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Nightshade and Oak
An Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human in this delightful historical fantasy of myth and magic from the author of the instant hit Greenteeth.
When Malt, the goddess of death, is accidentally turned into a human by a wayward spell, she finds she's ill-equipped to deal with the trials of a mortal life.
After all, why would a goddess need to know how to gather food or light a fire?
Trapped in a body that's frustratingly feeble, she's forced to team up with Bellis, warrior daughter of Boudicca on a perilous journey across Roman-occupied Britain to the afterlife to try to restore her powers. As animosity turns to attraction, these two very different women must learn to work together if they are to have any hope of surviving their quest.
When Malt, the goddess of death, is accidentally turned into a human by a wayward spell, she finds she's ill-equipped to deal with the trials of a mortal life.
After all, why would a goddess need to know how to gather food or light a fire?
Trapped in a body that's frustratingly feeble, she's forced to team up with Bellis, warrior daughter of Boudicca on a perilous journey across Roman-occupied Britain to the afterlife to try to restore her powers. As animosity turns to attraction, these two very different women must learn to work together if they are to have any hope of surviving their quest.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2026
110 people are currently reading
12390 people want to read
About the author
Molly O'Neill
2 books393 followersMolly O’Neill is a fantasy author and engineering geologist. She was born and raised in the Cotswolds and moved to Australia in 2019. She now lives in Sydney, on the land of the Gadigal People.
Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories.
Her works so far are Greenteeth and Nightshade & Oak
Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories.
Her works so far are Greenteeth and Nightshade & Oak
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
February 6, 2026
I hope Molly O'Neill continues to write these historical fantasy novels revolving around Celtic mythology in the future, because they really are such a breath of fresh air in publishing in my opinion. I already liked Greenteeth (about a lake-dwelling monster and the witch who is thrown into her waters), but this story about a death goddess accidentally turned human by the hands of Boudicca's daughter was even better. I was hooked immediately by the main character Mallt Y Nos as she is the goddess who guides souls to the afterlife together with her pack of dogs. One day she tries to take the soul of a young woman but is hit with a malfunctioned healing spell instead that gives her a human body. Mallt has no choice but to team up with princess Belis, the spear-wilding, overeager witch who caused this situation in the first place. To set things right the pair travels to the afterworld and so an intriguing journey full of history and folklore begins. I really liked the dynamic between Mallt and Belis. Mallt has a whole fish-out-of-water moment when she has to fully engage in the human ways for the first time in her ancient life. She knows little about humans besides how plentiful they die and she soon learns that being human is surprisingly hard when you're used to being an invincible goddess. Belis on the other hand knows how to be alive and is incredibly frustrated by Mallt's hurting feet or her lack of even the most basic knowledge. There are some fun moments at the beginning because of that, but the actual story has a darker tone to it and I sometimes found the dialogue to be clashing with the overall vibe. It got way better as the story went on, though, because the characters really get to know each other. There are moments when they have to bare their souls in front of each other and it made their relationship so tender and fierce at the same time. You can hardly call this a romance novel, but I loved Mallt and Belis together. They constantly challenge each other and bring out the best in their personalities, never judging and always trying to understand. I think a dual POV would have enhanced this strength of the book even more and I'm a bit sad that we only hear from Belis in a few chapters about her past. But overall I look very positively upon this book. It's a quest-like story and the characters have to fulfill different tasks, so I was never bored. The stakes were high, but the book also had room for calmness and depth. And I got a glimpse into Celtic mythology and old British history, provided by two characters that I deeply rooted for. Well done.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2025
Hugeee thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!!
4.25✨
I want to say this was a delightful read as much as it was heartbreaking. It pulled at my heartstrings and just made me ponder about how wonderfully complex it is to be a human being.
Malt, the goddess of death - is accidentally turned mortal by a spell gone wrong. She has to team up with Bellis, a warrior princess - in order to right the wrongs.
This was a perfect blend of historical fantasy mixed with mythology. I loved every second of it and binged in 2 sittings.
Malt & Bellis were both such strong FMCs. They had depth, complexity and were just amazing characters to follow. I immediately loved them and couldn’t get enough. Malt was so used to being the best at everything (being a goddess and all), that turning human was actually quite hard for her (obviously). There’s a few instances that made me laugh in the first half of the book because she is just so dramatic (within reasons but it was still funny). Both Malt & Bellis go through amazing character development through this book and it was wonderfully done.
The main plot never wavers and the subplots were really interesting as well. There’s a slow burn sapphic romance as a subplot and I absolutely devoured it.
The pacing was perfect for this story and I really loved the writing. This was a very unique concept. The ending was fitting for the story.
I will read everything this author writes.
4.25✨
I want to say this was a delightful read as much as it was heartbreaking. It pulled at my heartstrings and just made me ponder about how wonderfully complex it is to be a human being.
Malt, the goddess of death - is accidentally turned mortal by a spell gone wrong. She has to team up with Bellis, a warrior princess - in order to right the wrongs.
This was a perfect blend of historical fantasy mixed with mythology. I loved every second of it and binged in 2 sittings.
Malt & Bellis were both such strong FMCs. They had depth, complexity and were just amazing characters to follow. I immediately loved them and couldn’t get enough. Malt was so used to being the best at everything (being a goddess and all), that turning human was actually quite hard for her (obviously). There’s a few instances that made me laugh in the first half of the book because she is just so dramatic (within reasons but it was still funny). Both Malt & Bellis go through amazing character development through this book and it was wonderfully done.
The main plot never wavers and the subplots were really interesting as well. There’s a slow burn sapphic romance as a subplot and I absolutely devoured it.
The pacing was perfect for this story and I really loved the writing. This was a very unique concept. The ending was fitting for the story.
I will read everything this author writes.
February 23, 2026
I really loved this. This is my first book by this author and it certainly won't be the last. Unfortunately the only thing keeping it from five stars is that I really wanted it to be a romance and it was not. It had all the hallmarks of a romance but to me the only requirement of a romance is that it has a HEA, and this did not have a HEA. They survived but didn't stay together. I don't think this is a spoiler so much as saving romance fans from disappointment.
This author has a real gift with historical quest fantasy, however. I do hold out hope that this will be a duology and they can be together in the next book because the love story was that good and the ending was just heartbreaking.
Mallt is a cranky, immortal goddess who ferries the souls of the dead to their final resting place. In trying to save her sister, Belis, daughter of Boudicca, works a powerful spell to revive her, only for it to go wrong and turn Mallt, in the wrong place at the wrong time, into a mortal human woman. The two are thrown together on a journey to the underworld as Belis seeks to restore her sister's soul. Along the way the two develop feelings in a proper slow burn where they don't kiss till over 75% in.
I loved how Belis was a shield maiden; I need more sapphic shield maidens in books. For a princess she was a warrior who knew how to work the land, which I found refreshing, instead of a spoiled lady who knew embroidery. Mallt was an even match for her as a goddess and over her in hierarchy. Mallt gets used to her human form and heartbreakingly, dreams of a peaceful life on a farm with her new lover.
I loved the subtle use of magic in this, and how Irish mythology and anti-Roman rebellion was woven into a simple quest story. I especially felt an emotional connection to Belis through the back stories about her loving, fierce family, and how her bond with Mallt evolved on their travels.
A quibble that I haven't seen in a fantasy quest novel in awhile, though; I did wish they got a little more variety to eat other than bread and cheese, and the occasional rabbit stew. I also loved Mallt's hounds and wished they had played a greater role in the story.
Despite the disappointing ending, I was able to adjust my expectations and enjoy it for what it was, an engaging, richly researched historical fantasy adventure with a love story for the ages on the side.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This author has a real gift with historical quest fantasy, however. I do hold out hope that this will be a duology and they can be together in the next book because the love story was that good and the ending was just heartbreaking.
Mallt is a cranky, immortal goddess who ferries the souls of the dead to their final resting place. In trying to save her sister, Belis, daughter of Boudicca, works a powerful spell to revive her, only for it to go wrong and turn Mallt, in the wrong place at the wrong time, into a mortal human woman. The two are thrown together on a journey to the underworld as Belis seeks to restore her sister's soul. Along the way the two develop feelings in a proper slow burn where they don't kiss till over 75% in.
I loved how Belis was a shield maiden; I need more sapphic shield maidens in books. For a princess she was a warrior who knew how to work the land, which I found refreshing, instead of a spoiled lady who knew embroidery. Mallt was an even match for her as a goddess and over her in hierarchy. Mallt gets used to her human form and heartbreakingly, dreams of a peaceful life on a farm with her new lover.
I loved the subtle use of magic in this, and how Irish mythology and anti-Roman rebellion was woven into a simple quest story. I especially felt an emotional connection to Belis through the back stories about her loving, fierce family, and how her bond with Mallt evolved on their travels.
A quibble that I haven't seen in a fantasy quest novel in awhile, though; I did wish they got a little more variety to eat other than bread and cheese, and the occasional rabbit stew. I also loved Mallt's hounds and wished they had played a greater role in the story.
Despite the disappointing ending, I was able to adjust my expectations and enjoy it for what it was, an engaging, richly researched historical fantasy adventure with a love story for the ages on the side.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 7, 2026
I really, really want to give this a 4.5, but it just kept going on…and on…and on…. It was a bit like the ending of The Return of the King movie—you keep getting up to leave the theater, and then there’s another scene. In my opinion, this should have been a duology.
HOWEVER—this has moments of brilliance, and I absolutely loved large portions of it. Mallt is the Goddess of Death, and her job is to help ease the souls of the dead and dying on their way to Annwn, where Arawn rules (side note about Arawn—his character here is very, very different from the other stories I’ve read of him).
Mallt is working her way through the aftermath of a deadly battle when she stumbles upon three women in a grove. She tries to send the soul of one of the women to the afterlife, without realizing that another woman is in the midst of a very powerful spell, and the unfortunate consequence is that Mallt is no longer immortal.
Belis, the warrior princess, is not apologetic about the mishap, and the duo have a rocky relationship from the beginning. They agree to travel together to the island off the coast where one can step through to Annwn, in the hopes of returning Belis’ sister’s soul back to her body, AND hopefully returning Mallt to her immortal form.
