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A Harvest of Furies: A Novel
Orrie and Emma’s family has been cursed for centuries, and as the siblings approach adulthood, the curse is starting to rear its head once again. Their father, Aggie, returns from war a stranger. His arrival shatters the fragile semblance of normality the family has cultivated in his absence. One by one, sordid secrets claw their way to the surface, exposing the rot underneath.
It’s not long before the deaths begin–and the voices in the walls grow louder.
This contemporary retelling of Aeschylus’s Oresteia, set in the American heartland, takes an unflinching look at how foreign war scars the intimate landscape of home–not just in the days of ancient Greek tragedy but in every time and place.
It’s not long before the deaths begin–and the voices in the walls grow louder.
This contemporary retelling of Aeschylus’s Oresteia, set in the American heartland, takes an unflinching look at how foreign war scars the intimate landscape of home–not just in the days of ancient Greek tragedy but in every time and place.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
9 people are currently reading
2562 people want to read
About the author
Hayden Casey
2 books752 followersHayden Casey is a writer and musician currently living in Phoenix, AZ. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Washington and an MFA in Fiction from Arizona State University. His short story collection, Show Me Where the Hurt Is, is forthcoming from Split/Lip Press in spring 2025. His debut novel, A Harvest of Furies, is forthcoming from Lanternfish Press in fall 2025. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Witness, West Branch, Bridge Eight, Bat City Review, Passengers Journal, Allium, and Yalobusha Review and was shortlisted for the Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction and longlisted for the Palette Chapbook Prize for poetry. He teaches writing at Arizona State University, where he was the 2024 recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Instructor Award.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 21, 2025
This is Hayden Casey's first novel (although you should definitely take a look at his short stories which are wonderful), and quite a ride. It's a retelling of the Greek play Oresteia, which I don't know, and you don't need to know, except you should expect murder and deaths, and love, and horror. There are three points of view, plus a 'Greek chorus' of the gossiping villagers, and that does take a little getting used to in the beginning, but it's definitely worth keeping going. Emma's and Orrie's father, Aggie returns from the war traumatised, and after a terrible accident, his wife plans her revenge. The family is cursed and Orrie, who falls in love with a neighbour wonders whether there is any way to outrun it. Casey's language is brilliant and the horror keeps piling on. I loved it.
September 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I really thought I would enjoy this book more. The writing was unique but it just didn’t work for me.
I really thought I would enjoy this book more. The writing was unique but it just didn’t work for me.
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November 15, 2025my second book is out now!!!!
available at lots of bookstores online & in-person! in the states, they have it at lots of Barnes & Noble stores (!!!) so check online!
available at lots of bookstores online & in-person! in the states, they have it at lots of Barnes & Noble stores (!!!) so check online!
July 23, 2025
Thank you to Lanternfish Press for the ARC!
A Harvest of Furies brings fresh life to an ancient story in a layering of horror that rings with ominous gothic tones yet stays grounded with a natural infusion of a sort of folk horror. There are books I come across that are so creative and well-written I deeply wish I had a university class to discuss them in. This is one.
Casey’s prose is addictive with its embodied lucidity, slicing cleanly into emotion and burrowing under your skin before you’ve noticed. Their words create a world of loss and longing that is achingly familiar, spinning reality from myth.
The true star of this novel is the integration of the Greek chorus both in form and character. Sharp lines of poetry allow for natural breaks to sections, while leading a reader from one character to the next. It reminded me of immersive theatre in which the play itself guides the audience in the best way. The evolution of this form over time as well combined with other textual devices that play with format allow for a unique experience in reading. One that, at times, did feel a bit overwhelming, but added to the feelings of instability and tension.
There were a few weak aspects of this book for me. Major points of its inspiration, The Oresteia, were changed. This likely isn’t meant to be a one-to-one retelling, but the changes did not feel to add to the story other than to make it fit within the context, and sometimes even felt like they weakened the base of the original’s horror. Outside our main duo of Orrie and Emma, other characters within the family occasionally fell flat to me as a reader, especially toward the second half.
