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A Penance for Crows
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26An unnerving, hypnotic, modern gothic thriller set on a remote Irish island, where an artist is caught between deadly secrets, ancient superstition, and echoing madness . . .
Off the southern tip of the Beara Peninsula lies Beanna Dubh, an island of savage beauty, its jagged cliffs lashed by Atlantic winds and infested by thousands of crows. Untouched by 21st-century advances, the islanders live under the strict rule of the church, while clinging to old superstitions of the crows as harbingers of disaster. To this desolate, unforgiving place Grizela Urquhart fled, seeking sanctuary from brutal bullying in her native Glasgow.
40 years on, Grizela still remains an outsider—the eccentric painter viewed with distrust and barely tolerated. The feelings are mutual, for she has discovered there are as many secrets on Beanna Dubh as there are crows.
When she stumbles upon the body of a young priest with a diabolical symbol drawn on his chest, the crows darken the skies, and Grizela is plagued by demonic whispers only she can hear. The islanders’ suspicions fall on her, but she fears the answers lie in her tortured past.
As mass hysteria grows, Grizela scrambles to protect the innocent—a quartet of young girls she has taken under her wing. When she uncovers dark truths behind the girls’ mysterious midnight gatherings, her grip on reality unravels and she is faced with an impossible do the unthinkable to protect the girls as the whispers urge, or come out of hiding to face the sins of her past.
Off the southern tip of the Beara Peninsula lies Beanna Dubh, an island of savage beauty, its jagged cliffs lashed by Atlantic winds and infested by thousands of crows. Untouched by 21st-century advances, the islanders live under the strict rule of the church, while clinging to old superstitions of the crows as harbingers of disaster. To this desolate, unforgiving place Grizela Urquhart fled, seeking sanctuary from brutal bullying in her native Glasgow.
40 years on, Grizela still remains an outsider—the eccentric painter viewed with distrust and barely tolerated. The feelings are mutual, for she has discovered there are as many secrets on Beanna Dubh as there are crows.
When she stumbles upon the body of a young priest with a diabolical symbol drawn on his chest, the crows darken the skies, and Grizela is plagued by demonic whispers only she can hear. The islanders’ suspicions fall on her, but she fears the answers lie in her tortured past.
As mass hysteria grows, Grizela scrambles to protect the innocent—a quartet of young girls she has taken under her wing. When she uncovers dark truths behind the girls’ mysterious midnight gatherings, her grip on reality unravels and she is faced with an impossible do the unthinkable to protect the girls as the whispers urge, or come out of hiding to face the sins of her past.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Shannon Morgan
4 books547 followersShannon has had a nomadic past involving, but not limited to, nearly being shot in Kashmir, playing a marathon, ten-hour game of backgammon on the side of the road in Turkey, getting horribly sea-sick off the coast of Madagascar, and milking a camel in the Sahara Desert.
More recently, she moved from Africa with her husband and their four boys to the windswept moors of western England, where she gives in daily to her obsession to write. If not writing or reading, she will be collecting a worrying number of unusual and rather macabre plants, many of them poisonous as they tend to produce the most interestingly weird flowers.
Shannon is the author of HER LITTLE FLOWERS, IN THE LONELY HOURS and GRIMDARK, which are all available for purchase at all the usual retailers. Her upcoming title, A PENANCE FOR CROWS, is due for release on 28 July 2026.
For further details to see Shannon's book news check out the links here:
https://linktr.ee/shannonmorganauthor
More recently, she moved from Africa with her husband and their four boys to the windswept moors of western England, where she gives in daily to her obsession to write. If not writing or reading, she will be collecting a worrying number of unusual and rather macabre plants, many of them poisonous as they tend to produce the most interestingly weird flowers.
Shannon is the author of HER LITTLE FLOWERS, IN THE LONELY HOURS and GRIMDARK, which are all available for purchase at all the usual retailers. Her upcoming title, A PENANCE FOR CROWS, is due for release on 28 July 2026.
For further details to see Shannon's book news check out the links here:
https://linktr.ee/shannonmorganauthor
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 9, 2026
**NETGALLEY Arc - publishing July 2026**
⭐️⭐️⭐️.50
Began: 3/3/26. Finished: 3/9/26
COMMENTARY: I’ve never read from this author so was excited when I was given the opportunity to read the ARC for this book.
This DID keep me reading and engaged. The occult themed mystery along with the secluded Irish setting and a lot of crows all gave me the feels I enjoy.
