Vervain Hollow

by Catriona Silvey

Two years ago, Laura was in a cult. But when the sprawling house in the hollow burned down with Vervain, their strikingly handsome and magnetic leader, trapped inside, Laura had nowhere to go but home. Brokenhearted, she finds herself longing for their lost leader—despite the trauma of that strange and terrifying year, she knows the power he promised her was real. But when her estranged friend, Aliyah, calls to tell her that Daniel, one of the other acolytes, has been lured back to the hollow by a message from Vervain, Laura only hears one He’s still there. As Laura and Aliyah venture back to the house of their nightmares to find the truth, Laura soon realizes that not everything she remembers can be trusted—and that the darkness will do anything to get her back.

Genres: Horror, Gothic, Cults

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 16, 2026

About the author

Catriona Silvey was born in Glasgow and grew up in Perthshire and Derbyshire, which left her with a strange accent and a distrust of flat places. She overcame the latter to do a BA in English at Cambridge, and spent the next few years there working in scientific publishing. After that she moved to Edinburgh and did a PhD in language evolution, in the hope of finding out where all these words came from in the first place.

Following stints in Chicago and back in Cambridge, she returned to Edinburgh, where she lives with her husband, children, and a very peculiar cat. When she's not working as a solutions developer for a software company, she writes science fiction and fantasy. Her debut novel Meet Me in Another Life was published in 2021. It was a #2 Waterstones bestseller, has been translated into eleven languages, and is currently in development as a feature film.

Reviews

[CadmanReads]

I went into Catriona Silvey's Vervain Hollow completely blind. Having loved her previous books and knowing from interviews that she would shift to another genre, I was excited to see where she would go next.

The cover gives off strong, creepy haunted house vibes, and while that is present, the story is centered even more on cult dynamics, memory, and the lingering pull of places you know you shouldn’t return to.

The novel centers on Laura, a former cult member drawn back to the burned-down Vervain Hollow after rumors spread that the group’s charismatic leader might still be alive. Accompanied by an old friend, the narrative shifts between past and present, gradually exposing how Laura and the others became involved and how the cult’s impact remains.

The characters are among the book's biggest strengths. Love them or hate them, they are incredibly interesting, and the conflicts between them feel real. Laura’s complicated attachment to the cult and the memories it created for her add emotional depth and directly tie into the central themes.

The atmosphere is fantastic. Vervain Hollow itself almost feels like a character, a strange sprawling house full of unsettling corners and secrets. Instead of relying on outright horror, the tone uses gothic elements and psychological suspense to build tension through mood, obsession, and unease.

The pacing is definitely a slow burn, which worked well for me and helped build the creeping sense of dread. This book leans more toward psychological suspense and gothic drama than a fast-paced thriller, so readers expecting constant action might find it slower at times. Some supernatural elements are left slightly ambiguous, which may not work for everyone, but I enjoyed the mystery.

Overall, this is a moody, character-driven cult novel in which memory, belonging, and the mesmerizing pull of the past are central. Once again, I was surprised, and my expectations were exceeded. Wherever Catriona Silvey goes next, I’ll definitely be reading.

[s · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley, the author, and union square & co. for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

release date: june 16, 2026

very interesting premise but it didn't hook me in like i thought it would. it's not your typical cult novel, but the paranormal aspects were fun to read! it was slow and it dragged on, and i could not get into the characters tbh. i think the plot could have been fleshed out a little more.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this for free in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own*

Gothic and cult-y and absolutely captivating. Catriona Silvey has created a world that’s rich and full of life. I was hooked from the beginning and was enthralled as I read the story unfold; a creepy, American gothic tale of self actualisation and ancient powers and cults

[AfterPlague · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy!

It's been a bit since I picked up an ARC, and Vervain Hollow was always going to be very intriguing to me. I love stories about cults and I've loved most of the books I've read that have been labeled "gothic," so this was a no-brainer. I'm so glad I got approved for this book! Rounded up from 3.75.