While there are references to several Greek myths, I found this to be more focused on the tradition of Greek tragedy and storytelling - an important distinction for any interested readers. I don’t necessarily think you need a grounding in The Oresteia or Greek theatre to like this book, but I do think readers expecting a Greek myth retelling might get something different from what they expected. Yet I’d encourage those people to still give this book a read, as it adds more dialogue to the ever evolving landscape of modern interpretations of Ancient Greek culture.
If you’re interested in cycles of trauma and vengeance delivered to you in an unsettling package, or in retellings and revitalizations of classical forms, this book is for you.
A Harvest of Furies brings fresh life to an ancient story in a layering of horror that rings with ominous gothic tones yet stays grounded with a natural infusion of a sort of folk horror. There are books I come across that are so creative and well-written I deeply wish I had a university class to discuss them in. This is one.
Casey’s prose is addictive with its embodied lucidity, slicing cleanly into emotion and burrowing under your skin before you’ve noticed. Their words create a world of loss and longing that is achingly familiar, spinning reality from myth.
The true star of this novel is the integration of the Greek chorus both in form and character. Sharp lines of poetry allow for natural breaks to sections, while leading a reader from one character to the next. It reminded me of immersive theatre in which the play itself guides the audience in the best way. The evolution of this form over time as well combined with other textual devices that play with format allow for a unique experience in reading. One that, at times, did feel a bit overwhelming, but added to the feelings of instability and tension.
There were a few weak aspects of this book for me. Major points of its inspiration, The Oresteia, were changed. This likely isn’t meant to be a one-to-one retelling, but the changes did not feel to add to the story other than to make it fit within the context, and sometimes even felt like they weakened the base of the original’s horror. Outside our main duo of Orrie and Emma, other characters within the family occasionally fell flat to me as a reader, especially toward the second half.
While there are references to several Greek myths, I found this to be more focused on the tradition of Greek tragedy and storytelling - an important distinction for any interested readers. I don’t necessarily think you need a grounding in The Oresteia or Greek theatre to like this book, but I do think readers expecting a Greek myth retelling might get something different from what they expected. Yet I’d encourage those people to still give this book a read, as it adds more dialogue to the ever evolving landscape of modern interpretations of Ancient Greek culture.
If you’re interested in cycles of trauma and vengeance delivered to you in an unsettling package, or in retellings and revitalizations of classical forms, this book is for you.
September 9, 2025
A Harvest of Furies is a dark and powerful retelling of Aeschylus’ Oresteia. The writing is dense, charged with emotion, and carries a gothic intensity that won’t be for everyone, but for readers open to its style it delivers something haunting and unique.
The novel explores trauma, grief, and the weight of history through a chorus of voices and shifting perspectives. The frequent changes in POV can be destabilizing at first, yet they soon become part of the experience. Choosing to reimagine a Greek tragedy works perfectly here, because the themes of fate, suffering, and loss resonate deeply with the story being told.
A bold, emotionally charged reimagining of myth — unsettling, but unforgettable.
The novel explores trauma, grief, and the weight of history through a chorus of voices and shifting perspectives. The frequent changes in POV can be destabilizing at first, yet they soon become part of the experience. Choosing to reimagine a Greek tragedy works perfectly here, because the themes of fate, suffering, and loss resonate deeply with the story being told.
A bold, emotionally charged reimagining of myth — unsettling, but unforgettable.
July 8, 2025
With an unusual writing style and structure, it takes a bit to get into this book. You have to be willing to invest in figuring out what the structure is doing and why. But I feel the payoff is well worth the time spent doing those things, and I found that ultimately it all works to really create the atmosphere Casey wanted to create and drive the feelings Casey wants you to feel. As a writer, I also just found it very exciting, intriguing, and inspiring.
It's a retelling, so there is a familiarity there but with enough newness to make it, well, new. The setting and location lend it an American gothic flair while still maintaining that underlying feeling that Greek tragedies are so very good at cultivating. After I got into it, I couldn't put it down.
(Thank you to Lanternfish for the ARC.)
It's a retelling, so there is a familiarity there but with enough newness to make it, well, new. The setting and location lend it an American gothic flair while still maintaining that underlying feeling that Greek tragedies are so very good at cultivating. After I got into it, I couldn't put it down.
(Thank you to Lanternfish for the ARC.)
