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Sons of Salem #1
Hallowed Bones
The first in the Sons of Salem series— a seductive, dark why-choose romance filled with cursed bloodlines, secret societies, and a powerful heroine destined to save the coven.
Four men. One woman. Five families accused of witchcraft. A dark desire they all share.
I was warned to stay away from the Sons of Salem. Not because they’re monsters—but because they’re broken enough to recognize one.
Ezra Bishop.
Cameron Goode.
Lyall Corey.
Reyes Scott.
And me—Haven Wardwell.
Legacies. Witches. Something far worse than myths.
Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the Gods will ask for in return.
Ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich College, and if I’m not careful, I might just become one of them.
Four men. One woman. Five families accused of witchcraft. A dark desire they all share.
I was warned to stay away from the Sons of Salem. Not because they’re monsters—but because they’re broken enough to recognize one.
Ezra Bishop.
Cameron Goode.
Lyall Corey.
Reyes Scott.
And me—Haven Wardwell.
Legacies. Witches. Something far worse than myths.
Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the Gods will ask for in return.
Ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich College, and if I’m not careful, I might just become one of them.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2026
About the author
Lucy Smoke
76 books3,243 followersLucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,041 reviews
June 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and I was immediately drawn in by her engaging writing style. I wasn’t sure this would be a book for me, which makes it a nice surprise with how much I enjoyed it. The storyline was captivating, and it left me excited to continue with the series.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite aspects of the book. It delivers the perfect blend of magic, mystery, and spice, all wrapped in spooky season vibes. If you’re looking for a book to add to your fall reading list, this is an excellent choice. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and I was immediately drawn in by her engaging writing style. I wasn’t sure this would be a book for me, which makes it a nice surprise with how much I enjoyed it. The storyline was captivating, and it left me excited to continue with the series.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite aspects of the book. It delivers the perfect blend of magic, mystery, and spice, all wrapped in spooky season vibes. If you’re looking for a book to add to your fall reading list, this is an excellent choice. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four men. One woman. Five families accused of witchcraft. We have cursed bloodlines, hidden societies and characters each with a struggle of their own. This is a why choose novel but with really low spice and an interesting mystery that held my interest until the end. I do think that the romance was a bit amiss here, not really delivering on the forbidden aspects that the book promised. The end was one I did not expect.
The audiobook had an amazing cast of male narrators, definitely recommend it and they are the main reason I am not giving this book 2 stars.
Full review to follow!
What’s it about?
Hallowed Bones is a dark academia/paranormal romance that takes place in Ipswich college, a gothic school that is tied to witchcraft and mysterious deaths. Our female protagonist, Haven Wardwell, is just tarting at this college and soon learns that her family, particularly her father, has a deep connection to this school and that she comes from a strong line of witches. A the center of the story, there are four mysterious men known as Sons of Salem. Her arrival causes a lot of roar amongst the men as Haven isn't an ordinary girl. Her arrival is tied to a centuries old prophecy involving five families, a Veil and other beings called the Dark Gods.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Lucy Smoke for an early ARC.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC.
Narrators: Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman, Sarah Sampino, Stephen Dexter
Duration: 12 hours 40 minutes
Speed: 1.75-2.25x
Publication: October 6, 2026
The audiobook had an amazing cast of male narrators, definitely recommend it and they are the main reason I am not giving this book 2 stars.
Full review to follow!
What’s it about?
Hallowed Bones is a dark academia/paranormal romance that takes place in Ipswich college, a gothic school that is tied to witchcraft and mysterious deaths. Our female protagonist, Haven Wardwell, is just tarting at this college and soon learns that her family, particularly her father, has a deep connection to this school and that she comes from a strong line of witches. A the center of the story, there are four mysterious men known as Sons of Salem. Her arrival causes a lot of roar amongst the men as Haven isn't an ordinary girl. Her arrival is tied to a centuries old prophecy involving five families, a Veil and other beings called the Dark Gods.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Lucy Smoke for an early ARC.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC.
Narrators: Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman, Sarah Sampino, Stephen Dexter
Duration: 12 hours 40 minutes
Speed: 1.75-2.25x
Publication: October 6, 2026
October 7, 2026
I LOVE when I find a new why-choose book to fucking obsess over. Oh my God, I loved this book SO much.
This combines two of my favorite things: paranormal, especially witches, and why-choose. Then you’re gonna throw in some dark academia AND forbidden love? Yeah, you already know I unhinged my jaw and swallowed this shit whole.
It’s been a really long time since I’ve just sat my ass down and read for HOURS without coming up for air, and this book definitely sunk its claws into me. I did not want to stop reading. I was quite literally trying to ignore my responsibilities for as long as I possibly could just so I could devour this shit.
Let me tell you, the plot absolutely fucking EATS.
Between the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter coming from different journals and books, you’re slowly getting pieces of the backstory that really pulled me in and made me feel like this story is building toward something BIG. There is so much mystery surrounding this world, and I’m already dying to know how all of these little pieces are going to come together.
And the characters are SO loveable in their own way. We have a COVEN OF MALE WITCHES. Each of them has their own unique powers, and they were all so fucking cool. I’ve never seen that done before and I am I FAN.
Their coven is cursed. They haven’t had a female witch, or a “ priestess” as they call them, in over 300 years, and eventually their bloodline is going to die out.
That’s until Haven stumbles into their elite university. How she ended up there we really don’t know, but it definitely wasn’t a coincidence.👀👀 she has been chasing the feeling of belonging, her whole life and something for her just clicks here.
Right off the bat, they feel something with her, only to discover that she is part of their coven. Of course Haven has absolutely no idea she’s a witch, but a LOT of really crazy shit has been happening to her. Especially since her parents died, she’s been having horrendous nightmares, creatures are after her, and she basically thinks she’s losing her mind.
Little does she know, there is an entire world she has no idea exists and a side of herself she has yet to discover.
I LOVED the pacing in this book. I genuinely don’t think there was a dull moment or a point where I wasn’t entertained. And I loved every single one of these men.
Usually in a why-choose, there’s always one where I’m like, “Okay, I like you, but I don’t LOVE you.”
Nope.
I loved every single one of them and the uniqueness they each bring to the story. They’re all absolutely obsessed with Haven right out of the gate, even if Ezra is a little more pulled back and denying his feelings.
And I cannot WAIT until that man breaks.
Of course he’s my favorite. I have a type, okay? And it’s usually the grumpy one in charge. I’m just a girl (who can be very predictable. 😂)
Another HUGE bonus is how perfect this book feels for fall. It was exactly the kind of book I had been looking for and it scratched every single itch I had while still feeling really unique. And the fact that this is set in Ipswich, Massachusetts and You can FEEL the Salem vibes. The witchy history, the atmosphere, the old-world feel… it was basically made for spooky season.
We all know there are a LOT of paranormal why-choose books out there, so when I find something that actually feels fresh and different, I am HERE FOR IT. I’ve never read a book about a coven of male witches quite like this, and I thought that was such a cool twist.
And I just KNOW there is so much backstory left to uncover. There is so much mystery surrounding this story that we haven’t even begun to figure out yet. But this was such a solid book one because it gave me enough to keep me completely invested without giving away all of the big reveals.
It left me with SO many questions and desperately wanting more, which is exactly what I want from the first book in a series.
And although this book wasn’t super spicy, there was ONE scene that had me actually foaming at the mouth. I was like, “FUCK. This is GOOD.”
I am still thinking about it.
And that’s how I know the spice in this series is about to be fucking immaculate. I can already tell it’s going to be so well done and so well written, and I am READY.
I don’t even know when the next book comes out, but I might have to get on my knees and beg for it.
And I am NOT above that.
This book had everything I wanted the atmosphere, the plot, the characters, the banter, the mystery, the forbidden romance, the dark academia vibes, and a coven of hot male witches.
This shit was SO insanely good.
Now excuse me while I go stare at the wall and think about The Sons of Salem until the next book comes out.
This combines two of my favorite things: paranormal, especially witches, and why-choose. Then you’re gonna throw in some dark academia AND forbidden love? Yeah, you already know I unhinged my jaw and swallowed this shit whole.
It’s been a really long time since I’ve just sat my ass down and read for HOURS without coming up for air, and this book definitely sunk its claws into me. I did not want to stop reading. I was quite literally trying to ignore my responsibilities for as long as I possibly could just so I could devour this shit.
Let me tell you, the plot absolutely fucking EATS.
Between the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter coming from different journals and books, you’re slowly getting pieces of the backstory that really pulled me in and made me feel like this story is building toward something BIG. There is so much mystery surrounding this world, and I’m already dying to know how all of these little pieces are going to come together.