Vervain Hollow burned to the ground a year ago with Vervain himself still inside. The survivors of the fire told stories of a powerful leader who could grant them unimaginable abilities, but they were labeled cultish fanatics. In the present, Laura is drawn back to Vervain Hollow by rumors that Vervain is still alive, and she would do anything to restore him to his former glory.

Laura is annoying. I don't think that's a controversial opinion, but it's also a bit more of a nuanced opinion than it first seems to be. She is willing to steal from her friends, lie, and sacrifice everyone important to her in the name of pleasing Vervain. Laura is intentionally frustrating because she goes through a pretty significant character arc. The story is told in two timelines, the past and the present, so the reader gets the opportunity to view how Laura became who she is now, and then they get to watch her overcome that person. I thought it was really well done, though I do think she gets off a bit easily for some of her more despicable actions. Her reasons for becoming her "worst self" are fairly sympathetic, and I did feel for her. I liked some of the thematic elements of "lessening" yourself as a woman to please a man. It was compelling.

Aliyah is Laura's best friend, and probably the most likable character in the story. She has a very strong sense of justice that never wavers, and she's a huge driver of the momentum. Aliyah is smart and funny, and she's the only member of the cult who wants to use the power to do something good for the world. A lot of Aliyah' storyline deals with her race and police brutality, but I think the author handles it fairly well. She's portrayed as correct for her feelings, actions, and desires for justice.

The other cult members also play their roles very well within the story. Cassie is the favorite of Vervain in the beginning, and she's a bit selfish and immature, but also energetic and fun. Jacob sees himself as the responsible one, but he's always trying to curry more favor and gain more power. Daniel is the only cult member with strong connections to the outside world, so he feels torn between the cult and his old life. Each character feels well fleshed out and distinct in both their voice and their beliefs.

Vervain is a little bit unknowable, and I like that the author didn't feel the need to really label him. He's not a ghost or a demon or an angel or a god necessarily, and in doing so it means that the reader has no preconceived notions of how this character or his powers function. It places the reader in Laura and Aliyah's shoes as they find out more about him and his power. I also really liked the way his powers actually work. Vervain isn't really able to "harm" the cult members directly, but that doesn't mean he has no power over them. He controls the house, and he's able to use the house to control the members. It's unique, and it leads to more interesting conflict than if Vervain just zapped them with lightning or something. The author also emphasizes Vervain's inhumanity and the way it affects his motivations and reactions to the human cult members.

It took a little while for me to get into the writing. It's hard to explain but I think the first several chapters of this book were a little bit stilted. It was difficult to get into a flow state of reading because I kept stumbling over some awkward sentences or odd metaphors. For example, this is the opening paragraph of the first chapter:

We came up the long driveway to the Hollow. From the back seat I fixated on the gravel track framed by stubby, thrusting trees, revealing at last a corner of the house: Jedidiah Drake's fever-dream folly, dropped in the middle of Indiana farmland like an angel crippled by its fall...

It's a bit awkward with the descriptions (thrusting trees?), the alliteration of "fever-dream folly," and the metaphor of the angel is a bit intense. I do honestly like it in hindsight because it give some insight into the character of the house, having spread and bent "wings," and to the cult and Vervain. On initial reading, though, it feels a bit clunky. Laura also refers to Vervain as "you" for most of the story i.e. I saw you standing in the kitchen. I don't love second person writing, but I do really like this as a character choice for Laura. It's a bold choice in general.

Laura's entire life has been framed around the idea of Vervain, a person she sees as a god, so it makes a ton of sense that in the writing she refers to him in the same way we would refer to a god while praying. From a metatextual point, I feel like you could argue that the reader is a "god" while in the act of reading Laura's story, being semi-omniscient and in control, but I think that's taking the metaphor a bit far. Regardless, this was something I was able to get used to, and I do like how it was used to demonstrate Laura's character growth.