November 20, 2025
If I'm being honest, I was hesitant to look into A Harvest of Furies. It is a modern day reimaging of the Oresteia, and I am typically not the biggest fan of modern retellings. I was pleasantly surprised!
This novel is told in a stream of consciousness style that melds the thoughts and experiences of multiple characters into a narrative- think if The Sound and The Fury had a child with The Oresteia. The narrative flows between multiple characters, mainly:
Aggie, a father who has been away at war for six years and does not return quite the same.
Cleo, a mother and wife who resents her current life and grapples with guilt and shame for the decisions she has made.
Emma, an eldest daughter who feels trapped in her life and spends much of her time repressing her anger.
Orrie, a boy who senses the curse upon his family.
The characters are members of the house of Atreus, the cursed royal family from Greek myth; however, while similarities between Emma and Elektra, Orrie and Orestes, Aggie and Agamemnon, and Cleo and Clytemnestra definitely exist, they are not a 1:1 copy and this is certainly not the Oresteia.
This is a story of metamorphosis into something different, something worse. This is a story of grief, loss, and madness. It somehow manages to encompass a lot of the feeling from the ancient Greek play while still being it's own story. Personally, I loved this. It was such a creative rearranging of the story elements within Greek tragedy into something that will resonate with audiences that may not otherwise engage with this centuries old story.
This novel is told in a stream of consciousness style that melds the thoughts and experiences of multiple characters into a narrative- think if The Sound and The Fury had a child with The Oresteia. The narrative flows between multiple characters, mainly:
Aggie, a father who has been away at war for six years and does not return quite the same.
Cleo, a mother and wife who resents her current life and grapples with guilt and shame for the decisions she has made.
Emma, an eldest daughter who feels trapped in her life and spends much of her time repressing her anger.
Orrie, a boy who senses the curse upon his family.
The characters are members of the house of Atreus, the cursed royal family from Greek myth; however, while similarities between Emma and Elektra, Orrie and Orestes, Aggie and Agamemnon, and Cleo and Clytemnestra definitely exist, they are not a 1:1 copy and this is certainly not the Oresteia.
This is a story of metamorphosis into something different, something worse. This is a story of grief, loss, and madness. It somehow manages to encompass a lot of the feeling from the ancient Greek play while still being it's own story. Personally, I loved this. It was such a creative rearranging of the story elements within Greek tragedy into something that will resonate with audiences that may not otherwise engage with this centuries old story.
June 22, 2025
★★★ ¼
this was a really unique book, and it did a lot of things differently—especially for a first novel!—which i can wholeheartedly appreciate and that got me hooked after some time. i'm a sucker for greek myth retellings, and i'm happy to say that this one did not disappoint. this book, once i got over the initial hurdles (see below), felt like a pocket of a nightmare that i'd keep waking up from only to find myself still in a dream—and i walked away feeling a very neat sense of unease that i don't find in books often, even as an avid horror enjoyer.
much of the text is told between pov switches (even between first and third), bridged by certain strings of poetry or fragments that linked thoughts and chapters together in a way that i haven't ever really seen before, and i do think it was able to be pulled off! that said, this method of storytelling (which i consider to be incredibly effective, given i finished the last 80% of the book in one sitting without even realizing) comes at a moderate cost—that is, making the first part of the text dizzying and confusing to understand and making it difficult to differentiate between the voices of protagonists orrie and emma. i think the book would further shine if this sense of disorientation placed upon the reader would only begin to creep in more noticeably after about the first third to better align with the influence of the furies in the myth and allow us to experience the protagonists' confusion and fear more directly.
casey also writes in a style that is distinctly very choppy and has a certain narrative voice that focuses on more how the sentences should be said rather than how easily they read, which i do think helped to give character to orrie but made me struggle with the immersion and understanding of the text at a few points.
overall, this is a really unique novel that managed to both keep the essence of the retelling and make it enjoyable from a literary standpoint! i'll be really excited to see more of casey's work in the future.
thank you to the author, netgalley, & lanternfish press for the arc!
this was a really unique book, and it did a lot of things differently—especially for a first novel!—which i can wholeheartedly appreciate and that got me hooked after some time. i'm a sucker for greek myth retellings, and i'm happy to say that this one did not disappoint. this book, once i got over the initial hurdles (see below), felt like a pocket of a nightmare that i'd keep waking up from only to find myself still in a dream—and i walked away feeling a very neat sense of unease that i don't find in books often, even as an avid horror enjoyer.
