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Blood on Her Tongue
"I'm in your blood, and you are in mine¡"
The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy's twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband's grand estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister's condition, but it's clear her twin is hiding something. Then again, Lucy is harboring secrets of her own, too.
Then, the worst happens. Sarah's behavior takes a turn for the strange. She becomes angry¡ and hungry.?
Lucy soon comes to suspect that something is trying to possess her beloved sister. Or is it madness? As Sarah changes before her very eyes, Lucy must reckon with the dark, monstrous truth, or risk losing her forever.
The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy's twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband's grand estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister's condition, but it's clear her twin is hiding something. Then again, Lucy is harboring secrets of her own, too.
Then, the worst happens. Sarah's behavior takes a turn for the strange. She becomes angry¡ and hungry.?
Lucy soon comes to suspect that something is trying to possess her beloved sister. Or is it madness? As Sarah changes before her very eyes, Lucy must reckon with the dark, monstrous truth, or risk losing her forever.
353 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2025
895 people are currently reading
76194 people want to read
About the author
Johanna van Veen
4?books881?followersJohanna van Veen grew up in the Netherlands with her two sisters. She received an MA in English Literature with a specialization in early modern literature, as well as an MA Book and Digital Media with a specialization in early modern book history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,788 reviews
July 1, 2025
I think that even I who write full reviews for all the books I read wouldn¡¯t know how to review Johanna¡¯s books. they¡¯re just an experience that you should just live on yourself. if you want to experience gothic tales with horror that is so unique! Yes unique. Her horror stories/plots are very original and awestruck then I highly recommend her. Her debut was perfect as well. so my review is: read it!!
¡ª thank you poisoned pen press for an arc!!
¡ª thank you poisoned pen press for an arc!!
February 3, 2025
4.5 stars
I thought this would be a gothic romance.lol.
How surprised I was when it turned out to be nothing like that. This book was full of wackos, so many wackos in one place. It was completely unhinged, and I loved every second of it.
There were so many moments that made me grimace and go, ¡°eww,¡± and the detailing of the gory events? Eww, eww. Ultimate eww. The shock factor was top-notch, I never knew what would happen next.
And guys, the atmosphere? It was there. Eerie, dark, and mysterious, that really pulled you in. Loved, loved it.
Oh, and I have to share this wild historical fact I highlighted: Back in the 1800s, before they even knew about blood types, doctors would only transfuse blood from men because they believed¡ªget this¡ª
Of course, men. Always so strong and superior, even down to their blood. ?
This book was a ride, disturbing, unpredictable, and absolutely gripping. If you love dark and twisted stories, this one¡¯s for you.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Johanna van Veen for this ARC.
I thought this would be a gothic romance.lol.
How surprised I was when it turned out to be nothing like that. This book was full of wackos, so many wackos in one place. It was completely unhinged, and I loved every second of it.
There were so many moments that made me grimace and go, ¡°eww,¡± and the detailing of the gory events? Eww, eww. Ultimate eww. The shock factor was top-notch, I never knew what would happen next.
And guys, the atmosphere? It was there. Eerie, dark, and mysterious, that really pulled you in. Loved, loved it.
Oh, and I have to share this wild historical fact I highlighted: Back in the 1800s, before they even knew about blood types, doctors would only transfuse blood from men because they believed¡ªget this¡ª
"Men are stronger, as is their blood."
Of course, men. Always so strong and superior, even down to their blood. ?
This book was a ride, disturbing, unpredictable, and absolutely gripping. If you love dark and twisted stories, this one¡¯s for you.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Johanna van Veen for this ARC.
April 4, 2025
Once again, Johanna Van Veen masterfully officiates a most unholy marriage of the macabre, the supernatural, and the tragically beautiful in her second horror novel, Blood on her Tongue. There are bleak days ahead for Lucy Goedhart and twin sister, Sarah Schatteleyn. This horrifying tale begins with Lucy rushing to Sarah¡¯s side after learning the news she has contracted a mysterious illness and lies on her death bed. The only thing Lucy knows for certain is her sister¡¯s illness was immediately preceded by the discovery of a bog-body---a naturally mummified human cadaver whose body exhibits shocking evidence of unspeakable violence and was left abandoned and entombed in the sucking mires of the Schatteleyn Estate. Upon her arrival to the Schatteleyn manor, Lucy also learns that Sarah¡¯s disease is quite¡peculiar. She refuses to eat but acquires a bizarre taste for human flesh, and she suffers from a psychosis that fixates around delusions of obsession and possession. Lucy immediately evaluates her twin¡¯s circumstances as critically dire and knows a fate worse than death could be in store for her should Sarah survive without the secrets behind her perplexing condition unearthed. It would mean a one-way ticket to an 1800s insane asylum, truly a waking nightmare. Both Lucy and Sarah are tiptoeing around secrets they are reluctant to disinter, even though it could provide the salvation they so desperately need. The stakes summit at their highest when Sarah¡¯s condition sharply deteriorates, her hunger becoming irrepressible and her secrets impossible to hide any longer. Lucy can no longer ignore the feeling that Sarah isn¡¯t really Sarah anymore, a premonition that she decides can only be attributable to another mental break, like once before¡or supernatural possession. Either way, Lucy is suspicious of Sarah: is she mad or bad? To save each other, both sisters must find each other again, sharing the most shameful parts of themselves and confronting hard-to-digest truths, long ago abandoned and deeply buried just like that mysterious bog-body...
This is a Victorian gothic transfused with the grotesquely horrifying and the nightmarishly supernatural, giving you a propulsive page turner that is totally engrossing, absorbing the reader entirely inside a story shocked to life from all the chills, thrills, and kills. Van Veen offers up a refreshingly original perspective on vampirism and takes the reader down a path littered with bog-bodies and monsters---most of whom come, unsurprisingly, in the shape of regular men. Oh, the misogyny of it all! This book is powerfully evocative, sparking feelings of incredible loss from grief and stolen autonomy. Additionally, compounding grim circumstances and Lucy¡¯s blinding anguish from impossible choices creates a physical, pulsing ache that bleeds over to the reader! There is a good amount of body horror, so that is definitely something to be aware of before starting this book. I loved that Lucy proved to be a resilient main character, and I was totally stunned by the ending. I devoured this story in just a few days, and I already thirst for more! I am an identical twin, and I feel I experienced a deeper connection to the sisters and a greater understanding of some of their more shocking choices: I will always choose my twin over anyone or anything else. Frequently, I found myself in Lucy¡¯s shoes, and it only heightened the thick miasma of dread I was already suffering for them both! I think it is difficult to really capture the unwavering devotion identical twins can have for each other alongside the complex, contrasting struggles they might naturally experience when society at large likes to invasively gorge on curiosities: examining, comparing, and dissecting the strange and unusual with cold clinical efficiency. Having identical twin sisters herself, the author captures these juxtaposing ideas and emotions incredibly well. Once again, I highly recommend reading this book. It¡¯s horrifying and tragic, equally unsettling, but twice as lovely.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.