They already have a daunting task, but there’s more—the Romans are very, very keen to get their hands on Belis, who is the last living princess of the Iceni, and a symbol of the resistance plaguing Roman expansion. And it’s hard to get somewhere fast with a brand new human body.
I couldn’t figure out why I was only 40% in, when it seemed like the story could end soon, but so much more goes on after they reach their destination. I really liked the story, but it tried to tackle too much, and, as I said above, it should’ve been split into two books. Still, I’ll read it again, and I did enjoy reading about familiar folklore from my childhood. I look forward to additional stories, and now I’ve got to get my hands on a copy of Greenteeth!
4.25 stars, rounded down.
My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC. All opinions are mine.
HOWEVER—this has moments of brilliance, and I absolutely loved large portions of it. Mallt is the Goddess of Death, and her job is to help ease the souls of the dead and dying on their way to Annwn, where Arawn rules (side note about Arawn—his character here is very, very different from the other stories I’ve read of him).
Mallt is working her way through the aftermath of a deadly battle when she stumbles upon three women in a grove. She tries to send the soul of one of the women to the afterlife, without realizing that another woman is in the midst of a very powerful spell, and the unfortunate consequence is that Mallt is no longer immortal.
Belis, the warrior princess, is not apologetic about the mishap, and the duo have a rocky relationship from the beginning. They agree to travel together to the island off the coast where one can step through to Annwn, in the hopes of returning Belis’ sister’s soul back to her body, AND hopefully returning Mallt to her immortal form.
They already have a daunting task, but there’s more—the Romans are very, very keen to get their hands on Belis, who is the last living princess of the Iceni, and a symbol of the resistance plaguing Roman expansion. And it’s hard to get somewhere fast with a brand new human body.
I couldn’t figure out why I was only 40% in, when it seemed like the story could end soon, but so much more goes on after they reach their destination. I really liked the story, but it tried to tackle too much, and, as I said above, it should’ve been split into two books. Still, I’ll read it again, and I did enjoy reading about familiar folklore from my childhood. I look forward to additional stories, and now I’ve got to get my hands on a copy of Greenteeth!
4.25 stars, rounded down.
My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC. All opinions are mine.
August 18, 2025
Quite possibly the finest book ever written (I assume)
July 14, 2025
Really looking forward to this next book since I adored Greenteeth! Will update my review once it is released.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Mallt, an ancient goddess, is accidentally turned human by the daughter of Boudicca, Belis, they set off on a journey together to restore Mallt, and to heal Belis' sister.
I went into this book having loved Green Teeth by Molly O'Neill last year, and I was very keen to read more by this author.
Firstly I loved the setting. The combination of ancient Britain and mythology was magical, in a similar way to Green Teeth. The feel of the book was cosy with stakes, which is a combination I really enjoy.
Secondly the characters were likeable. Mallt as a goddess in human form was endearing and at times amusing, and I loved the power of Belis, as a warrior Iceni.
Unfortunately it was inevitable that I would be comparing this to Green Teeth, and it just didn't hit in the same way. Still an enjoyable read though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Molly O'Neill does next!
I went into this book having loved Green Teeth by Molly O'Neill last year, and I was very keen to read more by this author.
Firstly I loved the setting. The combination of ancient Britain and mythology was magical, in a similar way to Green Teeth. The feel of the book was cosy with stakes, which is a combination I really enjoy.
Secondly the characters were likeable. Mallt as a goddess in human form was endearing and at times amusing, and I loved the power of Belis, as a warrior Iceni.
Unfortunately it was inevitable that I would be comparing this to Green Teeth, and it just didn't hit in the same way. Still an enjoyable read though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Molly O'Neill does next!
February 7, 2026
I went back and forth a lot on how to rate Nightshade and Oak. I did enjoy it, but the story itself is fairly simple and very linear, and it didn’t quite blow me away. In the end, this felt like a solid middle-ground read for me, so 3.5 stars felt right.
I really loved the beginning and the ending, but the middle section dragged. There were moments where I could skim a few pages and feel like not much had actually happened. The pacing definitely slows down in the center, and that’s where my engagement dipped the most.
That said, Mallt’s journey was a highlight. Watching her navigate a human body, human emotions, and complete exhaustion was both funny and relatable. Her full meltdown over being tired felt so real, and I was genuinely giggling through the first 20% of the book because of it. The interactions between Mallt and Bellis felt natural and emotionally grounded, and their dynamic was easily one of the strongest parts of the story.
My main issue is that very little actually happens overall. I understand that low-stakes storytelling is part of cozy and low fantasy, but I’ve read other cozy fantasies that still felt more tense or emotionally impactful than this. Conflicts were introduced and resolved very quickly, often without lasting consequences. Being caught by the Roman army multiple times and escaping each time, for example, started to feel a bit unrealistic and removed any real sense of danger.
That said, I loved the bittersweet ending. I could see it coming, but it felt earned. Both Bellis and Mallt are so well developed that the ending made sense for who they are. I really appreciated that the author didn’t opt for a neatly wrapped, overly happy ending and instead chose something more grounded and realistic.
Overall, Nightshade and Oak is a quiet, character-focused read with strong emotional moments, even if the plot itself didn’t fully hold my attention throughout.
Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I really loved the beginning and the ending, but the middle section dragged. There were moments where I could skim a few pages and feel like not much had actually happened. The pacing definitely slows down in the center, and that’s where my engagement dipped the most.
That said, Mallt’s journey was a highlight. Watching her navigate a human body, human emotions, and complete exhaustion was both funny and relatable. Her full meltdown over being tired felt so real, and I was genuinely giggling through the first 20% of the book because of it. The interactions between Mallt and Bellis felt natural and emotionally grounded, and their dynamic was easily one of the strongest parts of the story.
My main issue is that very little actually happens overall. I understand that low-stakes storytelling is part of cozy and low fantasy, but I’ve read other cozy fantasies that still felt more tense or emotionally impactful than this. Conflicts were introduced and resolved very quickly, often without lasting consequences. Being caught by the Roman army multiple times and escaping each time, for example, started to feel a bit unrealistic and removed any real sense of danger.
That said, I loved the bittersweet ending. I could see it coming, but it felt earned. Both Bellis and Mallt are so well developed that the ending made sense for who they are. I really appreciated that the author didn’t opt for a neatly wrapped, overly happy ending and instead chose something more grounded and realistic.
Overall, Nightshade and Oak is a quiet, character-focused read with strong emotional moments, even if the plot itself didn’t fully hold my attention throughout.
Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 8, 2025
A bittersweet fairytale wrapped in the brutal realities of war, Nightshade and Oak is a journey through conflict, gods, and grief, led by a stubborn fallen goddess and the warrior who broke her.
Mallt Y Nos is a goddess of the dead and dying, helping lost souls find their way to the afterlife. In a region ravaged by war, she has her work cut out for her, laying battlefields of thousands to rest. When her hurried pace leads to a careless mistake, she is cursed by a bungled spell and reduced to a frail human body. The caster of the wayward spell is Belis, a rebellious warrior attempting to heal her dying sister. With Mallt clueless about what mortality truly entails and Belis willing to do anything to rescue her sister’s soul from the limbo it now lies in, they strike a deal to travel together to the afterlife, to restore Mallt’s godhood and return the soul of Belis’s sister. But the horrors of war only add to the perils of their journey, and they must fight through monsters, both man and beast, to reclaim what they have lost.
This immediately started off strong with an incredible first chapter showing the aftermath of a battlefield through the eyes of a benevolent goddess. After the aforementioned magic misfire, the journey Mallt and Belis take feels fresh, hopeful, and almost fairytale-like, despite the bursts of action that pop up along the way. Things are a bit meandering, but all-around solid. I loved seeing the world through Mallt’s eyes, unaccustomed to the pains of survival in a body with limits and hungers, yet mesmerized by the fleeting beauty of love and joy that come with it. I especially adored the traveling and camping sequences, Mallt and Belis’s petty power struggles, and the descriptions of this beautiful but troubled land.
Around the 40% mark, the plot takes a darker turn, and so does the tone. No longer a whimsical journey to right their wrongs, things become grim and gory, and the story shifts its focus to the harsh realities of war and pain. I obviously can’t spoil what this section entails, but as a whole, it felt a little disconnected from how the story had previously presented itself. The beginning of the book almost had me thinking this was a cozy fantasy, while the second half is bleak and despondent in a way that feels detached from where we started. I think this section ultimately ties well into the themes and overarching story, but it did feel jarring and, at times, frustrating, as it is not where I necessarily wanted the narrative to go. The final quarter struggles to reconcile these two disparate halves and ends up flip-flopping between tones, but it does settle into a conclusion that I really appreciated, and I felt that it tied everything together nicely.
There were also some hiccups with the characters, though they were overall solid as well. Mallt is sort of this little fawn, stumbling through the mortal world without any real strength and with her eyes wide to the full gamut of human emotion. She has a bit of a hot temper too; she has this intense ego to her (and why shouldn’t she, when she’s used to humans deferring to her godly power), but it’s never done in a way that feels irritating to the reader. It strikes a perfect balance where you can objectively recognize how annoying she can be, but it’s all delivered with so much over-the-top drama that I found myself enjoying her attitude even when it was demeaning and quite rude.
Unfortunately, this also made Mallt a much stronger character than Belis, especially given that nearly the entire book is from Mallt’s point of view. While I found myself sympathizing with Mallt’s struggles adjusting to mortality, Belis came across as a more typical strong warrior archetype with no weaknesses or defining traits for me to gravitate towards. Even with the inclusion of her "Belis Before" chapters, I had a hard time connecting with her and found her to be a bit plain. In theory, I love the idea of a hot, tall, buff, and gruff warrior girlfriend, but in practice, I wanted more from her character, especially when Mallt was right beside her shining like a star.
One thing I don’t necessarily have strong feelings about but do want to note is that going into this, I didn’t realize there was a historical fiction/retelling aspect. Mallt-y-Nos is a figure from Welsh mythology, while Belis is the imagined daughter of the real queen Boudica of the British Iceni tribe. Boudica’s failed uprising against the Romans is a real historical event and is heavily featured in this book, and because we know very little about her daughters, not even their names, that is where O’Neill expands into fiction. I didn’t know much about this subject beforehand and only briefly researched it after recognizing Boudica’s name in a flashback chapter, so I can’t speak to the historical accuracy. I feel fairly neutral about its inclusion, but it is worth mentioning!