much of the text is told between pov switches (even between first and third), bridged by certain strings of poetry or fragments that linked thoughts and chapters together in a way that i haven't ever really seen before, and i do think it was able to be pulled off! that said, this method of storytelling (which i consider to be incredibly effective, given i finished the last 80% of the book in one sitting without even realizing) comes at a moderate cost—that is, making the first part of the text dizzying and confusing to understand and making it difficult to differentiate between the voices of protagonists orrie and emma. i think the book would further shine if this sense of disorientation placed upon the reader would only begin to creep in more noticeably after about the first third to better align with the influence of the furies in the myth and allow us to experience the protagonists' confusion and fear more directly.
casey also writes in a style that is distinctly very choppy and has a certain narrative voice that focuses on more how the sentences should be said rather than how easily they read, which i do think helped to give character to orrie but made me struggle with the immersion and understanding of the text at a few points.
overall, this is a really unique novel that managed to both keep the essence of the retelling and make it enjoyable from a literary standpoint! i'll be really excited to see more of casey's work in the future.
thank you to the author, netgalley, & lanternfish press for the arc!
November 10, 2025
Casey writes A Harvest of Furies as an entirely unique, staggering retelling of the Oresteia. While a prior knowledge of the Greek Tragedy isn't necessary, it certainly enhances the reading experience. The formatting of the novel is something I'm deeply taken with; the narration pinballs between the characters' stream of consciousness, the Chorus's input, and relational dynamics that wildly oscillate yet somehow (and this is the most impressive part, in my opinion) remain wholly comprehensive. It hits the ground running, the plot hurtling through scandal, tragedy, and suspense in near equal measure. I am emotionally wrecked. I could not stop scribbling quotes on anything near me; I will be finding excerpts in jacket pockets years from now. This is the exact type of weird I am--it is precisely what I always hope a modern Greek retelling will be. I needed nothing else to convince me to keep an eye on Hayden Casey! A very contented and impressed five stars to A Harvest of Furies, and thank you so much to NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for the ARC!
August 23, 2025
A Harvest of Furies is a modern retelling of the Greek Tragedy, the Oresteia. While you don't need to have read the Oresteia to understand what's happening in the book, it does help to at least have a basic understanding of the work otherwise you'll likely feel lost. If you have read the famous play, you’ll probably be able to guess at least some of the plot; Aggie (a stand in for Agamemnon) has come home from the war. He is responsible for his youngest daughter’s, Ingrid’s death. His wife, Cleo (Clytemnestra) and her lover kill him, which spurs her other two children Emma (Electra) and Orrie (Orestes) to want revenge on Cleo. Clearly their family drama rival’s Hamlet’s. But a Harvest of Furies is not a simple retelling. For one thing, the ending is completely different. The family are also farmers instead of royalty. I appreciate that Casey didn’t do an exact retelling so I could still be surprised by what happened. He also explores new themes such PTSD, generational trauma, and queer romance (which seems appropriate for a Greek retelling). The story also feels more American gothic than Greek tragedy.
The book switches points of view frequently between Emma, Orrie, and Cleo, interspersed by the poems from the Greek choir. The jumping between narrators can be confusing, but I feel it adds to the feel the author was going for, one where the family feels unstable and at odds with each other.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
The book switches points of view frequently between Emma, Orrie, and Cleo, interspersed by the poems from the Greek choir. The jumping between narrators can be confusing, but I feel it adds to the feel the author was going for, one where the family feels unstable and at odds with each other.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
November 15, 2025
A Harvest of Furies by Hayden Casey is an ambitious, poetic retelling of Aeschylus’s Oresteia set in the American heartland. It follows siblings Orrie and Emma as their family curse reawakens after their father returns from war, bringing secrets, voices, and tragedy to the surface.
I loved the concept and the lyrical storytelling style, but the experimental structure—using “verses” to transition between perspectives—often felt uneven and confusing. The novel’s focus on the family curse was compelling, yet the war theme mentioned in the synopsis wasn’t explored as deeply as I expected. A few geographic and logical inconsistencies also pulled me out of the story.
