The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn-review, excerpt & giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 18, 2025

Piers Corbin has always had an affinity for poisonous things—plants and men. From the pokeweed berries she consumed at age five that led to the accidental death of a stranger, to the husband whose dark proclivities have become… concerning, poison has been at the heart of her story.

But when she fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her volatile marriage and goes to stay with her estranged great aunt in the mountains, she realizes her predilection is more than a hunger—it’s a birthright. Piers comes from a long line of poison eaters—Bane Witches—women who ingest deadly plants and use their magic to rid the world of evil men.

Piers sets out to earn her place in her family’s gritty but distinguished legacy, all while working at her Aunt Myrtle’s cafe and perpetuating a flirtation with the local, well-meaning sheriff to allay his suspicions on the body count she’s been leaving in her wake. But soon she catches the attention of someone else, a serial killer operating in the area. And that only means one thing—it’s time to feed.

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REVIEW: THE BANE WITCH by Ava Morgyn is a contemporary, adult, paranormal, thriller focusing on Bane Witch and interior designer Piers ‘ Acacia’ Corbin.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Piers ) and third person (Reyes) THE BANE WITCH follows Piers Corbin in the aftermath of faking her death to escape her abusive and controlling husband. The only family she knows of is her aunt Myrtle, a strange woman she met only once but a woman who will reveal the reality of who and what is our story line heroine. For as long as she can remember, Piers has been drawn to plants and poisons, but more specifically the berry of the pokeweed, and in this, her need to devour and eat pokeweed is disconcerting until the arrival of her aunt Myrtle who sees more than Piers could have ever thought possible. Fast forward to present day, now working and living in Crow Lake with her aunt Myrtle, Piers, now known as Acacia, will discover she is descended from a long line of bane witches, women who consume poisonous plants and berries, using their powers to rid the world of dangerous men. As the body count increases, local sheriff Regis Brooks begins to suspect a connection to Piers and Myrtle, and the investigation into Piers’ ‘death’ arrives in Crow Lake, near the Canadian border.

The world building is detailed and complex as Piers aka Acacia learns about the family history, the legacy and the venery (practice of hunting) she knew nothing about, details hidden by her mother, a woman who denied her heritage in the wake of debilitating need and pain. Meanwhile, there is a serial killer hunting in the woods of the Adirondacks, and Piers suspects she may be a target of the Saranac Stangler.

There is a building romance and relationship between Piers (Acacia) and Sheriff Regis Brooks but a relationship that struggles in the face of the numerous murders, and the sheriff’s suspicions regarding the method of killing. Piers and Regis’ love is forbidden but Piers is determined to protect the man who has stolen her heart. The $ex scenes are limited and mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and interesting secondary and supporting characters including several members Piers’ extended family, known as the venery. We are introduced to Piers’ aunt Myrtle, cousin Azalea, Sheriff Regis Brooks, Detective Emil Reyes, Piers’ husband Henry Corbin, as well as a number of local villagers including Ed and his dog Bart, and targeted victims and abusers. I am hoping the author has plans for future story lines involving Piers’ extended family of witches.

THE BANE WITCH is a magical story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and madness, abuse and murder, family and acceptance. The premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are determined, charismatic and disconcerting; the romance is subtle.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Click HERE to read an excerpt from THE BANE WITCH by Ava Morgyn

St. Martin’s Press is graciously offering a paper copy of THE BANE WITCH by Ava Morgyn to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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11. Giveaway runs from March 19-23, 2025