Overall, I really enjoyed this cozy-yet-dark fairytale, and it was a lovely introduction to O’Neill’s work. I fell for the first half so hard that I actually went to my local bookstore mid-read to pick up Greenteeth. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy, a good old-fashioned redemption journey, or is interested in fantasy set within this specific historical period.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mallt Y Nos is a goddess of the dead and dying, helping lost souls find their way to the afterlife. In a region ravaged by war, she has her work cut out for her, laying battlefields of thousands to rest. When her hurried pace leads to a careless mistake, she is cursed by a bungled spell and reduced to a frail human body. The caster of the wayward spell is Belis, a rebellious warrior attempting to heal her dying sister. With Mallt clueless about what mortality truly entails and Belis willing to do anything to rescue her sister’s soul from the limbo it now lies in, they strike a deal to travel together to the afterlife, to restore Mallt’s godhood and return the soul of Belis’s sister. But the horrors of war only add to the perils of their journey, and they must fight through monsters, both man and beast, to reclaim what they have lost.
This immediately started off strong with an incredible first chapter showing the aftermath of a battlefield through the eyes of a benevolent goddess. After the aforementioned magic misfire, the journey Mallt and Belis take feels fresh, hopeful, and almost fairytale-like, despite the bursts of action that pop up along the way. Things are a bit meandering, but all-around solid. I loved seeing the world through Mallt’s eyes, unaccustomed to the pains of survival in a body with limits and hungers, yet mesmerized by the fleeting beauty of love and joy that come with it. I especially adored the traveling and camping sequences, Mallt and Belis’s petty power struggles, and the descriptions of this beautiful but troubled land.
Around the 40% mark, the plot takes a darker turn, and so does the tone. No longer a whimsical journey to right their wrongs, things become grim and gory, and the story shifts its focus to the harsh realities of war and pain. I obviously can’t spoil what this section entails, but as a whole, it felt a little disconnected from how the story had previously presented itself. The beginning of the book almost had me thinking this was a cozy fantasy, while the second half is bleak and despondent in a way that feels detached from where we started. I think this section ultimately ties well into the themes and overarching story, but it did feel jarring and, at times, frustrating, as it is not where I necessarily wanted the narrative to go. The final quarter struggles to reconcile these two disparate halves and ends up flip-flopping between tones, but it does settle into a conclusion that I really appreciated, and I felt that it tied everything together nicely.
There were also some hiccups with the characters, though they were overall solid as well. Mallt is sort of this little fawn, stumbling through the mortal world without any real strength and with her eyes wide to the full gamut of human emotion. She has a bit of a hot temper too; she has this intense ego to her (and why shouldn’t she, when she’s used to humans deferring to her godly power), but it’s never done in a way that feels irritating to the reader. It strikes a perfect balance where you can objectively recognize how annoying she can be, but it’s all delivered with so much over-the-top drama that I found myself enjoying her attitude even when it was demeaning and quite rude.
Unfortunately, this also made Mallt a much stronger character than Belis, especially given that nearly the entire book is from Mallt’s point of view. While I found myself sympathizing with Mallt’s struggles adjusting to mortality, Belis came across as a more typical strong warrior archetype with no weaknesses or defining traits for me to gravitate towards. Even with the inclusion of her "Belis Before" chapters, I had a hard time connecting with her and found her to be a bit plain. In theory, I love the idea of a hot, tall, buff, and gruff warrior girlfriend, but in practice, I wanted more from her character, especially when Mallt was right beside her shining like a star.
One thing I don’t necessarily have strong feelings about but do want to note is that going into this, I didn’t realize there was a historical fiction/retelling aspect. Mallt-y-Nos is a figure from Welsh mythology, while Belis is the imagined daughter of the real queen Boudica of the British Iceni tribe. Boudica’s failed uprising against the Romans is a real historical event and is heavily featured in this book, and because we know very little about her daughters, not even their names, that is where O’Neill expands into fiction. I didn’t know much about this subject beforehand and only briefly researched it after recognizing Boudica’s name in a flashback chapter, so I can’t speak to the historical accuracy. I feel fairly neutral about its inclusion, but it is worth mentioning!
Overall, I really enjoyed this cozy-yet-dark fairytale, and it was a lovely introduction to O’Neill’s work. I fell for the first half so hard that I actually went to my local bookstore mid-read to pick up Greenteeth. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy, a good old-fashioned redemption journey, or is interested in fantasy set within this specific historical period.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2026
This was such a good read.
The journey that Malt and Bellis go on is magical, dangerous and ultimately, some decisions must be made. This is a lovely slow burn romantic relationship, all while danger is around every turn.
That ending though, oh man.
The journey that Malt and Bellis go on is magical, dangerous and ultimately, some decisions must be made. This is a lovely slow burn romantic relationship, all while danger is around every turn.
That ending though, oh man.
February 3, 2026
3.5 / 5 stars
I really struggled with deciding what to rate this, because most of the book was just fine, but the ending was a bittersweet kinda gut punch that had me tearing up. The story is okay, if not very innovative or particularly interesting. It felt very ‘linear’ and simple; there’s an inciting incident - Mallt losing her immortality - which kicks off a quest that has Mallt and Bellis travelling across ancient Britain to reverse the whole not-being-immortal-anymore-thing. There’s never anything too exciting happening and it’s all fairly straightforward and predictable.
Mallt and Bellis’s bickering was really cute and endearing, and the development of their relationship was well done - even though the sapphic-ness only came in pretty late. While reading I didn’t think that I was all that invested in their relationship, but the ending absolutely proved me wrong there.
And while that ending was bittersweet, it worked so very well because you could see it coming. I knew there was only one way they could stay together, and I also knew that was not the kind of person Bellis is. And yet I somehow still kept a small bit of hope until the very end. But I'm glad it ended the way it ended, because any other ending would have felt wrong and out-of-character.
So, this is a nice and entertaining story, with a lovely, but ultimately bittersweet, sapphic romance, but the plot just wasn’t engrossing enough for me to rate it above 3.5 stars.
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Many thanks to Orbit for the ARC!
I really struggled with deciding what to rate this, because most of the book was just fine, but the ending was a bittersweet kinda gut punch that had me tearing up. The story is okay, if not very innovative or particularly interesting. It felt very ‘linear’ and simple; there’s an inciting incident - Mallt losing her immortality - which kicks off a quest that has Mallt and Bellis travelling across ancient Britain to reverse the whole not-being-immortal-anymore-thing. There’s never anything too exciting happening and it’s all fairly straightforward and predictable.
Mallt and Bellis’s bickering was really cute and endearing, and the development of their relationship was well done - even though the sapphic-ness only came in pretty late. While reading I didn’t think that I was all that invested in their relationship, but the ending absolutely proved me wrong there.
And while that ending was bittersweet, it worked so very well because you could see it coming. I knew there was only one way they could stay together, and I also knew that was not the kind of person Bellis is. And yet I somehow still kept a small bit of hope until the very end. But I'm glad it ended the way it ended, because any other ending would have felt wrong and out-of-character.
So, this is a nice and entertaining story, with a lovely, but ultimately bittersweet, sapphic romance, but the plot just wasn’t engrossing enough for me to rate it above 3.5 stars.
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Many thanks to Orbit for the ARC!
Did not finish
February 8, 2026DNF at 50%. I’m not sure why I couldn’t get into this book. On paper (hehe) it sounds enticing, and I’ve been wanting to read more sapphic books! For some reason though the moment I set this book down I forgot it existed. I couldn’t really find a specific reason why that was the case. Not enough tension in the plot perhaps? I get the feeling the first half of the book was setting up for more in the second half so I may return to finish it one day!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
February 8, 2026
More like 3.5.
Thank you Orbit books for sending me a copy of this book.
I finished the book having no idea how to rate it. It’s really hard for me to review books that were just fine. I have the same problem with “Nightshade&Oak”. I can’t say it’s a bad book, because it’s not. But I can’t say that brings something new to the cozy fantasy genre. It was just a fine book.
I like reading about gods, it’s one of my favourite tropes in the fantasy genre. Reading about their history and their journey through the world makes me excited. Especially when it’s not a very popular folklore.
“Nightshade&Oak” is inspired from Celtic folklore and mythology, especially Welsh mythology, which made me extremely curious and made me want more of this.
Mallt y Nos is a goddess of death from Welsh mythology and in this book she accidentally becomes human. From there, a whole story begins. Next to Mallt, we meet Belis, warrior daughter of Boudicca. I must say, i don’t know a lot of this history, so I can’t say who these characters are in the work’s history. I have to document myself.
Now onto the book. As I said, it’s not a bad book. I had fun reading it, but I had moments when I really wanted to be done with it. It’s a simple story and predictable, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was interesting.
What I didn’t like it about “Nightshade&Oak” is the exposition. It’s too much, too many uninteresting details and I feel like some parts dragged too much. While we started from a plot line in the beginning of the book, a few chapters in and I felt like I was reading a different book, like the author wasn’t sure what the book should be about. I understand the mission of the characters, but the main plot line was forgotten for a few chapters.
Also, the characters were too immature for me and I had moments where I rolled my eyes.
But there where some things I liked. I was starting to be upset towards the end about some of the decisions these characters almost made, but I was happy to see that they realised that some things are more important than their feelings. The ending was bittersweet and I felt bad for them, but again, I think the author took the right approach with it.
Thank you Orbit books for sending me a copy of this book.
I finished the book having no idea how to rate it. It’s really hard for me to review books that were just fine. I have the same problem with “Nightshade&Oak”. I can’t say it’s a bad book, because it’s not. But I can’t say that brings something new to the cozy fantasy genre. It was just a fine book.
I like reading about gods, it’s one of my favourite tropes in the fantasy genre. Reading about their history and their journey through the world makes me excited. Especially when it’s not a very popular folklore.
“Nightshade&Oak” is inspired from Celtic folklore and mythology, especially Welsh mythology, which made me extremely curious and made me want more of this.