And the characters are SO loveable in their own way. We have a COVEN OF MALE WITCHES. Each of them has their own unique powers, and they were all so fucking cool. I’ve never seen that done before and I am I FAN.
Their coven is cursed. They haven’t had a female witch, or a “ priestess” as they call them, in over 300 years, and eventually their bloodline is going to die out.
That’s until Haven stumbles into their elite university. How she ended up there we really don’t know, but it definitely wasn’t a coincidence.👀👀 she has been chasing the feeling of belonging, her whole life and something for her just clicks here.
Right off the bat, they feel something with her, only to discover that she is part of their coven. Of course Haven has absolutely no idea she’s a witch, but a LOT of really crazy shit has been happening to her. Especially since her parents died, she’s been having horrendous nightmares, creatures are after her, and she basically thinks she’s losing her mind.
Little does she know, there is an entire world she has no idea exists and a side of herself she has yet to discover.
I LOVED the pacing in this book. I genuinely don’t think there was a dull moment or a point where I wasn’t entertained. And I loved every single one of these men.
Usually in a why-choose, there’s always one where I’m like, “Okay, I like you, but I don’t LOVE you.”
Nope.
I loved every single one of them and the uniqueness they each bring to the story. They’re all absolutely obsessed with Haven right out of the gate, even if Ezra is a little more pulled back and denying his feelings.
And I cannot WAIT until that man breaks.
Of course he’s my favorite. I have a type, okay? And it’s usually the grumpy one in charge. I’m just a girl (who can be very predictable. 😂)
Another HUGE bonus is how perfect this book feels for fall. It was exactly the kind of book I had been looking for and it scratched every single itch I had while still feeling really unique. And the fact that this is set in Ipswich, Massachusetts and You can FEEL the Salem vibes. The witchy history, the atmosphere, the old-world feel… it was basically made for spooky season.
We all know there are a LOT of paranormal why-choose books out there, so when I find something that actually feels fresh and different, I am HERE FOR IT. I’ve never read a book about a coven of male witches quite like this, and I thought that was such a cool twist.
And I just KNOW there is so much backstory left to uncover. There is so much mystery surrounding this story that we haven’t even begun to figure out yet. But this was such a solid book one because it gave me enough to keep me completely invested without giving away all of the big reveals.
It left me with SO many questions and desperately wanting more, which is exactly what I want from the first book in a series.
And although this book wasn’t super spicy, there was ONE scene that had me actually foaming at the mouth. I was like, “FUCK. This is GOOD.”
I am still thinking about it.
And that’s how I know the spice in this series is about to be fucking immaculate. I can already tell it’s going to be so well done and so well written, and I am READY.
I don’t even know when the next book comes out, but I might have to get on my knees and beg for it.
And I am NOT above that.
This book had everything I wanted the atmosphere, the plot, the characters, the banter, the mystery, the forbidden romance, the dark academia vibes, and a coven of hot male witches.
This shit was SO insanely good.
Now excuse me while I go stare at the wall and think about The Sons of Salem until the next book comes out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 8, 2026Another DNF @ 26% 😭
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and probably my last. I picked this up because it was a Why Choose, but the writing style is not my favorite. I’m struggling with the insta lust, the info dumps, and the stiff dialogue. If you like fast paced romance, you might like this.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and probably my last. I picked this up because it was a Why Choose, but the writing style is not my favorite. I’m struggling with the insta lust, the info dumps, and the stiff dialogue. If you like fast paced romance, you might like this.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
October 29, 2026
I had such a great time with this one for most of the book! It gave me all the spooky, gothic, dark academia vibes. The Salem brothers become obsessed with her and fiercely protective, and there was plenty of great banter and tension. But somewhere around the 80% mark, the story started to fall flat for me. I lost interest and realized I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I wanted to be and the romance was EHhhh.
I really enjoyed the audiobook, though! Having different narrators for each of the MMCs was a nice touch and added to the experience.
I really enjoyed the audiobook, though! Having different narrators for each of the MMCs was a nice touch and added to the experience.
June 10, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
This book has all the dark academia, spooky Sabrina witchy vibes, but with four super hot men who all want her. I’m so obsessed!
Haven’s story is actually so sad. After losing her parents and being stuck with a selfish aunt, I was really hoping she would fit in at her new school. Turns out that wasn’t an issue. I was hooked by the ever present threats to her life from being chased by monsters, the nightmares, and feeling of being stalked.
She ends up meeting 4 different men who are all from old money families in the town. They are reclusive but the tea is they sometimes like to share. Each guy had his own moments with her, filled with the slow burn tension I absolutely live for. They all had different skills and magical abilities. I was literally laughing out loud during Haven’s date with Lyall.
The slow burning intimacy was sooo good! I wish it had happened a little sooner in the book, but that’s only because the tension was so good.
With her life constantly being threatened, she finds herself relying on the guys. I really enjoyed watching Haven learn more about magic. I do wish we had gotten more from her dad’s point of view. I heard their side of the story, I wish I knew his.
The ending had my jaw on the floor! I was expecting literally anything else. But yessss!! It was so good! I need the next book in this series ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has all the dark academia, spooky Sabrina witchy vibes, but with four super hot men who all want her. I’m so obsessed!
Haven’s story is actually so sad. After losing her parents and being stuck with a selfish aunt, I was really hoping she would fit in at her new school. Turns out that wasn’t an issue. I was hooked by the ever present threats to her life from being chased by monsters, the nightmares, and feeling of being stalked.
She ends up meeting 4 different men who are all from old money families in the town. They are reclusive but the tea is they sometimes like to share. Each guy had his own moments with her, filled with the slow burn tension I absolutely live for. They all had different skills and magical abilities. I was literally laughing out loud during Haven’s date with Lyall.
The slow burning intimacy was sooo good! I wish it had happened a little sooner in the book, but that’s only because the tension was so good.
With her life constantly being threatened, she finds herself relying on the guys. I really enjoyed watching Haven learn more about magic. I do wish we had gotten more from her dad’s point of view. I heard their side of the story, I wish I knew his.
The ending had my jaw on the floor! I was expecting literally anything else. But yessss!! It was so good! I need the next book in this series ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔 (I’m assuming more is coming in later books?)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (It was decent!)
Romance: 💞💞💞 (I wasn’t strongly feeling it but I’m assuming it will evolve over the course of the series)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person from all 5 mains
More character focused or plot focused? plot? Maybe character? It’s kind of weird because not a TON happened but I also don’t feel like I know anyone super well...more of like day to day conversations and things...
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: it varies for each main – Haven and Cameron meet somewhat soon in
Cliffhanger: Yes! This will end on a cliffhanger with what feels like relationships beginning. (It’s not a tragic ending or anything, just super incomplete feeling)
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: It looked interesting on NetGalley so I decided to pick it up
Mains: Haven Warwell, Ezra Bishop, Cameron Goode, Lyall Corey and Reyes Scott – This is a polyamorous relationship that is starting between these mains – it’s not fully developed by the end of book 1. I am not sure if they are all cishet mains? I know some of the hero’s ‘shared’ in a relationship but assumed it was heterosexual?
Audiobook available (as of posting)? Yes, narrated by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Smoke’s Sons of Salem series, but yes read in order as this ends on a cliffhanger and you will want the background for book 2.
Basic plot:
Haven isn’t aware of what her father’s particular ties are with Ipswich College but she’s relieved to be out from under the thumb of her manipulative aunt and recruited there. But the College is mysterious. She’s drawn to Cameron and dreaming of Reyes – and Lyall is pursuing her while Ezra is protecting her from things she doesn’t understand...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary paranormal romance
- Salem, MA setting
- set up for a why choose / polyamorous relationship between a heroine and four heroes
- witches, shifters, magic and other realm creatures
- heroine has heterochromia
- dark academy setting – Ipswich College
- you want a slower burn and mysterious series that will evolve over more than 1 book
- lower steam – I believe there’s only 1 full scene in this book towards the very end (and it is only a M/F scene so if you are looking for the M/F/M/M/M scenes it will not be in this story)
Ages:
- Haven is 18 (19 in a few months) – this all takes place at a college so I’m assuming all mains are late teens to very early 20s
First line:
The front gates of Ipswich College look like the open mouth of a monster.
My thoughts:
This was a bit of a trial for me to read – I’m not sure if it was because it was slower than I was expecting or if I had a bit of a writing disconnect. I did like some parts. I am a bit curious about how it’s going to play out – I don’t know if I’d read the next book but I would consider grabbing the audio if I saw it at my library or something!
I liked the set up overall for this one. It’s mysterious – there’s hints of magic and other realm creatures. Haven doesn’t understand herself or her powers – only that bad luck and weird happenings have followed her for years. She doesn’t understand her father’s ties to this college, but it’s already feeling like home to her.