Still, it’s an eerie, atmospheric read with striking prose that captures the spirit of Greek tragedy, even if the execution falters.
Read my full review here: https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the concept and the lyrical storytelling style, but the experimental structure—using “verses” to transition between perspectives—often felt uneven and confusing. The novel’s focus on the family curse was compelling, yet the war theme mentioned in the synopsis wasn’t explored as deeply as I expected. A few geographic and logical inconsistencies also pulled me out of the story.
Still, it’s an eerie, atmospheric read with striking prose that captures the spirit of Greek tragedy, even if the execution falters.
Read my full review here: https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
3.5 🌟
This was one of the most unique books I think I've read in a long time. This Greek retelling exceeded my expectations and left me feeling like I was in a disorienting fever dream, floating from one character to the next as they struggle to adjust to their father coming home.
I really enjoyed the writing and structure of this book; the confusion and the stumbling through each POV change added to the story's growing fear and tension that I believe a normal narrative would have lacked in. I feel by using the odd snippets of poetry, the lines of town gossip, orrie's glimmering of the suncat her, and the section headers that feel like stage directions all add together to overwhelm the reader and leave us as lost and muddled as the characters themselves. And what a fun way to use the Greek chorus by inserting them as town gossip at the beginning; so clever and fitting for a book set in Midwest America. Also by using them as breaks between characters is so interesting as they feel like they are interrupting the thoughts of each POV. We have hanging punctuations and half formed thoughts like we just changed the chanel mid sentence. With such a an intimate look at each character's thoughts we get to really feel the hightened emotions as they escalate and escalate with each bit of tragedy that unfolds around them.
The first half of this book was definitely the best as it left me speechless with each part of the plot as it went along but at some point it took a small turn that wasn't as elevated as it began. That being said I still feel like I've had my emotions wrong out of me like a wet towel; it's going to take a while for me to recover from this reading and what it put me though. So I won't say anything of the plot as I want others to feel as emotionally wrecked as I was.
I did love this book in the end; it was well written and so unlike anything I've read before. I will absolutely read more from this author in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for lending me this ARC!
This was one of the most unique books I think I've read in a long time. This Greek retelling exceeded my expectations and left me feeling like I was in a disorienting fever dream, floating from one character to the next as they struggle to adjust to their father coming home.
I really enjoyed the writing and structure of this book; the confusion and the stumbling through each POV change added to the story's growing fear and tension that I believe a normal narrative would have lacked in. I feel by using the odd snippets of poetry, the lines of town gossip, orrie's glimmering of the suncat her, and the section headers that feel like stage directions all add together to overwhelm the reader and leave us as lost and muddled as the characters themselves. And what a fun way to use the Greek chorus by inserting them as town gossip at the beginning; so clever and fitting for a book set in Midwest America. Also by using them as breaks between characters is so interesting as they feel like they are interrupting the thoughts of each POV. We have hanging punctuations and half formed thoughts like we just changed the chanel mid sentence. With such a an intimate look at each character's thoughts we get to really feel the hightened emotions as they escalate and escalate with each bit of tragedy that unfolds around them.
The first half of this book was definitely the best as it left me speechless with each part of the plot as it went along but at some point it took a small turn that wasn't as elevated as it began. That being said I still feel like I've had my emotions wrong out of me like a wet towel; it's going to take a while for me to recover from this reading and what it put me though. So I won't say anything of the plot as I want others to feel as emotionally wrecked as I was.
I did love this book in the end; it was well written and so unlike anything I've read before. I will absolutely read more from this author in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for lending me this ARC!
October 9, 2025
A Harvest of Furies is a masterclass in storytelling that truly immerses the reader in its unsettling atmosphere and mounting tension. I really enjoyed the writing style and unique structure of this book—the confusion and stumbling through each point of view change perfectly mirrors the growing fear and unease that a more straightforward narrative might have lacked.
