Boneset & Feathers

Name: Boneset & Feathers
Price: 19.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781940372570

✍️ Gwendolyn Kiste

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$19.99

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A witch hides in the woods while witchfinders close in to burn her.

Odette lives in exile after losing her family to executions. She avoids magic to stay safe, but the supernatural world refuses to let her go. Crows and spectral voices signal that her past is catching up. The village blames her for their troubles, sending ghostly birds to torment them. Meanwhile, witchfinders arrive with orders to execute the last remaining witch. Odette must choose between hiding or using her power again. She confronts the dead and her own guilt to stop the incoming threat. The narrative focuses on her internal struggle against external persecution.

Key Themes

witchy folk horror survival guilt spectral birds

Literary Context

This novel sits within the tradition of witchy folk horror. It draws on historical fears of witchfinders and executions. The setting involves isolated enchantresses and village communities. Kiste uses these elements to explore the threat of persecution against those with magic.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Sarah Waters · Susanna Clarke · Angela Carter

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Broken Eye Books 📅 2020 📖 172 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781940372570

📝 Description: Boneset & Feathers

Gwendolyn Kiste, a Bram Stoker Award winner, presents Boneset & Feathers as a work of witchy folk horror. The narrative follows Odette, an isolated enchantress who survived the execution of her family by fleeing into the woods. She has sworn off magic for five years, seeking quiet and safety away from the village that abandoned her. Her solitude is shattered when crows fall from the sky and spectral voices haunt the wind. Strange children begin following her everywhere, and she experiences forgotten midnight visits to the graveyard. The villagers remain terrified of ghostly birds they believe Odette sent to torment them for their betrayal. This fear proves justified as witchfinders return with a clear decree to burn the last witch who escaped. Odette must confront her despondency and her fear of her own growing power. She faces whispers from the dead while trying to stop an army determined to rid the countryside of magic. The story explores the burden of survival and the inescapable nature of magical heritage. Readers who enjoy atmospheric tales of supernatural retribution and isolated protagonists will appreciate this novel. Those seeking fast-paced action or traditional historical fiction may find the focus on psychological dread less appealing. The book relies on folk horror traditions rather than high fantasy elements.

💎 Our verdict on Boneset & Feathers

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Gwendolyn Kiste delivers a potent work of witchy folk horror that prioritizes psychological dread over conventional action. The narrative effectively builds tension through Odette’s isolation and the encroaching threat of witchfinders, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. By focusing on her internal battle with guilt and power, the book offers a fresh perspective on traditional persecution tropes. It is best suited for readers who enjoy slow-burn horror and atmospheric storytelling. While those preferring high fantasy or historical accuracy may find it lacking, fans of gothic ghost stories will appreciate its emotional depth and eerie tone.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric tales of supernatural retribution and isolated protagonists will find this novel deeply compelling. The story offers a nuanced exploration of the burden of survival, focusing on internal struggle rather than external action. Those seeking psychological dread over fast-paced plot twists will enjoy the detailed examination of Odette’s guilt and fear. It suits fans of witchy folklore who value character depth and tension. The narrative provides a chilling look at how past trauma resurfaces, making it ideal for those interested in the intersection of magic, persecution, and personal redemption within a dark, wooded setting.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Gwendolyn Kiste delivers a potent work of witchy folk horror that prioritizes psychological dread over conventional action. The narrative effectively builds tension through Odette’s isolation and the encroaching threat of witchfinders, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. By focusing on her internal battle with guilt and power, the book offers a fresh perspective on traditional persecution tropes. It is best suited for readers who enjoy slow-burn horror and atmospheric storytelling. While those preferring high fantasy or historical accuracy may find it lacking, fans of gothic ghost stories will appreciate its emotional depth and eerie tone.