The story is very atmospheric. Gothic is a perfect descriptor for the vibes of Vervain Hollow, both the novel and the house itself. The descriptions were very vivid and sensory, especially regarding the cold. The house is also described wonderfully as this sprawling, messy home with turrets and stairs to nowhere. On one hand, I really like that it's difficult to get a grasp on the architecture of the home, especially considering the more magical elements of the house, but on the other I was a little bit confused about some climatic moments because I couldn't really picture where the characters were supposed to be. I almost think Vervain Hollow would've benefited from a map in the beginning, of the "standard" layout of the house at least.

I wouldn't consider the horror in this book to be too frightening. It's definitely more gothic than horrific with the moving, shifting house, and a ghost story that never quite tips over into a real haunting. The main thing the members of the cult are afraid of is not Vervain himself or the ghost or the power, they're afraid of being isolated from the cult. I think that's a really interesting take on a cult story and it feels a bit more realistic. It's a more interpersonal horror than something traditionally "scary."

Unfortunately, I think the ending lost a little bit of steam. A lot of the climax is metaphorical and internal, so the "rules" get a little bit loose. Some events happened without me really understanding how they worked in full. The confusing geography also was a bit of a hinderance here because I thought the areas where Laura was supposed to be in the climax had burned down. I understand that part of the house was stone, so it wouldn't burn, but I never really understood which parts didn't burn. I also didn't really understand why Laura had to take the actions she took instead of taking a simpler path. It's hard to explain without spoilers, and I don't want to spoil this book. It was easy enough to shrug off these complaints and have a good time, but I wish the ending had a little bit more impact. More of a "WOW" and less of an "...okay?"

I would recommend Vervain Hollow. I love books about cults, and I think the way this novel utilized power as a way to control people was an interesting exploration of the way cults can change relationships and behaviors. This would be an excellent fall/winter read, I think, so put it on your TBR!

Vervain Hollow is releasing June 16th, 2026!
(Please note any quoted passages are subject to change before release.)

Trigger Warnings: alcohol, attempted rape, sexual assault, blood, cults, fire/fire injury, homophobia, police brutality, misogyny, gun violence.

[Avalanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read an Advanced Copy through Netgalley.

I thought this was a super intriguing premise, because I've never heard of many books about cults featuring a main character who is still very much brainwashed - particularly with this being considered in the gothic genre, I was super excited to pick it up, and I'm glad I did so because it was a very enjoyable ride.

Laura was a great MC to follow primarily because she almost recognises herself how much of an unreliable narrator she is, and as the story gets into it's latter section, this helps to form a very fun twist - one of those twists who can see coming, but it's a bit vague and you can't quite tell how it's going to form in the end. That's my favourite kind of twist, so that was absolutely a hit for me.

There's some really beautiful language in the first half of this book, though I'm not quite sure how much of a service the tense shifting was. I was enjoying it at first, as the present tense was able to provide an eerie sense of foreboding as you read through Laura's earlier experiences. I was really excited to learn more about the characters with whom Laura and Aliyah share their home, but I'm sad to say the development of the other characters took somewhat of a backseat as the present plot became more important. That being said, I'm also not sure that the story would have had quite as much impact if it was told in a linear way, so this is more of an observation rather than an issue.

I'm not a massive fan of how the book ended, but I think that's more to do with my personal taste in the gothic genre, rather than quality of writing. I think there was a fantastic sense of atmosphere in the house that created a very eerie mood, but there was something of a struggle at the end where the two timelines struggled with falling more fantasy or horror, and so neither quite hit the mark. That being said, I'm invested in this author if she ever decides to write more in this genre.

[Nereis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vervain Hollow is a dual timeline novel about going back to the place you were abused and confronting what happened there.