This is a Victorian gothic transfused with the grotesquely horrifying and the nightmarishly supernatural, giving you a propulsive page turner that is totally engrossing, absorbing the reader entirely inside a story shocked to life from all the chills, thrills, and kills. Van Veen offers up a refreshingly original perspective on vampirism and takes the reader down a path littered with bog-bodies and monsters---most of whom come, unsurprisingly, in the shape of regular men. Oh, the misogyny of it all! This book is powerfully evocative, sparking feelings of incredible loss from grief and stolen autonomy. Additionally, compounding grim circumstances and Lucy¡¯s blinding anguish from impossible choices creates a physical, pulsing ache that bleeds over to the reader! There is a good amount of body horror, so that is definitely something to be aware of before starting this book. I loved that Lucy proved to be a resilient main character, and I was totally stunned by the ending. I devoured this story in just a few days, and I already thirst for more! I am an identical twin, and I feel I experienced a deeper connection to the sisters and a greater understanding of some of their more shocking choices: I will always choose my twin over anyone or anything else. Frequently, I found myself in Lucy¡¯s shoes, and it only heightened the thick miasma of dread I was already suffering for them both! I think it is difficult to really capture the unwavering devotion identical twins can have for each other alongside the complex, contrasting struggles they might naturally experience when society at large likes to invasively gorge on curiosities: examining, comparing, and dissecting the strange and unusual with cold clinical efficiency. Having identical twin sisters herself, the author captures these juxtaposing ideas and emotions incredibly well. Once again, I highly recommend reading this book. It¡¯s horrifying and tragic, equally unsettling, but twice as lovely.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.
January 1, 2025
Gripping, gothic, creepy, eerie, and hard to put down! exceeded my expectations with its interesting take on sisters, relationships, mental health, bog people and vampires. I enjoyed this authors previous book, ]! I'm mean she literally killed it with this bloody amazing book!
The Netherlands, 1887
Lucy has traveled to her twin sister Sarah's home to help care for her after she has become ill. Sarah's behavior has changed since she attended the examination/dissection of a centuries old body that has been found in the bog. When Lucy arrives, she is alarmed at her sister's condition.
I enjoyed how this book is told through letters and with the 1887-time frame. I also loved how the complexities of the sister¡¯s relationship were shown - the love, the devotion, the fights, the inflicted pain, and the bond. There is also the mental health component. Sarah lost a child previously and suffered depression and did some questionable things. When her behavior came into question again, her mental health came under scrutiny.
The vivid description, the imagery, the intriguing characters, the originality, the plot, the gothic setting, and the writing were off the charts! I found this book to be wonderfully written, well thought out, and perfectly executed. There are some gruesome scenes so be warned. This book will not be for everyone, but for those that enjoy gothic horror with a bit of blood, this may be the book for you!
Dark, addictive, gothic, and bloody!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at ?
The Netherlands, 1887
Lucy has traveled to her twin sister Sarah's home to help care for her after she has become ill. Sarah's behavior has changed since she attended the examination/dissection of a centuries old body that has been found in the bog. When Lucy arrives, she is alarmed at her sister's condition.
I enjoyed how this book is told through letters and with the 1887-time frame. I also loved how the complexities of the sister¡¯s relationship were shown - the love, the devotion, the fights, the inflicted pain, and the bond. There is also the mental health component. Sarah lost a child previously and suffered depression and did some questionable things. When her behavior came into question again, her mental health came under scrutiny.
The vivid description, the imagery, the intriguing characters, the originality, the plot, the gothic setting, and the writing were off the charts! I found this book to be wonderfully written, well thought out, and perfectly executed. There are some gruesome scenes so be warned. This book will not be for everyone, but for those that enjoy gothic horror with a bit of blood, this may be the book for you!
Dark, addictive, gothic, and bloody!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at ?
March 20, 2025
Title/Author: Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen
Page Count: 368 pages
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: Physical ARC
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: My Darling Dreadful Thing
Affiliate Link:
Release Date: March 25th, 25
General Genre: Horror, Gothic, Paranormal
Sub-Genre/Themes: Historical, Netherlands, twin sisters, bog body, mental illness, sprawling estate, marriage, secrets & lies, family, possession
Writing Style: Character-driven; Incisive; Stylistically complex, intricately plotted
What You Need to Know: The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy's twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband's grand estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister's condition, but it's clear her twin is hiding something. Then again, Lucy is harboring secrets of her own, too.
Then, the worst happens. Sarah's behavior takes a turn for the strange. She becomes angry... and hungry.
Lucy soon comes to suspect that something is trying to possess her beloved sister. Or is it madness? As Sarah changes before her very eyes, Lucy must reckon with the dark, monstrous truth, or risk losing her forever.
My Reading Experience: Blood on Her Tongue is an unsettling and deeply atmospheric gothic horror novel set in 1887. The bond between twin sisters Lucy and Sarah is tested by illness, grief, and something mysterious and sinister. The novel leans into psychological distress and body horror, with Sarah¡¯s transformation is both disturbing and impossible to look away from.
The writing is immersive and relentless with claustrophobic tension and almost no setting changes. The narrative structure reinforces the novel¡¯s repetitive beats, creating a cyclical sense of dread. While some may find this approach too confining, it undeniably amplifies the novel¡¯s suffocating allure.
The horror is both physical and thematic: the grotesque changes in Sarah¡¯s body, the chilling power dynamics at play, and the brutal question of how far one will go for family. The inclusion of queer history is seamlessly woven in, adding depth without distraction.
Final Recommendation: Uncompromising, bloody, and suffocatingly gothic, Blood on Her Tongue is a novel that lingers. Not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended for those who crave horror that celebrates the style of slow-burning Gothic while infusing it with modern body horror.
Comps: The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling, The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, A Long Time Dead by Samara Berger, A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson
Page Count: 368 pages
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: Physical ARC
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: My Darling Dreadful Thing
Affiliate Link:
Release Date: March 25th, 25
General Genre: Horror, Gothic, Paranormal
Sub-Genre/Themes: Historical, Netherlands, twin sisters, bog body, mental illness, sprawling estate, marriage, secrets & lies, family, possession
Writing Style: Character-driven; Incisive; Stylistically complex, intricately plotted
What You Need to Know: The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy's twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband's grand estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister's condition, but it's clear her twin is hiding something. Then again, Lucy is harboring secrets of her own, too.
Then, the worst happens. Sarah's behavior takes a turn for the strange. She becomes angry... and hungry.
Lucy soon comes to suspect that something is trying to possess her beloved sister. Or is it madness? As Sarah changes before her very eyes, Lucy must reckon with the dark, monstrous truth, or risk losing her forever.
My Reading Experience: Blood on Her Tongue is an unsettling and deeply atmospheric gothic horror novel set in 1887. The bond between twin sisters Lucy and Sarah is tested by illness, grief, and something mysterious and sinister. The novel leans into psychological distress and body horror, with Sarah¡¯s transformation is both disturbing and impossible to look away from.