Mallt y Nos is a goddess of death from Welsh mythology and in this book she accidentally becomes human. From there, a whole story begins. Next to Mallt, we meet Belis, warrior daughter of Boudicca. I must say, i don’t know a lot of this history, so I can’t say who these characters are in the work’s history. I have to document myself.
Now onto the book. As I said, it’s not a bad book. I had fun reading it, but I had moments when I really wanted to be done with it. It’s a simple story and predictable, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was interesting.
What I didn’t like it about “Nightshade&Oak” is the exposition. It’s too much, too many uninteresting details and I feel like some parts dragged too much. While we started from a plot line in the beginning of the book, a few chapters in and I felt like I was reading a different book, like the author wasn’t sure what the book should be about. I understand the mission of the characters, but the main plot line was forgotten for a few chapters.
Also, the characters were too immature for me and I had moments where I rolled my eyes.
But there where some things I liked. I was starting to be upset towards the end about some of the decisions these characters almost made, but I was happy to see that they realised that some things are more important than their feelings. The ending was bittersweet and I felt bad for them, but again, I think the author took the right approach with it.
February 3, 2026
“so you can’t come, and i can’t stay.”
what if the goddess of death fell in love with boudicca’s daughter?
like o’neill’s debut, nightshade and oak is rooted in welsh and british folklore and myth. as mallt y nos frees trapped souls in the aftermath of a brutal battle, she finds herself transformed into a human by a wayward spell. suddenly vulnerable and surprisingly helpless, she has no choice but to rely on the aid of a mortal woman to regain her godhood. but belis has secrets of her own, and as the two women venture across a britain occupied by rome, their animosity turns to respect—and then something more.
if there’s one thing molly o’neill is going to do, it’s make me cry at an ending. this is a charming yet devastating read perfect for fans of fate’s bane by c.l. clark and boudicca’s daughter, but with a sprinkling of whimsy and quirkiness à la t. kingfisher. if you enjoyed greenteeth, you’ll like nightshade and oak too. while i’m still not the biggest fan of o’neill’s pacing, this was delightful and the last third made up for some clunkiness in the first two-thirds. the ending had me in tears, and i really look forward to seeing what molly o’neill writes next.
i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
rating: 3.75/5.0 stars
February 5, 2026
A brief snapshot of what this story is: a fallen goddess, stripped of her power, is forced into a fragile human body and ends up bound to a warrior who is carrying her own history of loss and duty. Together they set out on a journey toward the realm of the dead, chasing a second chance to repair what was shattered. It is myth, devotion, grief and hope braided into a slow, intense road forward.
There’s a true sweetness in how Mallt and Belis’s relationship evolves. I really got a buzz from watching them grow from reluctant allies to something real that meant, and for me, that development was the heartbeat of the book. There’s history, there’s magic rooted in old myth and there’s oh-so-much tension as they make their way toward this almost impossible task.
The pacing had a few hiccups along the way where I felt like I was drifting/struggling but I’m glad I stuck with it, and ultimately that’s a testament to the characters that O’Neill created so wonderfully.
Thank you Orbit Book UK for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a true sweetness in how Mallt and Belis’s relationship evolves. I really got a buzz from watching them grow from reluctant allies to something real that meant, and for me, that development was the heartbeat of the book. There’s history, there’s magic rooted in old myth and there’s oh-so-much tension as they make their way toward this almost impossible task.
The pacing had a few hiccups along the way where I felt like I was drifting/struggling but I’m glad I stuck with it, and ultimately that’s a testament to the characters that O’Neill created so wonderfully.
Thank you Orbit Book UK for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The nitty-gritty: A grand and harrowing adventure sets the stage for this intimate portrayal of an unlikely romance.
Molly O’Neill has become a go-to author for me, especially since she’s proven that she can write a satisfying follow-up to the amazing Greenteeth. Once again, her story is rooted in history and mythology and gives readers a wonderfully relatable main character to cheer for. This is a quest story that allows the romantic couple time to get to know one another while they complete seemingly impossible tasks.
We follow two main characters. Mallt Y Nos is the Nightshade Goddess of Death. For thousands of years, she’s kept Briton’s land free of dangerous spirits by ushering souls from dead bodies to the afterlife. Mallt is a powerful being with barely a care in the world. She is accompanied by her pack of loyal hounds who help her in her task, and she’s even friends with the fae Gwyn ap Nud, the Lord of the Hunt, and often visits their realm.
But one day, as she’s cleaning up after a terrible battle between the Romans and the Inceni tribe, she comes upon two young women, one on the brink of death who appears to need her help. But as she begins her work to send the soul on to the next life, the other girl performs a spell that takes away Mallt’s powers and leaves her human. Powerless and trapped in an unfamiliar body, Mallt is furious with the girl, an Inceni warrior princess names Belis who was simply trying to save her sister Cati.
When Mallt explains that Cati’s body is still alive but her soul is gone, she agrees to help Belis by making the long journey to Annwn, a waystation for souls who aren’t ready to move on. She believes the Lord of the Dead will help them, and even more important, he’ll be able to help Mallt get her powers back.
But when they arrive, things in Annwn are dire. A malevolent plague is infecting the land, and until it’s stopped, there’s nothing the Lord of the Dead can do to help either Mallt or Belis.
The plot is fairly straightforward: Mallt and Belis are on a quest to get what they want, and along the way, they are given several tasks that they must complete in order to move on. I thought the quest plot worked pretty well, although it does slow the pace down in spots. But it did allow Belis and Mallt time to get to know each other, and their relationship was one of my favorite things in the story.
Mallt is a wonderful character. She’s a goddess who has lost her powers, and she’s dealing with having a human body for the first time, with all the aches and pains, hunger and other physical limitations that are part of being human. At first she complains a lot, but little by little she starts to build strength as she’s forced to hike for miles, sleep on the ground, and hunt for food. Belis is the perfect foil for her and teaches her how to survive in the wild, and it’s during this time that the two begin to grudgingly like each other. Mallt doesn’t understand how to speak to humans at first, but she learns humility along the way.
We get to know Belis through flashback chapters, showing her life growing up as royalty. Belis’s mother Boudica insists she learn how to fight, and I loved that she wasn’t a fragile flower who couldn’t take care of herself, but a powerful warrior who was raised to defend her people.
We meet some interesting side characters as well. I loved Arawn, the Lord of the Dead, and his good friend Rhiannon, a witch who was trying to push back the darkness in Annwn when she disappeared. Most of the characters are trying to help Mallt and Belis, and the only real threats in the story are the Romans, who are after Belis so they can end her family line.
The story has a T. Kingfisher vibe, so fans of that author will probably love this book. It was especially strong during one scene where the women meet a witch named Vatta and stay at her cozy cottage, completely with a roaring fire and a cat! I did want more of the dogs, especially Mallt’s favorite dog Dormath, but I will say that no dogs are harmed in Nightshade & Oak, something I’m very grateful for.
An ending can sometimes make or break a story for me, and I’m happy to report that I absolutely loved the way O’Neill ended this one. It wasn’t the ending I expected, but it was the perfect way to wrap up Mallt's and Belis's adventures. Fans of Greenteeth will not want to miss this book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Molly O’Neill has become a go-to author for me, especially since she’s proven that she can write a satisfying follow-up to the amazing Greenteeth. Once again, her story is rooted in history and mythology and gives readers a wonderfully relatable main character to cheer for. This is a quest story that allows the romantic couple time to get to know one another while they complete seemingly impossible tasks.
We follow two main characters. Mallt Y Nos is the Nightshade Goddess of Death. For thousands of years, she’s kept Briton’s land free of dangerous spirits by ushering souls from dead bodies to the afterlife. Mallt is a powerful being with barely a care in the world. She is accompanied by her pack of loyal hounds who help her in her task, and she’s even friends with the fae Gwyn ap Nud, the Lord of the Hunt, and often visits their realm.
But one day, as she’s cleaning up after a terrible battle between the Romans and the Inceni tribe, she comes upon two young women, one on the brink of death who appears to need her help. But as she begins her work to send the soul on to the next life, the other girl performs a spell that takes away Mallt’s powers and leaves her human. Powerless and trapped in an unfamiliar body, Mallt is furious with the girl, an Inceni warrior princess names Belis who was simply trying to save her sister Cati.
When Mallt explains that Cati’s body is still alive but her soul is gone, she agrees to help Belis by making the long journey to Annwn, a waystation for souls who aren’t ready to move on. She believes the Lord of the Dead will help them, and even more important, he’ll be able to help Mallt get her powers back.
But when they arrive, things in Annwn are dire. A malevolent plague is infecting the land, and until it’s stopped, there’s nothing the Lord of the Dead can do to help either Mallt or Belis.
The plot is fairly straightforward: Mallt and Belis are on a quest to get what they want, and along the way, they are given several tasks that they must complete in order to move on. I thought the quest plot worked pretty well, although it does slow the pace down in spots. But it did allow Belis and Mallt time to get to know each other, and their relationship was one of my favorite things in the story.
Mallt is a wonderful character. She’s a goddess who has lost her powers, and she’s dealing with having a human body for the first time, with all the aches and pains, hunger and other physical limitations that are part of being human. At first she complains a lot, but little by little she starts to build strength as she’s forced to hike for miles, sleep on the ground, and hunt for food. Belis is the perfect foil for her and teaches her how to survive in the wild, and it’s during this time that the two begin to grudgingly like each other. Mallt doesn’t understand how to speak to humans at first, but she learns humility along the way.
We get to know Belis through flashback chapters, showing her life growing up as royalty. Belis’s mother Boudica insists she learn how to fight, and I loved that she wasn’t a fragile flower who couldn’t take care of herself, but a powerful warrior who was raised to defend her people.
We meet some interesting side characters as well. I loved Arawn, the Lord of the Dead, and his good friend Rhiannon, a witch who was trying to push back the darkness in Annwn when she disappeared. Most of the characters are trying to help Mallt and Belis, and the only real threats in the story are the Romans, who are after Belis so they can end her family line.