However, something was missing from this book. It had many of the tropes I normally fall for but it just didn’t give them up in the way I wanted.
Firstly, I didn’t feel the main character (Grisela) was in her 60’s. She just didn’t feel like an older lady to me. Her “voice” was too young.
Secondly, I didn’t feel like I got to know (or really care) about any of the characters. We learn about Grisela’s life throughout the story and bits and pieces about others on the island but none of it really made me care about them. I was just there for the plot.
I did like how I felt that there could be a myriad of different ways the ending could go but ultimately I feel like the author took the most boring way to end things.
Will I try more from this author? I’m not sure. But I did enjoy this work as it kept me coming back for the atmosphere and occult part of the story.
QUOTE: “I learnt to your and my cost that blind trust in a moral authority is a poor substitute for a lack of trust in my own integrity.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️.50
Began: 3/3/26. Finished: 3/9/26
COMMENTARY: I’ve never read from this author so was excited when I was given the opportunity to read the ARC for this book.
This DID keep me reading and engaged. The occult themed mystery along with the secluded Irish setting and a lot of crows all gave me the feels I enjoy.
However, something was missing from this book. It had many of the tropes I normally fall for but it just didn’t give them up in the way I wanted.
Firstly, I didn’t feel the main character (Grisela) was in her 60’s. She just didn’t feel like an older lady to me. Her “voice” was too young.
Secondly, I didn’t feel like I got to know (or really care) about any of the characters. We learn about Grisela’s life throughout the story and bits and pieces about others on the island but none of it really made me care about them. I was just there for the plot.
I did like how I felt that there could be a myriad of different ways the ending could go but ultimately I feel like the author took the most boring way to end things.
Will I try more from this author? I’m not sure. But I did enjoy this work as it kept me coming back for the atmosphere and occult part of the story.
QUOTE: “I learnt to your and my cost that blind trust in a moral authority is a poor substitute for a lack of trust in my own integrity.”
March 4, 2026
This is a review of an advance copy received from Netgalley.
I loved this book. It was slow and building, full of folklore and foreboding. I never found myself bored from the slow build, it was necessary as the author wove a beautiful tapestry of gothic feeling and visuals. I could imagine this island in my mind and the feelings of all the inhabitants were palpable. I love that the main character is an older and more storied woman. The story is one of an isolated Irish island plagued by superstition that is propped up by the ever looming presence of the church. The isolation brings folklore into full focus when signs that the inhabitants think are the work of the devil start popping up. Much of the story focused around family secrets and dynamics and the cruelty of others, in youth as bullies, and adulthood. The isolation of the island breeds a perfect backdrop for this story to unravel. Grizela is truly a fascinating protagonist, as is her story with the Lassies. As a cemetery loving artist myself, I very much loved those aspects of Grizela. All outsiders in their own right with their own secrets, you can sense the warmth and need to offer protection that Grizela holds for the young women on the island while also feeling a sense of longing for a youth that wasn’t so plagued by tragic lonliness. I felt deeply for every character regardless of their flaws. I have to say, while I expected some events and storylines, I often found myself extremely surprised and that is doubly true for the latter pages of the book. I can see myself revisiting this book in the future.
I loved this book. It was slow and building, full of folklore and foreboding. I never found myself bored from the slow build, it was necessary as the author wove a beautiful tapestry of gothic feeling and visuals. I could imagine this island in my mind and the feelings of all the inhabitants were palpable. I love that the main character is an older and more storied woman. The story is one of an isolated Irish island plagued by superstition that is propped up by the ever looming presence of the church. The isolation brings folklore into full focus when signs that the inhabitants think are the work of the devil start popping up. Much of the story focused around family secrets and dynamics and the cruelty of others, in youth as bullies, and adulthood. The isolation of the island breeds a perfect backdrop for this story to unravel. Grizela is truly a fascinating protagonist, as is her story with the Lassies. As a cemetery loving artist myself, I very much loved those aspects of Grizela. All outsiders in their own right with their own secrets, you can sense the warmth and need to offer protection that Grizela holds for the young women on the island while also feeling a sense of longing for a youth that wasn’t so plagued by tragic lonliness. I felt deeply for every character regardless of their flaws. I have to say, while I expected some events and storylines, I often found myself extremely surprised and that is doubly true for the latter pages of the book. I can see myself revisiting this book in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the free, pre-publication copy (ARC or Digital Review Copy) of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was so excited to be able to read an advanced copy of this book, based on the premise, it looked to be right up my alley and it did not disappoint!! I adored this book, everything about it.
