Slewfoot - A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom is an immensely atmospheric novel about female oppression and rage, set in a small puritan community during the year 1666. I was expecting, quite unenthusiastically, horror, but was pleasantly surprised to encounter a horned devil and all sorts of witchery not depicted in a horror inducing way. Sure the illustrations are creepy, yet nothing I couldn’t handle.

The story follows Abitha, who struggles with taking control of her life in the constraints of the pious community and who is sabotaged by her brother-in-law. Help comes from an unexpected source, linking Abitha’s spells and talismans together with an ancient power in the woods.

My reading experience slightly suffered from not being able to immerse myself in the book for long reading sessions, but even in shorter bursts the story with its intense atmosphere pulled me in. The illustrations are definitely a highlight, it would have been difficult to picture all the forest spirits without them. All in all this was the perfect level of creepiness, as horror is not my thing.