The writing is immersive and relentless with claustrophobic tension and almost no setting changes. The narrative structure reinforces the novel¡¯s repetitive beats, creating a cyclical sense of dread. While some may find this approach too confining, it undeniably amplifies the novel¡¯s suffocating allure.
The horror is both physical and thematic: the grotesque changes in Sarah¡¯s body, the chilling power dynamics at play, and the brutal question of how far one will go for family. The inclusion of queer history is seamlessly woven in, adding depth without distraction.
Final Recommendation: Uncompromising, bloody, and suffocatingly gothic, Blood on Her Tongue is a novel that lingers. Not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended for those who crave horror that celebrates the style of slow-burning Gothic while infusing it with modern body horror.
Comps: The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling, The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, A Long Time Dead by Samara Berger, A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson
May 4, 2025
Another 5 star read from this author! I also loved this book! I¡¯m a massive fan of vampires and gothic horror so this was just a treat to read. Super easy to read as well, I think that¡¯s why I love this author so much.
June 8, 2025
? My Overall Thoughts ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
For some reason, this gothic horror novel just wasn¡¯t for me. I wanted to give it a higher rating, but I just can¡¯t. I read the digital book and listened to the audiobook. I think that if it didn¡¯t have historical and supernatural elements in this book, I would have loved it. It was the story that didn¡¯t grab my attention, however it was well written, thought provoking and had mysterious vibes to it!
I can completely understand why people would absolutely love this book though! It has overall high ratings and a great plot.
Even though this was not for me, I want to write a review and discuss what this book is about, so it gets to the right audience. I gave this a 2 star rating, but please don¡¯t let it keep you from reading this novel.
-¨A??©¬©¬©¬©¬
? Synopsis & Rating ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
This book is set in 1887 in the Netherlands. It is a historical gothic novel, where twin sisters get caught in a supernatural horror. The twin sisters are named Lucy and Sarah. This novel centers around Sarah¡¯s illness and obsession with a centuries old bog. This body was found on Sarah¡¯s husband's estate. Lucy wants to help her sister Sarah, so she doesn¡¯t end up getting institutionalized. Lucy is a nurse and starts to investigate her sister¡¯s illness. Overall, I give this 2 out of 5 stars.
? What I enjoyed about the book ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
? The sisterhood connection. ??¡â?
? The women¡¯s roles and control!
? Very well written. ??
? Great Narrator ?
? The darkness of it ??
? The loyalty of the sisters ?
? The plot ?
? The gothic elements ?
? Beautiful cover ?
? What didn¡¯t work for me ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
? The historical societal theme ?
? I found it be boring and I just could not get into the storyline at all. ?
? The supernatural horror theme ?
? I felt that the plot was not well executed. ?
? I felt it lacked twists and turns that I love reading in horror/thriller books. ?
? I felt that it dragged on and on and on. ?
? I felt it did not come with strong character development. ?
? I had a hard time connecting to the characters. ?
? The animal cruelty in it. ?
? Who I think would enjoy reading this and Content Warnings ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
I think fans of historical and supernatural novels would enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include gore, blood, body horror, animal cruelty, child death, sexual content, forced institutionalization, death of a parent and child abuse.
This book is out now on Amazon, Audible and bookstores everywhere!
¡·* ¡£ ? ? ? ? * ¡£¡ã ¡£ ? ?¡¶
? ?? Connie ?? ?
¥Ä??
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
For some reason, this gothic horror novel just wasn¡¯t for me. I wanted to give it a higher rating, but I just can¡¯t. I read the digital book and listened to the audiobook. I think that if it didn¡¯t have historical and supernatural elements in this book, I would have loved it. It was the story that didn¡¯t grab my attention, however it was well written, thought provoking and had mysterious vibes to it!
I can completely understand why people would absolutely love this book though! It has overall high ratings and a great plot.
Even though this was not for me, I want to write a review and discuss what this book is about, so it gets to the right audience. I gave this a 2 star rating, but please don¡¯t let it keep you from reading this novel.
-¨A??©¬©¬©¬©¬
? Synopsis & Rating ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
This book is set in 1887 in the Netherlands. It is a historical gothic novel, where twin sisters get caught in a supernatural horror. The twin sisters are named Lucy and Sarah. This novel centers around Sarah¡¯s illness and obsession with a centuries old bog. This body was found on Sarah¡¯s husband's estate. Lucy wants to help her sister Sarah, so she doesn¡¯t end up getting institutionalized. Lucy is a nurse and starts to investigate her sister¡¯s illness. Overall, I give this 2 out of 5 stars.
? What I enjoyed about the book ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
? The sisterhood connection. ??¡â?
? The women¡¯s roles and control!
? Very well written. ??
? Great Narrator ?
? The darkness of it ??
? The loyalty of the sisters ?
? The plot ?
? The gothic elements ?
? Beautiful cover ?
? What didn¡¯t work for me ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
? The historical societal theme ?
? I found it be boring and I just could not get into the storyline at all. ?
? The supernatural horror theme ?
? I felt that the plot was not well executed. ?
? I felt it lacked twists and turns that I love reading in horror/thriller books. ?
? I felt that it dragged on and on and on. ?
? I felt it did not come with strong character development. ?
? I had a hard time connecting to the characters. ?
? The animal cruelty in it. ?
? Who I think would enjoy reading this and Content Warnings ?
¨T¨T¨T¨T ?¡ï? ¨T¨T¨T¨T
I think fans of historical and supernatural novels would enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include gore, blood, body horror, animal cruelty, child death, sexual content, forced institutionalization, death of a parent and child abuse.
This book is out now on Amazon, Audible and bookstores everywhere!
¡·* ¡£ ? ? ? ? * ¡£¡ã ¡£ ? ?¡¶
? ?? Connie ?? ?
¥Ä??
April 8, 2025
spoiler-filled vlog will be up on my youtube channel on the 12th :)
I loved the themes of female rage and codependency as vampirism all throughout the book; everything was brilliantly done, down to the gothic pacing, mixed media, and epigraphs from Dracula. Though it wasn't an overwhelming 5-star feeling the way I felt for this author's debut, I think it's well-deserved nevertheless. It's one of those historical books where you have no idea how 1887 feels like, but you just know it was done correctly.
I loved the themes of female rage and codependency as vampirism all throughout the book; everything was brilliantly done, down to the gothic pacing, mixed media, and epigraphs from Dracula. Though it wasn't an overwhelming 5-star feeling the way I felt for this author's debut, I think it's well-deserved nevertheless. It's one of those historical books where you have no idea how 1887 feels like, but you just know it was done correctly.
March 25, 2025
A bloody mess!
I had super high hopes for Blood on Her Tongue, as My Darling Dreadful Thing was one of my favorite five-star reads of 2024. It was such a fantastic Gothic debut that I really hoped van Veen would write another stunner.
Unfortunately, while Blood on Her Tongue is a fast-paced read, it suffers from mediocrity. Even the author admits in the afterward that she struggled with this book more than her first, by constantly rewriting it.
While not a fan of the vampire plot, I recently read Dawn Kurtagich¡¯s The Madness, which I really enjoyed despite its subject matter. I decided to read Blood on Her Tongue because I really hoped that I could enjoy it as much as the former vampire themed book.