The desolate location, which became one of our lead characters in my opinion, was felt with every weather change, random “discovery”, and lantern lit walk. The nearly inhospitable charm of the even more remote location of our FMC’s home had me longing for a visit. I found our FMC Grizela sadly relatable on so many levels, which could explain part of my love for this book. The need to escape a horrible event that shapes the course of your life, sadly, was so relatable. I was cheering for Grizela the entire time. Her struggles felt at the core of me, and I was so appreciative that she wasn’t a young little thing...she was a woman who had lived a life. The demonic elements were lovely little tastes and didn’t overcome the heart of the story....but the gothic elements were sprinkled everywhere. I loved Grizela’s love of midnight wanderings and cemetery strolls, I too find safety in the quiet of tombstones, and found this such a beautiful and again relatable trait. Her artsy nature being expressed in what most believe to be dark and disturbing was so understandable. The young girls, whom Grizela obviously adored, were at the heart of this story and I loved their companionship in a town that was constantly working to break them down. And the crows....ahhh the crows!!!!!! Constantly looming on all the actions of all our players, judging and judging. The evil that looms over this very small town controlled by fear is palpable, frightening, and at some points unforgiveable.
The plot twist at the end was lovely, while not 100% surprising, the way it was fleshed out felt so right and nicely wrapped up....and the afterword was icing on the cake! A perfect end! I would highly recommend this book, and will be purchasing a copy when it is released so that I can revisit it whenever I want and support this author!
I was so excited to be able to read an advanced copy of this book, based on the premise, it looked to be right up my alley and it did not disappoint!! I adored this book, everything about it.
The desolate location, which became one of our lead characters in my opinion, was felt with every weather change, random “discovery”, and lantern lit walk. The nearly inhospitable charm of the even more remote location of our FMC’s home had me longing for a visit. I found our FMC Grizela sadly relatable on so many levels, which could explain part of my love for this book. The need to escape a horrible event that shapes the course of your life, sadly, was so relatable. I was cheering for Grizela the entire time. Her struggles felt at the core of me, and I was so appreciative that she wasn’t a young little thing...she was a woman who had lived a life. The demonic elements were lovely little tastes and didn’t overcome the heart of the story....but the gothic elements were sprinkled everywhere. I loved Grizela’s love of midnight wanderings and cemetery strolls, I too find safety in the quiet of tombstones, and found this such a beautiful and again relatable trait. Her artsy nature being expressed in what most believe to be dark and disturbing was so understandable. The young girls, whom Grizela obviously adored, were at the heart of this story and I loved their companionship in a town that was constantly working to break them down. And the crows....ahhh the crows!!!!!! Constantly looming on all the actions of all our players, judging and judging. The evil that looms over this very small town controlled by fear is palpable, frightening, and at some points unforgiveable.
The plot twist at the end was lovely, while not 100% surprising, the way it was fleshed out felt so right and nicely wrapped up....and the afterword was icing on the cake! A perfect end! I would highly recommend this book, and will be purchasing a copy when it is released so that I can revisit it whenever I want and support this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Press for an e-ARC of this book!
Quote to set the mood: “It was an eerie, evocative place, a grave yard to the short lived industrial endeavors of Beanna Dubh, where only nimble-footed sheep dared roam and the thundering sea applauded human ingenuity with unceasing mockery.” Morgan has created an atmospheric slow burn that tackles small town dynamics, abuses that everyone sees yet no one stops, religious manipulation leading to creeping madness and the way people cope with the abuses of bullying and isolation. Another quote to capture the essence of this story: “It had been a tough wake up call as a teen, knowing that gap in society where horrible things could be done to her and no one would hear her pleas for help. Even as an adult, it didn’t take more than an unkind word for Grizela’s fragile self acceptance to fray and unravel.” If you are interested in demonology, feminine rage, superstition and revenge, you will likely enjoy this story. I did find myself attached to some of the characters, namely The Lassies & the pub owner, Darra. I also find that Father Murphy was a VERY well done villain. Think of Judge Frollo from the Hunchback of Norte Dame (Disney version).
As for myself, while the world building was very well done, I felt like the pacing was a little slow, and the ending was not as satisfying in my opinion. I agree with the many sentiments by other reviewers that something just felt incomplete about this story.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
*SPOILER* I felt what was missing was the actual demonic activity. Had the ending revealed a slew of demons that 4 teenagers had unwittingly unleashed on their small Irish island homeland, I’d have loved it. But in the end, we get a very boring unreliable narrator story. Lots of potential, but a little boring.