The novel is split between the past ; Laura and Aliyah stumble a strange house and are captivated by the owner, a mysterious man named Vervain. They decide to stay and get intwined in the strange life at this place.
And then you get the present timeline where Laura and Aliyah go back to the burned down place, to find and save one of the person who was there with them at the time.

This book was an easy read but I felt like something was lacking. I would have liked for the cultish elements to be stronger and have more of a presence in the novel. Apart from the weekly passing of power, I don't feel like the idea of cult and rules, etc was strong enough to warrant such a mental toll on the character. The seeds were there, but it wasn't exploited to my liking.
The supernatural elements had the right balance between mystery and being explained and I enjoyed this part. I think some people will find Laura unsufferable but it is to be expected when you are being manipulated. Be prepapared for a somewhat unlikable character and slow pacing. Nothing much really happens as it is more focused on the internal journeys of the characters.
I do feel like the ending was abrupt and could have used more work. It's not a bad ending but it left me a bit unsatisfied.

I really liked the use of second person narration at some points, and I will always be a sucker for that trope.

Overall it is not a bad book and I wasn't bored reading it and did not feel like dnfing at any point. It has some qualities but I don't think it will stick with me much. Apart from Vervain maybe who was an interesting concept. You will probably enjoy it if you like Gothic fiction and exploration of cults, but don't like when it gets too gritty.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

[Kate Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but doesn't answer all of the questions that you have while reading it.

After college Laura and her best friend Aliyah felt a bit lost and stumbled upon Vervain House when their car broke down. The group assembled there seemed a commune of sorts, living illegally in the old house with their charismatic leader, who goes by Vervain. The two return home but can't stop think of the magnetic pull to the house. They return and join the group, becoming part of what seems more and more like a cult, but the further in they get, the less they care. They bond with Daniel, Cassie, and Jacob, the other individuals there, all of whom struggle to be Vervain's righthand. To be close to Vervain is to share in his power, to be able to alter realities, yet they rarely question if their own realities are being altered in turn. When the introduction of some new individuals causes tensions in the house, it all ends in a fire that burns down the house, with Vervain himself stuck inside.

Two years later, Aliyah calls to tell Laura that Daniel was lured back to the house by Vervain and hasn't been heard from since his return, but all Laura hears is that Vervain is still there. The two return to the house with Jacob, all with their own motives, as memories resurface and all is not what it appears. Aliyah wants to protect Laura, Laura wants to find Vervain, and Jacob is seemingly along for the ride, though clearly concerned about Daniel. As Laura abandons her friends and reconnects with Vervain, she must decide what she is willing to give up for him, and who she trusts above all else.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Union Square and Co and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC - all thoughts and opinions are my own!

The premise and the blurb are really what drew me into this book: a gothic tale of cults, old houses, and the promise of all our main character, Laura, had ever wanted in the form of Vervain, the charismatic cult leader. It truly delivered on its promise of gothic houses and cult vibes - I loved the way the house was described with its myriad rooms leading to nowhere and stairs that shift and put you right back where you started. You definitely feel as if you are wrapped up in everything the group of friends (acolytes?) is feeling as they experience Vervain’s power and control over them.

In what is a truly unique choice but fits well with the narrative, this book is written mostly in second person POV, so that did throw me off a bit in the beginning but I quickly grew used to it. This is also more of a character-driven story and leans more toward literary horror, so if that is not your preference for horror, this book may not be your favorite. I feel like I enjoyed this book more in the first half than the second half and the pacing seemed to slow down even more as we got closer to the end of the book, which I think led to me not enjoying its conclusion as much as I wanted.

Overall, if you enjoy mysterious crumbling houses, culty vibes with charismatic leaders and willing followers, and character-driven narratives, then you might enjoy Vervain Hollow!

[Alisa Saiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have once again been lured into a gothic novel by the promise of creepy cults and moody scenery and honestly? Vervain Hollow absolutely understood the assignment on atmosphere. Catriona Silvey writes setting so vividly that I could practically imagine myself there, watching the story play out.

