued, as their parents never shared much of their family history and they were unaware they even had living family.
When they arrive however, they find a decrepit home with rotting trees, a dead garden, and a seemingly senile grandmother. They aren't allowed to see their dying grandfather who is bedridden. The two begin to make discoveries around the house and spend time with their grandmother who dotes on Reed and can barely stand to look at Leighton. As secrets unfold the two must find a way to survive their past and live for the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two siblings visit their estranged grandparents house after they are promised inheritance.
Spurgeon excels in atmosphere and tension-building. The reader is allowed to immerse themselves in an unsettling and eerily described estate. The mysteries arise from strange aspects of Leighton and Reed's experience; things that might be easily ignored by themselves, but altogether paint a creepy picture.
Personally, it was a slow start for me, however once the mysteries started being unravelled it was enthralling and I couldn't stop reading. The direction the story went in felt unique, and managed to tie everything together in an extremely satisfying way. I thought that the truth of the inheritance was very clever.
There were some specific aspects of the novel that tied into the mystery that I thought were specifically genius, however, I don't want to spoil them.
I also think that exploring the themes of tradition's ties to exclusion and how it harms itself were great.
Overall a solid horror with strong descriptions and a thrilling latter half.
Spurgeon excels in atmosphere and tension-building. The reader is allowed to immerse themselves in an unsettling and eerily described estate. The mysteries arise from strange aspects of Leighton and Reed's experience; things that might be easily ignored by themselves, but altogether paint a creepy picture.
Personally, it was a slow start for me, however once the mysteries started being unravelled it was enthralling and I couldn't stop reading. The direction the story went in felt unique, and managed to tie everything together in an extremely satisfying way. I thought that the truth of the inheritance was very clever.
There were some specific aspects of the novel that tied into the mystery that I thought were specifically genius, however, I don't want to spoil them.
I also think that exploring the themes of tradition's ties to exclusion and how it harms itself were great.
Overall a solid horror with strong descriptions and a thrilling latter half.
April 12, 2026
Sourwood by Logan Spurgeon is chilling and haunting in the way the story slowly builds, each heartbeat of the novel uncovering the darkness at the heart of Reed and Leighton’s family. Logan Spurgeon builds this dark tale with subtlety and strangeness wired deep into the story as the siblings discover the rot and decay along with the secrets their grandparents are hiding. This is a powerful story about breaking family cycles and remaining true to yourself.
Both Reed and Leighton are sympathetic characters. From the very beginning you feel for the pain that they have suffered on losing their parents and readers will easily feel how strange Ashfeld Manor is, how dark and forbidding. The horrifying culmination is impactful especially due to the slow and dark build to the story.
If you like a dark spin on family secrets and horror, Sourwood is an enthralling book with compelling characters in Reed and Leighton. I loved the vampiric twist on the family fortune and the ending was impactful. This is creepy, scary and a terrifying story that will make readers stay up with the lights on.
Both Reed and Leighton are sympathetic characters. From the very beginning you feel for the pain that they have suffered on losing their parents and readers will easily feel how strange Ashfeld Manor is, how dark and forbidding. The horrifying culmination is impactful especially due to the slow and dark build to the story.
If you like a dark spin on family secrets and horror, Sourwood is an enthralling book with compelling characters in Reed and Leighton. I loved the vampiric twist on the family fortune and the ending was impactful. This is creepy, scary and a terrifying story that will make readers stay up with the lights on.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sourwood follows Reed and Leighton who never thought they would get the opportunity to meet their grandparents or learn about their family. Their parents kept all information about their family from them. One day, their grandmother calls out of the blue letting them know their grandfather is about to pass and is leaving them a sizable inheritance. The only condition is that they must come to Ashfeld Manor. They both agree but soon begin to regret it when things aren’t what they hoped they would be at the Manor. Secrets come out and they must do everything they can to save each other from their cursed bloodline. This book brought so many emotions out and I needed to keep reading to see how it ended for the siblings. The plot, pacing, and characters were all enjoyable and cohesive for me. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. Thank you, Logan Spurgeon, Quill & Crow Publishing House, and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 14, 2026
3.75 stars
Told in mostly a flashback, Reed and Leighton travel to meet their estranged grandmother in an effort to receive a sizeable inheritance, one that Reed hopes will help get the siblings out of debt. Little do they know the secrets that Ashfeld Manor holds, and the real reason why their parents estranged themselves from their grandparents....
This was such a twisty, turvy horror book that was an absolute BINGE read! This was my first book by Logan, but a fun read nonetheless. While most of the book was relatively predictable, I did enjoy the horror aspects of the novel, including the slow takeover of the curse and the body horror elements that make the genre what it is. The queer representation was also nice, but felt just a bit inserted into the storyline to put it there. I wish there was more of that depth built into the story and more intentionality behind it.
But, an enjoyable read. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.
Told in mostly a flashback, Reed and Leighton travel to meet their estranged grandmother in an effort to receive a sizeable inheritance, one that Reed hopes will help get the siblings out of debt. Little do they know the secrets that Ashfeld Manor holds, and the real reason why their parents estranged themselves from their grandparents....
This was such a twisty, turvy horror book that was an absolute BINGE read! This was my first book by Logan, but a fun read nonetheless. While most of the book was relatively predictable, I did enjoy the horror aspects of the novel, including the slow takeover of the curse and the body horror elements that make the genre what it is. The queer representation was also nice, but felt just a bit inserted into the storyline to put it there. I wish there was more of that depth built into the story and more intentionality behind it.
But, an enjoyable read. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.
March 26, 2026
3.50 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Quill & Crow Publishing for giving me access in exchange for an honest review.
Gothic horror set in the Appalachians with one of my favorite tropes: An estranged relative reappears offering an inheritance, either it changes your life for the worse or the best, and sometimes both.
The story was predictable, I think most people could guess what was going on. There were so many times when I wanted to grab Reed and Leighton and tell them to go. Sometimes I wanted to shake Reed to snap out of it. They were naive, desperate, and in denial. It was frustrating at times, but at the same time, I understood. Things start to pick up at 40% and amp up at 60%.
My thoughts so far are that this is interesting and that’s it, but I was surprised that near the end, I got emotional because of their love and support for each other.
In the end, what matters is what we make of ourselves not the blood running in our veins 🦋
Thank you Netgalley and Quill & Crow Publishing for giving me access in exchange for an honest review.
Gothic horror set in the Appalachians with one of my favorite tropes: An estranged relative reappears offering an inheritance, either it changes your life for the worse or the best, and sometimes both.
The story was predictable, I think most people could guess what was going on. There were so many times when I wanted to grab Reed and Leighton and tell them to go. Sometimes I wanted to shake Reed to snap out of it. They were naive, desperate, and in denial. It was frustrating at times, but at the same time, I understood. Things start to pick up at 40% and amp up at 60%.
My thoughts so far are that this is interesting and that’s it, but I was surprised that near the end, I got emotional because of their love and support for each other.
In the end, what matters is what we make of ourselves not the blood running in our veins 🦋
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