Quote to set the mood: “It was an eerie, evocative place, a grave yard to the short lived industrial endeavors of Beanna Dubh, where only nimble-footed sheep dared roam and the thundering sea applauded human ingenuity with unceasing mockery.” Morgan has created an atmospheric slow burn that tackles small town dynamics, abuses that everyone sees yet no one stops, religious manipulation leading to creeping madness and the way people cope with the abuses of bullying and isolation. Another quote to capture the essence of this story: “It had been a tough wake up call as a teen, knowing that gap in society where horrible things could be done to her and no one would hear her pleas for help. Even as an adult, it didn’t take more than an unkind word for Grizela’s fragile self acceptance to fray and unravel.” If you are interested in demonology, feminine rage, superstition and revenge, you will likely enjoy this story. I did find myself attached to some of the characters, namely The Lassies & the pub owner, Darra. I also find that Father Murphy was a VERY well done villain. Think of Judge Frollo from the Hunchback of Norte Dame (Disney version).
As for myself, while the world building was very well done, I felt like the pacing was a little slow, and the ending was not as satisfying in my opinion. I agree with the many sentiments by other reviewers that something just felt incomplete about this story.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
*SPOILER* I felt what was missing was the actual demonic activity. Had the ending revealed a slew of demons that 4 teenagers had unwittingly unleashed on their small Irish island homeland, I’d have loved it. But in the end, we get a very boring unreliable narrator story. Lots of potential, but a little boring.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If I hadn’t loved Shannon Morgan’s previous books, I probably wouldn’t have finished A Penance for Crows. One of Morgan’s greatest strengths has always been her ability to create atmosphere. In her earlier work, the setting feels vivid and immersive, like it has a personality of its own. That’s why this book was such a letdown for me. Despite the promise of a remote, wind-lashed Irish island steeped in superstition, I never truly felt transported to Beanna Dubh. The environment should have been eerie and oppressive, but instead it felt strangely flat and distant.
I also struggled to connect with the main character, Grizela. She’s meant to be a woman in her sixties with a long, complicated past, but her voice didn’t convincingly reflect that. At times, her thoughts and reactions felt much younger, which made it difficult to fully believe in her as a character. This lack of authenticity made it harder to invest in her perspective, especially in such an introspective and psychological story.
The plot itself had a lot of potential (mysterious deaths, religious tension, superstition, and a creeping sense of madness) but it never quite came together for me. The pacing felt uneven, and I found myself bored for a good 70% of the book. The sense of dread that should have been building throughout just didn’t fully materialize.
That said, I’m glad I stuck it out. The ending was satisfying and brought together many of the story’s threads in a way that felt earned. It almost made up for the slower, less engaging middle. Overall, this was a disappointing read from an author I know is capable of much more. While fans of slow-burn gothic thrillers may still find elements to enjoy, this one didn’t live up to the immersive storytelling I’ve come to expect from Morgan.
I also struggled to connect with the main character, Grizela. She’s meant to be a woman in her sixties with a long, complicated past, but her voice didn’t convincingly reflect that. At times, her thoughts and reactions felt much younger, which made it difficult to fully believe in her as a character. This lack of authenticity made it harder to invest in her perspective, especially in such an introspective and psychological story.
The plot itself had a lot of potential (mysterious deaths, religious tension, superstition, and a creeping sense of madness) but it never quite came together for me. The pacing felt uneven, and I found myself bored for a good 70% of the book. The sense of dread that should have been building throughout just didn’t fully materialize.
That said, I’m glad I stuck it out. The ending was satisfying and brought together many of the story’s threads in a way that felt earned. It almost made up for the slower, less engaging middle. Overall, this was a disappointing read from an author I know is capable of much more. While fans of slow-burn gothic thrillers may still find elements to enjoy, this one didn’t live up to the immersive storytelling I’ve come to expect from Morgan.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Penance for Crows follows Grizela, a woman hiding from her past on an isolated Irish island. Her real friends? The local policeman, and a group of teenage girls whom she would do anything to protect. But when a body is found on the island, it will throw everything she knows into chaos. And the crows seem to know something secret…
A gothic folk horror, this is a slow-burn story filled with religious lore, atmosphere, and emotional trauma. The characters are frustrating, real, and dark. Father Murphy as the villainous cult-like priest who rules the island with an iron fist of brimstone is particularly effective.