This was also a ridiculously easy read. I flew through it in two sittings despite previously soft DNFing it, which honestly feels like proof the book does have a strong pull to it. The supernatural elements were intriguing and there's enough mystery threaded throughout to keep you turning the pages.

That said, I kept waiting for the story to fully grab me emotionally and it never quite did. There's an interesting core here, but some questions felt either underdeveloped or left hanging entirely. A few plot points started wobbling if I looked at them too hard. I don't necessarily need every mystery wrapped up neatly, but I did want a little more payoff after all the build up.

The pacing also felt slightly backwards for me. The middle dragged in places, lingering a bit too long in sections where I wanted momentum. While the ending suddenly hit the accelerator and sprinted off into the fog before I'd fully processed what happened. I would've happily traded some of the slower earlier chapters for a more expanded finale.

Thank you to Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[Fay Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A sycamore tree had grown up from the ashes, throwing dense shade like a reincarnated ceiling.”

This book something I have been searching for. Truly, have you tried to find a good cult horror? Because I have, and it is tricky! Everything from the characters, to the house, to the way things were revealed was somehow exactly what I have wanted.

I absolutely adored getting to know each individual. Cassie, Jacob, Aliyah, Daniel, Stephanie, Vervain, and of course Laura. I’m being really cautious not to spoil anything, because I so desperately want to tell you every tiny detail that made this such a masterpiece. I loved how the story was revealed. I think it was so cleverly written in how different pieces conflicted and changed until the picture became clear.

I struggled a little with the now and then set up at first, but I quickly became engrossed and it makes so much sense for the story.

Favourite characters: Laura and Mr Polanski

Minority/inclusion info: POC characters, discussion of inequalities, domestic abuse and trauma.

Who this is for:
Anyone who wants a good cult horror.
Anyone who loves gothic fiction.
Anyone who has played and enjoyed Sagebrush (maybe quite niche, but trust me on this).

🖤Thank you so very much to the author and publisher for approving me to read this. I have been searching for a book like this for SO long and I knew immediately that this is the one.🖤

[Nico :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to start with this book! It had me totally hooked the moment I picked it up.

The story follows Laura through two timelines (a Then and Now situation) as she goes through the process of getting manipulated by the cult that she has joined. I want to say, and this is a compliment to the amazing writing, I found Laura so insufferable for most of the book but as everything rounded out, I was a lot more impressed with her arc.

The characters; Laura, Aliyah, Daniel, Jacob, Cassie, Stephanie - they were all so unique and added personality to everything, you genuinely do wish the best for them in the end. I have to say, Aliyah was a lot more likeable than Laura.

I don’t do spoiler reviews, so I will say that Vervain was such an intriguing character and was written so well that it was easy to see how Laura got completely entangled with him.

The slow burn of the book as you piece together everything from Laura’s pov really adds to the atmosphere and mood of the book as well.

This is such an amazing gothic horror book, and if you’re looking for something to satisfy your need for a darker but mysterious book, this is for you.

I’m now off to find the authors other books. (4.5/5!!)

Thank you to #NetGalley for my arc of this amazing book.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting blend of supernatural horror and psychological thriller, this book explores cults, the dangers of fanaticism and illusions.

Two years ago Laura was in a cult but when the cult’s house, Vervain Hollow, was burned down, with cult’s leader, Vervain, inside, she was able to escape the horror of that life. Now she and another member, Aliyah, return after learning Daniel, a friend, has returned finding Vervain still there. They are going to ask him to leave but is Vervain and the hollow as she remembers it or an illusion?

Written from Laura’s perspective, the book explores the nature of cults and fanaticism and the dangers of trying to fit in. The allure of a charismatic leader as evidenced in the book and today’s times comes replete with problems about individual identity, since belonging is the biggest reason for being in a cult (for those who have not read Cultish by Amanda Mondell this is explained there), a person’s fragile identity relies more on the belonging than anything else. In the book, this leads to conflict for Laura between reality and illusion.