Unfortunately, there is nothing new here except that the author uses the term ¡°parasite¡± to explain Sarah¡¯s affliction instead of ¡°vampire.¡± While the book takes place in 1887, the characters use more current language that feels like anachronisms. The plot is also very similar to other books in this genre and lacks originality.
Perhaps I had too high of hopes for this book considering her debut was off the charts fantastic. Regardless, I am still a fan of van Veen and will gladly read her next offering.
Trigger Warning: Be prepared for a lot of gore (blood, eyeball popping, and cannibalism).
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected Publication Date: 3/25/25
Thank you to Edelweiss and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Blood on Her Tongue in exchange for an honest review.
I had super high hopes for Blood on Her Tongue, as My Darling Dreadful Thing was one of my favorite five-star reads of 2024. It was such a fantastic Gothic debut that I really hoped van Veen would write another stunner.
Unfortunately, while Blood on Her Tongue is a fast-paced read, it suffers from mediocrity. Even the author admits in the afterward that she struggled with this book more than her first, by constantly rewriting it.
While not a fan of the vampire plot, I recently read Dawn Kurtagich¡¯s The Madness, which I really enjoyed despite its subject matter. I decided to read Blood on Her Tongue because I really hoped that I could enjoy it as much as the former vampire themed book.
Unfortunately, there is nothing new here except that the author uses the term ¡°parasite¡± to explain Sarah¡¯s affliction instead of ¡°vampire.¡± While the book takes place in 1887, the characters use more current language that feels like anachronisms. The plot is also very similar to other books in this genre and lacks originality.
Perhaps I had too high of hopes for this book considering her debut was off the charts fantastic. Regardless, I am still a fan of van Veen and will gladly read her next offering.
Trigger Warning: Be prepared for a lot of gore (blood, eyeball popping, and cannibalism).
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected Publication Date: 3/25/25
Thank you to Edelweiss and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Blood on Her Tongue in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2025
This was so good; really well done. I loved the gothic atmosphere, paired with some phenomenal death scenes. Johanna van Veen didn't shy away from getting dirty.
The Body Horror, in general, was fantastic; toe-curling and uncomfortable. My jaw was on the floor and I was squealing in delight through multiple scenes...keep in mind this is a Horror Readers delight, so tread cautiously if you aren't a fan of gory content.
I love sister stories, and this is a memorable one. I'm really looking forward to picking up more from this author. I suspect we're going to have a long and beautiful friendship.
Full review to come...stay tuned!!!
Original:
Thank you for the copy, Tantor Audio!
I've been interested in checking out this author's work for quite a while. I'm excited to start with this one!!
The Body Horror, in general, was fantastic; toe-curling and uncomfortable. My jaw was on the floor and I was squealing in delight through multiple scenes...keep in mind this is a Horror Readers delight, so tread cautiously if you aren't a fan of gory content.
I love sister stories, and this is a memorable one. I'm really looking forward to picking up more from this author. I suspect we're going to have a long and beautiful friendship.
Full review to come...stay tuned!!!
Original:
Thank you for the copy, Tantor Audio!
I've been interested in checking out this author's work for quite a while. I'm excited to start with this one!!
March 19, 2025
? 1¡ï .?
I think I lost brain power reading this book. I wanted to love this so much but I could not bring myself to care about this. The amount of times I nearly dnf this book but decided to push through hoping that it¡¯ll get better since I¡¯ve been seeing so many people loving this book. Yeah I should¡¯ve just dnf. When I tell you that I feel like nothing happened in this book, even though a lot was definitely happening.
Also I was actually able to sleep peacefully due to this book. It knocked me out for the whole night. Who knew that it would happen.
I could not care about what was happening to her sister. Like I really couldn¡¯t. Can we also talk how Lucy just pissed me off so much. Like I get it she¡¯s your twin sister but like at this point you just have to accept what is happening. Like she discovers the truth and she¡¯s like she¡¯s my twin sister and I¡¯m like sure she is.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
? preread ??
I need this to spook me, like I¡¯m begging for this to be scaring since all the horrors that I read so far didn¡¯t feel like a horror book!
October 9, 2024
Sensational. Delicious. Devious. Beautiful. Articulate. I could go on forever.
I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this before it is released. I have read another book by this author and she just does not fail.
Gothic horror at it's finest. Now, it's a slow burn but it's worth it. You are fed a trickle of excitement at every chapter that keeps you hooked and aching for the next piece of the puzzle.
The descriptive atmosphere made me feel like I was in this story. The fog, rain, cold, bogs and victorian house made me feel immersed. Perfect read.
I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this before it is released. I have read another book by this author and she just does not fail.
Gothic horror at it's finest. Now, it's a slow burn but it's worth it. You are fed a trickle of excitement at every chapter that keeps you hooked and aching for the next piece of the puzzle.
The descriptive atmosphere made me feel like I was in this story. The fog, rain, cold, bogs and victorian house made me feel immersed. Perfect read.
March 2, 2025
4.5? rounded up. A gothic horror novel, set in the Netherlands in 1887. The voice is great, with a glint of humour and self-aware playfulness with genre. The descriptions are vivid and memorable - sometimes gruesomely so.
There are some lovely touches, including the gothic-themed trigger warning: "In your hands, you hold a work of gothic horror... I do wish to warn you so that you may prepare yourself accordingly before you wander into its darkness wearing only a flimsy nightgown and holding a dripping candle to light your way..."
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
There are some lovely touches, including the gothic-themed trigger warning: "In your hands, you hold a work of gothic horror... I do wish to warn you so that you may prepare yourself accordingly before you wander into its darkness wearing only a flimsy nightgown and holding a dripping candle to light your way..."
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
March 16, 2025
- 3.5 ¡ï
¡°There¡¯s no saying what horrors might lurk in those black waters.¡±
Lucy and Sarah are twins with a very codependent relationship. one day, Sarah¡¯s health and sanity starts to decline and she¡¯s not acting like she used to. Lucy wants to get to the bottom of what¡¯s going on and as Sarah starts to get worse, her behavior escalates to a point of no return. i actually liked the direction this story took when it came to what Sarah was experiencing, it made her interactions with the people around her more interesting. i loved the gothic setting and atmosphere, this author has really perfected those two things within her books. i just didn¡¯t connect to the characters, i was invested in everything going on but it was more out of curiosity than care for how things would turn out for them.. i did like the way it ended though and i will still continue to read whatever Johanna van Veen writes but i definitely preferred My Darling Dreadful Thing.
? many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
¡°There¡¯s no saying what horrors might lurk in those black waters.¡±
Lucy and Sarah are twins with a very codependent relationship. one day, Sarah¡¯s health and sanity starts to decline and she¡¯s not acting like she used to. Lucy wants to get to the bottom of what¡¯s going on and as Sarah starts to get worse, her behavior escalates to a point of no return. i actually liked the direction this story took when it came to what Sarah was experiencing, it made her interactions with the people around her more interesting. i loved the gothic setting and atmosphere, this author has really perfected those two things within her books. i just didn¡¯t connect to the characters, i was invested in everything going on but it was more out of curiosity than care for how things would turn out for them.. i did like the way it ended though and i will still continue to read whatever Johanna van Veen writes but i definitely preferred My Darling Dreadful Thing.