The use of odd snippets of poetry, lines of town gossip, Orrie’s fleeting glimpses of the suncatcher, and section headers that feel like stage directions all combine to overwhelm the reader in a way that echoes how lost and muddled the characters themselves feel. The clever inclusion of the Greek chorus as town gossip at the beginning is not only a brilliant nod to classical tragedy but also incredibly fitting for a story set in Midwest America. These “chorus” breaks between characters act like interruptions, breaking up the flow and making it feel as if we’re channel-surfing mid-thought—with hanging punctuations and half-formed ideas that heighten the intimacy and emotional intensity of each POV.
The first half of the book was especially powerful, leaving me speechless as the plot unfolded with escalating tragedy and emotional weight. Although the story takes a slight turn in the second half that felt a bit less elevated, the emotional impact of the book lingers long after the last page. I feel as if the novel wrung every ounce of feeling from me, like a wet towel being twisted dry. It’s going to take some time to recover from the emotional journey this book put me through.
I won’t spoil any plot details because I want others to experience the same raw, wrecked emotions I did. If you’re looking for a novel that blends myth, mood, and masterful narrative experimentation, A Harvest of Furies is a must-read.
The use of odd snippets of poetry, lines of town gossip, Orrie’s fleeting glimpses of the suncatcher, and section headers that feel like stage directions all combine to overwhelm the reader in a way that echoes how lost and muddled the characters themselves feel. The clever inclusion of the Greek chorus as town gossip at the beginning is not only a brilliant nod to classical tragedy but also incredibly fitting for a story set in Midwest America. These “chorus” breaks between characters act like interruptions, breaking up the flow and making it feel as if we’re channel-surfing mid-thought—with hanging punctuations and half-formed ideas that heighten the intimacy and emotional intensity of each POV.
The first half of the book was especially powerful, leaving me speechless as the plot unfolded with escalating tragedy and emotional weight. Although the story takes a slight turn in the second half that felt a bit less elevated, the emotional impact of the book lingers long after the last page. I feel as if the novel wrung every ounce of feeling from me, like a wet towel being twisted dry. It’s going to take some time to recover from the emotional journey this book put me through.
I won’t spoil any plot details because I want others to experience the same raw, wrecked emotions I did. If you’re looking for a novel that blends myth, mood, and masterful narrative experimentation, A Harvest of Furies is a must-read.
November 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I think I might have enjoyed this novel more if I had been familiar with Oresteia, as it might have left me a lot less disoriented as I tried to understand what was happening. Like this, it took me quite a while to get into the novel, especially with the untypical formatting and perspective shifts, which took some getting used to (as did the constant (glimmer) in the first portion of the book that I still don't know the meaning of).
When reading, I definitely felt like the more I put the book down, the less I enjoyed it and the more confused I got, so I took an afternoon to myself to just finish it in one go, which made the experience a lot more enjoyable and had the formatting, perspective changes etc. feeling less... disruptive and sudden.
That way, what I feared would be a 2 star read when I first started turned into a 4 star read, as the aspects that bothered me every time I picked up the book again started fading into the background, and as the plot started picking up in the second half of the book. Still, I would recommend the reader to check out Oresteia first, in hopes that maybe this novel will feel a little more comprehensible if one is already familiar with the original myth, and to try and read it as close to as in one go as possible. Readers that want a clear, linear plot from the beginning, and want all plot holes filled by the end of a novel, I don't think this is for you.
I think I might have enjoyed this novel more if I had been familiar with Oresteia, as it might have left me a lot less disoriented as I tried to understand what was happening. Like this, it took me quite a while to get into the novel, especially with the untypical formatting and perspective shifts, which took some getting used to (as did the constant (glimmer) in the first portion of the book that I still don't know the meaning of).
When reading, I definitely felt like the more I put the book down, the less I enjoyed it and the more confused I got, so I took an afternoon to myself to just finish it in one go, which made the experience a lot more enjoyable and had the formatting, perspective changes etc. feeling less... disruptive and sudden.
That way, what I feared would be a 2 star read when I first started turned into a 4 star read, as the aspects that bothered me every time I picked up the book again started fading into the background, and as the plot started picking up in the second half of the book. Still, I would recommend the reader to check out Oresteia first, in hopes that maybe this novel will feel a little more comprehensible if one is already familiar with the original myth, and to try and read it as close to as in one go as possible. Readers that want a clear, linear plot from the beginning, and want all plot holes filled by the end of a novel, I don't think this is for you.