This book is perfect for lovers of gothic horror and cults. It’s a perfect beach read too - you will be surrounded by people to protect you if it gets too scary.

My thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for granting me access to this ARC.

[Katie Tinkham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.

This book is outside my usual genre but I was drawn in by the premise, Laura was part of a cult and is pulled back to where it all went down when her friend disappears and she goes back to see if the cult leader is in fact still alive.

I liked that the book flipped between then and now, as it provided a good level of context for what was happening in the present. It also did a good job of providing the backstory for how Laura and her friend found the cult in the first place and how things slowly began to fall apart. I liked the element of the paranormal and how the house felt kind of alive.

This was a bit hard to follow, as it took awhile to build to the first twist and general plot. I felt like the back half of the book moved at three times the speed as the first half. I did like the twists and and the slow reveals of what actually happened and the events leading up to the end. I was genuinely confused for part of the ending and I think I would have preferred a multi POV instead of just Laura.

I think if you like a spooky house with a mysterious cult leader this is for you. It does all eventually tie together I think my brain just didn’t get it

[jordan 🩵 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed as an ARC through Netgalley!

I tore through this book in a couple hours. For the length (336 pages), it’s pretty well rounded. We’re introduced to the MC in an unconventional way but you very quickly get a sense of the kind of person she is and you get the benefit of knowing her true desires pretty quickly.

Laura is an unreliable narrator; that’s pretty transparent from the start and not something the author tries to hide. We see her desperation and need with each chapter, and the other characters serve to show you the things she *doesn’t* have or care about. It’s a unique way to do characterization and the overall plot is interesting.

The parts I didn’t like about the book could’ve potentially been solved if there was more detail given. We’re not given a true answer on one important characters motives, and we don’t learn much about most of the characters outside of Laura. I wish there was a stronger sense of what the setting was and that the authors attention to detail about Laura extended to the other characters in the book. Despite the interest I kept having, I was left wanting more out of most of the main cast of characters.

[LittleBookLoves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vervain Hollow had such an interesting premise and I was prepared for a gothic story centered around the impact of a cult. Unfortunately, this story just didn't land for me. Laura was an unreliable narrator, which was illustrated well by the author as Laura starts off missing Vervain. However, the story being told solely from Laura's perspective and there being so much internal reflection just made it really hard to get into this story. I'm sure Laura's devastation and mixed feelings were meant to evoke some type of emotional response in the reader, but this also missed the mark--there simply wasn't actual emotional depth. The story doesn't do nearly enough to sell the "cult" element to justify the lasting impact Vervain had on Laura and the others. Another challenge was the pacing--it is abysmally slow most of the time except for random moments where it suddenly rushed the story. Quite a few times I wanted to DNF. I like what the author was going for, but I feel as though it wasn't executed well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Union Square & Co for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[TaleshaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vervain Hollow is my first book from this author and I really enjoyed the writing in this. I appreciated the mystery and intrigue of Vervain, and how there is an underlying eeriness to this book with the character Genevieve as well.

Our main character Laura was a character that I wanted to slap a lot, but also found myself rooting for her to wake up and realize what was happening! Alyiah made this story for me though!

This one really brings up the strength of a good friendship, how illusion and reality sometimes get distorted, cult mentality, and low self-esteem, and how they can all play into a unique dynamic of a family with toxic habits.

While reading this I will say it was a slower read for me, I don't really feel like it picked up until around the seventy percent mark. I also would have liked if I had been shown more of the friendship that started developing between Stephanie and Laura instead of just being told. I feel like it would have impacted me more.

I did enjoy everything else, and am grateful to Netgalley and Union Square & Co. For my advanced reader copy! This is one that went in a way that I am not necessarily mad about!