? many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
March 25, 2025
Absolutely loved this gothic horror ???
February 26, 2025
And here I thought this was going to be a new and exciting take on vampire lore. And if not, I thought at least the book would be enjoyable.
But it ended up being neither of those.
I was seated and ready in the first third of the book. The Gothic vibes were vibing. The FMC's cursed/infected sister was biting family friends. The FMC ate a microscopic smidge of her sister's skin. Dark, gross, and the book seemed like it was delivering on its promises.
But after that, it started to become unintentionally silly. Right after the FMC's sister's death, the FMC has sex with her brother-in-law?? And then she gets a marriage proposal from their family friend while she's panicking about her sister's corpse making noises in the coffin??
While I love Gothic horror, I know it has its silly moments (lbr, vampires are campy as hell). But this felt kind of ridiculous considering that the FMC's sister just died. Later on, the FMC references the "would you love me if I was a worm?" meme and that legitimately took me out. (I'm not sure if this was intentional but it made me snort.) There was another line where a male character calls the FMC, "my sweet little fuck" and that straight up took me out of my reading experience to the point where I couldn't recover from it.
Other than that, the story itself was pretty standard Gothic horror fare with its creepy setting, misogyny galore, lack of bodily autonomy and women's rights, and subverting sexual norms. The writing wasn't anything to rave about. The characters, their actions, and even the FMC's thoughts felt like they were fulfilling stereotypes and tropes instead of being written as fully realized characters.
While I didn't dislike my reading experience, I wasn't all too disappointed when this ended up being a quick read.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this arc.
But it ended up being neither of those.
I was seated and ready in the first third of the book. The Gothic vibes were vibing. The FMC's cursed/infected sister was biting family friends. The FMC ate a microscopic smidge of her sister's skin. Dark, gross, and the book seemed like it was delivering on its promises.
But after that, it started to become unintentionally silly. Right after the FMC's sister's death, the FMC has sex with her brother-in-law?? And then she gets a marriage proposal from their family friend while she's panicking about her sister's corpse making noises in the coffin??
While I love Gothic horror, I know it has its silly moments (lbr, vampires are campy as hell). But this felt kind of ridiculous considering that the FMC's sister just died. Later on, the FMC references the "would you love me if I was a worm?" meme and that legitimately took me out. (I'm not sure if this was intentional but it made me snort.) There was another line where a male character calls the FMC, "my sweet little fuck" and that straight up took me out of my reading experience to the point where I couldn't recover from it.
Other than that, the story itself was pretty standard Gothic horror fare with its creepy setting, misogyny galore, lack of bodily autonomy and women's rights, and subverting sexual norms. The writing wasn't anything to rave about. The characters, their actions, and even the FMC's thoughts felt like they were fulfilling stereotypes and tropes instead of being written as fully realized characters.
While I didn't dislike my reading experience, I wasn't all too disappointed when this ended up being a quick read.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this arc.
June 7, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
4.5 stars
blood on her tongue is a fantastically disturbing and haunting gothic novel perfect for summerween or spooky season, or just a regular old rainy night. blood on her tongue was full of mental health awareness (or perhaps the lack of such), gorey and unsettling deaths, sapphic lovers, betrayals by sisters, as well as the bond between families.
also, perhaps most importantly, i love the dog.
as for the audio, the narrator did a fantastic job!
4.5 stars
blood on her tongue is a fantastically disturbing and haunting gothic novel perfect for summerween or spooky season, or just a regular old rainy night. blood on her tongue was full of mental health awareness (or perhaps the lack of such), gorey and unsettling deaths, sapphic lovers, betrayals by sisters, as well as the bond between families.
also, perhaps most importantly, i love the dog.
as for the audio, the narrator did a fantastic job!
December 27, 2024
¡±A girl needs to eat.¡±
Blood on Her Tongue delivers a gothic story steeped in atmosphere and dread. When Sarah discovers a body in the bog near her husband¡¯s secluded estate, it ignites an obsession that soon manifests as a mysterious illness. Fearing the asylum¡¯s looming shadow, her twin sister Lucy steps in, determined to protect Sarah and uncover the truth behind her condition. But the closer Lucy gets to the answers, the clearer it becomes that both sisters are keeping dangerous secrets¡ªand time is running out.
¡±No man was worth hating and despising your sister for, not yourself, for that matter.¡±
Van Veen¡¯s prose is both lush and eerie, crafting a novel where supernatural horror intertwines with the crushing realities of Victorian-era patriarchy. The tension builds gradually, revealing not only the vampiric undertones but also the raw, emotional bond between the sisters.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
June 9, 2025
Warning spoilers below ¡
I¡¯m really not sure how serious I was to take this book or what the intention was but found certain parts of it humorous, anger inducing, and most certainly gory. I probably could¡¯ve done without a few of the gory details, but what fun would that have been?
Lucy has received a letter from her sister, Sarah, that worries her. It appears Sarah is convinced there is something eating at her brain and is mentally impairing her. Lucy takes the first train to meet her. Upon her arrival she can see that there is something seriously wrong. Sarah¡¯s husband, Michael as well as the local doctor do not know what more they can do for her. Interestingly enough, blood transfusions seem to help. However, Sarah is still convinced there is something in her brain that must be extrapolated through her eyeball.
Part one had a very serious undertone to it with the madness enveloping Sarah and her near death experience. Part two was a completely different tone, one that I found rather darkly humorous. It reminded me 100% of Santa Clarita Diet. I could imagine the parasite clearly as that little ball with legs. Add in Sarah¡¯s hunger for human flesh and there you have it. I pictured Drew Barrymore and the little ball with legs for the rest of the book. I understand the time period where women may not have had the same rights as men, but the way the men acted in this book they deserved what was coming to them.
So far I am two for two for this author. Can¡¯t wait to see what she brings to the table next.
I¡¯m really not sure how serious I was to take this book or what the intention was but found certain parts of it humorous, anger inducing, and most certainly gory. I probably could¡¯ve done without a few of the gory details, but what fun would that have been?
Lucy has received a letter from her sister, Sarah, that worries her. It appears Sarah is convinced there is something eating at her brain and is mentally impairing her. Lucy takes the first train to meet her. Upon her arrival she can see that there is something seriously wrong. Sarah¡¯s husband, Michael as well as the local doctor do not know what more they can do for her. Interestingly enough, blood transfusions seem to help. However, Sarah is still convinced there is something in her brain that must be extrapolated through her eyeball.
Part one had a very serious undertone to it with the madness enveloping Sarah and her near death experience. Part two was a completely different tone, one that I found rather darkly humorous. It reminded me 100% of Santa Clarita Diet. I could imagine the parasite clearly as that little ball with legs. Add in Sarah¡¯s hunger for human flesh and there you have it. I pictured Drew Barrymore and the little ball with legs for the rest of the book. I understand the time period where women may not have had the same rights as men, but the way the men acted in this book they deserved what was coming to them.