The story has a T. Kingfisher vibe, so fans of that author will probably love this book. It was especially strong during one scene where the women meet a witch named Vatta and stay at her cozy cottage, completely with a roaring fire and a cat! I did want more of the dogs, especially Mallt’s favorite dog Dormath, but I will say that no dogs are harmed in Nightshade & Oak, something I’m very grateful for.
An ending can sometimes make or break a story for me, and I’m happy to report that I absolutely loved the way O’Neill ended this one. It wasn’t the ending I expected, but it was the perfect way to wrap up Mallt's and Belis's adventures. Fans of Greenteeth will not want to miss this book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
February 20, 2026
Thank you to Orbit for sending me a copy of this ARC as well as offering it in audiobook format, in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the way O’Neill threaded Celtic mythology and folklore throughout her first book, even if it wasn’t my favorite read at the time. My curiosity was way up to see what she would do with the Celtic mythology of a psychopomp. I really enjoyed this story and how it all came together.
I’m not overly familiar with Celtic mythology and folklore outside of the big names, so a lot of this was brand new to me, and I was able to enjoy Mallt as a person, rather than an untouchable deity as she was before being hit by an unexpected spell that stripped her of her powers and turned her mortal. I am a little bit more familiar with British history so it was exciting to find some things that I do know, and to see a different take on Boudicca’s rebellion.
Belis is one of Boudicca’s two daughters, and the story takes place just after Boudicca’s rebellion has failed. There is one mention of what Belis has gone through, and it is only implied rather than stated outright. I appreciated the way that she treated it sensitively, although Belis felt like a little bit of a stilted character—readers only get to see inside her head in flashbacks from the past. Instead, we don’t really get much insight into Belis’ motivation, and I was a little disappointed not to get to know her better.
Mallt leads them on a wild journey and into the afterlife in an effort to reclaim her magic, and I found it quite humorous as she discovered the pains that come along with having a mortal body. As she adjusts to the needs of a body, she does a lot of talking about what she is feeling and/or experiences rather than identifying them easily, and it made her feel like more of a believable character. However, this became a bit overused and Mallt sounded whiny. It was especially pronounced in the audiobook format, where she actually does whine some of her lines. Catrin Walker-Booth narrated the book, and did a wonderful job of breathing life into the story. This option was especially appreciated since the way words and names are pronounced are completely different from what I would expect them to be.
The romance that develops between Mallt and Belis develops slowly, with a more meandering pace in the first half of the book than the second. Initially, they are at odds, setting the scene for an enemies to lovers story that I really loved reading. As these two women are forced to work together and place their trust in each other, a bond slowly blossoms between them and I liked seeing the rocky road of their relationship.
Overall, this was a fun read that had its issues but was really enjoyable. The pacing was not consistent throughout the book, but it gave off strong Kingfisher vibes, and I could read anything she wrote. While I would have liked Belis to have more character development, I thought it was fascinating to watch how much growth Mallt experiences throughout the book. The romance comes on a little strong at first, but by the end, I loved seeing the two of them together. And the idea of a death goddess who works to escort souls into the afterlife, but has a wickedly sharp sense of humor was irresistible to me. O’Neill is an author who will be on my radar going forward.
Bottom line: A Kingfisher-esque cozy fantasy romance featuring enemies to lovers and forced proximity, threaded through with plenty of Celtic mythology and folklore.
I loved the way O’Neill threaded Celtic mythology and folklore throughout her first book, even if it wasn’t my favorite read at the time. My curiosity was way up to see what she would do with the Celtic mythology of a psychopomp. I really enjoyed this story and how it all came together.
I’m not overly familiar with Celtic mythology and folklore outside of the big names, so a lot of this was brand new to me, and I was able to enjoy Mallt as a person, rather than an untouchable deity as she was before being hit by an unexpected spell that stripped her of her powers and turned her mortal. I am a little bit more familiar with British history so it was exciting to find some things that I do know, and to see a different take on Boudicca’s rebellion.
Belis is one of Boudicca’s two daughters, and the story takes place just after Boudicca’s rebellion has failed. There is one mention of what Belis has gone through, and it is only implied rather than stated outright. I appreciated the way that she treated it sensitively, although Belis felt like a little bit of a stilted character—readers only get to see inside her head in flashbacks from the past. Instead, we don’t really get much insight into Belis’ motivation, and I was a little disappointed not to get to know her better.
Mallt leads them on a wild journey and into the afterlife in an effort to reclaim her magic, and I found it quite humorous as she discovered the pains that come along with having a mortal body. As she adjusts to the needs of a body, she does a lot of talking about what she is feeling and/or experiences rather than identifying them easily, and it made her feel like more of a believable character. However, this became a bit overused and Mallt sounded whiny. It was especially pronounced in the audiobook format, where she actually does whine some of her lines. Catrin Walker-Booth narrated the book, and did a wonderful job of breathing life into the story. This option was especially appreciated since the way words and names are pronounced are completely different from what I would expect them to be.
The romance that develops between Mallt and Belis develops slowly, with a more meandering pace in the first half of the book than the second. Initially, they are at odds, setting the scene for an enemies to lovers story that I really loved reading. As these two women are forced to work together and place their trust in each other, a bond slowly blossoms between them and I liked seeing the rocky road of their relationship.
Overall, this was a fun read that had its issues but was really enjoyable. The pacing was not consistent throughout the book, but it gave off strong Kingfisher vibes, and I could read anything she wrote. While I would have liked Belis to have more character development, I thought it was fascinating to watch how much growth Mallt experiences throughout the book. The romance comes on a little strong at first, but by the end, I loved seeing the two of them together. And the idea of a death goddess who works to escort souls into the afterlife, but has a wickedly sharp sense of humor was irresistible to me. O’Neill is an author who will be on my radar going forward.
Bottom line: A Kingfisher-esque cozy fantasy romance featuring enemies to lovers and forced proximity, threaded through with plenty of Celtic mythology and folklore.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a lovely read full of heart and magic. If you like a story with historical mythology elements, lots of character growth and some tragedy, then I'd definitely recommend picking it up!✨️
The setting of this book, historical Britain with mythological and magical elements, was really well thought out. The story follows Malt, goddess of death, who accidentally got turned into a human and now has to deal with the trials of being a mortal. To try and get her powers back, she's forced to team up with Belis, a warriors daughter who has her own problems⚔️ The pacing of the book felt right, it wasn't slow but not overly fast either which made for a book I sped through! While I typically don't read many books with mythology elements, I did love the focus on historical British mythology. The plot kept me interested and wanting to read more. There was also a hint of romance, but the character growth, setting and trials felt like the main point of focus🩷
Malt felt really believable, her struggles to adapt to a mortal existence after having been a goddess for thousands of years felt logical! Her character growth went well-paced and lasted for the whole book. Belis was also a good character to me. She had her own issues and worked through them during their journey. I also especially loved that we got some backstory chapters about her!⭐️
I very much liked the original writing style, it made for funny, heartwarming and heartwrenching moments. It was a great read, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books by the author!🫶🏻
⚔️~ This was an ARC read, huge thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc! ~⚔️
The setting of this book, historical Britain with mythological and magical elements, was really well thought out. The story follows Malt, goddess of death, who accidentally got turned into a human and now has to deal with the trials of being a mortal. To try and get her powers back, she's forced to team up with Belis, a warriors daughter who has her own problems⚔️ The pacing of the book felt right, it wasn't slow but not overly fast either which made for a book I sped through! While I typically don't read many books with mythology elements, I did love the focus on historical British mythology. The plot kept me interested and wanting to read more. There was also a hint of romance, but the character growth, setting and trials felt like the main point of focus🩷
Malt felt really believable, her struggles to adapt to a mortal existence after having been a goddess for thousands of years felt logical! Her character growth went well-paced and lasted for the whole book. Belis was also a good character to me. She had her own issues and worked through them during their journey. I also especially loved that we got some backstory chapters about her!⭐️
I very much liked the original writing style, it made for funny, heartwarming and heartwrenching moments. It was a great read, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books by the author!🫶🏻
⚔️~ This was an ARC read, huge thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc! ~⚔️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After absolutely loving Greenteeth, I was so excited to pick up Nightshade and Oak. This book was everything and more. Sharp, witty, funny, tragic, and heartfelt; I loved seeing the goddess of death find out what it means to be human. It's truly such a joy to see Malt, who has been surrounded by death for eons, discover the joys and pitfalls of life. The historical aspect of the Romans invading Briton was another engaging element, and seeing that slice of history through Bellis's eyes was heartbreaking yet beautifully done. I loved the dynamics between Malt and Bellis, and how they both learn and grow from each other. Molly O'Neill is a must-read author for me at this point, and I can't wait to see what's next!
A huge thank you to Orbit for the eARC in exchange for my honest review and Colleen for buddy reading this with me :)
A huge thank you to Orbit for the eARC in exchange for my honest review and Colleen for buddy reading this with me :)
Read
February 8, 2026DNF @ 30%. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I love the premise, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous, but I struggled to stay invested in the story. I did like seeing how Mallt adjusted to becoming human. She experiences things that she never had to concern herself with as a goddess, and her reactions to things, like stepping on rocks or sweating and other basic things, are comical. For me, however, the pacing was slow, and I didn't feel the chemistry between the two FMCs.
December 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the e-arc!
I enjoyed this! This was a cozy, historical fantasy with folklore and adventure. I loved our main character, Mallt Y Nos, the Nighshade and Goddess of Death and her learning what it means to be human.
The pacing was a little inconsistent for me, but I was so invested in Mallt and Belis’s journey.
I will definitely keep reading what Molly O’Neill writes!
I enjoyed this! This was a cozy, historical fantasy with folklore and adventure. I loved our main character, Mallt Y Nos, the Nighshade and Goddess of Death and her learning what it means to be human.
The pacing was a little inconsistent for me, but I was so invested in Mallt and Belis’s journey.
I will definitely keep reading what Molly O’Neill writes!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free copy from Orbit Books via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date February 3rd, 2026.
I liked O'Neill’s faerie-based Greenteeth, and I was interested in the premise of her latest novel. In Nightshade and Oak, Mallt is the goddess of the unquiet dead in Roman-era Britain, until an accidental spell leaves her trapped in a mortal body. Before the dead begin to rise, Mallt must travel with her reluctant ally, the daughter of Queen Boudicca, on a quest to regain her immortal aspect.