I overall liked all the heroes – I think I wanted to know them all a bit better by the end of the first book? The book seemed to have a lot of focus on….daily happenings? Some remembrances for the heroine of her past, but mostly conversations and interactions as they were happening. But nothing much really happened in the book either. So I think I was just a bit frustrated with how stagnant it felt for me? But I am left a bit curious about the rest of the story.
It does feel a bit like instalust for some of the mains but overall I liked the tension building. There wasn’t a lot of sex in this one, just kisses until the end and I think that helped it build over the course of the book.
I was a bit annoyed with the heroine and her just outright denial of accepting any kind of paranormal explanation for anything – with her visions and fears, with her experiencing the things she has, with her feeling different her whole life and having unexplainable things happen to her I was like super side eyeing her that she’s finally handed an explanation on a platter and she’s like….no.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔 (I’m assuming more is coming in later books?)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (It was decent!)
Romance: 💞💞💞 (I wasn’t strongly feeling it but I’m assuming it will evolve over the course of the series)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person from all 5 mains
More character focused or plot focused? plot? Maybe character? It’s kind of weird because not a TON happened but I also don’t feel like I know anyone super well...more of like day to day conversations and things...
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: it varies for each main – Haven and Cameron meet somewhat soon in
Cliffhanger: Yes! This will end on a cliffhanger with what feels like relationships beginning. (It’s not a tragic ending or anything, just super incomplete feeling)
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: It looked interesting on NetGalley so I decided to pick it up
Mains: Haven Warwell, Ezra Bishop, Cameron Goode, Lyall Corey and Reyes Scott – This is a polyamorous relationship that is starting between these mains – it’s not fully developed by the end of book 1. I am not sure if they are all cishet mains? I know some of the hero’s ‘shared’ in a relationship but assumed it was heterosexual?
Audiobook available (as of posting)? Yes, narrated by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Smoke’s Sons of Salem series, but yes read in order as this ends on a cliffhanger and you will want the background for book 2.
Basic plot:
Haven isn’t aware of what her father’s particular ties are with Ipswich College but she’s relieved to be out from under the thumb of her manipulative aunt and recruited there. But the College is mysterious. She’s drawn to Cameron and dreaming of Reyes – and Lyall is pursuing her while Ezra is protecting her from things she doesn’t understand...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary paranormal romance
- Salem, MA setting
- set up for a why choose / polyamorous relationship between a heroine and four heroes
- witches, shifters, magic and other realm creatures
- heroine has heterochromia
- dark academy setting – Ipswich College
- you want a slower burn and mysterious series that will evolve over more than 1 book
- lower steam – I believe there’s only 1 full scene in this book towards the very end (and it is only a M/F scene so if you are looking for the M/F/M/M/M scenes it will not be in this story)
Ages:
- Haven is 18 (19 in a few months) – this all takes place at a college so I’m assuming all mains are late teens to very early 20s
First line:
The front gates of Ipswich College look like the open mouth of a monster.
My thoughts:
This was a bit of a trial for me to read – I’m not sure if it was because it was slower than I was expecting or if I had a bit of a writing disconnect. I did like some parts. I am a bit curious about how it’s going to play out – I don’t know if I’d read the next book but I would consider grabbing the audio if I saw it at my library or something!
I liked the set up overall for this one. It’s mysterious – there’s hints of magic and other realm creatures. Haven doesn’t understand herself or her powers – only that bad luck and weird happenings have followed her for years. She doesn’t understand her father’s ties to this college, but it’s already feeling like home to her.
I overall liked all the heroes – I think I wanted to know them all a bit better by the end of the first book? The book seemed to have a lot of focus on….daily happenings? Some remembrances for the heroine of her past, but mostly conversations and interactions as they were happening. But nothing much really happened in the book either. So I think I was just a bit frustrated with how stagnant it felt for me? But I am left a bit curious about the rest of the story.
It does feel a bit like instalust for some of the mains but overall I liked the tension building. There wasn’t a lot of sex in this one, just kisses until the end and I think that helped it build over the course of the book.
I was a bit annoyed with the heroine and her just outright denial of accepting any kind of paranormal explanation for anything – with her visions and fears, with her experiencing the things she has, with her feeling different her whole life and having unexplainable things happen to her I was like super side eyeing her that she’s finally handed an explanation on a platter and she’s like….no.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
October 22, 2026
**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** ℌ𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴𝔢𝔡 𝔅𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔰 𝔟𝔶 𝔏𝔲𝔠𝔶 𝔖𝔪𝔬𝔨𝔢 (𝔖𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔖𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔪 #1)
Release Day: October 6, 2026
4⭐️4.5🌶
This is such an enchanting spin on the Sons of Ipswich story. Haven is a young female witch who has had her magic suppressed all of her life. But when her parents die and her uncaring Aunt drops her off at Ipswich College, she has a rude awakening to her magical powers, and the Sons of Ipswich, who have never met a female witch cannot keep there eyes or hands off of her.
Minor Spoilers Ahead:
Haven Wardwell is still very much mourning the death of her two parents and she's always been shuffled from school to school because of all the unexplained tragedies that happen around her. Her Aunt took her in after her parents deaths' long enough to appear "proper", but dropped her off at Ipswich College as soon as was humanly possible.
Haven's parents had been patrons of Ipswich College for a long time; however, she never understood why, because her father never speak or learn about magic or anything surrounding magic. Ipswich College agreed that they would take Haven as a student without having to pay tuition, because of her parents many generous donations.
Haven is trying to re-start her life, and learn what she even wants to do with her life when the four Sons of Ipswich keep coming into her life. Ezra Bishop, Cameron Good, Reyes "Ree" Scott, and Lyall Corey have all lived in and around Ipswich/Salem their entire lives, and have known from a young age that they would develop magical powers. When Haven arrives on campus, they each have a pull towards her and suspect that she is a female witch (the first they've ever seen due to the generations long curse on their families.
They realize that she has no idea about who or what she is, so they agree to try and sus her out and break her into the idea gently. However, she seems to be wielding her powers unknowingly and summoning creatures from the Veil into the Mortal Realm.
This was such a fun and fast Dark Acadamia, Gothic Vibes, with a Reverse Harem to boot. Highly recommend for all fans of Dark Acadamia and plenty of spice.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Why Choose / Polyamorous Romance
🍁Reverse Harem
🍁Dark Academia
🍁The "Chosen One" / Rare Legacy
🍁Touch Her and Die
🍁Forced Proximity & Bound by Fate
🍁Enemies to Lovers / Bully Romance elements
🍁Generational Curses and Legacy
🍁Power Dynamics and Autonomy
🍁Found Family Amid Morally Gray Alliances
🍁The Coexistence of Magic and Horror
TW:
✨Violence & Graphic Gore
✨Death of a Parent & Grief
✨Murder & Character Death
✨Self-Harm
✨Stalking & Manipulation
✨Domestic Violence (Referenced)
✨Fire / Fire Injuries
✨Explicit Sexual Content
Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC copy!
#hallowedbones #lucysmoke #arcreview #netgalley
Release Day: October 6, 2026
4⭐️4.5🌶
This is such an enchanting spin on the Sons of Ipswich story. Haven is a young female witch who has had her magic suppressed all of her life. But when her parents die and her uncaring Aunt drops her off at Ipswich College, she has a rude awakening to her magical powers, and the Sons of Ipswich, who have never met a female witch cannot keep there eyes or hands off of her.
Minor Spoilers Ahead:
Haven Wardwell is still very much mourning the death of her two parents and she's always been shuffled from school to school because of all the unexplained tragedies that happen around her. Her Aunt took her in after her parents deaths' long enough to appear "proper", but dropped her off at Ipswich College as soon as was humanly possible.
Haven's parents had been patrons of Ipswich College for a long time; however, she never understood why, because her father never speak or learn about magic or anything surrounding magic. Ipswich College agreed that they would take Haven as a student without having to pay tuition, because of her parents many generous donations.
Haven is trying to re-start her life, and learn what she even wants to do with her life when the four Sons of Ipswich keep coming into her life. Ezra Bishop, Cameron Good, Reyes "Ree" Scott, and Lyall Corey have all lived in and around Ipswich/Salem their entire lives, and have known from a young age that they would develop magical powers. When Haven arrives on campus, they each have a pull towards her and suspect that she is a female witch (the first they've ever seen due to the generations long curse on their families.
They realize that she has no idea about who or what she is, so they agree to try and sus her out and break her into the idea gently. However, she seems to be wielding her powers unknowingly and summoning creatures from the Veil into the Mortal Realm.