So far I am two for two for this author. Can¡¯t wait to see what she brings to the table next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
Blood on her Tongue is the second novel from up and coming gothic horror enthusiast Johanna van Veen and to say that I¡¯m enamored with her would be an understatement. With the rise of gothic horror in popular media we will be seeing more authours delving into the pits of horror, but not everyone truly understands the assignment. I¡¯m glad to report that Veen does indeed.
There is so much that goes into writing a lyrically stunning gothic horror book, from intention to pacing and not everyone succeeds at that. There were a couple issues that I did have with the pacing in the front half of the book but my few problems were quickly rectified in the latter half. The push and pull was well done but there were many times in the first half that I wanted to get closer to the horror and drama. If you stick with it, the give is worth it but the drag earlier on did have me questioning a couple of times.
A longing and yearning tale between two twins was the heart of this horror ridden story and I will root for them beyond the grave. The gothic aspects were incredibly well done and as an immense gothic lover, I¡¯m incredibly hard to please. While the balance eventually works itself out, all the other pieces were there. From a unique plot, to the imagery and lyrical writing, and tropes that I expect to partake in when reading a book like this. Blood on Her Tongue is a sickly feminist tale that will have you quavering until the last bloody page.
There is so much that goes into writing a lyrically stunning gothic horror book, from intention to pacing and not everyone succeeds at that. There were a couple issues that I did have with the pacing in the front half of the book but my few problems were quickly rectified in the latter half. The push and pull was well done but there were many times in the first half that I wanted to get closer to the horror and drama. If you stick with it, the give is worth it but the drag earlier on did have me questioning a couple of times.
A longing and yearning tale between two twins was the heart of this horror ridden story and I will root for them beyond the grave. The gothic aspects were incredibly well done and as an immense gothic lover, I¡¯m incredibly hard to please. While the balance eventually works itself out, all the other pieces were there. From a unique plot, to the imagery and lyrical writing, and tropes that I expect to partake in when reading a book like this. Blood on Her Tongue is a sickly feminist tale that will have you quavering until the last bloody page.
March 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. When *My Darling Dreadful Thing* was released, I was thrilled, and this story surpassed even my high expectations. It offers a unique twist on the traditional vampire tale, much like *A Dowry of Blood*, presenting a mournful recounting of a vampire's love story. However, rather than focusing on romantic love, it explores the profound, enduring bond between siblings and does not shy away from the complexities and messiness that can arise in family relationships. One of my favorite literary genres features what I call "unhinged women," and I appreciated how the ending embraced this theme wholeheartedly.
Happy Publication Day!
Happy Publication Day!
June 16, 2025
I thought this was a very good gothic story about how women had to tread carefully or fear being locked away by the men who claimed to love them but really only wanted to own them. Why can¡¯t we lock up hysterical men? There¡¯s a lot of them out there walking around and being a-holes who could do with a padded room and a daily dose of laudanum to keep them docile and quiet. No one would miss ¡®em.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed this. It has some pitch black humor and an imperfect POV and several women who said eff it all and lived life on their terms after a bog woman changes their world and much bloodletting occurs. Such a satisfying ending with the snaggle toothed bastard. I have no complaints and would give it a 4.5 ??
Dark and just a little gory and loads of fun if you like this kind of thing like I do.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed this. It has some pitch black humor and an imperfect POV and several women who said eff it all and lived life on their terms after a bog woman changes their world and much bloodletting occurs. Such a satisfying ending with the snaggle toothed bastard. I have no complaints and would give it a 4.5 ??
Dark and just a little gory and loads of fun if you like this kind of thing like I do.
March 25, 2025
2/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
Oh this would have been a 4 stars if not for the last third of this book. It completely ruined the novel for me, which is unfortunate. Horror novels I find really need to stick the landing and this one did not at all. That being said this had some very well done body horror and some scenes that are for sure horrific.
Lucy was insufferable but I held out hope she would have some character development. She did not. Like she literally has zero self agency and no personality to speak of.
Personally I would have killed Not-Sarah, or rather, let her starve. Sorry but that is NOT your sister!! She KILLED your sister yet Lucy is like ¡®she has Sarah¡¯s memories so she could be Sarah in some way¡¯ NO. It is experiencing those things that make you the person, not just seeing the memories. The parasite was not there at the time, so she didn¡¯t live it out! Either way I can¡¯t say this was the best take on vampires I¡¯ve ever read. I honestly wish we had more lore about what sort of vampires they even were because it was really vague. Where do they come from, how are they made, how do they know how to imitate a human, etc?
Furthermore, the ending was just messy. Why did Arthur go evil in the span of 5 pages? And why was he even deemed ¡®evil¡¯? Like he saw Not-Sarah EAT SOMEONE¡¯S HAND. Why would he NOT think she was insane?! ?
I get the point the author was trying to make about how women would be thrown into institutes and asylums for anything abnormal but I¡¯m afraid Arthur was justified in thinking Sarah had to GO. Him doing a 180 and trying to manipulate Lucy into marriage was just so out of character for him and it felt very much forced in.
I think this book was hitting the message of ¡®men were misogynists back then!¡¯ a bit too hard because it felt like the men had no personalities outside of being rude to women, which is not at all how things worked back then? They had full personalities along with sometimes being misogynistic and just having Micheal¡¯s whole personality being having him be supposedly abusive just kind of undermines exactly why misogyny is so dangerous -> because it occurs with men who have full interests and lives that do not indicate it at all at first.
I honestly liked Micheal a bit like he served his role well but again I felt he was too cartoon villain ish. He had the best dialogue of anyone for sure, though.
The ending was so abrupt and again, I felt that the reasoning for the characters to do what they did was out of wack. Five chapters ago Lucy was having a panic attack over the thought of killing someone and then she kills two people in the span of like twenty minutes??? We see no jump in her thoughts to justify this and she just acted so stupid.
I personally hate characters who make another person their whole life and that was Lucy. Like girl your twin did not like you half as much as you liked her and the relationship was toxic to the point that it became unbearable.
Lots of people say the novel lost steam after Sarah came back and I have to agree. The mystery of what she was was far more engaging then the plot line of ¡®if and how do we feed the parasite using my sister¡¯s body?¡¯
I just UGH was so pissed that Lucy fell for Not-Sarah¡¯s act. I would never have helped her.
But also the second I saw a body with stakes in it I would have ran away so I¡¯d be safe from the events of this novel anyway.
The huge positive of this novel is the writing. Stunning and gorgeous. I only wish the last third of the novel wasn¡¯t the disaster it was :(
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
Oh this would have been a 4 stars if not for the last third of this book. It completely ruined the novel for me, which is unfortunate. Horror novels I find really need to stick the landing and this one did not at all. That being said this had some very well done body horror and some scenes that are for sure horrific.
Lucy was insufferable but I held out hope she would have some character development. She did not. Like she literally has zero self agency and no personality to speak of.