Nightshade and Oak is, first and foremost, a walking quest book. While witches and Roman legions and the unquiet dead occasionally interfere, mostly it’s Mallt and Belis walking very slowly across southern Britain. With the blisters and bedrools and hiking packs to match. While Greenteeth had a protagonist with a strong and distinctly inhuman voice, this novel is a little closer to home. Mallt is deeply alienated from mortals, since she only interacts with people in the extremity of death, but her voice is much more conventional. With the exception of the stray how dare you address me like that mortal, and forgetting she can’t walk on water and so forth. Personally, I’d prefer a protagonist that could theoretically eat a party member at any moment, and also some nice plotting and scheming over Fantasy Hiking Trip.
The tone and focus of the plot switches very abruptly about halfway through the novel. I won’t spoil it, but it felt a bit disjointed, like half of a different novel was pasted on with limited foreshadowing. However, I did enjoy the bittersweetness of the ending, which gave the story just a hint of bite. It’s nice when authors aren’t afraid of mixing in a bit of tragedy. Some readers may also want to keep an eye out for the sapphic romance, but my impression was more of an obligatory subplot than passionate relationship. We have to see Mallt fall in love to acknowledge that she’s truly embraced mortality, or something.
Solid enough execution, but I just don’t get along well books that are heavy to action scenes and walking. Still, recommended for fans of Grace Curtis’ sapphic fantasy, particularly Idolfire.
I liked O'Neill’s faerie-based Greenteeth, and I was interested in the premise of her latest novel. In Nightshade and Oak, Mallt is the goddess of the unquiet dead in Roman-era Britain, until an accidental spell leaves her trapped in a mortal body. Before the dead begin to rise, Mallt must travel with her reluctant ally, the daughter of Queen Boudicca, on a quest to regain her immortal aspect.
Nightshade and Oak is, first and foremost, a walking quest book. While witches and Roman legions and the unquiet dead occasionally interfere, mostly it’s Mallt and Belis walking very slowly across southern Britain. With the blisters and bedrools and hiking packs to match. While Greenteeth had a protagonist with a strong and distinctly inhuman voice, this novel is a little closer to home. Mallt is deeply alienated from mortals, since she only interacts with people in the extremity of death, but her voice is much more conventional. With the exception of the stray how dare you address me like that mortal, and forgetting she can’t walk on water and so forth. Personally, I’d prefer a protagonist that could theoretically eat a party member at any moment, and also some nice plotting and scheming over Fantasy Hiking Trip.
The tone and focus of the plot switches very abruptly about halfway through the novel. I won’t spoil it, but it felt a bit disjointed, like half of a different novel was pasted on with limited foreshadowing. However, I did enjoy the bittersweetness of the ending, which gave the story just a hint of bite. It’s nice when authors aren’t afraid of mixing in a bit of tragedy. Some readers may also want to keep an eye out for the sapphic romance, but my impression was more of an obligatory subplot than passionate relationship. We have to see Mallt fall in love to acknowledge that she’s truly embraced mortality, or something.
Solid enough execution, but I just don’t get along well books that are heavy to action scenes and walking. Still, recommended for fans of Grace Curtis’ sapphic fantasy, particularly Idolfire.
March 9, 2026
Blending magic and mythology with Iron Age history; Molly O’Neil reimagines the lives of an ancient goddess and a warrior princess in such a heartfelt, immersive and compelling way. I genuinely never wanted it to end!
Firstly, the prose was really detailed, and vivid in a way that captured the folkloric, otherworldly setting of Ancient Britain (which we first saw in O’Neill’s Greenteeth) so well.
The cast of characters were amazing as well, which included legendary figures Arawn, (king of the Welsh otherworld, Annwn) and Rhiannon (a legendary Fae Queen and sorceress.) Though, I loved exploring the POV of Welsh Goddess, Mallt Y Nos, a figure connected to the Wild Hunt (who I’d never heard of before) the most.
Emotionally detached and blunt at first glance; I found her such an intriguingly complex character to explore. And loved watching her navigate the awkward idiosyncrasies that make us human, in her attempts to understand her new mortal body (and it’s limitations.)
We also briefly explore her conflicted feelings on relying on humans (namely Belis, Boudica’s spear maiden daughter) for help, and ultimately learning to connect and empathise in new ways.
I loved her interactions with Belis, who was neither scared nor awed by her. And found Belis’ POV of past events really interesting (despite how heartbreakingly tragic most of them were.)
I’m not gonna lie, the pair do clash at first. But as they get closer, a cosy sense of romantic intimacy grows between them (which I enjoyed.) And led to a rather sweet dynamic that sees them riff off of each other’s strengths, and push each other past their own limits in order to survive difficult situations.
I don’t want to say too much else in case of spoilers. So I’ll just say this was a well written and intricate story, (full of heart) that perfectly sums up the emotional complexity of what it means to be human. A must read for all folklore loving, Historical Fantasy fans. But do check the TWs.
Also thanks to Nazia & Orbit UK for the PB copy.
Firstly, the prose was really detailed, and vivid in a way that captured the folkloric, otherworldly setting of Ancient Britain (which we first saw in O’Neill’s Greenteeth) so well.
The cast of characters were amazing as well, which included legendary figures Arawn, (king of the Welsh otherworld, Annwn) and Rhiannon (a legendary Fae Queen and sorceress.) Though, I loved exploring the POV of Welsh Goddess, Mallt Y Nos, a figure connected to the Wild Hunt (who I’d never heard of before) the most.
Emotionally detached and blunt at first glance; I found her such an intriguingly complex character to explore. And loved watching her navigate the awkward idiosyncrasies that make us human, in her attempts to understand her new mortal body (and it’s limitations.)
We also briefly explore her conflicted feelings on relying on humans (namely Belis, Boudica’s spear maiden daughter) for help, and ultimately learning to connect and empathise in new ways.
I loved her interactions with Belis, who was neither scared nor awed by her. And found Belis’ POV of past events really interesting (despite how heartbreakingly tragic most of them were.)
I’m not gonna lie, the pair do clash at first. But as they get closer, a cosy sense of romantic intimacy grows between them (which I enjoyed.) And led to a rather sweet dynamic that sees them riff off of each other’s strengths, and push each other past their own limits in order to survive difficult situations.
I don’t want to say too much else in case of spoilers. So I’ll just say this was a well written and intricate story, (full of heart) that perfectly sums up the emotional complexity of what it means to be human. A must read for all folklore loving, Historical Fantasy fans. But do check the TWs.
Also thanks to Nazia & Orbit UK for the PB copy.
February 5, 2026
I’m so sad to rate this so lowly, but it was extremely hard for me to finish this book. From the moment Mallt loses her powers, so too was the force of this story lost. This is the whole plot of the book, "goddess becomes mortal, must save herself and the world", but Mallt is only interesting as a goddess. As a human, she lacks all personality and the same can be said for every other character. We really don’t have a sense of Mallt or Belis, as neither is developed much beyond ex-goddess/Iceni warrior princess. Their relationship is superficial at best, yet they somehow still manage to fall in insta-love without us ever really getting to see them learn about the other in a significant way. The quest/adventure itself bored me to tears and the pacing is rushed, yet somehow drags. Every single obstacle they face is solved in less than a page, meaning there's truly never any stakes, so why care how it ends (we already know anyways). We go from spending half the book traveling to one place, only to get there and find a whole new ridiculous plot unfold. The writing felt juvenile and obvious. I’m so bewildered that this the same author who penned Greenteeth, which I loved dearly. Greenteeth felt so fresh and fun and adventurous, each character was endearing and individual. A clear plot and steady pace. Everything Nightshade lacked for me. I also have to nitpick about the dialogue. It’s too modern, too elementary. I cannot imagine goddesses and Roman centurions using the phrasing they do in this book. I honestly can’t think of anything good to say except that the very beginning was good, with Mallt at work alongside her hounds; I was so intrigued. This book really needed more character specific magic and maybe to be more focused on the overall plot and character development, rather than what feels like individual scenes. I think dual POV would have helped as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2025
Thank you to Orbit books for the ARC of Nightshade and Oak.
If you liked Greenteeth I think you will like this book.
I love how we start out with a goddess who loses her power of not her own free will or as a direct punishment. This is such a well written story and I love the way Molly Oniell captures you with perfectly imperfect characters.
The twist of adventure in the middle really got me and drew me in. If you like stories about witches, fae, gods fantasy with lots of adventure I think this book will be for you.
I think where I felt Greenteeth dragged on in parts where they were travelling this did a great job of continuing the story and not making it feel like too much of a slog.
I loved this a lot, I am trying so hard to leave spoilers out - but it was so beautiful
If you liked Greenteeth I think you will like this book.
I love how we start out with a goddess who loses her power of not her own free will or as a direct punishment. This is such a well written story and I love the way Molly Oniell captures you with perfectly imperfect characters.
The twist of adventure in the middle really got me and drew me in. If you like stories about witches, fae, gods fantasy with lots of adventure I think this book will be for you.
I think where I felt Greenteeth dragged on in parts where they were travelling this did a great job of continuing the story and not making it feel like too much of a slog.
I loved this a lot, I am trying so hard to leave spoilers out - but it was so beautiful
February 6, 2026
The Nightshade AND the Oak of this historical/mythical retelling met on the fringes of a battle that was already lost, the end of a war that was passing into myth and legend even as they contended over the last bits of it.
The location, at least, is fitting for them both. The Nightshade is Mallt-y-Nos, a shadowy figure out of Welsh mythology, a chooser of the slain who would have kept good company with the Morrigan and the Valkyries.
The battle just lost – or won depending on one’s point of view – was the last battle in Boudica’s bloody rebellion against the Romans who stole her land, oppressed her people, and broke their oaths and raped her and her daughters as well as the lands they once held sacred.
The Romans are in their rapacious ascendancy, the rebellion that would have turned the tide of history has been put down in blood, and Boudica is dead. Her younger daughter is on the brink of that same state. Which is the point where Mallt-y-Nos comes to release the soul of Cati, princess of the Iceni, to the Afterlife.