This was such a fun and fast Dark Acadamia, Gothic Vibes, with a Reverse Harem to boot. Highly recommend for all fans of Dark Acadamia and plenty of spice.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Why Choose / Polyamorous Romance
🍁Reverse Harem
🍁Dark Academia
🍁The "Chosen One" / Rare Legacy
🍁Touch Her and Die
🍁Forced Proximity & Bound by Fate
🍁Enemies to Lovers / Bully Romance elements
🍁Generational Curses and Legacy
🍁Power Dynamics and Autonomy
🍁Found Family Amid Morally Gray Alliances
🍁The Coexistence of Magic and Horror
TW:
✨Violence & Graphic Gore
✨Death of a Parent & Grief
✨Murder & Character Death
✨Self-Harm
✨Stalking & Manipulation
✨Domestic Violence (Referenced)
✨Fire / Fire Injuries
✨Explicit Sexual Content
Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC copy!
#hallowedbones #lucysmoke #arcreview #netgalley
October 7, 2026
Hallowed Bones by Lucy Smoke
Sons of Salem series #1. Romantasy. Witches and wolves. Why-choose. 1st person alternating POV. Cliffhanger.
Haven Wardwell is left at Ipswich College by her guardian as soon as she turns eighteen. She learns about the four Sons of Salem and is warned to avoid them but they seek her out. She’s destined to be their priestess, the first female in 300 years for the cursed families.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated with a full cast. Main Characters are performed by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter while they all do voices for others in their POV. Chapters are labeled for each POV and the narrator for that character performs the full chapter. Haven / Sarah has the bulk of this first book in the series.
All the performances are compelling with emotions clearly heard. Definitely the preferred format for this story.
Haven has a lot to learn and the men are all willing to be whatever she needs. Why choose? She’s still learning about them and they her.
Mostly back ground and setup as she learns she’s a witch and what that means.
A lot of questions yet to be answered. Cliffhanger just as the first steamy relationships begins.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan audio.
Sons of Salem series #1. Romantasy. Witches and wolves. Why-choose. 1st person alternating POV. Cliffhanger.
Haven Wardwell is left at Ipswich College by her guardian as soon as she turns eighteen. She learns about the four Sons of Salem and is warned to avoid them but they seek her out. She’s destined to be their priestess, the first female in 300 years for the cursed families.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated with a full cast. Main Characters are performed by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter while they all do voices for others in their POV. Chapters are labeled for each POV and the narrator for that character performs the full chapter. Haven / Sarah has the bulk of this first book in the series.
All the performances are compelling with emotions clearly heard. Definitely the preferred format for this story.
Haven has a lot to learn and the men are all willing to be whatever she needs. Why choose? She’s still learning about them and they her.
Mostly back ground and setup as she learns she’s a witch and what that means.
A lot of questions yet to be answered. Cliffhanger just as the first steamy relationships begins.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan audio.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark academia, witches, why choose, and unique magic? There was a lot here that worked for me!
Hallowed Bones is definitely a series introduction. We’re learning the world, Haven, all four MMCs, and the magic system...and that is a lot to pack into one book. I really enjoyed that each character has their own unique magic, and I’m excited to see how those abilities develop as the series continues. I do wish we had gotten a little more detail about each one, but I’m hoping that is still to come.
This one is definitely for the insta-lust readers! I struggled a little with forming an emotional connection to the characters, but I was completely invested in figuring out what was going on with Haven. Every answer seemed to give me even more questions, which is a great way to keep me hooked. I binged this because I needed to know what was happening!
There are a lot of different POVs, but it worked. Each character truly has their own personality, and that came through clearly. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did an excellent job. I especially liked having a different narrator for each main character, although it is dual narration rather than duet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It has a lot of potential and was a solid start to what could be a very fun series!
Hallowed Bones is definitely a series introduction. We’re learning the world, Haven, all four MMCs, and the magic system...and that is a lot to pack into one book. I really enjoyed that each character has their own unique magic, and I’m excited to see how those abilities develop as the series continues. I do wish we had gotten a little more detail about each one, but I’m hoping that is still to come.
This one is definitely for the insta-lust readers! I struggled a little with forming an emotional connection to the characters, but I was completely invested in figuring out what was going on with Haven. Every answer seemed to give me even more questions, which is a great way to keep me hooked. I binged this because I needed to know what was happening!
There are a lot of different POVs, but it worked. Each character truly has their own personality, and that came through clearly. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did an excellent job. I especially liked having a different narrator for each main character, although it is dual narration rather than duet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It has a lot of potential and was a solid start to what could be a very fun series!
October 15, 2026
"𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦."
The perfect read for spooky season! If you love gothic atmospheres, Salem history, dark academia, secret magical societies, and a spicy why-choose romance, this one needs to be on your TBR!
I did an immersive audio/eyeball read, and the narration was FANTASTIC! Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino, and Stephen Dexter each brought their characters to life beautifully and transported me straight to Ipswich College.They captured the different personalities and vibes perfectly, and the emotional delivery made it so easy to picture the scenes and feel everything alongside the characters… They definitely elevated the reading experience for me!
The gothic vibes, witchcraft, and historical ties to the Salem witch trials immediately pulled me in. Haven is such a complex FMC, and her trauma really bleeds through the pages. The chemistry with the Sons of Salem hits from the beginning, and the longing, desire, and tension had me hooked. I loved their different vibes and especially loved that I didn't have to choose my favorite.
This was my first book by Lucy and it certainly will NOT be the last! The world-building, magic, morally gray MCs, and spicy tension was everything I love in my books, and I can’t wait for the next!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨:
Paranormal Romance
Why Choose?
Dark Academia
Gothic Suspense
Secret Magical Societies
Morally Gray MCs
Forced Proximity
Witches & Covens
Cursed Bloodlines
Possessive and Protective MMCs
Hidden Powers
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦.”
The perfect read for spooky season! If you love gothic atmospheres, Salem history, dark academia, secret magical societies, and a spicy why-choose romance, this one needs to be on your TBR!
I did an immersive audio/eyeball read, and the narration was FANTASTIC! Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino, and Stephen Dexter each brought their characters to life beautifully and transported me straight to Ipswich College.They captured the different personalities and vibes perfectly, and the emotional delivery made it so easy to picture the scenes and feel everything alongside the characters… They definitely elevated the reading experience for me!
The gothic vibes, witchcraft, and historical ties to the Salem witch trials immediately pulled me in. Haven is such a complex FMC, and her trauma really bleeds through the pages. The chemistry with the Sons of Salem hits from the beginning, and the longing, desire, and tension had me hooked. I loved their different vibes and especially loved that I didn't have to choose my favorite.
This was my first book by Lucy and it certainly will NOT be the last! The world-building, magic, morally gray MCs, and spicy tension was everything I love in my books, and I can’t wait for the next!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨:
Paranormal Romance
Why Choose?
Dark Academia
Gothic Suspense
Secret Magical Societies
Morally Gray MCs
Forced Proximity
Witches & Covens
Cursed Bloodlines
Possessive and Protective MMCs
Hidden Powers
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦.”
September 25, 2026
First thank you so so much to the author, Netgalley, St. Martins Press, and Macmillan audio for the ALC of this book!
Let me start by saying this book was really enjoyable. Such an engrossing book. I loved the plot! The narration was perfection. Corvin King is a narrator that I love so it was so awesome to have him as one of the narrators. All of the narrators did so well and I could not only picture the scenes with such clarity but I could feel the emotion of the characters so deeply. I think the narrators honestly made me love the story even more.
A spicy why choose book with an academy setting, with secret societies and a badass FMC sign me up. The sons of Salem are not one, not two, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR male witches. Absolutely sign me up! Who doesn’t love four hot broody male witches and you don’t have to choose!
I thought the ties to the Salem witch trials added a lot of depth to the story. I really really enjoyed the plot and while there were parts that I found to be a little slow the mysterious vibes kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
If you like dark academia, why choose, and witches I definitely recommend you give this one a try!
Tropes and themes:
Fantasy
Dark academia
Why choose
Insta lust
4 male witches
Salem witch trials
Let me start by saying this book was really enjoyable. Such an engrossing book. I loved the plot! The narration was perfection. Corvin King is a narrator that I love so it was so awesome to have him as one of the narrators. All of the narrators did so well and I could not only picture the scenes with such clarity but I could feel the emotion of the characters so deeply. I think the narrators honestly made me love the story even more.
A spicy why choose book with an academy setting, with secret societies and a badass FMC sign me up. The sons of Salem are not one, not two, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR male witches. Absolutely sign me up! Who doesn’t love four hot broody male witches and you don’t have to choose!