Personally I would have killed Not-Sarah, or rather, let her starve. Sorry but that is NOT your sister!! She KILLED your sister yet Lucy is like ¡®she has Sarah¡¯s memories so she could be Sarah in some way¡¯ NO. It is experiencing those things that make you the person, not just seeing the memories. The parasite was not there at the time, so she didn¡¯t live it out! Either way I can¡¯t say this was the best take on vampires I¡¯ve ever read. I honestly wish we had more lore about what sort of vampires they even were because it was really vague. Where do they come from, how are they made, how do they know how to imitate a human, etc?
Furthermore, the ending was just messy. Why did Arthur go evil in the span of 5 pages? And why was he even deemed ¡®evil¡¯? Like he saw Not-Sarah EAT SOMEONE¡¯S HAND. Why would he NOT think she was insane?! ?
I get the point the author was trying to make about how women would be thrown into institutes and asylums for anything abnormal but I¡¯m afraid Arthur was justified in thinking Sarah had to GO. Him doing a 180 and trying to manipulate Lucy into marriage was just so out of character for him and it felt very much forced in.
I think this book was hitting the message of ¡®men were misogynists back then!¡¯ a bit too hard because it felt like the men had no personalities outside of being rude to women, which is not at all how things worked back then? They had full personalities along with sometimes being misogynistic and just having Micheal¡¯s whole personality being having him be supposedly abusive just kind of undermines exactly why misogyny is so dangerous -> because it occurs with men who have full interests and lives that do not indicate it at all at first.
I honestly liked Micheal a bit like he served his role well but again I felt he was too cartoon villain ish. He had the best dialogue of anyone for sure, though.
The ending was so abrupt and again, I felt that the reasoning for the characters to do what they did was out of wack. Five chapters ago Lucy was having a panic attack over the thought of killing someone and then she kills two people in the span of like twenty minutes??? We see no jump in her thoughts to justify this and she just acted so stupid.
I personally hate characters who make another person their whole life and that was Lucy. Like girl your twin did not like you half as much as you liked her and the relationship was toxic to the point that it became unbearable.
Lots of people say the novel lost steam after Sarah came back and I have to agree. The mystery of what she was was far more engaging then the plot line of ¡®if and how do we feed the parasite using my sister¡¯s body?¡¯
I just UGH was so pissed that Lucy fell for Not-Sarah¡¯s act. I would never have helped her.
But also the second I saw a body with stakes in it I would have ran away so I¡¯d be safe from the events of this novel anyway.
The huge positive of this novel is the writing. Stunning and gorgeous. I only wish the last third of the novel wasn¡¯t the disaster it was :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
¡°There was a beauty in it still, the way imperfect things can be beautiful, but it was a beauty of a dark and fading kind¡±
Atmospheric, enthralling, mind-bending, unpredictable to the end and disturbing in the best way.
Having never read from Johanna van Veen before, I had no expectations of Blood on Her Tongue, but it turned out to be one of the best gothic horror novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The eerie manor house setting was palpable ¡ª experiencing this story felt like wading through boggy water, trying desperately to get away from an ominous presence, but not minding very much because of how beautiful the surroundings are.
I'm more surprised than anyone that my own personal nightmares captured in book form ¡ª from being buried alive, to intense and descriptive body horror, blood, gore and *retch* bodily fluids ¡ª seized me from beginning to haunting end. I struggled to put this book down and whenever I did the characters haunted me until I picked it up again.
Blood on Her Tongue deeply and satisfyingly explores themes of sister dynamics (the complexity and messiness of them!), the mistreatment of mental health, and misogyny, especially during the late Victorian era.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Sourcebooks & Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
Atmospheric, enthralling, mind-bending, unpredictable to the end and disturbing in the best way.
Having never read from Johanna van Veen before, I had no expectations of Blood on Her Tongue, but it turned out to be one of the best gothic horror novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The eerie manor house setting was palpable ¡ª experiencing this story felt like wading through boggy water, trying desperately to get away from an ominous presence, but not minding very much because of how beautiful the surroundings are.
I'm more surprised than anyone that my own personal nightmares captured in book form ¡ª from being buried alive, to intense and descriptive body horror, blood, gore and *retch* bodily fluids ¡ª seized me from beginning to haunting end. I struggled to put this book down and whenever I did the characters haunted me until I picked it up again.
Blood on Her Tongue deeply and satisfyingly explores themes of sister dynamics (the complexity and messiness of them!), the mistreatment of mental health, and misogyny, especially during the late Victorian era.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Sourcebooks & Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
July 29, 2024
(This review is based on an arc and not the final product)
I love this author so much, her obsession with bog bodies is as strong as mine.
Also, I rather hate Micheal but he did drop this wonderful quote:
¡°¡®Oh darling,¡± he said, digging his thumb painfully into the soft tissue underneath her jawbone, ¡®don¡¯t you know that, of all the sins that taint me, greed is the strongest? I always want what I shouldn¡¯t have. But I think you know what that feels like.¡±
This novel is gruesome and gory. It¡¯s also rather cannibalistic. But under that, it¡¯s the obsessive and codependent relationship two twins have. It also begs the question of how far is too far when it comes to helping your family. The relationship between the two twins is definitely unsettling as it seems there¡¯s a huge power imbalance. The mc is entirely aware of being seen as the weakest link, but still trudges forward in doing everything for her sister.
Another thing I love about this author is that you never know if what¡¯s happening is truly madness or supernatural. I loved this book a lot and I¡¯ll continue to read this author.
I love this author so much, her obsession with bog bodies is as strong as mine.
Also, I rather hate Micheal but he did drop this wonderful quote:
¡°¡®Oh darling,¡± he said, digging his thumb painfully into the soft tissue underneath her jawbone, ¡®don¡¯t you know that, of all the sins that taint me, greed is the strongest? I always want what I shouldn¡¯t have. But I think you know what that feels like.¡±
This novel is gruesome and gory. It¡¯s also rather cannibalistic. But under that, it¡¯s the obsessive and codependent relationship two twins have. It also begs the question of how far is too far when it comes to helping your family. The relationship between the two twins is definitely unsettling as it seems there¡¯s a huge power imbalance. The mc is entirely aware of being seen as the weakest link, but still trudges forward in doing everything for her sister.
Another thing I love about this author is that you never know if what¡¯s happening is truly madness or supernatural. I loved this book a lot and I¡¯ll continue to read this author.
December 21, 2024
(This is a review of the arc, not the final version of the book)
From my most anticipated release of 2025 to a "WTF did I just read?" ¨C the strange case of Blood on Her Tongue
Put on your high-cut rubber boots, because this is going to be a boggy ride.
The story starts off deliciously creepy¡ªdisgusting and unsettling, just the way I love my horror novels. It¡¯s fraught with vivid descriptions, terrifying concepts, and stomach-churning scenes. But after all the promise of eerie fun, things decompose fast, and the whole narrative begins to resemble a rushed YA novel.
