Witch Bone

by Meredith Spies

Sometimes magic is simple—coffee grounds and salt, red pepper and castor oil. An old pair of glasses, a new deck of cards, a snippet of hair and the whisper of a crow’s wing.
Other times, it’s far harder—mountain stone and a dead man’s fingers, things that look human and demand a secret in payment, old trains that run only when the moon is dark and the creek is dry to carry you into the dark.
It’s been months since Silas Crane first encountered Eli, the shadowy Fetch with a goal in Find the man who stole away Danny, Silas’ baby brother. Find the man who has been stealing immortality from people like Silas, like Eli, people with their roots sunk deep in the old ways. Now, something else has stirred in the mountains. Something rides the darkness with Jackdaw and threatens to tear apart Silas’ reality before they can find Danny, before they can stop this ancient thing creeping down the valleys towards the holler.
Simple magics might be best, but the harder ones are sometimes more necessary.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2024

Reviews

[Susan Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reasons Meredith Spies is among my favorite authors is they primarily write various types of fantasy, often with original magic systems. Such is the case for Witch Bone, In the Pines Book Two. While the magic system is a continuation of Fetch, Book One, in book two there is much more detail about the type of magic Silas and Eli share and there are more magical systems introduced. Simon still wants to rescue his brother Danny with Eli’s help. The search once again takes them into the woods overlooking the hollow where Simon has lived his whole life. We meet more townspeople, most of whom are sympathetic to Simon’s situation, and more types of supernatural creatures too. What adds depth to some of the characters is they are morally gray and this only emerges after Simon has had several dealings with them. The concluding scene is thrilling with some wins and some losses. As a PSA, this is not the last book in this series, which Witch Bone makes clear. I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Traci S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a creative series, I love the creepy setting- it’s wonderfully atmospheric. The author has such a unique take on magic in this world and I like how nebulous it feels sometimes and how tangled to the land it feels. It’s a unique romance, complicated by magic and time, I love not knowing how Silas and Eli could possibly make it work. This was a compelling read, with a real sense of dread and danger at times, which kept me invested in the plot and the characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next, loving this series!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Yvonne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved the first book in this series. I am thrilled that Eli is more there than he was before, but I’m sad that he believes that Silas didn’t want to choose him too. Honestly Eli made the choice for himself and hopefully he realizes it was all him. Danny is also wonderful and happy to be alive totally again. I don’t think he believes it’s real yet but I hope soon he will. I am so happy that Silas and Eli can now be close, and I am so glad that they finally talked about a future together. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm romance with some spooky stuff along side.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was definitely a page-turner. Silas went through so much in this book, and they deserve a break! I was glad that one of the things they were worried about was resolved, but this book added a few more problems/worries to their long list of things they're trying to take care of. Holly was an amazing support throughout, and I'm super curious to know what her boyfriend thinks of the shop and her workings. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens with Eli.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the In the Pines series and it picks up a few months after book one finished, we are back with Silas and Eli as they continue their spooky journey to find the person responsible for taking Silas’s young brother Danny and as their connection grows stronger but then something even more sinister is lurking in the darkness and it will take a mix of magic to try and stop it. Really looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're back with Silas as he continues to bring back hos brother Danny from the clutches of Jack, the evil shadow man who took him and is using along with others for power.
This time Silas is able to help the other fetch, Eli and have him reconnect with himself.
We also get much so more amazing world building filled with that same Appalachian magic and are introduced to more characters both of the human and magical kind.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I find it informative about the magic of the South and the Appalachians. Silas manages to get his brother back and Eli returns to him. However the danger has not passed yet.

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange progress.