I thought the ties to the Salem witch trials added a lot of depth to the story. I really really enjoyed the plot and while there were parts that I found to be a little slow the mysterious vibes kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
If you like dark academia, why choose, and witches I definitely recommend you give this one a try!
Tropes and themes:
Fantasy
Dark academia
Why choose
Insta lust
4 male witches
Salem witch trials
October 21, 2026
A why choose with witches, a cursed coven, dark academia setting and sooo many secrets = a perfect October read. Had SO much fun with this!!! Can’t wait for book 2
Did Not Finish
September 30, 2026dnf @ 40% ..
i love why choose books obviously, so the thought of all the characters being witches really caught my attention. the book itself so far has been very slow, with too much insta lust and stale characterization though. maybe i might come back to this at some point with the audio instead, but right now i just don’t care to continue.
—— thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i love why choose books obviously, so the thought of all the characters being witches really caught my attention. the book itself so far has been very slow, with too much insta lust and stale characterization though. maybe i might come back to this at some point with the audio instead, but right now i just don’t care to continue.
—— thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
October 13, 2026
Thank you St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio for the gifted book and audio.
Hallowed Bones is a perfect, spooky time of the year read featuring a paranormal, witchy why choose in a dark academia setting. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read, and by the end of it, I NEEDED A TALL GLASS OF WATER. Damn, lucy. That was hot.
The book also delivered on some horror elements that I think really contributed to reading it during October. Four male witches become immediately entranced by the new girl at school (college). They suspect she’s also a witch, but she believes in no such thing. This first book is mostly them convincing her she’s a witch and that she needs help controlling her powers.
I found that I loved all of the male characters, but they needed something extra to add a dimension to each of their personalities. While the setting is dark, the main characters are not red flags as you would suspect in a dark book, and I think that made it hard to distinguish between them as their own characters.
Overall though, I enjoyed this book and am certain I will enjoy the next book even more!
I did audio for most of this book and thoroughly loved the narrating cast! Pacing was great, and I was impressed with how easy it was for me to distinguish each character's voice.
Hallowed Bones is a perfect, spooky time of the year read featuring a paranormal, witchy why choose in a dark academia setting. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read, and by the end of it, I NEEDED A TALL GLASS OF WATER. Damn, lucy. That was hot.
The book also delivered on some horror elements that I think really contributed to reading it during October. Four male witches become immediately entranced by the new girl at school (college). They suspect she’s also a witch, but she believes in no such thing. This first book is mostly them convincing her she’s a witch and that she needs help controlling her powers.
I found that I loved all of the male characters, but they needed something extra to add a dimension to each of their personalities. While the setting is dark, the main characters are not red flags as you would suspect in a dark book, and I think that made it hard to distinguish between them as their own characters.
Overall though, I enjoyed this book and am certain I will enjoy the next book even more!
I did audio for most of this book and thoroughly loved the narrating cast! Pacing was great, and I was impressed with how easy it was for me to distinguish each character's voice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“For those who stopped asking for permission and started lighting matches. May your feral independence burn bright enough to be historically inconvenient”
What if you didn’t know you were a witch to a sexy coven- trauma/nightmare edition!
💜 Witches/ Coven
✨ Dark Why Choose
💜 Dream Walking
✨ Slow Burn
💜 Spooky Season Essential
Hallowed Bones has a fascinating magic system and world building that had me devouring every detail about the world. This book got me into the fall spooky season with witches, a gothic paranormal setting, cursed bloodlines and hot witches.
Out FMC Haven is drenched in grief and isolation after her parents death and when she gets accepted at Ipswich College, starts to learn there was a lot more her parents had kept from her. Learning along with Haven, the secrets and mysteries had me on the edge of my seat. I love that this started as a slow burn as it allowed us to get to know the Son’s of Salem, and be properly introduced to their world.
This paranormal why choose starts as a slow burn, making the banter delicious and had me cheering on the characters. It’s hard to find a why choose where I love all the men and Lyall, Cameron & Reyes were instant favourites for me. I can’t wait to see Ezra’s brooding man routine break to complete attraction and maybe even obsession?
One of my favourite parts was the dream walking and otherworldly creatures that make an appearance (or two). Can it be called dream walking if it just feels like nightmare fuel? The different witch classifications, bloodlines and curses were fascinating and I can’t wait for the rest of the series to uncover every little detail.
The multicast performances by the narrators was incredible with a full cast of certified pro’s that of course don’t disappoint. Sarah Sampino, Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Stephen Dexter and Michael Norman Johnson brought the characters to life and I BEG them all to return for book 2.
I can’t wait to follow along the series, learn more about the world itself and watch the romantic entanglements that four hot witch men bring with them - sexy coven style.
ALC thank you Netgalley 💜
What if you didn’t know you were a witch to a sexy coven- trauma/nightmare edition!
💜 Witches/ Coven
✨ Dark Why Choose
💜 Dream Walking
✨ Slow Burn
💜 Spooky Season Essential
Hallowed Bones has a fascinating magic system and world building that had me devouring every detail about the world. This book got me into the fall spooky season with witches, a gothic paranormal setting, cursed bloodlines and hot witches.
Out FMC Haven is drenched in grief and isolation after her parents death and when she gets accepted at Ipswich College, starts to learn there was a lot more her parents had kept from her. Learning along with Haven, the secrets and mysteries had me on the edge of my seat. I love that this started as a slow burn as it allowed us to get to know the Son’s of Salem, and be properly introduced to their world.
This paranormal why choose starts as a slow burn, making the banter delicious and had me cheering on the characters. It’s hard to find a why choose where I love all the men and Lyall, Cameron & Reyes were instant favourites for me. I can’t wait to see Ezra’s brooding man routine break to complete attraction and maybe even obsession?
One of my favourite parts was the dream walking and otherworldly creatures that make an appearance (or two). Can it be called dream walking if it just feels like nightmare fuel? The different witch classifications, bloodlines and curses were fascinating and I can’t wait for the rest of the series to uncover every little detail.
The multicast performances by the narrators was incredible with a full cast of certified pro’s that of course don’t disappoint. Sarah Sampino, Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Stephen Dexter and Michael Norman Johnson brought the characters to life and I BEG them all to return for book 2.
I can’t wait to follow along the series, learn more about the world itself and watch the romantic entanglements that four hot witch men bring with them - sexy coven style.
ALC thank you Netgalley 💜
October 6, 2026
Such a captivating dark paranormal romance! I wanted to read this book at first because of the why choose trope. But I was so wrong to think that would be the main reason I’d love it because I absolutely loved this story. This is the perfect book for witchy and dark academia lovers.
I still have so many questions because it felt like a big introduction to the story. We have murders and the mysterious pasts of the Sons of Salem’s parents, as well as Haven’s parents. But that’s exactly what made it so addictive because I desperately wanted to know what happened.
And I loved how the why choose romance was a real slow burn. It’s kind of a fast-paced romance with some of the characters, but when it comes to the why choose romance, it’s truly a slow burn, and I didn’t expect that at all. It was such a big surprise! I loved all the characters, but I definitely have a preference for Lyall and Ezra. They are so intriguing, and we don’t know much about them yet. But the FMC has chemistry with every man, and that’s what we love!!
I’m definitely going to read the sequel when it comes out because I did not expect that ending. I was so immersed in the book that I didn’t even realize I had already finished it. I want more!!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Lucy Smoke, and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review 🤍
I still have so many questions because it felt like a big introduction to the story. We have murders and the mysterious pasts of the Sons of Salem’s parents, as well as Haven’s parents. But that’s exactly what made it so addictive because I desperately wanted to know what happened.
And I loved how the why choose romance was a real slow burn. It’s kind of a fast-paced romance with some of the characters, but when it comes to the why choose romance, it’s truly a slow burn, and I didn’t expect that at all. It was such a big surprise! I loved all the characters, but I definitely have a preference for Lyall and Ezra. They are so intriguing, and we don’t know much about them yet. But the FMC has chemistry with every man, and that’s what we love!!
I’m definitely going to read the sequel when it comes out because I did not expect that ending. I was so immersed in the book that I didn’t even realize I had already finished it. I want more!!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Lucy Smoke, and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review 🤍
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC!
This book kept me hooked until the end; I couldn't put it down. The only thing that slightly ruined the experience for me was that I had no idea it was a Why Choose book. If it weren't for the "I want 4 boys at the same time," I would have loved it more (sorry, I'm a hopeless romantic). But that is my personal opinion, and now that I've finished the book, I understand the reason behind it.