But Belis, the older daughter of Boudica and the Oak of the Iceni, has other plans. Or rather, Belis, in her desperation to save something of her family and herself, has been playing with magic that she really does not understand or control. In her desperation, she has perverted the natural flow of magic in the world – and quite possibly, but entirely unwittingly, saved it.
Escape Rating A-: This was really good, but it was also really sad, and I think that’s reflected in the rating. I picked this up because I adored the author’s debut, Greenteeth, and I was hoping for more of the same. Which I mostly got, BUT, really big huge BUT here, while Greenteeth’s magical quest walked through some very dark places and had some equally dark potential outcomes, in the end it doesn’t actually go to those places and the reader ends the story with a smile of wonder.
Nightshade & Oak starts in a dark place and ends in tragedy. Maybe not as big a tragedy as it could have, but the ending is still sad. It’s also the right ending, it’s as good as this situation can get, but that doesn’t make it a happy ending. I didn’t expect one, but I was still plenty sad about it when I finished.
If Grace Curtis’s Idolfire had a book baby with the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice midwifed by the trend of fantasy/mythic retellings from formerly ignored perspectives, it would be this book. Nightshade & Oak is a historical fantasy, set at the end of Boudica’s rebellion, told from the combined perspectives of one of Boudica’s daughters and a figure out of Welsh myth. It casts the Romans as the villains – which they absolutely were from a Briton’s perspective however Western history might paint them.
The story in Nightshade & Oak is a magical quest story as Greenteeth was. When it begins, both Mallt and Belis think they’re going to take a trip to the Underworld to bring back the soul of Belis’ sister. But the quest has already gone pear-shaped. Part of Belis’ mis-use of magic has taken Mallt’s supernatural powers. She’s just a human. Actually less than ‘just’ a human because she’s utterly clueless about being merely human and resents Belis at every turn even as she rails at her own weakness and everything around her.
Belis is hiding a huge secret, and she takes her fear and guilt out on Mallt. But they are all each other has got to get them through this, so their romance seems both inevitable and doomed. Only because it is – as long as they manage to get themselves out of the mess that Belis’ panicked single-mindedness AND Mallt’s blithe overconfidence have gotten both their land and themselves into.
In the end, I had some mixed feelings about Nightshade & Oak, but those are mostly my own. It’s a fascinating take on history and myth and historical myth and I was absolutely there for that part. (In my head I’m drawing parallels between the Romans’ magical attacks on Britain and Hitler’s attempts at the same and I’d personally love to go down that rabbit hole…) The magical quest reminded me a LOT and with fondness of both Greenteeth and Idolfire between the darkness of the places it has to go through, the lengths they need to go to in order to resolve everything that needs resolution as much as it can be. The romance between Mallt and Belis also follows the same sad but inevitable course as the romance in Idolfire, but the characters do know that’s where they’re headed and they know it’s necessary. It’s just not what I wanted to happen.
In short, Nightshade & Oak is a terrific historical fantasy retelling that makes me wish there were more such books about Boudica and her daughters, so I hope one or more authors pick up on that. But it’s also not a book to read if you NEED an escape with a happy ending, because this doesn’t, and more importantly shouldn’t, have one. Dammit.
Originally published at Reading Reality
The location, at least, is fitting for them both. The Nightshade is Mallt-y-Nos, a shadowy figure out of Welsh mythology, a chooser of the slain who would have kept good company with the Morrigan and the Valkyries.
The battle just lost – or won depending on one’s point of view – was the last battle in Boudica’s bloody rebellion against the Romans who stole her land, oppressed her people, and broke their oaths and raped her and her daughters as well as the lands they once held sacred.
The Romans are in their rapacious ascendancy, the rebellion that would have turned the tide of history has been put down in blood, and Boudica is dead. Her younger daughter is on the brink of that same state. Which is the point where Mallt-y-Nos comes to release the soul of Cati, princess of the Iceni, to the Afterlife.
But Belis, the older daughter of Boudica and the Oak of the Iceni, has other plans. Or rather, Belis, in her desperation to save something of her family and herself, has been playing with magic that she really does not understand or control. In her desperation, she has perverted the natural flow of magic in the world – and quite possibly, but entirely unwittingly, saved it.
Escape Rating A-: This was really good, but it was also really sad, and I think that’s reflected in the rating. I picked this up because I adored the author’s debut, Greenteeth, and I was hoping for more of the same. Which I mostly got, BUT, really big huge BUT here, while Greenteeth’s magical quest walked through some very dark places and had some equally dark potential outcomes, in the end it doesn’t actually go to those places and the reader ends the story with a smile of wonder.
Nightshade & Oak starts in a dark place and ends in tragedy. Maybe not as big a tragedy as it could have, but the ending is still sad. It’s also the right ending, it’s as good as this situation can get, but that doesn’t make it a happy ending. I didn’t expect one, but I was still plenty sad about it when I finished.
If Grace Curtis’s Idolfire had a book baby with the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice midwifed by the trend of fantasy/mythic retellings from formerly ignored perspectives, it would be this book. Nightshade & Oak is a historical fantasy, set at the end of Boudica’s rebellion, told from the combined perspectives of one of Boudica’s daughters and a figure out of Welsh myth. It casts the Romans as the villains – which they absolutely were from a Briton’s perspective however Western history might paint them.
The story in Nightshade & Oak is a magical quest story as Greenteeth was. When it begins, both Mallt and Belis think they’re going to take a trip to the Underworld to bring back the soul of Belis’ sister. But the quest has already gone pear-shaped. Part of Belis’ mis-use of magic has taken Mallt’s supernatural powers. She’s just a human. Actually less than ‘just’ a human because she’s utterly clueless about being merely human and resents Belis at every turn even as she rails at her own weakness and everything around her.
Belis is hiding a huge secret, and she takes her fear and guilt out on Mallt. But they are all each other has got to get them through this, so their romance seems both inevitable and doomed. Only because it is – as long as they manage to get themselves out of the mess that Belis’ panicked single-mindedness AND Mallt’s blithe overconfidence have gotten both their land and themselves into.
In the end, I had some mixed feelings about Nightshade & Oak, but those are mostly my own. It’s a fascinating take on history and myth and historical myth and I was absolutely there for that part. (In my head I’m drawing parallels between the Romans’ magical attacks on Britain and Hitler’s attempts at the same and I’d personally love to go down that rabbit hole…) The magical quest reminded me a LOT and with fondness of both Greenteeth and Idolfire between the darkness of the places it has to go through, the lengths they need to go to in order to resolve everything that needs resolution as much as it can be. The romance between Mallt and Belis also follows the same sad but inevitable course as the romance in Idolfire, but the characters do know that’s where they’re headed and they know it’s necessary. It’s just not what I wanted to happen.
In short, Nightshade & Oak is a terrific historical fantasy retelling that makes me wish there were more such books about Boudica and her daughters, so I hope one or more authors pick up on that. But it’s also not a book to read if you NEED an escape with a happy ending, because this doesn’t, and more importantly shouldn’t, have one. Dammit.
Originally published at Reading Reality
February 3, 2026
So this story was very good, but it just wasn’t the story that I had wanted it to be. I love Iron Age settings and when I heard O’Neill’s next book was going to be Iron Age I was immediately sold. I was expecting a much ‘cozier’ set up for the story, but instead it clashes hard with the second main character being Belis, the name the author has given to Boudicca’s eldest daughter. And I personally have a hard time associating this well known dark history to anything close to ‘delightful.’
.
The story starts at the final battlefield of Boudicca’s rebellion with Mallt doing her Nightshade goddess work and helping the souls fallen cross over. She finds Boudicca and her daughters and through an accident of magic while trying to help one of their souls pass, she is turned into a human and the one daughter is made magically comatose. And much in the vein of Greenteeth, the remaining daughter and Mallt go on a quest to solve both issues.
.
There are a few flashbacks from Belis’s POV and her assault is mentioned in passing, but it never seems to be discussed. The only hint that anything so horrific has happened to her is that she has no issues with stepping into harm's way, as if her life has less value than those she can save. That is not my own personal history with assault and perhaps it is someone else's, but the light tone and questing and not addressing in anyway that a brutal assault happened to her left me wanting a deeper examination of her character.
.
There is a certain lightness to the story with a quest and like in Greenteeth, the author does not shy away from gore. I just think that this story should have gone much darker and heavier and been more ready to address difficult topics that go along with being a daughter of Boudicca story OR it should have just been a random iron age woman who didn’t have the well known past (even if we will never actually know the names of boudicca’s daughters).
.
Still the story was fun, I enjoyed the romance, and the pride of Mallt being struck down by becoming human, but I think this story should have been approached much more differently in one way or another. I also wish the ending had wrapped up differently but that’s my own personal preference when it comes to sapphic romances.
.
Overall, Nightshade & Oak was a good story but there was no way for it to be better without serious changes to the fundamentals.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍
.
*I received an eARC from Orbit, & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
.
The story starts at the final battlefield of Boudicca’s rebellion with Mallt doing her Nightshade goddess work and helping the souls fallen cross over. She finds Boudicca and her daughters and through an accident of magic while trying to help one of their souls pass, she is turned into a human and the one daughter is made magically comatose. And much in the vein of Greenteeth, the remaining daughter and Mallt go on a quest to solve both issues.
.
There are a few flashbacks from Belis’s POV and her assault is mentioned in passing, but it never seems to be discussed. The only hint that anything so horrific has happened to her is that she has no issues with stepping into harm's way, as if her life has less value than those she can save. That is not my own personal history with assault and perhaps it is someone else's, but the light tone and questing and not addressing in anyway that a brutal assault happened to her left me wanting a deeper examination of her character.
.
There is a certain lightness to the story with a quest and like in Greenteeth, the author does not shy away from gore. I just think that this story should have gone much darker and heavier and been more ready to address difficult topics that go along with being a daughter of Boudicca story OR it should have just been a random iron age woman who didn’t have the well known past (even if we will never actually know the names of boudicca’s daughters).
.
Still the story was fun, I enjoyed the romance, and the pride of Mallt being struck down by becoming human, but I think this story should have been approached much more differently in one way or another. I also wish the ending had wrapped up differently but that’s my own personal preference when it comes to sapphic romances.