September 3, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Lanternfish Press, for the opportunity to read this amazing story.
'A Harvest of Furies' is a contemporary retelling of Aeschylus's 'Orestia'. While it's not necessary to be familiar with the Greek play, I decided to refresh my knowledge of ancient Greek literature, and that has certainly elevated the experience of reading this book, certainly helped with understanding the structure, the POV switches, and the choral interludes.
It's one of the most unique novels I've read in a while.
It's a profound exploration of grief, trauma, and the wounds unbroken cycle of violence leaves to fester from generation to generation. Home will always pull you back, but it's up to you not to let the secrets, disloyalty, and cruelty rot your insides.
It's dark and bleak, but doesn't leave you hopeless.
This book is full of beautiful, poetic, and heartfelt prose, and the author curates each sentence with care. The writing is evocative, and it truly made me feel for the main characters, especially Emma, whose loneliness and feeling of abandonment I related to deeply.
'A Harvest of Furies' is a contemporary retelling of Aeschylus's 'Orestia'. While it's not necessary to be familiar with the Greek play, I decided to refresh my knowledge of ancient Greek literature, and that has certainly elevated the experience of reading this book, certainly helped with understanding the structure, the POV switches, and the choral interludes.
It's one of the most unique novels I've read in a while.
It's a profound exploration of grief, trauma, and the wounds unbroken cycle of violence leaves to fester from generation to generation. Home will always pull you back, but it's up to you not to let the secrets, disloyalty, and cruelty rot your insides.
It's dark and bleak, but doesn't leave you hopeless.
This book is full of beautiful, poetic, and heartfelt prose, and the author curates each sentence with care. The writing is evocative, and it truly made me feel for the main characters, especially Emma, whose loneliness and feeling of abandonment I related to deeply.
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December 8, 2025Please check your trigger warnings. Your mental health matters. 🖤
Disclaimer: I read this book as an eARC from NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
DNF at 15%
Let me be with first say that this is not a typical book I reach for, but I am trying to expand and vary my reading. I was intrigued by the premise of exploring the idea of what you bring back home after war.
This is a book that requires you to read a bit more slowly and chew on the words, which is not a bad thing. Just something I think potential readers should be aware of so they take the time that is novel deserves. The writing feels like stream of consciousness, but it is a consciousness that is flowing in and out of all the characters in the novel rather than it coming from s single character. You go from reading one persons thoughts to being in the middle of another's constantly.
I think if you are familiar with or interested in a retelling of Aeschylus’s Oresteia this may be something to consider. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it wont work for you.
Disclaimer: I read this book as an eARC from NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
DNF at 15%
Let me be with first say that this is not a typical book I reach for, but I am trying to expand and vary my reading. I was intrigued by the premise of exploring the idea of what you bring back home after war.
This is a book that requires you to read a bit more slowly and chew on the words, which is not a bad thing. Just something I think potential readers should be aware of so they take the time that is novel deserves. The writing feels like stream of consciousness, but it is a consciousness that is flowing in and out of all the characters in the novel rather than it coming from s single character. You go from reading one persons thoughts to being in the middle of another's constantly.
I think if you are familiar with or interested in a retelling of Aeschylus’s Oresteia this may be something to consider. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it wont work for you.