In the beginning, it felt like if Beautiful Creatures and Fallen had a baby, it would be this book. You have a mysterious, dark academia setting with a group of rich boys pinning over the new girl at school. But on every page, you can feel a dark turn coming. Something lurking in the shadows. Lucy Smoke was fantastic at creating tension, with very interesting characters and gripping writing. The ending got me by surprise; what a fantastic twist. This feels like a very well-constructed start of a series, setting the tone and letting the monsters take form. Definitely a book worth your time if you enjoy witches, dark academia, and, of course, gorgeous boys pinning over one girl.
This book kept me hooked until the end; I couldn't put it down. The only thing that slightly ruined the experience for me was that I had no idea it was a Why Choose book. If it weren't for the "I want 4 boys at the same time," I would have loved it more (sorry, I'm a hopeless romantic). But that is my personal opinion, and now that I've finished the book, I understand the reason behind it.
In the beginning, it felt like if Beautiful Creatures and Fallen had a baby, it would be this book. You have a mysterious, dark academia setting with a group of rich boys pinning over the new girl at school. But on every page, you can feel a dark turn coming. Something lurking in the shadows. Lucy Smoke was fantastic at creating tension, with very interesting characters and gripping writing. The ending got me by surprise; what a fantastic twist. This feels like a very well-constructed start of a series, setting the tone and letting the monsters take form. Definitely a book worth your time if you enjoy witches, dark academia, and, of course, gorgeous boys pinning over one girl.
September 17, 2026
Thanks to the author narrator and publishers for my arc and alc.
For starters the narrators did a fantastic job! Was really glad to see each character had their own voice actor that def makes it so much more immersive.
This is dark academia in setting only… it’s insta lust and at times a little cringy … stop your ass right there or lll spank it .??? Personally just not for me.
What I really really enjoyed was how much this reminded me of the movie the Covenant. I’ll probably read book tow for that reason alone.
For starters the narrators did a fantastic job! Was really glad to see each character had their own voice actor that def makes it so much more immersive.
This is dark academia in setting only… it’s insta lust and at times a little cringy … stop your ass right there or lll spank it .??? Personally just not for me.
What I really really enjoyed was how much this reminded me of the movie the Covenant. I’ll probably read book tow for that reason alone.
August 31, 2026
I have no idea if the movie The Covenant inspired this book or not but it gives me the same vibes and I was obsessed!
The FMC has had some weird experiences after her parents passed way. Once she's able to attend college she's invited to a mysterious college in Ipswich. Here she finds herself drawn to the elusive Son's of Salem. Legacies.. but also witches. She finds herself whisked into a secret society, magic, and spirits who mean to do harm.
This book was so atmospheric! I loved every character and this was a slow burnnn! The end ahhh I can't wait for the next book.
I did an immersive read with this one and it hit. The narrators did such an amazing job!
Thank you to Macmillan audio and St. Martin's Press for the gifted ebook and audiobook!
The FMC has had some weird experiences after her parents passed way. Once she's able to attend college she's invited to a mysterious college in Ipswich. Here she finds herself drawn to the elusive Son's of Salem. Legacies.. but also witches. She finds herself whisked into a secret society, magic, and spirits who mean to do harm.
This book was so atmospheric! I loved every character and this was a slow burnnn! The end ahhh I can't wait for the next book.
I did an immersive read with this one and it hit. The narrators did such an amazing job!
Thank you to Macmillan audio and St. Martin's Press for the gifted ebook and audiobook!
Want to Read
June 8, 2026got the arc!! but now i'm scared cause of the reviews lol
September 18, 2026
3.5 stars
The story started out interesting with Haven being sent to a university in Salem, but I noticed very frequently throughout this book that I was thinking about other things, and the audiobook was having trouble keeping my attention.
I enjoyed the haunting dark academia vibes, and there is a bit of bully romance. It’s also marketed as a RH book, and I was expecting more romance, so that was a bit disappointing. But I’m sure there will be more in the next book.
There’s a lot of background knowledge that we don’t know (because the FMC is also in the dark) but it made some things confusing, and then I got to the point that I lost my enthusiasm for learning more.
I thought the narrators were good, and I appreciated having a full cast! I wish that would’ve helped me learn the guys names… but I still struggled remembering what name went with what backstory.
Thank you for the ALC through NetGalley
The story started out interesting with Haven being sent to a university in Salem, but I noticed very frequently throughout this book that I was thinking about other things, and the audiobook was having trouble keeping my attention.
I enjoyed the haunting dark academia vibes, and there is a bit of bully romance. It’s also marketed as a RH book, and I was expecting more romance, so that was a bit disappointing. But I’m sure there will be more in the next book.
There’s a lot of background knowledge that we don’t know (because the FMC is also in the dark) but it made some things confusing, and then I got to the point that I lost my enthusiasm for learning more.
I thought the narrators were good, and I appreciated having a full cast! I wish that would’ve helped me learn the guys names… but I still struggled remembering what name went with what backstory.
Thank you for the ALC through NetGalley
September 12, 2026
Obsessed. Roman Empire. Six Star Banger.
Hallowed Bones has it all… dark college set in Ipswich Massachusetts, neighbors of Salem home of the Salem Witch trials. Witches - four male witches to be exact. Gothic/Dark Vibes. Secrets and curses and more questions than answers.
And a cliffhanger that’ll curl your toes and make you gasp in shock.
Please read this book. I beg.
Hallowed Bones has it all… dark college set in Ipswich Massachusetts, neighbors of Salem home of the Salem Witch trials. Witches - four male witches to be exact. Gothic/Dark Vibes. Secrets and curses and more questions than answers.
And a cliffhanger that’ll curl your toes and make you gasp in shock.
Please read this book. I beg.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
I absolutely devoured this in one sitting! If you liked the 2006 movie, The Covenant, this one is for you!! I think it’s partially why I liked it so much, ‘cause it gave me nostalgia. It was like getting an adult expanded edition- the R rated, instead of the PG-13 from 2006. & I don’t know if the easter eggs in the book were intentional but as someone who has watched the movie time and time again, I saw them! Examples:
✨in the book the mmcs are referred to as the Sons of Salem (in the movie it’s Sons of Ipswich).
✨Lyall drives a hummer (one of the mmcs in the movie drives a hummer).
✨There is mention of White Zombie playing on the radio (White Zombie is on the soundtrack of the movie!!).
✨There’s a shower scene in each that are a bit similar.
✨Lastly, the whole concept that if you use too much magic it can destroy/weaken you, and having a character to that effect (also the same as the movie).
I had so much fun reading this one. It was exactly what I was looking for to read. & look, I’m usually the first to say, a book doesn’t need to be 600 pages but tbh I would have gladly devoured an extra 200 pages of this one. I was left with so many questions (which felt intentional but still lol)!! I feel like we’re just skimming the surface and there is so much more to learn about not only the plot, but the characters too. All to say, this one left me wanting more, and that cliffhanger?! My jaw was on the floor.
All in all, I really enjoyed the writing, the plot, the characters, etc. This was my first read by the author and it certainly won’t be my last! If you’re looking for a fun witchy fall read - would def highly recommend!
Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the eARC!!
What to Expect:
✨Mystery
✨Cliffhanger
✨Multiple POV
✨Why Choose
✨Witches, Shifters, etc.
✨Academia Setting
2/5 🌶️
I absolutely devoured this in one sitting! If you liked the 2006 movie, The Covenant, this one is for you!! I think it’s partially why I liked it so much, ‘cause it gave me nostalgia. It was like getting an adult expanded edition- the R rated, instead of the PG-13 from 2006. & I don’t know if the easter eggs in the book were intentional but as someone who has watched the movie time and time again, I saw them! Examples:
✨in the book the mmcs are referred to as the Sons of Salem (in the movie it’s Sons of Ipswich).
✨Lyall drives a hummer (one of the mmcs in the movie drives a hummer).
✨There is mention of White Zombie playing on the radio (White Zombie is on the soundtrack of the movie!!).
✨There’s a shower scene in each that are a bit similar.
✨Lastly, the whole concept that if you use too much magic it can destroy/weaken you, and having a character to that effect (also the same as the movie).
I had so much fun reading this one. It was exactly what I was looking for to read. & look, I’m usually the first to say, a book doesn’t need to be 600 pages but tbh I would have gladly devoured an extra 200 pages of this one. I was left with so many questions (which felt intentional but still lol)!! I feel like we’re just skimming the surface and there is so much more to learn about not only the plot, but the characters too. All to say, this one left me wanting more, and that cliffhanger?! My jaw was on the floor.
All in all, I really enjoyed the writing, the plot, the characters, etc. This was my first read by the author and it certainly won’t be my last! If you’re looking for a fun witchy fall read - would def highly recommend!
Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the eARC!!
What to Expect:
✨Mystery
✨Cliffhanger
✨Multiple POV
✨Why Choose
✨Witches, Shifters, etc.