The story unfolds piece by piece so you never feel the story dragging, and it took me to places I didn’t expect.
For a small island, the locations were wild and totally unique, from the graveyard, to the cliff side, to the mineshaft, to the bogs, there is a bleakness and a true loneliness to the world building that adds an extra element to this gothic tale of religious fervour, demons, and psychological torture.
My critique? Some of the characters needed a little more added to make them truly stand out: the girls who are in Grizela’s Lassies lacked a certain depth that I really wanted, and Grizela herself felt a little conflicting: largely that she reads as if she were in her 30s, and whenever her true age of mid 60s was stated, I was surprised every time.
But despite that mild criticism, I enjoyed this story immensely, and found it perfectly paced to create mystery and suspense. Dripping in an eerie, haunting atmosphere, this is a very solid and chilling story.
A gothic folk horror, this is a slow-burn story filled with religious lore, atmosphere, and emotional trauma. The characters are frustrating, real, and dark. Father Murphy as the villainous cult-like priest who rules the island with an iron fist of brimstone is particularly effective.
The story unfolds piece by piece so you never feel the story dragging, and it took me to places I didn’t expect.
For a small island, the locations were wild and totally unique, from the graveyard, to the cliff side, to the mineshaft, to the bogs, there is a bleakness and a true loneliness to the world building that adds an extra element to this gothic tale of religious fervour, demons, and psychological torture.
My critique? Some of the characters needed a little more added to make them truly stand out: the girls who are in Grizela’s Lassies lacked a certain depth that I really wanted, and Grizela herself felt a little conflicting: largely that she reads as if she were in her 30s, and whenever her true age of mid 60s was stated, I was surprised every time.
But despite that mild criticism, I enjoyed this story immensely, and found it perfectly paced to create mystery and suspense. Dripping in an eerie, haunting atmosphere, this is a very solid and chilling story.
May 16, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, Kensington Publishing and Shannon Morgan for the advanced reading copy!
First of all, I feel like that this would be the perfect read for fall/autumn just before we are getting into the spookier months of the year!
I did enjoy A Penance for Crows but do feel like the initial pacing of the first 50% felt a little slower and then it started to pick up in the final half of the book. I think because of that there is an investment period because the book is a slower paced thriller that it takes a little bit of perseverance before the story starts to truly pay off and feel investing.
The reason why I gave this book 3.5 stars was due to the pacing and there was quite a lot of repetitive language throughout the book that I wasn't the biggest fan of. I feel like this was definitely a stylistic choice (especially after reading the author notes/acknowledgements at the end) that some instances of greetings, for example, were repeated but there was a point where I started to question whether that was a tell or a clue that I had picked up that was potentially leading to a twist in the narrative or not.
I think the remote island setting was really good and the presence of the crows and the demonic symbols definitely gave the book this sense of dread and foreboding and combined with the religious presence, I really felt that this was one of the books strengths.
First of all, I feel like that this would be the perfect read for fall/autumn just before we are getting into the spookier months of the year!
I did enjoy A Penance for Crows but do feel like the initial pacing of the first 50% felt a little slower and then it started to pick up in the final half of the book. I think because of that there is an investment period because the book is a slower paced thriller that it takes a little bit of perseverance before the story starts to truly pay off and feel investing.
The reason why I gave this book 3.5 stars was due to the pacing and there was quite a lot of repetitive language throughout the book that I wasn't the biggest fan of. I feel like this was definitely a stylistic choice (especially after reading the author notes/acknowledgements at the end) that some instances of greetings, for example, were repeated but there was a point where I started to question whether that was a tell or a clue that I had picked up that was potentially leading to a twist in the narrative or not.
I think the remote island setting was really good and the presence of the crows and the demonic symbols definitely gave the book this sense of dread and foreboding and combined with the religious presence, I really felt that this was one of the books strengths.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(Recieved from NetGalley) Having recently moved to a secluded, small area where a surprising amount of sick things happen that authorities overlook/don't care about, this book was a little more impactful than it probably would've been before moving. I work in a school, so I hear a lot and do my best to help, but unfortunately I can't control the authorities and it really makes you mad and disheartened sometimes. Anyway, I had a more personal appreciation for that aspect of the book. I liked it overall, but it was a little slow in parts. I liked the ending and definitely had my suspicions, but it did feel a little rushed/like a bombardment. Again, I had my suspicions, but the book didn't specifically hint at it. Also, the book mentioned Grizela had a mental episode around the time she moved to the island, but we never really discussed it. I don't fully understand that. I think the pacing was a little off in general, but I loved the imagery and I genuinely wasn't positive what REALLY happened until it was revealed. That's something I haven't experienced in a while, so I was happy.