[Cool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have read Silvey's two previous books: I liked "Meet Me In Another Life," and LOVED "Love and Other Paradoxes." Both are light time travel/sci-fi with a bit of humor and romance. But "Vervain Hollow" is a completely different animal: A Gothic horror-cult novel. I was apprehensive- this is NOT my genre- but I'm just gonna say she nailed it.

The book takes place in a creepy house, headed by the creepy not-sure-what-he-is Vervain, and his cultish followers. The FMC Laura and her best friend Aliyah stumble across the house on a random road trip, and are drawn in to join the household.

The thesis question to this novel is: But what if a cult leader actually WAS magical god? Would this make their followers' actions any more defensible?

I could not put this book down. Perfect in pacing, excellent character development, creepy vibes. Highly recommend, and anxiously awaiting what Silvey will produce for book #4!

[Kayla Erdmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Sterling Publishing, Union Square Co and NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Vervain Hollow was a dual timeline and easy read. This story followed Laura who left a cult, when a friend of hers from the cult goes back to the house where it all occurred and doesn't return Laura along with her friend, Aliyah journey back to save him. Overall, for me this book just was not something that held my interest despite being intrigued by the synopsis. The characters did not click or really seem to belong in the setting. The pacing was a bit wonky, speeding up in some places and others dragging. Laura, the main character was unlikeable, but it seems like she was intended to be taken that way. As for the story it did not hook me, I DNF'd twice and this was my last try since getting approved for it in January. The ending was meh. I would have wanted to see at least one other POV or switched to 2nd or 3rd person maybe halfway through.

[Margaret Balwierz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This moody, gothic dual timeline, story is about power, how it's wielded and what lengths people will go to grab it. Laura, a despondent college graduate turned cult member turned waitress, lives with her parents dreaming of the time she spent in Vervain Hollow, before it was burnt down. Told through the perspective of Laura addressing Vervain, she longs for the days of power provided by him. Her old friend, and former cult member, Aliyah calls to tell her they need to rescue a friend from the ruins of the Hollow, and the pull of the weakened, but still alive, Vervain. Laura jumps at the chance to return, for her own selfish reasons of reuniting with Vervain. As the girls return, they are faced with the ghosts of the past, and the truth isn't as clear as some believe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for an ARC.

[Mary S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't dabble much in this genre but I loved Catriona Silvey's first book (Meet Me In Another Life) so I was excited to see what she would do in this space, and I really enjoyed this! Vervain Hollow follows MC Laura in a dual timeline story about her experience in what to those on the outside would seem to be a cult but actually is something even more sinister. There is a lot of psychological tension and Laura is very much still in the thick of it, so there's a bit of an unreliable or biased narrator experience for the reader, which is always fun. The atmosphere and tone were great for what is marketed as gothic horror - very spooky and immersive. But it's not too scary! I'm a wimp and I was fine. The story is told mostly in second person, which I know can be polarizing but in this case I think was effective.

[Nathaniel Darkish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I wanted to love it. The idea is strong, with a cult formed around a real inhuman entity that really is something greater than what humans can be. The split timelines were interesting and made the story's pacing work very well. The characters were worthwhile and well-realized. So I can't quite put my finger on what didn't manage to work...
I suppose it's that I ultimately didn't feel any of the dread that I think Silvey was trying to weave into the book. From the very beginning, we know that bad things are coming in both timelines, but the perspective of Laura somehow washed that away with her wide-eyed love for Vervain.
I'm planning on reading more from this author in the future, but this book was nowhere near as compelling as her Meet Me In Another Life (which is a favorite of mine for the past few years).