We¡¯re introduced to Lucy and Sarah, twins who share more than just their striking looks (ahem, let¡¯s just say they both have the same taste in men), and right away, we¡¯re forced to pick a favorite. For me, it was definitely Sarah. I absolutely LOVED devouring her chapters¡ªthe letters, her experience discovering the bog woman, her descent into madness, and everything in between. It was beautifully written and completely hooked me from the start. In contrast, Lucy¡¯s chapters didn¡¯t resonate with me at all¡ªher inner monologues and irritating personality made her a bore. Still, I was willing to give her a chance.
However, the story soon lost its "proper Gothic" tone. Certain words and phrases, at least for me, didn¡¯t fit the time period in which the novel was set. Take "the scene of the crime," for example. While detective novels made that phrase popular, it only gained widespread usage in the context of criminal investigations and legal discourse during the late 1800s and early 1900s. While it¡¯s not entirely implausible for it to appear in 1887, it¡¯s highly unlikely.
As much as I like sibling co-dependent and utterly strange relationships, this was just... I don't know how to put it? Unemotional. I didn't feel the love between Lucy and Sarah, I just didn't. So what was up with that ending? What was the point of the book?
(Spoooooooilers aheaaaaaaaaaaaaaad)
Hmm, let's see...
1. Men are evil, they should be destroyed even though they are sexy
2. Having a creature puppeteering the body of your sister is better than not having a sister
Or maybe, just maybe, I misunderstood it completely. Someone correct me If I'm wrong.
If the point was female empowerment and female rage, I didn't feel that. Yes, the men were despicable and they probably deserved what was coming to them, but it didn't make me feel anything, it was just meh.
Tips on how to improve the overall narrative:
- Use more time appropriate language and purple prose
- Cut down the inner monologues or don't use them at all
- Don't tell us what a character is thinking of doing and then show us them doing the same thing they were thinking of doing
- Give us more backstory and explore the complexity of the relationships between the characters
- Make the reference of the mad aunt be relevant and tie it to the story
Despite all of the nonsense I just spewed out, I can't wait to see what the author is going to write next.
From my most anticipated release of 2025 to a "WTF did I just read?" ¨C the strange case of Blood on Her Tongue
Put on your high-cut rubber boots, because this is going to be a boggy ride.
The story starts off deliciously creepy¡ªdisgusting and unsettling, just the way I love my horror novels. It¡¯s fraught with vivid descriptions, terrifying concepts, and stomach-churning scenes. But after all the promise of eerie fun, things decompose fast, and the whole narrative begins to resemble a rushed YA novel.
We¡¯re introduced to Lucy and Sarah, twins who share more than just their striking looks (ahem, let¡¯s just say they both have the same taste in men), and right away, we¡¯re forced to pick a favorite. For me, it was definitely Sarah. I absolutely LOVED devouring her chapters¡ªthe letters, her experience discovering the bog woman, her descent into madness, and everything in between. It was beautifully written and completely hooked me from the start. In contrast, Lucy¡¯s chapters didn¡¯t resonate with me at all¡ªher inner monologues and irritating personality made her a bore. Still, I was willing to give her a chance.
However, the story soon lost its "proper Gothic" tone. Certain words and phrases, at least for me, didn¡¯t fit the time period in which the novel was set. Take "the scene of the crime," for example. While detective novels made that phrase popular, it only gained widespread usage in the context of criminal investigations and legal discourse during the late 1800s and early 1900s. While it¡¯s not entirely implausible for it to appear in 1887, it¡¯s highly unlikely.
As much as I like sibling co-dependent and utterly strange relationships, this was just... I don't know how to put it? Unemotional. I didn't feel the love between Lucy and Sarah, I just didn't. So what was up with that ending? What was the point of the book?
(Spoooooooilers aheaaaaaaaaaaaaaad)
Hmm, let's see...
1. Men are evil, they should be destroyed even though they are sexy
2. Having a creature puppeteering the body of your sister is better than not having a sister
Or maybe, just maybe, I misunderstood it completely. Someone correct me If I'm wrong.
If the point was female empowerment and female rage, I didn't feel that. Yes, the men were despicable and they probably deserved what was coming to them, but it didn't make me feel anything, it was just meh.
Tips on how to improve the overall narrative:
- Use more time appropriate language and purple prose
- Cut down the inner monologues or don't use them at all
- Don't tell us what a character is thinking of doing and then show us them doing the same thing they were thinking of doing
- Give us more backstory and explore the complexity of the relationships between the characters
- Make the reference of the mad aunt be relevant and tie it to the story
Despite all of the nonsense I just spewed out, I can't wait to see what the author is going to write next.
February 10, 2025
thank you edelweiss for the drc! A clean fun read... no, just kidding, it's gross and gory and horny and gothic and yes, sapphic on the side. Yippeeeeee!!
This book doesn't reinvent the wheel or anything, but boy was it delightful ¡ª for once, I found a super trope-heavy book really enjoyable, and I was continuously surprised and delighted by the use of those tropes. I doooo think the first two thirds are super strong, and the last third leaves something to be desired, but also, it came, it served, it did exactly what it needed to do, and I can't wait to see that beaaautiful cover when it pubs . highly recommend for anyone who thinks this sounds interesting. (jumpscare warning for the use of the word "quim," though - idk if it's just me but my GOD we have got to find better old-timey genitalia slang than that).
This book doesn't reinvent the wheel or anything, but boy was it delightful ¡ª for once, I found a super trope-heavy book really enjoyable, and I was continuously surprised and delighted by the use of those tropes. I doooo think the first two thirds are super strong, and the last third leaves something to be desired, but also, it came, it served, it did exactly what it needed to do, and I can't wait to see that beaaautiful cover when it pubs . highly recommend for anyone who thinks this sounds interesting. (jumpscare warning for the use of the word "quim," though - idk if it's just me but my GOD we have got to find better old-timey genitalia slang than that).
December 28, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Well, I don't think any book in the gothic horror genre screams 'modern classic' more than this book does!
I had high expectations of this book, being gothic/body horror, I wasn't let down.
Set in the Netherlands in the 1880's, we read the tale of twin sisters, joined again in one sisters illness, which cannot be explained as a malady of a weak, feeble female mind.
In marches, the body horror aspect(very well written) twisted with the gothic setting of a country estate.
For fans of the genre, this is too good to miss. I'm so glad I got to read the ARC of this.
Well, I don't think any book in the gothic horror genre screams 'modern classic' more than this book does!
I had high expectations of this book, being gothic/body horror, I wasn't let down.
Set in the Netherlands in the 1880's, we read the tale of twin sisters, joined again in one sisters illness, which cannot be explained as a malady of a weak, feeble female mind.
In marches, the body horror aspect(very well written) twisted with the gothic setting of a country estate.
For fans of the genre, this is too good to miss. I'm so glad I got to read the ARC of this.
June 23, 2025
4.5 stars
June 4, 2025
I think this broke the book slump from hell - what an excellent book! I loved this!
I verbally said ¡°oh my god, how gross!¡± Multiple times - and I loved the ending!
I verbally said ¡°oh my god, how gross!¡± Multiple times - and I loved the ending!
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