April 8, 2026
A “modern gothic” thriller set within the dark and stormy isolation of a remote corner of the British Isles, replete with no shortage of corvids… what’s not to love?!
While the prose was at times evocative and beautiful, the story itself was just… dreadfully boring. Grizela does not read like a woman in her 60s - she reads as somewhat stunted and immature, and perhaps she is. We are quickly introduced to a large cast of characters that we aren’t really given much reason to care about, and the story only really gets going once we are further introduced to Maeve, Nessa and Una, due to which I assert that this book should have followed THEM instead of Grizela. The pacing remains uneven throughout, and it feels like some loose ends never quite come together. I am obviously in the minority with this one, and it is by no means poorly done; something just didn’t quite land for me. I hope others continue to enjoy it in ways I did not <3
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the chance to check out this ARC!
While the prose was at times evocative and beautiful, the story itself was just… dreadfully boring. Grizela does not read like a woman in her 60s - she reads as somewhat stunted and immature, and perhaps she is. We are quickly introduced to a large cast of characters that we aren’t really given much reason to care about, and the story only really gets going once we are further introduced to Maeve, Nessa and Una, due to which I assert that this book should have followed THEM instead of Grizela. The pacing remains uneven throughout, and it feels like some loose ends never quite come together. I am obviously in the minority with this one, and it is by no means poorly done; something just didn’t quite land for me. I hope others continue to enjoy it in ways I did not <3
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the chance to check out this ARC!
May 2, 2026
Everyone is mad little sheep!
Immediately the atmosphere and setting captured my attention. Mixing an island in a somewhat modern world with the eeriness and heavy burden of isolation, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it set in the 1800s or modern age besides the brief mentions of internet and phones. I don’t think that took away from the hysteria, perhaps it even added more!
Thrown right into it at start, although a bit slow, kept my attention due to Grizela and the girls navigating this church driven madness, which reminds me of the historical witch trials plenty of women suffered from. I also loved the crows, glorious little messengers, throughout the book.
Where I do feel conflicted is the ending. It rounded out the book but I was kind of hoping for it to stay a bit more mysterious, something to keep me wondering. I won’t go on for too long about this, because the book is wholly delightful to read and it is just one small qualm.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC!
Immediately the atmosphere and setting captured my attention. Mixing an island in a somewhat modern world with the eeriness and heavy burden of isolation, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it set in the 1800s or modern age besides the brief mentions of internet and phones. I don’t think that took away from the hysteria, perhaps it even added more!
Thrown right into it at start, although a bit slow, kept my attention due to Grizela and the girls navigating this church driven madness, which reminds me of the historical witch trials plenty of women suffered from. I also loved the crows, glorious little messengers, throughout the book.
Where I do feel conflicted is the ending. It rounded out the book but I was kind of hoping for it to stay a bit more mysterious, something to keep me wondering. I won’t go on for too long about this, because the book is wholly delightful to read and it is just one small qualm.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I do love reading and watching horror related stuff, but this story wasn't my cup of tea.
The build up was very slow. The cover was beautiful and one of the reasons why I chose to read this book.
Another reason why I chose to read this book is because it was an Irish folk story. I haven't read an Irish folk story surrounded in horror and cults, but this one was very promising.
Good luck to the author whenever you book is released!
The build up was very slow. The cover was beautiful and one of the reasons why I chose to read this book.
Another reason why I chose to read this book is because it was an Irish folk story. I haven't read an Irish folk story surrounded in horror and cults, but this one was very promising.
Good luck to the author whenever you book is released!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In a quiet Irish village where everyone knows each other’s history, a series of shocking deaths marked by strange symbols draws Grizela and the community into a chain of unsettling events. Some believe the symbols are summoning demons, others dismiss them as cruel pranks tied to tragic accidents, while a few fear a killer may be moving unnoticed among them.
May 16, 2026
This is the first that I have read from this author and I don’t know if I will be seeking out more. It was not a bad story at all it just was built very slowly and I prefer my books to grow a bit quicker. I do not mind slow burns but they are typically not my favorite to read..
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