✨Academia Setting
June 3, 2026
This is an advanced reader copy given to me by Net Galley
This was my first Lucy Smoke book, and I can definitely see why so many people love her books. The gothic atmosphere, witchcraft, and coven storyline immediately pulled me in. There were a lot of interesting ideas throughout the story, and the Sons of Salem were exactly the kind of morally gray, attractive characters that make books like this so much fun. And that cliffhanger? It definitely made me want to pick up the next book.
One thing I really enjoyed was the insta-lust between the characters. I know some readers prefer a slow burn, but the instant attraction was exactly what I was in the mood for. It added a lot of tension and kept things exciting. The romance and spice definitely helped keep me invested in the story.
While there were a lot of things I enjoyed, the character development and dialogue didn’t always work for me. The multiple POVs sometimes made the story feel a little confusing, and because the focus was constantly shifting, I found it harder to connect with the characters.
Overall, I still enjoyed the book and can see a lot of potential in the series. The world-building, magic, gothic vibes, and chemistry between the characters were all strong points for me. It wasn’t a favorite, but I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens next.
This was my first Lucy Smoke book, and I can definitely see why so many people love her books. The gothic atmosphere, witchcraft, and coven storyline immediately pulled me in. There were a lot of interesting ideas throughout the story, and the Sons of Salem were exactly the kind of morally gray, attractive characters that make books like this so much fun. And that cliffhanger? It definitely made me want to pick up the next book.
One thing I really enjoyed was the insta-lust between the characters. I know some readers prefer a slow burn, but the instant attraction was exactly what I was in the mood for. It added a lot of tension and kept things exciting. The romance and spice definitely helped keep me invested in the story.
While there were a lot of things I enjoyed, the character development and dialogue didn’t always work for me. The multiple POVs sometimes made the story feel a little confusing, and because the focus was constantly shifting, I found it harder to connect with the characters.
Overall, I still enjoyed the book and can see a lot of potential in the series. The world-building, magic, gothic vibes, and chemistry between the characters were all strong points for me. It wasn’t a favorite, but I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens next.
July 14, 2026
3/5
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author Lucy Smoke for gifting me with this ARC to review!
I’m really in the middle with this book. I think it has potential but there were definitely some undeveloped aspects to the story.
Liked:
-why choose when you can have them all. 4 hot as sin men who want to be with you sounds like a very fun time (not in reality…that would be so draining 😂).
Lyall: sexy, wolf shifter/witch
Reyes: sexy, dream walker/witch
Cameron: sexy, bookish, witch
Ezra: sexy, brooding, blood witch (I wonder if he’s into knife play 🔪)
I have to say that Haven is one lucky girl 😏
-a curse you say? The Salem Coven has been cursed because of something their ancestors did and Haven is their only hope for redemption. The mystery surrounding how the coven ended up like this and how Haven is supposed to help them is left unanswered (at least for now).
Disliked:
-not a huge instalust fan. I’m totally fine with a character acknowledging that another character is hot, but panting after people for no other reason besides them being attractive isn’t my cup of tea.
-wish there was some more background on the void and its creatures. For the most part I think the plot was really geared towards setting up the romantic relationships then it was actually helping Haven with her powers and doing anything with that.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author Lucy Smoke for gifting me with this ARC to review!
I’m really in the middle with this book. I think it has potential but there were definitely some undeveloped aspects to the story.
Liked:
-why choose when you can have them all. 4 hot as sin men who want to be with you sounds like a very fun time (not in reality…that would be so draining 😂).
Lyall: sexy, wolf shifter/witch
Reyes: sexy, dream walker/witch
Cameron: sexy, bookish, witch
Ezra: sexy, brooding, blood witch (I wonder if he’s into knife play 🔪)
I have to say that Haven is one lucky girl 😏
-a curse you say? The Salem Coven has been cursed because of something their ancestors did and Haven is their only hope for redemption. The mystery surrounding how the coven ended up like this and how Haven is supposed to help them is left unanswered (at least for now).
Disliked:
-not a huge instalust fan. I’m totally fine with a character acknowledging that another character is hot, but panting after people for no other reason besides them being attractive isn’t my cup of tea.
-wish there was some more background on the void and its creatures. For the most part I think the plot was really geared towards setting up the romantic relationships then it was actually helping Haven with her powers and doing anything with that.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC
It was well written.
It has The Covenant vibes plus reverse harem.
I did find it hard to differentiate between the men. I do wish there had been more physical descriptions for them.
The cliffhanger was a surprise. Will definitely read the second in the series.
It was well written.
It has The Covenant vibes plus reverse harem.
I did find it hard to differentiate between the men. I do wish there had been more physical descriptions for them.
The cliffhanger was a surprise. Will definitely read the second in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Haven gets to college, starts dreaming about one of four deeply suspicious men before she even properly knows him, and somehow that is not the biggest indication that Ipswich College has a catastrophic orientation program.
Haven Wardwell arrives at Ipswich thinking she is finally getting out from under her aunt and starting a normal college life, which is adorable because the front gates basically look like they want to eat her. Weird things have followed Haven for years, she has no idea what her dead father’s connection to this place actually was, and within approximately five minutes she is dealing with nightmares, things stalking her, magical nonsense nobody wants to explain properly, and four men from old Salem families who keep appearing around her like the world’s hottest neighborhood watch.
And these MEN. Ezra Bishop, Cameron Goode, Lyall Corey, and Reyes Scott all come with their own flavor of “you should probably stay away from me,” while making absolutely no effort to behave like men who would like Haven to stay away from them. Cameron has the bookish thing happening. Lyall has enough confidence for several people and calls her rabbit. Reyes is literally showing up in her dreams before Haven understands what that means. Ezra spends a lot of time brooding and protecting her like somebody appointed him chairman of the Haven Wardwell Safety Committee without telling Haven. Sir, she has questions. So do I.
Haven, meanwhile, spends an impressive amount of time insisting there must be a rational explanation for everything. Girl, you are having visions. Monsters are showing up. You have felt different your entire life. Men are explaining that magic exists. At some point skepticism stops being healthy critical thinking and starts becoming commitment to the bit. I wanted to gently slide a folder across the table labeled THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED TO YOU.
The why-choose situation is still very much under construction here, which actually worked for me. Haven is attracted to all four of them in different ways, and yes, the attraction shows up FAST, but the group relationship itself is not fully formed by the end. We are still in the stage where everyone is circling, kissing, glaring, protecting, withholding information, and generally behaving like communication would violate an ancient coven ordinance. There is only one full sex scene late in the book, so if you came expecting Haven to immediately host the Salem Olympics, everybody keep their pants on emotionally. We are building infrastructure first.
What kept me nosy was the history tying these five families together. Haven is not randomly attending Haunted Boyfriend University. Her family belongs in this mess too, and whatever happened between these bloodlines has left the current generation cursed and waiting for something Haven may be able to fix. Unfortunately, everyone knows considerably more about Haven than Haven does, which is one of my favorite ways to make a heroine increasingly furious. Nothing bonds a girl to four mysterious men quite like realizing they apparently received the syllabus for her life and she did not.
I did want more answers sooner. There were stretches where Haven would learn half of something, someone would get mysterious, and I was like, gentlemen, enough with the cheekbones, OPEN THE FAMILY FILES. I also occasionally had to remind myself which guy was doing what because four magical love interests plus secret societies plus cursed family lore is a lot of staffing for one freshman year. But once their individual abilities and personalities started separating out, I stopped mentally issuing name tags.
Underneath all the supernatural mess, Haven’s loneliness got me. She has spent so much of her life feeling unwanted and wrong, and then she lands in this deeply cursed place where the frightening revelation is also that she belongs somewhere. These men recognize something in her before she can recognize it in herself. That should probably be terrifying. It is also the first time being strange might mean she isn’t alone.
And then that ending walks in, drops a piece of information on the floor, and leaves. EXCUSE ME. We are apparently just stopping here while I still have approximately forty-seven questions regarding Haven, her father, the curse, these families, and what exactly everyone plans to do next? Fine. I see how this relationship is going to work.
Hallowed Bones lands at 4 stars for me. Give me witches, cursed bloodlines, a creepy college, monsters, four morally questionable men with specialized supernatural skill sets, and one girl slowly realizing her family history is significantly weirder than advertised, and apparently I will happily enroll. I just need book two to arrive with several answers and possibly a PowerPoint.
Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC and for enrolling me at Ipswich College, where the tuition apparently includes witchcraft, family curses, dream visitation, supernatural attacks, and four men who all seem to think “stay away from me” is foreplay.