November 22, 2025
3.75
The structure of the book was truly unlike any I have read. It very intentionally read like a play and it was a perfect choice for a retelling of the house of Atreus. It is well written and clearly the author has an understanding of the myth and all of the messaging that has been taken from it. However I am such a massive fan of the story that this is based off of so I am incredibly picky with retellings. The changing of the timeline of events bothered me. More so the time between aggie and Cleo's deaths than Iris dying after the war had ended. Cleo as a character was also a bit of a let down for me. There were times where she felt so right and times were she felt flat. Emma and Orrie however were wonderfully well written and very good representations of their original counterparts while still being their own characters. Overall the characters and chronology were lacking at times but the structure and the writing style were wonderful
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review
The structure of the book was truly unlike any I have read. It very intentionally read like a play and it was a perfect choice for a retelling of the house of Atreus. It is well written and clearly the author has an understanding of the myth and all of the messaging that has been taken from it. However I am such a massive fan of the story that this is based off of so I am incredibly picky with retellings. The changing of the timeline of events bothered me. More so the time between aggie and Cleo's deaths than Iris dying after the war had ended. Cleo as a character was also a bit of a let down for me. There were times where she felt so right and times were she felt flat. Emma and Orrie however were wonderfully well written and very good representations of their original counterparts while still being their own characters. Overall the characters and chronology were lacking at times but the structure and the writing style were wonderful
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review
July 30, 2025
The first half of this book I loved. I loved the writing and how the Greek chorus as townspeople would come in and then the point of view would switch to a different character. How that all flowed was wonderful and I had so many feelings and I couldn't stop reading. At some point it changed and was not so fluid with different chapters from different characters. It was still good, but not as good as those first parts. I was not familiar with the Greek tragedies it was a retelling of so I didn't know where it was going. I did enjoy the read overall and look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
December 9, 2025
This is the type of novel that I usually love but have become more picky about over the years. It's a modern day dark retelling of Aeschylus’ Oresteia and while I'm not the biggest fan of modern retellings I did enjoy this. It was a fun read, gothic and tragic and full of angst (yay!). I struggled a bit with staying immersed in the novel, the writing is choppy (on purpose I think) and focused on stream of thought which I don't love. That being said I think other readers will love this one. Overall, a good read but not one that blew my mind.
Read
January 14, 2026DNFed at about 25% or so. I really did not care for this, despite how much I wanted to. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC; I will not be leaving a star rating as I DNFed.
I think it was the prose that really didn't do it for me. It was very Contemporary Literature, and I just couldn't latch onto it. The idea of the Orestia set during modern day America is really good, and I think there are plenty of people who would really enjoy this, but I am not one of them.
I would definitely encourage checking this out if you like classical reception and don't mind more abstract prose.
I think it was the prose that really didn't do it for me. It was very Contemporary Literature, and I just couldn't latch onto it. The idea of the Orestia set during modern day America is really good, and I think there are plenty of people who would really enjoy this, but I am not one of them.
I would definitely encourage checking this out if you like classical reception and don't mind more abstract prose.
January 31, 2026
This book does have a unique writing style. When I began reading it, I was pulled in by the story, thinking there would be some unusual climactic ending. However, after a certain point it slowed down. I almost felt like the curse of the home they mention at the beginning was greatly forgotten about until the end. There were times where I felt lost, and couldn't figure out which direction things were going left confused and uncertain how to get back on track without rereading a few paragraphs back.
November 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for this review copy. This book was a ride. The formatting was very unique but by chapter 4, I was all in. I was unfamiliar with this Greek play it is based off but that’s okay, if you’re into sentient houses, this is a book for you. I love how everyone was a little crazed and it made the melting between POVs really tip you on your side. The ending was great, unrushed and well-thought out. 4.25 stars.
December 12, 2025
Arc supplied by NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for a fair review
4 stars
This was a fun horror book, nicely written and overall enjoyable plot
4 stars
This was a fun horror book, nicely written and overall enjoyable plot
January 13, 2026
We often cooked ricebowl but forget about the Lord manifestation. Peace be upon him. Ahlussunnah wal jama'ah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
Spooky spooky!
I finished this just in time for A Harvest of Furies to be let out into the world. I knew I would love it: Hayden Casey's short stories cemented him as a "read everything they write" author. In this world of so many writers who spend more time marketing themselves than actually working on their craft, it is a relief to come across an author like Casey who truly loves the art of storytelling. I know this, not because AHoF is a retelling of Oresteia, but because Casey plays with form and delights in making the story come alive at the line level. It's a treat to read his work and listen to his music, and I highly recommend checking out anything he shares with the world!!
I finished this just in time for A Harvest of Furies to be let out into the world. I knew I would love it: Hayden Casey's short stories cemented him as a "read everything they write" author. In this world of so many writers who spend more time marketing themselves than actually working on their craft, it is a relief to come across an author like Casey who truly loves the art of storytelling. I know this, not because AHoF is a retelling of Oresteia, but because Casey plays with form and delights in making the story come alive at the line level. It's a treat to read his work and listen to his music, and I highly recommend checking out anything he shares with the world!!
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