.
Overall, Nightshade & Oak was a good story but there was no way for it to be better without serious changes to the fundamentals.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍
.
*I received an eARC from Orbit, & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
February 4, 2026
**My thanks to Orbit Books for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
5 stars
Nightshade and Oak is a spellbinding historical fantasy set in at the end of the Boudican revolt. Malt, a psychopomp goddess of death, is inadvertently turned human by a wayward spell. Bellis, a Brittonic warrior and the daughter of Queen Boudica, was the author of that spell, which has put her sister into a kind of magical coma—her body still living, her soul separated from it but barred from Anduin, the land of the dead. Both goddess and princess need to journey to Anduin to consult with Arawn, the lord of the dead, on their predicaments, and so they reluctantly team up for the arduous and magical journey—all while being pursued by Roman legions out for Bellis’ head.
Malt is our main point-of-view protagonist and she is impossible not to love. Her early days in mortal form are pure torture, for her and everyone around her; Malt, used to being a free-running goddess for whom physical feats are a trifle, struggles with the limitations of a fresh and untrained mortal form, and she’s enormously bad-tempered about it. Yet Bellis, the strong and capable warrior at fault for both their problems, needs Malt’s knowledge of the spiritual world in order to complete her quest, and so is shackled with a brat of her own making. Naturally, the two get along like oil and water, until the trials of their journey force them to rely on one another and, over time, come to care for and admire each other.
I loved the historical setting, which was heavily grounded in the Roman occupation of Britain and the changing culture of that moment in time. The role of Malt and her fellow local gods is at a turning point in their history and that plays a part in how the plot unfolds; every decision feels meaningful and important. It’s also a wonderful book to read in 2026, as it tells the story of community—of Britons and witches and the supernatural forces that watch over the islands—responding to crisis.
Important: I want to note here that this is a love story, but not a romance. Go into this novel expecting a vibrant fantasy story in which two characters fall in love and I think you will enjoy it. Go in expecting a sapphic romance novel with fantasy window dressing and you will be displeased.
5 stars
Nightshade and Oak is a spellbinding historical fantasy set in at the end of the Boudican revolt. Malt, a psychopomp goddess of death, is inadvertently turned human by a wayward spell. Bellis, a Brittonic warrior and the daughter of Queen Boudica, was the author of that spell, which has put her sister into a kind of magical coma—her body still living, her soul separated from it but barred from Anduin, the land of the dead. Both goddess and princess need to journey to Anduin to consult with Arawn, the lord of the dead, on their predicaments, and so they reluctantly team up for the arduous and magical journey—all while being pursued by Roman legions out for Bellis’ head.
Malt is our main point-of-view protagonist and she is impossible not to love. Her early days in mortal form are pure torture, for her and everyone around her; Malt, used to being a free-running goddess for whom physical feats are a trifle, struggles with the limitations of a fresh and untrained mortal form, and she’s enormously bad-tempered about it. Yet Bellis, the strong and capable warrior at fault for both their problems, needs Malt’s knowledge of the spiritual world in order to complete her quest, and so is shackled with a brat of her own making. Naturally, the two get along like oil and water, until the trials of their journey force them to rely on one another and, over time, come to care for and admire each other.
I loved the historical setting, which was heavily grounded in the Roman occupation of Britain and the changing culture of that moment in time. The role of Malt and her fellow local gods is at a turning point in their history and that plays a part in how the plot unfolds; every decision feels meaningful and important. It’s also a wonderful book to read in 2026, as it tells the story of community—of Britons and witches and the supernatural forces that watch over the islands—responding to crisis.
Important: I want to note here that this is a love story, but not a romance. Go into this novel expecting a vibrant fantasy story in which two characters fall in love and I think you will enjoy it. Go in expecting a sapphic romance novel with fantasy window dressing and you will be displeased.
November 21, 2025
Mallt Y Nos is the Nightshade Goddess of Death. She roams battlefields in search of lost souls that need help reaching the afterworld. Until the day a witch’s spell misfires and turns her into a human.
The culprit is Princess Beliscena, the daughter of Boudica, who was trying to save her younger sister's life. They agree to work together to reach the entrance to the afterworld—in search of a solution to both their problems. It's a perilous journey that forces them to face Roman soldiers, corrupted magic, and their own flaws.
🌳Adult Fiction
🗡️Mythology Fantasy
🌿Magic & Adventure
🌳Ex-Goddess x Warrior
🗡️Sapphic Romance Subplot
'Nightshade and Oak' is a magical adventure that reimagines the aftermath of Queen Boudica's death. It's set in a fantasy version of the late Iron Age with Romans, Britons, Gods, fae, dragons, and other beasts. This story depicts a brutal time period and highlights how war makes everyone suffer.
Mallt is a grouchy goddess who doesn't think much of humans but does think highly of herself. She's hilarious as she experiences life for the first time (with plenty of complaining and bickering involved). At its core, this book is about her evolution as she embraces humanity, love, and empathy.
Belis is harder to get to know. She unravels slowly as a grieving warrior who’s loyal to her family above all. I enjoyed the fact that she didn’t have an instant connection with Mallt, and that they truly disliked each other at first. Their dynamic was set-up perfectly to remind the reader that romance isn’t the point of their relationship.
The first half of this story is a steady quest that focuses on the characters. After that it pivoted in a different direction, which slowed the pacing and felt disjointed. The ending was a little unsatisfying and was missing something.
Overall, this was sort of like a literary version of 'Xena: Warrior Princess.' I also learned quite a bit about Boudica and the Britons through the flashback scenes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
The culprit is Princess Beliscena, the daughter of Boudica, who was trying to save her younger sister's life. They agree to work together to reach the entrance to the afterworld—in search of a solution to both their problems. It's a perilous journey that forces them to face Roman soldiers, corrupted magic, and their own flaws.
🌳Adult Fiction
🗡️Mythology Fantasy
🌿Magic & Adventure
🌳Ex-Goddess x Warrior
🗡️Sapphic Romance Subplot
'Nightshade and Oak' is a magical adventure that reimagines the aftermath of Queen Boudica's death. It's set in a fantasy version of the late Iron Age with Romans, Britons, Gods, fae, dragons, and other beasts. This story depicts a brutal time period and highlights how war makes everyone suffer.
Mallt is a grouchy goddess who doesn't think much of humans but does think highly of herself. She's hilarious as she experiences life for the first time (with plenty of complaining and bickering involved). At its core, this book is about her evolution as she embraces humanity, love, and empathy.
Belis is harder to get to know. She unravels slowly as a grieving warrior who’s loyal to her family above all. I enjoyed the fact that she didn’t have an instant connection with Mallt, and that they truly disliked each other at first. Their dynamic was set-up perfectly to remind the reader that romance isn’t the point of their relationship.
The first half of this story is a steady quest that focuses on the characters. After that it pivoted in a different direction, which slowed the pacing and felt disjointed. The ending was a little unsatisfying and was missing something.
Overall, this was sort of like a literary version of 'Xena: Warrior Princess.' I also learned quite a bit about Boudica and the Britons through the flashback scenes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2026
Thank you to Orbit Books for the advanced copy! You can pick up Nightshade and Oak on February 3, 2026.
Although the premise of this book is a bit light-hearted initially (goddess loses her immortality, must adjust to being in a mortal body, etc), it's filled with surprising heartache, tenderness, and the brutalities of war. Mallt, the goddess in question, accidentally loses her powers when the daughter of Boudica steals her magic to save her sister's life. Together, Mallt and Belis must travel across Briton, evading capture by the Romans on their way to the afterlife to seek the help of the god Arawn.
Though the majority of the story is told from Mallt's first-person POV, I loved the snippets we get of Belis's past as well, told from a third-party perspective and detailing what it was like to grow up the daughter of Boudica. Seeing how much she trained and fought for her people leading up to this big battle helps us understand Belis's motivations for bringing her sister back and continuing her mother's legacy.
Mallt, meanwhile, has forgotten what it's like interacting with humans, and goes through several humbling experiences as she realizes the limitations of her physical body. Belis is an unwanted but necessary ally, making their interactions cold and tense for the first half of the book. But as Mallt learns more about what it takes to live as a human, we see her and Belis soften toward one another.
I did not expect a secondary, bigger B plot to happen once they reach the afterlife, but the cadence of the story was fascinating from there on. It almost follows the rhythm of a fairytale or folktale, as Belis and Mallt must complete certain tasks to prove their readiness to undertake the final quest.
I really appreciated how sweet the romance built up to be, and the ending was heartwarming and heartaching in the best way. Def pick this up if you want a historical fantasy with a sapphic romance that's steeped in British folklore.
Although the premise of this book is a bit light-hearted initially (goddess loses her immortality, must adjust to being in a mortal body, etc), it's filled with surprising heartache, tenderness, and the brutalities of war. Mallt, the goddess in question, accidentally loses her powers when the daughter of Boudica steals her magic to save her sister's life. Together, Mallt and Belis must travel across Briton, evading capture by the Romans on their way to the afterlife to seek the help of the god Arawn.
Though the majority of the story is told from Mallt's first-person POV, I loved the snippets we get of Belis's past as well, told from a third-party perspective and detailing what it was like to grow up the daughter of Boudica. Seeing how much she trained and fought for her people leading up to this big battle helps us understand Belis's motivations for bringing her sister back and continuing her mother's legacy.
Mallt, meanwhile, has forgotten what it's like interacting with humans, and goes through several humbling experiences as she realizes the limitations of her physical body. Belis is an unwanted but necessary ally, making their interactions cold and tense for the first half of the book. But as Mallt learns more about what it takes to live as a human, we see her and Belis soften toward one another.
I did not expect a secondary, bigger B plot to happen once they reach the afterlife, but the cadence of the story was fascinating from there on. It almost follows the rhythm of a fairytale or folktale, as Belis and Mallt must complete certain tasks to prove their readiness to undertake the final quest.
I really appreciated how sweet the romance built up to be, and the ending was heartwarming and heartaching in the best way. Def pick this up if you want a historical fantasy with a sapphic romance that's steeped in British folklore.
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