Haven Wardwell arrives at Ipswich thinking she is finally getting out from under her aunt and starting a normal college life, which is adorable because the front gates basically look like they want to eat her. Weird things have followed Haven for years, she has no idea what her dead father’s connection to this place actually was, and within approximately five minutes she is dealing with nightmares, things stalking her, magical nonsense nobody wants to explain properly, and four men from old Salem families who keep appearing around her like the world’s hottest neighborhood watch.
And these MEN. Ezra Bishop, Cameron Goode, Lyall Corey, and Reyes Scott all come with their own flavor of “you should probably stay away from me,” while making absolutely no effort to behave like men who would like Haven to stay away from them. Cameron has the bookish thing happening. Lyall has enough confidence for several people and calls her rabbit. Reyes is literally showing up in her dreams before Haven understands what that means. Ezra spends a lot of time brooding and protecting her like somebody appointed him chairman of the Haven Wardwell Safety Committee without telling Haven. Sir, she has questions. So do I.
Haven, meanwhile, spends an impressive amount of time insisting there must be a rational explanation for everything. Girl, you are having visions. Monsters are showing up. You have felt different your entire life. Men are explaining that magic exists. At some point skepticism stops being healthy critical thinking and starts becoming commitment to the bit. I wanted to gently slide a folder across the table labeled THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED TO YOU.
The why-choose situation is still very much under construction here, which actually worked for me. Haven is attracted to all four of them in different ways, and yes, the attraction shows up FAST, but the group relationship itself is not fully formed by the end. We are still in the stage where everyone is circling, kissing, glaring, protecting, withholding information, and generally behaving like communication would violate an ancient coven ordinance. There is only one full sex scene late in the book, so if you came expecting Haven to immediately host the Salem Olympics, everybody keep their pants on emotionally. We are building infrastructure first.
What kept me nosy was the history tying these five families together. Haven is not randomly attending Haunted Boyfriend University. Her family belongs in this mess too, and whatever happened between these bloodlines has left the current generation cursed and waiting for something Haven may be able to fix. Unfortunately, everyone knows considerably more about Haven than Haven does, which is one of my favorite ways to make a heroine increasingly furious. Nothing bonds a girl to four mysterious men quite like realizing they apparently received the syllabus for her life and she did not.
I did want more answers sooner. There were stretches where Haven would learn half of something, someone would get mysterious, and I was like, gentlemen, enough with the cheekbones, OPEN THE FAMILY FILES. I also occasionally had to remind myself which guy was doing what because four magical love interests plus secret societies plus cursed family lore is a lot of staffing for one freshman year. But once their individual abilities and personalities started separating out, I stopped mentally issuing name tags.
Underneath all the supernatural mess, Haven’s loneliness got me. She has spent so much of her life feeling unwanted and wrong, and then she lands in this deeply cursed place where the frightening revelation is also that she belongs somewhere. These men recognize something in her before she can recognize it in herself. That should probably be terrifying. It is also the first time being strange might mean she isn’t alone.
And then that ending walks in, drops a piece of information on the floor, and leaves. EXCUSE ME. We are apparently just stopping here while I still have approximately forty-seven questions regarding Haven, her father, the curse, these families, and what exactly everyone plans to do next? Fine. I see how this relationship is going to work.
Hallowed Bones lands at 4 stars for me. Give me witches, cursed bloodlines, a creepy college, monsters, four morally questionable men with specialized supernatural skill sets, and one girl slowly realizing her family history is significantly weirder than advertised, and apparently I will happily enroll. I just need book two to arrive with several answers and possibly a PowerPoint.
Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC and for enrolling me at Ipswich College, where the tuition apparently includes witchcraft, family curses, dream visitation, supernatural attacks, and four men who all seem to think “stay away from me” is foreplay.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Story setting: Salem, Massachusetts 🖤
Thank you, Macmillan Audio & St Martins Press, for the #gifted copy of Hallowed Bones {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 10.6.2026
Pages: 384
DNF at 34%
This is definitely a case of ‘the cover got me’ 😵💫
When I first saw the cover of Hallowed Bones - I thought “yes, this is absolutely my speed” and then I saw the synopsis ‘Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright’ and said “say no more”. BUT, the problem is that I missed that it’s a why choose romance; which there is nothing wrong with that but I have been in THE romance rut to end all ruts and had I paid closer attention, I would’ve realized it was a romance and probably skipped it. It’s been months since I read and actually enjoyed a romance and sadly that is the case with this book, too.
The beginning of the book had my attention; it felt creepy and gave me a little bit of Wednesday meets Vampire Diaries vibes and I was quickly flying through the pages but then the tone changed and there was the introduction of multiple narrators and the tone of the book took on a YA edge. I know, I know Wednesday and Vampire Diaries have all the teenage vibes BUT that was not what I signed up for when I started Hallowed Bones.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆
The audiobook is a full cast narration featuring Corbin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter. To be completely honest, there were wayyyy too many narrators that all sound the same - they have that dark gravelly voice and was full of angst (and it did nothing for me).
Read if you enjoy:
🧙🏽♀️ Salem, MA
🖤 Dark Academia
🐢 Slow Burn
I recommend reading Hallowed Bones if you are looking for a slow burn series to add to your reading list (this is book one of a series).
______
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Thank you, Macmillan Audio & St Martins Press, for the #gifted copy of Hallowed Bones {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 10.6.2026
Pages: 384
DNF at 34%
This is definitely a case of ‘the cover got me’ 😵💫
When I first saw the cover of Hallowed Bones - I thought “yes, this is absolutely my speed” and then I saw the synopsis ‘Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright’ and said “say no more”. BUT, the problem is that I missed that it’s a why choose romance; which there is nothing wrong with that but I have been in THE romance rut to end all ruts and had I paid closer attention, I would’ve realized it was a romance and probably skipped it. It’s been months since I read and actually enjoyed a romance and sadly that is the case with this book, too.
The beginning of the book had my attention; it felt creepy and gave me a little bit of Wednesday meets Vampire Diaries vibes and I was quickly flying through the pages but then the tone changed and there was the introduction of multiple narrators and the tone of the book took on a YA edge. I know, I know Wednesday and Vampire Diaries have all the teenage vibes BUT that was not what I signed up for when I started Hallowed Bones.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆
The audiobook is a full cast narration featuring Corbin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter. To be completely honest, there were wayyyy too many narrators that all sound the same - they have that dark gravelly voice and was full of angst (and it did nothing for me).
Read if you enjoy:
🧙🏽♀️ Salem, MA
🖤 Dark Academia
🐢 Slow Burn
I recommend reading Hallowed Bones if you are looking for a slow burn series to add to your reading list (this is book one of a series).
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted eARC! 3.5 ⭐️
Hallowed Bones definetly feels like a start to a series. We get five POVs from the main characters, dark academia vibes, witchy magic, and four very hot guys who are immediately intrigued by one girl. 👀
I’ll be honest I struggled a little at the beginning. This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and I wasn’t sure if it was the writing style, the pacing, or the plot, but I felt like I was in the dark for a LOT of the book, which honestly mirrored how the FMC and MMCs seemed to feel too. The MMCs are not exactly forthcoming with information, and a lot of the story is told through internal dialogue and reflections on the past from each POV.
The pacing also felt strangely slow at times. There is A LOT of world-building and character background, and this book definitely feels like a foundation for the rest of the series. We get to learn more about each of the MMCs and the FMC, but I found myself wishing there were more moments of direct dialogue and actual interactions between the characters, beyond the romance, to help move the plot forward.
BUT I am so glad I stuck with it because THAT CLIFFHANGER. 😳
My jaw was on the FLOOR. And suddenly all those questions and pieces of information I’d been collecting throughout the book felt a lot more important.
Hallowed Bones definetly feels like a start to a series. We get five POVs from the main characters, dark academia vibes, witchy magic, and four very hot guys who are immediately intrigued by one girl. 👀
I’ll be honest I struggled a little at the beginning. This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and I wasn’t sure if it was the writing style, the pacing, or the plot, but I felt like I was in the dark for a LOT of the book, which honestly mirrored how the FMC and MMCs seemed to feel too. The MMCs are not exactly forthcoming with information, and a lot of the story is told through internal dialogue and reflections on the past from each POV.
The pacing also felt strangely slow at times. There is A LOT of world-building and character background, and this book definitely feels like a foundation for the rest of the series. We get to learn more about each of the MMCs and the FMC, but I found myself wishing there were more moments of direct dialogue and actual interactions between the characters, beyond the romance, to help move the plot forward.
BUT I am so glad I stuck with it because THAT CLIFFHANGER. 😳
My jaw was on the FLOOR. And suddenly all those questions and pieces of information I’d been collecting throughout the book felt a lot more important.
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