Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery

by Brom

Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.

Connecticut, 1666.

An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector.

The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil.

To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help.

Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan - one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.

"If it is a devil you seek, then it is a devil you shall have!"

This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom's haunting paintings, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world.

• ISBN10: 125062200X
• ISBN13: 9781250622006
• Publish Date: 14 September 2021
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 5 April 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

It's that time of the year! That time when dozens of new horror novels hit the shelves, and I am here for it! The latest novel in my horror read-through is Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom.

Abitha was never built to live a Puritan life. She's strong-willed, stubborn, and not afraid to speak her mind. That has gotten her into a fair bit of trouble during her time in a new Puritan colony – as one might imagine.

However, that trouble pales in comparison to what she is about to face. A powerful spirit is about to wake up, and both Abitha and her colony will unintentionally lend a hand in helping this creature find its role in the universe.

“If it is a devil you seek, then it is a devil you shall have!”

If you love horror stories set in the time of witch hunts (and the nightmares that mere humans can create), then the odds are good that you're going to enjoy Slewfoot. This novel throws a heavy dose of supernatural horror into what is already a chilling setting – and then runs with it.

I've read I don't know how many novels set in this era, and I have to say that Slewfoot still managed to surprise me. This is an original take on something that I had (forgive me for saying) been getting tired of. However, Slewfoot revitalized my interest, for which I am grateful.

Slewfoot is a slow-burning horror. It takes a long time to truly set the scene, but everything picks up significantly once you pass a certain point. So if you're struggling while watching Abitha try to fit into the Puritan lifestyle – don't worry; this won't be the sole focus for long.

There are two parts that I loved more than anything else from Slewfoot: Abitha and the creature. Abitha is so spirited and stubborn (especially for the time), which I adored. Meanwhile, the entity is not your standard horror monster. Instead, its presence opens the door for debates regarding good versus evil (with clear parallels being drawn to the humans nearby). It was dark and fascinating, just not in ways I expected. In truth, I liked it better this way.

Long story short: I really enjoyed the unique take in Slewfoot, and I highly recommend this to all horror fans looking for something a bit different.

Thanks to Nightfire and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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