[Horror Nerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cult story with a supernatural coating, alternating with glimpses of the before and after of the lives of a group of people drawn to a mysterious old house. The way the author describes the pull of the entity drawing them in is very clever, linking that mythology with themes of addiction and wanting to belong at any cost. There are some truly creepy scenes scattered throughout the book.
The main character, Laura, kept me from truly connecting with the book. She was SO frustrating to read about (never felt like she truly learned anything, even at the end), and I wished we read Vervain Hollow from the point of view of her best friend Aliyah instead.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduction: Being after the cult, with some flashbacks, really pulled me into this novel and curiousness to what made the cult enticing to join kept me hooked.
Vibes/Impressions/Themes: dark, tragic, cults, lies, self-worth, atmospheric, slow-burn, friendship, ghost stories, some sexual abuse
What didn’t work for me: A slow burn novel, some of the writing felt muddled and not as exciting as I thought it would be.
Overall: This had a fun, original culty twist. It was great to be able to glimpse into the mind of someone “saved” and their internal turmoil and grief. There was a good breakdown between the before and current timelines, and loved how it came together.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 rounded up.

I always love a cult story.

This follows someone who has left a cult, but finds herself drawn back to it.

I did want and expect more action and drama to this, but it was more about our main character's mental and emotional state about the cult she was apart of. We get past and present moments, which I think helped give more perspective on her as a character.

Overall, I thought this was unique and I was intrigued the whole time. This did feel like a unique take on this type of story. I think a lot of people would enjoy it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is hard for me to truly rate. I felt like the plot was interesting and there was something really good. However, it was just missing the mark at many times and I just couldn’t get into it. The ending was able to help tie it up a bit better but it was still a bit strange in structure.

The pacing was quite slow and jumpy at times. To make matters worse, the dialogue was a bit off when switching between Laura and her inner voice. At times it was just too flowery for me to want to care what she had to say

Overall, I think the characters were developed but the story flow and prose was off.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this Gothic-fantasy horror following our main character, Laura, and her best friend, Aliyah, as they join a household of an enigmatic leader -- Vervain -- and his friendly devotees. It's a creative take on cult-dynamics and the people that they usually take advantage. I thought Laura was a suitable protagonist -- Silvey does an incredible job showing her descent into dogmatic reverence of Vervain through at atmospheric slow burn that will leave you on edge. It's a beautifully allegorical and fantastical representation of the psyche of an acolyte. An easy five-star read for me that I highly recommend.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a unique reading experience that's for sure. The concept immediately drew me in, but I think the execution faltered a bit. The FMC was so spineless, and weak I wanted to shake her so many times while reading. Furthermore, the pacing, or maybe it was just the plot in general, was so slow! When I tell you I felt like I have been reading this book for literal years that's how slow the plot feels! Absolute slog to get through and I think the only thing that kept me from dnfing, was the curiosity of how itwouldall end. Was the ending worth it? For me, unfortunately not. It ultimately wasn't my cup of tea, but maybe it'll be yours.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vervain Hollow delivers gothic horror at its best! The female lead and the storyline are captivating. The world-building is both intriguing and ethereal. This book is a well-crafted mind twister that skillfully explores the dynamics between a manipulator and his victims through a gothic horror perspective.

Overall, the writing is unique and kept me engaged throughout. I believe many readers will find this book enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, and this is my own honest review.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vervain Hollow is the slow burn of the horror genre. It’s creepy and slow in a way that entrances the reader.

In some ways I felt it was dragging on, and yet every time I put it down I would start to wonder and grab it again. The last quarter of the book picks up speed.

The cult aspect of this story is really strong and augmented by the actual paranormal aspects. I found the idea fascinating and the characters inspired concern and care. I was invested, but not entirely.

Overall this is a 3 star read for me. It was good, but not exceptional.

[Ashley LaPorte · Rating 5 out of 5]

At no point in this book did I know where it was going, which is a refreshing feeling to have. Feeling as if I was the one Laura was talking to throughout the book with her speaking to “you”. I loved that the story shows the vulnerability of humans and how swiftly someone can manipulate your insecurities to wield them to their own power. The dark feeling the house gave you lent to the story and sucks you in to see if the house will allow you to get out or if it absorbs your energy also. Very House of Leaves feeling, which I love!